Orange County NC Website
^ Further Discussions on Sustainability. <br />^ Continued Review of School Issues <br />Efficiency, Collaboration and Equity Funding. <br />Ken Chavious thanked all departments and his staff as well as Budget Director Donna <br />Dean, Purchasing and Central Services Director Pam Jones, Tax Collector Jo Roberson, Tax <br />Assessor Jahn Smith, and Personnel Director Elaine Holmes. He also recognized the auditors <br />-Cherry Bekaert & Holland. <br />Eddie Burke, the engagement partner from Cherry Bekaert & Holland, made reference <br />to the two letters in the packet. He explained the audit process. <br />Commissioner Brown asked about the non-compliance of the impact fee fund. Ken <br />Chavious said that the impact fee fund did not have an adopted budget last year. The impact <br />fee fund used to be a trust fund, and there is no requirement for a budget. When it was <br />converted to GASB 34, they forgot to put the budget in. It is not a big deal. <br />Commissioner Gordan asked about the list of findings or questions and Ken Chavious <br />said that there was a deficit in capital funds because they sold bonds on July 20t" instead of on <br />June 30t". Eddie Burke concurred with that and said that if there is a deficit fund balance, it has <br />to be reported. He said that all the state is looking for is that the County is going to take steps <br />to fund the deficit. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked about the practical effects of the new auditing standards. <br />Eddie Burke said that it puts more responsibility on the auditor and that they are obligated to <br />look far fraud. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that he is insulted that they have to be held up because of <br />the people that did what they did at Enron. He said that the auditors at Enron were at fault also. <br />The Board thanked Cherry Bekaert & Holland. <br />8. Public Hearings <br />a. Public Hearings for EMS & Rescue Franchise Agreements [& First Reading} <br />The Board conducted a public hearing on granting proposed ambulance franchise <br />agreements by ordinance to the two active volunteer rescue squads in the County, and to <br />consider approving these agreements on first reading. <br />Rod Visser said that through 1999 the County was served by two rescue squads and <br />they merged in early 2000. They came to the conclusion this year to split back into two entities. <br />He recommending having the public hearing and deferring the approval until December 14t" <br />because there are a few refinements needed to the ordinance. He pointed out page 8 and <br />section 4, which is a list of all services subject to franchising. He also pointed out page 20a, <br />section 16d. <br />There was no public comment. <br />Commissioner Brown asked for an elaboration on why there was a decision to split back <br />into two entities. She asked about the internal disagreement. Rod Visser said that there were <br />philosophical differences such as rules and practices. <br />Rod Visser said that they would both be providing services throughout the County. South <br />Orange will focus on special events, particularly at the University and Orange EMS and Rescue <br />Squad will have some special event coverage such as high school football games, etc. <br />Commissioner Brown asked if everyone in Orange County was getting the same service <br />and Rod Visser said yes. <br />Commissioner Gordon made reference to page 2 and specializations. Rod Visser said <br />that they have a lot of mutual aid in terms of rescue and they will call in specialists if they need <br />them from other areas and states. He said that the response time on rescue calls is not as <br />short as an EMS call. <br />