MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 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 5:31 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: Larry Turnbow, Chairman
Charlie Wallin, Vice-Chairman
Todd Castle, Commissioner
Braxton Eggers, Commissioner
Ray Russell, Commissioner
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
County Attorney, Andrea Capua, was not present during the regular meeting; however, Ms. Capua joined the Board through Zoom during the closed session portion of the meeting.
Commissioner Russell opened with a prayer and Commissioner Castle led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Turnbow called for additions and/or corrections to the March 5, 2024, regular minutes and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to approve the March 5, 2024, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to approve the March 5, 2024, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Turnbow called for additions and/or corrections to the March 19, 2024, agenda.
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to approve the March 19, 2024, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Proposed Greening My Plate Proclamation
Ms. Margie Mansure, with Cooperative Extension, requested to proclaim the month of April 2024 as “Greening My Plate Month.” The purpose of the proclamation was to bring awareness to the benefits of locally grown fruits and vegetables, and recognize and celebrate the farmers who provide this produce. The month of April leads to the opening of local farmer’s markets. Chairman Turnbow read the proclamation.
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to adopt the proclamation as presented by Ms. Mansure.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Proclamation Recognizing April 24-30, 2024, as First Responder Wellness Week
Ms. Valerie Mailman, Responder Wellness Coalition, presented a proposed proclamation setting the week of April 24 through April 30, 2024, as First Responder Wellness Week 2024. The Responder Wellness Coalition is a nonprofit organization in Watauga County dedicated to improving the wellness of first responders in the High Country. A list of events during the week would be available the first of April. Chairman Turnbow read the proclamation.
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to adopt the proclamation as presented by Ms. Mailman.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Request to Expend Funds from the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office Session 2021-180 HB 105 Grant
Major Kelly Redmon with the Sheriff’s Office requested approval to expend funding from the Watauga County Sheriff's Office Session 2021-180 HB 105 grant. Major Redmon stated that, as part of their ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and community engagement, the funds would be used toward the development of a Sheriff's App. The total cost of development, inmate search, sex offender registry integration, and 3 years of technical support was $33,538. There were funds available as part of the grant to fund this request for three years.
Commissioner Russell shared information from a law enforcement agency that uses and praises the App and stated that the App would only be as effective as the amount of time put into it by the Sheriff’s Office. Major Redmon stated that after three years, the cost to maintain the App would be $7,816.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to approve the expenditure of funds from the Watauga County Sheriff's Office Session 2021-180 HB 105 grant in the amount of $33,538 as presented by Major Redmon.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Maintenance Matters
A. Bid Award Requests for Paving Projects
Mr. Robert Marsh, Maintenance Director, requested approval of a contract for additional scope of work requested by the Hunger Coalition for paving at the Hannah Site. Staff reviewed the request as a potential change order to the original contract awarded to Tri-County paving in the amount of $202,433.86. However, after reviewing the extent of the scope of work, staff determined bidding was warranted. In addition, staff requested a price for the change order and received a quote of $185,118.96. Three (3) bids were received with Tri-County Paving being the lowest responsible bidder in the amount of $151,075.72 which was a cost savings to the County of $34,043.24. The funds will come from the $2 million state grant for parking needs.
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to award the bid to Tri-County Paving in the amount of $151,075.72 as presented by Mr. Marsh.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Change Order to Human Services Project
Mr. Marsh requested approval of a change order in the amount of $2,930 for the Human Services Renovation Project. The scope of the change order was repairing fifty-one (51) wall patches from electrical demolition due to sconces being removed that were no longer needed. Mr. Marsh stated that approval had been given for the building renovation project which came in under budget and, therefore, adequate funds were available to cover the additional expense.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to approve Change Order #1 in the amount of $2,930 for the Human Services Renovation Project as presented by Mr. Marsh.
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 February 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 February 2024 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for February 2024 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioners Eggers stated that citizens had reached out to them regarding recent mailings from the Tax Office about property value increases. Mr. Warren recommended that citizens be directed to his office for assistance.
Commissioner Castle stated that he understood that when valuing land under ten (10) acres, one (1) acre was given the value of a homesite even when there was no intention of improving the land. Mr. Warren stated that was a common practice throughout the State even though there was no State nor County regulations requiring the added value. County Manager Geouque stated that one way to look at it was to understand that the remaining acreage was taxed at a lower value than the one (1) acre. After discussion was held, Commissioner Castle requested Mr. Warren provide the history of when the practice originated in Watauga County. Vice-Chairman Wallin stated that Watauga County could be a trend setter by discontinuing the practice.
Public Hearing Request for Ordinance Update
At the previous Board Meeting, consideration to schedule a public hearing to amend the Watauga County Building Code Ordinance was tabled until the appendices could be provided to Commissioners for review and consideration. Chairman Turnbow stated that there were still questions and requested a meeting be set with staff, himself, and Commissioner Eggers to review the appendices. Chairman Turnbow, along with Commissioner Eggers and staff, tentatively scheduled the meeting for March 28, 2024, at 4:00 P.M. The hope was to meet early enough to be able to schedule, advertise, and hold the public hearing in May. Fire Marshal Shane Garland stated that the Fire Code only affected subdivisions and commercial properties. Mr. Holt clarified that single-family homes were not affected by the Fire Code.
Chairman Turnbow tabled consideration of scheduling a public hearing to allow for the meeting to review the proposed changes.
Parks and Recreation Out-of-State Travel Request
Ms. Keron Poteat, Parks and Recreation Director, requested authorization to travel to Decatur, Alabama, April 15-18, 2024, to attend the Appalachian Gateway Communities Initiative Workshop. The Deep Gap Ruritan Club, which was working on plans to construct the Deep Gap Recreation Area, had asked that she attend the workshop with their team which included two members of the club; a representative from Destination by Design, a representative of the Watauga County Arts Council, and herself. The Deep Gap Ruritan Club would pay for all of the expenses related to the trip through grant funds.
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to authorize Ms. Poteat to travel to Decatur, Alabama, April 15-18, 2024, to attend the Appalachian Gateway Communities Initiative Workshop.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Announcements
County Manager Geouque stated that there were no announcements.
Closed Session
At 6:26 P.M., Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3) and Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6) at which time County Attorney Capua joined the meeting via Zoom.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:38 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Larry Turnbow, Chairman
ATTEST: Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board