Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
budget from the Manager. She said that the employees are really involved in feedback and she <br /> is encouraged by this. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that these cuts represent about$2 million of savings, but <br /> more is needed. She said that on the handouts staff needs to give the Board totals of what <br /> these savings represent and the totals of what needs to be reduced. She would like this <br /> information very soon regarding the other proposed cuts. <br /> Donna Coffey said that the $2 million is just reductions in services. There will have to be <br /> another$2-2.5 million in cuts on the employee pay/benefits side. This presentation will come <br /> May 12th with the Manager's Recommended Budget. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that he would like to go through the departments <br /> alphabetically. He suggested looking at employees that are closer to age 65 for voluntary <br /> retirement. He asked staff to put in writing the costs of buyouts in age tiers, so that the Board <br /> can look at the benefits of going forward. <br /> Laura Blackmon said that retirement is only voluntary and she cannot guarantee who will <br /> volunteer for this program. A lot of times people will volunteer to retire and then will get another <br /> job elsewhere. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked for a definition of critical vs. non-critical vacant positions. <br /> Laura Blackmon said that staff is working on this definition. <br /> Commissioner Hemminger asked about longevity benefits and Human Resources <br /> Director Michael McGinnis answered that it was between 2.2-4.2% of the salary and it starts <br /> after 10 years of service and is paid on the anniversary. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier made reference to furloughs or reduction of work hours and <br /> expressed concern about the safety net services. She wants to do this equitably for all <br /> employees, but not have an effect on service delivery. <br /> Laura Blackmon said that this is one of the issues with the Sheriff's Department and <br /> EMS, because it would have to be filled in with overtime. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz said that all of the proposals for reductions seem to be <br /> temporary. He wants to get to the discussion on how to do business in a different way and on a <br /> smaller scale. He said that this is not a one-year budget problem but an ongoing problem. <br /> Chair Foushee said that what would be crucial is to live through a year of a reduced <br /> budget then assess the impacts of that year and decide what will need to be done for the long <br /> term. She said that the conversation needs to be ongoing, but it will be difficult to make <br /> decisions about doing business differently until the impacts are seen from the reduced budget. <br /> Laura Blackmon said that the County needs to look at revenue sources other than <br /> property taxes. <br /> Commissioner Nelson made reference to the recommendation to reduce the number of <br /> event brochures. He asked for a list of all event brochures that the County produces because <br /> these need to be done electronically. <br /> Commissioner Nelson said that most of the cost-saving initiatives are limited and he <br /> asked if staff looked at stopping certain services. He said that some citizens have asked him <br /> why the County is in the waste disposal business. <br /> Laura Blackmon said that most of the ones they came up with are the smaller programs <br /> within the County and it will take a lot of these to add up to anything substantial. She said that <br /> the County should look at doing away with convenience centers. <br />