MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, November 15, 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 [arrived at 5:05 P.M.]
Jim Deal, Commissioner
Tim Futrelle, Commissioner
Vince Gable, Commissioner
Austin Eggers, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 5:04 P.M.
Chairman Miller recognized Boy Scout Troop 109’s attendance of the meeting.
Commissioner Deal 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 November 1, 2011, regular and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Gable, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the November 1, 2011, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Gable, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the November 1, 2011, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the November 15, 2011, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested to add a request for release of funds from New River Service Authority.
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to approve the November 15, 2011, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Tax Administrator Kelvin Byrd presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of October 2011. This report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
B. Refunds and Releases
Mr. Byrd presented the following Refunds and Releases for October 2011 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for October 2011, as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Emergency Management Grant Award Request
Mr. Steve Sudderth, Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Coordinator, stated that a Homeland Security training grant in the amount of $1,856.44 had been awarded to Watauga County. If accepted, the grant would be used to provide training for first responders by funding instructors for a search and rescue class and level 300 and 400 Incident Command Classes. No County match was required for this grant. Commissioner Gable emphasized the importance of this training.
Commissioner Gable, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to accept the Homeland Security training grant in the amount of $1,856.44 with no local match as presented by Mr. Sudderth.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Budget Amendments
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
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103839-389000 |
Rents |
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$37,916 |
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103839-389000 |
Miscellaneous Revenue |
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$45,144 |
|
104199-469301 |
New River Service Authority |
$83,060 |
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The amendment recognized rental income increase in conjunction with the Daymark lease. The funds were appropriated under General Administration to offset potential additional expenditures associated with the New River Service Authority. The rental lease was approved at the November 1, 2011, regular Board meeting. |
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
103300-349909 |
NC Lottery Funds |
|
$74,000 |
|
105911-470001 |
Carpet/Tiles, GV, HP, VC, Pkwy Elem. Schools |
$36,000 |
|
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105911-470002 |
Restroom Renovations at Parkway Elementary School |
$6,000 |
|
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105911-470003 |
Sidewalk Replacement at Blowing Rock Elem. School |
$2,000 |
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105911-470005 |
Cafeteria Upgrades to all Elementary Schools |
$30,000 |
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The amendment recognized the award of NC Lottery funds to the Watauga County Board of Education. Applications for the funds were approved at the October 4, 2011, regular Board meeting. Notification of NC Department of Public Instruction approval of the specified projects was received October 28, 2011. |
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
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143531-323000 |
Admin Cost Reimbursement from State |
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$47,964 |
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145410-440002 |
Low Income Energy Assistance Program |
$47,964 |
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The amendment recognized a new State DSS allocation for funding fuel oil, kerosene, wood, propane, and natural gas expenses for low income clients. This will be a pass through program requiring no County funding with capped State funding. The Program dates were to be from December 1, 2011, to May 31, 2012. |
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
103586-384000 |
Donations-POA |
|
$500 |
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105550-429200 |
Program Supplies |
$500 |
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The amendment recognized funds from the Exxon Foundation per a grant approved at the July 12, 2011, regular Board meeting. The funds were to be used for program supplies for seniors at the Western Watauga Community Center. |
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Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Discussion on Consolidated Dispatch
Commissioner Gable proposed that the County move the consolidated dispatch effort forward by working toward the development of a stand-alone Emergency Communications Department which would be housed at the location where the Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center was currently located; however, the Department would be headed by a Director who would report to the County Manager. Commissioner Gable also proposed an Advisory Committee be established that included members from the various entities receiving dispatch services through the centralized location. To make this move, Commissioner Gable recommended starting the process by developing a budget for such a Department.
After discussion regarding the possibilities of a stand-alone County Department to provide County-wide consolidated emergency dispatching, the Board, by consensus, directed the County Managerto research current operational stand-alone consolidated dispatch programs in NC; compile the data received regarding operations, management, and fiscal issues; and report back to the Board at a future meeting.
B. New River Service Authority Request for Release of Funds
County Manager Geouque stated that the New River Service Authority (NRSA) had requested the release of an additional $38,864 to meet continued ongoing expenses. He stated that this was the balance of the maximum NRSA loan amount approved at the October 13, 2011. The County Manager stated that this allocation would exhaust Watauga County funds available for loan as approved at the October 13, 2011, special meeting in the amount of $477,600.
Chairman Miller, who served as a member of the NRSA, stated that the additional funding would help with numerous expenses.
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to authorize the loan to New River Service Authority in the amount of $38,864, with funds to be allocated from the County’s Fund Balance; the loan to be secured by the Future Advance Deed of Trust and Promissory Note as approved at the October 13, 2011, special meeting; and to be contingent upon the other four counties of the NRSA authorizing and contributing their pro-rata share.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Boards & Commissions
County Manager Geouque stated that the term of Jamey Hodges, at-large member of the Watauga County Planning Board, was to expire in December 2011. Mr. Hodges was willing to continue to serve if so reappointed. The Watauga County Planning Board consisted of seven (7) members with each Commissioner appointing a member residing and representing their voting district and two (2) additional appointments being made as at-large members who serve four-year terms.
County Manager Geouque stated that the terms of Recreation Commission members representing the Hardin Park, Parkway, Green Valley, and Valle Crucis elementary school districts were set to expire in December 2011. Parks and Recreation Director, Stephen Poulos, had requested recommendations for appointments to fill these positions and received the following: Principal Mary Smalling nominated Brittany Bolick for appointment as the representative for the Hardin Park School district; Principal Tamara Stamey nominated Gene Swift for reappointment as the representative for the Parkway School district; and Principal Martha Clark nominated Caroline Carney for appointment as the representative for the Valle Crucis School district. A nomination had not yet been received for the Green Valley School district representative.
The County Manager stated that all the above were first readings and, therefore, action for appointments was not required at this time.
County Manager Geouque announced that the Project on Aging’s Annual Christmas Craft Sale would be held from 9:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. on both Wednesday, November 16, and Thursday, November 17, at the Lois E. Harrill Senior Center. The crafts available for sale were handmade by local seniors.
County Manager Geouque announced that the Annual County Christmas Luncheon was scheduled for Tuesday, December 13, 2011, from 12:00 to 2:00 P.M. at the Dan’l Boone Inn.
County Manager Geouque announced that the Board of Commissioners would hold both regular meetings as scheduled in December (Tues., Dec. 6 @ 8:00 A.M. & Tues., Dec. 20 @ 5:00 P.M.); however, the first regular meeting in January would be cancelled due to the holiday schedule. Therefore, the only regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Commissioners in January would be held on the 17th at 5:00 P.M.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Adjourn
Commissioner Gable, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:31 P.M.
Nathan A. Miller, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board