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They have identified $738,000 in the operations budget but have not been able to <br />recommend reductions in Medicaid, energy/utilities, or health insurance. He said that they are <br />facing a 16% increase in health insurance and he is recommending a $250 deductible for <br />outpatient and inpatient hospital services. They are working with Commissioner Halkiotis on <br />energy conservation efficiencies and those will not be realized in the course of this budget. <br />He made reference to pages 1 and 2 of attachment 3a and said that these are <br />interdepartmental initiatives and they total $550,000. The other cuts are on pages 3 and 4 and <br />they are reductions in specific departments. <br />^ Recommended ReductionslSavings/EfficiencieslRevenue Enhancements to <br />Achieve the $500,000 Operating Budget Reduction <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked about Mr. Segal's report and if it may address additional <br />savings. He asked when the Board would hear from Mr. Segal. These recommendations could <br />be folded into the Manager's recommendations for cuts. <br />Finance Director Ken Chavious said that Mr. Segal has given them a break and will be <br />back into finalize things. He said that Mr. Segal's focus is mainly on the school systems now <br />with collaborative issues. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he would not want to eliminate the employee holiday <br />social and the Board agreed. He asked about the mowing service at Blackwood and Cate <br />Farms and said that this should be arevenue-generated service. Budget Director Donna Dean <br />said this is just mowing around the building itself. Commissioner Jacobs said that he rents out <br />acres at $20/acre far the hay. This will defray same of the casts. John Link said that they <br />would pursue this with Cooperative Extension. <br />Commissioner Jacobs made reference to #16 on page 4 and asked about the fees that <br />are being charged for the after school program. Donna Dean said that this is savings and <br />revenues. There are no details yet on the fees as the staff is still working on this. The final <br />amount will be brought back to the Board. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked that #7, Employee Development, not be cut. <br />Chair Carey asked haw much funding is left after this proposed cut. Personnel Director <br />Elaine Holmes said that it leaves enough funding for the programs already committed through <br />January. The total amount left is about $40,000. <br />Commissioner Foushee asked what keeping this amount in would allow employees to <br />do. <br />Kathleen Gaodhand said that what would be left would be far initiatives related to <br />wellness, computer training, Spanish language, and cultural awareness training. The cuts <br />would include customer service training, team building training, etc. <br />Commissioner Foushee said that she would advocate for the supervision and customer <br />service items. Commissioner Gordan and Chair Carey agreed. <br />Commissioner Gordon made reference to page 3 and #11, the delay of hiring interns. <br />She said that interns have been an integral part of the boards and commissions operating. On <br />page 21, ERCD also recommends that this is not a good idea. It might be too late since the <br />recruiting period is over. <br />Jahn Link said that he would assume that ERCD Director Dave Stancil could be <br />recruiting now. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that Dave Stancil could go ahead and start recruiting right <br />away. John Link said that he would talk to Dave Stancil about this. <br />Commissioner Jacobs made reference to #9 and the Economic Development loan pool <br />requests being lower. Donna Dean said that this is for the administrative costs of the loan pool. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked about the loan fund itself and Donna Dean said that there is <br />$75,000 in the CIP that was approved several years ago that they have not used. <br />