Minutes - May 30, 2013 Budget Work Session

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X BK:00025 PG - 0625 LEE COUNTY Committed Today for a Better Tomorrow BUDGET WORK SESSION OF THE LEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 106 HILLCREST DRIVE SANFORD, NORTH CAROLINA 27330 MAY 30, 2013 The budget work session of the Board of Commissioners for the County of Lee, State of North Carolina, convened at 10 a.m. in the Gordon Wicker Conference Room, Lee County Government Center, 106 Hillcrest Drive, Sanford, North Carolina, on said date. Commissioners Kirk D. Smith and James K. Womack were in attendance at the beginning of the meeting. Commissioner Charles T. Parks joined the meeting at 10:30 p.m., Commissioner Amy M. Dalrymple joined the meeting at 11:32 a.m., and Commissioner Dr. Ricky D. Frazier arrived at 1:12 p.m. Staff in attendance included County Manager John Crumpton, Assistant County Manager /Finance Director Lisa Minter, and Clerk to the Board Gaynell Lee. Ms. Crystal Morphis with Creative Economic Development Consulting gave an update on Economic Development. Since October 2012, 16 new project inquires have been received in the EDC Office with 6 active projects at this time. She has toured several local businesses over the past few months to see if EDC can help or assist the business in any way. It was noted that the 500 acre Triassic (Colon Road /US Hwy. #1) site has been certified but is not shovel ready or does not have road access at this time. Work still needs to be done on this site for marketing. Ms. Morphis stated that at this time EDC has no outstanding revolving loans. It was noted the new EDC organization should be in place by January 1st. It was noted that the Lee County Economic Development Corporation submitted the same budget request for the upcoming year as last year. No changes were recommended for the EDC budget. Commissioner Parks joined the meeting during the end of the EDC presentation. The Board discussed the budget request submitted by Communities in Schools in the amount of $6,000.00. Ms. Heather Little from that organization appeared and answered questions. Ms. Little stated this was the first time the organization had requested funding from the County. The $6,000.00 request will be used for the BackPac Pal Program which is their largest project. The purpose of the BackPac Pal Program is to provide food for under - privileged school age children over the weekends. The Board discussed the budget request submitted by the Arts Council in the amount of $2,400.00. Ms. Beth Bray appeared and answered questions in reference to their request. It was stated that the Arts Council oversees grassroots grants and provides money to local non - profits for art programs. It was noted this is the only arts council in the county. Commissioner Womack reminded everyone that the Board of Commissioner policy is not to give grants to non - profits, but rather to contract with non - profits using a fee - for - service arrangement. He suggested that all of the non - profit applicants add value to the community, but few were providing services that merit taxpayer subsidy in the coming fiscal year. He further explained that, in his opinion, only two of the non - profit applicants were providing essential services the county government has a statutory