5-19-21 BOC Budget Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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perspective. Bharat Forge and Audentes have requested to move their projects out a year due to COVID related delays. Bob Joyce, Senior Director for Business Retention and Expansion, provided a brief update on projects in progress. He stated that Bharat Forge is producing parts and equipment has been installed, but the gas line was difficult to install under the railroad track so they've been operating off of tanks of propane. They hope, in the next two weeks, to have permanent gas service and will be closer to receiving their certificate of occupancy, and so far they've been operating with a temporary certificate of occupancy. Audentes Therapeutics which will become Astellas, uses mobile modules in their production process and are about 50 - 60% complete. The modules have precertification from the FDA which shortens the process to get to production. Assistant County Manager/Finance Director Lisa Minter provided an update on existing incentive agreements and performance with investment and jobs. Tax - 4:30 p.m. Tax Administrator Michael Brown presented an overview of the budget requests for the Tax Department. The tax office is made up of the appraisal, listing, and collections departments. The tax department's responsibility to the county is to tax property in the county fairly and equitably. The billing cycle will begin in July. Budget changes include reclassifications to help train and make the office stronger with training and succession planning. Changes in the budget in the appraisal section includes maintenance technology for the annual increase from Tyler Technologies. For contracted services an RFQ will be sent out and they are looking for a vendor to assist in the industrial and commercial properties as they move forward with the next reappraisal process. The department is also looking to acquire a 4 wheel drive or all wheel drive vehicle to assist in site visits. The department has also worked to develop a program with foreclosures and currently has money available that could be used to offset other areas until the program becomes more active. The tax collection rate for real property is about 99% so most of the tax collection methods are working well. General Services/Solid Waste - 5:00 p.m. General Services Director Russell Spivey presented a budget overview for the General Services Department. Mr. Spivey stated that his goal is to make sure facilities are safe, environmentally friendly for employees and the public, and that he has adequate staff to take care of grounds. The General Services Department has three divisions. There is a request for additional positions in the grounds division due to loss of availability of inmates to provide assistance. In order to use inmates, all staff would need to be vaccinated. This year due to adding additional buildings the department has requested to increase staff to maintain the buildings. Housekeeping has also faced challenges due to COVID. Spivey stated that positions for General Services have not been requested over 20 years. The biggest budget line item increase is because of building improvements which this year include the Daymark roof and Health Clinic roof. The department is also trying to upgrade fire alarm systems at Douglas Drive and Daymark to commercial grade systems. The courthouse panel needs to be upgraded since it is currently the original panel that was installed when the building was constructed. Also, at the courthouse the chillers are over 15 years old so the department is requesting for an engineering firm to analyze the chillers for future replacement. There is also a need to address parking lots at some buildings to seal and restripe to extend lifetime of the pavement. The requested budget also includes an increase in building maintenance due to the two buildings that have been added on. The recommended budget prioritizes the submitted requests. Adult probation roof will begin work in June. The worst roof right now is