5-14-18 Budget Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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Dr. Marchant and County Manager John Crumpton provided information on a proposed K-14 program which would provide Lee County students the opportunity to earn a 2-year college degree or transfer credit to a four year program at no cost to the student provided they meet certain criteria. The anticipated cost to the county in the first year of the pilot program was projected at $500,000, however following discussions and a donation, the expense is now $125,000. No action was taken. Recommended Fire District Budqets for FY 2017-18 Donald Andrews, Chair of the Lee County Fire Advisory Board, presented the 2018-2019 Fire District recommended budgets. Following meetings with representatives of each of the fire departments on May 9th, the Fire Advisory Board's recommendations were as follows: - Cape Fear Fire Department's request included a 12.3% or$42,168 increase over their current budget to include personnel costs of hiring a full-time Fire Chief and gear replacement. The requested tax rate to cover the expense is $0.112. - Deep River Fire Department's request included a 6.4% or$19,668 budget increase over their current budget to include working to pay off the loan on the sub-station and toward replacing a pumper/tanker in 2020/2021 while maintaining their current tax rate of$0.125. - Lemon Springs Fire Department's request included a 2.5% or$7,290 budget increase over their current budget to include replace turnout gear while maintaining its current tax rate of$.096. - Northview Fire Department's request included a $3,299 increase over the current budget covering personnel. The increase is covered by the growth in tax base thus the Department's current tax rate of$0.087 will remain the same. - Northwest Pocket Fire Department did not request an increase to their budget for the 2018/2019 year. The current rate of$0.145 will remain the same. - Tramway Fire Department's request included a 6.4% or$25,701 increase over their current budget to include planning for replacing SCBA packs by 2025 along with turnout gear. The request includes a tax rate increase to $0.096. Mayor Andrews noted that some Departments are applying for grants from the State Fire Marshall's Office and FEMA, however due to a change in the formula for consideration, these grants are now generally awarded more in the eastern and western parts of the state. No action was taken. Budget Requests from the Lee County Sheriff's Office County Manager John Crumpton provided information on the Sheriff's budget requests for fiscal year 2018-2019 which included new positions encompassing Student Resource Officers, Bailiffs, and an Accounting Support Specialist. Mr. Crumpton noted that the Sheriffs Office is made up of five departments including the Sheriff, Jail, Animal Control Enforcement, School Resource Officers, and Communications. The Sheriff's Office encompasses one of the largest portions of the County's budget due to its size. The increase in the requested budget also includes vehicle replacement, 2% Cost of Living Adjustment, and the 13.8% increase in health insurance premiums. No action was taken. Update on FY 2018-20-19 Budget for Lee County County Manager John Crumpton stated that the total requested budget for FY 2018-2019 was $79,672,000. The County's current budget is $71,197,000. So far, Mr. Crumpton has cut about $4,578,000 from what will be proposed in the recommended budget on May 21, 2018. Most of the increase over the years has been attributed to education and health and human services. The County Page 213