MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SPECIAL MEETING

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017 & FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on Thursday, February 16, 2017, and Friday, February 17, 2017, in order to conduct a retreat to review goals and objectives for the County.  The meetings were held in the Commissioners’ Board Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.

 

PRESENT:         John Welch, Chairman

Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman

Jimmy Hodges, Commissioner

Perry Yates, Commissioner

Deron Geouque, County Manager

Margaret Pierce, Finance Director

 

Lunch was provided at 12:00 P.M. Chairman Welch called the meeting to order on Thursday, February 16, 2017, at 12:37 P.M., welcoming those in attendance. Commissioner Turnbow was excused due to illness.

 

The following topics were discussed:

 

Opening Remarks

Mr. Deron Geouque

 

FY 2017 Review and Discussion of 2018 Budget

Ms. Margaret Pierce

 

 

Revenues

 

 

Expenditures

 

 

Budget Calendar

 

Review of Current Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

Mr. Deron Geouque & Mr. Robert Marsh

Current CIP Status Report

Anderson/Old AppalCART Building

Relocation of County Personnel

Planning and Inspections

Veteran’s Services

Red Cross

Tax Appraisal

New River Baseball Fields

Landfill Road Relocation

Recreation Center

Telecommunication Upgrades, Mr. Jeff Virginia

Current Infrastructure

Proposed Telecommunications Infrastructure Study

Wireless Connection Efforts, Dr. Marvin Hoffman

School Facilities

Break at 2:40 to 3:15

Update on Guy Ford Paddle Access

Mr. Joe Furman

Update on Middlefork Greenway

Ms. Wendy Patoprsty, Edwin Peck

 

Sign Ordinance

Mr. Joe Furman

 

 

Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute

Dr. Mark Poarch

 

 

School Board Funding Issues

Superintendent Dr. Scott Elliott, School Board Members Ron Henries, Jason Cornett, Barbara Kinsey, Dr. Jay Fenwick and Staff members Ly Marze, Dr. Stephen Martin and Danny Clark

 

 

FY 2018 Funding Needs     

 

 

Schools’ Capital Improvement Plan

Indoor Practice Facility

 

     

 

A recess was declared at 6:05 P.M.  The meeting reconvened on Friday, February 17, 2017, at 9:07 A.M.

 

Tourism Development Authority (TDA)

Mr. Matt Vincent, Mr. Tony Gray, and Mr. Wright Tilley

Economic Development Partnership of NC

Mr. Bill Slagle and Ms. Melissa Smith

Watauga Housing Trust

Mr. Scott Eggers and Mr. Joe Furman

Break 11:05 to 11:20

Miscellaneous & Commissioner Matters

Mr. Deron Geouque

State Issues

Commissioners Matters

Budget work sessions set for May 4, 12-7 P.M. and May 8, 12-7 P.M.

Board discussion and directives

 

The County Manager concluded the retreat by reviewing the issues addressed and seeking direction from the Board for Fiscal Year 2017-2018.

 

The meeting adjourned at 12:07 P.M.

 

 

 

 John Welch, Chairman

 

ATTEST:

Deron Geouque, County Manager