MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2021
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, June 1, 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 5:31 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 Vice-Chairman Kennedy led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the following minutes:
· May 13, 2021, Special Meeting (Budget Work Session)
· May 14, 2021, Special Meeting (Budget Work Session)
· May 18, 2021, Regular Meeting
· May 18, 2021, Closed Session
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the May 13, 2021, special meeting (Budget Work Session) minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the May 14, 2021, special meeting (Budget Work Session) minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the May 18, 2021, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the May 18, 2021, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the June 1, 2021, agenda.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy requested to add an announcement from Vaya and County Manager Geouque requested to add consideration of terminating the County’s current State of Emergency.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the June 1, 2021, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Community Update
Ms. Jennifer Greene, AppHealthCare Director, was not available to provide an update on the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Proposed Proclamation for Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Project on Aging Director, shared information on elder abuse awareness which was recognized each year from Mother’s Day through Father’s Day with June 15 being designated as “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.”
Ms. Betsy Richards with Social Services read the proposed proclamation declaring June 15, 2021, as “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.”
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to adopt the proclamation as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Economic Development Capital Reserve Account Expenditure
Mr. Joe Furman, Economic Development Director, stated that the Economic Development Commission (EDC) had recently approved a funding request from the Watauga County Arts Council. The full amount requested and approved by the EDC was $26,415. $7,415 of the request was to be allocated from the EDC operating account and $19,000 was requested from the Capital Reserve Account with $8,000 to be used for rebranding and a new website; $5,000 to be used for tables, chairs, computers, and an event tent; and $6,000 to be used for the establishment and operation of summer concert series. Board approval was required for expenditures from the Capital Reserve Account.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the $19,000 Economic Development Commissioner recommended allocation from the Capital Reserve Account to Watauga County Arts Council as presented by Mr. Furman.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Courthouse Computer Systems Software License and Support Agreement
County Manager Geouque, on behalf of Register of Deeds Amy Shook, presented a proposed software contract with Courthouse Computer Systems, the current vendor, in the amount of $36,225. Adequate funds were budgeted to cover the expense.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the contract in the amount of $36,225 with Courthouse Computer Systems for the Register of Deeds software.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Finance Matters
A. Proposed Capital Projects Ordinance for Valle Crucis School
Ms. Misty Watson, Finance Director, presented a proposed capital project ordinance for the proposed Valle Crucis School. The adoption was required by North Carolina General Statutes. The initial amount of the ordinance recognized the $2,755,650 currently on hand. The ordinance would be amended in the near future to recognize the full funding of the project.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to adopt the capital project ordinance in the amount of $2,755,650 for the proposed Valle Crucis School as presented by Ms. Watson.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Proposed Capital Projects Ordinance for Establishment and Maintenance of the American Rescue Plan Capital Projects Fund
Ms. Watson presented a proposed capital project ordinance for the American Rescue Plan. The adoption was required by North Carolina General Statutes. The amount of the ordinance recognized $10,911,724. The ordinance may be amended in the future to recognize additional funding, if forthcoming.
County Manager Geouque stated that the County would received half of the funding soon and the other half next year. Staff would begin bringing projects, potentially including broadband, water/sewer and natural gas (if allowed) to the Board for potential funding.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to adopt the capital project ordinance in the amount of $10,911,724 for the American Rescue Plan future projects.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Ordinance
County Manager Geouque presented the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Ordinance for adoption. Below were changes directed by the Board:
|
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 stated that the property tax rate remained at $0.403 per $100 of valuation and gave a brief review of the budget which was balanced with no appropriations from the Fund Balance.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to adopt the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Ordinance as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vaya Health Announcement
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, who serves as the Chair of the Regulatory Compliance and Quality Committee of the Vaya Board of Directors, announced that Vaya and Cardinal Innovations will be consolidating.
Below is a portion of the press release announcing the merger:
“Two of North Carolina’s largest managed care organizations announced today that they will consolidate in preparation for the state’s transformation to Medicaid managed care. Vaya Health and Cardinal Innovations have already begun transition efforts, with Vaya assuming responsibility for coordinating services and supports for Cardinal Innovations members once consolidated. Together, the organizations will work toward a seamless transition focused on integrated, compassionate care for individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
Vice-Chairman Kennedy stated that the consolidation would take approximately one year to finalize and would be good for the counties served by Vaya.
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Proposed Termination of the County’s State of Emergency
County Manager Geouque presented a proposed termination of the County’s current State of Emergency (SOE). Chairman Welch stated that the only addition to the Governor’s State of Emergency was the inclusion of the County’s chain of command. The Governor’s SOE was still in effect and the County’s SOE could be reinstated, if necessary, in the future.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to terminate the County’s current State of Emergency as presented by the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. July Meeting Schedule
County Manager Geouque stated that, historically, only one meeting has been held in July due to all the work which had been done on the budget as well as the July 4th holiday. Also, historically, at the beginning of a new fiscal year there was limited business for the Board’s consideration. The Manager recommended cancelling the first meeting in July and holding the second meeting as currently scheduled for the third Tuesday which would be July 20.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to cancel the first meeting in July with the next regular meeting scheduled for July 20, 2021.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the following:
Economic Development Commission
A term on the Economic Development Commission (EDC) was to expire in June. The term would be for three years and members were eligible to be appointed for two consecutive terms. Mr. Tim Hodges has served two terms and was, therefore, ineligible for reappointment; a new appointee was needed. Commissioner Turnbow stated that the EDC was still evaluating and discussing potential recommendations for the appointment.
Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission
Maria Hyde, the current Chair of the Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission (VCHPC) has moved or soon will move out of Watauga County which would require her replacement. Two people have expressed interest in being appointed to replace her. Membership consists of three resident property owners of the historic district, and two members of the Valle Crucis Community Council, regardless of whether they live in the historic district. Mrs. Hyde filled one of the resident property owner slots. Mrs. Rachel Ward who, along with her husband, purchased the Hyde’s house and was interested in being appointed to the Commission. Also interested was Mr. Pat Brown, who lives in the district along with his wife, Jennifer Stoeber. Both qualify to fill the position. This was a first reading and, therefore, no action was taken.
D. Announcements
Chairman Welch congratulated Ms. Diane Deal upon her retirement as the Watauga County Clerk of Court and Mr. Charles Haynes upon his being appointed and sworn in as the Watauga County Clerk of Court.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 6:14 P.M., Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:24 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:24 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
John Welch, Vice-Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board