MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2022
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, April 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 5:34 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: John Welch, Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Carrington Pertalion, Commissioner
Larry Turnbow, Commissioner
Charlie Wallin, 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 April 5, 2022, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the April 5, 2022, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the April 5, 2022, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the April 19, 2022, agenda.
Chairman Welch requested to add Boards and Commissions to the agenda to consider an appointment to the Workforce Development Board.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the April 19, 2022, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Resolution Recognizing the Month of May as Mental Health Awareness
Commissioner Pertalion read a proposed resolution recognizing the awareness of mental health in the month of May and recognizing an individual or family from our community that has been impacted personally by mental health issues. This year the Board will honor the Ligon family.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adopt the resolution as presented by Commissioner Pertalion.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Update of Interlocal Agreement for Appalachian Regional Library
Ms. Jane Blackburn, Director of Libraries with Appalachian Regional Library, presented an Interlocal Agreement with the Appalachian Regional Library that has been adopted by both Ashe and Wilkes Counties. The current agreement was set to expire in 2022.
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners adopted the new agreement on September 21, 2021; however, additional changes were made prior to adoption by Ashe and Wilkes counties. The original proposed amendment would add language that would require ARL members to be selected from each county’s local library advisory boards. This would ensure the ARL Board members were familiar with their local county library. The additional proposed changes included requiring the ARL Director to consult with the local library board of each member county for review and input in the selection and appointment of the county librarian, and prior to ARL Board approval of the annual budget, the separate budgets of each member county be submitted to that county’s local library board for review and input. All of the proposed amendments were currently in practice but not in writing.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the interlocal agreement with Appalachian Regional Library with all amendments included as adopted by Ashe and Wilkes Counties.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Budget Amendments
Ms. Misty Watson, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
104310-451001 |
Capital Outlay – Equipment |
$19,140 |
|
|
103300-349400 |
NC Crime Commission Grant |
|
$19,140 |
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The amendment recognized the purchase of radars provided through a grant from the NC Crime Commission as approve at the February 15, 2022, Board meeting. |
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103300-332006 |
Senior Health Info Grant |
|
$4,007 |
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105550-449901 |
Senior Health Information Program |
$4,007 |
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The amendment recognized the acceptance of the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) grant funds as approved at the February 15, 2022, Board meeting. Matching funds were not required from the County. |
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104310-451000 |
Capital Outlay – Equipment |
$9,250 |
|
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103839-343100 |
Donations – Sheriff’s Office |
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$9,250 |
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The amendment recognized the donation of a K-9 as approved at the February 15, 2022, Board meeting. |
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105911-471000 |
Lottery Funds |
|
$300,000 |
|
105911-470001 |
Carpet and Tile |
$45,000 |
|
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105911-470005 |
Cafeteria Equipment |
$55,000 |
|
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105911-470037 |
Gym Floors |
$20,000 |
|
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105911-470070 |
Retaining Wall – Bethel |
$50,000 |
|
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105911-470071 |
Boiler System – Hardin Park |
$10,000 |
|
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105911-470019 |
Classroom Doors |
$20,000 |
|
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105911-470043 |
Renovations/Replace Roofs |
$100,000 |
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The amendment recognized lottery funds requested and approved at the February 15, 2022, Board meeting. |
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105911-470041 |
Pavement Repair/Resurface |
$160,000 |
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105911-470034 |
Security Cameras |
$50,000 |
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105911-470029 |
Mobile Unit |
$150,000 |
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105911-470036 |
HVAC/Sewer Pumps |
$25,000 |
|
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105911-470069 |
1:1 Devices |
$300,000 |
|
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103980-398121 |
Transfer from Capital Projects Fund |
|
$685,000 |
|
213991-399101 |
Fund Balance Appropriation |
|
$685,000 |
|
219800-498010 |
Transfer to General Fund |
$685,000 |
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The amendment transferred funds for capital needs from the Capital Reserve for the School System as approved at the February 15, 2022, Board meeting. |
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104920-463000 |
General Appropriations |
$10,000 |
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213991-399101 |
Fund Balance Appropriation |
|
$10,000 |
|
219800-498010 |
Transfer to General Fund |
$10,000 |
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103980-398121 |
Transfer from Capital Projects Fund |
|
$10,000 |
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The amendment transferred funds from Capital Reserve for Economic Development funding for the Boomerang Music and Arts Festival as recommended by the Economic Development Commission (EDC) and approved at the March 1, 2022, Board meeting. |
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145310-442201 |
PC Software and Licenses |
$3,723 |
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143531-323000 |
Admin Cost Reimbursement – State and Federal |
|
$18,723 |
|
145310-469101 |
Professional Services – Legal |
$30,000 |
|
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143991-399102 |
Fund Balance |
|
$15,000 |
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The amendment recognized legal fees and PC licenses above the budgeted amount for the Department of Social Services. The County will be reimbursed 100% of the PC licenses and 50% for legal fees. |
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145410-449031 |
CARES LIEAP CIP |
$317,623 |
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143531-323000 |
Admin Cost Reimbursement – State and Federal |
|
$317,623 |
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The amendment recognized the allocation of additional funds from the NC Department of Health and Human Services additional funds to assist with LIEAP under the American Rescue Plan Act. |
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145410-449300 |
APS Essential Services |
$3,518 |
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143531-323000 |
Admin Cost Reimbursement – State and Federal |
|
$3,518 |
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The amendment recognized the allocation of additional funds from the NC Department of Health and Human Services additional funds to assist with Adult Protective Services. |
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104920-463000 |
General Appropriations |
$22,000 |
|
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213991-399101 |
Fund Balance Appropriation |
|
$22,000 |
|
219800-498010 |
Transfer to General Fund |
$22,000 |
|
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103980-398121 |
Transfer from Capital Projects Fund |
|
$22,000 |
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The amendment transferred funds from Capital Reserve for Economic Development funding for the Spotlight Gold Campaign and video production as recommended by the Economic Development Commission and approved at the March 15, 2022, Board meeting. |
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103835-341351 |
Town of Beech Mountain Ambulance Crew |
|
$71,471 |
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104199-499100 |
Contingency |
|
$11,529 |
|
104370-469501 |
Contracted Services – Watauga Medics |
$83,000 |
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The amendment recognized funds for a 24/7 ambulance to be stationed in Beech Mountain as approved at the March 15, 2022, Board meeting. |
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105890-469857 |
Blue Ridge RC&D – Todd Island Park |
$15,000 |
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104199-499100 |
Contingency |
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$15,000 |
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The amendment allocates funds to the Todd Island Park project with the caveat Ashe County match the $15,000 as approved at the November 17, 2020, Board meeting. |
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105890-469858 |
Habitat for Humanity |
$20,000 |
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104199-499100 |
Contingency |
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$20,000 |
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The amendment allocated funds to Habitat for Humanity for construction of a new road as approved at the March 1, 2022, Board meeting. |
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667420-457000 |
Capital Outlay – Land |
$125,000 |
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663991-399100 |
Retained Earnings |
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$125,000 |
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The amendment recognized funds to purchase property where the current Highway 421 Container Site is located as approved at the February 15, 2022, Board meeting. |
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Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Watson.
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 March 2022. The report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
B. Refunds and Releases
Mr. Warren stated that there were no refunds and presented the Releases Report for March 2022 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the Releases Report for March 2022 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Board of Elections Software, Maintenance, and Warranty Agreement with Election Systems & Software, LLC (ES&S)
Mr. Matt Snyder, Board of Elections Director, stated that, per Statute, a contract was required for the maintenance of elections equipment. The contract was previously required every five years but now had to be approved annually. Mr. Snyder presented a one-year contract with Election Systems & Software, LLC (“ES&S”) for software, maintenance, and warranty for voting machines to be contingent upon County Attorney approval. The local Board of Elections voted unanimously to approve the contract with ES&S in the amount of $28,917.52 annually. Adequate funds were budgeted to cover the expense.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Boards and Commissions
Workforce Development Board
Chairman Welch stated that Mr. Keith Deveraux, Director of High Country Council of Governments Work Force Development Board, had requested the reappointment of Ms. Jessica Auten for a term ending on June 30, 2024.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Ms. Jessica Auten as a Watauga County representative on the Work Force Development Board with a term ending on June 30, 2024.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· Budget Work Sessions are scheduled for Thursday, May 12, 2022, beginning at 12:00 noon and Friday, May 13, 2022, beginning at 9:00 A.M.
· Registration for the 2022 Watauga Compassionate Community Initiative (WCCI) Conference is now open and available at www.wataugacci.org. Registration closes Monday, April 25, 2022.
· The deadline date for citizens to appeal their new property tax valuation has been extended to April 29, 2022. The extension was enacted due to a printing issue which caused the valuation letters to be mailed later than planned. The new date will give property owners a full three-week period to appeal their value.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy announced that the last of the four housing forum sessions was upcoming and encouraged attendance.
County Manager Geouque stated that the Board of Elections would be using the Board of Commissioners’ Board Room for one-stop voting through May 17, 2022, and again in July for a second primary.
The County Manager recommended moving the May 3 and July 19 meetings to the Community Room in the Community Recreation Center (CRC) and to reschedule the May 17, 2022, meeting to either Wednesday, May 18, or Tuesday, May 24, and hold it in the Commissioners’ Board Room which is better suited for budget public hearing which is scheduled for the second meeting in May each year.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to change the venue of the May 3, 2022, and July 19, 2022, regular Board meetings to the Community Room in the Community Recreation Center and to reschedule the May 17, 2022, meeting to Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 6:03 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) and Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:36 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Possible Action After Closed Session
There was no action after closed session.
Adjourn
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:36 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board