2011 - 05-02-2011 Reg. Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Balk 24 r; i:106 year's slate of roads to be paved and start working on the matter earlier next year. Upon a motion of Commissioner Oldham's motion to defer action, the results were as follows: Aye: Hayes, Oldham, Parks, Paschal, Reives, Shook, and Womack Nay: None The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously. The Board discussed Lee County's Pre -Trial Release Program. Pre -Trial Release Coordinator Andrea Currin discussed Senate Bill 756 which would destroy Lee County's ability to safely and effectively manage the jail population, not to mention the medical and mental health costs that would soar without an avenue to supervise these defendants in the community. Ms. Currin stated the proposed bill does nothing to support the taxpayers in North Carolina. The Pre -Trail Release Program offers direct and immediate relief to jail overcrowding which frees up space to house defendants deemed to be high risk and provides a cost- effective alternate to incarceration, while ensuring defendants' appearances at court proceedings. Lee County's program was developed to reduce the overall population of the Lee County Jail and to maintain a reasonable population in the jail for the safety and well -being of employees and detainees. The program is a link between the Sheriff's Department/Jail, Judges and District Attorney's office in coordinating the supervision of adults charged with certain offenses being detained in the Lee County jail. The program identifies detainees who remain in the jail due to their failure or inability to obtain pretrial release by other options. The program looks into the inmates' criminal histories to see if they have committed violent crimes and checks to see if they are wanted in other jurisdictions. As a condition of release, the defendants are supervised and accept terms of the supervision required by the courts of Pre -trial staff. The Pre -Trial Release Program provides an avenue for defendants awaiting trail the opportunity to be released from custody and supervised in the community, while maintaining jobs and other family responsibilities. The defendants are supervised through daily contact or electronic house arrest. Ms. Currin further stated another component to the program is assisting the court system in expediting cases more efficiently through the legal system. Projected savings of $1.3 million for total fiscal year are anticipated for the Pre -Trial Release Program. After discussion, Commissioner Reives moved that letters be sent to our Legislative delegates and North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) opposing Senate Bill 756. He also asked that the Sheriff and Clerk of Court send letters opposing the bill. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Hayes, Oldham, Parks, Paschal, Reives, Shook, and Womack Nay: None The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously. County Manager John Crumpton discussed the FY 2011 -12 budget process. He discussed with the Board what the Lee County Board of Education (BOE) had formally submitted, which did not include the total amount of the school's budget required for him to complete the budget. Information provided by the BOE provided nothing as far as budget numbers and the 8 -page budget message provided did not provide much information. What information was provided, if approved by the Commissioners, would require an 11 cent tax increase. Mr. Crumpton presented a resolution asking for additional budget information from the BOE. County Attorney K. R. Hoyle stated the budget presented by the BOE does not adhere to their statutory requirements of what they must provide. After discussion, Commissioner Reives moved to approve a Resolution Seeking Financial Information from the Lee County Board of Education that would also include any additional questions Board members might have, a copy of which is attached to these minutes and by this reference made a part hereof. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: 4