The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners reconvened the recessed budget meeting from Wednesday, June 8, 2005, on Thursday, June 16, 2005, 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 Sandy Carter Herndon, Commissioner Ken Richardson, County Manager Don Adams and Clerk to the Board Karen Evans. Commissioner Graylen Blevins was presented but arrived late.

Chair Eldon Edwards reconvened the recessed meeting at 9:00am.

Randy Blankenship, Chief Building Inspector, came before the Board to discuss the Building Inspections fee schedule. He talked about the mechanical fees.

Commissioner Warren Taylor and Randy Blankenship discussed what is included during the mechanical inspections.

Randy Blankenship stated that he recommends adding a category for a Service Ditch with a $20 fee when only the ditch is involved.

Randy Blankenship explained the demolition permit and the reasons for adding the category. He talked about this would only apply to commercial buildings.

The Board of Commissioners, County Manager Don Adams and Randy Blankenship discussed the demolition permit regulations. Randy Blankenship stated that he won’t impose on people unless he sees a building being torn down that he knows has asbestos. They talked about adding the word commercial to the demolition fee for clarification on the fee schedule.

Commissioner Ken Richardson made a motion to approve the Building Inspections Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2005, implement the Solid Waste Fee Schedule 2005/2006 and implement the EMS Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2005.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon asked if the motion includes the changes discussed.

Commissioner Ken Richardson stated that his motion covers the discussed changes.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

County Manager Don Adams reviewed General Fund budget changes and how upcoming budget amendments impact the fund balance projections.

Chair Eldon Edwards stated that his concerns regarding the budget are the need for the fraud worker at Social Services, number of teachers requested by the schools and the Wellness Center’s request plus prior monies given to the Wellness Center.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon and County Manager Don Adams stated that $30,000 was allocated to the Wellness Center for construction.

Chair Eldon Edwards talked about people asking him why should the County use taxpayers’ money to support the Wellness Center.

Chair Eldon Edwards, Commissioner Warren Taylor and Commissioner Ken Richardson talked about the schools using the swimming pool for a nominal usage fee in order to help recover a portion of the expenses incurred when they are there.

Commissioner Ken Richardson talked about helping subsidize non-profit organizations. He stated that the Board doesn’t have the authority to choose what the money is spent on for education; the Board can only allocate the funds.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon talked about the significant economic benefit that the Wellness Center is in the county. She further talked about the relationship with the Wellness Center has changed because of the Recreation Department. She stated that she was comfortable with the $25,000 that the County Manager recommended.

The Board of Commissioners talked about the school bus garage and the money reserved for the garage.

Commissioner Warren Taylor and County Manager Don Adams discussed the capital outlay fund.

County Manager Don Adams explained his recommendations on the capital outlay fund and reminded the Commissioners that the Board of Education pays the County $125,000 from the capital outlay fund for the Sparta Elementary School loan. He stated that there will be at least $10,000-$15,000 more in the capital outlay fund due to the increase in sales tax.

Commissioner Warren Taylor stated that he was comfortable with the capital outlay number.

Commissioner Ken Richardson asked the Board to have the same discussion on the current expense for the schools.

County Manager Don Adams explained his recommendations on the current expense include everything except one teacher and the additional administrative position. He further explained his reasoning for waiting on the administrative position until the Board of Education decides what will be done at Sparta Elementary School. He talked about the three requested teachers.

Commissioner Graylen Blevins arrived at 10:00am.

The Board of Commissioners discussed giving the schools enough money to fund the three teacher positions.

Commissioner Ken Richardson updated Commissioner Blevins on adding the fraud worker to the Social Services budget.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon asked about putting the $250,000 for the school bus garage back into the fund balance numbers and requesting the schools to put it in their request for construction.

Chair Eldon Edwards stated that his understanding is that construction is underway, architect has completed the plans, and he recommends leaving the funds obligated.

Commissioner Ken Richardson, Commissioner Warren Taylor and County Manager Don Adams discussed taking things that aren’t included in the capital request and adding them to the construction project such as central air conditioning versus window units.

Chair Eldon Edwards mentioned his concerns about Wellness Center funding.

Commissioner Ken Richardson talked about the fund balance and the fund balance appropriation.

Commissioner Warren Taylor talked about the Wellness Center playing a big part in recreation.

Commissioner Graylen Blevins stated his concern about education and the public comments he has received regarding the Wellness Center.

Commissioner Ken Richardson talked about the financial situation of the Wellness Center, saving money at the Wellness Center and $25,000 for the Wellness Center makes a statement that the Board supports the Wellness Center.

Chair Eldon Edwards explained the fee schedule changes to Commissioner Blevins regarding Building Inspections.

County Manager Don Adams handed out a pie chart explaining where property and sales tax dollars go.

County Manager Don Adams handed out proposed meal reimbursement changes for the Board. He explained the two scenarios; one increases each meal’s allowance and the other one changes the reimbursement to a daily per diem allowance not to exceed $40.

Commissioner Ken Richardson made a motion to approve option 2 of the daily per diem allowance. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Commissioner Ken Richardson stated that he is proud of the Commissioners for such a good, sound budget and appreciates the hard work by the staff on the budget.

Commissioner Ken Richardson made a motion to adjourn at 10:49am. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Evans

Clerk to the Board

Attest:

Eldon Edwards

Chairman