MINUTES
WATAUGA
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2010
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, November 1, 2010, at 9:00 A.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room of the
PRESENT:
Anthony di Santi,
Robert E. Nelson, Jr.,
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Deal called the meeting to order at 9:01 A.M., welcoming those in attendance.
Commissioner Kinsey opened the meeting with a prayer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Deal called for additions and/or corrections to the October 19, 2010, regular and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve the October 19, 2010, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the October 19, 2010, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chairman Deal called for additions and/or corrections to the November 1, 2010, agenda.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to approve the November 1, 2010, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
FISCAL YEAR 2009/2010 AUDIT PRESENTATION
Ms. Kathy Brown with Bryce Holder CPA, PA, presented the County’s Fiscal Year 2009/2010 audit. Ms. Brown stated that the County’s assets exceeded its liabilities by $109,629,752. The unreserved fund balance was in excess of $16,861,000 representing 35.94% of the total General Fund expenditures. The state average was 24.13% for counties with similar population. A net deduction of over $400,000 was realized in the general fund balance due to revenues in excess of budget estimates and expenditures less than budgeted amounts due to conservative budgeting. The collection rate for property taxes rose slightly from 97.01% to 97.42% which was above the state average collection rate of 95.24% in 2009. Outstanding debt principal was decreased by $2,966,031. Ms. Brown noted that the County had $79,237,220 outstanding debt principal which was well within the legal allowable $689,000,000 debt limit for the County.
This report was given for information only; therefore, no action was required.
CHANGE ORDER # 1 – BROOKSHIRE PARK WATER AND SEWER CONTRACT
Mr.
Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve the Change Order in the amount of a net deduction totaling $3,765.83 for the
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
TAX MATTERS
A. Monthly Collections Report – Tax Collections Director Larry Warren presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of October 2010.
B. Releases and Refunds – Mr. Warren presented the following Refunds and Releases for October 2010 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for October 2010, as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PROPOSED RESOLUTION PRESCRIBING PROCEDURES FOR DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS PROPERTY VALUED AT LESS THAN $30,000
Deputy County Manager Geouque presented a proposed resolution detailing a policy that was to allow surplus property valued at less than $30,000 to be disposed in the proper manner by the
Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to adopt the resolution prescribing procedures for disposal of surplus personal property valued at less than $30,000.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PROPOSED INSURANCE RENEWAL RATES
Deputy County Manager Geouque presented proposed renewal rates for County employee medical, dental, and life insurance benefits. The medical premiums were proposed with an increase of 3% with only one benefit change which was a minor modification to the ER visit copay.
The Deputy County Manger stated that in 2008 the County saw a 9.77% reduction in dental insurance rates with a two-year rate lock. The dental rates for this year were proposed at a 12% increase with no change in benefits. When taken collectively over the past three years, the net increase was 2.23% or an average of 0.74% a year.
The Deputy County Manager stated that several quotes were received for Life insurance and staff recommended awarding the contract to Sun Life at a proposed 5% rate reduction with a three-year rate lock.
Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to: renew employee medical insurance coverage with CIGNA through the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners; renew employee dental insurance coverage with Citizen’s Security; and award life insurance coverage to Sun Life as recommended by Deputy County Manager Geouque.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
UPDATE ON THE AT&T CELL TOWER REQUEST
By consensus, the Board agreed to direct the
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ms. Barbara Kinsey stated that she had asked Mr. Bryce Holder to give a report on the County’s Audit to the local radio station, WATA.
Chairman Deal welcomed Ms. Nokubonga “Precious” Radebe who was visiting from
Chairman Deal announced that County Attorney di Santi was recently elected as President of the North Carolina State Bar.
CLOSED SESSION
At 9:24 A.M., Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3); Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i); and Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to resume the open meeting at 10:15 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
ADJOURN
Chairman Deal adjourned the meeting at 10:15 A.M.
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board