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BUDGET, FINANCE & INVESTMENT COMMITTEE March 8, 2001 6:15 P.M. Courthouse MINUTES: Members
Present:
Others Present:
Others Present: Comm.
Jerry Baxter
Nancy Allen
Joe McKenzie Comm.
Joyce Ealy
Evans Maples
Chuck
Clark Comm.
Joe Frank Jernigan
Tela Bayless
Jim Estes Comm.
Paul Johnson
Wanda Watkins
Dan Mitchell Comm.
Tina Jones
Johnny Crivello
Joe Black Hayes Comm.
Dwight Throneberry
Mike Nunley
Larry
Sims Comm.
Jimmy Evans, Jr., Chair.
Steve Smith
Bryan Brooks
John Davis
Paul Long
Hooper Penuel
Elaine Cawthon
Linda Vincion Chairman
Evans presided and called the meeting to order with all members being present. APPROVE
MINUTES: The
minutes of the February 8, 2001 meeting were presented for approval.
INVESTMENT
REPORT: Mr.
Evans Maples presented the monthly Investment Report for the use and information
of the committee. Mr.
Maples reported the LGIP interest rate for the month was 5.46%.
There were no investment transactions during the month. Mr.
Maples reported 80.95% of the 2000 property taxes have been collected as of the
end of February. Comm.
Jernigan moved, seconded by Comm. Jones to approve the Investment Report as
presented. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. FUND
CONDITION REPORT: Finance
Director Paul Long presented the Fund Condition Report for the period ending
February, 2000. Mr.
Long reported $219,750 was collected during the month of February for the
Development Tax. This compares to
$433,125 for February, 2000. The
total fund cash balances were $112,187,743, with $93,566,750 being operating
funds $18,620,993 being borrowed funds. Mr.
Long advised there are no unusual conditions to report. Following
discussion, Comm. P. Johnson moved, seconded by Comm. Ealy to approve the Fund
Condition Report as presented. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
Budget
Minutes
March 8, 2001
Page Two GENERAL FUND BUDGET AMENDMENTS INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY: Finance
Director Paul Long requested approval of the following budget amendment for the
Information Technology Department to provide adequate funding for the Employee
Insurance Account for the remainder of the fiscal year:
From: 101-58600-205
Employee Insurance -
$580
To:
101-52600-205 Employee & Dependent Insurance -
$580 Comm.
Baxter moved, seconded by Comm. Jones, to approve the budget amendment for the
Information Technology Department as requested. AGRICULTURE
EXTENSION:
From: 101-58600-205 Employee
Benefits -
$180
To:
101-57100-205 Employee & Dependent Insurance -
$180 Comm.
Baxter moved, seconded by Comm. Throneberry, to approve the budget amendment for
the Agriculture Extension Department as requested. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. HEALTH
DEPARTMENT: Mrs.
Tela Bayless, Health Department Director, requested approval of the following
budget transfer to provide adequate funding for the Employee Insurance Account
and the Data Processing Account to allow for the purchase of 15 computer
terminals for the new Health Department Facility. Ms.
Bayless advised this account is supported with 100% State funding.
From: 101-55190-349 Printing, Stationery & Forms -
$ 900
101-55190-355 Travel -
500
101-55190-399 Other Contracted Service -
5,850
101-55190-499 Other Supplies/Materials -
3,000
101-55190-506 Liability Insurance -
2,490
To: 101-55190-205
Employee & Dependent Insurance -
$3,040
101-55190-709 Data Processing Equipment -
9,700 Following
discussion, Comm. Baxter moved, seconded by Comm. Ealy to approve the budget
transfer as requested. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. Ms.
Bayless requested approval of the following budget amendment to provide adequate
funding for the Employee Insurance Account in the Local Health Department
Account:
From: 101-58600-205 Employee
Benefits -
$132
To:
101-55110-205 Employee & Dependent Insurance -
132
Comm.
Baxter moved, seconded by Comm. Throneberry to approve the budget amendment for
the Local Health Department as requested. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. GENERAL
SESSIONS COURT: Mrs.
Wanda Watkins, General Sessions Court, requested approval of the following
budget amendment to provide adequate funding for the Employee Insurance Account
for the remainder of the fiscal year:
From: 101-58600-205
Employee Benefits -
$1,490
To:
101-53300-205 Employee & Dependent Insurance -
1,490 Following
discussion, Comm. P. Johnson moved, seconded by Comm. Baxter to approve the
budget amendment as requested. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. Mrs.
Watkins requested approval of the following budget transfer to provide adequate
funding for the Communications Account for the remainder of the fiscal year:
From: 101-53300-435
Office Supplies -
$400
To:
101-53300-307 Communications -
400 Following
discussion, Comm. P. Johnson moved, seconded by Comm. Jernigan to approve the
budget transfer as requested. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. ANIMAL
SERVICES: Mr.
Johnny Crivello, Animal Services Department, requested approval of the following
budget transfer to appropriate insurance proceeds received for a vehicle that
was involved in an accident:
Increase Revenue:
101-44520 Insurance Recoveries -
$986
Increase Expend.:
101-55120-338 Maint./Repair Vehicles -
986 Following
discussion, Comm. Jernigan moved, seconded by Comm. Jones to approve the request
as presented. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. AMBULANCE
SERVICE: Mr. Mike Nunley, Ambulance Service Director, requested approval of the following budget amendment to appropriate a donation received from Packs Towing & Recovery for the dive team for the recovery of vehicles:
Increase Revenue:
101-44570 Contributions & Gifts -
$300
Increase Expend.:
101-55130-599 Other Charges -
300 Mr.
Nunley also requested approval of the following budget transfers to fund a
paramedic position to replace one who has been out on sick leave since June,
2000. The employee will be using
his sick time until August, 2001, and will not return to work.
There is also one employee on maternity leave, which has resulted in a
tremendous amount of unscheduled overtime being paid. Budget
Minutes
March 8, 2001
Page Four From:
101-55130-735 Health Equipment -
$10,171
To:
101-55130-133 Paraprofessionals -
$ 7,587
101-55130-204
State Retirement -
671
101-55130-201
Social Security -
470
101-55130-212 Employer Medicare -
110
101-55130-205
Employee & Dependent Insurance -
1,333 Following
discussion, Comm. P. Johnson moved, seconded by Comm. Ealy to approve the budget
amendment for the $300 contribution and the budget transfers totaling $10,171
for the temporary employee. CRIMINAL
COURT (DRUG COURT): County
Executive Nancy Allen requested approval of the following budget transfer to
provide adequate funding for the Employee Insurance Account for the Drug Court
Coordinator and the Police Liaison:
From: 101-53200-189 Other
Salaries & Wages -
$532
To:
101-53200-205 Employee & Dependent Insurance -
$532 Comm.
Baxter moved, seconded by Comm. Throneberry to approve the budget transfer as
requested for the Drug Court Coordinator. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT: Mr.
Steve Smith, Emergency Management Director, requested approval of the following
budget transfers to provide adequate funding for gasoline due to increased fuel
cost and Furniture & Fixtures to purchase modular workstation furniture and
service counter for the reception area:
From: 101-54430-399 Other
Contracted Services -
$3,000
To:
101-54430-425 Gasoline -
$1,000
101-54430-711 Furniture & Fixtures -
2,000 Comm.
Baxter moved, seconded by Comm. Jones to approve the budget transfers as
requested. APPROVE
HMEP GRANT FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Mr.
Smith requested approval of a Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning Grant in
the amount of $6,516 to be used to purchase two laptop computers with mapping
capabilities to be placed in response vehicles. They will also be used as a technical resource on hazardous
chemical spills. Mr. Smith advised
the grant is an 80%/20% split, with the countys share being $1,303.20. Comm.
Jernigan moved, seconded by Comm. P. Johnson to approve the HMEP Grant for the
Emergency Management Department as requested. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. Finance
Director Long advised the committee the proper budget amendment reflecting the
federal share would be drafted and presented to the full commission meeting on
March 15.
PLANNING
DEPARTMENT: Mr.
John Davis, Planning Director, requested approval of the following budget
transfer to provide adequate funding for the Legal Notices Account due to the
number of applications, and to cover additional part time personnel expenses:
From: 101-51720-103
Assistants -
$15,000
To:
101-51720-169 Part Time Personnel -
$13,700
101-51720-332
Legal Notices -
1,300 Comm.
Ealy moved, seconded by Comm. Jones to approve the budget transfer as requested. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. ELECTION
COMMISSION: Mr.
Hooper Penuel, Election Registrar, and Mrs. Linda Vincion requested approval of
the following transfers to allow for the replacement of a Shouptronic voting
machine cartridge reader and to provide funding to purchase new furniture to
upgrade the office appearance. Mr.
Penuel advised plans are to complete the office upgrade over a three-year
period:
From: 101-51500-196 In-Service Training -
$3,555
101-51500-334 Maintenance Agreements -
1,500
101-51500-337 Maint./Repair Office Equip. -
1,500
101-51500-351 Rentals -
1,500
101-51500-425 Gasoline -
200
To: 101-51500-709
Data Processing Equip. -
$3,500
101-51500-711 Furniture & Fixtures -
4,755 Comm.
Jernigan moved, seconded by Comm. P. Johnson to approve the budget transfers as
requested. APPROVE
REQUEST FOR POSITION UPGRADE FOR ELECTION COMMISSION: Following
discussion, Comm. Jernigan moved, seconded by Comm. Throneberry to approve the
request to upgrade position 1033 from Election Assistant, pay grade 11, to
Election Assistant, Senior, pay grade 12 retroactive to February 5, 2001. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. SOLID WASTE/SANITATION FUND BUDGET AMENDMENTS CONVENIENCE
CENTERS: County
Executive Allen requested approval of the committee for the following transfer
to provide adequate funding for Diesel Fuel for the Convenience Centers due to
increased cost and usage:
From: 116-55732-467 Fencing -
$15,000
To:
116-55732-412 Diesel -
$15,000 Comm.
Throneberry moved, seconded by Comm. Jernigan to approve the budget transfer as
requested. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. APPROVAL
TO APPROPRIATE FUNDING FOR FRONT-END LOADER: County
Executive Allen requested approval of the committee for the following budget
amendment to fund $150,000 from the Development Tax for a front-end loader at
the Convenience Centers as recommended by the Public Works Committee.
Mrs. Allen advised the committee an accident involving a front-end loader
occurred approximately two months ago, in which the front-end loader was
demolished:
From: 120-39000 Undesignated
Fund Balance -
$150,000
To:
120-99100-590 Transfers to Other Funds -
$150,000 The
County Executive reported there were only two front-end loaders, this one being
the backup. If the other front-end
loader goes down, the county will have to contract with a private company to be
able to service all of the city schools, all of the county schools, and all of
the county office buildings. The
committee discussed the $1.5 million that was transferred to the Debt Service
Fund from the Landfill Closure. It
was previously approved that these funds would go toward a new Animal Control
Facility, and the committee discussed possibly using the funds to purchase the
front-end loader. The
Finance Director reported there was only $105,000 left in the Landfill Closure
Project, as the remaining funds had been transferred to the Debt Service Fund.
Mr. Long reported if the caption of the note or bond did not specifically
include the purchase of equipment, then equipment cannot be purchased with these
funds. Mr.
Long advised the $1.5 million that was transferred to the Debt Service Fund can
be used to retire debt. He
explained the original intention of the $1.5 million was to issue a short-term
note to fund an Animal Services Facility. He
advised the committee this money could be used to issue a short-term note for
the front-end loader. Comm.
Jones suggested the remaining $105,000 in the Landfill Closure Project be
transferred to the Debt Service Fund, and these funds be used to retire a
short-term note for the front-end loader. County
Executive Allen advised the $105,000 was being held in case there were any
issues significant to the actual closure and the cap that had to be repaired.
She stated it was merely a precautionary measure.
She stated she thought it would be fine to use the $105,000 to purchase
the front-end loader. Mr.
Long stated if that is what the committee wanted to do, he would recommend
transferring the $105,000 to the Debt Service Fund and issue a short-term
capital outlay note to fund the front-end loader. Following
discussion, Comm. Jernigan moved, seconded by Comm. Jones to transfer the
balance of the Landfill Closure Project of $105,000 to the Debt Service Fund,
and to issue a short-term capital outlay note to purchase the front-end loader
to be repaid from the Debt Service Fund. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. Budget Minutes March 8, 2001 Page Seven
GENERAL
PURPOSE SCHOOL FUND BUDGET AMENDMENTS: Finance
Director Long requested approval of the following budget amendments for the
General Purpose School Fund as follows:
From: 141-71100-116 Teachers -
$300,000
141-71100-201 Social Security -
18,600
141-71100-204 State Retirement -
11,160
141-71100-212 Employer Medicare -
4,350
To: 141-71300-116
Teachers -
$300,000
141-71300-201 Social Security -
18,600
141-71300-204 State Retirement -
11,160
141-71300-212 Employer Medicare -
4,350 In
the past the teachers who taught both regular and vocational classes tended to
be set up as regular teachers. This
amendment separates the cost of teaching the vocational classes from the regular
education cost. No new positions
are involved. It is a shift between
regular and vocational education, which better reflects the costs. Mr.
Long requested approval of the following budget amendment, which reclassifies
the SROs in the 2000/01 budget in accordance with the Department of
Educations use of the chart of accounts:
From: 141-72130-160 Guards -
$467,614
To:
141-72130-399 Other Contracted Svc. -
467,614 Mr.
Long requested approval of the following budget amendment for the General
Purpose School Fund, which transfers funds from the Other Supplies &
Materials Account to Equipment. This
request was made to move to current technology for the three schools opening
next fall, a server dedicated to Food Service, and new software at the Central
Office level are needed:
From: 141-73100-499 Other
Supplies & Materials -
$11,000
To:
141-73100-710 Food Service Equipment -
$11,000 Following
discussion, Comm. Throneberry moved, seconded by Comm. Jernigan to approve the
transfers of $334,110 for the Vocational teachers, $467,614 to reclassify the
SROs, and the $11,000 for the technology for three schools, server for Food
Service, and new software at the Central Office. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. RECOMMENDATION
RELATIVE TO IMPACT FEE BEING CHARGED BY TOWN OF SMYRNA FOR NEW ROCK SPRINGS
MIDDLE SCHOOL: Comm.
Jones stated at some point she would like Comm. Throneberry and the Finance
Director to explain the Impact Fee being charged by the Town of Smyrna to the
Rutherford County School System. Comm.
Throneberry stated Mr. Watson has reported the School Board will receive more
back from the Town of Smyrna than the charge of the Impact Fee for moving rock
and installing the turn lanes. Comm.
Throneberry advised the Health & Education Committee has requested Mr.
Watson get this agreement in writing from the Town of Smyrna, and Mr. Watson
stated he would do this. The Health
& Education Committee took no action, but Mr. Watson is to report back to
them. Smyrna is going to build the
turning lanes, and they are going to move the rock. The
Finance Director reported it is his understanding Smyrna is going to pay the
School Board for the rock. Budget
Minutes
March 8, 2001
Page Eight The
committee discussed if the county had ever paid an Impact Fee to another
municipality. Mr. Long reported
Murfreesboro does not have an impact fee. Mr.
Long reported the county pays a lot of infrastructure improvements when a school
is built in the City of Murfreesboro, and the county will not have to do that in
Smyrna. Smyrna is going to do the
infrastructure improvements. Comm.
Jones stated Smyrna is doing that by saying the county is paying an Impact Fee.
She stated it should be called what it is.
If the county is building a road, it should be called an appropriation
for road construction or moving rock. She
stated she believed the county would be setting a dangerous precedent by paying
impact fees to municipalities. Chairman
Evans stated it is the growth in that municipality that is causing the county to
spend that money. He stated he was
also concerned about the language. He
stated if the county is getting a free road in return for paying sewer fees, the
word impact fee or development tax fee, could cause problems down the road. Finance
Director Long stated he agreed, and in his opinion it should have been a
contracted payment. Comm.
Jones moved, seconded by Comm. Throneberry to forward to the School Board, with
a copy to the Health & Education Committee, to request the Town of Smyrna
rephrase the agreement relative to the Rock Springs Middle School so that the
language reflects the actual exchange of goods and services being performed and
not to be called an Impact Fee. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. Chairman
Evans stated the impact of the school is minimal. He stated Smyrna has had the growth of the subdivisions, and
that is what has required the county to build the schools. The county is providing for the growth by building the
schools. The county is not causing
additional growth; the growth is already there. DEBT
SERVICE FUND BUDGET AMENDMENTS: Finance
Director Paul Long requested approval of the committee for the following budget
amendment to reflect the transactions relating to the refunding bond issue the
county will close on March 22 and to also reflect the accrued interest received
on the $30.85 million school bond issue. Mr.
Long advised the committee the bonds have been sold, and the county achieved in
excess of a $2.7 million saving on that issue. Mr.
Long reported the money would actually be wired from the purchaser to the agent;
however, the auditors will want the countys financial records to reflect the
transactions.
Increase Revenue:
151-49400 Proceeds of Refunding Bonds -
$73,585,000
151-49410 Premium on Bonds Sold -
605,046
151-44510 Accrued Interest on Debt Issues -
202,476
Increase Expend.:
151-99300-699 Payment to Refunded Bond
Escrow Agent -
$74,074,350
151-51900-606 Other Debt Issuance Charges -
115,037
Increase Fund Balance:
151-39000 -
$ 203,135
Increase Revenue:
151-44510 - Accrued Interest
-
$ 86,421
Increase Fund Balance: 151-39000
-
86,421 Comm. Throneberry moved, seconded by Comm. Baxter to approve the Debt Service Fund Budget Amendments to reflect transactions relative to the refunding bond issue and accrued interest received on the $30.85 million school bond issue. Budget
Minutes
March 8, 2001
Page Nine AMENDMENT
RELATIVE TO UNALLOCATED PROCEEDS AND PREMIUM ON $30.85 MILLION SCHOOL BOND ISSUE
FOR THOMPSON LANE/SIEGEL ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE: Mr.
Long informed the committee, relative to the $30.85 million School Bond Issue,
there was $37,154 in unallocated original proceeds, plus the county received a
premium in the amount of $297,062. Mr.
Long reported he has been advised by bond counsel that because of complications
in the IRS tax code, it would be better if the county would allocate this money
to a capital project instead of putting it into the Debt Service Fund.
Mr.
Long proposed an option to the committee to utilize the unallocated proceeds of
$37,154, plus the premium of $297,062 toward the Thompson Lane Improvement
Project, which will be presented to the committee later in the meeting.
Mr. Long advised the committee the language of the bond resolution does
allow the funds to be used for a project such as this. The
committee reviewed the proposal from the City of Murfreesboro relative to the
Thompson Lane Improvement Project indicating the countys share in the project
is $244,035. Comm.
Jernigan moved, seconded by Comm. Baxter to allocate the excess bond proceeds of
$37,154 and the premium of $297,062 for the Thompson Lane/Siegel Road
infrastructure as follows:
Increase Revenue:
171-49410 Premium on Bond Issue -
$297,062
171-49100 Bond
Proceeds -
37,154
Increase Expend.:
171-91200-799 Other Capital Outlay -
$334,216 The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. RECOMMENDATION
TO PURCHASE PROPERTY FOR NEW AGRICULTURE EXTENSION FACILITY: Mr.
Joe McKenzie and Mr. Jim Estes addressed the committee regarding a proposal from
Mr. Thomas M. Lane for 45.1 acres located at Gresham Lane and John Rice
Boulevard as the site for a new Agriculture Extension Facility. Mr.
Estes, advised the proposal was presented to the Property Management Committee
and was forwarded to the Budget Committee to find a source of funding. Mr.
Estes reported the property is priced at $50,000 per acre for a total of
$2,255,000. Mr.
Estes advised the committee six proposals were received, and this property met
all nine criteria established by the Conservation Board.
Mr.
Estes reported Mr. Lane has offered the county terms of a down payment of
$255,000 with the balance to be financed at 6% interest for 10 years.
Interest payments are to be made every six months and payment on
principal is to be made during the first week of January of each year beginning
in 2002 and concluding 2011. Mr.
Estes also advised the committee Mr. Lane has offered to donate $200,000 to the
county for some type of facility at that site, with the donation to be made
sometime after closing. Mr.
Long advised the committee the Development Tax would be one source for the
$255,000 down payment. He also
reported the General Fund ending balance was another source that could be used.
He stated the Debt Service fund balance could not be used to make a down
payment. Budget
Minutes
March 8, 2001
Page Ten A
discussion was held regarding the $200,000 donation Mr. Lane has offered to give
to the project. It was determined
that Mr. Lane had offered to make the donation in accordance with the building
plans and his personal tax structure, which could be next year. Comm.
Jernigan moved, seconded by Comm. Throneberry to appropriate the $255,000 from
the General Fund ending fund balance for the down payment on the 45.1 acres
located at Gresham Lane and John Rice Boulevard for the new Agriculture
Extension Facility. Mr.
Long advised the committee when the $200,000 donation is received, a new project
will be set up in Fund 171, General Capital Projects.
The money will be held there until the project is started. Mr.
Long reported, as far as the Development Tax is concerned, the revenue is not
coming in as estimated. He stated
this also means not as much will be transferred to the Debt Service Fund.
He explained he was projecting there will be approximately $3 million to
$3.5 million in the Development Tax at the end of the year, provided it is not
hit too hard the rest of the year. He
said he did not think it would have an effect on the countys bond rating to
take it from the General Fund. He
said all the Development Tax can be used for is capital projects; however, the
General Fund can be used for any purpose. He
stated the Development Tax might be the better source. Following
discussion, Comm. Jernigan withdrew his motion, and Comm. Throneberry withdrew
the second to the motion. Mr.
Long reported it has been recommended to fund two new ambulance stations from
the Development Tax next year. Mr.
Long advised there is $250,201.91 remaining in the Garage Remediation Project in
Fund 171. He stated he believes
that project is complete, and the City of Murfreesboro might owe the county a
rebate relative to that project. He
stated he is in the process of trying to finalize the numbers. He stated he would probably know the amount by the time of
the County Commission Meeting on March 15.
Following
discussion, Comm. Jernigan moved, seconded by Comm. Baxter, to utilize the
remaining funds in Fund 171, General Capital Projects, for the Garage
Remediation Project, plus any refund received from the City of Murfreesboro to
pay the $255,000 down payment for the 45.1 acres at Gresham Lane and John Rice
Boulevard for a new Agriculture Extension Facility. If adequate funding does not materialize in the project, the
down payment is to be appropriated from the Development Tax. The
motion passed by roll call vote with Comm. Jones voting pass. SALE/LEASE
PURCHASE OF REGIONS BANK BUILDING: Mr.
Larry Sims, Sims Realty, addressed the committee regarding a proposal by Mr.
Charlie Farrer to offer the county a lease or lease purchase arrangement
regarding the Regions Bank Building. Mr.
Sims provided a drawing proposing a courtroom for Judge Scott, file room, Youth
Services & mediation room. This
would be for 6,890 square feet. For
five years, the monthly lease payment would be $9,602.92. The monthly lease rates include property taxes and insurance.
The county would be responsible for all utilities. Mr.
Sims advised if the county wanted to consider a purchase or lease purchase, the
price would be $1,247,000, which would include a much better roof than was
previously discussed. He stated it
was going to cost approximately $160,000 to $180,000 to remodel the building to
construct the courtrooms. Mr. Sims
advised the cost does include security equipment. Budget
Minutes
March 8, 2001
Page Eleven Comm.
Baxter advised the Property Management Committee has sent this issue to the
Budget Committee without a recommendation. Comm.
P. Johnson reported according to his calculations the lease payment would be
approximately $16.72 per sq. ft. Comm.
Sims reported the average base rent in this area would be approximately $11.50
to $13.50 per sq. ft. However, the
difference in this case, is that Farrer Brothers will be doing a lot of
remodeling to put the court system in. Comm.
Jernigan reported the reason the Property Management Committee sent this item to
the Budget Committee without a recommendation was because they wanted to know
how the Budget Committee felt about the project. Comm.
Baxter stated he was not in favor of a long-term lease.
He stated he had talked with Judge Scott about the building, and she has
advised him she is fairly comfortable where she is.
He stated she needed office space, and she has received the grand jury
room. He stated Judge Scott is well
satisfied using the grand jury room along with one of the courtrooms.
He stated if Judge Scott told him he should pursue this building for
office space and a juvenile courtroom for her, he would be 100% in favor of it.
He stated he is not in favor of a long-term lease.
Comm. Baxter stated if the Budget Committee was in favor of a short-term
lease on a temporary basis, he would support that.
Chairman
Evans stated he would like to have Judge Scott report to the committee next
month to tell them what she thinks. Mr. Sims reported the countys lease amount would not
include any increases. He stated it
would be $9,602.92 monthly for 60 months. Comm.
Jernigan stated if this item was sent back to the Property Management Committee,
it would only be fair to Farrer Brothers that they could take if off the market
if they so desired. Following
discussion, Comm. Throneberry moved, seconded by Comm. Jernigan to send the
lease or lease purchase proposal on the Regions Bank Building back to the
Property Management Committee with Judge Scott to attend and report to the
committee if she is comfortable where she is or if she is crowded.
If Judge Scott reports she is crowded and needs new space, Property
Management is to study the situation. Comm.
Jernigan stated if Judge Scott reports to the Property Management Committee she
is crowded and needs new space and the Property Management Committee approves
the Regions Bank Building, he expects Judge Scott to report the same thing to
the Budget Committee. The
motion to send the Regions Bank Building lease or lease purchase proposal back
to the Property Management Committee passed unanimously by roll call vote. APPROVE
CONCEPT OF I-24 ELAM ROAD INTERCHANGE TO US 231: County
Executive Allen presented a proposed Resolution regarding construction of the
I-24/Elam Road Interchange to U.S. 231. Comm.
Baxter stated he would like for the committee to consider that from U.S. 231
South over to U.S. 41 be named Ed Elam Parkway. County
Executive Allen reported the City of Murfreesboro has already named the first
stretch the Joe B. Jackson Parkway, and it has been approved by the State. County
Executive Allen advised the committee of the cost estimates.
She reported the City of Murfreesboro is funding the engineering and
rights-of-way. The County Executive
explained the Budget
Minutes
March 8, 2001
Page Twelve county
and the City of Murfreesboro would also be funding $1,738,000 each for the
construction, with the proposed State funding to be $3,476,000. The
County Executive advised this does not require the appropriation of any funds at
this time. She reported funding
would not be required until July, 2002. At
that time, the State would require a deposit of the full amount.
She explained approval of the concept would obligate the County for
$1,738,000 if the State participates. Following
discussion, Comm. Baxter moved, seconded by Comm. P. Johnson to move forward
with the concept of the I-24/Elam Road Interchange to U.S. 231 (Joe B. Jackson
Parkway). The
motion passed by roll call vote with Comm. Jernigan voting pass. OTHER BUSINESS COUNTY
PAY PLAN: Comm.
Jernigan reported he would like to discuss the County Pay Plan.
He stated last year, the County Commission went on record with the county
pay plan and the new personnel study to allow Department Heads to recommend step
increases for employees based on merit. He
advised the committee he had received several calls, and apparently the pay plan
is being changed whereby employees will only receive a standard raise or a one
step increase without employee performance being considered.
County
Executive Allen stated an option would be a merit raise.
She reported there are a few cities that have implemented that type of
system, and at least one county is looking at it.
The County Executive reported with that program, employee evaluations
would have to be done approximately every six months, with every employee
receiving the same evaluation criteria. The
Department Heads and Supervisors must be trained to perform the evaluations.
One city does a six-month evaluation.
After three months, the evaluation is performed again, and if the
employee has not improved, the employee is terminated.
This particular city does not give across the board raises at all.
They only give merit raises. She
advised the other issue is there is a formula that determines the availability
of the raises. She also advised the
evaluations have to be completed with a certain time frame. The
County Executive explained Rutherford County does not have a Human Resource
Department to assist in terms of if the county is in compliance with all of the
necessary laws, or to assist in training to be sure all employees are treated
fairly in a merit raise environment. She
said it would have to be determined if merit raises will be given, and in
addition to that, give across the board raises.
She said there are a lot of variables.
She said the county would need someone to assist in developing the
criteria. She reported one city
that has considered merit raises has decided against it, because they felt like
it would open them up for potential litigation simply because all employees must
be treated fairly and equitably. The
County Executive explained based upon her research with professionals in the
field, Rutherford County does not have that criteria. She said a lot of companies in the private sector are moving
away from merit raises because of litigation.
County
Executive Allen advised the committee part of her recommendation in next
years budget would be to request a position to add someone who specializes in
Human Resources. She said
Rutherford County is one of the largest employers in the county and does not
have that resource available to all county departments as well as individual
employees to be sure the county is complying with federal laws.
Comm.
Jernigan stated the employees understood last year, when the new personnel study
was implemented that merit raises would be allowed.
He stated he believed the new pay plan was implemented to alleviate
inequities. He stated the way it is
now, it does not matter what type employee they are.
Budget
Minutes
March 8, 2001
Page Thirteen Comm.
P. Johnson stated he agreed with the County Executive that a Human Resource
person was needed and would support the concept. The
Finance Director stated one option might be to inform Department Heads if they
want merit raise money allocated to their department; they must participate in
the evaluation process. The
County Executive stated in her recommendation on the budget, she would request a
Human Resource Department be created, which would consist of an administrator.
She stated there was office space available in the Goldstein Building. She stated most Human Resource Departments oversee payroll,
insurance, etc. She explained she
is not doing that. She stated she
is talking strictly about someone to administer the guidelines/employee
relations. She stated another thing
a Human Resource person does is to make sure employees receive information in a
timely manner and that everyone receives the same information.
ADJOURNMENT: There
being no further business to be presented at this time, Chairman Evans declared
the meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M. ______________________________________ Elaine Cawthon, Secretary
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