STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA ) OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS

) STOKES COUNTY GOVERNMENT

COUNTY OF STOKES ) DANBURY, NORTH CAROLINA

) MARCH 8, 2005

The Board of Commissioners of the County of Stokes, State of North Carolina, met for a Board Retreat in the Council Chambers of the Ronald Wilson Reagan Memorial Building (Administrative Building), located in Danbury, North Carolina, on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at 6:00 pm with the following members present:

Chairman John Turpin

Vice-Chairman Leon Inman

Commissioner Sandy McHugh

Commissioner Joe Turpin

Commissioner Jimmy Walker

County Personnel in Attendance:

County Manager Richard Morris

Clerk to the Board Darlene Bullins

Assistance Finance Director Lisa Lankford

Chairman John Turpin called the Board Retreat to order.

Vice Chairman Inman delivered the invocation.

GENERAL GOVERNMENT-GOVERNING BODY-PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Chairman John Turpin opened the meeting by inviting the citizens in attendance to join the Board with the Pledge of Allegiance.

REVIEW OF 2003 BOARD RETREAT

County Manager Rick Morris presented the following information concerning the 2003 Board Retreat:

Progress on Top 5 Goals Set at the

2003 Board Retreat

No Property Tax Increase

No increase since 1999

Increase Fund Balance

Fiscal year ending 02/03 = $2,283,000

Fiscal year ending 03/04 = $2,588,736

Fund projected to meet LGC 8%

fiscal year ending 04/05

Job Creation - Private Sector

Rental of McDonald Building

ZBB - Zero Based Budgeting

Currently used by county

Satellite Community College

FTCC located in Government Center Complex

Reduced Debt Service

Debt Service 10% fiscal year 03/04

Debt Service projected 8% fiscal year 04/05

Improved the Delinquent Tax Collections

February 2003 = $1,181637.11

February 2005 = $884,347.43

REVIEW OF FUTURE DEPARTMENTAL REQUESTS

County Manager Rick Morris presented the following highlights from Department Heads’ Brainstorming Session for the Board Retreat:

Animal Control

• Vehicles and Equipment Upgrades Needed
• Parking Lot Paving At Animal Shelter
• Possible Out Year Addition Of Crematory ($40,000)
• Facilities To Handle Large Animals

Arts Council

• More Venues And More Fund Raising
• More Of A Business Model Approach

Communications

• E911 Surcharge
• Computer Aided Dispatch & Mapping
• Emergency Medical Dispatch – Out Year Requirement

District Resource Center

• Maintenance Funding For Equipment Purchased With Grants
• Upgrade Of Phone System

DSS (Social Services)

• Document Imaging System Needed
• New Positions Needed (adoption; CAPS; Income Maintenance; Administrative)

Economic Development

• Funding Matches For River Access Points
• Push Tourism And New Industry

Elections

• Program For New Voting Equipment

Emergency Management

• Completion of Emergency Operations Center

Emergency Medical Services

• Continued Upgrade of Equipment Toward Model System
• Critical Care Transport in 2006/07 ($3,800)
• Office Of EMS Study Implementation

Environmental Health

• Fill 5^th Environmental Health Specialist Position
• Requirement For Cell Phones

Fire Marshal

• Additional Firefighter Position
• Safety Position - OHSA Program Improvements

Health Department

• More Competitive Salaries

Information Technology

• Addition Of An Intranet
• Spillman Software Upgrade To Support Sheriff and Communications

Jail

• Need Larger Van For Prisoner Transport
• Additional Security Cameras
• Storage Upgrade (shelving) For Central Evidence Management

Mapping/GIS

• New Fly Over Winter 2006 – All Digital ($208,000)
• New Server Required 2006/07

Planning And Zoning

• New Code Books in 2005/06 ($2000)
• PC Replacements
• Reclassifications Of Positions
• Replacement Of 1988 Jeep Cherokee

Procurement

• Must Deal With Underground Fuel Tanks Next 18 Months
• Cell Phones On GSA Contract
• Phone System Renewal/Replacement

Public Buildings

• Paving of Parking Lots
• Building Upgrades 3^rd Floor and Government Center (Court System)

Register of Deeds

• Scanning of Old Books ($34,900 minimum)
• Automated Receipting System This Year’s Budget

Senior Services

• Cell Phones For Staff Safety
• More Volunteers Needed For Medical Transport
• Thinking About “Baby Boomer” Impacts On Senior Services

Soil And Water Conservation

• LCD Projector – 2005/06 ($1500)
• “John Boat” For Water Shed Maintenance ($1000)
• Computer Upgrades (through federal program)
• Need Dependable 4WD Vehicle

Solid Waste

• Concrete Wall Replacement At Landfill
• Replacement of Garbage Truck 2009/10
• Truck Wash Facility 2009/10

Tax Administration

• Require New Integrated Tax Billing/Collections/Appraisal System 2005/06

Vehicle Maintenance

• Equipment For New Garage When Grant Approved

Other Various Items

• Improve internal controls
• Infrastructure – cell towers, etc.
• Review Vehicle policies
• Review Personnel policies
• Review Procurement policies
• Organizational changes
• Implement Credit card control plan
• Implement Capital Improvement plan
• Intranet
• On line budget system
• Jail expansion
• Jail revenue
• Increase interaction with neighboring counties
• Better Health Care access
• Not budget “hold harmless” to increase fund balance

The Board discussed the following ideas:

· Increase Economic Development

· Incentives for a small business to include deferring taxes

· Web site for helping to start a small business

· Economic Development target small businesses

· Good governing and user friendly government

· One stop permitting

· Overcome county sectionalism

· Present and future schools for the County

· Work with municipalities on managed growth

· Plan for future growth

· Expand scope of quarterly intergovernmental meetings

· Continue to promote Tourism in Stokes County

· Schools

· ETJs within the County

The Board discussed the following departments:

· Administration

· Animal Control

· Arts Council

CLOSED SESSION

Chairman John Turpin entertained a motion to enter closed session to discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the County pursuant G.S. 143-318.11(a)(4).

Vice Chairman Inman moved to enter into closed session to discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the County pursuant G.S. 143-318.11(a)(4).

Commissioner Joe Turpin seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

The Board re-entered the regular session of the March 8^th Board Retreat.

Another meeting for the Board Retreat is scheduled for March 15, 2005.

There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairman John Turpin entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Vice Chairman Inman moved to adjourn the meeting.

Commissioner McHugh seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

_________________________ _____________________________

Darlene M. Bullins John M. Turpin

Clerk to the Board Chairman