HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93009_1835 (2)1REDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MAY 5,1998
AGENDA BRIEFING MINUTES
The lredell County Board of Commissioners met on May 5, 1998, 5:00 p.m., for an agenda
briefing in the South Wing Conference Room of the lredell County Government Center, 200 South
Center Street, Statesville, NC 28677.
Present: Chairman Sara K. Haire
Vice Chairman Steve Johnson
David A. Boone
Alice T. Fortner
Alice M. Stewart
Staff: Joel Mashburn, County Manager; Susan Blumenstein, Finance Director; William
Allison, Planning Supervisor; Sidney Weisner, Animal Control Supervisor; Larry Ray, Director of
Safety Services; and Jean Moore, Clerk to the Board.
Chairman Haire called the meeting to order.
PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED FY 98-99 IREDELL COUNTY BUDGET. The
county manager distributed the budgets and shared the following highlights.
0 No increase in tax rate (remains at 45 cents per $100 valuation)
0 Estimate that property tax receipts will exceed FY 97-98 by approximately 8.9%
• Estimate that sales tax receipts will exceed FY 97-98 by approximately 7.6%
• Overall general fund budget is 4.5% greater than FY 97-98
• 23.15 new positions recommended (41% of these in human services)
• Proposal to increase employee salaries by 2.5% and continue to offer the opportunity
for merit increases at 1.5% - 4.5%
• Proposal to bring employees' salaries up to 95% of state average for like -size counties
• Proposal to provide funding for adjustment to positions in law enforcement and human
services (areas where recruitment has been difficult)
• 10.8% increase in school funding for operating expenses (includes the community college
-- if this was deleted the amount would be 11.2%)
• Funding for continuation of more efficient services through technology and training
• Total general fund budget is $71,744,736
• Total solid waste budget is $4,296,970
• Combined budget is $76,041,706 or $704.21 per capita. (According to latest fiscal
summary of NC counties, the average per capita expenditure for counties over 100,000
population is $918)
0 Budget is balanced using $1,384,371 in fund balance
0 A fund balance of 15.45% of budgeted expenditures is maintained
REQUEST OF IREDELL-STATESVILLE BOARD OF EDUCA'T'ION FOR LOAN OF
$3.26 MILLION (tabled from April 21, 1998 meeting): Mrs. Blumenstein advised that if the $3.26
million was borrowed in July of this year, at an estimated interest rate of four percent, the interest
would be $195,495. Only 90% of the $3.26 can be given or approved by the Local Govermnent
Commission. The remaining ten percent is held in reserve for interest. The school system wants the
full $3.26 million even though the grants anticipation notes will only be $2.934 million. Blumenstein
said the County receives an annual yield on investments of about 5.67%.
Mrs. Blumenstein said that if the $326,000 was appropriated in the 98-99 budget, the fund
balance would be reduced to 14.38%. The Local Government Commission requires 8% and the
average of like -size counties is 16%.
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Haire adjourned the meeting at 6:30 P.M. for a refreshment
break prior to the Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0.
APPROVED: _ Y
Clerk to the Board