Recruitment Update
The County received, as expected, a very strong and qualified pool of candidates for the position of Park and Recreation Department Director. Over the last few weeks, the Executive Team and I have reviewed application materials to narrow the list of candidates. These semi-final candidates will visit Mecklenburg County next week for formal interviews on Tuesday, December 12. In addition, candidates will have an opportunity to tour County park facilities and meet with members of the Park and Recreation Commission.
The recruitment process to fill the Finance Director vacancy also is on track. We are reviewing application materials and will identify the semi-final candidates in the next few weeks. We anticipate asking the Board committee to conduct final interviews in February.
State Considering Changes in Medicaid Transportation
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) recently alerted all county departments of social services about a change in Medicaid transportation protocol. This change requires those service providers receiving Medicaid reimbursement to provide transportation for their clients who receive their Medicaid-funded services. This includes clients who receive Community Alternatives Program for Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities services and mental health enhanced benefit services. As a result, this change would impact clients and service vendors associated with both Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services and Area Mental Health.
The NCDHHS communication says that Medicaid funds provided to service vendors also includes funds to cover the cost of the client's transportation costs associated with accessing these services. Therefore, transportation to and from the service providers' locations should be arranged and paid for by the service providers, not the county. Currently, Mecklenburg County has been arranging for and paying for these transportation services.
On Tuesday, December 5, NCDHHS notified Mecklenburg County that it will not implement this change immediately, as originally planned. Instead, NCDHHS is now re-examining its position on this issue, and will notify local departments when they have made a final decision.
County staff has received calls from concerned service vendors and clients who were anticipating changes. We have let our vendors and clients know that we will do everything possible to ensure continuity of transportation services. The County will notify consumers and service providers once it has received official notification from NCDHHS.
If you would like additional information, or if you are contacted by service vendor or client, you can contact General Manager Janice A. Jackson at (704) 336-2086.
NACo Selects 2011 and 2012 Annual Conference Sites
At its December 2, 2006 Board of Directors Meeting, the National Association of Counties (NACo) selected Portland, OR and Pittsburgh, PA as the hosts for the 2011 and 2012 annual conferences, respectively. Charlotte-Mecklenburg was one of the sites considered, but was not selected.
City-County Alternative Revenues Review
In 2005, both the Board of County Commissioners and the Charlotte City Council adopted resolutions regarding alternative revenues. The County resolution:
- Endorsed passing legislation authorizing a menu of local option taxes, including growth taxes, for all counties and cities in North Carolina
- Directed the resolution be presented to the Mecklenburg County legislative delegation, and
- Requested the City of Charlotte, six towns and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education to adopt the same resolution
The City budget resolution calls for:
- Studying alternative revenue sources in cooperation with Mecklenburg County
- Studying expenditure reductions and critical needs, especially capital, and
- Charged the City budget committee with studying the issue and making a recommendations on process
Since that time, the City has completed its review of the issue and is now prepared to proceed with a joint review through a working group comprising members of the Charlotte City Council and Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners. The purpose of this working group would be to identify alternative revenue options for consideration by the North Carolina General Assembly in its upcoming session.
At its December 11 meeting, the City Council will be asked to approve a proposed process and to request the Board to approve the same process at its December 19 regular meeting. This process includes a timeline for the working group to evaluate the options and make a recommendation to both the City Council and Board on which alternative revenue options to endorse.
County staff is preparing a Board agenda item for the December 19 Board meeting and will be prepared to provide more information at that time. For details, please contact Management & Budget Director Hyong Yi at (704) 336-6945.
--Harry L. Jones, Sr., County Manager
