MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2024
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 5:30 P.M. in the Community Room located in the Watauga County Community Recreation Center, 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 Vice-Chairman Wallin led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Turnbow called for additions and/or corrections to the February 6, 2024, regular minutes and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to approve the February 6, 2024, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to approve the February 6, 2024, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Turnbow called for additions and/or corrections to the February 20, 2024, agenda.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to approve the February 20, 2024, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Ms. Cindy Randolph, with C. Randolph, CPA, PLLC, will present the Fiscal Year 2023 County audit. The County’s financial position remains strong due to direction provided by the Commissioners and through execution of that direction by County staff. Below are some of the financial highlights:
v The total assets of the County exceeded its liabilities at the close of the fiscal year by $242,607,149 primarily due to an increase in cash assets from revenues, particularly sales tax, investment income and property tax.
v The County’s unassigned fund balance for the general fund was $48,714,690 at the end of the year, representing 61% of total General Fund expenditures. This is an increase of $8,340,715 in the unassigned fund balance from the previous year.
v The current year collection rate for property taxes was 98.95% which was an increase from last year’s 98.70%.
v Outstanding debt principal increased by $25,795,000 due to construction of the Valle Crucis School. Total outstanding debt principal at June 30, 2023 is $62,005,000. Watauga County’s legal debt limit is $1,061,247,856 so the County continues to be well below the state limits.
v S&P updated their review of the County’s financials and reaffirmed the County’s stable outlook and credit rating at AA.
The audit was presented for information only; and therefore, no action was required.
Due to strong fiscal management and the increase in the unassigned fund balance, staff recommended transferring $8,340,715 to the Capital Projects Fund for Future County Buildings. County Manager Geouque stated that the transfer would allow the new 911/Medic/Emergency Operations Facility to be constructed with no financing required.
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to authorize the transfer of the $8,340,715 increase from unassigned balance to the Capital Reserve Account.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Request to Renew License Agreement for Use of County Space for Weekday Farmer’s Market
Ms. Liz Whiteman, Executive Director, Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, presented a proposed renewal to the license agreement allowing the weekday Farmers Market at the Human Service parking lot. The request was for the same conditions and with a three-year term. The only requested change was an adjustment to the operating hours from 4:00 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. and set up time from 3:30 P.M. to 2:30 P.M.
County Manager Geouque reminded the Board of an additional consideration being that APP Builds A Home was recently granted permission to utilize six (6) parking spaces during their build process. Ms. Whiteman stated that she was in communication with APP Builds A Home and the Farmers Market would accommodate for the build process.
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to approve the license agreement renewal with the new times as presented by Ms. Whiteman.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Blue Ridge Conservancy’s Request to Apply for a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) Grant
Ms. Wendy Patoprsty, Blue Ridge Conservancy, requested permission to apply for a $500,000 Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) Grant for construction of Angler Park on the Middle Fork Greenway corridor. High Country Council of Governments would administer the grant and Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) would donate the land for the park to the County. The value of the land would account for more than the required local match for the grant. No funding from the County was requested.
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to authorize the application for the PARTF Grant as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Watauga County Public Library Annual Report
Ms. Monica Caruso, County Librarian, presented the Watauga County Public Library Annual Report. Ms. Caruso reported on youth and adult services, activities at the Western Watauga Branch, volunteer activities and gave an overview of revenues and expenses, statistics, and grants received. The report was for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
Project on Aging Matters
A. Proposed Appropriation of State Funds for Senior Centers
Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Project on Aging Director requested acceptance of Senior Center General Purpose funding in the amount of $14,812. Both Senior Centers were eligible; with $11,093 for the L. E. Harrill Center and $3,719 for the Western Watauga Community Center. The funds require a 25% match totaling $4,938. The match was included in the agency’s current budget.
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to accept the Senior Center General Purpose funding in the amount of $14,812 with the required 25% match.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Requested Appointment of Home & Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) Advisory Committee and Lead Agency
Ms. Boitnotte stated that each year the Board was required to appoint a lead agency and advisory committee to make recommendations on how to best expend the County’s allocation from the Home and Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) funds. These funds were previously established by the Older American’s Act and are administered by the North Carolina Division of Aging.
Ms. Boitnotte requested the Project on Aging be appointed as the Lead Agency and presented the following names for appointment to the H&CCBG:
|
Name |
Representing |
|
Braxton Eggers |
Board of Commissioners |
|
Zack Green |
High Country Council of Governments |
|
Dustin Burleson |
Vaya Health |
|
Austin Combs |
Daymark Recovery Services |
|
Karina Romero |
Appalachian District Health Department |
|
Tom Hughes |
Social Services |
|
Skylar Taracido |
High Country Community Health |
|
Kat Danner |
Senior Citizen |
|
Mary Moretz |
Senior Citizen (STHL Alternate) |
|
Ed Rosenberg |
Senior Citizen |
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to appoint the list of nominations as presented by Ms. Boitnotte to the Home & Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee for FY 2025.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to appoint the Watauga County Project on Aging as the Lead Agency.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Mr. Larry Warren, Tax Administrator, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of January 2024. 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 January 2024 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for January 2024 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed DSS Attorney Agreement
Mr. Tom Hughes, Social Services Director, presented a proposed contract for attorney services for Social Services with Reeves DiVenere Wright at a rate of $150 per hour.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to accept the contract with Reeves DiVenere Wright at a rate of $150 per hour as presented by Mr. Hughes.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Parks & Recreation Master Plan
Ms. Keron Poteat, Parks and Recreation Director, presented the new Parks and Recreation Ten-Year Master Plan. Ms. Poteat reviewed the demographics of our area, the facilities, amenities, and programs available. Ms. Poteat shared the top 5 desired recreation facilities citizens wanted more funding for, determined through a survey implemented by an Appalachian State University class, were as follows: greenways, disc golf, pickleball, more amenities at the Community Recreation Center, and adding an outdoor pool/splash area.
Historically, a public hearing would be scheduled prior to adoption. County Manager Geouque stated that having a master plan would add rating points which determines awards of Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) Grants. The Master Plan update could assist Ms. Patoprsty’s request for the Middle Fork Park.
By consensus, a public hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 5:30 P.M. to allow public comment on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The meeting and public hearing will be held in the Community Room at the Community Recreation Center.
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Draft Agenda for the Annual Pre-Budget Retreat
County Manager Geouque shared a draft agenda for the Annual Retreat Scheduled for February 29 and March 1, 2024. Staff may add or remove items prior to the meeting. The County Manager stated that if there were issues Commissioners would like to add to please contact him.
B. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced that the Annual Pre-Budget Retreat is scheduled for Thursday, February 29, beginning at 12:00 P.M. and reconvening on Friday, March 1, 2024, at 9:00 A.M.
Closed Session
At 6:44 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).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:27 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:28 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Larry Turnbow, Chairman
ATTEST: Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board