May 24, 2006 The Martin County Board of Commissioners met in Special Session on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Martin County Governmental Center, 305 East Main Street, Williamston, NC. ASSEMBLY Chairman C. Mort Hurst, Vice Chairman Tommy W. Bowen, Commissioners Ronnie Smith, Elmo Butch Lilley and Alphonzo Perry, County Manager W. Russell Overman and Clerk to the Board Linda G. Hardison were present. None of the Commissioners were absent. Chairman Hurst called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Lilley. Commissioner Smith offered the Invocation. AGENDA APPROVAL A MOTION by Vice Chairman Bowen was SECONDED by Commissioner Lilley to approve the agenda as presented. MOTION APPROVED by a unanimous vote of the Board. RESOLUTION HONORING MRS. LAURA KNIGHT PERKINS ON THE OCCASION OF HER 100 TH BIRTHDAY Commissioner Smith read the following resolution as Mrs. Perkins son and his wife looked on. Resolution Honoring Mrs. Laura Knight Perkins on the Occasion of Her 100 th Birthday Whereas, a special birthday celebration has been coordinated by the family in honor of Mrs. Laura Knight Perkins 100 th birthday; and Whereas, this celebration was planned for Saturday, June 10, 2006, at the Bob Martin Center in Williamston, N. C.; and Whereas, in the year of our Lord 1906 on the 2 nd day of June, Mrs. Laura Knight Perkins was born to the parents of Charlie and Bettie James in Martin County; and Whereas, in the year of our Lord 1922 Mrs. Laura Perkins and Eddie Knight, Sr. were joined together in holy matrimony; and Whereas, the Lord in His infinite wisdom blessed this union with 12 children; and Whereas, Mrs. Laura Knight Perkins was a faithful wife, a dedicated mother and farm worker; and Whereas, this celebration will allow all who attend to share memories of the past that will live in their hearts and souls forever. Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, by the Martin County Board of Commissioners that special tribute be paid to Mrs. Laura Knight Perkins on the special occasion of her 100 th birthday and she be wished good health for the future.
Commissioner Smith made a MOTION, SECONDED by Commissioner Lilley, to approve the Resolution Honoring Mrs. Laura Knight Perkins on the Occasion of her 100 th Birthday. MOTION APPROVED by a unanimous vote of the Board. Mr. Mason Knight, Mrs. Perkins son, thanked the Board for their love and concern as they honored his mother on this occasion. BUDGET WORK SESSION Manager Overman presented the Board with a balanced budget in the amount of $25,231,648 with no tax increase or availability fee increase. Each Commissioner had a notebook with the budget s highlights, departmental requests and manager s recommended budget. He then reviewed the following highlights. Revenue Highlights Tax Rate Analysis Real and personal Property $1,289,559,281 Public Service Valuation 42,015,608 Total $1,331,574,889 X95.32% Valuation for budgeting purposes $1,269,257,185 Tax Rate Amount $.785 $9,963,669.79 $10,027,132.795 $10,090,595.80 $10,154,058 Vehicles $170,094,371 X83.88% Value for budgeting purposes $142,675,159 Tax Rate Amount $.785 $1,120,000 $.79 $1,127,134 $.795 $1,134,268 $.80 $1,141,402 One cent on the tax rate will generate approximately $141,000 Other Revenues Sales Tax Overall growth of 2% for point of origin, 4% for per capita and 2% for Article 44 which is point of origin and per capita Transfer from Hospital Fund $525,000 Fund Balance Appropriated $350,974 Manager Overman explained that the county has maintained a stable tax valuation. The collection rate has increased for both property and motor vehicles. Investment earnings are up so the transfer from the Hospital Fund is increased. Manager Overman reiterated that the figure he felt most uncomfortable about is the Fund Balance figure.
Expenditure Highlights General 2½% salary increase for all employees with several adjustments and reclassifications Health and Dental Insurance Rates overall 7% increase Includes 401(k) 1% for all full time employees *Any major modifications or increases would result in a cut in salary increase. **Manager Overman explained that the State has mandated a 5% 401(k) for law enforcement. Some towns and counties did this for all employees. He would like to start this for all employees, beginning with a 1% contribution. Commissioners Increase Beaver Bounty from $15 to $25 Mid East Commission includes annual assessment of $6,398 plus match for RPO of $3,127 Dues includes appropriation of $7,500 for Highway 17 Association General & Administrative Health insurance for 45 retirees Telephone moved to Data Processing Advertising includes $500 for littering advertising Partnership incentive Grant Ann s House of Nuts $20,300 (last year) Syfan $40,500 (last year) County Manager Salary line item includes 25% of Ivory Leary s salary Tax ½ of mapper salary from Wireless 911 Supplies Equipment includes computer and printer Software/Programming Requested 20 hrs/week @ $40/hr Recommended 12 hrs/week Equipment includes safe Legal Retainer $600 per month Other includes additional legal work for county attorney Court Facility Maintenance and Repair Buildings includes court s share of building repairs Elections One election budgeted November General Director salary Requested $38,114 (15%) Recommended $35,393 (7%) Register of Deeds Register of Deeds salary requested to be increased to salary level of Sheriff $54,190 o Analysis shows salary in line with other counties Requested to replace 74 binders @ $8,850 Reduced Equipment requested shelving $3,000 Not recommended Data Processing Software/Programming 15 hrs/week @ $40/hr Equipment 5 Year upgrade @ $60,000 per year Contracted Services includes upgrading contract with Soundside Group for support services Present contract 416 hrs/year (8 hrs/week) @ $60/hr technical support Proposed contract 832 hrs/year (16 hrs/week) @ $60/hr technical support and 180 hrs/year (3.5 hrs/week) @ $80/hr management support
Governmental Center Salary line item includes replacing retiring housekeeping position with Building Maintenance Assistant $28,340 Maintenance and Repair Buildings includes replacing windows, painting parking lot lines and landscaping Martin House Maintenance and Repair Buildings will not be done if other building is acquired Office Building Maintenance and Repair Buildings includes replacing lighting, painting, and painting parking lot lines Ag Extension Building Maintenance and Repair Buildings includes carpet replacement, exterior repairs and painting, repairing/replacing handicapped entrance Health Maintenance and Repair Buildings includes painting parking lot lines Maintenance and Repair Buildings for Bargain Shoppe added and includes lighting and electrical repairs and painting Farmers Market Maintenance and Repair Buildings includes stone for parking lot Roanoke River Project Moratoc Maintenance and Repair Buildings includes repairs to School House and Barnes House Kehukee Office Maintenance and Repair Buildings includes painting parking lot lines. Sheriff Freeze vacant position for 6 months Separation allowance increased due to Sheriff retiring Requested 5 new cars and 1 prisoner transport van Recommend purchasing 2 new cars and van Jail Increase due to past under funding and depletion of fund balance Emergency Management Salary includes adjustment for Director Clerical position requested Propose relocating Ivory Leary 75% Operational Supplies includes funds for equipping Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Emergency Response partners semi-annual meetings Training Employee Education safety training for county employees Equipment Requested Computer (Clerical) $2,000 Not recommended 4 computers (EOC) $3,200 Not recommended Weather Bug $13,500 Not recommended Courthouse security $24,000 Not recommended 2 800 mhz mobile radios $8,000 Not recommended 2 800 mhz portable radios $8,000 Not recommended State provides grant in amount of $15,000 for operations Building Inspector Equipment Permitting software requested $12,000 Not recommended at this time
Rescue Squads Williamston amount is derived by county budgeting 47% of their budget with Williamston returning 47% of revenues collected Animal Control Veterinarian fees would probably be higher if Dr. Shelton did not provide most of his services at no cost Food and provisions would be higher if not for Wal Mart providing busted bags Airport Maintenance and Repair Buildings includes grounds maintenance, beacon maintenance, gates, funce, sign and painting terminal Landfill Land maintenance is dirt supply for cover Disposal costs 3.6% increase Collection costs 3.6% increase Economic Development Technology Center grant match $25,000 Cooperative Extension Salary increase to bring shared Ag. Agent back to Martin County full-time Increase agent salaries due to state study recommended last year but state adopted budget long after county budget was adopted Director would like for his salary increase to be divided among clerical and A&T position have not done this BMAP contribution $4,000 *Board felt that Director s request was commendable but the county will contribute this increase Soil and Water Conservation Lynn Whitehurst salary adjusted 1 step due to adding administrative duties Aquatic week control - $2,000 Equipment 4 WD pickup because state/feds no longer providing Social Services Re-classify Income Maintenance Caseworker I positions to IIs Social Worker range revisions No Medicaid Relief budgeted budgeted state estimate Board of Education 1% increase for current expense Capital outlay increase due to increase in dedicated sales taxes Martin Community College 1% increase in current expense Capital outlay same % increase as Board of Education CO Library 3% increase County Projects Operation Santa Claus $500 OPTIONS $2,500
Debt Service Only debt is Highway 17 water project Appropriations of $25,000 to Compactor replacement and $35,000 to revaluation fund Office of Aging Administrative Operations moved to Special Events Water Districts I and II New customers coming on line Temporary salaries includes position 30 hours per week Transit Equipment includes 1 vehicle Veterans Requested salary increase - $27,100 to $29,950 (2 steps plus cost of living) Vice Chairman Bowen discussed the need for a compactor at Martin Enterprises. Commissioner Lilley suggested that money be taken from Fund Balance to fund this. Commissioner Perry asked if we could include 10% of the total cost of the building at Jamesville. Commissioner Smith asked if anyone had talked to Senator Jenkins to try to get money for this project. Chairman Hurst asked if this building is only going to be used for non-profits. Commissioner Perry replied that the property will be deeded to the Town of Jamesville. Chairman Hurst thanked Manager Overman for the excellent job he did on the budget. Commissioner Lilley suggested that a memo be sent to the Department Heads for helping to balance the budget. The Board then set the time for the Budget Public Hearing as June 14 th during the regular meeting which is scheduled for 7:00 pm. CLOSED SESSION A MOTION was made by Vice Chairman Bowen, with a SECOND by Commissioner Smith, to go into Closed Session to discuss Personnel according to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(6). The MOTION was APPROVED by a unanimous vote of the Board, and the Closed Session began at 8:45 p.m. ADJOURNMENT A MOTION was made by Commissioner Perry, with a SECOND by Commissioner Smith, to go out of Closed Session to Open Session. The MOTION was APPROVED by a unanimous vote, and the Closed Session ended at 9:04 p.m. Chairman Hurst stated that no action was taken in Closed Session, and he adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m. C. Mort Hurst, Chairman Linda G. Hardison, Clerk to the Board