HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_1284 (2)containing 50 milliliters or less, and live cents on each container with more than 50
milliliters would be collected on all alcoholic beverages. He said G.S. 18B -805(b)(4)
stated that cacti month the local ABC Board would pay to the commissioners the bottle
proceeds, and they were to be used for the treatment of alcoholism and substance abuse,
or for research and education. Bryan said he understood that in the past, the proceeds
had been distributed to Crossroads Behavioral Healthcare. He said that under the new
mental health laws, Crossroads would not be providing services. Mr. Bryan said he was
employed with Counseling Insights, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(1) entity, and that
Crossroads contracted with the agency for alcohol and substance abuse services. Bryan
said the Latino population continued to grow in Iredell County, and there was a need for
a Spanish-speaking counselor who could offer alcoholism and substance abuse services.
He requested that the board utilize all, or a part of, the ABC revenues for the
establishment of this type of position.
Commissioner Williams asked if the request had been proposed to Crossroads.
Bryan said no, due to the new mental health laws and Crossroads becoming a
management entity instead of a service provider. Mr. Bryan said counties were not
limited to distributing their ABC funds to mental health agencies. He said a halfway
house in Caldwell County was funded by ABC taxes.
Chairman Johnson asked how much money was generated in Iredell County
from the bottle tax on an annual basis.
Finance Director Blumenstein said $25,000 a year had been budgeted for the
past several years.
Chairman Johnson mentioned the difficulties that might start occurring if the
county entered into contracts with Crossroads' contractors. He said it would be difficult
for the county staff to administer and monitor the contracts. Mr. Johnson asked
Commissioner Williams if the mental health board had discussed the bottle tax
distributions in conjunction with the new mental health law.
Commissioner Williams said the board had not, and Crossroads should probably
share some information on how the bottle tax was being disbursed. Mr. Williams
agreed that any contractors needed to be monitored by someone, and it would be
difficult for the county staff to assume the responsibility.
Chairman Johnson said $25,000 would not cover the full salary costs of a
qualified substance abuse person. He also said he didn't think it was equitable to spend
all of the money on one targeted population. Mr. Johnson said he thought adequate
accommodations had already been made since the drivers' manuals were written in
Spanish and so were the tests. He said anyone with a valid North Carolina license
should have a fundamental understanding that it was against the law to drink and drive.
--------------------------------------------CONSENT AGENDA ----------------------------------
OTIO by Chairman Johnson to approve the following eleven (11) consent
agenda items.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
I. Request from the Iredell-Statesville School System for Approval of a
Capital Outlay Amendment for Celeste Elementary and East Elementary Fire
Systems: At the briefing session, Finance Director Blumenstein said a capital outlay
budget revision was needed by the Iredell-Statesville System for the purchase of fire
systems that were to be installed at Celeste and East Elementary Schools. She said the
school system had originally budgeted the costs ($54,000) in renovations, but they
should have been reflected in the equipment line item.