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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-03-09 adjMarch 9, 1987 (Adjourned Meeting from March 4, 1987) (Page 1) 2.63 An adjourned meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, was held on March 9, 1987, at 1:00 P.M., in Meeting Room 7, Second Floor, County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia, said meeting being adjourned from March 4, 1987. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. F. R. Bowie, Mrs. Patricia H. Cooke (arrived at 1:10 P.M.), Messrs. Gerald E. Fisher, J. T. Henley, Jr., C. Timothy Lindstrom and Peter T. Way. OFFICERS PRESENT: County Executive, Mr. Guy B. Agnor, Jr.; Deputy County Executive, Mr. Robert W. Tucker, Jr.; and Deputy County Executive, Mr. Ray B. Jones. Agenda Item No. 1. Chairman, Mr. Fisher. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 1:04 P.M. by the Agenda Item No. 2. Agenda Item No. 3. Pledge of Allegiance. Moment of Silence. Agenda Item No. 4. BUDGET WORK SESSION ON THE COUNTY'S 1987-88 BUDGET. Mr. Agnor said due to the increase in workload for budget preparation, he thinks that it may be necessary to hire additional personnel on the Executive staff to handle the budget. He commented that all salaries of general government employees are shown in the Board's budget books, but are not distributed to the public unless specifically requested by someone. The asterisk in the "recommended" column indicates a change made in the request by the staff. Most of the changes are reductions, but there are some increases. If Board members notice figures that do not look as if they are listed in the correct category, it is because of the difference in the financial management system and the County's budgeting system. Mr. Fisher asked if the state auditor requires the staff to account for costs in the County's budget for joint agencies such as the Jail. Mr. Agnor replied yes. Mr. Agnor said the County administers a number of different operations and charges a variety of administrative fees for those functions. All the those fees need to be examined and standardized. For example, the Jail Fund is charged a one percent administrative fee, the 911 Center is charged a two percent fee and Fire Services in the City is handled by contract. As requested by the Board last year, when a department or agency generates revenues, it is indicated on the bottom of the expenditure sheet for the department of agency. Mr. Bowie said he has noticed that and thinks that information is very helpful. Mr. Agnor presented the following memorandum dated March 6, 1987 concerning the General Fund balance: "Having been requested to provide you with information on the School Fund balance, I believe the status of the General Fund balance would be infor- mation you should have also, and therefore, I have prepared the following summary. The 85-86 audit shows a balance of $15,597,035, of which $65,750 is obli- gated, leaving an unobligated balance of $15,531,285. Reappropriations of incomplete 85-86 operational costs into the 86-87 year used $338,424 of this balance. Appropriations during this year have used $72,758 to date. In approving the 86-87 operating budget, $570,829 of the unobligated balance was reserved, and in approving the 86-91 Capital Program, $6,530,000 was tapped. Therefore, the June 30 audited, unobligated balance has been reduced by $7,512,011 ($982,011 for operations, $6,530,000 for capital program) leaving an unobligated balance to date of $8,019,274. That balance represents the operating balance that is used to meet payrolls, to pay invoices with, and for short-term advances to other funds when needed. It represents 13.7 percent of our total operational budget. Many localities target their operating balance at a 15 percent level. Estimates for this current budget year indicate the fund balance may increase $1,020,000 by June 30, 1987 ($757,000 excess revenues, $263,000 controlled expenditures). Of this amount, $386,345 is recommended for inclusion in the revenues for the 87-88 operational budget. That would leave an unobligated increase estimated at $633,655. These numbers will change as your budget work sessions proceed. Without considering changes, the General Fund balance could be $8.65 million at the end of 86-87, and the operating balance, to remain in close proximity to its current 13.7 percent level of the operating budget, would need to be $8.8 million. Mr. Agnor said insurance costs are still rising. The County's personal liability insurance, shown in the Board's budget, indicates a 54 percent increase. Workmen's compensa- tion, shown in Personnel's budget, has increased 92 percent. Vehicle insurance has increased 34 percent. Mr. Henley asked why workmen's compensation is so high. Mr. Agnor said the County is enrolled in a workmen's compensation plan/pool with other municipalities in Vir¢ After the third year in the pool, the County was given a huge credit refund and then after the County's experience was determined, a refund was given in the following year. The County no longer receives refunds and costs are escalating. The items that affect the pool are the experience of the entire pool and salary increases; workmen's compensation increases when salaries increase. Mr. Agnor said the "Revised" column on salary categories in General Government is higher than the "Budgeted-Prior Year" because the merit plan money was held and distributed on June 30th. The amounts were not budgeted in the individual department budgets but were budgeted 2'64 March 9, 1987 (Afternoon-Adjourned Meeting from March 4,1987) (Paqe 2) in the Personnel.budget because it was not known what the distribution would be. 'This year the distribution will be made in the fourth quarter. Mr. Agnor then highlighted some of the requests that will come before the Board during the work sessions. Mr. Agnor said the Board will hear a request from the rescue squads for its dispatching function to be included with the 911 operation. That request has not been recommended for funding by the staff. The cost for this change would be $120,000. The City staff did not recommend funding its share of the costs and he does not think this is something the County can fund by itself. Mr. Agnor said other items for discussion are: the concept of transfer stations for solid waste disposal, the opening of the Rivanna Park, and the Planning Commission's concern that there should be some application of funds for extending utilities into villages. Mr. Agnor distributed excerpts from the pay and classification plan on job descriptions and salary ranges. There are job descriptions, with a salary assigned each, for every position in the school system as well as all general government employees. Mr. Agnor then summarized the following proposed pay and classification plan and salary changes: CURRENT PROGRAM MERIT PLAN PROPOSED PROGRAM PAY FOR PERFORMANCE PLAN 1. Each job classified and assigned pay range 1. Same. with each range containing Steps "A" through "0". 2. Employees hired Steps A E. 2. Same. 3. Probationary period - six to twelve months. 3. Same. 4. Employees evaluated at end of probation 4. Same. period. 5. New employee eligible for salary increase 5. at beginning of budget year with across- the-board, general increase to all employees. Probation or performance not considered. Date of hire not considered. New employee eligible for salary increase on July 1 if performance is satisfactory from probationary review, or upon completion of probation, whichever is later. 6. Ail employees eligible for salary increase 6. at beginning of budget year, across-the- board general raise. Ail employees, except new employees (explained above) whose performance is rated satisfactory from previous year~s evaluation eligible at beginning of budget year. 7. Employees evaluated on anniversary month. 7. Employees evaluated in May, unless on probation. If on probation, then at end of probation. ge Across-the-board budget year increases vested. 8. No more across-the-board increases. Merit awards five percent (two steps) vested. Merit awards replaced by perfor- mance bonus, non-vested first year; vested following year if award equals to or exceeds two and one-half percent (one step), or equal to or exceeds five percent (two steps). Maximum bonus is twice the percentage of bonus pool. Maximum vested five percent (two steps) beginning the following budget year. 10. Employees advance through assigned pay range by annual budget general increase, and by merit award, all vested. 10. Employees advance through assigned pay range if performance award is equal to or exceeds one, or exceeds one or two steps of the pay range. Each step in range is currently two and one-half percent. 11. Longevity steps K through 0 in each pay range. Eligibility for vested merit award shifts to two year cycle, once employee reaches Step K. 11. All Steps A through O are on same cycle, longevity cycle is removed. 12. Employees in Step 0 topped out. Receive salary increases only if entire salary scale increases. 12. Employees in Step 0 eligible for performance bonus; no vesting available. 13. Cost of across-the-board and merit program in FY 86-87 is four and one-half percent of total payroll, all vested. 13. Cost of pay for performance plan in FY 87-88, which is transition year from current program to proposed program, is four and one-half per- cent of total payroll less any awards not made due to unsatisfac- tory performance. Ail employees 2.6'5 March 9, 1987 (Adjourned Meeting from March 4, 1987) (Paqe 3) with two and one-half percent satisfactory award will vest in transition year only. Satisfactory awards, beginning FY 88-89, will vest in FY 89-90 if award equals or exceeds pay range step, or if pay scale is increased. All meritori- ous performance awards will vest up to five percent in the fiscal year following the award, beginning with FY 87-88 transition year, and continuing. SUMMARY To move from the present plan of across-the-board increases in July and meritorious performance wards on employee anniversary months, FY 87-88 will award satisfactory perfor- mance awards in July (1987) from performance rating completed in FY 86-87, and meritorious performance awards in January 1988, from performance ratings completed on all employees in the month of November (i987). Therefore, all awards, both satisfactory and meritorious will occur in July (beginning with July 1988) from performance ratings completed in the month of May. ADVANTAGES Salary awards will move away from "across-the-board for experience plan" to a "performance based plan". Performance ratings will be conducted at same time' of year on every employee. Awards will be in bonus, single paycheck form. Vested awards will continue for meritorious performance. Employees in top step will have non-vested awards available. Present plan offers no incentive for long-time employees to work for merit award, and they do not even receive an award for satisfactory performance unless the pay scale is increased. Payroll changes will occur in one payroll month instead of throughout the year. School Division and General Government will have similar salary adjustment plans. Pay range and steps will be retained, offering employees a career ladder for meritorious performance. DISADVANTAGES A change for all employees, necessitating an adjustment on the part of all involved. Mr. Fisher asked what principles are trying to be achieved by these changes. Mr. Agnor said this is an attempt to get employees away from the expectation that they will get a salary raise every year. This plan is oriented towards an individual's performance. Also, this is an attempt to get away from the all or nothing merit program, whereby a person can only get a merit if he is rated outstanding. Mr. Fisher said that is the thought the Board reinforced last year. Mr. Agnor said that is correct, but the trend in all local governments is toward moving to a pay for performance. He thinks that if the County does not start adjusting to pay for performance it will be out of the competition with other localities. The proposed plan will limit an individual employee's award to five percent, but if the individual receives only a satisfactory rating, he may get a lesser award. This coming year (1987-88), the employee could get from one percent to four percent. Mr. Fisher said that plan sounds exactly like what the Board rejected last year. Mr. Agnor said the Board, last year, rejected a two-step merit plan. Mr. Fisher said 87 percent of the employees were getting either two and one-half percent or five percent increases. The Board emphasized that it did not want that type of plan and he would like to know how this plan is different. Mr. Agnor said some employees will get no increase at all with this plan, and then the award given to other employees will be vested only in certain instances. The present across-the- board increase in July and the merit program is all vested. The award is vested in the new plan the year following the year in which it is earned, and then only if the employee reaches a certain level of performance. The Board must do something other than what it did last year by setting a five percent limit for one-fourth of the employees. The present system allows a person with an unsatisfactory performance to receive an across-the-board increase. This new program should cost less than the present program. Mr. Bowie said the reason he objects to the current plan is because for one year's work an employee's award is vested forever. Mr. Bowie commented that doing all of the evaluations at one time would make for a better evaluation. He then asked if an employee would have to get the award the second year for it to become vested. Mr. Agnor responded yes, if it exceeds a step in the pay range. Mr. Agnor said under the present plan, when an employee came to work for the County that person was assigned a salary range and step. That person never moved off of that step except by merit, however, the budget increases in July each year changed the scale by moving it upward and the employee moved with the scale. Two years ago the staff recognized that that could not continue; there was no justification that the scale should continuously move upward. Employees were moved up a step in the range for the annual budget increase and if the employee received a merit increase, he would move up one or two steps. That plan began to eat up the pay range steps. This new plan allows the employee to advance only by meri- torious performance. This plan also puts the school division and general government employees into a similar plan. This year's budget is based on a two and one-half percent vested award in July and a two percent bonus pool. Mr. Bowie said he tends to support the pay for performance plan over the current merit system, but he still has a problem with vesting the money unless someone receives a meritori- ous award several years in a row. He thinks the bonus should be extended and he still has problems with paying someone for the rest of his life for one year of meritorious work. 268 March 9, 1987 (Afternoon-Adjourned Meeting from March 4, 1987) (Page 41 Mr. Fisher said the difference between 2.4 percent and 2.5 percent on an evaluation is enormous considering the 2.4 percent is cash and the 2.5 percent is vested for as long as the employee works. It will be hard for people doing evaluations to resist "fudging". Mr. Agnor said the evaluators will not know where that threshold lies. For example, Frederick County keeps thresholds as confidential information that only the County Administrator and Personnel Director are aware of and the thresholds are moved every year. He does not like to operate that way, although he has informed department heads that the distribution system has to be something that avoids just what Mr. Fisher is saying. (Not Docketed. The Chairman called a recess at 2:15 P.M. session at 2:26 P.M.) The Board reconvened into Mr. Way said the procedure in the past has been that if anyone desired to make a change, a motion would be made, and if no motion was made, it was assumed that the recommended figure would remain. Mr. Fisher said that is an appropriate procedure to continue. He is not yet satisfied with the recommended pay for performance plan. He suggested that it be discussed in further detail later in the work sessions. Board of Supervisors. Total Request - $277,193. Recommendation - $275,346. Miss Lettie E. Neher, Clerk, was present. Mr. Agnor said a part-time clerk typist is requested to aid in transcribing minutes. There is a decrease in printing costs due to updating the County Code this year. Public Liability Insurance increased due to increasing rates. It is recommended that Audit Service expenses be increased to reflect the existing contract for service and an increase in contingency funds is recommended to accommodate funding changes during budget review as well as for unanticipated needs during FY 87-88. Mr. Agnor said $7,500 is included in the Board's budget for the Student Exchange Pro- Fram. Mr. Bowie commented that he thinks the program should be included in the Education oudget. Mr. Way said he thought the program was in that budget. Mr. Agnor said the School system does not think that it should pay for the program. Mr. Fisher suggested that the item be taken up with the School Board Chairman. Mr. Bowie said it should go back in the the school's budget, but if nobody wants it, why is the County doing it? Mr. Way said he does Not think the program should be dropped without discussing it first with the School Division. Hr. Bowie again said it is an education item and if the school division does not think it is ~orthwhile then why do it. Mr. Fisher said it is a joint venture of this Board, City Council ~nd the two School Boards. Mrs. Cooke said she is not sure the program is not partially the Board's responsibility. The Board initiated the program. Mr. Bowie asked for the rationale of increasing the contingency account. Mr. Agnor said looking back over a period of several years, it was noted that as the budget increases the ~ontingency usually increases. County Executive. Total Requested - $318,186. Recommendation - $318,186. Mr. Agnor ~aid the only requested change is the shifting of the Annual Report preparation from Person- ~el's budget to the County Executive's budget. With the exception of the Annual Report preparation, the recommendation is to maintain existing operations. Personnel. Total Requested - $254,795. Recommendation - $259,377. Mr. Agnor said the request includes a line increase in (VERIP) Early Retirement to reflect one additional person taking early retirement. The employer's share.of FICA has increased to reflect stipends, vacation, early retirement and sick leave payoff which were omitted last year. Workman's Compensation has increased due to the increased payoffs, plus all prior year's dividendS were applied against the premium. The "Consultants" line item reflects the local government's share of cost for a pay and classification plan. "Transfer - School Personnel" reflects an increase in local government's share of the Personnel office for an Employee Assistance Program, retainer for a physician to verify workmen's compensation claims, additional furni- ture and equipment. The recommendation for the Personnel office reflects direct local government share. Mr. Fisher asked what costs have been associated with workmen's compensation from the County. Mr. Jones said during the past year there were five claims with a total cost of $16,000 which is considered to be excellent. A major factor in the costs is that the rate of tax on municipals, including managers, supervisors, etc., has doubled in the last two years. Mr. Fisher asked if $16,000 is abnormally low for the County. Mr. Jones replied yes. Mr. Fisher asked how the figure compares to previous years. Mr. Jones said the County has not yet had a bad year. Mr. Fisher asked if the County can be self-insured. Mr. Agnor said the danger is if someone is permanently injured. Mr. Jones said the County will soon "reap the benefits" of its experience in the pool it is presently in. Mr. Fisher asked if there is a report on the expenses for operating the pool. Mr. Jones said one is available and the expenses are reasonable. He thinks that the County should stay in the pool. Legal Services. Total Requested - $172,700. Recommendation - $169,550. Mr. George R. ~t. John, County Attorney, was present. Mr. Agnor said no significant changes were requested. there were several minor reductions recommended in line items based on prior year's actual ~osts and year-to-date review of costs. Mr. Bowie suggested that if there is no need for $2,000 for the "Legal Services" line Ltem it be deleted and the money put in the Board's contingency. Mr. Henley asked if there nave been any direct charges to the Joint Security Complex with regard to legal services. Hr. St. John replied no; work for them is included in the administrative fee. Mr. Fisher asked if there is a separate budget to cover the school system. Mr. St. John said all services are included in this budget. In addition, his office has an agreement with the Albemarle County Service Authority whereby someone attends its meetings and is compensated. 2 67 March 9, 1987 (Adjourned Meeting from March 4, 1987) (Page 5) Finance (Administration). Total Requested - $1,313,946. Recommendation - $1,292,796. Mr. Melvin Breeden, Director of Finance, was present. Mr. Jones said two additional posi- tions are funded; one each in Accounting and Collections to cover the expanded workload. These two positions cost approximately $32,000 annually. There are recommended minor reduc- tions in six line items based on prior year actual costs. Mr. Jones said the line item for "Professional Services" does not include funds for Fixed Asset Accounting. It will be recommended that the funds come from the carryover balance and not from the operating budget to get it started. It is not recommended to fund, at this time, the request for alterations to extend the cubicles to the ceiling. If it is found to be necessary, funds can come out of the Capital Improvements Fund. The reason for this request is for a matter of privacy when several people are in the conference area at one time. Mr. Fisher asked how often people are in one room together. Mr. Breeden responded every two years for approximately a two month period. Mr. Fisher said it does not seem to be appropriate to restructure the entire place for such a small length of time. Another way should be found to solve the problem. Refunds. Total Requested - $2,585,075. Recommendation - $2,585,075. Mr. Jones said refunds are an imperative expense and a write-off for the adjustment of revenues. There are no major changes except in Land Use Deferrals. Information Services (formerly Data Processing). Total Requested - $583,649. Recommen- dation - $517,776. Mr. Fred Kruger, Director, was present. Mr. Jones said requests were made for two additional positions, Supervisor of Support and a Programmer/Analyst. .These two positions are not recommended for funding. The County Executive's staff will review this request further with Mr. Kruger and if deemed necessary, review it with the consultants (McGladrey, Henderickson and Pullen). These two positions would cost about $63,000 annually. Not Docketed: Mr. Bowie asked for the percentage the County pay for VSRS for general government employees. Mr. Jones replied the County pays the entire amount of 11.6 percent; the employee pays nothing. Board of Elections. Total Requested - $114,056. Recommendation - $113,621. Mr. Jones said additional funds are requested for electoral officials at the polling places, plus $22,000 for a special presidential primary in 1988. These requests are fully funded. The increase from this fiscal year's (FY 86/87) revised figure of $73,092 to the FY 87/88 recom- mended figure of $113,621, is $40,529 or 55.45 percent. Mr. Jones said the state will reimburse the County $1,000 per 5,000 voters, with a cap of $10,000, or approximately $22,000. At this point Mr. Fisher recognized Mr. James Heilman, the newly-appointed Registrar and asked if he had any comments to make. Mr. Heilman said he is looking forward to working in the County. Circuit Court. Total Requested - $47,061. Recommendation - $44,011. Mrs. Jean Easton was present. Mr. Jones said there are no significant changes from prior years. The alloca- tion for part-time help is increased to reflect the additional hours of the part-time law clerk. A new data processing allocation of $5,000 is requested to pay for the cost of an automated case reference system. This system will be made available to the Commonwealth's Attorney, County Attorney's office, and all of the courts. Mr. Fisher asked for the public benefits of the reference system. Mr. Ron Morris, a law clerk, said the system practically takes the place of a law library. The public benefit is that it saves money on expensive law books and can be used by several offices. He thinks that a record should be kept to track who uses the system and then money allocated to that office with the most use. Mr. Fisher asked if there is a telephone line use charge with relation to the system. Mr. Morris said it depends on the type of system purchased. Mr. Bowie asked if there is any data that shows the increase in compensation for jurors and witnesses. Mrs. Easton said there is no information available, they can only use the information provided from the year before. General District Court. Total Requested - $13,020. Recommendation - $12,520. Mr. Jones said no new programs or additions were requested. This budget reflects a 10.38 percent decrease due to nonrecurring costs of some furniture and fixtures funded in the current year. Mr. Fisher asked if there are any state reimbursements on the expenditures of either the Circuit Court or General District Court. Mr. Jones replied that everything included in these budgets is paid from local funds, but the state pays salaries and fringes of all employees, plus for certain equipment. Magistrate. Total Requested - $3,170. Recommendation - $3,170. Mr. Jones said this request is the County's share (one-half) of the total costs. Minor increases are due to rental increase and furniture needs. The recommendation matches City funding. Juvenile Court. Total Requested - $33,959. Recommendation - $32,355. Mr. Jones said there are no significant changes. There is a small reduction in telephone costs due to some none recurring telephone installation costs. 2__68 March 9, 1987 (Afternoon-Adjourned Meeting from March 4, 1987) ( Paqe 6 .) Clerk, Circuit Court. Total Requested - $319,662. Recommendation $325,012. Mr. Jones said there are no significant increases. The recommendation includes an increase over the request for indexing costs after the staff's review of the current year's activity. The line item costs for "Indexing Services" for the current year, were $18,000 in January, 1987. Salaries increases are carried at three and one-half percent which was the Governor's recom- mendation. Since the salaries are set by the State Compensation Board, they will need to be adjusted to the final amounts approved by the State later in the year. This adjustment will be required in other constitutional officers' budgets as well. Mr. Way asked if the new Early Retirement Plan will also apply to constitutional officers. Mr. Agnor said it is his understanding that it applies to everyone who is a member of the state retirement system. Commonwealth's Attorney. Total Requested - $236,236. Recommendation - $229,536. Mr. Jones said one additional attorney was requested plus furniture for that attorney. It was recommended that existing staff would be funded with the condition that if the state approves the added position requested then it will be included. Several minor reductions in line items were made based on actual year-to-date and prior year actual costs. Mr. Agnor comment- ed that the County will not know if the addition position is approved by the State until June. Sheriff. Total Requested - $335,919. Recommendation - $316,944. Mr. Jones said there was a request to replace two vehicles. The staff, in reviewing mileages traveled over the past 12 months.by each deputy, determined that none of the older vehicles would reach 100 000 miles in the next fiscal year. ' Mr. Agnor said Sheriff Bailey talked with him concerning the request for the two vehi- cles and said he would like to appeal the staff's recommendation to the Board, although he is not yet present. (Mr. Way left the meeting at 3:40 P.M.) Mr. Fisher said if someone is not present, at the given time, the Board will still receive comments until a final decision is made. Fire Services (City). Total Requested - $402,461. Recommendation - $402,461. Mr. Jones said the contribution to the City, requested by City staff, is based on a five percent consumer price index (C.P.I.) plus $25,000 over last year's contribution of $370,060. The staff's recommendation is based on the current contract with two percent C.P.I. plus $25,000. The City responded to 585 calls in the County during 1986. Of those calls, they were the primary responder on 266 and only 35 structure fires. (Mr. Way returned to the meeting at 3:45 P.M.) Mr. Fisher asked if the contract is being fulfilled. Mr. Jones responded yes. (Mr. Bowie left the meeting at 3:46 P.M.) Volunteer Fire Companies. Total Requested - $279,800. Recommendation - $288,875. Mr. Jones said the requests were for total funding of $37,000 for each company or 7.59 percent over $34,320. The staff recommendation is for $39,725 each, which represents a two percent increased County share, plus an additional $1,490 from state sources. A hazardous waste allocation of $10,000 was removed from the budget with the understanding that if it is needed, it can be funded from the fund balance. Note: During 1986, the seven volunteer companies responded to the following: Calls Structure Fires East Rivanna 378 30 North Garden 159 12 Earlysville 379 18 Crozet 215 13 Stony Point 150 8 Scottsville 145 10 Seminole 368 18 Total 1,794 109 Mr. Jones said during this first year of recordkeeping, there were three volunteer companies that responded to almost 400 calls. In total, the volunteer companies responded to three times more calls than the City based engine and to three times as many structure fires as the.Citybased engine. This information is provided to show the real value of the volun- teers. The cost to the County based on annual allocations stated in per call cost to the County was only $147 for volunteer companies, whereas the per call cost was $633 for the City or a $1 to $4 ratio. (Mr. Bowie returned to the meeting at 3:56 P.M.) Mr. Fisher asked if construction of the Fire Training Center located behind the Joint Secu~ Complex is complete and if any attempt will be made to make it more attractive. Mr. Tucker said the facility will be set on fire from time to time, but there is basically no way to screen the facility from Interstate-64. Forest Fire Extinction. Total Requested - $13,595. Recommendation - $13,595. Jones said there is no change in the request for this budget. Mr. Inspections. Total Requested - $520,439. Recommendation - $502,939. Mr. Tucker said the request includes one new fire prevention inspector to aid in the inspections of public buildings, structures of public assembly and businesses. There is a telephone expense increase due to underbudgeting in the current fiscal year. The increase in merchandise for resale reflects an increase in demand for code books. There is a motor vehicle replacement request for three new vehicles which will have in excess of 100,000 miles. The increase in .ty 269 March 9, 1987 (Adjourned Meeting from March 4, 1987) (Page 7) "Lease/Rent - Equipment" for the radio tower reflects costs for the Inspections, Engineering and Zoning Departments. Mr. Tucker said the additional inspector is supported, however, staff has also requested a proposal from the City Fire Department to contract for an inspec- tion service, but no proposal has been submitted to date. The recommendation reduces the postal service and travel expense requests. It is recommended to purchase data processing equipment and one of the three vehicles requested in this current year's budget. Mr. Henley asked if the fire prevention officer is behind in his work. Mr. Tucker responded yes. The officer is only able to inspect approximately one-third of the structures he is required to inspect each year. He is far behind because he has other functions he must perform in addition to inspecting. Mr. Henley said this was discussed previously and he still has reservations. He thinks the County would be opening itself up to criticism if it contracts with the City. He thinks the County should hire someone to do the work. Mr. Fisher said he is pleased that the projected revenues for fees is close to the projected total cost. Mr. Tucker responded that the result is because several years ago the fee structure was amended. Agenda Item No. 5. Other Matters not 'Listed on the Agenda from the Board or Public. Sheriff George Bailey said this is the last budget he will present to the Board. He has enjoyed working for Albemarle County for 32 years. When he first prepared his budget and submitted it to the staff, he included an additional officer to work with the transporting of mental patients. He subsequently withdrew the request although he believes the additional person could be justified because of the transporting of mental patients on a regular basis. He does not like the request for the two additional replacement vehicles being removed from the budget. He drives his cars for $.06 cents a mile for operating expenses and $.05 cents added for liability insurance. The State Compensation Board participates at $.21 cents a mile for the first 15,000 miles per year and then $.11 cents for the remainder. At 65,000 to 70,000 miles, Albemarle County generates enough funds from the State Compensation Board for a new car provided the old car sells for $1,500 to $2,000. He does not think he should have to transport a mental patient to any part of the state in a car that has over 100,000 miles on it and with only one deputy in the car. He also does not believe the K-cars are meant to run 100,000 miles. He would like for the Board to reconsider the request. He handed out informa- tion on how much the department has expended since July 1 for the vehicles, including oil, maintenance, etc. Mr. Fisher said he would like to review the figures further. There was no further discussion at this time. Sheriff Bailey said he is retiring in June, and has enjoyed working with the Board during the past 32 years. Agenda Item No. 6. Adjourn. At 4:18 P.M., the meeting adjourned.