Minutes 06-04-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chair Kelly (CHCCS) said enrollment this year was 150 students lower than the projected amount. He noted that some years the prediction is too high while other years it is too low leading to a wash from decade to decade. Commissioner Dorosin said the Public Schools Forum of North Carolina ranks both Orange County School Systems as the best in the State. He asked the Chair if there would be any discussion regarding the Schools this evening. Chair McKee said it is normal procedure to hear from all the departments and have a general discussion on the entire budget at a later meeting. Commissioner Dorosin suggested it may be beneficial to amend this process in the future. He said he sees benefits to having some discussion while members of the school districts are present to answer questions. Commissioner Jacobs said until the other half of the budget is heard it is difficult to make commitments. 2. Sportsplex, Pg. 418 John Stock said the 10th anniversary of the Sportsplex is approaching in December. He said in that time the Sportsplex has moved from being a financial drain on the County, to sustaining a $550,000 operating surplus last year. He said this year was challenging as needs were uncovered during lobby renovations. He said the building was analyzed as a whole and it was discovered that the entire sprinkler system needed upgrading. He said the biggest issue discovered was the sub floor heating under the ice rink was in need of repair. He said, as a result, what was expected to be a big surplus year was not. He added that since renovations and repairs were completed there has been a rush back to normalcy and growth. John Stock said the Sportsplex budget is fairly conservative but expects that revenues will increase. Commissioner Jacobs asked if there are groups which receive discounts to the Sportsplex. John Stock said Orange County employees, seniors, all State government employees, Town of Hillsborough, structured corporate discounts, Veterans, and subsidized discounts for Department of Social Services (DSS) clients. Chair McKee noted the Sportsplex parking lot is often full, an indication of its popularity. John Stockton expressed his thanks to the BOCC for their ongoing support. 3. County Departments • Sheriff, Pg. 388 Paul Laughton reviewed the highlights of this department and said these are reallocated funds. ■ The FY15-16 Manager Recommended Budget includes three (3) new Jail Alternatives program positions, consisting of a Jail Alternatives Manager (1.0 FTE), a Pre-Trial Services Coordinator (1.0 FTE), and a Drug Treatment Coordinator (1.0 FTE). This program has been funded in previous years through contracts within the Department of Social Services, so there are no additional County costs associated with the creation of these positions. The FY 2015-16 Budget also includes the addition of a 1.0 FTE Court Liaison position (salary and benefits of $71,614) to enhance coordination between all criminal justice stakeholders. ■ The FY15-16 Manager Recommended Budget includes an increase of$22,329 in Non- Permanent personnel for additional court coverage. ■ The FY15-16 Manager Recommended Budget includes an increase in Contract Services to cover the costs of outfitting a projected fifteen (15) new vehicles, as part of the proposed