Minutes - 19780612 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

4` :~ .~ MINUSES ORANGE COUNTY BOARb OF COMMISSIONERS JUNE 12, 1978 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Monday, June 12, 1978, at 7:30 p.m, in the Commissioners' Room of the Court House in Hillsborough far the purpose of continuing budget discussion of the proposed 1978-1979 budget. Present were Chairman Richard Whitted, Commissioners Norman Gustaveson, Jan Pinney, Norman Walker and Donald Willhoit. Others present were S. M. Gattis, County Manager; Neal Evans, Finance Officer; Joe Bradshaw, Administrative Assistant and Agatha Johnson, Clerk. Members of the County Health Board present were Chairman Dr. William Mayes, Evelyn Lloyd and Jim Boyd. Jerry Robinson, Health Director, was also present as well as members of the Health Department staff. Chairman Whitted stated that the Commissioners would hear the budget presentation of the Health Department and then recog- nized Dr. Mayes. br. Mayes stated that his Board was present tonight to present to the Commissioners the need to provide health services both directly and indirectly to the residents of Orange County. Dr. Mayes asked the Health Director, Jerry Robinson, to review for the Board the proposed financing of the Health Department. Jerry Robinson stated that the Manager's budget for the Health Department amounted to $472,304. From this amount, $25,000 is subtracted for the proposed Environmental Health Fees and $142,866 subtracted for various grants, leaving a local support level of $304,440. The Fiscal year 1978 local support was $252,881, then leaving an increase of $51,5'59. Mr. Robinson then stated that the settlement with the District Health Department he believes was somewhere in the range of $30,OOD and if this is programmed into this year's budget would leave a net increase for 1979 of $21,559 .for the Health Department. Mr. Robinson stated he had been informed by the County Manager and Finance Director that the proposed 7$ increase was arbitrary and the relationship between their funding recommendation and the budget narratives was not considered; that this was the province of the department. The County Manager stated that it was not his intent to reduce the staff or level of services over those presently authorized. The Health Director stated that his analysis of haw the Department could operate on this allocation is a consideration of (a) We wish to provide more of the minimum level of number and kinds of services in the State standards than did the District Department; (b) we wish to provide at ],east the same service level as at this year ending; (c) we do not wish tp discharge any staff. Mr. Robinson stated that all of the above criteria could be met with this level of funding; however, in order to do this he would have to be frugal regarding the purchase of X-rays, and basically not purchase equipment and perhaps limit mileage later in the year. Secondly, a public health department is supposed to be able to respond to unusual community problems. If such a need arises, a special appropriation would be necessary. Mr. Robinson stated that last year's budget was a "guesstimate" of what it would cost to pick up necessary staff to begin with. It was not based on meeting state standards, community needs, or even a program budget. The budget presented by the Health Department was constructed with an analysis of community needs, was grounded in the State Standards, and was sized in close comparison to appropriate county departments.