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

Home Browse Search

area, we only do things we are required to do because when we get into these other services the problem comes up when the economy goes down and the county has to adjust the budget, focusing on cutting non-mandated services; however, this kind of project would require a permanent commitment. Commissioner Lovick said he was elected to help every person in the County so he was looking at the things that would do the most good for the most people and while there is sympathy for the homeless, he did not feel money would solve the problem. Mrs. Minter noted that the air conditioning and heat in the Bob Hales Center received an $80,000 grant through the state budget and that this money would help with the project so putting this money along with $160,000 of ARPA funds will cover the project. The County will possibly have to make the Bob Hales Center available for one-stop voting in October. Another capital project ordinance will be presented for this project so the heat and air will be in place for one- stop voting. One-stop voting for the primary is in June. Dr. Crumpton said the idea is that the City may run a youth program from the Hales Center. Related to capital projects including the Courthouse, Government Center and Parks and Recreation, there are leftover funds. Development Services Director Santiago Giraldo has done well in managing the cost of these capital projects. So, with bond funds you either pay for additional projects in that category or turn over the money to the general fund for debt service. For the money related to the Horton Pool Project that was replaced with ARPA funds, it is up to the Board whether to put the money that was substituted toward other park projects or back in the general fund. There are some items that needed to be done such as purchasing a new chiller at the Courthouse, which has an estimated cost of about$500,000. It is time to reseal the parking lots and staff is looking at additional parking lot arms for control traffic, new fire system panels in the new and historic courthouses, at the courthouse the flooring has been replaced except in the second floor lobby, $50,000 is needed to do a padded cell at the jail and next to the Government Center there is water proofing needed at the Wellness Clinic building. At the Government Center, there is a need to replace a generator due to the Health Department's refrigerators and freezers for supplies like vaccines. An elevator to the third floor at a cost of$95,000 would make the third floor of the Government Center handicap accessible. Security lighting has been requested for parks including lighting of tennis and pickleball courts at O.T. Sloan Park at a cost of$300,000, a playground at Temple Park at a cost of$200,000 and there are parking lot issues at Horton Park with gravel parking not adhering to ADA standards. There is also some settling going on at the Courthouse facility in the jail section where the seams are misaligning that will need to be addressed. Commissioner Reives suggested fixing the waterproofing at the wellness center. Mrs. Minter suggested allowing staff to set a priorities list. The big issue at the Courthouse is the replacement of the chiller. In a discussion regarding the $1,000,000 of funds that were substituted for the Horton Park Project from the ARPA funds, Dr. Crumpton stated that the $1,000,000 is going towards a project that the ARPA funds were intended for. So, if the Board wants to take $1,000,000 and apply it toward other projects for ARPA funding, it is his job to provide more options. The advice provided regarding the use of ARPA funds to replace the funds that were previously allocated from the general fund was provided to take strings away to relieve barriers to doing what the Board wants to do. Assistant County Manager/Finance Director Lisa Minter said that if you comingle these funds into the ARPA fund, which has more red tape, then it makes it more difficult for staff than if it is put it in the general fund which does not have as many 9