MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2023
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
Chairman Turnbow called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: Larry Turnbow, Chairman
Charlie Wallin, Vice-Chairman
Todd Castle, Commissioner
Braxton Eggers, Commissioner
Ray Russell, Commissioner
Anthony di Santi, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Commissioner Eggers opened with a prayer and Commissioner Wallin led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Turnbow called for additions and/or corrections to the April 4, 2023, regular and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the April 4, 2023, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the April 4, 2023, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Turnbow called for additions and/or corrections to the April 18, 2023, agenda.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to approve the April 18, 2023, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Public Comment Policy Discussion
Chairman Turnbow presented a proposed, updated Public Comment Policy. The update proposed to move the public comment period from the end of the meeting to the beginning. The County Attorney had reviewed the policy as written.
Commissioner Russell stated that he was in favor of moving the item to the beginning of the meeting but hoped that speakers and staff would be given a certain time for business to be conducted. Commissioner Castle, Commissioners Eggers, and Commissioner Wallin also stated that they agreed with moving the time period to the beginning of the meeting.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to approve the Public Comment Policy as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Public Comment
The following shared concerns regarding Watauga Medical Center’s decision to close the Broyhill Wellness Center in May: Ben Henderson, Fred Webb, Jr., Shannon Stapleton, Lori Jackson, Martin DeRita, Paul Welsh, Joe Lowman, Eli Bailey, Terry Anderson, Gary Walker, Chris Behrend, Howard Davis, Mandy Pennestri, Carol Truett, Julie Curtis, Anne Gerber, Harry Lyons, Mary Underwood, and Carol Anderson.
Alana Baird asked for a minimum housing code to be established.
Chairman Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to add a discussion to the agenda to give direction to Commissioner Russell, as the Commissioner Representative on the Watauga Medical Center’s Board of Trustees, regarding the comments made regarding the Wellness Center.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Castle stated that his parents had benefited from the Wellness Center and, along with family and the community, felt there was an important thanks due to the instructors. Commissioner Castle stated that he hoped to find a solution.
Commissioner Eggers echoed Commissioner Castle by stating it was important to find a solution. Commissioner Eggers stated that it was important to care for the aging population.
Commissioner Wallin stated that he knew many who used the Wellness Center and recognized that this was not a good spot to be in. Commissioner Wallin recommended Commissioner Russell speak to the Medical Center in hopes of finding a solution working with the Community Recreation Center that would preserve the Wellness Center family atmosphere.
Commissioner Russell shared that he had credibility in this space as he recently ran 20 miles one morning at the Community Recreation Center (CRC) without issue. Commissioner Russell stated that he shared the concerns and understood the social aspect as well. Commissioner Russell stated that Watauga Medical Center had serious financial responsibility and he was only one vote. He also stated that the Board of Commissioners doesn’t control what the Medical Center does. The Board of Commissioners couldn’t tell the Medical Center to keep the Wellness Center open but could work with them to find an equitable and agreeable solution which would take some transition.
Chairman Turnbow thanked all who spoke and stated that, although the County owned property where Watauga Medical Center was located, the County did not own the property on which the Wellness Center sat and could not direct the Medical Center on how to operate.
Chairman Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve Commissioner Russell taking the concerns regarding the closing of the Wellness Center, along with the petition developed by the citizens who shared those concerns, to the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees and asking Medical Center representatives meet to work on a solution.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
[Clerk’s Note: The mentioned petition was not submitted during the Board Meeting but those who mentioned it stated they would get it to Commissioner Russell.]
Chairman Turnbow called for a recess at 6:49 P.M. and reconvened the meeting at 7:01 P.M.
Children’s Council Update
Ms. Elisha Childers, Children’s Council Executive Director, gave an update on the impact report for Watauga County. The Children’s Council served 2,452 people last year. Key Programs and Services included parent education and family support programs; early care and education programs; and early childhood literacy programs. The Family Connects program was also successful and resulted in 50% less ER visits in the baby’s first year; a 44% reduction in Child Protective Services investigations; 30% mothers less likely to experience post-partum depression; and a higher quality of parent behaviors, home environments, and child care choices. The Children’s Council also invested in early childhood educators which recently resulted in increased wages of qualified lead teachers from $9.50 to $12.00; 82% of children in childcare have lead teachers with college degrees; average quality rating for child care in Watauga County was 4.38 (out of 5); nine local centers achieved accreditation which was a recognition of advanced quality standards in 2022; and four new centers would be eligible for quality enhancements supporting higher teacher wages in FY 2024.
The report was for information only; therefore, no action was required.
Cooperative Extension Update
Mr. Richard Boylan, Cooperative Extension Agent, gave updates on 2023 program activities including tailoring fresh produce food safety practices to small farms and retail markets; leveraging research projects for sustained small farms support; assisting growers in navigating a changing and maturing hemp market; and integrating soil management tools & strategies for improved yields and profits.
The report was for information only; therefore, no action was required.
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Mr. Larry Warren, Tax Administrator, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of March 2023. The report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
B. Refunds and Releases
Mr. Larry Warren, Tax Administrator, presented the Refunds and Releases Report for March 2023 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for March 2023 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following: A live Zoom Ethics for Elected Officials Class was scheduled for May 25, 2023, from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Commissioners were required to receive at least two clock hours of ethics training within twelve months after each election or appointment to office. The ethics training requirement was an ongoing obligation and required after each re-election or reappointment to office as well.
At 7:26 P.M., Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3) and Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to resume the open meeting at 8:09 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:09 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Larry Turnbow, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board