Minutes - Sept. 16, 2013 Regular Meeting

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BK:00025 PG:0962 is requesting a separate budget for the SRO Program in order to keep expenses and revenues separate. Action on this item was deferred at the August 19th meeting until the Sheriff (or staff) could provide an update /report on the program. The proposal requested by the Sheriff's Department is for $137,225 of which $40,000 would be supported by State drug asset funds and a transfer of $33,220 from the Animal Control budget into the SRO budget. A difference of $86,404 is being requested from the County to support this budget proposal if funding of $261,800 is received from the schools, and $342,204 if funding is not received from the schools. A written report was provided to Commissioners, from Sheriff Tracy Carter, detailing the SRO Program and an assignment of the school each SRO is working in. The report stated that all schools in Lee County currently have either a permanent SRO assigned to their campus or have an SRO that will be checking in daily with each school. The SRO will also work extra security assignments at their base schools such as sporting events which are paid for by the school. After discussion, Commissioner Reives moved to approve the request from the Sheriff for additional funding for the SRO Program in the amount of $342,204.00. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Dalrymple, Frazier, Knecht, Parks, Reives, Smith, and Womack Nay: None The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously. Commissioner Womack asked the County Manager to make every endeavor he could to seek recovery of funding from the schools for this program. The Board considered a request from the Sheriff's Department to restore part-time salaries to the equitable level of the last two budget years. Action on this item was deferred at the August 19th meeting until more information could be provided on how the funding would be used. County Manager John Crumpton outlined a letter provided to Commissioners requesting the restoring of part-time salary to be the same consistent amount as in the previous budget years. Sheriff Carter stated in his letter that his office has had an increase in calls for service every year and with the transfer of the Animal Control Program and now the School Resource Officer program there are even more demands being placed on their existing services. Sheriff Carter is requesting $70,000 in additional funds to support the two part-time dispatchers along with the support of reserve deputies working court, civil division, patrol and security for Commissioners meetings. A total of 7 to 8 bailiff's are needed each month for the two - week long Superior Court sessions. The Civil Division has 3 full -time and one part-time deputy to handle the increase of civil judgments and papers. Reserve deputies are assisting each month to replace deputies out of work due to injuries, sickness, and annual leave. County Manager John Crumpton recommended the Board approve funding one -half of the above request now and the other half in the spring after the Sheriff's budget is evaluated. After discussion, Commissioner Reives moved to approve the recommendation of the County Manager to approve one -half of the request ($35,000) at this time. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Dalrymple, Frazier, Knecht, Parks, Reives, Smith, and Womack Nay: None The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously. The Board considered a revised Lee County Communications Policy that had been deferred at the August 19th meeting until it could be revised to address that appropriate notifications are submitted to the County Manager or Clerk to the Board when State representatives and other dignitaries come to the County. County Manager John Crumpton presented a revised Policy adding a paragraph to address the above referenced notification. After discussion, Commissioner Reives moved to approve the Revised Lee County Communications Policy as presented, and to add additional verbage in the first