6-7-21 BOC Budget Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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Parks and Recreation - 5:00 p.m. Parks and Recreation Director Joseph Keel stated that there is a lot going on in Parks and Recreation. Park projects, Comprehensive Master Plan, Sports Complex to name a few. Over COVID the department did virtual programs and free baseball clinics, which got the attention of NC Parks and Recreation. Now that COVID restrictions have lessened, interest has been maintained and there is a waitlist for gymnastics. The Department is searching for a gymnastics supervisor and needs some part time people to run the program at full capacity. There is also a waitlist for baseball. This fall there is planned programming that will be available. Staff have produced a program guide to restructure advertising and structure of programs beginning in the fall. One struggle has been getting part-time staff. The few part time staff that came back have been given a raise and the starting pay is planned to be raised. Without the part-time staff, recreational programs cannot be held at full capacity. The biggest request in the budget is for facility department to upgrade some of the parks. The County has taken huge steps to improving parks with the four site specific plans that are underway. There are currently 10 lifeguards with 400 swimming lessons at OT Sloan Pool, which is open 5 days a week. The Department is looking at starting lifeguards at $10/hr and pool managers at $12/hour. The advisory board and director have evaluated raising the fees for shelter rentals. Mr. Keel stated that athletics is not generally a revenue generating activity except when the tournaments are occurring. The Recreation Superintendent has accepted the offer and will begin June 17th. Hiring part- time workers has been a challenge. The Comprehensive Master Plan has already identified areas of need for parks and recreation in the northern area of the county. The program will be available online and via hardcopy as of Friday. Debt Service/Capital Reserve - 5:30 p.m. Finance Director Lisa Minter provided information regarding debt service with a breakdown of debt and when it is due over the next 16 years. The debt affordability analysis takes one cent of the tax rate to capital reserve to help fund debt for the multi sports complex. Funding Series 2012 funded Southern Lee High School. Series 2016 was refunded in 2020. The County has already refunded the original issuance for San Lee Middle School. The community college bonds,Series 2017, funded the four projects at the community college, some money was left over from the projects and was refunded to the general fund to use for debt service. The fourth project is for the large animal facility at the Veterinary Technician School. Series 2018 is for WB Wicker Elementary School. JP Morgan Chase is for the land purchase for Bharat Forge, government center renovations, and for the land purchase and courthouse. The funding for the library, community college funding to finance the Marelli and renovations for Lee Early College and the library and funding the earlier phase of the sports complex is also included in the summary. Mrs. Minter stated the County is in good shape credit wise. The county has maintained great credit ratings. The Moody's report represented a high-quality credit position for Lee County including a robust financial position. Commissioner Carver requested a discussion regarding the Capital Improvement Program specifically related to the multi-sports complex. There was some discussion that the $25 million may be better invested in some other areas of focus identified by the strategic plan. He stated the question is whether doing this project takes away from other things. He said that there needs to be more conversation about how the project impacts other things rather than talking about the project in isolation. He asked for a consensus regarding the long-term intention for the sports complex. Commissioner Lovick stated there is a need to make sure the land that is currently in due diligence is suitable for the project. 3