MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2018 & WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on Monday, February 19, 2018, and Wednesday, February 21, 2018, in order to conduct a retreat to review goals and objectives for the County. The meetings were held in the Commissioners’ Board Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
PRESENT: John Welch, Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Jimmy Hodges, Commissioner
Larry Turnbow, Commissioner
Perry Yates, Commissioner
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Margaret Pierce, Finance Director
Lunch was provided at 12:00 PM. Chairman Welch called the meeting to order on Monday, February 19, 2018 at 12:40 PM, welcoming those in attendance.
The following topics were discussed:
Opening Remarks
Mr. Deron Geouque
Community Recreation Center Update
Mr. Chad Roberson & Mr. George Deines
Break from 2:05 PM to 2:25 PM
FY 2018 Review and Discussion of 2019 Budget
Ms. Margaret Pierce
1. Revenues
2. Debt Service Report
3. Budget Calendar
Review of Current Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Mr. Deron Geouque & Mr. Robert Marsh
1. Current CIP Status Report
a. Relocation of County Personnel
Planning and Inspections
Veteran’s Services
Red Cross
b. Courtroom #2 Renovations
c. East Annex Building Program
d. New River Baseball Facilities
e. School Facilities
f. Update on Recreational Projects
g. Guy Ford Paddle Access
Middle Fork Greenway
Ms. Wendy Patoprsty & Mr. Joe Furman
Break from 4:15 PM to 4:35 PM
Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
Dr. Mark Poarch
School Board Funding Issues
Superintendent Dr. Scott Elliott, School Board Members Ron Henries, Jason Cornett,
Dr. Jay Fenwick, Dr. Gary Childers, and Staff members Ly Marze, Dr. Stephen Martin, Danny Clark and Consultant Chad Roberson
1. FY 2019 Funding Needs
2. Schools’ Capital Improvement Plan
Children’s Council Presentation
Ms. Hunter Varipapa
County Manager’s Summary
Mr. Deron Geouque
A recess was declared at 6:50 PM. The meeting reconvened on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at 9:00 AM.
Tourism Development Authority (TDA)
Mr. Matt Vincent and Mr. Wright Tilley
Watauga Housing Trust
Mr. Deron Geouque and Mr. Joe Furman
Watauga Humane Society Facilities
Mr. Charles Duke and Mr. Steve Duprey
Break 10:35 AM to 10:42 AM
Broadband Connection Efforts
Mr. Keith Conover and Mr. Joe Furman
Public Safety and Emergency Communications Systems Study Update
Mr. Marvin Hoffman and Mr. Jeff Virginia
Miscellaneous & Commissioner Matters
Mr. Deron Geouque
State Issues
Commissioners Matters
Budget work sessions set for May 2, 2018 from 12-7 PM and May 3, 2018 from 12-7 PM
Board Discussion and Directives
The County Manager concluded the retreat by reviewing the issues addressed and seeking direction from the Board for Fiscal Year 2018-2019.
The meeting adjourned at 12:25 PM
John Welch
Chairman, Watauga County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
Deron Geouque
County Manager