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The Board considered proposed plans related to the merging of the Assessor's Office <br /> and Revenue into one department to allow for a smooth and efficient transition while working <br /> to maintain the same levels in quality service currently provide to the public. <br /> Frank Clifton said that, in response to retirements and the Board's mission to create an <br /> efficient organizational structure, staff is recommending the new position of Tax Administrator, <br /> as laid out in the abstract. It would coincide with the retirement of the Tax Assessor. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Hemminger <br /> to approve appointing Jo Roberson as Tax Administrator for a term to run consistent with Ms. <br /> Roberson's current appointment to begin upon the retirement of Tax Assessor John Smith; and <br /> to authorize the Manager and staff to: <br /> 1) continue efforts toward consolidation of the Tax Assessor's office and Revenue <br /> Department; <br /> 2) develop contractual agreements with retired employees in the Tax Assessor's <br /> office; and <br /> 3) continue efforts to review outsourcing the County's EMS initial billing and insurance <br /> filing process and the business and personal property listing functions. <br /> Frank Clifton said that Jo Roberson will retire June 30, 2011. <br /> Commissioner Nelson asked if this consolidated department was common in North <br /> Carolina. Jo Roberson said that there are 68 counties in NC that have Tax Administrators, and <br /> of those, 57 have the Tax Administrator carry both titles. She does have the education <br /> qualification, but not the field experience. <br /> Commissioner Nelson said that this is good idea but there is not enough information for <br /> him to make a uniformed decision about such a huge reorganization. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked to see the short and long-term plan and have the Board <br /> approve it. <br /> Jo Roberson said that the plan is to bring back the reorganization plan at a later date. <br /> This will tentatively be brought back to the Board on October 61h <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that the outsourcing of billing on EMS was something that <br /> the Board decided specifically not to do because people would not call for an ambulance <br /> because they could not afford to pay for it. Now there is a system where Jo Roberson works <br /> with people to pay the bills. When it is outsourced, there is no level of sensitivity. <br /> Jo Roberson said that the representative from the vendor intends to come to a meeting <br /> and there will be information about the billing process, which is built to the County's <br /> specifications. She thinks that the Board will be pleasantly surprised. <br /> Commissioner Gordon made a friendly amendment to the motion, which would add <br /> bullet#4 to the motion on the floor: "bring back to the Board of County Commissioners a plan <br /> for reorganization and a plan for other aspects of the reorganization before those plans are <br /> implemented." <br /> This amendment was accepted. <br /> VOTE: Ayes, 5; No, 1 (Commissioner Nelson) <br /> Commissioner Nelson left at 9:59 PM after asking Commissioner Gordon to chair the <br /> meeting. <br />