MINUTES

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

COUNTY OF HENDERSON MARCH 31, 2004

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners met for a special called meeting at 5:00 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room of the Henderson County Office Building.

Those present were: Chairman Grady Hawkins, Vice-Chairman Larry Young, Commissioner Bill Moyer, Commissioner Charlie Messer, Commissioner Shannon Baldwin, County Manager David Nicholson and Deputy Clerk to the Board Amy Brantley.

Also present were: Budget and Management Director Selena Coffey, Finance Director J. Carey McLelland, Tax Assessor Stan Duncan and Public Information Officer Chris Coulson.

CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME

Chairman Hawkins called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance. The purpose of this meeting was a budget workshop.

BUDGET WORKSHOP

Mr. Nicholson discussed the comparison of the FY 2004 budget to the year-end estimates for that budget. While the estimates did show a shortfall in revenues, especially in ad valorem taxes, in general it appeared the budget would end up with very little variance.

David Nicholson discussed the role of the Strategic Plan in the budget process. Staff had taken the Board’s highest priorities from the Plan, and fiscal priorities for addressing items in that Plan to guide the budget. He also discussed a survey that had been developed by staff, which would be used to analyze what programs exist, what revenues are associated with those programs and the necessary costs to continue those programs.

Stan Duncan then updated the Board on tax levy issues. He discussed the various components used to determine the tax base. Mr. Duncan explained in detail the estimated taxable values for 2004 particularly as they related to 2003 values. In general, the 2004 values are less than the 2003 values, however the tax base will probably remain about the same with real property values balancing out personal values.

Mr. Nicholson then discussed major expenditure projections including: School Capital Facilities requests, Public Schools funding, Non-Profits, Mental Health funding, Medicaid and major staffing issues. He also presented a proposed budget calendar for FY 2004-2006, and a possible list of groups the Board may wish to meet with.

There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, Chairman Hawkins made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:43 p.m. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Attest:

___________________________________ ___________________________________

Amy R. Brantley, Deputy Clerk to the Board Grady Hawkins, Chairman