BUDGET COMMITTEE
August 14, 2018
Information
Technology – 2019 Budget Review
IT Director Keith Hooker attended the meeting to discuss his
2019 Budget requests for Information Technology (A1680) and Central Service
Telephone (A1610). Mr. Hooker stated there are slight increases to both the
A1680 and A1610 budgets. Legislator Healy asked if County cell phones are
included in Mr. Hooker’s budget and how many there are. Mr. Hooker stated, yes,
they are included in his budget. There are approximately 100 phones ranging
between flip phones, smartphones, or access points. Mr. Hooker continued that
if a department can get reimbursed for a phone, he will bill the department so
the County incurs no cost. Mr. Hooker stated that they do not pay for the phone
itself, just the plan. Legislator Harris asked if there is a necessity to
‘nitpick’ a request for $700 gas/oil account or will Ms. Ross and Mr. Boyde
address those requests and decide if that much is needed. Mr. Boyde confirmed
that he and Ms. Ross handle those specifics. Ms. Ross added that the committee
should ask any questions they have while the department head is present to
answer them. Mr. Hooker addressed the $700 gas/oil request stating his
department now has a County van, and since receiving it, other departments like
to borrow it. Mr. Hooker indicated that when other departments have the van,
his employees may still need to travel to another County campus for IT work and
have to use their personal vehicle, and he cannot expect them to do that without
reimbursement, adding that reimbursement along with the van expense are coming
out of his budget. Committee Chairman Curran asked why he isn’t renting the van
to other departments when they want use of it. Ms. Ross stated there is already
money included in the budget for additional mileage reimbursement, adding that
Mr. Hooker’s budget is not being shorted by use of the van. Mr. Boyde added
that when a department uses the van, they use their own WEX Card for gas which
is tied to their own budget.
Veterans’ Service
Agency – 2019 Budget Review
Veterans’ Service Agency Director Michael Hennessy attended
the meeting to discuss his 2019 Budget requests (A6510). Mr. Hennessy
distributed the FY2017 Geographic Distribution of Veteran Agency Expenditures
to the committee for review. Legislator Fanton noted that Columbia County lost
over 600 veterans, and asked if there is a reason behind it. Mr. Hennessy
stated from what he understands, there are no jobs as well as veterans passing
away. Mr. Hennessy stated that last year they purged their WWII files, and sent
over 700 files of veterans who have passed away to cold storage. Currently,
there are approximately 70 WWII veterans left and around 106 WWII widows they
keep an eye on. Mr. Hennessy noted they are currently working on paperwork to
receive $30,000 from the State.
Consumer Affairs
(Weights & Measures) – 2019 Budget Review
Weights & Measures Director Gilbert Green attended the
meeting to discuss his 2019 Budget requests (A6610). Legislator Harris asked why Mr.
Green’s state aid fluctuates so much. Mr. Green stated it is aid for fuel
samples and is dependent on how many he needs.
Community Services – 2019 Budget Review
Community Services Director Dr. Robert Anderson attended the
meeting to discuss the 2019 Budget requests for the accounts associated with
Community Services (A4191, A4220, A4310, A4311, A4312, A4313, A4314, A4315,
A4316, A4317, and A4390). Ms. Ross stated that they are going to hold off on
discussing Dr. Anderson’s budget until they receive answers to some outstanding
questions.
Emergency Services
– 2019 Budget Review
Emergency Management and Fire Director Jeff Luckey attended
the meeting to discuss his 2019 Budget requests for Emergency Services (A3640)
and Fire Services (A3410). Mr. Luckey indicated that they need to move some
funds around; however, he has kept his budget flat. Ms. Ross stated there are
adjustments that need to be made to some grants as she didn’t receive the information
until last minute and was not able to print new reports. Mr. Luckey stated he
and his office are working to get a better handle on things since former
Assistant Director Mike Barney has left. Ms. Ross indicated that Mr. Luckey’s
budget will take some time to fix.
Board of Elections – 2019 Budget Review
Board of Elections Commissioners Brent Reynolds and Michael
McCormick attended the meeting to discuss the 2019 Budget requests for the
Board of Elections (A1450). Mr. McCormick thanked Ms. Ross for meeting with him
and Mr. Reynolds and helping go through their budget. Mr. McCormick indicated
that overall their budget is down for 2019, and currently they are aware of two
election dates, the primary and general. Legislator Harris asked what the HAVA
contract is. Mr. McCormick stated that it is the Help America Vote Act grant
that they receive; however, it has been pretty much expended on poll site
improvements and the purchase of office equipment. Legislator Fanton asked what
the plan is for the voting machine upgrades. Mr. McCormick stated he recently
spoke with the State Board of Elections, and currently, there is no effort on
upgrading the machines. Mr. McCormick indicated that the Dominion machines they
have work fine, and through support from the Legislators, they have a warranty
on them. Mr. McCormick continued that unless there is some Federal and State
support he does not think it needs to be addressed yet. Ms. Ross stated in
years past, the Board of Elections budget was always built to the extreme, and
this year was a good opportunity to sit down and look at areas they could
reduce.
