Minutes 03-04-2010 Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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APPROVED 4/6/2010 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUDGET WORK SESSION March 4, 2010 7:00 p.m. The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a budget work session on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Valerie P. Foushee, and Commissioners Alice Gordon, Pam Hemminger, Barry Jacobs, Mike Nelson, Bernadette Pelissier, and Steve Yuhasz COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Frank Clifton and Clerk to the Board Donna S. Baker (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) 1. Adoption of an Amendment to the Bond Resolution for the Approved Issuance of General Obligation Bonds to Refinance County Bonds Issued in 2001 and 2003 A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Hemminger to adopt the resolution, which is incorporated by reference, regarding the amendment to the December 15, 2009 Bond Resolution to extend the maturities of the bond sale to refinance the County's 2001 and 2003 bonds to December 31, 2022; and authorize and direct staff to take the actions contemplated in such proceedings to complete the closing of the refunding bond issue. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 2. Retirement Incentive Program Frank Clifton introduced the County staff that was present. Human Resources Director Michael McGinnis said that he is here to discuss another early retirement incentive program. As part of balancing the budget for 2009-2010, there was a retirement incentive program and there were 150 eligible employees and they predicted that about 37 people, or 25%, would apply for the incentive. Based on that, the savings were predicted at $375,000. The Manager actually approved 46 positions for retirement and there has been a savings of $800,000. This number is based on the positions that will remain frozen and may be deleted. Because of the retirements, a number of departments had to look at the services they provided and the need for the services. Several departments had to do some reorganization. He made reference to Attachment (2010 Orange County Retirement Incentive Program description) and said that this year they are looking at another retirement incentive program that will be similar to last year's, but more restrictive. Employees have to have a minimum of ten years with the County to be eligible and they would need to retire by June 30, 2010. There are about 18 people eligible with a potential for$375,000 of savings. Another change would be to allow the Manager to exempt certain positions from being offered this incentive because some positions could not be frozen for a long period of time. This would allow the Manager to review the critical functions of the 91 eligible participants.