HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_1381 (2)OTIO by Chairman Norman to close the nominations and appoint Rife by
acclamation.
VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0.
Recreation Advisory Board (2 appointments): Commissioner Williams nominated Bill
Benfield and David Rothwell.
OTIO by Chairman Norman to close the nominations and appoint Benfield and
Rothwell by acclamation.
VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0.
Zoning Board of Adjustment (2 appointments): Commissioner Tice nominated Steve
Shoe and Michael Johnson.
R07T-1-0-iq by Chairman Norman to close the nominations and appoint Shoe and Johnson
by acclamation.
VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0.
Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee (5 appointments): No nominations
were submitted, and Commissioner Johnson made a OTIO to postpone the appointments until
the December 19 meeting.
VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0.
Nursing Home Advisory CommitteeI a ointment): No nominations were submitted,
and Commissioner Williams made a WOTIO to postpone the appointments until the
December 19 meeting.
VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0.
NEW BUSINESS
State Letter Advising of a Possible New District 22 Public Defender Office:
Commissioner Robertson referenced a letter from the state that indicated a new public defender
office might be created for District 22 (Alexander, Davidson, Davie, and Iredell Counties).
Robertson said the letter mentioned a satellite office for IredeIl County, with a main facility in
Davidson County, and the General Assembly might be requested to create the offices. He said if
the offices were approved, the counties, as required by the state law, would have to absorb the
additional costs. Mr. Robertson said the letter indicated that, overall, the government would save
money because (1) it would be cheaper to hire public defenders (paid by the state) and (2) the
counties would provide the facilities, with these costs being less than contracting out for the legal
services. He said a portion of the letter read, "However, the annual savings to the State would be
substantially higher than the annual cost to the counties." Robertson said overall it might be a
"good deal" for the taxpayer, but it would be worse for the county. He said there might be
efficiencies gained, but the state was only passing the expenses to the counties. Robertson said
another part of the letter that concerned him read, "In addition, our experience has shown that
because public defender offices have the institutional infrastructure to work with the courts and
jails to implement system efficiencies, they typically save counties money by reducing the jail
population and county jail costs." Robertson said that if having a public defender office put more
offenders out on the streets instead of in the jails, then he would take the inefficiencies. Mr.
Robertson said he would rather have the people incarcerated than having them out on the streets
harming the public.
State Department of Transportation Board of Directors: Commissioner Tice mentioned
that Judge Collier was recently reappointed by Governor Easley to represent DOT District 12.
Tice said having an Iredell County resident on the state board was beneficial to the county.
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