HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93009_2264 (2)IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BRIEFING MINUTES
OCTOBER 5.1999
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in Briefing Session on Tuesday, October
5, 1999, 5:00 p.m., in the Iredell County Government Center (South Wing Conference Room), 200
South Center Street, Statesville, NC 28677.
Present: Chairman Sara K. Haire
Vice Chairman Steve D. Johnson
Tommy E. Bowles
Alice T. Fortner
Alice M. Stewart
Staff Present: County Manager Joel Mashburn, Finance Director Susan Blumenstein, Health
Director Ray Rabe, Health Administrative Officer Bill Griffith, County Assessor Brent Weisner, Tax
Collector Joe Ketchie, Solid Waste Director Ron Weatherman, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore.
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Haire.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT REQUESTS: Health Director Ray Rabe and Administrative
Officer Bili Griffith described seven health department requests. Some comments made were:
Request to Apply for a Minority Health Grant: Rabe said there had been a significant
increase in Hispanic or Latino visits at the health department. He said that in 1996 there were 114
average per month Hispanic contacts in the Womens, Infants & Children's Program (WIC)
compared to 243 in 1999. Rabe asked for permission to apply for $10,000 in state funding to be
used for an educational/planning conference about minority needs in November of this year. Mr.
Rabe said no county funds were needed for the grant; however, staff time would be used.
Commissioner Fortner asked if the WIC participants lived in Iredell County.
Rabe said to his knowledge they did, but it was not mandatory for WIC assistance.
Request for Approval of a Health Choice Budget Amendment: Rabe said $2,542 was
available to notify the public about the state's low-cost insurance program for children. The money
would be used for advertising materials. Rabe said no county funds were involved in the request;
however, staff time would be used.
Commissioner Stewart said there was a $50 enrollment charge that had to be paid by the
child's parent(s) for the insurance. She asked if the $2,542 might be better used to offset the
enrollment charge since some families would have difficulty paying the $50. Stewart said she had
often thought this was why more children had not been enrolled.
Rabe said he shared Mrs. Stewart's concerns about the out-of-pocket money. He added,
however, the $2,542 could only be used for outreach activities, e.g., printing informative materials,
advertising on the local radio, TV, etc.
Request for Proposed Healthy Carolinians' Budget Amendment: Rabe said the General
Assembly had set aside $1,000,000 statewide to support "Healthy Carolinians" activities. He said
Iredell County's portion of the money was $10,000. Mr. Rabe suggested the money be used
towards state certification as a "Healthy Carolinians" group. A $5,000 match would be required;
however, Rabe said this could be found by using in-kind activities or staff time. He said the
certification would enhance the Healthier Iredell County Initiative's ability to qualify for more state
and federal grants.