MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2021
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at 5:30 P.M. remotely with the meeting originating in the Commissioners’ Board Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 5:33 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: John Welch, Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Carrington Pertalion, Commissioner
Charlie Wallin, Commissioner
Larry Turnbow, Commissioner
Anthony di Santi, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
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 May 4, 2021, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Chairman Welch presented the following amendments (deletions in strikethrough and additions in bold):
“Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the May 4 April 20, 2021, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the May 4 April 20, 2021, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the May 4 April 20, 2021, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)”
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the May 4, 2021, regular meeting minutes as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the May 4, 2021, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the May 18, 2021, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested to add discussion of the County’s current State of Emergency.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the May 18, 2021, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Public Hearing to Allow Citizen Comment on the FY 2022 Proposed Budget
A public hearing was held to allow citizen comment on the County Manager's Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2022.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to call the public hearing to order at 5:37 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
The following shared comments regarding the Recommended Budget:
· Mr. Billy Ralph Winkler, Southern Appalachian Historical Association & Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute.
· Ms. Caitlin Massey, Community Care Clinic
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to close the public hearing at 5:44 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
County Manager Geouque presented the following amendments made to the proposed budget which were requested by the Board at Budget Work Sessions held on May 13 and May 14:
|
Budget Change Summary |
||
|
General Fund |
|
|
|
Revenues |
Expenditures |
|
|
|
$900 |
Court Facilities Jury Commission Expense |
|
|
$7,002 |
Planning & Inspections Salaries |
|
|
$3,631 |
Children’s Playhouse increased from $2,500 to $6,131 |
|
|
$500 |
WeCAN/Hospitality House increased from $2,500 to $3,000 |
|
|
$685 |
Hunger Coalition increased from $9,315 to $10,000 |
|
|
$2,500 |
W.A.M.Y. increased from $2,500 to $5,000 |
|
|
$1,200 |
Watauga County Arts Council increased from $8,800 to $10,000 |
|
|
$(1,131) |
Salaries – Governing Body not increased |
|
|
$(15,287) |
General and Liability Insurance |
|
$ 0 |
Net change and Overall Budget Increase |
|
Chairman Welch tabled action regarding the proposed budget until the next meeting.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Community Update
Ms. Jennifer Greene, AppHealthCare Director, was not available to provide an update on the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
“State of Real Estate” Report
Mr. Patrick Morgan, President of the High Country Association of Realtors (HCAR), discussed a Housing Needs Assessment of the High Country. Mr. Morgan stated that home sales in the High Country set new records in 2020. Residential home sales were up 24.7%. The total sales value of residential homes in 2020 was up 46.9% and land sales were up 74.5%. Mr. Morgan stated that while thinking ahead the Association was concerned with availability and affordability of properties available for sale in the High Country. Properties were also selling at 99% of asking prices. In Watauga County 1,426 homes worth $596.16 million were sold in 2020 which was 16% more homes than in 2019. Total sales value was up 41% with the median sold price at $340,000. In December 2020 134 homes were sold at a value of $68.3 million; however, sales continue to outpace the market availability. Inventory continued to consecutively drop each month over the past year with properties only being on the market a median of 57 days.
Mr. Michael Cooper, Shared & Regional Government Affairs Director (High Country/Near West) NC Realtors, announced a “save-the-date” of May 26, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. Mr. Cooper stated that HCAR was interested in working with partners from the four counties to fund a study through Bowen National Research which would cost approximately $25,000 with the HCAR to pay $10,000 and the remaining $15,000 to be divided among the four counties in the Association; Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, and Watauga. The HCAR planned to host a meeting with Bowen at their office in Boone at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
County Manager Geouque stated that if the other counties were interested, Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections/Economic Development Director, would support the study as well.
After discussion, Chairman Welch asked the County Manager to reach out to the other three counties to gage their interest in the study and encouraged everyone to keep the conversations going.
Watauga County Schools Lottery Funds Request
Ms. Ly Marze, Watauga County Schools Director of Finance, requested the release of funds from the State Education Lottery Fund. A total amount of $75,000 was requested for the replacement of the rubber gym floor at Blowing Rock Elementary School for safety and floor integrity.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the release of State Education Lottery Funds for Watauga County Schools as presented by Ms. Marze.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Tax Administrator, Mr. Larry Warren, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of April 2021. The report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
B. Refunds and Releases
Mr. Warren presented the Refunds and Releases Report for April 2021 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for April 2021 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Property Tax Appeal
Tax Administrator, Mr. Larry Warren, stated that the Board of Equalization and Review had tabled a matter regarding Carroll and Carroll Properties so that staff could obtain the opinions of the County Attorney, John Bridgers with Land Records for the Secretary of State, and Chris McLaughlin with the School of Government.
The Carroll and Carroll Properties appeal stemmed from property owners stating that a plat had been filed (which alerted staff to a misclassification) without their consent or knowledge. The consensus of the opinions received was that the County properly changed the value of the subject property. The issue of the plat being recorded without the owner’s knowledge was irrelevant. The tax office discovered that the property was misclassified and corrected the error moving forward; however, the County could not do discovery on the property for past years.
Mr. Warren read the following email from Mr. Paul Miller, attorney for the property owners:
“Nathan has shared with me your email and conversations with him. We will not be at the meeting on the 18th. I still believe our proposal is the fair thing to do given the circumstances of our conversations at the time the present use was revoked. Sterling has always tried to work with the County and has done so many times in the past. Hopefully the Commissioners will remember that and do the right thing is this matter.”
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to accept the decision and action taken by the Tax Department staff.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow stated that the property owners could appeal to the State level.
Capital Equipment to Capital Towers Budget Amendment Request
Mr. Will Holt, Emergency Services Director, requested authorization to reallocate $35,000 from the Emergency Communications line in the County’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to the Capital Outlay Towers budget line. The additional funding was requested due to the recent purchase of property in the Sampson area for a VIPER tower which would be a joint project with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to authorize the budget amendment as presented by Mr. Holt.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Request for Declaration of Surplus and Sale – WCSO K-9
County Manager Geouque stated that, in honor and memory of Deputy Logan Fox, the Sheriff’s Office requested to declare his K-9 partner, Raven, as surplus and be sold to his father Mr. Tim Fox. General Statutes allow for the dog to be sold for a negotiated price by order of the Board of Commissioners. In order for staff to carry out the order, the Board must adopt a resolution and advertise the sale for ten days prior to the sale. Staff requested that Raven be declared surplus and sold for a fee of $1.00 to Deputy Fox’s father. County staff would personally pay the $1.00 fee.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to declare the Sheriff’s Office K-9, Raven, as surplus, adopt the resolution, and advertise the sale for ten days. Upon completion of the ten-day advertisement, Raven would be presented to Mr. Tim Fox who would bare all future expenses related to the care of Raven.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Vehicle Bid Award Request
County Manager Geouque stated that bids were solicited for a 2021 Subaru Forester and 2021 4X4 pickup truck. Five companies submitted bids for the Subaru and four for the 4X4 pickup truck. Subaru of Concord and the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association were the lowest responsive bidders in the amount of $24,934 and $24,067, respectively. The total amount, including tax and tags, was $50,483.03. Adequate funds were available in the current fiscal year to cover the purchase.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to award the bids to Subaru of Concord and the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association for a 2021 Subaru Forester and 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 in the total amount, including tax and tags, of $50,483.03.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the following:
Workforce Development Board
Mr. Keith Deveraux, Director of High Country Council of Governments Work Force Development Board, requested the appointment of Ms. Jessica Auten for a term ending on June 30, 2022.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to waive the first reading and appoint Ms. Jessica Auten as a Watauga County representative on the Work Force Development Board with a term ending on June 30, 2022.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Economic Development Commission
Two terms on the Economic Development Commission were set to expire in June 2021. The terms were for three years and members were eligible to be appointed for two consecutive terms. Mr. Tim Hodges served two terms and, therefore, was ineligible for reappointment. A new appointee was needed for that position. Ms. Angela King served one term and, therefore, was eligible and willing to be reappointed.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to waive the first reading and reappoint Ms. Angela King to her second three-year term on the Economic Development Commission with the term to end June 2024.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to add consideration of the reappointment of Mr. Lowell Younce to the Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI) Board of Trustees to the agenda.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to reappoint Mr. Lowell Younce to serve as a Watauga County representative on the Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute’s Board of Trustees with the term to end June 2025.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced that the Trustees of Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute invited the Board of Commissioners to a meeting on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at 6:00 P.M. at the Watauga Instructional Facility on Hwy 105 Bypass, Boone NC, in the new Student Services Building.
E. Discussion of the County’s State of Emergency
County Manager Geouque presented a proposed termination of the County’s current State of Emergency. The proposed termination could become effective on May 27, 2021, which would be the day after the last day of school in Watauga County.
After brief discussion, Chairman Welch tabled consideration until the next meeting.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 6:18 P.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
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:08 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:08 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
John Welch, Vice-Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board