MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2024
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
Vice-Chairman Wallin called the meeting to order at 5:31 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: Charlie Wallin, Vice-Chairman
Todd Castle, Commissioner
Braxton Eggers, Commissioner
Ray Russell, Commissioner
Andrea Capua, County Attorney
Paul Capua, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
[Clerk’s Note: Chairman Turnbow was not able to attend the meeting.]
Commissioner Castle opened with a prayer and Commissioner Russell led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Vice-Chairman Wallin called for additions and/or corrections to the April 2, 2024, regular minutes and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to approve the April 2, 2024, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Wallin, Castle, Eggers, Russell)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Turnbow)
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to approve the April 2, 2024, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Wallin, Castle, Eggers, Russell)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Turnbow)
Approval of Agenda
Vice-Chairman Wallin called for additions and/or corrections to the April 16, 2024, agenda.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to approve the April 16, 2024, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Wallin, Castle, Eggers, Russell)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Turnbow)
Public Comment
Ms. Hilda Downer shared that there is now a local Poet Laureate who will be amplifying poetry and promoting poetry writing. The Poet Laureate will also be available for significant occasions and events including civil events.
Proposed Proclamation For Resilient & Thriving Communities Week
Ms. Kellie Bass, with the Watauga Compassionate Community Initiative (WCCI), presented a proposed proclamation naming April 28 - May 6, 2024 as Resilient and Thriving Communities Week. Ms. Bass shared information on the Initiative which began in 2017 and thanked the Board for support over the years through the building of the Valle Crucis School, greenway construction, the Community Recreation Center, arts programs, public safety, as well as programs through Social Services and the Project on Aging.
Vice-Chairman Wallin read the proclamation.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to adopt the proclamation as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Wallin, Castle, Eggers, Russell)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Turnbow)
Vice-Chairman Wallin paused to welcome Mr. Paul Capua with Capua Law, who was in attendance, along with County Attorney Andrea Capua, representing the newly appointed firm now serving as the County Attorney.
Proposed Letter of Support for Vaya to be the Administrator of the CFSP
Vice-Chairman Wallin stated that Mr. Dustin Burleson, Vaya Community Relations Regional Director, was not available to attend the meeting. The Vice-Chairman called upon Commissioner Russell who, along with himself, sits on the Vaya Regional Board representing Region III, for comments. Commissioner Russell stated that he would like to hear from Mr. Tom Hughes, Social Services Director, first.
Mr. Hughes stated that he would not sign a support letter. He had requested time to talk with Mr. Burleson but a time had not been scheduled to meet. Mr. Hughes stated that his Social Workers were in peril. Some placements could not be made without Vaya. Vaya had made promises to step up with placements when needed and they haven’t. This means that children remain in the DSS Office, overnight, in the care of a Social Worker. Sometimes this is a dangerous situation for the Social Worker when the child needs psychiatric care. Mr. Hughes stated there was a current situation where a child is in a psychiatric unit; however, a Social Work had to be with the child at all times. Social Workers were taking 3-hour shifts with the child. Mr. Hughes stated that he could not sign a support letter unless issues such as these were remedied. Mr. Hughes stated that there were simply not enough beds for the children in need. Mr. Hughes followed up by stating the he was not against Vaya, but felt they needed to be held accountable to keep promises made. The issue was not only about the children as it also affected staff as it could be a safety concern as well as the additional amount of comp time it generated.
The request for approval of the proposed support letter failed due to no motion being made after discussion.
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Mr. Larry Warren, Tax Administrator, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of March 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 March 2024 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for March 2024 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Wallin, Castle, Eggers, Russell)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Turnbow)
C. Board of Equalization and Review (E&R) Schedule
Mr. Larry Warren, Tax Administrator, discussed the scheduling of the FY 2024 Board of Equalization and Review (E&R). The Board may create a special Board of Equalization and Review that will serve this spring. In previous years, the Board of E&R incorporated the County Manager as an alternate member. A proposed resolution was presented for consideration should the Board wish to appoint itself and the County Manager (as an alternate member) to the Board of E&R.
Mr. Warren stated that the recommended convening date for the Board of Equalization and Review was Monday, April 29, 2024, and the Adjournment was recommended for Friday, May 10, 2024, at 5:00 P.M. with both being held in the County Commissioners Conference Room. Mr. Warren requested meeting dates for the Board of E&R be set as well.
The member compensation also needed to be set. For the past several years it has been $75.00 per session.
After discussion, Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to:
· set the convening date as April 29, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. in the Commissioners Conference Room
· set the adjournment date as May 10, 2024, at 5:00 P.M. in the Commissioners Conference Room
· Schedule Board of E&R meeting dates for May 8 & 9, 2024, from 2:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. in the Commissioners Conference Room
· adopt the Resolution Establishing the Watauga County Board of Equalization and Review as the five-member County Commissioners, each having one vote, and the County Manager, to serve as an alternate member
· set the compensation rate at $75 per session with the County Manager not receiving any additional compensation
VOTE: Aye-4(Wallin, Castle, Eggers, Russell)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Turnbow)
Public Hearing Request for Ordinance Update
Mr. Will Holt stated that at a previous Board Meeting, consideration to schedule a public hearing to change the Watauga County Building Code Ordinance was tabled until the appendices could be provided for review and consideration. That process has now happened.
The proposed amendment is as below with the highlighted portion being the addition:
Section 1-2.1 Fire Code Adopted
On July 1, 1991, or other date established by the North Carolina Building Code Council, the Standard Fire Prevention Code – 1988 Edition and all appendices therein as adopted by the Building Code Council and as amended …
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to schedule the public hearing on May 7, 2024, at 5:30 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Wallin, Castle, Eggers, Russell)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Turnbow)
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Valle Crucis School Change Order #3 and #4
County Manager Geouque presented Change Orders 3 and 4 for the Valle Crucis Elementary School project. Below is a detailed breakout of the Change Orders for the project:
The original contract sum was $47,874,600.
1. Change Order #1 was ($382,011) bringing the new contract sum to $47,492,589.
2. Change Order #2 was $10,508.50 bringing the new contract sum to $47,503,097.50. This brought the sum of all change orders to ($371,502.50).
3. Change Order #3 was $56,888.54 bringing the new contract sum to $47,559,986.04. This brought the sum of all change orders to ($314,613.96).
4. Change Order #4 was $29,014.44 bringing the new contract sum to $47,589,000.48. This brought the sum of all change orders to ($285,599.52). The change order shows the contract time increased by 40 days for weather and mud days and indicates the completion date of December 19, 2024.
Mr. Geouque stated that Change Order 3 was mainly for the liquid chemical feeder and plumbing changes and Change Order 4 was primarily for main water line reroutes and connections. Approval of Change Orders 3 & 4 would still leave a credit balance of $285,599.52.
After brief discussion, Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to approve Change Orders 3 & 4 in the amount of $56,888.54 and $29,014.44, respectively.
VOTE: Aye-4(Wallin, Castle, Eggers, Russell)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Turnbow)
B. Budget Amendments
County Manager Geouque, who also serves as Finance Director, presented the following budget amendments:
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
143300-343010 |
Emergency Placement Fund |
|
$16,583 |
|
145410-440810 |
Emergency Placement Fund Expenses |
$16,583 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recorded additional awards received from the NC Department of Health and Human Services to assist with placement needs for children. No County match was required. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
103991-399100 |
Fund Balance |
|
$209,920 |
|
109800-498021 |
Transfer to Capital Projects Fund |
$209,920 |
|
|
213980-398100 |
Transfer from General Fund |
|
$209,920 |
|
219930-470029 |
CIP – Mobile Units |
$150,000 |
|
|
219930-470034 |
CIP – Security Cameras |
$1,321 |
|
|
219930-470036 |
CIP – HAVC |
$25,000 |
|
|
219930-470041 |
CIP – Pavement Repair |
$10,022 |
|
|
219930-470069 |
CIP – 1:1 Devices |
$23,577 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment returned unused CIP funds from the completed projects listed above to set aside capital project funds for the schools for Fiscal Year 2022. |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
103991-399100 |
Fund Balance |
|
$69,845 |
|
109800-498021 |
Transfer to Capital Projects Fund |
$69,845 |
|
|
213980-398100 |
Transfer from General Fund |
|
$69,845 |
|
219930-470026 |
CIP – Vehicle Replacements |
$47,867 |
|
|
219930-470029 |
CIP – Mobile Units |
$2,971 |
|
|
219930-470034 |
CIP – Security Cameras |
$900 |
|
|
219930-470036 |
CIP – HVAC |
$4,712 |
|
|
219930-470069 |
CIP – 1:1 Devices |
$5,949 |
|
|
219930-470041 |
CIP – Pavement Repair |
$7,446 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment returned unused CIP funds from the completed projects listed above to set aside capital project funds for the schools for Fiscal Year 2023. |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
105911-471000 |
Lottery Funds |
$144,932 |
|
|
103300-349909 |
Lottery Funds |
|
$144,932 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognized Lottery Funds above budget per Board action taken on January 16, 2024. |
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|
|
|
|
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Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Mr. Geouque.
VOTE: Aye-4(Wallin, Castle, Eggers, Russell)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Turnbow)
C. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· The Board of Commissioners are invited along with the School Board to a tour of the new Valle Crucis School on April 19, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. Following the tour, at 3:30 P.M., Chairman Turnbow will tour the current Valle Crucis School with a group interested in retaining the building for historical purposes. The County Manager stated that County business will not be conducted; however, there may be a quorum present at one or both of the tours.
· The following Special Meetings will be held in May 2024:
May 13 Budget Work Session at 12:00 P.M. in the Commissioners Conference Room
May 14 Budget Work Session at 9:00 A.M. in the Commissioners Conference Room
May 21 A Public Hearing to allow for citizen comment on the Proposed Budget at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners Board Room.
· The Trustees of Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute have invited the Board of Commissioners to a meeting on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 6:00 P.M. at the Watauga Campus on Hwy 105 Bypass, Boone NC, in the Student Services Center.
Closed Session
At 6:19 P.M., Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).
VOTE: Aye-4(Wallin, Castle, Eggers, Russell)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Turnbow)
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:07 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Wallin, Castle, Eggers, Russell)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Turnbow)
Adjourn
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:07 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Wallin, Castle, Eggers, Russell)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Turnbow)
Charlie Wallin, Vice-Chairman
ATTEST: Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board