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• The FY14-15 Manager Recommended Budget includes $6,600 in Capital Outlay for the Fire <br /> Marshal Division; these funds will be used to purchase 3 portable scene light units to be used <br /> during fire investigations. <br /> Communications Division <br /> Budget Highlights <br /> • The FY14-15 Manager Recommended Budget includes full-year funding for 4.0 FTE <br /> Telecommunicators; these positions were budgeted for 6 months in FY13-14. <br /> • The FY14-15 Manager Recommended Budget includes an increase of$12,030 in <br /> Educational Supplies; these supplies will be used by the QA and Training Coordinator to <br /> increase retention through having better trained, and more prepared, employees. <br /> • The FY14-15 Manager Recommended Budget includes an increase of$21,740 in Contract <br /> Services; these additional funds will be used to fund the cost of the Intrado/Motorola NG9-1-1 <br /> project, Emergency Services has contacted the NC 9-1-1 board about the possibility of grant <br /> funds to help offset the costs of this project. Additionally, this increase will allow for the <br /> Communications Division to perform psychological evaluations of potential employees pre-hire. <br /> Jim Groves said the significant budget increase is centered around increasing customer <br /> satisfaction and reducing response time. He said there is also a focus on the ability to receive <br /> texts and videos through the NG 911 technology. He said the A-911 this will also allow for <br /> seamless sharing of information between counties. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier asked how many more positions need to be added. <br /> Jim Groves said there are still a few more positions on the telecommunications side, <br /> and after this year they should all be fully staffed. <br /> Chair Jacobs asked if the County is getting away from temporary staff and reducing <br /> turnover. <br /> Jim Groves said the department is working diligently to reduce turnover in <br /> telecommunications. He said the nature of the job will always mean some overtime. He said <br /> the turnover is usually just due to the stress of the job and the shifts required. <br /> Commissioner McKee hopes that co-location of the fire departments is reducing stress <br /> and increasing morale. <br /> Jim Groves said co-location is making significant progress with reducing response <br /> times. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked about the significant differences in several of the budget <br /> numbers. <br /> Darryl Butts said there are annual fees associated with the network infrastructure to <br /> make phone calls. He said this increase will always be there. He said some of the other costs <br /> are associated with the initial infrastructure involved with equipment purchase, and there are <br /> some grants being applied for to help with this. He said the department will need to spend <br /> down the fund balance in order to receive future grants, and this will be brought to the Board <br /> for approval in the future. <br /> Clarence Grier said the fund balance increased because $900,000 had to be given <br /> back when ambulances were mistakenly thought to be approved by the 911 Board. <br /> • Housing, Human Rights and Community Development, Pg. 317 (including Non- <br /> Departmental items, Pg. 355) <br /> Tonya Walton referred to page 325, and said the Department includes Human Rights <br /> and Relations Division within the general fund, the Urgent Repair Program, HOME, and <br /> Section 8 voucher homelessness partnership programs, which are located outside of the <br />