2010 - 05-03-10 Budgt Work Session

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BOOK 23- mi429 LEE COUNTY . , ci Committed Today for a Better Tomorrow BUDGET WORK SESSION OF THE LEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 106 HILLCREST DRIVE SANFORD, NORTH CAROLINA 27330 MAY 3, 2010 A budget work session of the Lee County Board of Commissioners for the County of Lee, State of North Carolina, convened at 12 Noon in the Gordon Wicker Conference Room, Lee County Government Center, 106 Hillcrest Drive, Sanford, North Carolina, on said date. Commissioners present were Amy M. Dalrymple, Richard B. Hayes, James C. Kelly, Larry "Doc" Oldham, Nathan E. Paschal, and Linda A. Shook. Commissioner Robert T. Reives joined the meeting at 12:30 p.m. Staff in attendance included County Manager John Crumpton, County Attorney K. R. Hoyle, Deputy Attorney Dale Talbert, Finance Director Lisa Minter, and Clerk to the Board Gaynell Lee. Chairman Hayes called the work session to order and turned the meeting over to County Manager John Crumpton. The first part of the meeting involved discussion of the Capital Improvement Program for FY 2011-2015. Mr. Crumpton stated that several projects have been removed from the request and a couple of new ones have entered the plan. The total capital funds requested from departments for the next five years totaled $85,315,877. This is a $23 million decrease from the requested plan last year. The County Manager's recommended five-year plan totals $57,585,008. The plan includes renovations and improvements at Lee County High School which the Commissioners have already agreed to fund. Funding for required renovations to the dam at San-Lee Park is also a major reason at a cost of $1.4 million. Mr. Crumpton stated the County will have difficulty funding new major capital expenditures in the next three fiscal years' budgets unless the voters approve general obligation bonds for specific projects or a tax rate increase is approved by the Board. Mr. Crumpton presented his recommended FY 2010-11 Budget in keeping the current tax rate of 75 cents per $100 valuation. The total budget presented is $60,636,073 and represents an increase of 1.29 percent from the FY 2009-10 original budget and a 4.13 percent decrease over the current amended FY 2009-10 budget. Mr. Crumpton stated in order to maintain the current tax rate over the next several years will be extremely difficult given the current situation the State of North Carolina faces with its budget. The 'Y4 cent sales tax that will be effective in July and our capital reserve fund will cover the increase in debt for the high school renovation project and fits into our debt service program. With or without the project,