MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, December 19, 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 5:34 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: Larry Turnbow, Chairman
Charlie Wallin, Vice-Chairman
Todd Castle, Commissioner
Braxton Eggers, Commissioner
Andrea Capua, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Turnbow stated that Commissioner Russell was not in attendance due to a family commitment.
Commissioner Castle opened with a prayer and Commissioner Eggers led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Turnbow called for additions and/or corrections to the December 5, 2023, regular minutes and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to approve the December 5, 2023, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Turnbow, Wallin, Castle, Eggers)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Russell)
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to approve the December 5, 2023, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Turnbow, Wallin, Castle, Eggers)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Russell)
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Turnbow called for additions and/or corrections to the December 19, 2023, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested a “Possible Action After Closed Session” be added to the agenda.
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to approve the December 19, 2023, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-4(Turnbow, Wallin, Castle, Eggers)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Russell)
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Northern Peaks State Trail Progress Report
Mr. Jordan Sellers, the Northern Peaks State Trail Coordinator with Blue Ridge Conservancy, gave an update on the Northern Peaks State Trail Project which will stretch from Boone to West Jefferson and connect fragmented wildlife habitats, visitors and dollars to the High Country, as well as people to nature through education. Mr. Sellers included updates on Paddy Mountain Park, Elk Knob State Park, Three Top Mountain Gameland, and Rivers Street Park. The presentation was for information only; therefore, no action was required.
Proposed Resolution to Support myFutureNC Attainment Goal
Dr. Kim Case, MyFutureNC, shared information on House Bill 664 which was to ensure that the State remains economically competitive and that the State shall ensure that by the year 2030 two million aged 25 to 44 will have completed a high-quality credential or postsecondary degree. Dr. Case stated that the majority of future occupations in the State would require credential or degrees achieved through post-secondary education. North Carolina has been the #1 State for business the past two years but there are challenges including the data showing the family sustaining wage for a single person is $17 per hour and for a family of 4 it is a combined $57 per hour. In 2021, 43% of North Carolinians aged 35-44 did not earn a family sustaining wage. Nearly two-thirds of prospective students identify a top barrier to enrollment as being the cost of higher education. Dr. Case stated that myFutureNC’s goal was that 2 million North Carolinians, including 13,384 local individuals, have high-quality credentials or a postsecondary degree by 2030.
Dr. Case presented a proposed resolution supporting the myFutureNC attainment goals. Chairman Turnbow read the proposed resolution.
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to adopt the resolution as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Turnbow, Wallin, Castle, Eggers)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Russell)
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Mr. Larry Warren, Tax Administrator, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of November 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 November 2023 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for November 2023 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Turnbow, Wallin, Castle, Eggers)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Russell)
Out-of-State Travel Request for David Gragg
Mr. Eric Hesslink, Parks and Recreation Program Assistant, requested approval for out-of-state travel for Assistant Aquatics Director David Gragg, to travel to Kingsport, TN for Lifeguard Instructor Training. The training was originally scheduled for December but has been rescheduled for March 25-27, 2024. Mr. Gragg would not be driving a County vehicle and planned to stay with a friend while out of town.
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to approve the out-of-state travel and expenses for David Gragg.
VOTE: Aye-4(Turnbow, Wallin, Castle, Eggers)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Russell)
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Proposed Appalachian State University 911 Center
The County was recently made aware of the University’s initiative to create their own 911 center through a third-party vendor. The County received no communications regarding this critical issue to our citizens and visitors, and the negative impact that it would pose on lifesaving services. Upon inquiring of the University’s intention, the County was informed they were in the “exploratory” phase and the lack of coordination and communication was an oversite.
However, based on additional information received, it is apparent that this project is well beyond the exploratory phase. The County, Sheriff, and the Town of Boone are united in the opposition to the University’s proposed 911 center. Our organizations have worked hard and long to enhance and improve the provision of 911 services as was evident by the Town of Boone consolidating with the County. The County has addressed any concerns put forth by the University and has not received any communications regarding unresolved issues. Thus, the County is at a loss as to the reason for the University’s desire to create a 911 center and duplicate a service already provided while unnecessarily delaying lifesaving services.
Mr. Geouque stated that a meeting with all parties involved was scheduled for December 11, 2023, but was cancelled by Chief Stephenson. However, staff received a request on December 14, 2023, to reschedule the meeting which was then held on December 18, 2023.
County Manager Geouque suggested the Board further discuss this issue in closed session to be advised by the County Attorney.
[Clerk’s Note: Action was taken after closed session regarding this item.]
B. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the following:
Watauga County Planning Board
The four (4) year At-large Planning Board term of Ms. Kimmy Tiedemann was set to expire in December. Ms. Tiedemann does not wish to be reappointed. A Volunteer Application was received from Mr. Matt Vincent who had expressed interest in serving on the Planning Board. This was a first reading and, therefore, no action was required.
C. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced that the January 2, 2024, regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners has been cancelled. The next regular meeting of the Board will be on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 5:30 P.M.
Closed Session
At 6:23 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).
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to resume the open meeting at 8:45 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Turnbow, Wallin, Castle, Eggers)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Russell)
Possible Action After Closed Session
Chairman Turnbow read a resolution entitled “A Joint Resolution Condemning Appalachian State University’s Dissolution of Consolidated 911 Services.”
County Attorney Capua suggested changing the order of the “whereas” statements.
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to adopt the resolution with the County Attorney’s rearrangement of the “whereas” statements.
VOTE: Aye-4(Turnbow, Wallin, Castle, Eggers)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Russell)
Adjourn
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:56 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Turnbow, Wallin, Castle, Eggers)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Russell)
Larry Turnbow, Chairman
ATTEST: Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board