The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners met Thursday to discuss items to add to meeting agendas for upcoming board sessions. Here’s what they addressed:
County employee compensation study
Commissioners heard a report from Cumberland Human Resources Director Dominique Hall about county employee compensation rates, including comparisons with other counties and proposed pay raises that would take effect as soon as next month.
Hall said nearly 20% of county staff positions are vacant. The study also found that 71% of county positions were budgeted for compensation below average market rates.
In discussion that followed, Commissioner Jimmy Keefe questioned whether higher pay would adequately address the vacancy issue. Keefe added, though, that he was in favor of the adjusted compensation proposal.
County Manager Clarence Grier said Cumberland is losing county staff to other counties paying higher wages, contributing to the high number of open positions.
The proposed raises are one strategy to address the vacancy rates. Employees have been moving to counties that are paying higher rates for essentially the same position, Grier said.
According to a CityView analysis of data, the new recommendations include a 9.7% increase to the payroll budget for current and unfilled positions. The county’s payroll budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year is $138.9 million.
After deliberation, commissioners unanimously approved the study's recommendations to be added to Monday’s consent agenda. The changes in pay will begin to go into effect as soon as next month if approved at Monday's meeting.
Medicaid expansion assistance
Commissioners approved a proposal to expand a Medicaid call and registration center as an item of business at Monday’s meeting.
The call center would deal with an anticipated increase in the number of applicants for Medicaid after expansion begins on Dec. 1. The call center’s kiosks will be located at the county’s Department of Social Services, and a phone line will also be available as well.
As part of the discussions, Keefe asked whether an app could be used to assist residents in applying for Medicaid.
Between 35,000 and 40,000 additional Cumberland County residents will be eligible under the expansion, according to county staff.
The call and registration center will cost an estimated $344,633 and be funded through remaining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Landfill changes
In a unanimous vote, commissioners approved both a transfer station for the Ann Street Landfill and an environmental investigation into the former Cliffdale Landfill. Both items will be added to Monday’s consent agenda.
By the year 2030, the Ann Street Landfill, which currently serves the county, will run out of space. The first phase of the contract to build a new waste transfer station has been awarded to the TA Loving Co.
The N.C Department of Environmental Quality will monitor the former Cliffdale landfill for potential contaminants. It will also handle the cleanup of any potential contaminants found at the site.
Reports and updates
County Public Health Director Jennifer Green spoke to commissioners about budget initiatives, including an Uber voucher program to help transport residents to health care appointments. So far, the program has been used by 427 patients for 677 appointments.
Commissioners meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday at the Cumberand County Courthouse.
Contact Char Morrison at cmorrison@cityviewnc.com.
