|
BUDGET, FINANCE & INVESTMENT COMMITTEE May 8, 2001 6:00 P.M. Courthouse MINUTES: Members
Present:
Others Present:
Others Present:
Others Present: Comm.
Jerry Baxter
Nancy Allen
Alan Miller
Mark King
Comm.
Joyce Ealy
Eloise Gaither
Lynn
Smith
Truman Jones Comm.
Joe Frank Jernigan Judge
Royce Taylor
Kevin Howell
Michael Skidmore Comm.
Paul Johnson
Mary Schneider
Dana Blair
Judy Reed Comm.
Tina Jones
Wanda Watkins
Steve Smith
Charles Sellers Comm.
Dwight Throneberry John
Bratcher
David
Jones
Angela Sellers Comm.
Jimmy Evans
Judge Donna Scott
Tela Bayless
Michelle Blaylock
Angel McCloud
Tracy Hill
Paul DeHoff
Chairman
Evans presided and called the meeting to order with all members being present. APPROVE
MINUTES: The
minutes of the May 3, 2001 meeting were presented for approval. Comm.
Baxter moved, seconded by Comm. Jones to approve the minutes as presented. The
motion passed unanimously by acclamation. REVIEW
OF PAY PLAN: Finance
Director Paul Long addressed the committee regarding the pay plan being
considered for 2001-2002. A summary
of pay changes was provided to the committee.
Mr. Long explained the information strictly pertained to the General
Fund; however the same logic has been applied also to the Solid Waste Fund and
the Road & Bridge Fund. Mr.
Long reported last year’s pay plan has been updated by indexing each of the 15
pay steps by one percent. Initially,
it was proposed to add one newly indexed step to every existing employee.
Through the committee process, there has been a lot of discussion
regarding inequities within various departments, and Mr. Long explained this has
been addressed in the proposed pay plan. Mr.
Long explained last year the General Fund had approximately 605 employees.
Of those 605 employees, 308 employees received a pay grade improvement.
He also explained there were 19 employees who received in excess of a
$5,000 increase as a result of the pay grade changes.
Going
into fiscal year 2001-2002, the General Fund has 606 employees.
Of those 606 employees, 268 employees will receive additional steps as a
result of trying to equalize the experience ranges.
Mr. Long also reported there are 28 employees in the General Fund who
will receive a pay grade improvement, either as a result of qualifying for a
higher paying job or through re-evaluations by the pay consultant.
Additionally, the total personnel cost in the General Fund currently as
amended is $17,709,081. Pay raises
for existing personnel next year totals $900,392 or 5%. Salaries for 14 new personnel total $422,449. Mr.
Long advised of the 268 employees who will be receiving additional steps to get
them on a more equitable basis with other employees, 177 are at the Sheriff’s
Department and Jail, 10 are at the Correctional Work Center, and 17 are at the
Ambulance Department. Comm.
Jones stated she was concerned that longevity pay is not being included in the
2001-2002 budget proposal. She
stated it was her understanding the State of Tennessee, as well as the City of
Murfreesboro incorporates longevity pay. She
stated it appeared to her the benefits of having longevity pay would far
out-weigh the effort in trying to search for the money to implement longevity
pay. She Budget
Minutes
May 8, 2001
Page Two stated
it would promote positive morale within the county and encourage loyalty.
She stated she would like to ask for two things from the committee; (1)
for the committee to have dialogue relative to longevity pay; and (2) if the
committee is agreeable, request the Finance Director to go back through the
budget and search for the money to implement longevity pay.
The
Finance Director reported the amount of longevity pay for the General Fund is
$119,431, Solid Waste Fund - $4,747, and Road & Bridge Fund -$18,260.
The total county-wide is $142,438. He
reported this is based on $25 per year of service.
He stated it still does not equal the State of Tennessee or the City of
Murfreesboro. He reported the State
pays $100 per year for each year of service, and the City pays $50 per year of
service. Mr.
Long advised with a little additional work, this could probably be covered in
the budget. He stated his fear is
the General Fund budget is already slightly out of balance.
County
Executive Allen stated the issue regarding experience had been looked at.
She advised she had hoped to recommend the longevity plan, and it was
included in the budget. She stated the goal was to balance the budget, and a
determination was made to remove the longevity pay in order to accomplish that.
She requested the committee consider the longevity pay as a high
priority. She stated there are
long-term county employees who are highly dedicated and do a great job.
She stated this is a minimal way of acknowledging those years of service.
Chairman
Evans stated while the $25 might not be equitable, he stated it does show the
County is committed to taking care of the employees, and they are appreciated.
He stated while the County Commission cannot always meet their wants and
needs, they will take care of as many as possible.
County
Executive Allen stated she would consider the longevity pay a number one
priority. Finance
Director Paul Long reported the longevity pay will be strictly based on the
number of years of service with Rutherford County. Comm.
Johnson reported on the State’s plan, an employee had to be employed for at
least five years before they qualified for the longevity pay. County
Executive Allen reported the longevity pay being proposed was calculated from
the first year of employment. The
Finance Director also advised there is no cap at 25 years of service, and it is
being proposed it be paid during the employee’s anniversary month. Comm.
Johnson suggested in order to give an incentive for employees to stay with
Rutherford County, they could consider starting the longevity pay after five
years of service instead of the first year.
He stated that would cut down on the cost also.
The
Finance Director requested he and the County Executive be allowed to check with
the State and the City of Murfreesboro to see what their minimum requirement is.
Following
discussion, Comm. Jones moved, seconded by Comm. Baxter to revisit the
recommended General Fund 2001-2002 budget to include longevity pay and gather
information in terms of the State and the City of Murfreesboro in regard to
longevity pay. Additionally, the
longevity pay is to be based on the actual years of service to Rutherford
County. Comm.
Baxter reported the Road Board voted to include the longevity pay, but it was
removed to be in unison with the County Executive’s recommendation on the
General Fund. He stated the Road
Board had no problem with including longevity pay in the Road & Bridge
budget. The
motion to include longevity pay in the 2001-2002 budget based on actual years of
service to Rutherford County and to have the Finance Director and County
Executive gather information from the State and the City of Murfreesboro
regarding their longevity pay plans passed unanimously by roll call vote. Budget
Minutes
May 8, 2001
Page
Three Comm.
Jernigan asked if the pay plan would go into effect on July 1? Mr.
Long reported all of the normal salary increases in the General Fund, Solid
Waste & Road & Bridge Funds are effective as of the employees’
anniversary date. He reported he
had done some calculations to determine what the additional cost would be to
bring that back to a July 1 implementation, and it would be approximately
$750,000 for the General Fund. He
stated it would be approximately $35,000 to $36,000 for the Road & Bridge
Department. Comm.
Jernigan stated he would like for the committee to be thinking about
implementing the salary increases as of July 1. He requested the Finance Director provide the cost at the
next budget meeting. CIRCUIT
COURT: Eloise
Gaither, Circuit Court Clerk was present to answer questions from the committee
regarding the 2001-2002 budget for the Circuit Court. The request was $368,840, and the County Executive’s
recommendation totals $342,250. Comm.
Jernigan moved, seconded by Comm. Baxter to approve the recommendation of the
County Executive for the Circuit Court budget totaling $342,250. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. CIRCUIT
COURT JUDGE: Judge
Royce Taylor was present to answer questions from the committee regarding the
2001-2002 budget for the Circuit Court Judge.
The request was $236,141, and the County Executive’s recommendation
totals $146,845. Judge
Taylor advised they have requested, and the County Executive has not recommended
two items in the budget. Judge
Taylor advised currently there is a divorce coordinator who is paid from a
federal grant. The program has
worked so well the State has mandated the program statewide beginning this year.
He stated the State has not funded the coordinator’s position.
He stated the coordinator they have has been recognized statewide, and
she has been training other coordinators around the State. He stated it is imperative they maintain this position, and
they are requesting the County to assist in this since they are losing the
federal money because this is now a State program, and the State has not funded
it. He stated as far as he has been
able to determine a caption bill has not been filed, and there is not anything
pending. He
stated the program involves trying to mediate issues involving child custody.
The Exchange Club is one of the main providers for the educational
process. He stated the real winners are children of divorce.
Judge
Taylor reported the minimum filing fee for every divorce is approximately $90,
and the court costs are added on to that, which can usually be several hundred
dollars. He explained they generate
large sums of money through the process, although all of it does not go into the
county funds. Chairman
Evans asked how long it had been known the position would not be federally
funded? Judge Taylor stated it was
believed the State would fund the position.
He stated they did not know where the money was going to come from, and
the County was the last resort. Judge
Taylor explained Ms. Reed is the only employee in the courthouse devoted
exclusively to children of divorce. He
stated there is Chancery Court and Circuit Court, and divorces are handled in
both courts. He stated the
coordinator handles both courts instead of having an employee in each clerk’s
office. He stated it is more
efficient to have one person handling both courts instead of having an employee
in each clerk’s office to do this. He
stated the work is going to have to be done.
Chairman
Evans stated he had spoken with Rep. Rowland, who serves on the Children &
Family Committee. He reported she
has indicated this position has made it out of committee and is scheduled to be
voted on. Budget
Minutes
May 8, 2001
Page
Four Judge
Taylor stated if that was the case, he would like this item to be deferred.
He wanted to know if it could be reconsidered if the State voted not to
fund the position. Chairman
Evans reported nothing is final until the committee submitted the budget to the
County Commission for consideration on June 28. Judge
Taylor reported the other item of concern was $47,500 requested in Line Item
707, Building Improvements. He
explained one courtroom is furnished with evidence presenters and various
screens to make trial practice much better.
He stated they would like to continue this process to upgrade the other
three courtrooms. He stated they
would like to be able to add something each year to modernize the courtroom.
Judge
Taylor also made a statement regarding the security in the Judicial Building.
He stated the Sheriff’s Department had very dedicated people handling
the security, and they are pleased with what they do.
He stated they need some additional assistance.
He stated there are cameras in the courtroom, and there are video
monitors. However, there is not
anything in the hallway. Judge
Taylor stated he was sure they generated enough fees to fund the divorce
coordinator’s position. He stated
the fees from the clerk’s office are being used to pay for some of the other
positions. The
Finance Director stated the sum of the Circuit Court Clerk’s category, the
Circuit Court Judge category, and the General Sessions Court category is in
excess of $1 million the county appropriates from the General Fund.
He explained the Circuit Court Clerk turns in about $550,000 in excess
fees plus some fines, but it will not accumulate to that total amount of money.
He stated he would provide an analysis of that before this item is
revisited. Following
discussion, Comm. P. Johnson moved, seconded by Comm. Jones to approve the
County Executive’s recommendation for the 2001-2002 Circuit Court Judge budget
totaling $146,845 and to review the
request again on June 13 to give the State time to act on the divorce
coordinator’s position. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. CRIMINAL
COURT (DRUG COURT GRANT): Mary
Schneider, Drug Court Coordinator, was present to answer questions from the
committee regarding the 2001-2002 Drug Court budget. The request totals $271,602, and the County Executive’s
recommendation totals $264,594. Comm.
Jernigan moved, seconded by Comm. Throneberry to approve the County
Executive’s recommendation totaling $264,594. Comm.
Ealy asked for discussion regarding Line Item 399, Other Contracted Services. Ms.
Schneider reported 75% of the budget is a federal grant, and the County is
required to fund a 25% match. She
explained the $175,000 is for contracted services from the Guidance Center and
BI Incorporated to provide services to the Drug Court for treatment, urine
screens and probation. This Account
is also used to contract with M.T.S.U. for program evaluations. The
Finance Director explained this is a three-year grant.
After that period of time, either the County will have to fund the
program or cultivate some additional sources of funding.
He explained that is one of the things Ms. Schneider is working on.
Ms. Schneider explained a requirement of the grant is to have an advisory
board to come up with an alternative funding plan by the end of the first fiscal
year. Following
discussion, the motion to approve the County Executive’s recommendation
totaling $264,594 for the 2001-2002 Drug Court budget passed unanimously by roll
call vote. Budget Minutes May 8, 2001 Page Five GENERAL
SESSIONS COURT: Mrs.
Wanda Watkins was present to answer questions from the committee regarding the
2001-2002 General Sessions Court budget. The
request totals $677,746, and the County Executive’s recommendation totals
$682,040. County
Executive Allen explained this budget contains one new position for a Judicial
Commissioner. Comm.
Baxter moved, seconded by Comm. Ealy to approve the County Executive’s
recommendation totaling$682,040. Chairman
Evans noted this is one of the 14 new full time positions being recommended.
He said this will be taking a part time Judicial Commissioner to full
time. Mrs.
Watkins stated currently there are eight full-time Judicial Commissioners and
two part time, and they are working 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
This will make nine full-time and one part time, which will still be the
same number of employees. Following
discussion, the motion to approve the County Executive’s recommendation for
the 2001-2002 General Sessions Court budget totaling $682,040 passed unanimously
by roll call vote. CHANCERY
COURT: Mr.
John Bratcher, Clerk & Master, was present to answer questions from the
committee regarding the 2001-2002 budget for the Chancery Court.
The request totals $591,915, and the County Executive’s recommendation
totals $573,005. Comm.
Baxter moved, seconded by Comm. Throneberry to approve the County Executive’s
recommendation for the 2001-2002 Chancery Court budget totaling $573,005. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. JUVENILE
COURT: Judge
Donna Scott was present to answer questions from the committee regarding the
2001-2002 budget for the Juvenile Court Judge.
The request totals $168,953, and the County Executive’s recommendation
totals $131,473. County
Executive Allen reported there was a request for a court officer, and the
position has not been recommended. Judge
Scott reported she is the only judge who does not have a court officer. Comm.
Jernigan moved, seconded by Comm. Baxter to approve the County Executive’s
recommendation. Chairman
Evans stated if the court officer could not be funded this year, he believed it
was something that needed to be looked at in the future. Judge
Scott also made a statement regarding the Sheriff ‘s security officers.
She stated they take good care of her.
She stated they keep very close watch.
She also advised she had received a panic button in her office.
She stated if she did not feel comfortable, she would be requesting the
court officer. She stated she could
get by one more year. Following
discussion, the motion to approve the County Executive’s recommendation for
the 2001-2002 Juvenile Court budget totaling $131,473 passed unanimously by roll
call vote. Budget Minutes May 8, 2001 Page Six DISTRICT
ATTORNEY: The
request for the 2001-2002 District Attorney’s budget is $15,000, and the
County Executive’s recommendation is $15,000. The
Finance Director reported this is the request from the District Attorney to
match a State grant to provide a new Assistant District Attorney to serve in
domestic violence programs. The
Finance Director advised an alternative source of funding for this match is
being explored. He stated he had
talked to the District Attorney about it, and he is trying to get some
additional information from the State to determine if that can be done.
He stated there is a possibility this appropriation may be shifted from
the General Fund into Fund 304, Fraud & Crimes Fund, which the District
Attorney has sole discretion over. Comm.
Jernigan moved, seconded by Comm. Throneberry to approve the County
Executive’s recommendation totaling $15,000 for the 2001-2002 District
Attorney budget to fund the county’s matching portion for the Byrne Memorial
Grant. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. YOUTH
SERVICES: Angel
McCloud, Youth Services Director, was present to answer questions from the
committee regarding the 2001-2002 Youth Services Department.
The request totals $840,569, and the County Executive’s recommendation
totals $841,350. Comm.
Jernigan moved, seconded by Comm. Throneberry to approve the County
Executive’s recommendation for the 2001-2002 Youth Services budget. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. CORRECTIONAL
WORK CENTER: Alan
Miller, Correctional Work Center Superintendent, was present to answer questions
from the committee regarding the 2001-2002 Correctional Work Center budget.
The request totals $1,797,641, and the County Executive’s
recommendation totals $1,724,819. Comm.
P. Johnson moved, seconded by Comm. Baxter, to approve the County Executive’s
recommendation for the 2001-2002 Correctional Work Center budget.
County
Executive Allen advised the budget is based on an average inmate population of
165, and last week the census was 201. Mr.
Miller reported it would be a really tight budget. Following
discussion, the motion to approve the County Executive’s recommendation for
the 2001-2002 Correctional Work Center budget totaling $1,724,819 passed
unanimously by roll call vote. JUVENILE
DETENTION CENTER: Miss
Lynn Smith, Juvenile Detention Center Director, was present to answer questions
from the committee regarding the 2001-2002 Juvenile Detention Center budget.
The request totals $752,625, and the County Executive’s recommendation
totals $727,010. County
Executive Allen reported there was some duplication in terms of maintenance on
the facility. The Maintenance
Director had budgeted for some work there, and Miss Smith had, as well.
It was removed from the Juvenile Detention Center budget, since it was
incorporated in the Maintenance Department budget.
She advised substantial time had been spent in evaluating the budget in
terms of staffing and other issues. Budget
Minutes
May 8, 2001
Page Seven Comm.
Jernigan moved, seconded by Comm. Ealy to approve the County Executive’s
recommendation for the 2001-2002 Juvenile Detention Center budget totaling
$727,010. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. RESCUE
SQUADS: Mr.
Kevin Howell, Rutherford Rescue Squad, and Mr. Dana Blair, La Vergne Rescue
Squad, were present to answer questions regarding the 2001-2002 Rescue Squad
budget. The request totals $93,000,
and the County Executive’s recommendation totals $59,000. Chairman
Evans reported the County Executive’s recommendation is the same as last year,
with Rutherford Rescue Squad receiving $23,000, Smyrna Rescue Squad receiving
$18,000, and La Vergne Rescue Squad receiving $18,000. Comm.
P. Johnson moved, seconded by Comm. Baxter to approve the County Executive’s
recommendation for the 2001-2002 Rescue Squad totaling $59,000. Mr.
Howell advised last year they answered 378 calls, and this year they responded
to 550 calls. He stated their costs
are increasing, and they would appreciate any help the county could give them. Following
discussion, the motion to approve the County Executive’s recommendation for
the 2001-2002 Rescue Squad budget totaling $59,000 passed unanimously by roll
call vote. EMERGENCY
SERVICES: Mr.
Steve Smith was present to answer questions from the committee regarding the
2001-2002 Emergency Services budget. The
request is $319,501, and the County Executive’s recommendation totals
$320,390. Comm.
Baxter moved, seconded by Comm. Throneberry, to approve the County Executive’s
recommendation for the 2001-2002 Emergency Services budget. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. BUILDING
CODES
: Mr.
David Jones, Building Codes Director, was present to answer questions from the
committee regarding the 2001-202 Building Codes budget.
The request totals $550,040, and the County Executive’s recommendation
totals $557,741. Comm.
Throneberry moved, seconded by Comm. Jones, to approve the County Executive’s
recommendation for the 2001-2002 Building Codes budget. Comm.
P. Johnson read his conflict of interest statement. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. HEALTH
DEPARTMENT, DENTAL, OTHER LOCAL HEALTH: Mrs.
Tela Bayless, Health Department Director, was present to answer questions from
the committee regarding the 2001-2002 budgets for the Local Health Department,
Dental Health Program, and Other Local Health Services.
The request for the Local Health Department totals $516,102, and the
County Executive’s recommendation totals $515,879.
The request for the Dental Health Program totals $40,003, and the County
Executive’s recommendation totals $39,961.
The request for the Other Local Health Services totals $577,793, and the
County Executive’s recommendation totals $582,438. Budget
Minutes
May 8, 2001
Page Eight Comm.
Jernigan moved, seconded by Comm. Ealy to approve the County Executive’s
recommendation for the 2001-2002 budgets for the Local Health Department, Dental
Health Program, and Other Local Health Services. The
Finance Director noted the Other Local Health Services is fully State funded. The
motion to approve the County Executive’s recommendation for the Local Health
Department, Dental Health Program, and Other Local Health Services passed
unanimously by roll call vote. ANIMAL
SERVICES: Tracy
Hill, Animal Services Director, was present to answer questions from the
committee regarding the 2001-2002 Animal Services budget.
The request totals $830,064, and the County Executive’s recommendation
totals $724,631. Comm.
Jernigan questioned Account 187-Overtime Pay, 355 – Travel, 413 – Drugs
& Medical Supplies. Ms.
Hill reported the Overtime Account was being increased due to an increase in
calls and problems with turnover of the staff.
She explained Account 196, In-Service Training, and Account 355, Travel,
had been combined. Ms. Hill advised
the Drugs & Medical Supplies Account is used for vaccination of adopted
animals and the euthanasia medicine. A
discussion was also had regarding the Gasoline Account and Part Time Personnel.
Ms. Hill advised inmate help is used when possible. Following
discussion Comm. Jones moved, seconded by Comm. Baxter to approve the County
Executive’s recommendation for the 2001-2002 Animal Services budget totaling
$724,631. Comm.
Jernigan stated he would like for as much inmate help as possible to be
utilized. The
motion to approve the 2001-2002 Animal Services budget as recommended by the
County Executive passed unanimously by roll call vote. COMMUNITY
CARE: Mr.
Mark King, Administrator at Community Care, was present to answer questions from
the committee regarding the 2001-2002 Community Care budget.
The request totals $92,000, and the County Executive’s recommendation
totals $75,000. Mr.
King reported the request is strictly for capital items. The
County Executive advised the budget is based on the lease agreement between
Rutherford County and the Community Care Board. These are items the county is obligated for under the lease
arrangement. It is not for
operational uses, but strictly capital. Comm.
Jernigan moved, seconded by Comm. Jones, to approve the County Executive’s
recommendation for the 2001-2002 Community Care budget totaling $75,000. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. GUIDANCE
CENTER: The
request for the 2001-2002 Guidance Center totals $15,000, and the County
Executive’s recommendation is also for $15,000. The
County Executive advised this amount had been funded for the Guidance Center for
a number of years. Comm.
P. Johnson moved, seconded by Comm. Throneberry to approve the County
Executive’s recommendation for the 2001-2002 Guidance Center appropriation. Budget
Minutes
May 8, 2001
Page Nine The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. SHERIFF’S
DEPARTMENT: Sheriff
Truman Jones was present to answer questions from the committee regarding the
2001-2002 Sheriff’s Department budget. The
request totals $11,678,361, and the County Executive’s recommendation totals
$9,078,982. Comm.
P. Johnson advised this would be a 7% increase. The
County Executive advised Account 718 – Motor Vehicles, was requested at
$1,070,000 and she was recommending $550,000.
She explained the funding for this item would come from the Development
Tax. Comm.
P. Johnson moved, seconded by Comm. Jernigan to approve the County Executive’s
recommendation for the 2001-2002 Sheriff’s Department budget totaling
$9,078,982. It
was discussed the cost of a patrol car, including equipment, is approximately
$26,000 to $27,000. The recommended
amount of $550,000 would buy approximately 25 vehicles.
The
County Executive advised the recommended budget includes three new patrol
positions. The
Finance Director advised with the personnel list and the pay plan, revisions are
constantly being made. He explained
he is in the process of reviewing some revisions the Sheriff has requested
regarding some incorrect employment dates and previous experience.
Mr. Long reported those revisions have not been incorporated into the
budget at this point. Sheriff
Jones advised he was opposed to the recommendation of funding the Lieutenant in
Narcotics from the Drug Control Fund. He
explained an alternative to this recommendation would be for that individual to
continue to be paid the way he is currently, out of the General Fund.
He requested three Special Enforcement Bureau positions be funded from
the Drug Control budget. He
explained these individuals work undercover with drugs.
He explained this would help regenerate the Drug Fund and build it back
up. He stated he does not have
enough manpower to react to all of the calls they receive.
Sheriff
Jones also advised in Account 451 – Uniforms, $194,011 was requested, and the
County Executive has recommended $90,000. He
explained there is a grant they are working on with a $53,000 match to purchase
body armor. He reported there are a
number of vests that need to be replaced, as well as purchase lightweight
rain/wind jackets at a cost of $9,360. He advised the total amount needed is $167,532. In
Account 431 – Law Enforcement Supplies, $122,540 was requested, and the County
Executive has recommended $60,000. Sheriff
Jones reported an additional $30,000 would be needed to purchase supplies for
all divisions. Sheriff
Jones stated some services have to go above the cost sometimes.
He stated when dealing with public safety and the safety of the officers,
these items are extremely important. Chairman
Evans questioned Account 187, Overtime Pay, which was requested at $407,080 and
recommended at $300,000. He noted
the amended amount for the current year is $301,484, and only $197,772 has been
spent through 10 months. He asked
the Sheriff if he believed he would use the entire $300,000 this year.
If not, some of this money could be used elsewhere.
He stated he knew legally, the county has to pay the overtime.
He suggested that this money could be appropriated elsewhere, and during
the fiscal year, the Sheriff could request funding for the overtime on an as
needed basis. Relative
to the statement Sheriff Jones made about a grant for body armor, the Finance
Director advised in the current year budget, a situation occurred whereby grant
revenue for the Sheriff’s Department was included in the budget, and the
Sheriff’s Department did not have the appropriation included.
This caused the budget to have to be amended when the revenue was
received. Mr. Long advised in the
2001-2002 budget, the grant programs have been excluded until notification of
the grant award is Budget
Minutes
May 8, 2001
Page Ten received;
and then those can be amended into the budget at that time.
The Finance Director stated that would be his suggestion on this
particular grant program. He advised the School Resource Officer grant had not been
included at this point, nor the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant. Relative
to the suggestion of Chairman Evans to redistribute the amount for the Overtime
Pay to other line items and amend the budget for overtime on an as needed basis,
the Finance Director stated that could be done but would have the same effect as
adopting a budget that is under-funded. Chairman
Evans stated he knew the overtime would have to be paid, regardless. Following
discussion, the motion to approve the County Executive’s recommendation for
the 2001-2002 Sheriff
Department’s budget totaling $9,078,982 passed unanimously by roll call vote. SPECIAL
PATROLS: The
request for the 2001-2002 Special Patrol budget is $46,176, and the County
Executive’s recommendation totals $46,176. Sheriff
Jones reported this money is received from the Corp of Engineers for Priest Lake
patrol. Comm.
P. Johnson moved, seconded by Comm. Throneberry to approve the County
Executive’s recommendation for the 2001-2002 Special Patrol budget. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. JAIL: The
request for the 2001-2002 Adult Detention Center budget is $6,432,816, and the
County Executive’s recommendation totals $5,937,601. Comm.
P. Johnson moved, seconded by Comm. Baxter to approve the County Executive’s
recommendation for the 2001-2002 budget. Sheriff
Jones stated he had a request concerning Account 54110-340 in the Sheriff’s
budget. He advised he needed
$37,820 in order to provide hepatitis vaccinations for the employees.
The
committee agreed to continue with the Jail budget, and return to the Sheriff’s
budget for this item. A
discussion was held regarding Accounts 54210-340 – Medical & Dental
Services and 54210-413 – Drugs and Medical Supplies. Account 340 is used for doctors and professional services,
and Account 413 is used for the purchase of medicines and supplies.
The Finance Director advised these accounts were used strictly for
inmates. The
County Executive stated that she agreed the $37,820 for the hepatitis
vaccinations should be included in the budget. Following
discussion, the motion to approve the County Executive’s recommendation for
the 2001-2002 Adult Detention Center budget totaling $5,937,601 passed
unanimously by roll call vote. The
committee returned to category 54110, Sheriff’s Department.
Comm. P. Johnson moved, seconded by Comm. Ealy to approve $37,820 to
provide hepatitis vaccinations for employees in Account 54110-340, Medical &
Dental Services. The
motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. DRUG
CONTROL FUND: The
request for the Drug Control Fund is $451,359, and the County Executive’s
recommendation totals $479,472. Budget
Minutes
May
8, 2001
Page Eleven The
County Executive advised the budget incorporates an additional employee, moving
Lieutenant Bennett from the Sheriff’s budget to the Drug Control budget. Sheriff
Jones reported paying the lieutenant’s salary from this fund would drain more
money from the Drug Fund without adding more personnel.
He stated they are not able to cover the areas in the county they need
to. He advised his suggestion would
be instead of funding the lieutenant’s position from this fund, fund three new
officers under the Special Enforcement. He
stated these officers would provide support in being able to meet the needs of
the investigations. He stated these
individuals would actually be bringing money into the Drug Fund, which would
keep it solvent. The
Finance Director advised taking the lieutenant position back to the General Fund
would add an additional $54,000 to the General Fund total.
Sheriff
Jones stated that adding the three people would enhance the Drug Fund.
He advised they could almost double the revenue for the Drug Fund once
they are trained. The
Finance Director reported the projected fund balance of the Drug Fund on June
30, 2001 is being projected at $395,000, and the projected fund balance on June
30, 2002 is $341,028. The
difference is the lieutenant salary. Following
discussion, Comm. P. Johnson moved, seconded by Comm. Baxter to approve the
County Executive’s recommendation for the 2001-2002 Drug Control Fund budget
totaling $479,472 with the stipulation that possible grants for drug enforcement
officers be pursued. Comm.
P. Johnson explained one reason he is being so conservative is due to the fact
the county is going to be faced with a major insurance increase. The
motion to approve the County Executive’s recommendation for the 2001-2002 Drug
Control Fund budget passed unanimously by roll call vote. ADJOURNMENT: Chairman
Evans reminded the committee the regular Budget Committee meeting is Thursday,
May 10 at 6:15 P.M., and the next special Budget Meeting will be Tuesday, May 15
at 5:30 P.M. There
being no further business to be presented at this time, Chairman Evans declared
the meeting adjourned at 8:40 P.M. ______________________________________ Elaine
Cawthon, Secretary
|
|
|