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1:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2013
ZEBULON - (From the Post Agenda... I did not attend this meeting.)
The Pike County Board of Commissioners held its Budget Public Hearing on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. in the Commissioners Meeting Room, Courthouse Annex, at 79 Jackson Street, Zebulon. Chairman Briar Johnson convened the meeting, and Commissioners Tamra Jarrett, Tommy Powers, and James Jenkins attended. Interim County Manager Rob Morton, County Attorney Tom Morton and County Clerk Jo Ann Wrye were also present. (O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1(e) (2))
FY 2013-14 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 – 1:00 p.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER...................................................................................... Chairman Briar Johnson
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA - (O.C.G A. 50-14-1 (e) (1))
Motion/second by Commissioner Powers/Commissioner Jarrett to approve, motion carried 4-0.
3. INTERIM COUNTY MANAGER’S BUDGET OVERVIEW
AND Q/A SESSION.......................................................................................................... Rob Morton
Rob Morton addressed the Board regarding the purpose of conducting a public hearing, which is required by state law before the Board can adopt the final budget for FY 2013-2014. He read a letter from Commissioner Bass stating the reason for her absence is due to a previous engagement made last year and could not be changed. Rob stated he has scheduled meetings with various departments and constitutional officers and authorities to review their requested budget for the upcoming FY 2013-2014 versus the draft that was presented to them at a previous meeting by the former County Manager. He explained they went line by line to see a couple of things, they were looking at what was actually spent in 2011 and 2012, and they were looking at what was budgeted last year and the actual expenses this year. Rob noted that with the exception of a couple of departments , the majority of them advised they have been doing without and with less for several years now and there are some things that can no longer be done without; such as new equipment and personnel. He stated the Board will notice a significant amount of things requested this year that were not in last year’s budget. Note from the Editor: This is exactly what I heard as I sat through a week of budget meetings. Click here to read through these notes from that week of meetings.] Rob provided the Board with summary sheets based on preliminary discussions that have a draft recommendation for the FY 2013-2014. It is not the final recommendation; there are a few other departments that he has not been able to meet with. He stated his plan was to have this done before the public hearing today and re-meet with the various departments, constitutional officers, authorities and judges to let them know this is where we are now with the revisions and see if anymore dialogue needs to take place. Rob explained to the Board what they have by way of a summary as of today, working on a draft, they will see actual expenses for FY 2011-2012, amended budget for FY 2012-2013, actual expenses for FY 2012-2013, and based on preliminary discussion with some of the departments, but not all, the recommendations. Rob noted at this point and time until they do further work, it is an increased budget and until we get the figures on that, it will require changes with the milleage rate. He stated before everyone starts talking about the taxes will increase, this is just based on actual numbers that we have, not a result of what we are recommending today. He stated there maybe changes in the numbers, this is only to provide the Board with what the numbers are indicating right now.
4. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS
Commissioner Jarrett commented she does have some questions that will come up at the next session. She asked Rob if he had a bottom line at this point and he responded that he did not have a final recommendation. She requested to have a separate sheet to indicate raises that are requested by departments for simplicity reasons. Rob advised they are starting to look at that and some have requested a 2% raise. She asked about the $11,696.00 increase requested by the Parks and Recreation Department and Rob noted some of this is related to a salary increase and some of it is related to needs and improvements for their facilities. Kevin Teate, Director of Parks and Recreation, stated his Board had approved a certain figure for the upcoming FY 2013-2014 of $309,162.00, but understands that the recommended figure of $270,480.00 was presented to the Board. Rob explained the figure of $270,480.00 was arrived by extending the figure from current date to the end of the budget year. Kevin stated they spend more than the county gives their department each year, based on the monies they generate and based on what balance is in their bank account help pay for any shortfall. Kevin relayed included in the figure his Board recommended of $309,162.00 are the cost of equipment that needs to be replaced and facility improvements that have been put off the last few years. He said this also includes increase in pay for hourly employees. Commissioner Powers asked Kevin what he figured for a percentage of increase for salary. Kevin said his Board approved a 10% pool of money, but that did not mean each employee receives a 10% increase, it was a percentage they came up with for an additional figure and this would be divided between four (4) employees.
Commissioner Jenkins noted that DFCS had not asked for any money last year and wanted to know if they had requested the amount on the summary for this year.
Rob stated they had requested the amount on the summary sheet and will submit supporting documentation. He stated the reason they did not ask for funds last year was because they had a surplus of funds from uncollected but they spent it this past year to operate.
5. PUBLIC HEARING: FY 2013-14 Budget ...............................................Discussion and Comments
Chairman Johnson opened up the meeting for public comment and discussion. Commissioner Jarrett had to be dismissed from the meeting at this point. No speakers came forth. Chairman Johnson closed the open meeting.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Motion/second by Commissioner Powers/Commissioner Jenkins to adjourn, motion carried 3-0.