MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2015
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners' Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
PRESENT: Jimmy Hodges, Chairman
David Blust, Vice-Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Commissioner
Perry Yates, Commissioner
Stacy “Four” Eggers, IV, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Hodges called the meeting to order at 5:31 P.M.
Commissioner Yates opened the meeting with a prayer and Vice-Chairman Blust led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Hodges stated that Commissioner Welch was absent due to a prior commitment.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Hodges called for additions and/or corrections to the October 20, 2015, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the October 20, 2015, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the October 20, 2015, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Hodges called for additions and/or corrections to the November 17, 2015, agenda.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to approve the November 17, 2015, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Watauga County Public Library Annual Report
Ms. Monica Caruso, County Librarian, presented the Watauga County Public Library Annual Report and introduced the Library’s new mascot, ARLy. Ms. Caruso updated the Board on various grants received by the Library and presented statistics on annual usage of the facility.
This report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
Presentation of Watauga County Community Child Protection Team’s Annual Report and Appointment of Members for 2016
On behalf of Ms. Gail Hawkinson, County Manager Geouque presented the annual report for the Watauga County Community Child Protection Team. A membership list was also presented for approval. The Child Protection Team is tasked with reducing the acts of abuse and violence against children in the County.
Commissioner Kennedy stated that the Child Protection Team had not received a report from the State for the report filed by the Team in January 2015.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the membership list as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Project On Aging Matters
A. Request to Accept Additional Allocation for FY 2016 Home & Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG)
Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Project on Aging Director, presented an increase in the FY 2016 Home and Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) funds in the amount of $4,271. The required local match of $475 is present in the Project on Aging's FY 2016 budget.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to accept the $4,271 increase in Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) funds for FY 2016 as well as the local match in the amount of $475.
VOTE: Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
B. Request to Accept Additional Appropriation of State Funds for Senior Centers
Ms. Angie Boitnotte stated that the Project on Aging was eligible to receive an additional $15,200, in Senior Center funding from the North Carolina General Assembly and the North Carolina Division of Aging. The L. E. Harrill Senior Center is eligible for $11,400 and the Western Watauga Community Center for $3,800. The required 25% local match, $5,067, is currently in the Agency’s existing budget.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to authorize Ms. Boitnotte to request to accept the additional State funding.
VOTE: Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
County Manager Geouque presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of October 2015. This report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
B. Refunds and Releases
The County Manager presented the Refunds and Releases Report for October 2015 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for October 2015, as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Finance Matters
A. Proposed Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) Budget Amendment
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, presented a revised Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) FY 2015-16 Funding Allocation form. Watauga County JCPC received an additional $3,115 with the finalization of the State budget. The JCPC recommends approval of these funds for Project Challenge. Project Challenge will provide the required $935 match. No additional County funding is required.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the revised funding allocation as requested.
VOTE: Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
B. Smoky Mountain Center Quarterly Report
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, will present the Smoky Mountain Center Quarterly Financial Report as required by Statute.
This report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
C. Proposed Inmate Catastrophic Insurance Contract
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, presented the contract renewal with Insurance Management Consultants, Inc. for catastrophic insurance for inmates housed in the County jail. The insurance shields the County from large medical claims that occur while inmates are being housed in the Watauga County Jail. The proposed renewal is in the amount of $28,909.44 with a $10,000 deductible. This is a 9% reduction from last year’s renewal which can be attributable to a reduction in the number of inmates. Adequate funds are available to cover the contracted cost.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to renew the contract with Insurance Management Consultants, Inc. in the amount of $28,909.44.
VOTE: Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
D. Budget Amendments
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
103839-389000 |
Miscellaneous Revenues |
|
$41,610 |
|
104310-454000 |
Capital Outlay-Vehicles |
$41,610 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognizes funds for Sheriff’s Office vehicles in the amount of the insurance settlements received for recent accidents. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
103300-345000 |
ROAP Grant |
|
$142,343 |
|
104500-469845 |
Elderly and Disabled |
$54,262 |
|
|
104500-469844 |
Employment Transportation |
$14,153 |
|
|
104500-469843 |
Rural General Populations |
$73,928 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognizes funds received from NC DOT for the Rural Operating Assistance Program funds accepted by the Board at the October 6, 2015, meeting. No County dollars are required as a match. |
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|
|
|||
|
103586-332006 |
Senior Health Insurance Information Program |
|
$3,051 |
|
105550-449901 |
SHIIP |
$3,051 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment allocates funds for the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) as accepted by the Board at the August 18, 2015, Meeting. No County Dollars are required as a match. |
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|
|
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Pierce.
VOTE: Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Commissioner Discussion
Commissioner Blust requested the Board send a memo to Appalachian District Health Department requesting a resolution be expedited regarding issues with Mr. Coy Miller’s septic permit. Commissioner Yates stated that the State was not willing to even entertain the idea of mediation regarding the matter.
Discussion was also held regarding the possibility of separating from Appalachian District Health Department and operating a County-run Health Department. Commissioner Kennedy asked for legal clarification.
County Attorney Eggers stated that the County could operate a one-county health department legally; however, it would be a matter of the feasibility and availability of funds as to whether it work for Watauga County.
Commissioner Kennedy stated that even though several complaints had been received regarding environmental services; health services were provided by the Health Department with very little complaint.
After discussion, the Board agreed by consensus to direct the County Manager to send a letter to Appalachian District Health Department requesting the Coy Miller case be resolved as soon as possible. The Board also directed the County Manager to research the feasibility of operating a County-run health department.
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Proposed Resolution Establishing the Register of Deeds Salary
County Manager Geouque stated that, per Statute, prior to the filing period for 2016 elections, the Board must establish the salary for the Register of Deeds in order for filing fees to be determined. The entry level salary on the County’s current pay plan is $50,408 and is the amount listed in the proposed resolution.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to adopt the resolution establishing the Register of Deeds Salary as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
B. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced that the Annual County Christmas Luncheon, scheduled on Tuesday, December 8, 2015, will be held at Dan’l Boone Inn from 11:45 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 6:36 P.M., Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).
VOTE: Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:07 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust moved to add Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i) to the Closed Session.
VOTE: Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Other Discussion
A brief discussion was held regarding County-owned surplused bleachers. An organization in Wilkes County has offered to purchase the bleachers. The County Manager stated that there may be use for the bleachers within the County. There is also concerns as to whether, if sold, the buyer would remove the entire set of bleachers or leave portions of the structure for the County to dispose.
By consensus, the Board agreed to direct the County Manager to determine whether the County has use for the bleachers and, if not, to follow proper procedure for selling the bleachers with the stipulation that the buyer must remove the entire structure.
Adjourn
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:14 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Jimmy Hodges, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board