MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2011
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, September 19, 2011, at 5:00 P.M. in the Commissioners' Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
PRESENT: Nathan A. Miller, Chairman
David Blust, Vice-Chairman
Jim Deal, Commissioner
Tim Futrelle, Commissioner (arrived at 5:45 P.M.)
Vince Gable, Commissioner
Stacy C. Eggers, IV, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 5:05 P.M.
Chairman Miller announced that Commissioner Futrelle was running late for the meeting due to a prior commitment.
Vice-Chairman Blust opened the meeting with a prayer and Commissioner Gable led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the September 6, 2011, regular and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Gable, moved to approve the September 6, 2011, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Blust, Deal, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Futrelle)
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Gable, moved to approve the September 6, 2011, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Blust, Deal, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Futrelle)
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the September 19, 2011, agenda.
Commissioner Gable, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to approve the September 19, 2011, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Blust, Deal, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Futrelle)
Planning and Inspections Matters
A. Proposed Lease for Location of Tower – Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation
Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, presented a lease which would reinstate an agreement between the County and Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation (BREMCO) regarding the communications tower currently located at Howards Knob Park. The tower houses BREMCO communications, Sheriff’s channel 5, Watauga Medics, Blowing Rock Fire and Rescue, Boone Police Department, and Watauga Rescue. Via the lease agreement, BREMCO would maintain the tower and allow co-location of other services as long as these services did not interfere with their signal. In addition, BREMCO would provide, free of charge or expense to the County, electric power and LP gas for the generator and facilities at the tower location.
Commissioner Gable, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the lease agreement as prepared by the County Attorney which allows Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation to install, operate and maintain a 140-foot tower located on County-owned property at Howards Knob Park .
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Blust, Deal, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Futrelle)
B. Proposed Purchase of Communications Consoles
Mr. Furman presented a quote from Wireless Communications, Inc. in the amount of $193,529 to replace the four (4) consoles for telecommunications. The purpose for the purchase is that the current consoles have received an end-of-life notice by their maker, Motorola, and the new equipment will meet the 2013 narrow banding requirements. Adequate funds from the 911 surcharge were budgeted to cover the purchase.
County Attorney Eggers stated that one quote was given due to compatibility issues.
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Gable, moved to approve the purchase of four telecommunication consoles from Wireless Communications, Inc., who supplied the only quote due to compatibility issues, in the amount of $193,539, contingent upon the County Attorney’s review.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Blust, Deal, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Futrelle)
Finance Matters
A. Budget Amendments
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, presented the following budget amendments for Board approval:
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
103300-343307 |
NCDOT Trail Grant |
|
$30,000 |
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104285-457002 |
Brookshire Park Trail Gant |
$30,000 |
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The amendment recognized additional transportation grant funds per a contract amendment. |
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
143531-323000 |
Admin Cost Reimbursement |
$21,150 |
|
|
143991-399100 |
Fund Balance Appropriation |
|
$21,150 |
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The amendment recognized change in the funding source for administrative expenditures for Smart Start due to a reduction from state funds. |
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
103300-343500 |
NCEM Active Shooter Grant |
|
$26,403 |
|
104330-449905 |
NCEM Active Shooter Grant |
$26,403 |
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The amendment recognized a grant awarded by the NC Emergency Management to conduct training exercises. |
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
143839-389000 |
Other-Domestic Violence |
$295 |
|
|
145410-440004 |
Domestic Violence |
|
$295 |
|
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The amendment recognized change in a funding allocation from the State. A budget estimate of $10,125 was originally used. The final State allocation received was $9,830. |
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Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Pierce.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Blust, Deal, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Futrelle)
B. Presentation of Smoky Mountain Center Quarterly Reports
Ms. Pierce presented Smoky Mountain Center’s Quarterly Report as required by Statute.
This report was given for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
C. Proposed Resolution Authorizing the Conveyance of Surplus Property by Donation
Ms. Pierce stated that, at the September 6, 2011, Board meeting, direction was given to staff to advertise the conveyance of surplus property by donation to the Watauga Humane Society. As the advertisement has taken place, Ms. Pierce requested the adoption of a proposed resolution authorizing the County to donate Animal Care and Control property to the Watauga Humane Society.
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Gable, moved to adopt the resolution as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Blust, Deal, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Futrelle)
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Recommended Contract Awards for Employee Medical, Dental, and Life Insurance
County Manager Geouque stated that in March of 2011, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) provided notice that they would no longer be providing healthcare insurance. County staff solicited direct quotes from Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and CIGNA, the County’s current provider through the NCACC. Renewal rates came in at 26% and 22.8%, respectively. In order to bring the rate increases down to the 10% to 15% range, substantial reductions in benefits would have to occur. Therefore, BCBS and CIGNA each provided multiple alternative plan designs and a determination was made to utilize a health savings account (HSA) to replace the existing plan.
The County Manager stated that the desired outcome in transitioning to a HSA was to stabilize the County’s premium increases and bring those increases more in line with medical trend. CIGNA provided the lowest cost, to the County, for the HSA option with a premium reduction of 8.7%.
County Manager Geouque stated that he recommended the County utilize the CIGNA HSA plan and also fund $1,000 into each employee’s HSA account to help offset the deductible increase from $750 to $2,500. The $1,000 was recommended to be provided in increments: the first $500 was to be provided with no requirements; an additional $250 was to be provided after the employee had an annual physical; and the remaining $250 was to be provided once the employee completed a health risk assessment through CIGNA’s website. The annual physical was to be at no cost to the employee since preventative care would be covered at 100% by the proposed plan. The health assessment was an online questionnaire which was to provide CIGNA with an individual’s medical history and information current lifestyle choices which might impact health.
County Manager Geouque stated that a total of twenty-one (21) companies, including the current provider, were solicited for dental and life insurance. Eight (8) of those companies declined to provide a quote. The County received dental quotes with increases ranging from 30-40%. Through negotiation, the increase was reduced to 10% with a two-year rate lock by bundling dental and life insurance together with LFG; however, this resulted in a reduction in the maximum yearly benefit from $2,000 to $1,000 for dental coverage. The County was able secure a new three (3) year guaranteed rate with no changes for life insurance.
Chairman Miller asked for the total cost to the County. County Manager Geouque stated that the County’s current expense was approximately $1.7 million and the new insurance costs were estimated at $1.5 to $1.6 million. The County Manger stated that this was less than the amount budgeted for insurance.
Commissioner Gable asked if $1,500 was the maximum amount that employees would have to pay out-of-pocket. County Manager Geouque stated that the deductible was $2,500; however, if the employee utilized the full $1,000 that would potentially be deposited into their HSA by the County, then the $1,500 amount was correct. Commissioner Deal added that the deductible was per insured and, therefore, employees that carried dependent coverage would have to meet an additional deductible for those insured.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to award the bid for employee medical insurance to CIGNA via a Health Savings Account Plan in which $500 was to be deposited, by Watauga County, in each employee’s HSA, with an additional $250 to $500 to be deposited upon the specified requirements being met by the employee as presented by the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Blust, Deal, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Futrelle)
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to award the bid for employee dental and life insurance to LFG as presented by the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Blust, Deal, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Futrelle)
B. Contract Renewal Request for Inmate Medical Care
County Manager Geouque stated that the Sheriff’s Office had requested renewal of a contract with Competent Correctional Care, Inc. for the provision of medical care and staffing of the County jail. The cost was $7,578 per month for services for 90 inmates and was to increase to $12,642 if/when the population grew to between 90-135 inmates. The County Manager stated that funds were available to cover the contract within the Sheriff’s Office budget.
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the contract with Competent Correctional Care, Inc. in an amount up to $7,578 per month, contingent upon County Attorney review.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Blust, Deal, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Futrelle)
C. Request for Town of Boone Water Set-A-Side Extension for the Old High School Property
County Manager Geouque presented a draft letter to Boone Town Council which requested information regarding the extension of the Town’s water set aside, in the amount of 150,000 gallons per day, for the old high school property.
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Gable, moved to authorize the letter be sent as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Blust, Deal, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Futrelle)
D. NCACC’s Request for Appointments to Steering and Taskforce Committees
County Manager Geouque stated that the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) was seeking members to serve on their steering and taskforce committees. The County Manager stated that Board members who wished to serve as a member of these committees should submit their information to the Clerk who would then forward the request to the NCACC for their consideration.
E. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced that Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation (BREMCO) had a Community Leaders Council Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 20, 2011, at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center at 6:00 P.M.
County Manager Geouque announced that the Board of Commissioners and North Carolina Emergency Management had a training scheduled for public officials and staff detailing their roles in emergency management for Thursday, September 22, 2011, from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building.
County Manager Geouque announced that an Intergovernmental Retreat was scheduled from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Monday, September 26, 2011, at the Broyhill Inn. The main focus of discussion was the state of the economy.
County Manager Geouque announced that the Watauga County Board of Education had invited the Board to attend the NC School Boards Association District 7 Meeting. This invitation was extended in appreciation of the Board of Commissioners’ invaluable gift of support and service toward the construction of the new high school. The meeting was scheduled for September 28, 2011, beginning at 6:00 P.M. at the new Watauga High School.
County Manager Geouque announced that written comments addressing the proposed reclassification of the South Fork New River could be submitted until September 30, 2011, to Elizabeth Kountis with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Division of Water Quality, Planning Section.
County Manager Geouque announced that a Hazardous Household Waste Collection Day was scheduled for October 8, 2011, from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. along with Operation Medicine Cabinet which was to run from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
County Manager Geouque announced that the License Plate Agency was scheduled to move to their new location on Friday, September 23, 2011. Due to the move, the office would be closed on Monday, September 26, 2011, and reopen Tuesday at their new location in the County’s West Annex Building located directly behind the Watauga County Administration Building. Parking and direct access to the office was to be available on Queen Street.
County Manager Geouque announced, on behalf of the Tax Office, that tax bills had been mailed.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 5:43 P.M., Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Gable, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Blust, Deal, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Futrelle)
[Clerk’s Note: Commissioner Futrelle arrived at 5:45 P.M. and joined the Board in Closed Session.]
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Chairman Miller, moved to resume the open meeting at 6:19 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Chairman Miller adjourned the meeting at 6:20 P.M.
Nathan A. Miller, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board