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Vehicle purchase recommended

Issue discussed at county budget work session

By Sharon McBrayer | The News Herald

Published: June 18, 2009

Morganton - Even with a deficit and having to lay off people, the county will likely purchase some vehicles.
During a Burke County Board of Commissioners budget work session on Thursday, County Manager Ron Lewis recommended the county purchase two cars and a van for social services and a truck for animal control in the 2008-09 budget. The cost will be $42,000.
In the 2009-10 fiscal budget, Lewis is recommending the county purchase 10 Dodge Chargers and one SUV for the sheriff's office, two vehicles for social services, one vehicle for the parks and recreation department and one vehicle for animal control. The total budgeted for the vehicles is $410,000.
On Thursday, commissioners heard from representatives from the sheriff's office, forest service, rescue squads, REACT, Mental Health Partners and a fire department pleading their cases for more funding.
Jimmy Wakeford, president of Glen Alpine Recreation Foundation, was back on Thursday to again plead for enough money in the budget for playground equipment for Simpson Park.
R.O. Huffman Center in Drexel also is in need of some new playground equipment, said Gary Craigo, director of parks and recreation for the county. Craigo told commissioners the town of Drexel is willing to pay half the cost for the equipment.
Commissioner Chair Ruth Ann Suttle asked Craigo if he has talked to Glen Alpine town officials to ask about whether the same agreement can be worked out with them. She asked him to see if the town will contribute funds for the equipment at Simpson Park.
Wakeford said if the county can pay for the large playground equipment, Glen Alpine Recreation Foundation "is pretty adept at fundraising."
Sheriff John McDevitt asked commissioners for higher pay and funding to hire additional reserve officers. Currently, reserve officers make $10 an hour, McDevitt said.
Commissioner Steve Smith said experienced reserve officers won't come to work for the county for $10 an hour, which doesn't include taxes taken out.
Commissioners didn't make a decision on the increase request.
Brendletown Fire Department also is requesting the OK to increase its fire tax rate about 1 cent per $100 of property value. After questioning fire department officials, commissioners learned the department has a large fund balance and that no one has discussed the increase with residents in the district.
Brendletown officials said they have debt of $400,000, which includes payments for three fire trucks and a building.
Commissioners told Brendletown officials to have that conversation. Commissioners didn't make a decision on the increase request.
Commissioners will meet again on the budget at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the manager's conference room.