Duplin County Newsletter July 2017

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1 Duplin County Newsletter July 2017 Mosaic Highlights New Employees Graduates Events Did You Know Birthdays Manager s Message July, 2017 For this month s column, I wanted to provide you with a little insight into the FY Budget that was adopted by the Commissioners on June 19th. County residents already received a notice from the Tax Office advising of your property s value as of January 1, The new values were determined by the tax office as part of the mass revaluation process that will now take place every 4 years. As part of the revaluation, state law requires that counties publish a revenue-neutral tax rate. The revenueneutral tax rate for FY is $ In order to minimize the tax burden on the citizens, the commissioners balanced the budget with a tax rate of $0.695 which is almost 3 cents below the revenueneutral rate. As a result of the 2017 revaluation, Duplin County s total valuation increased from $4.18 billion this year to $4.3 billion for FY or by $121 million. The county valuation increased an average of 1.74% annually since the last revaluation in The budget continues current services and departments. The number of Emergency Medical Service stations and their shift structure is unchanged. The largest reduction in expenses is a $1,509,500 reduction in State Day Care. There is also a $613,000 reduction in Medicaid. A 2% COLA (cost of living adjustment) is included in the budget which will help the county stay competitive with recruitment of new hires. The cost to the General Fund to include the COLA is approximately $350,000. Health insurance premiums for individual employee coverage remains unchanged at $707 per month for FY This is our second year with no health insurance premium increases. That s a testimony that our (continued on page 2)

2 (continued from page 1) wellness strategies are helping to control health care cost. The total cost in the General Fund for providing employee health insurance is approximately $4.3 million. Our workers compensation insurance renewal was approximately $50,000 less than the FY premium. Our experience modifier was reduced during FY from.84 to.77. This is the second consecutive year that our safety performance has directly resulted in reduction of our premium. While your job may not require you to be involved with the budget preparation, I wanted you to have a basic understanding of what the budget contains and how your department is affected. Sincerely, Mike Aldridge County Manager Duplin County Register of Deeds Sydney P. Blizzard Deputy Register of Deeds Health Felice Carlton Physician s Extender II Soil Conservation Matthew Carter Soil Conversation Tech. DSS Jessica Williams Social Worker Ashley Jenkins Social Worker Jessica Sawyer IMC I Jeffrey Cruz IMC I Brittney Turner IMC I EMS Austin T. Armstrong EMT / Paramedic Aging Victoria McMillian In-Home Aide I Solid Waste Mike Gray Equipment Operator

3 Our Condolences To: Ms. Tammy Rombold (Housekeeping), on the loss of her father, Mr. Lester Maynard Veino, Jr., on May 17, 2017 in DeBary, FL. **** Ms. Tericia McFarland (DSS), on the loss of her grandmother, Ms. Elouise Parker, on June 4, **** Ms. Brenda Comstock (Court Facilities), on the loss of her mother, Ms. Margaret Batchelor, of Beulaville, NC, on June 4, Ms. Sierra Dixon, granddaughter of Ms. Frankie Hobbs (Services for the Aged), graduated in June, Magna Cum Laude, from James Kenan High School. She plans to attend NC Central University. Ms. Nyla Parker, granddaughter of Ms. Altheria Cornelius (Services for the Aged), graduated top of her class on June 9th from kindergarten to first grade from Torchlight Academy of Raleigh, NC. Ms. Sydney Marie Lanier, daughter of Ms. Terri Lanier (Tax), graduated on June 9th from 8th grade at Chinquapin Elementary School.

4 Congrats to Ms. Shelley Hall on the birth of her granddaughter, Ms. Elliot Catherine Hall, born on May 11, 2017 weighing 7 lbs. 9 oz., 20 inches long. Congrats to Mr. Jimmy Brown on the birth of his granddaughter, Ms. Maya Khalids Johnson, born on May 4, 2017 weighing 6 lbs. 8 oz. Happy Retirement To Ms. Miriam Madera, DSS. Retired on 5/30/17 With 20 years of service North Carolina Coast Host Duplin County Tourism hosted the North Carolina Coast Host annual meeting and awards luncheon on Thursday, June 15 th at Duplin Country Club.

5 2017 Build A Better World Summer Reading Grand Finale Duplin County Library System presents Mr. Paul Miller, Master Magician. Mr. Miller will be performing on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at 10:00 11:00 at the Ed Emory Auditorium in Kenansville. Paul s comedy juggling and magic show engages audiences of all ages. Credits includes Disney Cruise Lines, Off-Broadway, TEDx, and performances from coast to coast. This program is FREE and open to the public of all ages! Registration is not required! Please contact Donna Jones at for additional information.

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8 2017 Roadeo On Sunday June 4 th, myself and two co-workers attended the NC Public Transportation Association Roadeo at ZMax Dragway in Concord N.C. The Roadeo is an obstacle course where transit drivers skills are tested during a timed competition. Transportation Specialist (driver), James Farrior competed in the Conversion Van division, driving an extended length Ford Transit Van. This was his 2nd time competing. Once again, James did a great job, competing against drivers from all across the state. While James was competing, Transportation Coordinator, Stephen Faircloth was at the opposite end of the drag strip busy working as a judge. Stephen judged the Serpentine obstacle for the Bus Division, watching closely as one by one 36 city buses tried to navigate through the orange cones. It was a long, HOT day full of many challenges that ended with all 3 of us leaving with more knowledge, new friends, and wonderful memories. Congratulations to James on another successful Roadeo and many thanks to Stephen for participating as a judge. I am proud of, and thankful for James and Stephen and how well they represented this department and Duplin County! Rosemarie Oates Director, Duplin County Public Transportation

9 July 1 Traci-Savannah Knowles, Parks & Rec July 2 Susan Talbert, WIC Alton Williams, Solid Waste July 3 Maria Valencia, DSS July 4 Carmen Espinosa, Health July 5 Mitchell Henderson, Sheriff July 6 Albert Carlton, Jail Annex Billie Dunn, Health Antonio Quevedo, DSS July 7 Mary Brock, EMS Austin Sanderson, Water July 8 Kelita Jackson, DSS Eneida Maysonet, WIC July 9 Wanda Bell, Finance Joseph Mello, Communications July 11 Matthew Casey, EMS Sharryn Dixon, EMS July 12 Dwight Maready, Jail July 14 Gareth Harvell, Water Diana Mitchell, Health Morgan Powell, DSS Jonathan Dorman, IT July 16 Tammy Kennedy, Communications July 17 Mary Frederick, Sheriff July 18 Karmen Crissey, Communications Gordon Parks, Solid Waste Emma Williams, Nutrition July 19 Jonathan Turner, Jail July 21 James Carroll Grady, EMS July 22 Michael Cole, EMS James Nethercutt, EMS Laura Tew, Tax July 23 James Kenan, SRO Kimberly Miles, EMS July 26 Matthew Carter, Soil Conservation Carol Jackson, Attorney Brian McCloud, Solid Waste Jazmine Robinson, WIC July 27 Delmas Highsmith, Jail Carol Normile, Tax Ashley Weeks, Health July 30 Edell Blakney, Jail Diana Rios, DSS James Tyson, SRO Sonja Woodward, DSS July 31 Ryan Lanier, EMS Gregory Williams, Solid Waste