Minutes - 06-18-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Jacobs asked about licensing well drillers or contractors who put in wastewater treatment systems. Ran Holdway said that there is a license required by the state for well drillers and a certificate for wastewater providers. He will look at the possibility of licensing by Orange County for possible cost recovery and reassurance to citizens. Rosemary Summers summarized the various inspections that are done in the County. Medicaid Issues (pSS} John Link said that he has included $300,000 in the budget far Medicaid to address the requirements of the state for County participation. This is on page 7-4 in the budget document. 4. EMPLOYEE PAY & BENEFITS PLAN John Link said that the budget includes his recommendation for this year as to the specific percentage increases for cost-of-living, 401(k), etc. Personnel Director Elaine Holmes gave a PowerPoint presentation. The pay and benefits plan was discussed at the November work session and at the April work session. The County Commissioners were satisfied with the pay and benefits plan and wanted to continue in the same direction for the coming two years with additional direction. The meritorious service awards will be improved as well as the County 401 (k) contribution. The staff will pursue a countywide position classification and pay study. The Manager is recommending acost-of-living increase of 2.5°~ effective July 1St. The social security adjustment for 2001 and 2002 was 3.5%. The recommended budget continues in-range progression at 2.5°k. The recommended budget includes funding to increase the 401 (k) contribution from the present $15 to $20 per pay period. The recommended budget includes funding for the countywide classification and pay study. She said that she has put forth a request for proposal for this study. There will be a consultant recommendation at the June 25tH meeting. The recommended budget also includes funds to offer benefits for domestic partners effective January 1, 2002. The recommended budget includes an increase in the living wage from $8.45 an hour to $9.11 an hour effective July 1St. This affects about 60 temporary employees. Commissioner Jacobs asked about the $25,000 recommended in the budget for benefits for domestic partners. Elaine Holmes said that the costs would begin an December 1St. She thinks the cost estimates are relatively high. Commissioner Brown asked for the definition of a domestic partner. Elaine Holmes said that it was unmarried adults that live together and have some type of financial interdependence and are not related. There would be a policy that would include a specific definition of a domestic partner as defined by Orange County. Commissioner Gordon asked if people have to live together for a certain amount of time to be considered domestic partners and Elaine Holmes said that there is typically Hat a time period. Chair Halkiotis agreed that the cost estimate for the insurance for domestic partners seems high. Elaine Holmes said that the cost estimate includes the cost of the benefits and the additional casts on the County's health insurance. 5. OUTSIDE AGENCY AND FIRE DISTRICT FUNDING Rod Visser said that there are twelve fire districts in Orange County. Four fire districts requested tax rates at the post-revaluation equivalent tax rate. Eight fire districts have requested tax increases. The Manager has recommended an increase for six of the fire districts. These increases are due to equipment needs. Cedar Grove and Little River need to replace 20-year old trucks. The increase for South Orange is based on a 20-year old contract that the County has with the Town of Carrboro to provide municipal fire protection. The budget includes a .35-cent tax increase for South Orange, which is driven by a formula where the fire district pays a proportion for the number of calls and the tax base. Rod Visser said that there is some question about how much of Southern Village may actually be in the South Orange district. Page 8-15 in the budget document lists all the tax rates. Commissioner Brown asked why the tax in South Orange would have to go up just because of Southern Village. Rod Visser said that the South Orange fire district pays about 26-27°~ of the Tawn of Carrboro's fire department budget. If the tax base decreases, then the formula will change.