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Commissioner Brown said that the in-range would be fine with her, but she thinks that we need to address the issue of the health insurance because the majority of the people that have dependent coverage make less than $50,000 annually. Ken Chavious said that any time a lump sum is given to a County employee it is taxable, so the employee would not benefit fully from getting a flat amount. Commissioner Carey suggested increasing the County's subsidy for one year, which will hold harmless any increase in the health care cost. Chair Jacobs said that there is $145,000 in the budget far meritorious pay. This can be used for other options including increasing the subsidy the County pays for health care costs. Commissioner Halkiotis said that the 1$% health care costs increase is an estimate. Last year, the County budgeted far 15% and it was 8%. Elaine Holmes said that based on conversations she has had with the health care providers she would not decrease this 18%. John Link suggested that the County Commissioners put an amount of money in the budget for pay and benefits and further discuss this in the fall since the health care increase will not be effective until January 1, 2003. Commissioner Gordon said that she would rather wait and make a decision later in the year on pay and benefits. Chair Jacobs said that there will be a work session in October and this could be discussed at that time and we can finalize how we want to apply this $145,000. Commissioner Brown asked if acost-af-living increase could be discussed in October also and Commissioner Gordon indicated that acost-of-living would not be possible this year because of the cost. John Link said that depending on the revenue picture in October, the Board could, at that time, consider whatever they want regarding pay and benefits. The Board can do a budget amendment at that time. Chair Jacobs said that once we see what the legislature has done and see if other revenue streams are available, the County Commissioners could then put in priority order what they want to address with additional revenues. Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to the subsidy in insurance casts and said that he supports doing something for County employees in this area. There was a general consensus of the Board that the insurance issue would be addressed first in the fall. There was a consensus for asix-month hiring freeze. Chair Jacobs asked about the three changes that he proposed -putting money back in the affordable housing trust fund to help cover the urgent home repair program, increasing the reserve to cover State human services cuts, and restoring part-time Aging positions. The Board agreed with the first two, and agreed to address the Aging positions in the realm of all the temporary positions. John Link said that there are going to be many cuts at the State level. A priority list will need to be developed for County monies available for outside agencies. Many outside agencies have had their budgets cut also at the State level. He said that some of the cuts would be made to Smart Start, childcare subsidies, Criminal Juvenile Justice programs, health, and DSS. These will need to be addressed first. Commissioner Brown feels we need to be all encompassing when we look at the programs that have had or may have their budget allocation cut by the state. Jahn Link said that he talked with Tom Maynard from O-P-C Mental Health who indicated that so far they are going to be able to absorb the cuts from the State. However, if there are other cuts, he may not be able to absorb all of them. BREAK 9:00 - 9:15