Minutes - 20020422 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

cost-of-living increase for County employees. He hopes that the economy will improve and that an increase can be given later in the year. John Link said that the last page of the handout gives potential ways to off set possible loss of state revenues for FY 2002-03. Since Orange County may potentially lose $3.1 million in Inventory and Intangibles (equivalent to 3.3 cents) in next fiscal year, staff has identified potential options to postpone or reduce in the upcoming year. Donna Dean mentioned that the NCACC recommends that cuts come from one-time expenditures such as capital projects. Chair Jacobs made reference to a suggestion to delay personal computer replacements for one year and asked if this would put the County on a four-year cycle for computers instead of a three-year cycle and Rod Visser confirmed this statement. Rod Visser indicated that hopefully we could get back to a three- year cycle. Replacement costs for a four-year cycle would be $156,000. Commissioner Brown asked about the County projects, which may be delayed, and John Link said that they have not yet been identified. Commissioner Brown made reference to the cost of living and in-range salary increases for County employees and asked if there are any other possibilities for County employees that would not cost any money, like an increase in vacation days, etc. John Link said that he hopes in the recommended budget that he will be able to include something for County employees. He said that there are other options that would not cost any money. Commissioner Gordon asked how to anticipate for next year. John Link said that he is optimistic that the economy is turning around and getting better. Commissioner Halkiotis said that one year ago at budget time, John Link volunteered to make some cuts so that the employees could have an increase. He said that it seemed like the County did okay and wanted to know if this % of cuts could be increased. Chair Jacobs said that assuming that the State returned the money owed the County, he would like to do whatever he could to lessen the burden on the taxpayer. John Link said that last year the County Commissioners were sensitive to the tax increases levied by the municipalities and tried to lower the County's increase to lessen the impact on Orange County citizens. Commissioner Gordon asked about the 4-1/2 cent increase and how much is associated with debt service and Donna Dean said about two cents is for debt service for the 1997 bonds. Commissioner Brown asked what the debt service on the 1997 bonds would be next year and Ken Chavious said that the number would be similar but that another tax increase would not be necessary. He said that of the $1.7 million in bonds sold, $1.1 million were for schools. Commissioner Halkiotis asked what the County Commissioners' contingency is right now and Chair Jacobs said $100,000. He said that staff is going to provide a chart showing how contingency has been used for the last few years. Commissioner Halkiotis said that last year we tried to be sensitive to what was happening in the municipalities and had asked John Link to keep the Board informed as to the increases expected by the municipalities. Also, there were some fire district tax increases and water increases. Impacts can be layered on top of each other increasing impacts on citizens.