Minutes - 19980610 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Commissioner Halkiotis asked why this law is so complicated to carry out. Ms. Rolfe said that it is related to the fact that North Carolina has always had a listing system which was done on an honor system. In 1993 it changed so that more revenue is being collected. Ms. Rolfe said that this year we have initiated a reminder notice procedure and a lot of people have indicated that they never received their notice which was a postcard. Commissioner Gordon asked about tracking the cost savings if they change the procedure for mailing the vehicle tax bill. She feels we need to track personnel costs. Ginger Rolfe told about the new position she is requesting. She explained that she has revenue technicians who are spending time at the counter instead of doing what they are supposed to be doing. She needs one person to stay at the counter at all times - a collection clerk. On page 5-12 of the 1998-99 budget document, the expected outcome from adding this collection clerk is shown as well as the revenue it will generate. Communitv Planning John Link stated that the new position for erosion control is not included in this budget. Interim Planning Director Gene Bell presented an overview of his budget. He said that their overall budget request compared to last year reflects a small increase. Chair Margaret Brown asked about the new erosion control officer and the classification. Gene Bell said that this classification would be a higher level than those who work in that department at the present time except for Warren Faircloth. Chair Margaret Brown would like to see this position in the budget. Commissioner Gordon made reference to page 6-5 in the budget document and asked about the impact analysis and Gene Bell said that this is the one that has not been done yet. Commissioner Gordon asked about page 6-3 and the outcomes for the advisory boards on land use issues in the County. She asked if he has staff to do that and Gene Bell said that they are approaching that level with a temporary position to help with several projects. Commissioner Carey asked about the cost of $72,000 for Shaping Orange County's Future and the County cost. Budget Director Donna Dean said that the County's final appropriation for this upcoming year for this project is $39,414. This is shown on pages 11-18 of the budget document. Economic Development John Link said that the budget stayed at the same level. He distributed a summary of this budget. Economic Development Director Greg Payne said that they are advertising for an Assistant at this time. Regarding the Arts Commission which has been in the EDC office for one year he said that this position has grown from 10 hours to 20 hours and Jim White has devoted more than 20 hours to this position. The grant program is successful in helping artists and art organizations throughout the County. A lot of the grants go into the schools for cultural enrichment. Chair Margaret Brown asked Greg Payne if he has developed a strategy for getting grants for various County programs and departments. He said that he will seek expert advice on this and hopes to be able to help not only County departments but also the nonprofits in their efforts. Social Services Social Services Director Marti Pryor-Cook summarized her budget. They have several initiatives identified in her budget. Her overall increase is 4.4%. She expanded on the Work First plan and that initiative. This revenue will come from savings they have realized from their public assistance program as a result of a reduction in their case load because people are going to work. She talked about the CHIPS/Medicaid program which is effective Oct. 1. They have estimated a total of 500 children eligible for that program. That money is in their Medicaid budget. She talked about the outreach for that program and the procedure they plan to have in place. Chair Margaret Brown asked about tracking the recipients of the TANF program. Marti Pryor-Cook said that they have money in the budget to accomplish this by outsourcing with a nonprofit. They have 500 adults who receive TANF funds which is the program covered by Welfare Reform. Since 1995, they have assisted over 250 participants to go from welfare to work.