1-26-2023 BOC Board Retreat Meeting Minutes - Day 1

Home Browse Search

Last year, he brought to his district $46 million — $34 million to expand the Sanford water plant, (which former Sanford Mayor Chet Mann said was vital to the Vinfast project); $ 100,000 for OMI; $ 50,000 for the Broadway Veteran's memorial; boat ramps at Cumnock with the Wildlife Commission; $500,000 for Depot Park; $100,000 for the Railroad House; $10,000 for the Steve Jones mural; and half a million for the Moore Center to take care of the environmental issues. He said he was excited about this session. The House has only been in for two days so far, so they haven't addressed tax cuts yet. Senator Burgin said there is a bill for personal income tax to reduce over seven years and that staff is having to calculate the reductions. He's seeing a lot of layoffs lately and believes it'll take until mid- February to see these numbers. The goal would be $0 tax after seven years. They were able to eliminate the tax on military members last year. Rep. Sauls said up to $25,500 is not taxed. Commissioner Smith asked if Pastor Sauls felt his peers would support CCCC's request for$50 million for the Moore Center. Lee, Harnett, and Chatham counties would each put up $5 million. The House and Senate would be responsible for half of the ask. Senator Burgin feels others need to contribute. Chairman Smith then asked about the multi-sports complex and rise of inflation, and what the legislators could do to help. Dr. Crumpton noted that Lee County had to take out a big chunk out of the original plan worth $20 million, despite the increase to the project for a total of$40 million. He told the legislators that we're looking for help with the two professional stadiums. He also noted that we're almost out of space on the side of the terminals at the Raleigh Executive Jetport for hangers. $9 million would go a long way to expand on the other side of the jetport. Presentation of Medicaid Expansion Social Services Director Angelina Noel noted that the earlier discussions were a good segue for her presentation and what Medicaid expansion would look like in Lee County. A copy of the presentation is attached and incorporated into these minutes. Currently, 30.6% of Lee County residents receive Medicaid and 19,653 Medicaid beneficiaries. She estimates that if Medicaid expansion passes, we would have approximately 3817 new cases initially and then 4906 thereafter, which would be a 16% increase in the number of cases. This would require additional caseworkers to establish determination requirements. Senator Burgin said we're looking at doing Medicaid re-determination and determination for the local DSS offices and have been meeting with Equifax and CMS to contract with them to do this, and that includes hold harmless. This could be rolled as early as March. The Senator noted that we're losing $523 million a month by not expanding. The Lee County hospital, Central Carolina Hospital, will get around $10 million to help with this. Chairman Smith asked if this would be permanent if Medicaid expansion is implemented. The Senator said there were wild swings in deficits before and by going to this managed care model, we'd pay a flat rate for people after determining a do not exceed price. Commissioner Sharpe asked what took so long to figure out that's how much we're losing a month. The Senator said that we're not losing it, it's that we're not receiving the extra $500 million. Senator Burgin said he is working on a bill to use Medicaid funds to pay people on Medicaid for their education and childcare and put them into a job afterwards to then get them off Medicaid. There are 300,000 people on Medicaid that don't need to be on it and we can't terminate cases due to continued federal COVID restrictions. Medicaid Expansion.pptx