Minutes - 20020530 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Nicole Fearrington, a parent of two children, talked about her appreciation for childcare subsidy. She would not be able to work if it were not for this subsidy. There are parents who cannot work because of the high cost of childcare. Parents want to know that their children are safe and in a learning environment. The funding of $40,000 is very important. Florence Gray Soltys congratulated John Link for his recommended budget. She made reference to a meeting with the Advisory Board on Aging held today about the senior centers in Orange County. They talked about a lot of strategies far keeping the senior centers open. They are mostly concerned with the programs for the frail. There is a reduction of $5,920 for the temporary workers for this program. The respite programs will be in jeopardy if they do not have these temporary workers. The Friend to Friend program will also be in jeopardy without the temporary workers. This is one of the most innovative and well-recognized programs in the Orange County Department on Aging. Also, the proposed cut in RSVP is most likely federal funds and not County funds. This needs to be clarified. If the tax rate is cut at 2°~ this would delay the Adult Day Health Program that is ready to get going. For the Community Alternative Program, the Medicaid waiver, has been frozen. These people are at risk of going into nursing homes, which is more expensive. The State is looking at reducing the CAP from 35 hours a week to 26 hours or less. The Adult Day Health Program will cost far less than the CAP ar a nursing home. Melvin Hurston spoke as a member of the Orange County Board of Health. He thanked the County Commissioners far their support over the years. This past year they received support for new positions, which have helped tremendously. They are concerned about the budget cuts that may be passed on to them by the State. He urged the County Commissioners to keep the $110,000 recommended by the Manager in mind and set it aside in a contingency. The Health Department is functioning at a bare minimum. About 20% of their budget is far necessary operating expenses to take care of County citizens. The Health Department stands to lase as much as $165,000 and another $141,000 is at risk through cuts to the Smart Start program. These cuts will eliminate 4.5 positions -two nurses, a health educator, a social worker, and ahalf-time clerical staff member. Allen Spalt said that he realizes that this is a very difficult year. He thanked the County Commissioners for all they have done for education. The Manager notes that a million dollar cut in capital expenditure for the schools may be necessary if the State follows through on keeping the money which belongs to the County. He is concerned about the implications this may have for the Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance. He asked the County Commissioners to fully fund the school capital investment program so that the SAPFO can go into effect, possibly by next year. If the SAPFO does not go into effect soon, there will be a time of catch up for the schools because of overcrowding. He urged the County Commissioners to make sure that the capital plan is adequate so that the SAPFO can go into effect. Dee Gamble, Chair of the Social Services Board, thanked the County Commissioners for their support. It has been a busy year for them in hiring a new director and collaborating with the Health Department in a campaign to engage the public in awareness and prevention of child abuse. They have examined and approved the budget for the Department of Social Services. The County Commissioners have heard the concerns about the impact of the State budget. Although they are not directly affected at this time by the mental health reforms, they will be. She said that we really have to look at what the quality of life is for the poorest people in our County. For example, Work First is touted as a huge success across the land. There are many more people working now who were formally receiving public assistance whose average annual salary is $7,500. She said that they appreciate the fact that the County Commissioners are concerned about those who are most vulnerable in this community. Dr. Jonathan Klein, physician member of the Board of Health and presently serving as the Chair of the Board of Health, said that it is because of these tough times that the Orange County Health Department needs more support from the County Commissioners. He said that 10.5% (12,500 people - 12°~ white, 21.8% black} of the population lives in poverty. There are 24,000 children under the age of 18. Of those, 12.5% or 3,000 children in our community live in poverty. In calendar year 2001, there were 5,169 children on Medicaid and another 495 were enrolled in Health Choice. In this past fiscal year, more