1-27 - 1-28-22 BOC Planning Retreat

Home Browse Search

looking at 12 months before the County can go out to bid for construction. Same thing with the library. On the library project, Vines should soon be under contract for the design and SametSanford Contractors will be under contract in the next 30 days for the Construction Manager at Risk. Since the Board put aside money in Capital Project funds to put toward debt, the numbers for financing look really good even at a higher interest rate of 5%. Courthouse Complex.pdf LCGC Renovations.pdf Park Improvements Project.pdf Remaining Funds.pdf New Capital Projects.pdf FY 22-23 BUDGET PRIORITIES FY 22-23 Budget Issues for staff and Dr. John Crumpton A review of staff recommendations was provided due to potential staff expenditure increases. The COLA would have been 7.2% based on the County's policy and CPI. The County Manager thought this was a little high to consider in the budget, however over the last few years the COLA was so low that it was given above CPI. Dr. Crumpton proposed consideration of a 4% for fiscal year 2023. He said the priority is to maintain the pay plan which is estimated to cost$260,000. There is a proposed plan to take all regular employees to minimum wage of$15 per hour, but the timing of this could raise issues related to compression and equity to other staff. Dr. Crumpton suggested the budget could incorporate the increase by cutting the number in half and over next two budgets, which could bring everyone to $15 per hour while keeping separation in OSP. The Local Government Retirement System has increased rates. Building maintenance is anticipated at$350,000. Spec building changes included$81,500 that was budgeted for this year instead of$162,000 the County was possibly responsible for because the was construction for the next spec building was not anticipated to be completed prior to January 1St, but next year$131,250 would be added to the budget and the second year would cost$206,000 if the County had to pay for the lease. The County has not had to make any payments on the spec building lease agreements to date. In speaking with the schools, the Board of Education is recommending a supplement increase for teachers. Phase II of Parks Master Plan will be included in the budget. The parking lot at the County-owned EMS building will need to be replaced, which is anticipated to cost$252,000. Commissioners Reives asked if the EMS center parking lot expense could be done with ARPA funds, and Lisa Minter responded that it could come from the $10,000,000 standard allowance. Dr. Crumpton said the County's health insurance plan has had higher pay outs because of COVID-19, so there is an anticipated increase in cost. Three hundred and sixty employees are on insurance and only 74 carry anything above employee. The 74 employees pay$410 a paycheck or about$820 a month, so if it goes up then premiums are raised in the same amount. There is an employee plan, employee and children and a family plan. Lisa Minter suggested that another option the Board could consider is paying more toward someone who is paying for employee and children to offset the increase but the County Manager said there is an argument that if you supplement more children you add more costs. Commissioner Reives requested that the options be shared with the Board during budget time. FY 2022 to 24 budget considerations.pdf 11