HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93009_2271REQUEST FROM HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR OFFICE ASSISTANT IV
POSITION: The health director said the county was mandated by state law to provide "a particular
complement of services." He said the level of each service was where the county had some
flexibility. Rabe said that when he first came to Statesville he noticed Iredell County was putting
more money into the health department than what was being done in other states. He said he then
decided to find outside funding to support activities and to reduce the amount of county money.
The health director said he also noticed the population was increasing and when this happened the
need for services increased.
Rabe said that in order for him to continue his goal of obtaining grants to reduce county
funding, the department would need the new staff person to handle the paperwork.
Commissioner Fortner said she had concerns about adding a position. She suggested the
department redistribute the staff and their duties. She also mentioned the possibility of using a
temporary or allowing the staff to work overtime.
Rabe said the department had tried all three suggestions.
Fortner asked if he had used overtime.
Rabe said no. He said the office staff would probably resign if they were asked to work
overtime. He said, "There is no way that overtime can solve the problem that we are talking about
here. We can't get 2,080 hours of work out of the people we have left. They are not the kind of
people who are going to work that."
Fortner said the county's payroll was one of the biggest expenses and the number of
employees continued to grow. She mentioned that once a position was added, that it was normally
on a permanent basis. She said there were 700 county employees. Mrs. Fortner said other
departments had similar situations and they worked overtime when it was needed.
Attorney Pope asked Rabe what percentage of the health budget was funded by the county.
Rabe said it was just under 50%. He said his goal was 40%. Mr. Rabe said, however, the
40% might not be realistic if there was not adequate staff to handle the paperwork.
Commissioner Johnson said he saw a system occurring where grants, or enticements, were
being used to create "government largess." lie said this happened when the county's payroll was
enlarged. Johnson said he began to draw the line when grants started to cost money outside of the
budget plan.
Commissioner Bowles said he was the appointee to the health board and he agreed that
county government should not grow larger. He said, however, that a new person would probably
be needed when the separation of services for billing began (unbundling).
MOTION by Commissioner Bowles to approve the new Office Assistant IV position.
VOTING: Ayes - 1 (Bowles); Nays - 4.
REQUEST FOR ADOPTION OF BUDGET AMENDMENT # 12 FOR THE
BRAWLEY SCHOOL ROAD/CANVASBACK ROAD REALIGNMENT PROJECT: Mrs.
Blumenstein said the rights-of-way had been purchased at a cost of $37,250. The funds will betaken
from contingency leaving a fund balance of $1,136,990.
MOTION by Commissioner Fortner to approve Budget Amendment # 12 in the amount of
$37,250 for the Brawley School Road/Canvasback Road realignment project.
VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0.