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Ilb <br />3. ~i.;~;~a .ti., <br />Mr. Rill Baxter presented the Mental Health Budget to the Board. <br />with a summary of State and Federal cuts and the impact those cuts would <br />have on the Mental Health budget. Mr. Baxter said there was no increase <br />in the amounts requested from the three counties served this year and he <br />hoped to increase third party payments. He also projected a fund balance <br />of $225,000 which the Mental Health Board had elected to use aver the next <br />three years in $70,000 increments. He said service levels would be main- <br />tained in Orange County but cuts would include elimination of the 6 bed <br />contract with Memorial Hospital and 2 full time clerical positions in Orange <br />County. <br />Commissioner Barnes expressed appreciation to Mr. Baxter for bringing <br />in.a budget with no increase. <br />Mr: Tom Ward, Director of Social 5ervices,and Ms. Janice Schopler, <br />Chair of the Board of Social Services, noted that the Board had received <br />this Gepartment's preliminary budget on April 6. Ms. Schopler said this <br />budget included an increase of 2.Ii;County funding once the 4.9% cash pay- <br />ments to clients was subtracted from a 7% total. Ms. Schopler said the <br />Board of Social Services requested the Manager's recommended budget 6e ~~ <br />increased by $29,000. The Board voiced its concern of the shift for <br />mandated services from the State to the County level with no increase in <br />funding and no flexibility for the County. <br />P1r. Ward told the Board his department would lose 7 positions come <br />October 1st if the Board did not increase the Manager's recommendation by <br />$29,000. In any event, he said he'd lose 5 positions. <br />The Board told Mr. Ward that the Personnel Director could ease hi.s <br />work load in the recruitment process; The personnel Director has had ex- <br />perience dealing with the State. Register in Fayetteville. <br />Tile Board, noting that th.are appeared to 6e some duplication of services <br />in two areas, that of personnel and purchasing, suggested that the duplication <br />be eliminated. <br />Various staff members from the Department of Social Services told <br />the Board of the impact cuts would have on their divisions. <br />Mr. 4Jard said he would like the Board of Commissioners to grant a <br />waiver in th b <br />f e num er of hours persons could work for the County. If such <br />