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24 <br /> General Fund Expenditures Budget versus Actual Comparative Analysis (chart) <br /> Economic Summary <br /> • NC State 2016 Economic Outlook indicates: <br /> - Economic growth in North Carolina forecasted to continue; adding 86,000 payroll <br /> employment and another 90,000 forecasted for 2017 <br /> - By end of 2017, several regions Asheville, Charlotte, Durham, and Raleigh-will <br /> have unemployment rates below 4% <br /> - Key state-wide economic issues include preparing workforce through training for <br /> Technology sector jobs <br /> - Public policy question of balancing attracting businesses and employment to <br /> regions lagging in economic growth juxtaposed with developing skills of individuals <br /> living in lagging regions <br /> - Continued widening income inequality between highest average salaried sectors of <br /> Financial Services and Information Technology <br /> - The lowest average salaries are in Leisure and Hospitality, Trade, Utility, and <br /> Transportation sectors <br /> Commissioner Burroughs thanked Gary Donaldson for his presentation. She referred <br /> to page four, and the charges for services. She asked if there is less crime and fewer calls to <br /> EMS. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said this could be true or the collection of fees may not be as <br /> aggressive. She said in the FY2015-16 budget the Tax Administration Office took over <br /> collections for EMS, which has not worked out as well as hoped. She said she would gather <br /> more information. <br /> Commissioner Burroughs said the narrative allows questions to come to the forefront, <br /> which is helpful. <br /> Commissioner Rich said the County's new strategy is to look at a five-year plan, and <br /> asked if the schools have also started this process. <br /> Gary Donaldson said yes, the County and the Schools are collaborating well to get a <br /> plan underway. He said hopefully this method will help to reduce the element of surprise <br /> during the budget process. <br /> c. New County Financial Transparency Portal <br /> The Board, County Manager, residents and employees received information on the <br /> Department of Finance and Administrative Services new County Financial Transparency <br /> Portal. <br /> Gary Donaldson said this item comes through Munis, and the information is updated <br /> weekly. He said it is to provide an alternate means of accessing the County's financial <br /> records, and is completely private. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said this portal is going public tomorrow, and there will be a press <br /> release issued about it. <br /> The Board received this information item. (No vote required.) <br /> 9. County Manager's Report <br /> Bonnie Hammersley formally introduced Todd McGee, the new Community Relations <br /> Director. <br />