MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SPECIAL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022
After the Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 18, 2022, was cancelled due to inclement weather and road conditions, the Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting, on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 5:32 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: John Welch, Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Charlie Wallin, Commissioner
Andrea Capua, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Welch thanked County staff including Mr. Will Holt, Emergency Services Director and the Sheriff’s Office as well as the National Guard and Blue Ridge Energy and all of those who helped the County during the recent winter storm.
Chairman Welch stated that Commissioner Pertalion was not in attendance due to a prior commitment and Commissioner, Turnbow was not in attendance due to weather related road conditions.
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 December 21, 2021, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the December 21, 2021, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Pertalion, Turnbow)
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the December 21, 2021, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Pertalion, Turnbow)
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chairman Welch presented the January 19, 2022, agenda.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the January 19, 2022, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Pertalion, Turnbow)
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) COMMUNITY UPDATE
Ms. Jennifer Greene, AppHealthCare Director, provided an update on the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The report was for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
WATAUGA COUNTY SHERIFF’S REQUEST TO PURCHASE SAFARILAND LEVEL III VESTS AND PROTECH BALLISTIC HELMETS.
Captain Russell with the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office requested approval of the purchase of seven (7) Safariland Level III vests at $3,286.19 each and eight (8) Protech ballistic helmets at $762.50 each. Funds were eligible to be utilized from American Recovery Program (ARP) funding received by the County for the total purchase cost of $31,361.31.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the purchase of seven (7) Safariland Level III vests and eight (8) Protech ballistic helmets from Lawmen’s in the total amount of $31,361.31 with funds to be allocated from American Recovery Program (ARP) funding.
VOTE: Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Pertalion, Turnbow)
A. Monthly Collections Report
Tax Administrator, Mr. Larry Warren, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of December 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 December 2021 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for December 2021 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Pertalion, Turnbow)
C. Board of Equalization and Review (E&R) Schedule
Mr. Larry Warren, Tax Administrator, requested direction with the establishment and scheduling of the 2022 Board of Equalization and Review (E&R). Mr. Warren stated that the Board may create a special Board of Equalization and Review to serve; however, in previous years, the Board of Commissioners has been appointed to serve as the Board of E&R, including the County Manager as an alternate member. Mr. Warren presented a proposed resolution creating the Board of E&R in a like manner. The member compensation also needed to be set. For the past several years, the compensation was set at $75 per session with the County Manager not to receive additional compensation other than his regular salary.
Mr. Warren suggested the convening date for the Board of Equalization and Review be scheduled for Tuesday, April 5, 2022, and the adjournment date for appeal applications to be submitted to the Board of E&R be scheduled for Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at 5:00 P.M. with all meeting to be held in the County Commissioners Conference Room. Additional meeting dates for the Board of E&R to hear appeals would be scheduled at a future Board of Commissioners meeting.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to:
· set the convening date as April 5, 2022
· set the adjournment date as April 26, 2022, at 5:00 P.M.
· adopt the Resolution Establishing the Watauga County Board of Equalization and Review as the five-member County Commissioners, each having one vote, and the County Manager, to serve as an alternate member
· set the compensation rate at $75 per session with the County Manager not receiving any additional compensation
VOTE: Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Pertalion, Turnbow)
2022 Revaluation Update
Mr. Larry Warren and Mr. Ryan Vincent, with Vincent Valuations, presented an update on the 2022 Revaluation process.
Mr. Vincent stated that “Reappraisal is a process in which all real property in the county is appraised at its current market value as of a particular date. Real property includes both land and the improvements on it, whether residential, commercial, agricultural or industrial in nature.” State law requires all counties conduct a reappraisal at least once every eight years. The last reappraisal in Watauga County was in 2014; therefore, one must be conducted in 2022. Mr. Vincent stated that the County does not create market value. Market value is set by the real estate transactions of buyers and sellers in the marketplace.
The reappraisal will reset properties in Watauga County to their value as of January 1, 2022. The new market values will be mailed to property owners on March 17, 2022, and the new market values will be used to calculate the tax bills that will be mailed out in the summer of 2022 after the tax rate has been established by the Board of Commissioners. Mr. Vincent shared the steps used in determining property values and gave several examples of recently sold homes within the County.
Mr. Vincent then reviewed the appeal process for the property owners who do not agree with the new appraised value of their home:
1. Review the information on file in the tax office for your property, and report any outdated or incorrect information
2. Compare your property value with the sale prices of similar properties. A free online service would be available for use.
3. If all information was up to date in the Tax Office and the property owner still disagrees with the assessed value, they could file an appeal with the Board of Equalization and Review (E&R) and schedule a hearing. After the Board of E&R hearing, a written notification of the property value would be mailed to the property owner.
Mr. Vincent stated that all appeals must be received by 5:00 P.M. on April 26, 2022, in order to be considered.
Mr. Vincent reviewed the following key reappraisal dates:
Effective Date of Reappraisal: January 1, 2022
Reappraisal Notices Mail Date: March 17, 2022
Board of Equalization and Review: Convenes on April 5, 2022, with hearings to follow
Deadline to Submit Real Property Appeals: 5:00 p.m. on April 26, 2022
First Tax Bills Impacted by Reappraisal: Summer 2022
The report was given for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
FINANCE MATTERS
A. Budget Amendments
Ms. Misty Watson, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Watson.
VOTE: Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Pertalion, Turnbow)
B. Proposed Agreement for Underwriting Services for the New Valle Crucis School
Ms. Watson presented an engagement letter from Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated to serve as the County’s managing underwriter or placement agent for the new Valle Crucis Elementary School. The engagement letter would be replaced and superseded by a bond purchase agreement to be entered into when the Securities were priced following a successful completion of the offering process. Baird served as the underwriter for the Community Recreation Center along with many projects in North Carolina and has a successful relationship with the North Carolina Local Government Commission. The proposed per bond fee (not to exceed $3.45/$1,000 plus expenses related to the bond issuance) was in line with the industry standard. County Manager Geouque stated that staff would bring consideration of a bond counsel at a future meeting.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to, contingent upon County Attorney review, name Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated as managing underwriter/placement agent for the new Valle Crucis Elementary School with a per bond fee not to exceed $3.45/$1,000 plus expenses related to the bond issuance.
VOTE: Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Pertalion, Turnbow)
PROPOSED SCOPE CHANGE ORDERS FOR SANITATION PROJECTS
County Manager Geouque, on behalf of Mr. Rex Buck, Operations Services Director, recommended approval of two scope changes regarding facility improvements at the landfill/transfer station. McGill Associates recommended the installation of two scales and constructing a new scale house between the proposed new scales. The plan would create two distinct lanes of travel and eliminate the need for outbound vehicles to re-enter the current scale lane to determine outbound empty weights. The total costs for this scope change was $180,200.
County Manager Geouque stated that McGill Associates also recommended the relocation of the current trailer storage area to the County’s Land Clearing Inert Debris (LCID) facility and the construction of a new trailer storage pad. The County Manager stated that McGill Associates believed that relocating and constructing the new trailer storage area, with leachate containment, would improve accessibility and address environmental concerns. The total cost of this scope was $59,300.
County Manager Geouque stated sufficient funds were available in the Sanitation Department’s current budget to cover the costs associated with the proposed scope changes.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to authorize the County Manager to notify McGill, Associates, P.A. to proceed with the scope change orders as presented in the total amount of $239,500.
VOTE: Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Pertalion, Turnbow)
FY 2021 DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS REGION PROJECT AWARD REQUEST
Mr. Will Holt, Emergency Services Director, requested acceptance of the FY 2021 HSPG Grant, part of the Domestic Preparedness Region Program for the purchase of a trailer mounted 20 kw generator and light tower. Mr. Holt stated that this grant was in the amount of $26,000.00 with no County match required.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to accept the FY 2021 HSPG Grant in the amount of $26,000 with no County match required.
VOTE: Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Pertalion, Turnbow)
County Manager Geouque requested Mr. Holt give a brief update on possible consolidation of emergency services with the Town of Boone. Mr. Holt stated he had been working with the Town of Boone Fire Chief, Jimmy Isaacs, and the Town of Boone Police Chief, Andy LeBeau, and was looking forward to a consolidation. County Manager Geouque also thanked Chief Isaacs and Chief LeBeau for working together toward the shared goal. Mr. Holt stated that a formal proposal would be presented for consideration at a future Board meeting.
Chairman Welch thanked Mr. Holt and staff for work done throughout the recent winter storm. Mr. Holt included 911 operators, the Detention Center, Watauga Medical Center, and local restaurants.
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Proposed Resolution on Statewide Workforce Board Realignment
County Manager Geouque stated that Mr. Keith Deveraux, Director of Workforce Development at High Country Council of Governments, had requested the Board consider adoption of a resolution opposing the consolidation or realignment of the High Country Workforce Development Board (WDB) Region and that the current WDB (which consisted of Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties) remain the same.
Chairman Welch shared concerns that the realignment would place Watauga County in the same region as counties with different demographics. Mr. Welch stated that the High County Council of Governments was in support of the resolution.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to adopt the resolution opposing the consolidation or realignment of the High Country Workforce Development Board (WDB) Region as presented by the County Manager on behalf of the WDB.
VOTE: Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Pertalion, Turnbow)
B. Broadband RFP Bid Award Request
County Manager Geouque stated that Local Governments can now use up to $10 million in ARP funds towards general government services under a new Standard allowance. A final ruling was made in January 2022 allowing more flexibility with the expenditure of American Recovery Plan (ARP) funds. North Carolina General Statutes have been changed to allow ARP funding to be used for Broadband services. Mr. Geouque first presented a breakdown, as follows, of proposed uses for the ARP funds received by the County:
Project Estimated Cost Balance of ARP Funding
Beginning Total - $10,911,724
Detention Facility- Unbudgeted
COVID19 Expenses $270,000 $10,641,724
Broadband Initiative $7,750,000 $ 2,891,724
Kill/Chill Facility $500,000 $ 2,391,724
Valle Crucis Elementary School
Water/Sewer/Stormwater $2,145,000 $ 246,724
Outside Agency Requests
OASIS – 1 Time Mortgage Relief $50,000
Children’s Council –
Reoccurring Services $100,000
Club Twelve
Initial $5,000
Reoccurring Services $5,000 to $10,000
WYN $1,000,000
Property Acquisition
Mountain Alliance unknown
The County Manager stated that it had not been determined if some of the outside agency requests were eligible for ARP funding and time at the upcoming Annual Pre-Budget Retreat was scheduled to discuss how the remaining ARP funds would be used for other requested projects.
Mr. Geouque stated that the State has allocated funds to CAB and Great Grant for broadband expenses; however, if the County awarded the ARP funds for broadband, then the County would not be eligible for the CAB and Great Grant funding.
The County solicited for Broadband services on December 1, 2021. The Requests for Proposals (RFPs) were due December 22, 2021. The County only received one submittal which was not opened and a second advertisement was conducted with the due date of January 10, 2022. Only one submittal was received again and was opened per North Carolina General Statutes. The Broadband Committee met on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, to review the RFP submitted by Blue Ridge Energy and SkyBest Communications to ensure compliance with the RFP. The requirements of the RFP were met.
Mr. Geouque presented the following considerations regarding accepting the Blue Ridge Energy/Skybest RFP and not utilizing CAB funding.
PROS (if awarded to Blue Ridge Energy/Skybest)
Timing – shorter start and completion date
No cost escalation
No scope reduction
State Not Ready - guidelines and processes not developed
95% Broadband Availability
Digital divide virtually eliminated
Great Grant potentially no longer needed
CONS (if wait on CAB funding)
Timing – longer start and completion date
Increased cost
Project scope reduction
State has complete fiscal oversight and program administration
Great Grant eligible
Potential $2.713 CAB Funding
Blue Ridge Energy/Skybest could decline to participate due to workload.
Mr. Brad Shields, with Blue Ridge Energy, and Mr. Robbie Farmer, with Skybest, presented their proposal. The current proposal would build approximately seventy-five (75) miles of trunk fiber by Blue Ridge Energy and SkyLine/SkyBest to provide seventy-eight (78) miles of distribution fiber for approximately 1,565 homes to access. The project would consist of four phases and be constructed over a two and a half (2.5) year process. The four phases would be as follows:
· Phase 1 – Triplett/Powder Horn - would provide the largest amount of access to homes (503) and territory. 29 miles of fiber built.
· Phase 2 – Wildcat/Stoney Fork – access for 310 homes. 20 miles of fiber built.
· Phase 3 – Blackberry/Sampson – access for 252 homes. 16 miles of fiber built.
· Phase 4 – Howard’s Creek/Ray Brown/Raven Rock – access for 500 homes. 10 miles of fiber built.
Mr. Shields stated that they were excited to move forward with the project and were honoring the agreement first made in August 2021 (which had to be rescinded due to waiting on the Federal and State governments determining regulations for the uses of ARP funding). Mr. Shields stated that ninety-five percent (95%) of the County would be covered when the project was complete.
Mr. Shields and Mr. Farmer shared their concerns with waiting on CAB and Great Grant funding. First, the costs of materials would increase to the amount that no savings would be realized with the receipt of CAB funds. Mr. Shields also stated that with those type of funds the State would pay thirty-five percent (35%), the County thirty-five percent (35%) and Blue Ridge Energy/Skybest would have to pay for thirty percent (30%) of the project. Mr. Shields stated that Blue Ridge Energy was already making an investment in the project but could not do the required 30%. As there were no other bidders in response to the RFP, the project would likely die. With Watauga County being considered a Tier III County when considering the State program funds, the probability of receiving funds was low. Mr. Farmer reiterated by stating that he did not know if the County would receive funding either. Mr. Shields stated that, if the County chose to wait on CAB funding, Blue Ridge Energy and Skybest would withdraw their proposal due to not having the ability to commit to the 30% stake as required by the State. Mr. Farmer stated that other States are, in the meantime, buying fiber causing a greater demand. County Manager Geouque stated that with the fiber lines laid, hopefully competitive pricing would be available for County residents. Mr. Farmer stated that cell towers would be able to connect onto the fiber as well which could be used for emergency services.
After discussion, Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to accept the Request for Proposal from Blue Ridge Energy/Skybest Communications and to allow the County Manager and County Attorney to work with Blue Ridge Energy/Skybest Communications to determine within sixty days whether a subrecipient agreement or contract would be the best type of document of which to move forward.
VOTE: Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Pertalion, Turnbow)
C. Proposed Dates for Annual Pre-Budget Retreat
After discussion and by consensus, the Board agreed to set the Annual Pre-Budget Retreat dates as February 17, 2022, from 12:00 to 7:00 P.M. and February 18, 2022, from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. with the understanding that Commissioners Pertalion and Turnbow would be notified and the alternate dates of February 22 and 23, 2022, were saved on calendars in the event they were needed.
D. Proposed Dates for Budget Work Sessions
County Manager Geouque stated that the Board holds two budget work sessions each year after the Manager’s proposed budget was presented at the first Board meeting in May. The proposed dates for the budget work sessions were May 5 and 6 or May 12 and 13 with times proposed from 12:00 to 8:00 P.M. and 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
After discussion and by consensus, the Board agreed to set the budget work session dates as May 12, 2022, from 12:00 to 8:00 P.M. and May 13, 2022, from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. with the understanding that the dates could be reconsidered at a future meeting, if not suitable for Commissioners Pertalion and Turnbow.
E. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the following:
AppalCART Board
The Town of Boone has recommended the appointment of Mr. Todd Carter, as a Town representative, to the AppalCART Board.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Mr. Todd Carter to the AppalCART Board as a Town of Boone representative.
VOTE: Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Pertalion, Turnbow)
Watauga County Recreation Commission
The Town of Boone has recommended the appointment of Ms. Rebecca Nenow, as a Town of Boone representative, to the Watauga County Recreation Commission.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Ms. Rebecca Nenow to the Watauga County Recreation Commission as a Town of Boone representative.
VOTE: Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Pertalion, Turnbow)
F. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· The Watauga Compassionate Community Initiative has sent a “save the date” for their Annual Spring Conference which will be held on Friday, May 13, and Saturday, May 14, 2022.
· Watauga County Parks and Recreation is teaming up with the Hospitality House, Casting Bread, and Hunger & Health Coalition to collect food items. Please drop your items off at the Community Recreation Center between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. by February 11.
There was no public comment.
CLOSED SESSION
At 7:21 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-3(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Pertalion, Turnbow)
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to resume the open meeting at 8:16 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Pertalion, Turnbow)
POSSIBLE ACTION AFTER CLOSED SESSION
There was no action after closed session.
ADJOURN
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Pertalion, Turnbow)
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board