MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, 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
Larry Turnbow, Commissioner
Charlie Wallin, Commissioner
Perry Yates, Commissioner
Andrea Capua, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 8:31 A.M.
Commissioner Wallin opened with a prayer and Commissioner Turnbow led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the July 23, 2019, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the July 23, 2019, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy requested to take action after closed session on the July 23, 2019, closed session minutes to allow for the review of proposed amendments.
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the August 6, 2019, agenda.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the August 6, 2019, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Back 2 School Funding Request
Ms. Kendra Sink, Back 2 School Festival Coordinator, stated that this will be the seventh year the Back 2 School Festival has been held and the first year as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. It will be held on Saturday, August 10, from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Ms. Sink stated that Rumple Church has also dedicated a room for the Back 2 School Festival to keep stocked throughout the year and to be used for students as referred by school counselors. This could be new students or students who have used the supplies given at the Festival. Ms. Sink shared the checks and balances used to ensure that only children of parents who are struggling to meet their needs receive the services. Ms. Sink stated that $4,700 was needed to meet the current year Festival’s funding goal.
After discussion, the Board agreed to allocate $4,700 to the Back 2 School Festival with funds to be allocated from the Administrative Contingency line.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
[Clerk’s Note: After closed session, the Board took further action to increase the amount to be given to the Back 2 School Festival to $5,000.]
Parks and Recreation Out-of-State Travel Request
Mr. Stephen Poulos, Parks and Recreation Director, requested to travel out-of-state to attend the North Carolina and South Carolina joint conference for the Recreation and Parks Association which will be held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Mr. Poulos stated that he has been provided lodging and, therefore, the only expense to the County is the $275 registration fee.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the out-of-state travel request as presented by Mr. Poulos.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Budget Amendments
On behalf of Finance Director Misty Watson, County Manager Geouque reviewed the following budget amendments:
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
105911-471000 |
NC Lottery Funds |
$167,000 |
|
|
103300-349909 |
Lottery Projects |
|
$167,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment allocated funds for NC Lottery projects as requested by Watauga County Schools and approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The expenditures were for the roof renovations and were recognized at the July 23, 2019, Board meeting. The above budget amendment recognizes the revenues for Fiscal Year 2019. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
103980-398121 |
Transfer from Capital Projects Fund |
|
$20,000 |
|
104920-463000 |
General Appropriation |
$20,000 |
|
|
213991-399101 |
Appropriated Fund Balance |
|
$20,000 |
|
219800-498010 |
Transfer to General Fund |
$20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment allocated funds from Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) set aside funds for projects as requested by the Economic Development Commission to be utilized for the “Boonies” project and was approved by the Board of Commissioners on July 23, 2019. |
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|
|
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|
104311-451000 |
Capital Outlay – Furniture and Equipment |
$100,000 |
|
|
103980-398121 |
Transfer from Capital Projects |
|
$100,000 |
|
213991-399101 |
Appropriated Fund Balance |
|
$100,000 |
|
219800-498010 |
Transfer to General Fund |
$100,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment allocated funds from Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) set aside funds for projects as requested by Emergency Management for Fiscal Year 2020. |
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Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by County Manager Geouque.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the following:
Watauga County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee
Regional Ombudsman, Ms. Stevie John, had requested that Ms. Barbara Hunsucker be considered for appointment to serve on the Watauga County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee for a three-year term. This was a first reading.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Ms. Barbara Hunsucker to the Watauga County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee for a three-year term.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Workforce Development Board
Mr. Keith Deveraux, Director of High Country Council of Governments Work Force Development Board, had requested the reappointment of Ms. Tara Brossa for a two-year term ending on June 30, 2021. This was a first reading.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Ms. Tara Brossa as a Watauga County representative on the High Country Council of Governments Work Force Development Board with her term ending on June 30, 3021.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission
The Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission terms of Ms. Maria Hyde, who is the Chair and lives in the district, and Mr. Allen Culler, who is the Vice-Chair and a Community Council member, will expire on August 31. Both are willing to be reappointed to three-year terms. Three members live in the district and two members must be Community Council members as well. These were first readings.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint both Ms. Maria Hyde and Mr. Allen Culler to the Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission for three-year terms each.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· The 112th NCACC Annual Conference will be held August 22-24, 2019, in Guilford County. Visit http://www.ncacc.org/775/2019-Annual-Conference for full information.
· The High Country Council of Governments’ Annual Banquet is scheduled for Friday, September 6, 2019, at Linville Ridge.
Chairman Welch announced that local law enforcement agencies, including the Sheriff’s Office, are hosting an inaugural National Night Out event in Watauga County in the 36th year of the national event. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. It is on August 6, 2019, at the Peacock Lot on Rivers Street from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. The event is free and will host fun and games for kids.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 9:03 A.M., Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3), and Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to resume the open meeting at 10:00 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Action After Closed Session
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the July 23, 2019, closed session minutes as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to increase the amount of funds to the Back 2 School Festival from $4,700 to $5,000 with the funds to be allocated from the Administrative Contingency Fund.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:02 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board