MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SPECIAL MEETING
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2022, & FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on Thursday, February 17, 2022, and Friday, February 18, 2022, in order to conduct a budget retreat to review goals and objectives for the County. The meetings originated in the Commissioners’ Board Room at the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
PRESENT: John Welch, Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Carrington Pertalion, Commissioner
Charlie Wallin, Commissioner
Larry Turnbow, Commissioner
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Misty Watson, Finance Director
Lunch was provided at 12:00 P.M. Chairman Welch called the meeting to order on Thursday, February 17, 2022, at 1:12 P.M., welcoming those in attendance. Charlie Wallin arrived at 2:20 P.M.
The following topics were discussed:
Opening Remarks
Mr. Deron Geouque
Housing Needs Assessment Presentation
Mr. Michael Cooper and Mr. Patrick Bowen
FY 2022 Review and Discussion of FY 2023 Budget
Mr. Misty Watson
A. Revenues
B. Expenditures
C. Debt Service Report
D. Budget Calendar
E. Special Appropriations
Review of Current Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Mr. Deron Geouque and Mr. Robert Marsh
A. Current CIP Status Report
B. Valle Crucis Elementary School
C. County Facilities Assessment Update
D. Courthouse Parking Deck
E. Courthouse Roof Repairs Update
F. Human Services and Law Enforcement Roof Replacement
G. ARPA Projects/Funding
1. COVID-19 Expenses I.E. Inmate Testing $270,000
2. Law Enforcement Safety Gear $30,000
3. Broadband $7,750,000
4. Kill/Chill Water/Sewer $500,000
5. Valle Crucis School Water/Sewer $2,145,000
6. Undesignated ARPA Funding $216,724
7. Outside Agency Requests
H. Library
I. School Facilities
Break from 3:49 P.M. to 4:02 P.M.
Sanitation Facility Upgrades
Mr. Rex Buck & McGill Associates
Animal Care and Control Ordinance
Mr. Eric Presnell
Appalachian District Health
Ms. Jennifer Greene
Watauga Medics
Mr. Craig Sullivan
A. Annual Report
B. Future Needs
A recess was declared at 6:01 P.M. The meeting reconvened on Friday, February 18, 2022, at 9:00 A.M.
Middle Fork Greenway Update
Ms. Wendy Patoprsty
Watauga TDA
Mr. Wright Tilley
2022 Revaluation
Mr. Larry Warren
Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
Mr. Donnie Bassinger and Mr. David Holman
Break from 10:25 A.M. to 10:38 P.M.
School Board Funding Issues
Superintendent Dr. Scott Elliott, School Board Members: Mr. Marshall Ashcroft, Dr. Gary Childers, and Dr. Jay Fenwick, as well as Staff members: Ms. Ly Marze, Mr. Jeff Trexler, and Dr. Stephen Martin
A. FY 2023 Funding Needs
B. Schools’ Capital Improvement Plan
Break from 11:47 A.M. to 12:17 P.M.
Public Safety and Emergency Communications Matters
Mr. Will Holt
A. Centralized Dispatch
B. Systems Update
Miscellaneous & Commissioner Matters
Mr. Deron Geouque
A. State Issues
B. Commissioner Matters
Wrap up, Goals, Objectives, and Board Directives
Budget Work Session are set for May 12, 2022, from 12:00 – 8:00 P.M. and May 13, 2022, from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
The County Manager concluded the retreat by reviewing the issues discussed and seeking direction from the Board for Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
The meeting adjourned at 2:10 P.M.
John Welch
Chairman, Watauga County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
Deron Geouque
County Manager