Minutes - June 3, 2013 Budget Work Session

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BK:00025 PG -0631 LEE COUNTY .. M ME Committed Today for a Better Tomorrow BUDGET WORK SESSION OF THE LEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 106 HILLCREST DRIVE SANFORD, NORTH CAROLINA 27330 JUNE 3, 2013 The budget work session of the Board of Commissioners for the County of Lee, State of North Carolina, convened at 1 p.m. in the Gordon Wicker Conference Room, Lee County Government Center, 106 Hillcrest Drive, Sanford, North Carolina, on said date. Commissioners Amy M. Dalrymple, Charles T. Parks, Kirk D. Smith, and James K. Womack were in attendance. Staff in attendance included County Manager John Crumpton, Assistant Finance Director Debby Oldham, and Clerk to the Board Gaynell Lee. Chairman Parks called the meeting to order. The Board met with representatives from the Lee County Board of Education to discuss their budget requests for FY 2013 -14. Dr. Lynn Smith, Chairman of the Lee County Board of Education stated the budget presented by the School Board is what they feel is necessary for the children of Lee County. Anticipated cuts from the State for teachers, teacher assistants, student ambassadors, tutors, and classroom supplies were discussed. Outsourcing of custodian workers, an increase in lunch fees, fund balance, Lee Senior High School project, school security, and the transfer of School Resource Officer's to the Lee County Sheriff were items discussed. School officials stated they had done everything possible to reduce their cost of operations and that, without additional county taxpayer funding, more teachers, teacher assistants, and other essential personnel would have to be cut from the school system. Commissioners requested updates on recommendations from the Evergreen financial review where cost savings had been suggested. Dr. Moss indicated the schools have chosen not to outsource or privatize their custodial workers (which had been estimated to save $300,000 or more each year). Commissioner Womack then questioned the veracity of the claim they had done everything possible to reduce costs. He suggested the schools still had room for additional operational efficiencies before cutting teaching staff. He also inquired about the Evergreen recommendation to raise lunch fees. Dr. Moss explained that this was no longer optional on their part, that the federal government now requires the school fees in line with the Evergreen recommendation. Commissioner Parks questioned the school system about athletic coaches and salaries. Commissioners Dalrymple and Womack both remarked they were concerned about losing even more teacher assistants at the K -3 levels. School Superintendent Dr. Jeff Moss asked for assistance with fines and forfeitures from the courts. In 2004 the schools received $640,200 from the courts and this year they have only received around $155,500. According to the N.C. School Board Association, the State requires courts to give proceeds of all penalties and forfeitures and all fines collected to the public schools.