MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2023
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, June 20, 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
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Turnbow called for additions and/or corrections to the June 6, 2023, regular and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to approve the June 6, 2023, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to approve the June 6, 2023, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Turnbow called for additions and/or corrections to the June 20, 2023, agenda.
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to approve the June 20, 2023, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Eggers opened with a prayer and Vice-Chairman Wallin led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Proposed Resolution and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for NC Division of Water Resources Grant for New River Conservancy Project
Ms. Katie Krogmeier, with New River Conservancy, stated that the Board had agreed at the last Commissioners’ meeting to sponsor New River Conservancy (NRC) in a grant application for a North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's (NC DEQ) Division of Water Resources (DWR) Grant by being the main applicant, and NRC being a co-applicant. As part of this approval, Ms. Krogmeier presented a proposed resolution, “No Overdue Tax” form, and a Conflict of Interest Certification form (along with a copy of the County's No Conflict of Interest Policy). Ms. Krogmeier also presented a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the co-applicants.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to approve the Memorandum of Understanding as presented by Ms. Krogmeier.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to adopt the resolution, “No Overdue Tax” form and “No Conflict of Interest Certification” as presented by Ms. Krogmeier.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
[Clerk’s Note: Mr. Furman was delayed arriving to the meeting so, therefore, Tax Matters were heard first.]
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Mr. Larry Warren, Tax Administrator, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of May 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 May 2023 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for May 2023 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Economic Development Commission (EDC) Capital Reserve Account Funding Request
Mr. Joe Furman, Economic Development Director, requested the allocation of funds from the Economic Development Capital Reserve Account regarding affordable housing upon the recommendation of the Economic Development Commission (EDC).
Mr. Furman stated that the EDC has made affordable housing a top priority and at its meeting on June 15, 2023, voted to request that $10,000 be allocated from the Economic Development Capital Reserve Account to the Watauga Community Housing Trust toward the purchase and repair of a house to be resold at an affordable price using the Watauga Community Housing Trust model. If approved, the EDC would pledge the funds to be provided toward purchase of that house only. The top priority of the EDC was to try to address the housing supply issue in Watauga County, with this being a meaningful step in that direction. It is hoped that the funding would spur other donations toward the $55,000 needed for the down payment.
Mr. Furman stated that the Housing Trust would retain ownership of the land through a 99-year land lease of which the purchaser would be aware. If the home owner should sell the house, the Housing Trust would have first right of refusal and, if declined to purchase, would retain the 99-year land lease. Life Store Bank was participating with the project and planned to lend all but $55,000 of the purchase price. The Town of Boone has also pledged $10,000, one church has pledged $5,000 and another has indicated it would do the same. $6,000 to $7,000 has also been raised by individuals.
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to allocate $10,000 in funds from the Economic Development Capital Reserve Account to the Watauga Community Housing Trust as presented by Mr. Furman.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Budget Amendments
Ms. Samantha Jones, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
105911-470001 |
Carpet/Tiles |
$131,120.10 |
|
|
105911-470005 |
Cafeteria Upgrades |
$54,319.11 |
|
|
105911-470041 |
Pavement Resurface |
$79,508.72 |
|
|
105911-470019 |
Door Replacements |
$16,502.84 |
|
|
105911-470043 |
Roof Repairs |
$62,872.19 |
|
|
105911-470031 |
Gym Floor Replacement |
$20,000.00 |
|
|
105911-471000 |
Lottery Funds |
|
$364,322.96 |
|
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The amendment recognized Lottery Funds requested and approved at the September 20, 2022, Board meeting. |
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105911-470041 |
Pavement Repair/Resurface |
$72,554.16 |
|
|
105911-470029 |
Mobile Unit |
$147,029.46 |
|
|
105911-470034 |
Security Cameras |
$49,099.97 |
|
|
105911-470069 |
1:1 Devices |
$98,636.79 |
|
|
105911-470036 |
HVAC/Sewer Pumps |
$20,287.76 |
|
|
105911-470026 |
School Bus Lift |
$62,132.94 |
|
|
105911-398121 |
Transfer from Capital Projects |
|
$449,741.08 |
|
105911-399101 |
Fund Balance Appropriation |
|
$449,741.08 |
|
105911-498010 |
Transfer to General Fund |
$449,741.08 |
|
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|
The amendment recognized Capital Funds requested and approved at the September 20, 2023, Board meeting. |
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|
103300-331561 |
Local Assistance & Tribal |
|
$50,000.00 |
|
517000-517010 |
Opioid Funding Expenses |
$50,000.00 |
|
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|
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The amendment recognized the Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Grant as approved at the December 20, 2022, Board meeting. |
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103300-332004 |
Senior Center Grant |
|
$9,398.00 |
|
105550-449900 |
Senior Center Grant Expenses |
$9,398.00 |
|
|
|
|
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|
|
The amendment recognized Senior Center Grant Funding as approved at the March 7, 2023, Board meeting. |
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|
103300-332004 |
Streamflow Rehab Assistance |
|
$159,750.00 |
|
105550-449900 |
Streamflow Rehab Assistance |
$159,750.00 |
|
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|
The amendment recognized Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Grant funds as approved at the November 11, 2022, Board meeting. |
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|
103300-345000 |
ROAP |
|
$194,612.00 |
|
104500-469845 |
Elderly & Disabled Transportation Assistance |
$75,348.00 |
|
|
104500-469844 |
Employment |
$16,414.00 |
|
|
104500-469843 |
Rural General Public |
$102,850.00 |
|
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The amendment recognized additional Rural Assistance Operating Program funding as approved at the January 17, 2022, Board Meeting. |
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|
493839-384000 |
Donations |
|
$298,874.06 |
|
104265-435100 |
Hannah Building – Building Repairs |
$298,874.06 |
|
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The amendment recognized for building repair partially paid by Hunger Coalition. |
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|
103300-343309 |
Homeland Security Grant |
|
$26,081.90 |
|
104330-449904 |
Homeland Security Grant |
$26,081.90 |
|
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The amendment recognized grant received for Watauga County Emergency Management Office. |
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|
103300-349450 |
ICAC Grant – Sheriff |
|
$32,828.84 |
|
104310-449930 |
Internet Crimes Grant |
$32,828.84 |
|
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The amendment recognized a grant received for the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office for Internet Crimes. |
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|
103300-333300 |
911 Priority Grant |
|
$474,011.93 |
|
104311-451007 |
911 Board Grant |
$474,011.93 |
|
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The amendment recognized a grant received for Watauga County Emergency Management Office for 911 related expenses. |
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533839-389420 |
Opioid Settlement |
|
$275,935.97 |
|
533839-525405 |
Opioid Settlement Disbursement |
$275,935.97 |
|
|
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The amendment accepted Opioid Grant funding as approved at the March 7, 2023, Board meeting. |
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|
104199-499100 |
General Admin Contingency |
|
$28,000.00 |
|
104120-412100 |
Administration Salaries |
$28,000.00 |
|
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The amendment recognized additional expenses for extension of County Manager’s contract as approved at the September 9, 2022, Board meeting. |
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Commissioner Russell, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Jones.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Emergency Services Out-of-State Travel Request
County Manager Geouque, requested authorization for Mr. Will Holt, Emergency Services Director, to travel out-of-state to Virginia to discuss opportunities for enhancing and cooperation regarding emergency communications.
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to authorize the out-of-state travel as presented by the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Proposed Amendments to the Boone Fire Contract
County Manager Geouque, on behalf of Mr. Will Holt, presented a contract for fire protection with the Town of Boone for the Boone Rural Fire District. A standard contract was approved on February 21, 2023, for fire departments within the County; however, due to this being a Town operated department, the proposed amendments were recommended by the Town of Boone.
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to approve the contract with the Town of Boone through the Boone Fire Department to provide fire protection for the Boone Rural Fire District.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Proposed Acceptance of Donation for the New Valle Crucis School
County Manager Geouque stated that the County was recently notified of the award of a grant from the Celia Lipton Farris and Victor W. Farris Foundation Home Community Fund, a component fund of the North Carolina Community Foundation, in the amount of $115,000.00 to support construction of the outdoor classroom at the Valle Crucis school. Mr. Geouque stated that it was staff’s understanding that Dr. Scott Elliott, School Superintendent, was contacted by the foundation regarding the outdoor classroom. The architect provided the cost estimate of the outdoor classroom. County staff will work with the school system to recognize the foundation and meet the requirements for publicizing the grant.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to accept the $115,000 grant from the Celia Lipton Farris and Victor W. Farris Foundation Home Community Fund, a component fund of the North Carolina Community Foundation, and to direct staff to send a thank you letter to Ms. Marian Farris, 135 Stillhouse Hollow, Sugar Grove, NC 28679.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Amendments to the Tourism Development Authority Lease
County Manager Geouque stated that the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) had requested additional space to lease from the County in the East Annex. The TDA currently pays $1,545 monthly. The TDA requested the use of the additional space, previously used by Veterans Services in the East Annex, for an additional $500 per month for a new monthly total of $2,045. Currently, the space is vacant and staff would recommend the Board approve the additional space.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to approve the additional space requested by the TDA in the total amount of $2,045 monthly with the same terms and conditions as stated in the current lease.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
E. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· The Board will hold a Budget Work Session on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 beginning at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.
· The Board will hold a Special Meeting for the purpose of considering the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Ordinance on Thursday, June 22, 2023, beginning at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.
Closed Session
At 5:57 P.M., Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3) and Economic Development, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(4)
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to resume the open meeting at 6:18 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:18 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Larry Turnbow, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board