By Betsy Finklea
The Dillon County Council held a called meeting on October 19th.
County Administrator Clay Young gave a budget update. He said they were on schedule to get the audit in the next three to four weeks, and it may possibly be presented at the December meeting. Young said it looks like they will have approximately $830,000 in revenue over expenses last fiscal year. Young said they were still in the process of trying to get the budget update on the internet. The Dillon County cash account balance as of September 30, 2011 (the cash on hand in the bank) is $9,658,286.54.
The capital projects sales tax fund was also on the agenda. Young said that there was $2.5 million left. He said they need to come up with a schedule to address the remaining funds.
Young then talked about gasoline. He said he had talked to different vendors about fuel. He said the county had their own fuel system, but did not have to buy enough fuel for a substantial discount and they sometimes had trouble with the system going down.
He said with a vendor like Fuel Man, they could save three to ten cents a gallon. They have seven stations located in Dillon County and several elsewhere, which would be useful if an employee had to travel. He said by using a vendor, it also passes on the liability.
Councilman Harold Moody said that several years ago they tried to institute a gas policy, and it died. He said they must have accountability. Young said the employee would have to key in the mileage before they could get gas, and the county would get gas reports by e-mail. Young said he would also like to see employees go back to the monthly log-in sheets and send staff to go spot check the mileage.
H. Moody said if they get reports and hold employees accountable that was fine, but if they did not, he knew what would happen.
Chairman Archie Scott said he felt like employees would feel more reluctant to try something if they were going to the county pump as opposed to going to a store.
H. Moody again stressed that this would have to be monitored.
Young said that they had gotten a proposal from Verizon for iPads. It would cost approximately $600-$700 for the iPad and then about $40 a month. Scott said as far as he was concerned, he would like for Young to pursue this further.
County positions were discussed. Councilman Andrew Graves said they needed to cut some positions and get some more supervision of those being abused. He said if employees are not going to work, then they shouldn’t get paid. Graves said if they are not doing the job they are supposed to do, then they are wasting the county’s money.
Young said he is realigning some staff to get more supervision and accountability.
Discussion was held the landfill contract five year plan. DHEC requires a solid waste master plan. Young said the repair on the transfer station was expected to last three to five years. An Arcadis representative will come to speak with council.
The council discussed a possible bond issue. Young gave out the following figures:
General Obligation Bond=$1,500,000=(5%) (7 years)
Total: $254,406.24 per year (estimated 5 mills per year)
1) IWP Landfill Closure and Transfer Station Repair-$650,000
City/County Complex-$250,000
Duct Work Cleaning-$18,000
TOTAL: $918,000 (difference: $582,000)
4) Recycling Center Building
5) Equipment
6) Rolling Equipment (Vehicles)
Young said he would do the bond issue.
The council then talked about the recycling building. They said there was no asbestos in the roof.
They discussed whether to repair the roof, tear the building down and put up another building, or sell the building.
Scott asked if there were plans to have the recycling center continue in that building.
Young said no, but they did have plans to offer the program. He said boxes had been placed at the major sites and recycling was being handled there.
After much discussion, the council decided for the building committee to meet again and make a recommendation.
Graves said the committee had been meeting and meeting, and they have not accomplished anything.
