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Vote on a request to approve the adoption of the Fiscal 2015-2016 Budget Ordinance
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Introduction and Background
The Fiscal 2015-2016 Recommended Budget was presented to commissioners on May 4, 2015. Public hearings were held on May 18 and May 19. State law requires that the County adopt a balanced budget prior to July 1. In addition, the Board of Commissioners sets the salaries for the County Manager, Sheriff, and Register of Deeds.
Discussion and Analysis
The Board of Commissioners held two budget work sessions on May 22 and 26 and agreed to the following changes to the Manager’s recommendation. The budget ordinance reflects the following changes approved by the Board of Commissioners on May 26:
§ An additional $120,740 for Chatham Transit Network to provide the Pittsboro Express bus route formerly provided by Chapel Hill Transit.
§ The unfunding of a vacant position in the Health Department, as requested by the department.
§ Correction of an error that double-budgeted a grant-funded position in the Sheriff’s Office by including it in both the continuation and expansion budgets. The position is correctly included as an expansion item in the operating budget.
§ The inclusion of $22,462 for new computers for public use in the Goldston and Siler City libraries in the operating budget expenditures. This money was included in the fund balance appropriation but was overlooked when developing the general fund expenditures.
§ Correction of two fees for rental of the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center caused by a spreadsheet formula error. The correct fee to rent the break-out rooms for the weekend will be $1,300 per day (not $700). The correct fee to rent the lobby for the weekend will be $2,600 per day (not $1,400).
§ Addition of a fee for Chatham 360 to provide Drug Education School (DES) on behalf of Treatment Alternatives for Safer Communities (TASC) because TASC has had turnover in its Chatham staffing. DES is a less intensive program than Chatham 360 and is used for first-time marijuana possession and alcohol offenses. Chatham 360 needs the ability to charge the standard fee for the program. The class will be provided for four to five months and will involve minimal cost since clients could go into existing classes.
The changes are as follows:
Recommended General Fund Revenues: 99,446,482
One-time expenses for narcotics officer moved to Forfeited Property Fund: (37,890)
Increase appropriated fund balance (CTN bus one-time expense): 87,900
Reduce fund balance appropriation to balance expenses: (5,354)
Approved General Fund Revenues: 99,491,138
Recommended General Fund Expenditures: 99,446,482
Correct mistake in Electronic Monitoring budgeted twice: (62,880)
One-time expenses for narcotics officer moved to Forfeited Property Fund: (37,890)
Cut health position as requested by department: (39,728)
Library computer upgrade 22,462
Moved up hiring date for 3 new positions: 41,952
Increase appropriation to Chatham Transit for Pittsboro Express Bus Route: 120,740
Approved General Fund Expenditures: 99,491,138
Budgetary Impact
The general fund is increased by $44,656. There is no effect on any other fund.
Recommendation
Motion to approve the Fiscal 2015-2016 Budget Ordinance.