Finance Committee Meeting Minutes

Glynn County Board of Commissioners

4:00 P.M., Tuesday, November 12, 2002

Third Floor Conference Room

W. Harold Pate Courthouse Annex

Brunswick, Georgia

 

 

Present:

                        Committee Members: F. Tullos, M. Bedner, and J. Chapman

Staff:  D. Chunn, M. Eckert, J. Hegstrom, P. McNicoll, B. Rogers, B. Rowell, A. Sapp, R. Shell

Press:  

Others:  H. Lynn, H. Paladino, P. Kurschner

 

1) Consider approval of the Consent Agenda.

a)      Approve the October 29, 2002 Finance Committee Meeting Minutes. 

b)      Deny a request from Ms. Marie Paladino that $26.62 paid in penalties and interest on her 2002 Property Tax bill be refunded. 

c)      Deny a request from Mr. Jack Kurschner that $410.12 paid in penalties and interest on his 2001 Property Tax bill be refunded. 

d)      Approve the real property corrections to the 2002 digest as recommended by the Board of Assessors and/or the Chief Appraiser at their October 23, 2002 meeting.

 

Items 1(b) and 1(c) were pulled from consent for discussion.  The following motion made by Commissioner Bedner and seconded by Commissioner Chapman passed unanimously.

 

Recommend approval of items (a) and (d) of the consent agenda.  (Vote: 3-0-0)

 

1b.  Mr. Paladino explained that they had never received a bill for the 2000 taxes and requested that the penalties and interest be waived.  Ms. Arlene Sapp, Tax Commissioner’s Office, responded that they had sent a bill.  Commissioner Bedner stated that because of Mr. Palodino’s knowledge of the tax system, he should have expected a bill and that if the bill was mailed, it was then the taxpayer’s responsibility.  After further discussion, the following motion made by Commissioner Bedner and seconded by Commissioner Chapman passed unanimously.

 

Recommend denial of a request from Ms. Marie Paladino that $26.62 paid in penalties and interest on her 2002 Property Tax bill be refunded.  (Vote: 3-0-0).

1c.  Ms. Kurschner was present and explained that they had paid interest and penalties on their 2001 property tax bill and requested that they be refunded.  She stated that she had received a bill for her previously owned property and thought it was for her current property so she paid the bill.  She said she didn’t receive the bill for her current property until October 23, 2002.  She requested a refund of the bill she paid in error in December, 2001 and also of the penalties and interest on the current property.  After discussion the following motion made by Commissioner Chapman and seconded by Commissioner Bedner passed unanimously.

Recommend approval of a request from Mr. Jack Kurschner that $410.12 paid in penalties and interest on his 2001 Property Tax bill be refunded.  (Vote: 3-0-0)

 

2) Receive a report from the Budget Team concerning budget trends in the areas of health insurance claims, workers compensation claims, overtime, and capital. 

 

Mark Eckert, County Administrator, presented the financial update to the Committee.  He reviewed the memo and informed the Committee that the Health Insurance costs are continuing to rise and overtime expenses are projected to run over budget for the fiscal year.  The use of fund balance to fund overtime in  FY 03 and the use of Splost 3 to fund capital expenditures this fiscal year, along with increases in health claims and insurance premiums will cause funding problems when preparing the FY03/04 budget.  Commissioner Chapman questioned whether scheduling changes could decrease some of the Police Department overtime.  He was told that staff would be evaluating that.

 

2)   Consider approving the following:

a) releasing SPLOST IV, Tier One funds in an amount not to exceed $375,000.00 to fund the rehabilitation of Lift Station 11

b) amending the existing contract with Carter & Sloope to include the design and construction engineering work associated with the rehabilitation of Sewer Pump Station 11, for a fee not to exceed $25,000.00; and

c) bidding of a construction contract for said work. 

 

Mr. Jerry Hegstrom, Assistant County Attorney, requested that if passed, the approval should be subject to the County Attorney’s review.  After discussion the following motion made by Commissioner Bedner and seconded by Commissioner Chapman passed unanimously.

 

Recommend approving the following:

a) releasing SPLOST IV, Tier One funds in an amount not to exceed $375,000.00 to fund the rehabilitation of Lift Station 11

b) determining that an emergency exists that demands the immediate contracting for the professional services to design a rehabilitated Sewer Pump Station #11 to avoid a system failure; and

c) authorizing as an emergency professional service pursuant to Glynn County Ordinances Section 2-2-13(c)2 a direct contract with Carter & Sloope for the design and engineering work for the rehabilitation of Sewer pump Station #11, for a fee not to exceed $25,000; and

d) authorizing the issuance of an invitation for bids for the construction contract for the rehabilitation of Sewer Pump Station #11.  (Vote 3-0-0)

 

3)   Consider rejecting all bids received for the custodial services for County buildings and authorize staff   to re-bid the project after the requirements have been modified. 

After a brief discussion the following motion made by Commissioner Chapman and seconded by Commissioner Bedner passed unanimously.

 

Recommend rejecting all bids received for the custodial services for County buildings and authorize staff   to re-bid the project after the requirements have been modified.  (Vote: - - )

 

4)   Request that Chairman Tullos identify the Finance Committee items which should be included as consent items in the Commission’s Meeting Agenda.

 

Commissioner Tullos identified all items except #2 as consent items.   Item #2 will not be presented to the full Board of Commissioners.