) STOKES COUNTY GOVERNMENT
COUNTY OF STOKES ) DANBURY, NORTH CAROLINA
) APRIL 24, 2006
The Board of Commissioners of the County of Stokes, State of North
Carolina, met for regular session in the Commissioners’ Chambers of the Ronald
Wilson Reagan Memorial Building (Administrative Building) located in Danbury,
North Carolina on Monday, April 24, 2006 at 7:00 pm with the following members
present:
Chairman
Leon Inman
Vice-Chairman
Joe Turpin
Commissioner
Sandy McHugh
Commissioner
John Turpin
Commissioner
Jimmy Walker
County
Personnel in Attendance:
Clerk
to the Board/Interim County Manager Darlene Bullins
County
Attorney Jonathan Jordan
Finance
Director Julia Edwards
DSS Director Jan
Spencer
Support Services
Supervisor Danny Stovall
Emergency Services
Director Monty Stevens
Tax Administrator
Wren Carmichael
Health Director Don
Moore
Information Systems
Director Dianna Fulp
Chairman Leon Inman called the meeting to order.
Chairman Inman delivered the invocation.
Chairman Inman opened the meeting by inviting the citizens in
attendance to join the Board with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Inman entertained a motion to approve or amend the minutes of
theApril 4th and April 10th meetings.
Commissioner McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the April 4th
and April 10th meetings.
Commissioner John Turpin seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following spoke during public comments:
Ronnie
Mendenhall
Principal
North Stokes High School
Danbury, NC
27016
RE: Tennis and Basketball
Principal Ronnie Mendenhall expressed his
appreciation to the Board of Commissioners for taking the time to honor the
Girls’ Tennis and Boys’ Varsity Basketball Teams. Principal
Mendenhall thanked the members of both teams and
coaching staff for their hard work and dedication to making this a great season
for both sports at North Stokes.
Rick
Woodard
1477 Horseshoe Road
Westfield, NC
27053
RE: Meadowbrook
Mr. Woodard expressed his concerns regarding the
recent plans to move Meadowbrook School onto the North Stokes High School
campus. Mr. Woodard stated that the
lack of information about the move from Superintendent Cartner was very
upsetting to parents who have students at North.
Chairman Inman noted that this was a Board of
Education decision, not a Board of Commissioners’ decision.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY – RECOGNITION TO NORTH STOKES GIRLS’ TENNIS TEAM
AND NORTH STOKES BOYS’ VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM
Chairman Inman welcomed the members of the North
Stokes Girls’ Tennis and Boys’ Varsity Basketball Teams.
The Board presented the following members of each
team along with Principal Ronnie Mendenhall, Coach Julian McKenzie, and Coach
David Anderson a Resolution adopted at the March 27th meeting
honoring each team:
North
Stokes Girls’ Tennis Team
Cassidy Goin, Jenni Kimmich, Kasey
Mabe, Brittany Sams, Brooke Hill,
Laken Joyce, Tanna Tilley, Amber
Nelson, Marah Nelson, Holly Whitener,
Summer Whitener, Elena Yanez
Boys
Varsity Basketball Team
Brent Hughes, Seth Johnson, Travis
Lawson, Mitchell Livengood,
Matt Sexton, Andrew Steele,
Jackson Smith, Josh Wilmoth, Tyler Wilson,
Roy Hutchins, Brandon Joyce, Zach
Lapinski, Adam Carter
Each member of the Board expressed their
congratulations to members of the Girls Tennis Team and Boys Varsity Basketball
Team.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT – TAX
ADMINISTRATION REPORT
Tax
Administrator Wren Carmichael presented the following Real and Personal Property Tax
Releases in the amount of $671.29:
|
Elaine R. Hobbs |
|
$316.86 |
|
Stephens Farm Trust |
|
$336.99 |
|
Howard Lee Cheek |
|
$17.44 |
|
|
|
$671.29 |
Chairman Inman
entertained a motion to approve or deny the Real and Personal Property Tax
Release Requests in the amount of $671.29.
Commissioner John Turpin
moved to approve the Real and Personal Property Tax Release Requests in the
amount of $671.29.
Commissioner McHugh
seconded and the motion carried
unanimously.
Tax Administrator Carmichael noted that the new
software conversion was going very smoothly and staff training would begin the
week of May 22nd.
Tax Administrator Carmichael presented Board
members with a tax collection report, which he plans to present each month for
the Board’s review. Administrator
Carmichael noted a possible estimated $300,000 shortfall in revenue for fiscal year
05-06 due to the overestimated 05/06 property valuations.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – EMS – PROPOSED CONVALESCENT AMBULANCE ARE IN STOKES COUNTY
Emergency Services Director Monty Stevens presented
the Board with a request from Calvary Ambulance Service in Winston Salem about
the possibility of performing contractual convalescent ambulance services for
Hospice of Stokes County and other convalescent transports within the County.
Director Stevens spoke with Ms. Margaret Avery
–Stokes Hospice regarding the request
from Calvary Ambulance Service. Ms.
Avery stated that the need for Calvary was for back up services only (when
Stokes EMS was not available) per requirements of Joint Commission.
Ms. Avery requested that Director Stevens inform
the Board that Hospice was completely satisfied with the services being
provided by Stokes EMS, but that Joint Commission required a second contract in
place.
Director Stevens stated that he was unsure if this
type of request for back up services would fall under the stipulations of the
County’s Franchise Agreement.
Director Stevens also noted if approved for
convalescent transport in the County, this would reduce revenue for the County.
Commissioner McHugh suggested County Attorney
Jordan review the County’s Franchise Agreement regarding the request.
Director Stevens noted that Calvary must be
certified just like Stokes EMS through the North Carolina Office of EMS.
The Board also discussed liability issues, a
possible mutual aid agreement instead of the franchise, and the effectiveness of privatization of
EMS versus County owned EMS.
Chairman Inman directed Director Stevens to consult
with the County Attorney Jordan and return to the Board at the next meeting
especially investigating the County’s Liability if the request was approved.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – FINANCE DEPARTMENT– PROPOSED AUDIT RFPS
Finance Director Julia Edwards presented the
following proposals received on March 31, 2006 for auditing services:
|
|
FISCAL YEAR |
FISCAL YEAR |
FISCAL YEAR |
FISCAL YEAR |
TOTAL |
|
|
COUNTY AUDIT |
2005-06 |
2006-07 |
2007-08 |
2008-09 |
BID |
STAFF |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MARTIN STARNES &
ASSOCIATES |
|
$ 40,500.00 |
$ 42,000.00 |
$ 43,600.00 |
$ 126,100.00 |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DIXON HUGHES |
$ 42,500.00 |
$ 48,000.00 |
$ 48,960.00 |
$ 49,940.00 |
$ 146,900.00 |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MCGLADREY & PULLEN |
|
$ 67,500.00 |
$ 70,875.00 |
$ 74,400.00 |
$ 212,775.00 |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WATER & SEWER |
FISCAL YEAR |
FISCAL YEAR |
FISCAL YEAR |
FISCAL YEAR |
TOTAL |
|
|
AUTHORITY AUDIT |
2005-06 |
2006-07 |
2007-08 |
2008-09 |
BID |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MARTIN STARNES &
ASSOCIATES |
|
$ 5,000.00 |
$ 5,250.00 |
$ 5,500.00 |
$ 15,750.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DIXON HUGHES |
$ 6,000.00 |
$ 6,000.00 |
$ 6,000.00 |
$ 6,000.00 |
$ 18,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MCGLADREY & PULLEN |
|
$ 15,000.00 |
$ 15,750.00 |
$ 16,500.00 |
$ 47,250.00 |
|
Director Edwards also presented information
regarding each proposal, counties with similar population including amounts
paid and firms conducting audit services, and information regarding audit
services for counties in our region.
Director Edwards noted that the Audit Committee met
on April 12th and reviewed the three submitted proposals and agreed
that the three firms’ proposals met the RFPs’ requirements. The Audit Committee agreed that the three
proposals should be forwarded to the Board for consideration. The Audit Committee consisted of the
following individuals:
·
Finance
Director Julia Edwards
·
Assistant
Finance Director Lisa Lankford
·
Interim
County Manager Darlene Bullins
·
Support
Services Supervisor Danny Stovall
·
Budget
Director Dennis Thompson
The Board discussed the submitted quotes,
three-year proposed amounts, services proposed by each auditing firm,
information pertaining to similar counties/counties in the region, and the need
for the audit to be completed by the due date.
Mr. Martin Starnes (Martin Starnes &
Associates) was present for the meeting.
Mr. Starnes spoke to the
Board regarding the variations in the amounts being charged to different
counties for audit services, this could possibly be due to the number of funds,
complexity of the county (sewer, grant funds, etc.), and overhead cost.
Chairman Inman
entertained a motion for contracting for audit services for Stokes County.
Commissioner McHugh moved
to approve contracting with Martin Starnes & Associates for auditing
services for 2006-2009. Vice Chairman
Joe Turpin seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING
BODY – RONALD WILSON REAGAN MEMORIAL BUILDING SIGNAGE – CONTINUATION
Support Services
Supervisor Danny Stovall presented the following quotes for the Board’s
consideration regarding signage for the Ronald Wilson Reagan Memorial Building:
Southeastern Sign Works –
10” Black Plastic letters installed
$1,021.50
Carroll Signs &
Advertising - 10” Black Plastic letters installed $1,125.00
Southeastern Sign
Works - 10” Cast aluminum letters installed $1,762.82
Materials - Aluminum sign,
8” Vinyl letters and radius posts
42” x 14’ 4” x 7”d 1-sided
installed $2,975.00
42” x 14’ 4” x 7”d 1-sided
County installs $2,675.00
42” x 10’ x 7”d 1-sided
installed $2,500.00
42” x 10’ x 7”d 1-sided
County installs $2,200.00
Materials - Aluminum sign,
8” Vinyl letters and 2” x 2” posts
42” x 10’ 1-sided County installs $756.56
36” x 48” 1-sided County
installs $475.00
Interim County Manager
Darlene Bullins reported a balance of $616.18 that had been collected for the
signage. (no county funding)
The Board discussed the
options presented by Mr. Stovall.
Commissioner John Turpin
stated that the funding could be raised once the decision is made and the price
determined.
Chairman Inman
entertained a motion regarding the options presented by Mr. Stovall for
signage.
Commissioner McHugh moved
to approve the purchase of lettering from Southeastern Sign Works -10” Black
Plastic Letters installed for $1,021.50 and the Board actively pursue the
raising of the additional funding.
Vice Chairman Joe Turpin
seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – HEALTH DEPARTMENT- BUDGET ORDINANCE AMENDMENT #90
Finance Director Julia Edwards requested the approval of Budget
Ordinance Amendment #90, which is necessary to amend the General Fund to
transfer funds from lapsed salaries to professional services for a contracted
employee in WIC Program. The
appropriations are to be changed as follows:
|
Account |
EXPENDITURES |
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
Decrease |
|
Increase |
|
|
Health Department |
|
|
|
|
100.5100.000 |
Salaries
& Wages |
$2,500.00 |
|
|
|
100.5100.180 |
Professional
Services |
|
|
$2,500.00 |
|
|
|
$2,500.00 |
|
$2,500.00 |
Finance Director Edwards noted that the following justification of the
budget ordinance amendment for fiscal year 2005-06:
·
Request to transfer lapsed salaries for contracted employee in WIC.
Health Director Don Moore noted the contracted employee was used for
training employees within the WIC Department.
Chairman Inman entertained a motion to approve Budget Ordinance Amendment #90.
Commissioner McHugh moved to approve Budget Ordinance Amendment #90.
Vice Chairman Joe Turpin seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – DSS - BUDGET ORDINANCE AMENDMENT #91
Finance Director Julia Edwards requested the approval of Budget
Ordinance Amendment #91, which is necessary to amend the General Fund to
appropriate funds for TANF Domestic Violence for expenditures. The appropriations are to be as follows:
|
Account |
REVENUES |
|
|
|
|
Number |
Public Assistance |
Decrease |
|
Increase |
|
100.5410.004 |
TANF Domestic
Violence |
|
|
$7,138.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
$7,138.00 |
|
Account |
REVENUES |
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
Decrease |
|
Increase |
|
100.3301.202 |
DSS-Federal |
|
|
$7,138.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
$7,138.00 |
Finance Director Edwards noted that the following justification of the
budget ordinance amendment for fiscal year 2005-06:
·
Funds allocated to Stokes County 100% Federal Funding
DSS Director Jan Spencer reiterated that it was additional 100% Federal
funding.
Chairman Inman entertained a motion to approve Budget Ordinance
Amendment #91.
Vice Chairman Joe Turpin moved to approve Budget Ordinance Amendment
#91.
Commissioner McHugh seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT – SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT- BUDGET ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT #92
Finance Director Julia Edwards requested the approval of Budget
Ordinance Amendment #92, which is necessary to amend the General Fund to
transfer funds to provide training for the remainder of the fiscal year. The appropriations are to be changed as
follows:
|
Account Number |
EXPENDITURES |
Decrease |
|
Increase |
|
|
Sheriff’s Department |
|
|
|
|
100.4310.310 |
Travel |
$3,760.00 |
|
|
|
100.4310.311 |
Training |
|
|
$3,670.00 |
|
|
|
$3,760.00 |
|
$3,670.00 |
Finance Director Edwards noted that the following justification of the
budget ordinance amendment for fiscal year 2005-06:
·
Request to transfer funds from travel to training to cover expenditures
for
the remainder of the fiscal
year
Chairman Inman entertained a motion to approve Budget Ordinance
Amendment #92.
Commissioner McHugh moved to approve Budget Ordinance Amendment #92.
Commissioner John Turpin seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – JAIL- BUDGET ORDINANCE AMENDMENT #93
Finance Director Julia Edwards requested the approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment #93, which is necessary to amend the General Fund to transfer funds for part time salaries on behalf of a full time employee on military leave. The appropriations are to be changed as follows:
|
Account |
EXPENDITURES |
|
|
|
|
Number |
Jail |
Decrease |
|
Increase |
|
100.4320.000 |
Salaries
& Wages |
$13,000.00 |
|
|
|
100.4320.020 |
Salaries
& Wages – Part Time |
|
|
$13,000.00 |
|
|
|
$13,000.00 |
|
$13,000.00 |
Finance Director Edwards noted that the following justification of the
budget ordinance amendment for fiscal year 2005-06:
·
Transfer funds to cover full time employee deployed to Iraq.
Chairman Inman entertained a motion to approve Budget Ordinance
Amendment #93.
Vice Chairman Joe Turpin moved to approve Budget Ordinance Amendment
#93.
Commissioner McHugh seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – COOPERATIVE EXTENSION- BUDGET ORDINANCE AMENDMENT #94
Finance Director Julia Edwards requested the approval of Budget
Ordinance Amendment #93, which is necessary to amend the General Fund to
transfer lapsed salaries to contingency and to purchase two (2) computers,
folding machine, and projector. The
appropriations are to be changed as follows:
|
Account |
EXPENDITURES |
|
|
|
|
Number |
Cooperative Extension |
Decrease |
|
Increase |
|
100.4950.440 |
Miscellaneous
Contractual Services |
$13,000.00 |
|
|
|
100.4950.511 |
Equipment –
Non Capitalized |
|
|
$7,000.00 |
|
100.9910.000 |
Contingency |
|
|
$6,000.00 |
|
|
|
$13,000.00 |
|
$13,000.00 |
Finance Director Edwards noted that the following justification of the
budget ordinance amendment for fiscal year 2005-06:
·
Lapsed salaries funds transferred to purchase equipment and to revert
back to contingency
Cooperative Extension Director Jack Loudermilk presented information to
justify the need to purchase the equipment out of the fiscal year 2005-06.
Interim County Manager Darlene Bullins noted the attached recommendation
from Budget Director Dennis Thompson.
Commissioner Walker requested that Cooperative Extension have
information available for growers regarding organic foods and spices. Director Loudermilk concluded that the
agency did have some information available and that individuals could make an
appointment to discuss any service provided by Cooperative Extension.
Chairman Inman entertained a motion to approve Budget Ordinance
Amendment #94.
Vice Chairman Joe Turpin moved to approve Budget Ordinance Amendment
#94.
Commissioner McHugh seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – FINANCE - BUDGET ORDINANCE AMENDMENT #95
Finance Director Julia Edwards requested the approval of Budget
Ordinance Amendment #95, which is necessary to amend the General Fund to
un-appropriate proceeds from financing for vehicles. The appropriations are to
be changed as follows:
|
Account |
EXPENDITURES |
|
|
|
|
Number |
Public Buildings |
Decrease |
|
Increase |
|
100.4310.510 |
Equipment |
$15,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
Sheriff’s Department |
|
|
|
|
100.4310.510 |
Equipment |
$77,994.00 |
|
|
|
|
Jail |
|
|
|
|
100.4370.510 |
Equipment |
$30,010.00 |
|
|
|
|
Emergency Medical Services |
|
|
|
|
100.4370.510 |
Equipment |
|
|
$2,980.00 |
|
|
Animal Control |
|
|
|
|
100.4370.510 |
Equipment |
$16,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
Library |
|
|
|
|
100.6110.681 |
Equipment |
|
|
$1,363.00 |
|
|
|
$139,004.00 |
|
$4,343.00 |
|
Account |
REVENUES |
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
Decrease |
|
Increase |
|
100.3920.911 |
Proceeds from
Financing |
$134,661.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
$134,661.00 |
|
|
Finance Director Edwards noted that the following justification of the
budget ordinance amendment for fiscal year 2005-06:
·
Approved by the Board of Commissioners , February 13, 2006 Board
meeting
Chairman Inman entertained a motion to approve Budget Ordinance
Amendment #95.
Commissioner John Turpin moved to approve Budget Ordinance Amendment
#95.
Vice Chairman Joe Turpin seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – FINANCE - BUDGET ORDINANCE AMENDMENT #96
Finance Director Julia Edwards requested the approval of Budget
Ordinance Amendment #96, which is necessary to amend the General Fund and
Capital Reserve Fund to transfer funds for the purchase of vehicles. The
appropriations are to be changed as follows:
|
Account |
EXPENDITURES |
|
|
|
|
Number |
General Fund |
Decrease |
|
Increase |
|
|
Jail |
|
|
|
|
100.4320.510 |
Equipment |
|
|
$26,804.00 |
|
|
Animal Control |
|
|
|
|
100.4380.510 |
Equipment |
|
|
$16,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
$42,804.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital Reserve Fund |
|
|
|
|
201.4310.001 |
Sheriff’s
Department |
$1,903.00 |
|
|
|
201.4320.012 |
Jail |
$13,500.00 |
|
|
|
201.4190.013 |
Public
Buildings |
$10,000.00 |
|
|
|
201.4380.002 |
Animal
Control |
$8,000.00 |
|
|
|
201.9810.000 |
Transfer to
General Fund |
|
|
$33,403.00 |
|
|
|
$33,403.00 |
|
$33,403.00 |
|
Account |
REVENUES |
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
Decrease |
|
Increase |
|
100.3982.960 |
Transfer from
Capital Reserve |
|
|
$33,403.00 |
|
100.3301.410 |
Federal
Inmate Reimbursement |
|
|
$9,401.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
$42,804.00 |
Finance Director Edwards noted that the following justification of the
budget ordinance amendment for fiscal year 2005-06:
·
Approved by the Board of County Commissioners, February 13, 2006 Board
meeting
Chairman Inman entertained a motion to approve Budget Ordinance
Amendment #96.
Commissioner McHugh moved to approve Budget Ordinance Amendment #96.
Vice Chairman Joe Turpin seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – HEALTH DEPARTMENT - BUDGET ORDINANCE AMENDMENT #97
Finance Director Julia Edwards requested the approval of Budget
Ordinance Amendment #97, which is necessary to amend the General Fund to
transfer lapsed salaries to purchase ten (10) breast pumps from the WIC
Program. The appropriations are to be
changed as follows:
|
Account |
EXPENDITURES |
|
|
|
|
Number |
Health Department |
Decrease |
|
Increase |
|
100.5100.000 |
Salaries
& Wages |
$7,000.00 |
|
|
|
100.5100.511 |
Equipment –
Non-Capitalized |
|
|
$7,000.00 |
|
|
|
$7,000.00 |
|
$7,000.00 |
Finance Director Edwards noted that the following justification of the
budget ordinance amendment for fiscal year 2005-06:
·
WIC Program is 100% Federal funding.
Funds were appropriated in the fiscal year 2005-06 budget
Commissioner McHugh requested additional information regarding the
price of $700 for each item.
Health Director Moore noted that the machine had been approved by the
WIC Director and the local drug store machines were not suitable for this type
of program.
Chairman Inman entertained a motion to approve Budget Ordinance
Amendment #97.
Commissioner McHugh move to approve Budget Ordinance Amendment #97.
Chairman Inman seconded the motion.
The Board continued the discussion regarding the price of each machine.
Commissioner John Turpin also expressed concerns regarding the price of
$700 for each machine and suggested verifying the price. Health Director Moore noted the cutoff for
ordering supplies is May 1, 2006.
Chairman Inman withdrew his second with Commissioner McHugh withdrawing
her motion with the provision that the cutoff date be extended for this item.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – INFORMATION SYSTEMS - FINANCE - BUDGET ORDINANCE AMENDMENT #98
Finance Director Julia Edwards requested the approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment #98, which is necessary to amend the General Fund and Capital Reserve Fund to transfer funds for the Disaster Recovery Project. The appropriations are to be changed as follows:
|
Account |
EXPENDITURES |