Minutes - 06-14-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Clerk to the Board Beverly Blythe will provide a proposal far the organization of her office to the Board. General Administration John Link said that the budgets of the Budget office, Finance, Purchasing, Rent and Insurance, and Information Systems are reflective of maintaining the present service delivery. Pam Jones said that the increase in Central Services is made up of an increase in insurance and in professional services. She usually puts in $150,000 for attorney fees, but this year she put in $200,000. A lot of the attorney fee increase has to do with the Blue CrosslBlue Shield claim. Board of Elections Commissioner Jacobs asked about a district tax and the cost for opening the polls. It was answered that it would cost approximately $55,000. Community Planning Budget Director Donna Dean said that there was an increase in hours included in the Arts Commission budget for the Director's position. Commissioner Jacobs asked about the Visitors Bureau's budget and $59,000 in operations. Pam Jones said that this increase is to cover rent and renovation for new space. Commissioner Brown made reference to the Arts Commission and asked about the justification for the increase in hours for the Arts Director. This is included in the position information that was received in May. Human Services John Link noted that Cooperative Extension, Human Rights and Relations, the library, and Child Support are providing services at the same level this coming year without new positions. He has also recommended $93,000 more for Mental Health. In answer to a question from Commissioner Gordon, Human Rights and Relations Director Annette Moore said that they have been reducing the case inventory because they wanted to move away from being just an enforcement agency and reducing the level of incidents that occur. The Commission for Warren is still receiving staff support. Commissioner Gordon reinforced that the Commission for Women should be supported to the highest level possible from the Human Rights and Relations Department. She would like to see the Commission far Warren move to advocacy. Commissioner Carey agreed with moving to advocacy and trying to prevent problems by being proactive. Commissioner Gordon asked how much of the budget would be allocated for the Commission for Women and Annette Moore said that there is a line item of $5,000 for the Commission for Women for administrative support. Commissioner Brown asked for a specific breakdown on haw the $5,000 was spent. Commissioner Brown made reference to the goals set by the Commission for Women and suggested that they work with other agencies in County government so that so much time is not spent in getting information that is readily available. Commissioner Jacobs verified with Annette Moore that there was an ESL employee that could answer calls from non-English speaking citizens. Commissioner Gordon made reference to the history of the Commission far Women in working on employment equity. She would like the Commission for Women to work on this again. Commissioner Brown made reference to the history of the living wage and how Orange County has dealt with it. She hopes that the Commission for Women will use County government as an example. Donna Dean said that the operational increases in personal health are primarily due to increases in pharmaceutical costs and a need to implement a 'needleless' system to meet OSHA requirements. There is also an increase in the professional contract line item. Regarding