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Frank Clifton said that Planning Director Craig Benedict has taken on a lot of <br /> responsibilities this past year. <br /> This was on page 200. Planning and Inspections and Efland Sewer are within the <br /> same pages. Planning and Inspections expenditures increased by $35,000 this year and the <br /> majority of that increase is due to an additional proposed new position, 0.5 FTE in the Planning <br /> Department and the other 0.5 FTE in the Health Department to help with the central permitting <br /> process. The fee change for the Efland Sewer is on page 329. There is a proposal to modify <br /> the rate structure for the sewer system to match the City of Mebane. For a revenue neutral <br /> rate, it would be $13.20 per 1,000 gallons. <br /> Craig Benedict said that the property development specialist position will help them <br /> move forward with customer service where a person can answer questions in environmental, <br /> well and septic, zoning, erosion control, billing, etc. This position will be cross-trained and will <br /> help with economic development also. He said that the operational expenses are a little higher <br /> this year due to putting more funding into code enforcement. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked about the agreement with Mebane. He said that the rate <br /> is going to be higher than the out-of-town rate and he asked if Mebane would be content not to <br /> annex in exchange. <br /> Craig Benedict said that the revenue that Mebane would get under the system would <br /> be equal to the standard program for out-of-town rates. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked about joint planning with Mebane. <br /> Craig Benedict said that the subjects are being broached and he can meet with some <br /> representatives and work on this before meeting with Mebane again. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz said that it would be appropriate to see what Mebane's land use <br /> vision is before trying to mesh an unknown plan with the County's at this point. He suggested <br /> waiting to see what Mebane comes up with. <br /> Craig Benedict said that he is in contact with the City of Mebane and their consultant to <br /> let them know that Orange County does have a land use plan. It does not seem that Mebane <br /> has any problem with what Orange County is suggesting from Efland west. <br /> The Board agreed to continue the meeting at 10:32 PM. <br /> Lisa Henty gave some budget highlights on page 188 for OPT. Page 312 has the <br /> proposed fee changes. Expenditures did rise slightly by about $68,000. Part of that is a <br /> request for an additional $23,000 for flex drivers. Another large increase is in the motor pool <br /> costs, which is about $17,000. There is also capital outlay of$7,000 for NCDOT reporting. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that the County needs to do a better accounting of OPT's <br /> costs. <br /> • County Manager <br /> This was on page 83. The budget totals $824,000 and is an increase of$111,000, <br /> which is associated with the Public Information Officer position as well as operational items <br /> such as travel, training, and expenses. <br /> Greg Wilder said that the Manager's budget as originally requested is a decrease of <br /> $8,502. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that there will be three Assistant County Managers and one <br /> County Manager and only three people they will be supervising. He said that he would like the <br /> third Assistant Manager position up for a vote on a future agenda. <br /> Frank Clifton said that Commissioner Jacobs is correct and there have not been three <br /> Assistant Managers in the past, but in the past there were more department heads. He said <br />