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Wednesday, June 11, 2014 – 1:00 p.m.
Courthouse Annex, 79 Jackson Street, Zebulon, Georgia
Commission Carol Bass was not present at the meetings today, but the other four commissioners, County Clerk Jo Ann Wrye, County Manager (CM) Hanson, and County Attorneys were present at this meeting.
1. CALL TO ORDER............................................................................Chairman J. Briar Johnson
2. INVOCATION………………………………………………………………...……Ben Maxedon
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE..........................................................Chairman J. Briar Johnson
4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA - (O.C.G A. 50-14-1 (e) (1))
5. NEW BUSINESS
Chief Magistrate Judge Marcia Callaway-Ingram to address the Board regarding the Magistrate Court Budget.
The Chief Magistrate sent a letter regarding this matter rather than coming to the meeting. This was denied at a past meeting. Click here for an unapproved copy of the minutes from the Special Called Meeting about the budget on June 3, 2014 where this was discussed.
6. 3RD READING AND FINAL ADOPTION OF THE FY 2014-2015 BUDGET
CM Hanson sent some information to the commissioners last night about questions regarding the Library Board and the Library budget. He had a meeting with members from the library regarding There was a question about budget allocation from the prior budget meeting. 2013 had a budget cycle for their gas bill based on the 2012 gas bill with a basic monthly bill. They used more than that during 2013 so the provider told them that they would need to increase the allocation for next year's gas bill. He noted that last year was one of the coldest years on record in some time but said that it was discovered in a meeting that they are keeping the thermostat a little higher than maybe they should for a building that size at 72 or 74 degrees. He suggested following the GA Natural Gas guidelines for setting the thermostat, suggested renegotiating their per therm rate with the provider, and even said they might want to discontinue this monthly budget plan. He recommended providing an additional $1,000 to offset the gas.
He also addressed an unemployment claim from last year that was awarded and upped their unemployment insurance. It's about $2,100 more than last year because they have apparently never had a claim before. The Department of Labor has upped their rate for what may be the next couple of years. It is non-negotiable. Travel and conference was left off inadvertently. Commissioner Jarrett asked about the decrease of $3,840 from the past meeting. He also said that this was discussed the in a meeting that he had with Librarian Rosemary Bunn and Library Board Member Jayne Midura. They understand where the county is coming from on that matter. CM Hanson stressed that he has not changed his recommendation on using the county staff to clean the library. (Apparently this was a lengthy discussion that covered the gas bills and a whole range of matters with the library including the savings and regular checking accounts as well.)
He said that their savings account money has come from donations over the years. Commissioner Jenkins said that donations would be assumed to be used for books and not for operating costs. CM Hanson said that they have increased their fundraising and fees and fines based on circulation, but said that some of this could not be avoided. He said that we want keep patrons comfortable but stressed keeping an eye on the thermostat.
Motion to approve the increased amount of $3,175 for the library. 2nd for discussion. Question about how the savings and checking accounts work.
Motion to allow someone from the library to speak on this matter. Approved 4-0. Head Librarian Rosemary Bunn said that she has been in this position for one year and that she did some research on the savings account. She said that the funds have been used for new computers, new furniture and other improvements at the library. None of the savings account funds have come from taxpayers and that they are trying to use it wisely. The regular operating account has about $62,000 in it and is used for paying payroll, etc. She has not been able to find where these funds accumulated. The regular account has been used as a contingency fund but don't know how long that $62,000 has been there. Board Member Lynn Hubbard said that the money has been there for the six years that she has been on the board.
Commissioner Jarrett pointed out that in the past that people wanted to donate books to the library but their donations were not accepted because it would cost money to include the books in the library (about $4 per book) and yet they were sitting on this $62,000. Library Board member Lynn Hubbard said they should not be held accountable for what happened with prior library personnel, and Librarian Bunn said that they are trying to maintain the level of acquisitions that are required by the Flint River Library System. (Apparently the past library personnel did not buy books like they should have.) Discussion that the current budget will not really reflect the operating expenses of the library because past budgets do not accurately reflect the operating costs for the library including the purchase of new books and noted that once these funds are depleted, the need will be there. Concern that there may be sticker shock in a few years because of this. It was stressed that the county is not punishing the library for saving money but wants this operating fund of $62,000 to be spent down. The savings account will continue to be used for library needs as determined by the library board.
It was noted that circulation at the library has increased by 1,000 per month and that number comes from a state level by books scanned in and out, etc. Librarian Bunn also said that the Summer Reading had 90 participants two years ago, 300 last year, and there are already 300 participants signed up in just one week for this year. The commissioners commended the library for their hard work and stressed that they do not want to punish the library for saving money but asked that they spend what they have in the operating account before bringing more needs to the county. Librarian Bunn commended CM Hanson for meeting with them yesterday.
Motion to approve. 4-0.
1. Adoption of the FY 2014-2015 Budget.
Motion to approve this as the final adoption with $9,264,171 for the budget and to authorize Chairman Johnson and CM Hanson to execute the FY 2014-2015 Budget documentation, to include, but not limited to, advertising, pertinent dates, and all incorporated motions made as of this date, June 11, 2014. 2nd was given. Robert Adams asked to speak prior to the final vote being taken on this motion.
2. Authorize Chairman Johnson and County Manager John Hanson to execute the FY 2014-2015 Budget documentation, to include, but not limited to, advertising, pertinent dates, and all incorporated motions made as of this date, June 11, 2014.
This was included in the prior motion.
Motion to allow Robert E. Adams speak. He said that he spoke to Lanier Boatwright about the Senior Center and sait that he sees it as immoral to have 19 people show up to eat at the Senior Center and only have food for 15 people to eat. CM Hanson said that he spoke to Mr. Boatwright yesterday and is investigating this. Mr. Boatwright said that there is money that can be redirected to help our senior citizens. CM Hanson advised that this will not be affected by this budget.
Back to the original discussion. Motion to approve. 4-0.
CM Hanson expressed his appreciation to the county attorney, the county department heads and to the commissioners for their hard work on this budget. The commissioners did the same to CM Hanson.
6. ADJOURNMENT: 1:52 p.m.
Agenda subject to revision.
Click here for an unapproved copy of the minutes from the Special Called Meeting about the budget on June 3, 2014.
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