Agenda - 05-30-2013 - 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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We propose increases in the county -wide sanitation household fee as well to support County convenience centers to be charged per household as follows: • Rural Residential • Urban Household • Multi — Family Increase from $20.00 to $40.00 Increase from $10.00 to $20.00 Increase from $2.00 to $4.00 The fees mentioned above will provide an additional $1.2 million next year to fund convenience centers, solid waste and recycling services, as well as extended hours and related improvements at Solid Waste Convenience Centers. The total operating budget for Solid Waste is $13.5 million for the FY 2013 -14 budget. Employee Pay and Compensation - The cost of pay and benefits are a significant factor in the County's operating budget. This recommended budget proposes the following: • Continue to budget salaries at 100% in FY 2013 -14 • Maintains the Living Wage at $10.97 an hour, as provided by the Board of County Commissioners' living wage policy and address positions within County government below that level • A cost of living and merit pay increase equating to 3% in compensation for employees • No mandated furloughs for employees. Voluntary furlough program to remain in effect. • No layoffs except for grant funded positions where grant funds are terminated. • Implementing elements of the Classification, Pay and Benefits Study based upon on -going analysis • Continuing a six -month hiring delay for vacant positions except EMS and law enforcement • Vacant positions will continue to be eliminated when possible. Displaced employees will be moved to available positions within the County. • Continue longevity payments to employees with ten or more years of service with Orange County • Budget the non - mandated 401(k)/457 plan contributions for non -law enforcement employees • Maintain the mandated 401(k)/457 plan provisions for law enforcement at current levels • Additionally we propose making an additional matching contribution to employees 401(k)/457 plans for individual contribution made by employees up to 3 %, not to exceed $1,200. Details regarding employee pay and compensation are included in Appendix A of the budget document. Additional Revenue Options to Fund the FY 2013 -14 Budget Appropriated Fund Balance — At the discretion of County Commissioners, a supplemental appropriation of fund balance of $650,000 is provided to offset some budget impacts that have been made in the FY 2013 -14 recommended budget. This amount will not create concern with bond rating agencies and will not significantly impact our efforts to stabilize our unassigned fund balance. County Commissioners are cautioned that until the NC Legislature adopts its final budget, we do not know what impacts to expect. More importantly, as we are trying to stabilize fund balance to maintain our credit ratings and protect against future uncertainties, each appropriation of fund balance impacts our goal of targeted unassigned (formerly available) fund balance percentage of 17% of annual General Fund expenses. We have made great progress in recent years in improving Orange County's financial standing. We anticipate that at the end of the current fiscal year we can maintain our fund balance levels. X