HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_0338 (2)In reference to future space needs, Vernon said the following departments needed to be
reviewed: (1) Inspections/Planning (2) Jail Expansion (3) Tax Assessor/Revaluation/Collector ( 4)
Recreation (5) Health Department (Environmental) (6) Elections (7) Finance ( 8) Mapping/GIS ( 9)
Animal Control (10) Health Dept. and (11) ECOM.
Mashburn asked if the board had any objections to Design Associates preparing a sketch for
the conversion of the existing Agricultural Building into space for the courts (top level) and the
Register of Deeds (bottom level).
It was the consensus of the commissioners to allow Design Associates to create the drawings.
The staff was reminded that Sheriff Redmond wanted the opportunity to give input on the
design of any court space in Mooresville.
Commissioner Johnson suggested that at a future regular meeting, the board review the
departmental space needs and prioritize them.
PERSONNEL ISSUES: Personnel Director Carolyn Hams and Mark Browder of Mark 111
Brokeragejoined the commissioners. Browder said his firm focused on the health insurance needs
of individuals. He said current insurance trends were not favorable because physicians and hospitals
"banded together." Browder said Piedmont Healthcare's decision to cancel contracts with Blue
Cross and Blue Shield was not unique, and it was occurring elsewhere.
Mashburn asked how Iredell County's benefits compared to other public agencies.
Browder said Iredell County's benefits were "a little on the low side and the costs were a
little on the high side."
Harris said a few years ago, the county started providing coverage for retirees. (The
coverage was given until the retiree was eligible for Medicare.) She said the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC) had now deemed this practice to be discriminatory. Harris said
she discussed the matter with the county's labor attorney, and he said the EEOC ruling stemmed
from a Pennsylvania court case. The attorney advised Harris to continue offering the coverage, but
that amendments would be drafted in case the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the EEOC ruling.
Personnel Studv: Harris said anew personnel study should be completed by April. She said
the study would (1) determine if the current pay plan was competitive (2) determine if compaction
was occurring and (3) analyze the county's merit plan.
EMS: Response Times: EMS Director Tracy Jackson and Centralina Council of
Governments Representative Rebecca Yarbrough shared information about EMS response times.
Yarbrough noted that in gauging an EMS response time, "it started when the 911 center received the
call and it stopped when the responder arrived on the scene within distance ofthe patient to do some
good." Yarbrough said the Harmony EMS base, when not in use in the northern end, provided
assistance to the Statesville units. She said a quick response vehicle had been mentioned in the past,
but the volume was not there to justify it. Mrs. Yarbrough said the Troutman unit was ideally
located, and it provided assistance towards the Statesville area and in the southern end. She said
it would become more valuable in the future. In reference to more service in the future, she said
something west of I-77 might be needed. Mrs. Yarbrough said leasing an area rather than purchasing
would be the most practical because the service could be relocated if the volume moved. Yarbrough
said QRVs were acceptable if there were volunteers to drive them. In summary, Yarbrough said the
county was in "good shape" as far as the units. She said, however, the southern end might need
more coverage in the future.
The clerk was asked to send a letter to the Lake Norman VFD asking about the willingness
to allow a QRV to be stationed there. It was mentioned the letter could include a statement
indicating a vehicle located west of Mooresville would be of benefit to the community.