MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2018
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, December 3, 2018, at 8:30 A.M. in the Commissioners' Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
PRESENT: John Welch, Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Jimmy Hodges, Commissioner
Larry Turnbow, Commissioner
Perry Yates, Commissioner
Anthony di Santi, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 8:32 A.M.
Commissioner Hodges opened the meeting with a prayer and Commissioner Turnbow led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the November 20, 2018, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the November 20, 2018, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the November 20, 2018, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Presentation of Proclamation to Commissioner Jimmy Hodges
Chairman Welch read a Proclamation presented to Commissioner Jimmy Hodges by the Board of Commissioners honoring his service to the County.
Recess Meeting for Swearing In of New Commissioners
At 8:39 A.M. Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to recess the meeting to allow for Commissioners-Elect Billy Kennedy, Larry Turnbow, and Charlie Wallin to take their oath of office.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Reconvene
County Manager Geouque reconvened the meeting at 8:49 A.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room with Commissioners Kennedy, Turnbow, Wallin, Welch, and Yates present.
Board Organizational Matters
A. Election of Officers
County Manager Geouque called for nominations for Chairman of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to nominate Commissioner Welch for Chairman.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
The meeting was turned over to Chairman Welch.
Chairman Welch called for nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to nominate Commissioner Kennedy for Vice-Chairman.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Staff Appointments
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to reappoint Deron Geouque as the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to reappoint Anita Fogle as Clerk to the Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to reappoint both Monica Harrison and Tammy Adams as Substitute Clerks to the Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to reappoint di Santi, Watson, Capua, Wilson, & Garrett as the Law Firm representing Watauga County as legal counsel for Watauga County.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to reappoint di Santi, Watson, Capua, Wilson, & Garrett as the Law Firm representing as legal counsel for Watauga County Department of Social Services and the Child Support Enforcement Offices with rates to remain as current and authorized di Santi, Watson, Capua, Wilson, & Garrett to appoint another attorney, at the same rate, in the event their firm had a conflict of interest.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
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
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the individual fidelity bonds as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Commissioner Appointments to Boards & Commissions
Chairman Welch presented the following Commissioner Board appointments for consideration:
|
Board/Commission |
Member |
|
Appalachian District Health Department |
Yates |
|
Appalachian Theatre Board of Trustees Ex-Officio Member |
Wallin or Welch |
|
AppalCART Authority |
Wallin |
|
Blue Ridge Resource Conservation & Development Area |
Turnbow |
|
Caldwell Community College &Technical Institute - Watauga Advisory Board |
Welch |
|
Children’s Council |
Turnbow |
|
Child Protection Team |
Kennedy |
|
Cooperative Extension Advisory Leadership Board |
Yates |
|
Economic Development Commission (EDC) |
Turnbow |
|
Educational Planning Committee (2 appointees) |
Wallin & Welch |
|
EMS Advisory Committee |
Yates |
|
High Country Council of Governments Executive Board Rural Transportation Advisory Committee |
Turnbow |
|
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) |
Welch |
|
Humane Society |
Turnbow |
|
Library Board |
Kennedy |
|
Motor Vehicle Valuation Review Committee |
Welch |
|
New River Service Authority Board |
Wallin |
|
Northwest Regional Housing Authority (Ms. Pat Vines’ term expires December 12, 2019) |
|
|
POA Advisory Committee (Home & Community Care Block Grant) |
Yates |
|
Sheriff’s Office Liaison |
Kennedy & Turnbow |
|
Vaya County Commissioner Advisory Board |
Wallin |
|
Social Services Advisory Board |
Wallin |
|
Watauga County Fire Commission |
Yates |
|
Watauga County Personnel Advisory Committee |
Welch |
|
Watauga County Recreation Commission |
Welch |
|
Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees |
Kennedy |
|
Watauga Opportunities, Inc. |
Turnbow |
|
Workforce Development Board (WDB) |
Chairman |
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to accept the appointments as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Each Commissioner nominates a representative to the Watauga County Planning Board and the Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District Board whose terms run concurrent with the term of the appointing Commissioner. Planning Board members must live within the appointing Commissioners District and action must be taken by the entire Board of Commissioners to make these appointments. Boone Rural Fire Service District Board members must own property and reside within that Fire Service District. These appointments will be made at a future meeting.
E. Regular Meeting Schedule
Chairman Welch 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.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, 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 Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the December 3, 2018, agenda.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the December 3, 2018, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Sheriff’s Office Requested Award to Retiring Officer
Sheriff Hagaman stated that Captain Jaska “Dee Dee” Rominger is retiring December 31, 2018. G.S. 20-187.2 allows governing bodies of a law enforcement agency to award a retiring member the service side arm at a price determined by the governing body. Law enforcement personnel may retire at age 55 with 25 years of credible service with full retirement benefits. The Sheriff requests that Captain Rominger’s respective side arm and badge be awarded to her upon retirement and that the Board set the price of the side arm at $1.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to award Captain Rominger’s side arm and badge to her upon retirement and to set the price of the side arm at $1.00.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Budget Amendments
Ms. Misty Watson, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
|
104199-449900 |
Miscellaneous Expense |
$550,000.00 |
|
|
|
104199-499100 |
Contingency |
$202,041.00 |
|
|
|
103991-399100 |
Fund Balance – Appropriated |
|
$752,041.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment allocates funds from appropriated fund balance to general administration for the purchase of 136 North Water Street; land acquisition previously approved by the Board. |
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|
|
||||
|
493910-391002 |
Limited Obligation Bond Proceeds |
|
$18,490,000.00 |
|
|
493910-391003 |
Limited Obligation Bond Premium |
|
$1,723,276.55 |
|
|
496120-458000 |
Capital Outlay – Building and Improvements |
$20,213,276.55 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognizes the limited obligation bond proceeds for the Community Recreation Center. |
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|
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Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Watson.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. January’s Meeting Schedule
County Manager Geouque stated that the Board has traditionally cancelled one of the meetings in December or January depending on how the holidays have fallen. Due to where Christmas and New Year fall during the week, staff would recommend the Board cancel the first meeting in January as there would be insufficient time to prepare the Board packets. Historically, December and the first weeks in January have few issues requiring Board action.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to cancel the first meeting in January as presented by the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Appointment of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners’ (NCACC) Legislative Goals Conference Voting Delegate
County Manager Geouque stated that the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners' (NCACC) Legislative Goals Conference is scheduled for January 10-11, 2019, in Wake County. Each county in attendance is required to select a voting member for the Conference. Submission of the voting delegate is due December 28, 2018.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to appoint Vice-Chairman Kennedy as the Watauga County voting delegate at the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Legislative Goals Conference.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque shared the following appointments for consideration:
Board of Adjustment
A Board of Adjustment term expires in November. The current member resides in the South Fork New River Watershed. If he is to be replaced, it is recommended that another resident of that area be appointed “if practicable”. A map of the area was presented showing where 3 watershed areas adjoin, creating essentially one single residency district.
County Manager Geouque stated that Mr. Lonnie Webster had expressed interest in serving on the Board of Adjustment and does reside in the South Fork New River Watershed. This is a second reading.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to appoint Mr. Lonnie Webster to the Watauga County Board of Adjustment.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees
The Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees has recommended Ms. Kim Miller, Mr. Kent Tarbutton, and Ms. Jan Winkler for re-appointment as Board Trustees. Each of their terms would be effective January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2021. These are second readings.
Chairman Welch tabled consideration of the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees until the December 18, 2018, Board meeting.
D. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· The High Country Council of Governments Legislative Breakfast planned for Wednesday, December 5, 2018 has been cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date.
· The Annual County Christmas Luncheon, scheduled on Thursday, December 13, 2018, will be held at Dan’l Boone Inn from 11:45 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
· The Essentials of County Government course will be held the following dates:
December 13-14, 2018 Durham
January 17-18, 2019 Asheville
January 31-February 1, 2019 Greenville
Additional information is included in your packet. If interested in attending, please notify Anita who will assist with your registration and accommodations.
· Ms. Diane Deal, Clerk of Court, and Ms. Amy Shook, Register of Deeds, invites you to join them and their staff for holiday goodies on Wednesday, December 12, from 12:30 – 2:30 P.M. The reception will be in the hallway between their offices.
Public Comment
The following shared concerns regarding the closing of the Watauga County Parks and Recreation swimming pool in the Spring of 2019 for the construction of the new Community Recreation Center: Linda Stanley, Don Wood, Sandi Wells, Brenda Vaught, Marti Turlington, Erin Patterson, John L. Patterson, Barbie Fisher, Eri Ohashi, Cindy Brown Greer, Bekah Valentine, and Kim Chasteen.
Closed Session
At 9:42 A.M., Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
[Clerk’s Note: Commissioner Yates left the meeting during closed session, at 10:13 A.M., due to a prior commitment.]
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to resume the open meeting at 10:42 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Yates)
Adjourn
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:42 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Yates)
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board