MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY, DECEMBER 01, 1997
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, December 01, 1997 at 9:00 A.M. in the Board Room of the Watauga County Courthouse.
PRESENT: Jack D. Lawrence, Sr., Chairman
James Coffey, Vice-Chairman
Linda S. Craig, Commissioner
Jimmy Hodges, Commissioner
Jack Wellborn, Commissioner
Stacy C. Eggers, Jr., County Attorney
James S. Ratchford, County Manager
Libby Link, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Lawrence called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M. welcoming those in attendance.
A moment of silence was observed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Craig, seconded by Vice-Chairman Coffey, moved to approve the Minutes of the November 18, 1997 regular meeting.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Craig stated discussion should be made regarding the letter from the Watauga County Nurserymen’s Association. It was agreed upon to discuss under Miscellaneous (Item D).
Commissioner Craig seconded by Vice-Chairman Coffey, moved to approve the agenda for the December 1, 1997 regular meeting with change.
VOTE: Aye - 5
Nay - 0
ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
Chairman Lawrence relinquished the meeting to County Manager James Ratchford for the election of a Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the Watauga County Board of Commissioners.
A. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair. County Manager Ratchford called for nominations for Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. Incumbent Chairman Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Craig nominated James Coffey for Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. There being no other nominations a vote was taken.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
County Manager Ratchford called for nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. Commissioner Craig seconded by Commissioner Wellborn nominated Jack D.Lawrence, Sr. for Vice-Chairman. There being no other nominations a vote was taken.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
County Manager Ratchford declared James Coffey, Chairman of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners and Jack D. Lawrence, Sr. as Vice-Chairman of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners. The meeting was then turned over to Chairman Coffey.
B. Staff Appointments – Commissioner Wellborn seconded by Commissioner Hodges moved to re-appoint James S. Ratchford as Watauga County Manager.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
Commissioner Craig seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence moved to appoint Libby Link as Clerk to the Board.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
Vice-Chairman Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Wellborn moved to appoint Darcy Moore as Substitute Clerk to the Board.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
Commissioner Craig seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence moved to re-appoint the firm of Eggers, Eggers and Eggers to provide County Attorney Services.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
Vice-Chairman Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Hodges moved to re-appoint Robert A. Frye, Jr., as Assistant County Manager/Operation Services Director.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay - 0
A. Fidelity Bonds – The following individual fidelity bonds were presented for approval:
Position Bond Amount Statutory Requirement
Finance Director $50,000 at least 10,000 no more than 250,000
G.S. 159-29
Deputy Finance Director $50,000 same as above
Tax Collector $50,000 amt. considered reasonable by BCC
G.S. 105-349-c
Register of Deeds $50,000 at least 10,000 no more than 50,000
G.S. 161-4
Sheriff $25,000 $25,000 maximum
G.S. 162-8
Vice Chairman Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Craig moved to approve the fidelity bonds as presented.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
D. Commissioner Board Appointments – All Commissioners were reappointed as currently assigned.
EDC REPRESENTATIVE – GINNY KLARMAN /MARGARET JOHNSTON
Margaret Johnston introduced Ginny Klarman, the new Economic Development Director for the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Klarman introduced herself and asked for the Board’s support and guidance.
E&D TRANSPORTATION GRANT PROPOSAL
Chris Turner, AppalCart Transportation Director presented a grant application requesting an additional $15,110 for extra transportation services for the elderly and disabled clients (both in county and out of county). The grant did not require a County match.
Vice-Chairman Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Craig moved to approve the grant application as presented.
VOTE: Aye - 5
Nay – 0
Mr. Turner also stated that Roy Tugman, a member of the AppalCart Board, had retired and requested his replacement to be Larry Foster, ASU Campus Security.
Commissioner Wellborn, seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence moved to approve the nomination subject to receiving a formal nomination from ASU.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
TAX REPORT
- Collections Report - Tax Administrator Larry McLean presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of November.
- Refunds and Releases – Tax Administrator McLean presented the following Refunds and Releases Report for November, 1997 for Board approval:
- Appraisal Software Bid Bonds – Tax Administrator McLean informed the Board that the Tax Office was preparing to advertise for bids for appraisal software. Mr. McLean requested that the Board consider waiving the requirements for bid and performance bonds for the appraisal software.
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Wellborn seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report as presented.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
Commissioner Wellborn seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence moved to waive the bond requirements for the purchase.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
DSS REPORT
Social Services Director, Jim Atkinson, presented the standard monthly report for that department. He also requested approval of a one-year extension to the cost containment agreement for food stamps.
Commissioner Craig, seconded by Commissioner Wellborn moved to approve the addendum.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
Mr. Atkinson also provided an update on the Work-First program and stated that the plan must be submitted by January 15, 1998. Commissioner Craig stated that the Work First Committee had done a very good job implementing the new plan but felt that the deadline did not provide ample time to establish an effective program.
Commissioner Craig, seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence moved to write the Legislature requesting an extension for more time.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay - 0
POA MATTERS
- Project on Aging Director, Rocky Nelson, submitted a request to apply for a State grant in the amount of $25,000 (required no local match) for additional equipment and furniture to be used at the County’s Senior Centers.
- Mr. Nelson also noted that effective January 1, 1998 POA would be required to perform criminal record checks on new employees who worked in the homes of the elderly. Mr. Nelson presented an SBI standard contract and recommended that the Board approve the contract.
Vice-Chairman Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Jack Wellborn moved to apply for the grant.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
Vice-Chairman Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Wellborn moved to approve the contract.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
PARKS & RECREATION FEES PROPOSAL
Recreation Director, Debra S. Wynne, presented a Parks and Recreation program Policy and Fee Proposal for 1998 which was developed by the Parks & Recreation staff and recommended for approval by the Parks & Recreation Board.
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Craig, seconded by Commissioner Wellborn moved to accept the Policy Proposal.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
Vice-Chairman Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Craig moved to accept the Fee Proposal.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
FY 96/97 AUDIT PRESENTATION
Auditor, Bryce Holder, made a brief presentation of the County’s financial statements prepared for FY 96/97. Mr. Holder stated the County’s fund balance contained $3.6 million, approximately 15 percent of the overall budget. Mr. Holder stated the County staff had done a good job and had kept the County within budget.
EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFITS PROPOSAL
Finance Director, Doris W. Isaacs, noted that seven requests for next year’s health benefits coverage were submitted and five insurance carriers had responded. The five responses were received from Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Midsouth, Qual/Choice, Ameritus, and Trustmark. Staff recommended renewing the insurance coverage with Trustmark with several changes in benefits, and that the County increase its contribution to employee dental coverage from $11.35 per month to $15.00 per month. Director Isaacs stated the increase in premiums could be accommodated within the adopted budget.
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Wellborn, seconded by Commissioner Hodges moved to approve the renewal rates with the recommended changes in benefits for the period of 1-1-98 through 12-31-98.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
HEAVY EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT BIDS
Assistant County Manager, Bob Frye, received three bids for the Sanitation Department’s heavy equipment replacement. Bids were received as follows:
Equipment Bid
Bestracs Carolina Tractor N.C. Equipment
(John Deere) (Caterpillar) Company
(Hyundai)
Hydraulic Excavator $101,935 $109,883 $109,318
(160LC) (315BL) (180LC-3)
Dozer $139,895 $148,833 $148,113
(750C) (D6M) (TD 12)
Rubber Tired $143,165 $145,434 $149,829
Loader (644G) (950F) (HL 760)
Total $384,995 $404,150 $407,260
Equipment Trade In
Bestracs Carolina Tractor N.C. Equipment
(John Deere) (Caterpillar) Company
(Hyundai)
Case 721 $27,500 $29,000 $24,000
Fiat FL10c $6,500 $5,000 $9,000
Fiat FD14c $12,000 $10,000 $10,000
Cat D8N $152,000 $145,000 $120,000
Cat 621E $175,000 $160,000 $170,000
Deere 862 $13,000 $12,000 $17,000
Total $386,000 $361,000 $350,000
Total Bid (Cost of New Equipment Less Trade In)
Bestracs $384,995 - $386,000 = ($1,005)
Carolina Tractor $404,150 - $361,000 = $43,150
N.C. Carolina Equipment Company $407,260 - $350,000 = $57,260
Commissioner Wellborn, seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence motioned to accept the Bestracs bid.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
Commissioner Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Wellborn, motioned to surplus the County’s existing heavy equipment as trade in on the new equipment.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Region D Resolution – County Manager Ratchford introduced a resolution which if approved would release State funds to the Region D Council of Governments for economic development assistance to local governments.
Commissioner Craig, seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to adopt the Resolution.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
Budget Amendment – The following budget amendment was required to recognize grant award for CBA expansion funds and the required local match.
Account # Description Debit Credit
143583-333000 Community Based Alt. 5,094
143991-399101 New Approp. Fund Bal. 1,528
145890-469803 Project Challenge-CBA 500
145890-469804 Proj. Challenge-Co. Match 150
145890-469809 Wat. Youth Network-CBA 2,297
145890-469810 Wat. Youth Net.-Co. Match 689
145890-469807 Mtn. Alliance-CBA 2,297
145890-469808 Mtn. Alliance-Co. Match 689
Vice-Chairman Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Wellborn approved the budget amendment.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
Watauga County Nurserymen’s Association – Commissioner Craig, seconded by Commissioner Hodges moved to write Dr. Joe Zublena with the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service expressing the Boards’ concerns about finding a replacement for Mr. Gene Brewer and requested that this individual have a strong background in the Christmas tree production.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Wellborn, seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence moved to enter closed session at 10:10 A.M. to discuss: Attorney/Client matters – G.S. 143-118.11 (a) (3)/tax values/tax exempt case.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
Commissioner Craig, seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to resume the regular meeting at 10:45 A.M
.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
Commissioner Craig, seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to change the motion regarding the Heavenly Mountain tax matter to employ either Tax Attorney, Bart McLean, or another tax attorney whom the County Attorneys, County Manager, and Tax Supervisor felt would best serve the interest of the County at an amount not to exceed $150/hour.
ADJOURN
Commissioner Wellborn, seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:47 A.M.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
______________________________
James Coffey
Chairman
ATTEST:
______________________________
Elizabeth H. Link
Clerk to the Board