MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2018

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners' Board Room of 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

                                                Andrea Capua, County Attorney

                                                Deron Geouque, County Manager

                                                Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board

 

Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 5:31 P.M.

 

Commissioner Yates opened with a prayer and Vice-Chairman Kennedy led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes

Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the June 5, 2018, regular meeting and closed session minutes.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the June 5, 2018, regular meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the June 5, 2018, closed session minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Approval of Agenda

Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the June 19, 2018, agenda.

 

County Manager Geouque requested to add a capital improvement request from Caldwell Community College to Miscellaneous Administrative Matters and Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i) to closed session.

 

Commissioner Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the June 19, 2018, agenda as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Social Services Matters

A.  Social Worker Out-of-State Travel Request

 

Mr. Tom Hughes, Director of Social Services, stated that due to a court order received on May 5, 2018, one or some of the County’s social workers must travel to South Carolina to conduct home visits.  The Judge ordered a minimum of three visits; however, it is anticipated that additional visits may be required.  Adequate funds are budgeted in the Social Services budget to cover travel expenses.

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to authorize the out-of-state travel to South Carolina for the County’s Social Services Department as mandated through a court order.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

B.  Proposed NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)/County Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Pursuant to G. S. 108A-74

 

Mr. Tom Hughes presented a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.  Mr. Hughes shared extensive background information including that the sanction powers have been in place; however, the State now wants counties to sign the MOU as an official document.  Mr. Hughes stated that Attachments 1-10 of the MOU however are new.  He shared concerns as they include across-the-board percentages related to performance requirements that are too high for counties the size of Watauga to meet.  Mr. Hughes indicated that if the Department of Social Services did not meet the standards as set forth, the County would receive calls.  Mr. Hughes stated that he was not recommending the Board sign or not sign the MOU; however, if it was signed, Mr. Hughes indicated that he planned to ask for additional staff.  Mr. Hughes did recommend the Board of Commissioners remove “Advisory Board” from the title of the Social Services Board.

 

Mr. Hughes stated that other counties were signing the MOU with reservations and some were including an additional signed form which included wording which added additional protection for the County.

 

County Manager Geouque stated that the ratios the State was putting into place wouldn’t work everywhere and that he would be cautious to add positions because of the MOU alone.  The County Manager stated that you cannot staff a Department for worse case scenarios.

 

Chairman Welch tabled further discussion to allow the County Attorney to review the documents and gather more information.

Proposed Acceptance of Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) Grant for Wetlands Construction on Brookshire Road

Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, stated that in December 2017, an application was submitted by the County, as prepared by Blue Ridge Environmental Consultants (BREC), for a Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) grant to construct wetlands on County owned property located on Brookshire Road at the Soccer Complex.

 

The County has received notice that the grant was awarded in the amount of $365,000 with all matching funds to come from donation of easements, in-kind services, and BREC (private funds).

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to accept the grant from the Clean Water Management Trust Funds in the amount of $365,000.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Tax Matters

A.  Monthly Collections Report

 

Tax Administrator, Mr. Larry Warren, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of May 2018.  The report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.

 

B.  Refunds and Releases

 

Mr. Warren presented the Refunds and Releases Report for May 2018 for Board approval:

 

TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for May 2018 as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Miscellaneous Administrative Matters

A.  Audit Contract

 

County Manager Geouque stated that Ms. Misty Watson, the County’s current auditor, submitted a letter of resignation.  Ms. Watson is in good standing with the County however, she is choosing to pursue alternative business opportunities.  Due to time constraints and the requisite to start and complete the fiscal year audit; County staff requested the departing audit firm provide a recommendation on a possible replacement.  Many auditing firms are engaged and are unable to provide services due to current obligations and schedules.

 

Ms. Watson recommended Gould Killian, CPA Group, P.A., who has submitted a proposal for the County’s audit in the amount of $47,500 for the financial statement audit and compliance audit on up to two major programs.  An additional charge of $4,900 for agreed-upon procedures plus $2,350 for each additional major program over the two included in the $47,500 base price will be charged.

 

The County Manager stated that he has personally met with and vetted the new firm.  Reference checks have been made with high marks and 100% satisfaction rates being given by current counties and towns.  Staff has contacted the North Carolina State Auditor’s Office for their input with no response to date.  Regarding the fire contracts which is currently $750 per fire department, staff will review the current contracts and determine if these procedures can be done internally.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the audit contract with Gould Killian, CPA Group, P.A., in the amount of $47,500 for the financial statement audit and compliance audit on up to two major programs with an additional charge of $4,900 for Agreed-Upon Procedures plus $2,350 for each additional major program over the two included in the $47,500 base price.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

B.  Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute (CCC&TI) Capital Improvement Request

 

County Manager Geouque stated that the bids for the Student Center on the Watauga Campus of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI) came in $651,534 over budget.  The County Manager stated that Dr. Mark Poarch, President of CCC&TI, has requested the County release funds budgeted for CCC&TI capital needs.  County Manager Geouque stated that there is approximately $302,000 in the fund and this is the intended purpose of the funds.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to release all available funds set aside for Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute capital improvement projects as requested.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

C.  Appointment of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners’ (NCACC) Annual Conference Voting Delegate

 

County Manager Geouque stated that the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners' (NCACC) Annual Conference is scheduled for August 23-25, 2018, in Catawba County.  Each county in attendance is required to select a voting member for representation at the annual business meeting which is conducted as a part of the conference.  Submission of the voting delegate is due by August 17, 2018.

 

Chairman Welch tabled the appointment of a delegate to allow for Board members to check calendars prior to making a commitment to attend the meeting.

 

D.  Boards and Commissions

 

County Manager Geouque presented the following Boards and Commissions appointments for consideration:

 

Appalachian Regional Library

The Appalachian Regional Library Board recommends that Ms. Ala Sue Moretz be reappointed to the Appalachian Regional Library Board to fill a second term.

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Ms. Ala Sue Moretz to the Appalachian Regional Library Board.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Watauga County Public Library

The Appalachian Regional Library Board recommends that Dr. Mary Reichel be reappointed to the Watauga County Public Library local board to fill a second term.

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Ms. Mary Reichel to the Watauga County Public Library Board.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Economic Development Commission

Ms. Pat Parish and Mr. Tim Hodges terms on the Economic Development Commission (EDC) expire in June.  Ms. Parish resigned from the EDC in May.  Therefore, her slot will need to be filled.  Mr. Hodges has completed one term, is eligible for a second term, and is interested in being reappointed.  A volunteer application was presented from Ms. Angela Weaver who is interested in serving on the EDC.  Both terms are for three years.  The EDC will not meet again until July.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to recuse Commissioner Hodges from action involving Mr. Tim Hodges due to family relations.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to reappoint Mr. Tim Hodges to the Economic Development Commission (EDC).

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to bring Commissioner Hodges back into discussions.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Ms. Weaver to the Economic Development Commission (EDC).

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

E.  Announcements

 

County Manager Geouque announced the following:

 

·       The 111th NCACC Annual Conference will be held August 23-25, 2018, in Catawba County.  The following website:  www.ncacc.org/AnnualConference was given for additional information.

 

·       The first regular meeting in July has been cancelled; therefore, the next Board of Commissioners Meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at 5:30 P.M.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy announced the High Country Chapter Military Officers Association and the Town of Boone will hold a formal dedication of the Watauga County Veterans Memorial on July 4, 2018, at 9:45 A.M. at Boone Town Hall.

Public Comment

There was no public comment.

Closed Session

At 6:30 P.M., Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy,  moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3), Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6), and Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i).

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:15 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Adjourn

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 P.M.

 

 

 

John Welch, Chairman

 

ATTEST:

Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board