Minutes - 19770705 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~~~: Dallas Lang requested that the Board of Commissioners consider lowering the tax rate and some salary increases. Earl Stanfield stated that he was a young dairy farmer in Orange County and was concerned about the impact of the tax increase on the dairy industry. Josephine Barbour stated that she was opposed to the $75,000 to Chapel Hill Municipal Support for Recreation. She stated that the Health Depart- ment's budget should be looked-into further. William Mishoe stated that the tax increase was taking money out of the pockets of people who are on fixed incomes. Glen Cates stated that the "County was spending money which they do not have to bu_y things which are not needed ,to impress people who they do not like". A Mr. Davis read a statement from his father, Mr, C~ PI, David, who was not present. The statement spoke against the proposed tax increase. Ben Lloyd presented to members of the Board a comparison of depart- ment heads' salaries of adjoining counties as compared to Orange County. Mr. Lloyd stated that the salaries of Orange County Department Heads' were out of line. He stated that some of the expenditures included in the budget were_out of order, such as renovation of the jail and the Grady Brown School Building. He added that if this is to be donex it should b.e done in segments and as the money is available, I~x. Lloyd requested that the Commissioners implement a temporary budget on which to operate and that the renovation of the jail and the Grady Brown Schoel and the salaries be reanalyzed. He suggested that a public hearing be held to clarify to citizens the need for the renovations and the basis for the salary in- creases. Commissioner Walker stated that since salaries were not discussed at the June 14th public hearing, he would moved that another public hearing be held for discussion of the renovation of the Grady Brown School, renava~- - tion of the jail, and regarding salaries and wages paid county employees Mrs. Barbour requested that Mr. Walker include in his motion further discussion of the Municipal Support Recreation Program in Chapel Hill and the County Health Department budgets. Mr. Davis suggested that the Board go through the entire budget and attempt to cut "the fat" from the budget, especially in the building and . rents area. Discussion ensued concerning the salary increases recommended in the 1977-1978 budget. It was pointed out that State Personnel had reviewed the jobs of county employees and had made recommendations of salary in- creases. The Board of Commissioners had considered the longevity, salary level aver a number of years which had been grossly inadequate for the responsibilities involved in administration of County business. Further discussion ensued concerning the needs of Orange. County and the expenditures of the County. Commissioner Willhoit pointed out that when voters approved the school bond referendum last fall, this resulted in a 74 tax increase to cover the cost of the bonds. The County's plans are to use the 7~ in- crease the first year to upgrade county facilities. The additional 3G is for the increase in operating cost in the two school systems He stated that presently the jail is on hold until the law is clarified as to what will be required of the County. Regarding the Health Department, Mr. Willhoit explained that the $379,000 will result in better service. He added that the increase from $144,000 of last year was that the $144,000 is a net figure to the District. $8Dx000 would have been added to the $144,000 had Orange County stayed in the District and if the District had maintained programs at their present level. This would have brought last year's total to $224,000. The difference between $379x000 this year and $224,000 of last year is $155,000 which is offset by the income from State and Federal Grants of $127,000. This would leave an actual increase of $28,000 for establishing a Health Department.