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| Board Minutes June 27, 2005 The Bladen County Board of Commissioners met in Special Session for a budget workshop at 7:30 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Room of the Courthouse with the following members present: |
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| Greg Taylor, Chairman | ||||
| Margaret Lewis-Moore, Vice Chairman | ||||
| Lewis Tatum | ||||
| Delilah B. Banks | ||||
| Larry Smith | ||||
| Billy Ray Pait | ||||
| W.D. Neill, Jr. | ||||
| James G. Smith | ||||
| Charles Ray Peterson | ||||
| Chairman Taylor called the meeting to order. County Manager Greg Martin distributed copies of a letter addressed to Senator Tony Rand requesting his support for provisions of the house budget, pertaining to Medicaid funding as well as increased low wealth funding for school systems. Chairman Taylor asked the Board for its opinion regarding the letter. Discussion was held concerning the letter’s content, and the consensus of the Board was that the letter was in order and to forward it to Senator Rand. Commissioner Larry Smith arrived. |
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| ITEM 1. | Consider Property & Liability Insurance Renewal Review Claims History: | |||
| County Manager Greg Martin presented options for the Board’s consideration regarding Property and Liability Insurance Renewal. Discussion was held and the following action was taken: A motion was made by Delilah B. Blanks, seconded by W. D. Neill, Jr. and approved by a vote of 6 AYES (Greg Taylor, Margaret Lewis-Moore, W. D. Neill, Jr., Billy Ray Pait, Delilah B. Blanks, Larry Smith) to 3 NOES (Lewis Tatum, Charles Ray Peterson, James G. Smith) to adopt Option 1 with a $1,000 deductible for Property and Liability Insurance. | ||||
| ITEM 2. | Sheriff’s Requests: | |||
| A. | Courthouse Security – Discussion was held regarding the Sheriff’s requests for increased courthouse security. The Board reviewed the requests previously submitted by the Sheriff and the overall costs. Commissioner James G. Smith advised that the Sheriff categorized his needs as follows - #1 (1 Dispatcher position) #2 (Courthouse Security) #3 (1 Investigator position). A motion was made by Billy Ray Pait, seconded by Margaret Lewis-Moore to grant the Sheriff’s request of $123,087 for Courthouse Security. Chairman Taylor called for discussion of the matter. Commissioner Blanks advised that she needed parameters regarding the individual requests. She reminded the Board that the money is coming out of the General Fund and that these requests are drawing down the General Fund. Commissioner Pait asked for clarification from the County Manager on the percentage that this request would lower the fund balance to. After further discussion, Commissioner Pait withdrew his motion and Commissioner Moore withdrew her second of the motion. The consensus of the Board was to revisit the Courthouse Security agenda item later in the meeting. |
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| B. | Vehicles – Discussion held to keep the three budgeted vehicles as indicated in the proposed budget. No action taken. | |||
| C. | Positions – A motion was made by Larry Smith, seconded by Billy Ray Pait to approve one additional dispatcher position to allow for the removal of a supervisor out of dispatcher rotation. The motion also included that the position would be funded by EMS revenues. The vote was unanimous. | |||
| ITEM 3. | DSS Request – Food Stamp Position | |||
| Consensus of the Board was to leave the requested Food Stamp Position in as an amendment to the proposed FY06 budget. | ||||
| ITEM 4. | Bladen Community College Request | |||
| Discussion held regarding the need for a small vehicle at an approximate cost of $15,000. | ||||
| ITEM 5. | Bladen County Schools Request | |||
| Discussion held regarding the school’s request for additional funding beyond the proposed FY06 budget. The County Manager was asked to address the question of how much money the Board can consider for the school system without having to raise property taxes. Mr. Martin advised that the cost of doing business is continuing to increase. He further advised that Bladen County has a stagnant to declining tax base, and the only way to increase revenues is through an expanding tax base or to raise property taxes. Chairman Taylor advised that he had spoken with Bladen County’s auditor and the auditor was of the opinion that Bladen County will add a small amount to fund balance this fiscal year. Mr. Taylor further advised that the County has appropriated 1.4 million out of fund balance for FY06 and because of the appropriation; its percentage will decrease to approximately 18%. Discussion continued regarding how much additional funding beyond the proposed budget that each commissioner felt he could support. | ||||
| ITEM 6. | Archer Pay Classification and Study | |||
| Chairman Taylor advised that the Archer Study (pertaining to Department Managers) was based on a 37.5 work week. He further advised that Department Managers are salaried employees and called for discussion on adopting the pay plan based on a 40 hour work week for Department Managers. Chairman Taylor indicated that the cost for implementation would be approximately $59,000 of which ½ ($30,000) would be effective for FY06. No Action Taken. | ||||
| ITEM 7. | CDBG Related Matters – Business Incubator Project: | |||
Consider Section 504 Plan and Recipient’s Plan to Further Fair Housing – A motion was made by Delilah B. Blanks, seconded by James G. Smith and approved to adopt the Section 504 Plan and Recipient’s Plan to Further Fair Housing. Section 504 - Self Evaluation Survey
In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and 24 CFR Part 8, Bladen County has evaluated its policies, practices and facilities in order to assure that no otherwise qualified individual with disabilities shall be denied the benefits of this program, and that no otherwise qualified individual with disabilities shall be subjected to discrimination under this program. A review of the County's existing policies and practices reveals none that exist that would discriminate against any individual with disabilities nor prevent any otherwise qualified individual with disabilities from full participation in the benefits of this program. The County will include a statement in all program publications that no otherwise qualified individual with disabilities will be denied the opportunity to participate in or to benefit from the services provided by this program due to his or her disability. The County will continue to monitor its policies and practices to insure that no impediments are established that would prevent the full participation of individuals with disabilities in this program. The County will conduct all program activities in a place that is readily accessible to individuals with disabilities in order to assure the opportunity for full participation of individuals with disabilities in this program. The County will conduct all program activities in a place that is readily accessible to individuals with disabilities in order to assure the opportunity for full participation in program activities by these individuals. The County has surveyed the administrative building where program activities are conducted for accessibility to individuals with disabilities. This survey reveals that the building is accessible to disabled individuals. No structural changes are required to obtain full accessibility. The County will give notice to all employees by posting said notice on the County bulletin board located at the County Administrative Offices that it will comply with the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 regarding non-discrimination of employees with disabilities. The County has the following grievance policy in place for Section 504 compliance:
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| ITEM 8. | Consider Resolution to “Welcome Home Troops”: | |||
A motion was made by James G. Smith, seconded by Larry Smith to approve “Welcome Home Troops” Resolution. The vote was unanimous. WHEREAS, the United States of America has been and remains in a War on Terrorism; and WHEREAS, the Bladen County Board of Commissioners desires to honor the dedicated men and women of the North Carolina National Guard, Troop E-196 th Calvary; and WHEREAS, these men and women have exemplified their commitment to the security of our nation; and WHEREAS, let no one doubt that the citizens of Bladen County stand united behind our troops and fervently offer our prayers for their safe return. WHEREAS, Bladen County service members have upheld this tradition admirably and with dedication in their response to the call-to-arms to combat the foe of the world terrorism; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bladen County Board of Commissioners takes immense pride in welcoming these fine service members and all returning military personnel back home and expresses profound gratitude to them and their families for their part in defending and promoting freedom throughout the world. Adopted this 27 th day of June, 2005. Chairman Taylor recessed the meeting until Wednesday, June 29, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. |
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| ________________________ Greg Taylor, Chairman Bladen County Board of Commissioners |
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| ATTEST: _______________________ |
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