GADSDEN COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

BUDGET WORKSHOP

4:00 PM

JULY 29, 2010

 

The meeting was called to order By Chairman Lamb at 4:00 PM with a quorum present.

 

PRESENT:  Chairman Eugene Lamb, Commissioner Croley, Commissioner Taylor, Commissioner Morgan                  

Presentation by Charles Chapman

   Commissioner Morgan

  Commissioner Taylor

  Planning & Community Development

  Probation

   CHP – Presentation of proposed CHP Insurance Plan for Gadsden County

  Commissioner Taylor

  CHP Spokesman explained CHP non-profit healthcare plan for the Commissioners.  $150 has been added for outpatient in- hospital procedure and $100 for non-hospital ambulatory procedure. Basic  proposed difference is specialty co-pay -- going up to $40, hospital admittance up to $250 regardless of length of stay.  There will be an 8% increase if approved by the Board.

   Commissioner Croley 

  PUBLIC WORKS – Presentation by Robert Presnell on departments within Public Works

  Commissioner Taylor

  Commissioner Croley

 Commissioner Taylor questions on Paved Road Expenditures (Dept 126)

Mr. Presnell explained most of the figures are decreases – no increases in Dept  126. He said this is a bare minimal, “get by budget”. He said most of the new project funding he anticipates from DOT is for resurfacing.  There is nothing in this budget for dirt road paving.

  Commissioner Taylor

  Commissioner Croley

 Mr. Presnell  -

 

   Commissioner Morgan

    Mr. Presnell explained Public Works has balanced their budget by bringing forward $350,000 from fund balance and yet they still are losing 7 positions.  He said there are two positions that are very critical.  Done through attrition – no one has lost their job.  

   Commissioner Morgan discussion on moving the $350,000 to beef up the Transportation Fund One, for Public Works in the event  of a catastrophic event.  All of these funds are in 112 – ($1.3 million as of July and that figure is behind, not current.)  Commissioner Morgan requested Co Administrator take a look at all of this and bring information back to the Board.

  Mr. Presnell --Sign Tech position ($40-45,000) has to be reinstated – Co Administrator will make recommendation to Board to restore the position.  Second position – in PW shop ($40-45,000/yr) needs to be placed back in PW budget. 

   Commissioner Morgan re-addressed the $350,000 and felt a budget should be put together for PW, and not include the $350,000.  He said the Board needs revised information to be able to make decisions concerning  the budget – not enough information in this material tonight.  Additional discussion on need to build up funds for catastrophic event, as well as funding needed for roads, bridges, and ultimately funding needed for the jail.  

  Mr. Presnell on equipment repair costs going up – Over budget this fiscal year.  He said the 5 year buy  back program on equipment has been an excellent program for the  County and he  will come back with a plan on this for the Board in March to address the next 5 year buy back which is coming up.  Commissioner  Croley asked that the Co. Administrator and the Clerk entertain the idea on capital needs – refinancing bond ($700,000. currently at a possible lower rate.)

 

Mr. Presnell did request approval from the Board to purchase a couple pieces of equipment –backhoe, flatbed, pickup truck - and some road work in Midway at the Hwy 90 Park (Fortune Blvd), All of this would come from the $373,000 the County has allotted -- capital money from the one cent tax.  Mr. Presnell gave a brief recap of the County’s need for services and cuts shown in the proposed PW budget.  He said it is a very minimal budget but he agreed to go back and look again for an area of his budget that could be used to cover funding for striping of roads.

   Chairman Lamb addressed the jail  and money previously appropriated  for the jail that has been spent for other items.  Mr. Lawson said there is not $175,000 in fire that can be taken out to replace the $175,000 for the jail.  Chairman Lamb said they need to find somewhere to come up with the $175,000 to put it back in the jail for next year’s budget.  The Commissioners agreed this needs to be identified, if possible, by the Aug 12th public meeting.

 

THERE BEING NOTHING ELSE TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD AT THIS TIME , THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 6:05 PM.