WATAUGA COUNTY

MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2013

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, December 3, 2013, at 8:30 A.M. in the Commissioners' Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.

 

                        PRESENT:      Nathan Miller, Chairman

David Blust, Vice-Chairman

                                                Billy Kennedy, Commissioner

John Welch, Commissioner

                                                Perry Yates, Commissioner

Stacey “Four” Eggers, IV, County Attorney

                                                Deron Geouque, County Manager

                                                Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board

 

Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 8:30 A.M.

 

Vice-Chairman Blust opened the meeting with a prayer and Commissioner Yates led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes

Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the November 14, 2013, special meeting minutes (joint meeting with the School Board), November 19, 2013, regular meeting and closed session minutes, and the November 20, 2013, special meeting minutes (joint meeting with the Town of Boone).

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the November 14, 2013, special meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the November 19, 2013, closed session minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the November 20, 2013, special meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Commissioner Kennedy requested that language be added to the November 19, 2013, regular meeting minutes indicating that he had requested a public hearing be held regarding the Town of Beech Mountain’s water intake request.

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the November 19, 2013, regular meeting minutes as amended.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Board Organizational Matters

The meeting was turned over to County Manager Geouque for the election of the Chairman of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners.

A.  Election of Officers

County Manager Geouque called for nominations for Chairman of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners. 

 

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to nominate Commissioner Miller for Chairman.

 

VOTE:  Aye-3(Miller, Blust, Yates)

             Nay-2(Kennedy, Welch)

 

The meeting was then turned over to Chairman Miller.

 

Chairman Miller called for nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners. 

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Chairman Miller, moved to nominate Commissioner Blust for Vice-Chairman.

 

VOTE:  Aye-3(Miller, Blust, Yates)

             Nay-2(Kennedy, Welch)

B.  Staff Appointments

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to re-appoint Deron Geouque as the County Manager.

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to re-appoint Anita Fogle as Clerk to the Board and to re-appoint both Monica Harrison and Tammy Adams as Substitute Clerks to the Board.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to appoint Eggers, Eggers, Eggers, and Eggers as the Law Firm representing Watauga County as legal counsel for Watauga County including the Watauga County Department of Social Services and their Child Support Enforcement Offices.

 

Commissioner Kennedy shared concerns of conflicts of interest.  Chairman Miller stated that he was impressed with the work provided by the law firm and stated that he did not see a conflict of interest.

 

VOTE:  Aye-3(Miller, Blust, Yates)

             Nay-2(Kennedy, Welch)

C.  Fidelity Bonds. 

The following individual fidelity bonds were presented for approval:

 

Position                                 Bond Amount       Statutory Requirement

 

Finance Director                    $50,000                 No less than $50,000, per NCGS 159-29

 

Deputy Finance Director       $50,000                

(County Manager)

 

Tax Collector                        $50,000                 Amount considered reasonable

                                                                            by BCC, NCGS 105-349-c

 

Register of Deeds                  $50,000                 At least $10,000 but no more

                                                                                        than $50,000, NCGS 161-4

 

Sheriff                                   $25,000                 Amount considered reasonable by BCC,

                                                                                        but no more than $25,000 max, NCGS 162-8

 

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the individual fidelity bonds as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

 

 

 

 

 

D.  Commissioner Appointments to Boards & Commissions

The following Commissioner Board appointments were made by Chairman Miller:

 

 

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to accept the appointments as made by Chairman Miller.

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

E.  Regular Meeting Schedule

Chairman Miller stated that the Board of Commissioners’ regular meetings were currently scheduled for the first Tuesday of each month at 8:30 A.M. and the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 P.M.

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to retain the regular meeting schedule for the Watauga County Board of Commissioners as follows:  the first Tuesday of each month at 8:30 A.M. and the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Approval of Agenda

Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the December 3, 2013, agenda.

 

County Manager Geouque requested to add an out-of-state travel request after the OASIS presentation and a proposed medical director contract with Dr. Stanton under Miscellaneous Administrative Matters.

 

Commissioner Yates requested to add discussion regarding Cooperative Extension.

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the December 3, 2013, agenda as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Presentation of Fiscal Year 2013 Audit

Ms. Kathy Mitchell presented the Fiscal Year 2013 County audit.  Below is a summary of the Audit as prepared by County Manager Geouque:

 

The County had another successful year due the strong support received by the Commissioners and the dedication, diligence, and efficiency of County staff.  Below are some of the financial highlights:

 

?  The total assets of the County exceeded its liabilities at the close of the fiscal year by $118,828,983, an increase of $4,669,912.  The change was primarily due to an increase in revenues and a reduction in expenditures over last year. 

 

?  The County’s unassigned fund balance for the general fund was $14,653,916 at the end of the year, representing 31.73% of total General Fund expenditures.  This is an increase of 1,170,236 in unassigned fund balance from the previous year.

 

?  The savings from the prior year’s refinance of the two high school loans allowed for an additional principle amount of $329,113 to be paid, thus reducing the County’s outstanding debt.  Expenditure savings came from continued conservative budgeting, limited capital purchases and delayed rehiring for positions which became open during the fiscal year.

 

?  The collection rate for property taxes remained steady at 97.71% which was an increase from last year’s 97.21%. We are still well above the statewide average of 96.96% in 2011.

 

?  Outstanding debt principal decreased by $5,866,473.  Total outstanding debt principal at June 30, 2013 is $57,739,080.  Watauga County’s legal debt limit is $708,347,606 so the County is well below the state limits.

 

?  No material weaknesses were found in our accounting systems or internal controls.

 

?  The County maintained its bond rating of AA- and Aa3 from Standard and Poor and Moody’s Investor Services, respectively. 

 

Ms. Mitchell added that the County’s unassigned fund balance could cover just over four months of expenditures.  Ms. Mitchell offered appreciation to Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, who assisted in the Audit being completed by the October 31, 2013, deadline.

 

The audit was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.

OASIS Presentation

Ms. Jennifer Herman, Director of OASIS, Inc. (Opposing Abuse with Service, Information, and Shelter), expressed her gratitude to the Board for continued support over the years.  Ms. Herman also presented a report detailing recent activities at OASIS.

 

The report was for information only, and therefore, no action was required.

Out-of-State Travel Request

Captain Dee Dee Rominger with the Sheriff’s Office stated that she had received a scholarship for the $469.00 registration fee to attend the National Symposium on Child Abuse in Huntsville, Alabama.  Captain Rominger requested the County provide a vehicle and fuel for travel as well as pay lodging expenses which would be $88.00 a night plus tax.

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the out-of-state travel for Captain Rominger including the provision of a County vehicle, fuel, and lodging as requested.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Cooperative Extension Discussion

Commissioner Yates stated that Mr. Jim Hamilton, Cooperative Extension Director, and Mr. Bill Moretz, a local farmer, had requested the Board appeal to the State to protect Cooperative Extension funding which has been continually cut over the past several years.  Neither Mr. Hamilton nor Mr. Moretz was able to attend the meeting due to prior commitments.

 

County Manager Geouque stated that the County currently pays 47% of the salary of several Cooperative Extension employees.

 

Chairman Miller directed the County Manager to draft a resolution requesting the protection of Cooperative Extension State funding for consideration at the December 17, 2013, meeting.

Miscellaneous Administrative Matters

A.  Proposed Medical Director Contract with Dr. Stanton

County Manager Geouque presented a proposed contract as negotiated with Dr. John Stanton who was appointed as Medical Director of the Watauga County Emergency Medical Services Plan at the October 15, 2013, Board meeting.

 

County Attorney Eggers stated that he had reviewed the contract which was consistent with previous medical director contracts.

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to approve the contract with Dr. John Stanton for Medical Director of the Watauga County Emergency Medical Services Plan as presented.

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

B.  Boards and Commissions

County Manager Geouque stated that the terms of Recreation Commission members representing the Blowing Rock, Mabel, and Cove Creek elementary school districts as well as three Town of Boone representatives were set to expire in December.  The Town of Boone had presented a recommendation for West Eppley to be reappointed as a Town of Boone representative.  Principal Mark Hagaman had nominated Bill Hollingsworth for reappointment as the representative for the Mabel School district.  The County Manager stated that other recommendations would be forwarded for consideration upon receipt.

 

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to reappoint Mr. West Eppley to the Watauga County Recreation Commission as a Town of Boone representative.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to reappoint Mr. Bill Hollingsworth to the Watauga County Recreation Commission as the Mabel School representative.

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

County Manager Geouque stated that one appointment was needed to the Watauga County Board of Adjustment.  The two zoned areas of the County (Valle Crucis and Foscoe-Grandfather) must be represented on the Board; traditionally an attempt has been made to appoint representatives of watershed protection areas as well.  The term of Jane Nicholson has expired and she does not wish to be reappointed.  Technically, the seat was an at-large representative, though Ms. Nicholson also resided in one of the watershed protection areas.  The other members represent Valle Crucis, Foscoe-Grandfather, Howards Creek watershed, and Middle Fork watershed.  The term would be for three years.  No applications have been received to date.

 

Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, clarified that the one appointment needed was an at-large seat and therefore the appointee could live anywhere within the county.  Mr. Furman stated that the Board only met when there was business to conduct and it had not met in over a year.

 

County Manager Geouque stated that Audrey Tate recently announced her resignation from the Social Services Board.  Her last meeting would be on December 18, 2013.  The County Manager stated that Social Services Director, Mr. Jim Atkinson, had recommended Lynn Jackson Patterson for appointment to fill the unexpired term.  Mr. Atkinson has forwarded a volunteer application to Ms. Patterson for her to complete and return.

 

The above was a first reading and, therefore, no action was required at this time.

C.  Announcements

County Manager Geouque made the following announcements:

 

·       The Annual County Christmas Luncheon, scheduled on Tuesday, December 10, 2013, will be held at Dan’l Boone Inn from 12:00 to 2:00 P.M.

 

·       The Town of Boone is hosting a reception in honor of Mayor Loretta Clawson’s retirement.  The floating reception is scheduled on Tuesday, December 17, 2013, from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the Family Life Center in the Boone United Methodist Church.

 

·       A public hearing is scheduled at 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, December 17, 2013, to allow citizen comment regarding the Beech Mountain Water Intake project.

 

·       The first regular meeting in January 2014 has been cancelled due to the holiday schedule.  Therefore, the only regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners scheduled in January is the 21^st at 5:30 P.M.

 

·       Senator Soucek will host a public forum on K-12 Education.  The forum will be held at the Deep Gap Volunteer Fire Department on Thursday, December 5, 2013, at 6:00 P.M.

Public Comment

Mr. Larry Ingle shared concerns regarding the Town of Beech Mountain’s water intake request.

Closed Session

At 9:06 A.M., Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Welch, 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 Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to resume the open meeting at 9:24 A.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Adjourn

Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:24 A.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

 

Nathan A. Miller, Chairman

 

ATTEST:

Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board