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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-08-1999 Meeting I PUBLIC SAFETY CONrMITTEE COM1\1ITTEE ROOM - November 8, 1999 3:30 p.m. PRESENT: B. Young, Mayor, F. Handy, Chairman, B. Kuhlke, W. Mays, S. Shepard, members; J. Brigham, Commissioner; R. Oliver, Administrator; J. Wall, Attorney; D. Craig, DA, S. Jolly, Solicitor, R. Few, Fire Chief, D. Collins, Finance Dept.; J. Etheridge, HR; D. Dlugolenski, EMA Director; L. Bonner, Clerk of Commission. ALSO PRESENT: S. Cooper, Augusta Chronicle; S. Eidson, Metro Spirit; Cox, Augusta Focus. Presentation by Sherly Jolly regarding approval of additional positions: 2 Attorneys and 1 Investigator (post certified) with funding from Victim/Witness designated monies. I Ms. Jolly: I have some funds that have accrued through the collection of the five percent surcharge which is added to fines that are specifically delegated to victims services programs and this is collected through state law. We started in 1995 collecting this surcharge. Since that time I have been able to determine that we have accrued some $542,000 in that account. Out of that money $156,000 has been spent to provide victims services. And the majority of that amount was used to pay back the county $122,800 which was allocated for the budget for the victims wimess program. The purpose of this fund is to provide victims services for programs that are certified by the criminal justice coordinating council through the office of the government. Our victims wimess program is a CJCC certified agency and prosecutorial function designed to deal with victims issues primarily domestic violence cases are authorized through the funds. Any CJCC certified agency may apply for these funds. Basically, what I would like to obtain approval for is the development and implementation of a domestic violence prosecution unit, which will work hand in hand with our victims witness assistance program. It will allow for the addition of staff to the Solicitor's office to help handle our ever increasing case load and it will do so with no cost to the ta.'Cpayers because this has been funded. I could not foresee any significant reduction in the amount of monies going into the account because the five percent surcharge is propitious and there is currently enough monies in the account to fund these additional positions and other needs for the DA's office and for my office. Mr. Oliver: And we have incorporated that in the budget for next year. The only thing we would ask and we agree with Sheryl that we think those funds will always be sufficient to do that. But we suggest that you put the caveat on the end of it that with the understanding that the positions will remain as long as the five-percent surcharge covers the cost. I Mr. Handy: TIle monies that you have now how far will that carry you? Ms. Jolly: We currently have 5385,973.50 and that will probably carry us a long way. I'm working with the Finance Department right now to help detail a budget which, we don't suspect to even submit a budget that will even zero out that money. We expect to have a reserve in that account and will include some agency appropriations for the CJCC certified agencies that exist and request funding out of that money. I Mr. Kuhlke: What is your projected annual over five percent? Ms. Jolly: My projection would be somewhere close to half a million dollars. The purpose of this fund when the Legislature created this was to help provide expansion of services to crime victims witho~t incurring cost to me county and to help fund many of the non-profit agencies to help reduce private fund raising. Mr. Kuhlke: I'll make the motion that we approve this request with the wording that Mr. Oliver included, as long as the five percent covers the cost. wlr. Shepard: Second. Motion carried unanimously. Presentation by Danny Craig regarding salaries for Assistant District Attorneys and Assistant Solicitors. I At this time District Attorney Danny Craig addressed the Committee on an across the board salary increase of 56000 for Assistant DA and Assistant Solicitors at a total cost of 5120,000. Mr. Kuhlke: I would like to make a motion that we refer this back to the Administrator and his staff and that we take a look at this particular item through the budget process. Nlr. Shepard: Second. Motion carried unanimously. Approved Ordinance increasing fire inspection fees and authorize hiring Administrative Assistant for Fire Inspection Bureau as recommended by the Management Study. (Fee increase covers cost of new position) The Fee Schedule is as follows: Certiticate of Occupancy (CO) Construction Permit under 10,000 sq. ft. Construction Permit over 10,000 sq. ft. Plus .040 per square foot Annual Inspection and First Re-Inspection S150.00 5150.00 5150.00 -0- I I Second Re-Inspection Third Re-Inspection and Each Follow-Up Day Care Provider Class (5 hour class) (1.5 hour class) $100.00 $150.00 $ 30.00 $ 15.00 Chief Few: I'm asking to increase the Fire Inspection fees and authorize hiring one Administrative Assistant for the Fire Inspection Bureau. We haven't had an increase in the fees in ten years. Mr. Kuhlke: I'll so move for approval. Mr. Shepard: I'll second the motion and ask that the motion include and be directed to the Attorney that the appropriate ordinance to charge these fees be drawn. Motion carries unanimously. With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. I Lena J. Bonner Clerk of Commission fbb I , PUBLIC SAFETY AGENDA cOMrvnTTEE ROOM - November 8, 1999 3:30 P. M. I. Presentation by Sheryl Jolly regarding approval of additional positions: 2 Attorneys and I Investigator (post-certified) with funding from Victim/Witness designated monies. 2. Presentation by Danny Craig regarding salaries for Assistant District Attorneys and Assistant Solicitors. Approved Ordinance increasing fire inspection fees and authorize hiring Administrative Assistant for Fire Inspection Bureau as recommended by the Management STUdy. (Fee increase covers cost of new position) The Fee Schedule is as follows: Certificate of Occupancy (CO) Construction Permit under 10,000 sq. ft. ConstrUction Permit over 10,000 sq. ft. ($150.00 Plus .040 per square foot) Annual Inspection and First Re-Inspection Second Re-Inspection TIilld Re-Inspection and Each Follow-Up Day Care Provider Class (5 hour class) (1.5 hour class) , ). , , $150.00 $150.00 -0- $100.00 $150.00 $ 30.00 $ 15.00