MINUTES

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

COUNTY OF HENDERSON JUNE 12, 2001

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners met for a special called meeting at 3:00 p.m. in the Commissioners= Conference Room of the Henderson County Office Building at 100 North King Street, Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Those present were: Chairman Bill Moyer, Vice-Chair Marilyn Gordon, Commissioner Grady Hawkins, Commissioner Don Ward, Commissioner Charlie Messer, County Manager David E. Nicholson, Finance Director J. Carey McLelland, Assistant to the County Manager/Budget Analyst Selena Coffey, and Public Information Officer Chris S. Coulson.

Absent was: Clerk to the Board Elizabeth W. Corn. Mr. Nicholson took notes for the preparation of these minutes.

CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME

Chairman Moyer called the meeting to order and welcomed the members of the Board of Public Education and their staff to today=s budget workshop.

BUDGET WORKSHOP - Schools

School Board Chairman Ervin Bazzle told the Commissioners that they had presented the School budget to the community for comments. Based on the comments received, they requested increases in uncontrollable expenses, program requests, and new personnel.

Mr. Bazzle stated that they were requesting $575,000 in uncontrollable expenses. Kerry Shannon, School Finance Director, reviewed this request. This amount included salary increases, hospitalization, supplement, utilities, and a part-time custodian for the new Fletcher Elementary School.

Dr. Burnham reviewed their program requests, which included 14 new positions in special education, elementary schools, middle grade schools and high schools. They are expecting State funding for 7.82 positions. They requested funds from the County for the additional 6.18 positions. This amounted to an additional $101,896. They also requested $37,000 for a supply supplement to middle grade teachers.

The Board also discussed issues such as class size and the effect of pending statewide lawsuits and state mandated programs.

Chairman Bazzle reviewed their proposal for Career and College Advisement Centers. These Centers will provide guidance outside of the school structure, including after-hours assistance to students and parents. The Community Foundation has donated $147,000 and they requested funding of the technicians in the amount of $112,000.

Action

Chairman Moyer made the motion to approve the additional funding for the teaching positions and middle grade supplement. He stated that the Career and College Center could wait until next year. Following discussion about the Centers, the Board directed County Staff to work with the School System on funding for the Center with a report due back to the Board at the end of the budget process. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

School Board member, Jane Orwoll, read a statement from Ken Butcher, who is out of town. Mr. Butcher encouraged the Commissioners to approve their full request. Ms. Orwoll also stated her support for full funding. Chairman Bazzle thanked the Commissioners for their support.

Blue Ridge Community College

President David Sink of Blue Ridge Community College reviewed their budget request. Their request was for 5.5% less than last year. They did not request any funding for capital this year. The major change in their budget was to contract with the Sheriff=s Department for two deputies for campus security.

Commissioner Hawkins made the motion to adjourn at 4:30 p.m. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Attest:

Elizabeth W. Corn, Clerk to the Board William L. Moyer, Chairman