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

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are not included. In the current recommended budget there is a COLA and pay plan adjustment. Human Resources Director Joyce McGehee proposed three pay plans, two for the Sheriff's Office and one for the rest of the county employees. The adjustment would be incorporated this year and would go back to the pay plan adjustments in the year following this initial pay increase. Lee County's School Resource Officer program is one of the most robust in the state and is one of five other county programs that currently include SROs at all public schools including elementary schools. The County Manager stated that Lee County is currently higher than surrounding counties for starting pay for deputies. The pay plan works to pay people at a higher wage who have more experience. Compared to Moore, Harnett, and Chatham, Lee County currently ranks number one as far as pay for law enforcement. There are other counties in the state that are larger such as Wake and Durham that offer higher wages. Commissioner Carver asked about vehicle replacement policies. Chief Deputy Randall Butler stated that the county currently has a policy that needs to be updated that sets a standard to replace vehicles either at a certain number of years or miles whichever comes first. It is not uncommon for one of the patrol vehicles to reach 150,000 to 200,000 miles. Dr. Crumpton stated that when a vehicle hits five years old or 100,000 miles, the county starts evaluating maintenance and repair expenses in considering whether it is necessary to replace. Also discussed was the negative impact of opioids on the county. There is a high rate of people in the jail that have an opioid or alcohol problem. For opioids, it often starts with pills and develops into heroin. There have been four deaths this year due to overdose and there likely would have had three times this many if not for Narcan availability. There were over 90 overdoses in Lee County and a large portion of those were revived by Sanford or Lee County Law Enforcement Officers or EMS. Chairman Smith stated that the purpose of the government is to protect life, liberty, and property and he apologized for the way the media has negatively portrayed law enforcement. Break called by Chairman at 9:53 a.m. Motion: Motion to make a one-time pay adjustment for Sheriffs Department to include a $3,500 salary increase for sworn law enforcement and dispatchers and a $1,500 increase for jail staff, unsworn deputies, and administrative staff. Mover: Robert Reives For: 7 - Arianna Lavallee, Dr. Andre Knecht, Robert Reives, Cameron Sharpe, Kirk Smith, Bill Carver, Mark Lovick Motion Result: Passed II. Board of Education Budget Discussion - 10:00 a.m. Dr. Andy Bryan, Lee County Schools Superintendent, stated that the last year has been difficult for everyone with the pandemic and school staff has done a lot to persevere. The schools are currently operating in Plan A and are going to in-person class 4 days a week. Dr. Bryan stated that the budget process begins in the fall in November at the building level identifying various needs throughout the schools. Priorities are identified and are given to the budget central office. After presentations are made, the central office staff work together to create a proposal for the Board. This year, the budget presentation included a priority to increase the local supplement for certified staff 10-12% and for classified staff from 4-6% and to redefine athletic supplement for coaches which hasn't been completed since 2001. The opportunity to increase local supplements would be a priority since ESSR money is non- reoccurring and would last and support schools going forward to attract and retain the best educators and staff which is in competition with surrounding localities. The board increased