) STOKES COUNTY
GOVERNMENT
COUNTY OF
STOKES ) DANBURY, NORTH CAROLINA
) DECEMBER
30, 2002
The Board of Commissioners of the County of Stokes, State of
North Carolina, met in special session
in the Council Chambers of the Administrative Building, located in Danbury, North Carolina, on Monday, December
30, 2002, at 7:00 pm with the following
members present:
Chairman
Sandy McHugh
Vice-Chairman
John Turpin
Commissioner
Howard Mabe
Commissioner
Leon Inman
Commissioner
Joe Turpin
Craig
Greer, County Manager
Darlene
Bullins, Clerk to the Board
Chairman McHugh called the meeting to order. Jail Captain Craig Carico delivered the
invocation.
Chairman McHugh opened the meeting by inviting the citizens
in attendance to join the Board with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The following citizens spoke to the Board:
1116 Troy Joyce Road
Madison, NC 27025
Ms. Carter spoke to the Board concerning DSS-Program
Integrity. Ms. Carter noted the
progress the program had made over the past 4 years, its benefits to the DSS and
the County, and the impact of its loss.
1289 NC 8&89 HWY S
Walnut Cove, NC
27052
Ms. Arrington spoke to the Board concerning the valuable
role that Program Integrity
played at DSS. Ms.
Arrington also noted the awards received by the hard work done by this unit.
345 Springdale Road
Walnut Cove, NC
27052
Mr. Gibson commended the Board on their recent actions to
balance the budget. Mr. Gibson
noted the citizens’ need to have no tax increase and support
the actions of the Board.
County Manager Craig Greer presented information to the
Board considering the issuance of bonds of the County of Stokes, which would be
for the following purposes:
$1,300,000 of General Obligation
Refunding Bonds to pay the costs of
refunding in advance of their maturities (1) the County of Stokes, North
Carolina Obligation Schools Bonds, Series 1996 maturing on June 1, 2003, and
(2) the County of Stokes, North Carolina General Obligation School Bonds,
Series 1998 maturing on June 1, 2003.
County Manager Craig Greer presented information concerning
the refinancing of one single maturity of the 1996 & 1998 GO Bonds with a
three repayment on that single maturity with a prepay option without penalty to
pay if off early. The total amount of
refinancing
would be $1, 300,000 with the first interest payment
(approximately $13,000) being December 1, 2003 and the first principle payment
(approximately $446,000) being June 1,
2004. This would enable to the Board to have time to plan their budgetary
opportunities. The Local Government Commission (Executive Committee) would vote
in early January 2003 whether to allow
the Refunding of these Refunding Bonds.
Manager Greer concluded the exact refinancing would not take
place until May 2003 to eliminate the County’s possibility of earning too much
interest on bonded indebtedness that would be taxable. The information provided to the Board was
prepared by the County’s Bond Council (which is required) Parker, Poe, Adams,
and Bernstein, LLP.
Vice Chairman John Turpin moved to adopt the Resolution of
the Board of Commissioners of the County of Stokes, North Carolina, Making
Certain Statements of Fact Concerning Proposed Bond Issue.
Commissioner Inman seconded the motion.
Chairman McHugh read the Resolution.
Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the County of Stokes, North Carolina
Making Certain Statements of Fact Concerning Proposed Bond Issue
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the County of Stokes,
North Carolina (the “Board of Commissioners”) is considering the
issuance of bonds of the County of Stokes, North Carolina (the “County”)
which shall be for the following purposes and in the following maximum amount:
$1,300,000 of General
Obligation Refunding Bonds to pay the costs of refunding in advance of their
maturities (1) the County of Stokes, North Carolina General Obligation School
Bonds, Series 1996 maturing on June 1, 2003 and (2) the County of Stokes, North
Carolina General Obligation School Bonds, Series 1998 maturing on June 1, 2003;
WHEREAS, certain findings of fact by the Board of
Commissioners must be presented to enable the Local Government Commission of
the State of North Carolina to make certain determinations as set forth in
Article 4 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes, Section 52.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of
Commissioners meeting in open session on the 30th day of December, 2002, has
made the following factual findings in regard to this matter:
A.
Facts Regarding Necessity of Proposed
Financing. The proposed bonds are
necessary and expedient in order to assure
restructure debt service costs
to the County.
B.
Facts Supporting the Amount of Bonds Proposed. The sums
estimated for these bonds are adequate and not excessive for the
proposed
purpose.
C.
Past Debt Management Polices. The County’s debt management
procedures and policies are good and have been carried out
in
compliance with law. The County employs
a full time Finance Officer to oversee compliance with applicable laws relating
to debt management.
The Board of Commissioners requires annual audits of County
finances. In connection with these
audits,
compliance with laws is reviewed. The County is not in default in any of its
debt service obligations. The County
Attorney
reviews all debt-related documents for compliance
with laws.
D.
Past Budgetary and Fiscal Management Polices. The County’s
budgetary and fiscal management policies have been carried
out in compliance with laws. Annual budgets are closely reviewed by the
Board of Commissioners before final approval of
budget ordinances.
Budget amendments changing a department total or between departments are
presented to the Board of
Commissioners at regular Board of Commissioners
meetings. The Finance Director presents
financial information to the
Board of Commissioners which shows budget to actual
comparisons quarterly and otherwise as the County Manager deems
necessary or as a member of the Board of
Commissioners may request.
E.
Retirement of Debt. The schedule for issuing the
bonds may require a property tax
increase. The schedule for issuance
calls
for issuing all of the bonds during calendar year
2003.
READ, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 30th day of
December, 2002.
________________________________
Sandy McHugh, Chairman
Adopted at a special meeting
this the 30th day of December, 2002.
Attest:
_________________________________
Darlene Bullins, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners
Approved As To Form:
_________________________________
J. Tyrone Browder, County Attorney
Vice Chairman John Turpin questioned County Manager Greer
concerning the affects if the Hold Harmless monies were held again next year.
County Manager Greer concluded an estimated $1.5 short due
to low fund balance to help offset shortage, Medicaid increases, hospital
payment, and debt payment.
Commissioner Inman expressed concerns over this not being
the ideal arrangement, but would enable to the Board to have buy some time.
Chairman McHugh called the question.
The motion carried (3-2) with Vice Chairman John Turpin and
Commissioner Joe Turpin voting against the Resolution.
Chairman McHugh read the following Resolution, which calls
for a Public Hearing on the Bond Order, Directing Publication of the Notice of
Said Public Hearing and Filing of a
Debt Statement.
Resolution
of the County of Stokes, North Carolina
Calling
a Public Hearing on Bond Order, Directing Publication of
Notice
of Said Public Hearing and Filing of a Debt Statement.
Whereas, a bond order entitled:
“Bond
Order Authorizing the Issuance of $1,300,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds of the County of Stokes,
North Carolina”
has been introduced at a special meeting of the Board of Commissioners
of the County of Stokes, North Carolina this 30th day of
December, 2002 and the Board of Commissioners desires to provide for the
holding of a public hearing thereon on January 13, 2003
and the submission of a statement
of debt in connection therewith as required by the Local Government Bond Act.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED by
the Board of Commissioners of the County of Stokes, North Carolina as follows:
1. The public hearing on said bond order shall be held on
the 13th day of January, 2003 at 7:30 pm at the Collinstown
Community Building, Westfield, North Carolina 27053.
2.
The
Clerk to the Board of Commissioners is hereby directed to cause a copy of the bond
order to be published with a notice of
such hearing in the form prescribed by law in a
qualified newspaper no fewer than six (6) days prior to such public hearing.
3.
The
County’s Finance Director is hereby directed to file with the Clerk to the
Board of Commissioners prior to publication of
the bond order with the notice of such public
hearing, a statement setting forth the debt incurred or to be incurred, the
appraised value of property subject to taxation by
the County and the net debt of the County.
READ, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 30th day of December, 2002.
________________________________
Sandy McHugh,
Chairman
Adopted at a special meeting
this the 30th day of December, 2002.
Attest:
_________________________________
Darlene Bullins, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners
Approved As To Form:
_________________________________
J. Tyrone Browder, County Attorney
Commissioner Inman moved to approve the Resolution, which calls
for a Public Hearing on the Bond Order,
Directing Publication of the Notice of Said Public Hearing and Filing of a Debt Statement on January 13,
2003, - 7:30pm at the Collinstown Community Building, Westfield, North
Carolina.
Commissioner Joe Turpin seconded and the motion carried
unanimously.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT-GOVERNING BODY-EPA-EARLY ACTION COMPACT
County Manager Craig Greer presented information to the
Board concerning the EPA-Early Action Compact (EAC).
The Triad (which Stokes County is included) is currently
exceeding the federal 8-hour ozone standard.
If this continues, the Triad will be designated as a non-attainment area for ozone which means
a series of more restrictive regulations and penalties. The Triad has the opportunity to enter this
voluntary program which will give the
local communities an opportunity to address their air quality
issues. The compact is a commitment by
State and Local governments to adopt a strategy to comply with the 8-hour standard by December 31, 2007. The only requirement for local governments
is to take part in the process. The deadline for forming the EAC is December
31, 2002 which requires the Board’s to adopt the Resolution to take part in the
EAC planning process, which benefits are
(1)
better air quality;
(2)
more local control on decisions;
(3) delay or avoid EPA
restrictions.
Manager Greer concluded that the County can get out of the
EAC and go back to regular non-attainment process any time without penalty.
Commissioner Mabe moved to adopt the Resolution for the
Early Action Compact for better air quality.
Commissioner Joe Turpin seconded the motion.
Following discussion of the pros and cons of the Compact,
Chairman McHugh called the question.
The motion to adopt the Resolution carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Piedmont Triad Region is currently exceeding
the federal 8 hour ozone standard;
WHEREAS, the Piedmont Triad Region will face non-attainment
of the ozone standard, which brings with it Environmental Protection Agency
regulations that will negatively impact the region’s ability to recruit and
retain business and industry; and
WHEREAS, Environmental Protection Agency regulations will
also impact transportation
planning in the Piedmont Triad; and
WHEREAS, the Environmental Protection Agency has offered an
opportunity to local
Governments to enter into an “Early Action Compact”,
which will allow local stakeholders and elected officials to devise a plan to
improve air quality in the Piedmont Triad Region and avoid the negative
implications of non-attainment; and
WHEREAS, local action will lead to greater community input
and support for air quality solutions;
The Stokes County Board of Commissioners
hereby resolves to enter into an Early Action
Compact with other Triad Region governments.
The Stokes County Board of Commissioners
agrees to fully participate in the Early Action
Compact planning process with the understanding that
the Stokes County Board of Commissioners can withdraw from the compact at any
time and deal directly with the
Environmental Protection Agency on non-attainment
issues.
In witness whereof, this Resolution was passed this
the 30th day of December 2002.
________________________
Chairman
Stokes County Board of Commissioners
Stokes County Board of Commissioners
Commissioner Mabe requested to discuss and possibly transact
business pertaining to the property tax rate as permitted by General
Statue.
Commissioner Mabe commented on the trouble spots the County
is previously in discussing the
following:
Debt
Services – 9.57% of total budget
Adding
Refinancing of GO Bonds debt service would increase to an estimated 11%
Funds taken
for capital projects
Need for
new vehicles
Frozen
positions
No COLAs
for employees
County Manager Greer presented data to the Board concerning
the Deficit Reduction.
Manager Greer noted upon the approval of the Debt Service
refinancing and the recent action by the Board, there would be a remaining
$3211 deficit, which could be found.
There being no further business to come before the Board,
Chairman McHugh adjourned the meeting with the next meeting- January 13, 2003
–7:00pm at Collinstown Community Building, Westfield, NC.
________________________ _____________________________
Darlene
Bullins
Sandy McHugh
Clerk to
the Board Chairman