The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners reconvened the recessed budget meeting from Friday, June 4, 2004, to Friday, June 11, 2004, at 9:00am in the Conference Room of the County Office Building, 90 South Main Street, Sparta, NC.

Present: Chair Eldon Edwards, Vice-Chair Warren Taylor, Commissioner Graylen Blevins, Commissioner Sandy Carter, Commissioner Patrick Woodie, County Manager Don Adams and Clerk to the Board Karen Evans.

Chair Eldon Edwards called the meeting to order at 9:00am.

County Manager Don Adams handed out papers about the Board of Education’s request with the correct funding numbers and the amount of tax increase required to fund their requests. He stated that he was originally working with the Schools estimated numbers instead of the actual budget request.

County Manager Don Adams explained the reasons that the Extension Service salary line item is less than the requested amount; positions vacant, grant expenses, moving the alternative agriculture position to another county.

County Manager Don Adams informed the Board that the Library is asking for money from each participating county in the library system for rental space for the administrative offices. He stated that he is asking the Board to pass the budget with a stipulation that the money will not be spent for rental expenses due to policy issues and the library receives funding from the State for administrative purposes.

The Board stated that they don’t have any problem with this issue. Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon stated that she wants Alleghany County to carry our share in the regional library system.

County Manager Don Adams discussed the Board of Elections employees being a full-time director and a 75% position with benefits. He explained that the Elections’ situation has changed since the 75% position was adopted and feels like two part-time people will work better in her situation now instead of a 75% position. He explained that this isn’t any more money. He further explained that the Board of Elections wants to make sure that the 75% position isn’t deleted in case it is needed in the future. He stated that the 75% position’s salary would be moved to the part-time salary line item for the two part-time positions.

The Board agreed to this request.

County Manger Don Adams handed out budget worksheets for making changes to this year’s proposed budget. He explained the projected fund balance number is 2.9 million with $250,000 for the school bus garage and $250,000 for the tax package already committed.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie asked about the status of the school bus garage.

Chair Eldon Edwards told the Board about the plans have been completed and sent to Raleigh for approval.

County Manager Don Adams explained the budget worksheets with the changes listed out; Roaring Gap Deputies Reimbursement, DSS Administrative revenues, DSS child development revenues and Jail—food & provisions. He explained that at the June 21 regular meeting, there would be a budget amendment coming for the jail’s current budget concerning their budget shortfall of approximately $80,000 and the same amount is budgeted for this upcoming year with the risks being the same.

The Board discussed how to proceed through the budget. They decided to discuss any areas of concern and discuss the request that came before the Board.

The Board of Commissioners and County Manager Don Adams discussed the pros and cons for adding the additional position in Soil & Water office and the Building Inspections part-time position going to full-time.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon stated that she would like to see the position in the Building Inspections department go to Full-time and have a part-time position added to the Soil & Water office.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie stated that he agrees with Commissioner Herndon about changing these positions.

The Board agreed to change the part-time position to full-time for the Building Inspections office and add a part-time position for the Soil & Water office.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie stated that it is his understanding that we can get more CDBG monies if we get our projects done in a more timely manner and the County should be looking into this option.

County Manager Don Adams stated that the County spends a lot of time on this project and will continue to look into the County doing more of the CDBG projects.

The Board and County Manager discussed the proposed fee schedule for the building inspections department and the duties and pay for the Soil & Water office’s part-time position.

The Board of Commissioners and County Manager Don Adams discussed supplements for Wilkes Community College employees and faculty and the Board of Education employees.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie updated the Board about conversations with Dr. Gordon Burns concerning the supplements, Wilkes County and Ashe County already committed to providing funding for the supplements and the issue of parity between the WCC employees and Board of Education’s employees.

The Board continued to discuss the issue of the supplement for the WCC employees and Board of Education’s employees.

The Board agreed to provide the $2,240 for the WCC supplement.

Chair Eldon Edwards called for a brief recess at 10:30am.

County Manager Don Adams reviewed the costs for the Soil & Water part-time position being a technical position versus an administrative position.

County Manager Don Adams reminded the Board about the debt service in the proposed budget for the Administrative/Courthouse buildings and the proposed tax rates.

County Manager Don Adams further reminded the Board that the Local Government Commission recommends our fund balance be between 20% to 30% with 8% mandated.

The Board started discussions about the current expense for the Board of Education and waiting on the facility needs until we see some definite plans before discussing that topic.

Commissioner Warren Taylor discussed the school’s current expense, things that could be cut from their budget request and the amount of the shortfall.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie discussed the Blue Ridge BDC contract for the schools.

County Manager Don Adams explained the process of switching their technology services to the Blue Ridge BDC.

The Board and County Manager Don Adams discussed the current expense for the Board of Education.

County Manager Don Adams talked about the debt service expenses for the Administrative/Courthouse building increasing in two years and the proposed tax rate.

The Board and the County Manager discussed the issues of renovating the Courthouse, building a new facility and the debt service associated with the renovating of the Administrative/Courthouse buildings.

Commissioner Warren Taylor continued to discuss the school’s current expense and looking at giving them an additional $30,000 but don’t know where the revenues will be coming from.

The Board and the County Manager discussed the proposed tax rate increase and the amount of the increase.

The Board and the County Manager discussed the economic development fund’s revenues and expenses.

The Board continued to discuss the proposed tax rate increase and the amount of the increase.

The Board discussed giving the Board of Education the $63,119 and an additional $30,000 for their current expenses.

The Board discussed keeping sales tax revenue in the County rather than going to another county, how the County assists on the retail side of helping businesses, a county business license helping to generate more revenues and solid waste home-based business fees. They continued to discuss ways to generate more revenues and be fair for everyone.

The Board and the County Manager discussed the capital portion of the Board of Education’s budget request.

The Board continued to discuss the proposed tax rate increase.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie and Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon stated that they agree with a 5¢-tax increase for the upcoming budget year.

Commissioner Warren Taylor stated that he agrees about not raising taxes two years in a row and to go ahead and fix the problem now.

Commissioner Graylen Blevins stated that he doesn’t want to raise taxes but it appears that there isn’t a choice.

The Commissioners agreed to raise taxes 5 cent for this budget year.

The Board of Commissioners and the County Manager discussed the fee schedules for the following departments; Building Inspections, Emergency Medical Services and Solid Waste. They further reviewed the revenues for the solid waste fees, out-of-county garbage being taken to the Transfer Facility and different methods for funding the Transfer Facility. The Board agreed to the proposed fee schedules.

Chair Eldon Edwards, Commissioner Warren Taylor and Commissioner Patrick Woodie stated their appreciation for everyone working on this budget.

Chair Eldon Edwards stated his appreciation to County Manager Don Adams and Clerk to the Board Karen Evans for their assistance on the budget.

Chair Eldon Edwards adjourned the meeting at 12:40pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Evans

Clerk to the Board

Attest:

Eldon Edwards

Chairman