) STOKES COUNTY GOVERNMENT
COUNTY OF STOKES ) DANBURY, NORTH CAROLINA
) FEBRUARY 12, 2007
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, February 12, 2007 at 1:30 pm with the following members present:
Chairman
Leon Inman
Vice-Chairman
Jimmy Walker
Commissioner Ron
Carroll
Commissioner
Ernest Lankford
Commissioner
Stanley Smith
County
Personnel in Attendance:
Clerk
to the Board/Interim County Manager Darlene Bullins
Finance
Director Julia Edwards
Support
Services Supervisor Danny Stovall
DSS
Director Jan Spencer
Tax
Administrator Wren Carmichael
Chairman Leon Inman called the meeting to
order.
Commissioner Lankford delivered the
invocation.
Chairman Inman opened
the meeting by inviting the citizens in attendance to
join the Board with the Pledge of Allegiance.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY – APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chairman Inman entertained a motion to approve
or amend the agenda for the
February 12th meeting.
Clerk to the Board
Darlene Bullins requested to delete Item B- (Discussion
Agenda) “Proposed Resolution – Support of Local Fees for Food and Lodging”
due to Health
Director Don Moore unable to attend the meeting due to sickness. Commissioner Carroll
requested to add “Discussion of the District System” under the
Discussion Agenda. The
Board discussed adding the “Discussion of the District System” to the
agenda.
Commissioner Carroll moved to approve the
agenda as amended. The motion was
unanimous.
PUBLIC HEARING –
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT HOUSING REHABILITATION PROJECT
Chairman Inman opened the Public Hearing for
the Community Development Block
Grant Housing Rehabilitation Project.
There were no public comments.
Chairman Inman closed
the Public Hearing for the Community Development Block
Grant Housing Rehabilitation Project.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
CONSENT AGENDA
Chairman Inman
entertained a motion to approve or amend the following items on
the Consent Agenda:
·
Minutes of January 6, 2007
·
Minutes of January 20, 2007
·
Minutes of January 22, 2007
·
Budget Ordinance Amendments #49 and #50 which were discussed at the
January 22nd meeting
Senior Services
& YVEDDI -Budget Ordinance Amendment #51
Finance Director Julia Edwards
requested the approval of Budget Ordinance
Amendment #51, which is necessary to amend the General Fund
to appropriate additional
funds for elderly and handicapped transportation and rural
general public transportation. The
appropriations are to be as follows:
|
Account Number |
EXPENDITURES |
Decrease |
|
Increase |
|
|
Senior Services |
|
|
|
|
100.5860.441 |
Misc. Contractual
Services EDTAP |
|
|
$16,245.00 |
|
|
Special Appropriations |
|
|
|
|
100.4520.490 |
YVEDDI |
|
|
$15,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
$31,245.00 |
|
Account Number |
REVENUES |
Decrease |
|
Increase |
|
100.3301.263 |
Elderly &
Handicapped Transportation |
|
|
$31,245.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
$31,245.00 |
Finance Director
Edwards noted that the following justification of the budget
ordinance amendment for fiscal year 2006-07:
Public
Assistance-Budget Ordinance Amendment #52
Finance Director Julia Edwards
requested the approval of Budget Ordinance
Amendment #52, which is necessary to amend the General Fund
to appropriate additional
funding for Crisis-Federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance
Funds and Smart Start Day
Care Funding. The appropriations are to be as follows:
|
Account Number |
EXPENDITURES |
Decrease |
|
Increase |
|
|
Public Assistance |
|
|
|
|
100.5480.000 |
Crisis
Intervention |
|
|
$14,509.00 |
|
|
Day Care |
|
|
|
|
100.5850.003 |
Smart Start |
|
|
$10,321.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
$24,830.00 |
|
Account Number |
REVENUES |
Decrease |
|
Increase |
|
100.3301.202 |
DSS-Federal |
|
|
$14,509.00 |
|
100.3301.208 |
Smart Start |
|
|
$10,321.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
$24,830.00 |
Finance Director
Edwards noted that the following justification of the budget
ordinance amendment for fiscal year 2006-07:
Budget Ordinance Amendment #52 was adopted by
the Board of Commissioners on
February 12, 2007.
Resolution –
Widening of Highway #8
RESOLUTION BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WHEREAS,
the Board of Commissioners of
the County of Stokes has been made aware of the urgent need for the
widening of Highway #8 from Lawsonville Post Office to Intersection of Highway
#704 by the residents of the area; and
WHEREAS, Highway #8 is heavily traveled which creates a
constant maintenance problem for NCDOT as well as a public safety issue; and
WHEREAS, Highway #8 is heavily traveled daily in excess of
100 tractor trailers and tandem axle trucks for delivery and pickup to local
businesses; and
WHEREAS, Highway #8 along this section of the highway is only
20 ft wide whereas normally Highways carrying this volume and type of traffic
are 24 ft wide; and
WHEREAS, The Highway #8 traffic of tractor trailers is
expected to increase dramatically with the expansion of a local business; and
WHEREAS,
Highway #8 is included in the Stokes
County School’s Transportation Route; and
WHEREAS, Tractor trailers, fire trucks, and logging trucks
have been involved in several accidents along this stretch of highway over the
past few years; and,
WHEREAS, The widening of Highway #8 would enhance public
safety and increase the prospects for development.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Stokes
County Board of Commissioners supports the widening of Highway #8
from Lawsonville Post Office to the Intersection of Highway #704 and this
Resolution be forwarded to District Engineer Pat Ivey – North Carolina
Department of Transportation.
Adopted this the 12th day of February 2007.
____________________________
_____________________________
J. Leon Inman - Chairman Jimmy Walker - Vice Chairman
____________________________
_____________________________
____________________________
____________________________________
Darlene
M. Bullins – Clerk to the Board
Scattered Site
Housing Rehabilitation – Committee Selection
·
Steve Mabe – Walnut Cove area
·
Wayne Pyrtle – Lawsonville area
·
Billy Sisk – Pinnacle area
·
Christine Hopkins – Walnut Cove/Danbury area
·
Roscoe Boles – King area
·
Ronald Shelton – Sandy Ridge area
·
Ted Hairston – Pine Hall area
Local Government
Commission – Audit Reply
February 6, 2007
Ms. Sharon G. Edmundson, CPA
Director-Fiscal Management Section
325 North Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
Re: Stokes County Fiscal Year 2005/06 Audit
Dear Ms. Edmundson:
The information provided below is in response to your letter dated January 3, 2007 to Stokes County, which addressed the County’s General Fund Balance being at 8.74% for fiscal year ending June 30, 2006.
As noted in your letter, the County is continuing to increase its fund balance, which was a 0.84% increase over fiscal year 2004-05. The Board does share your concerns with the County being at 8.74% at the end of fiscal year 2006.
The County continues to have quarterly expenditure and revenue reviews to monitor all spending and collections, a practice that has been a valuable tool since 2004. During these reviews, the County reverts any unspent available funding back to the General Fund Balance. The County also had no allocation from undesignated fund balance in the FY 2006/07 budget and $303,680.14 of the County’s Hold Harmless funding was not budgeted in the FY 2006/07 budget, thereby going into fund balance.
The Board of Commissioners has already held two planning sessions in January 2007, which established increasing the fund balance as a top priority. The Board is scheduled to meet on February 19th to establish goals and strategies to achieve this objective.
I hope the above information reflects the dedicated commitment that Stokes County has to increase its fund balance. If you have further questions or would like additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
In addition, please update your records to reflect that Darlene M. Bullins is serving as Interim County Manager.
Sincerely yours,
J. Leon Inman
Chairman
cc: Interim County Manager Darlene Bullins
Finance
Director Julia Edwards
Commissioner Carroll noted the following
amendments to the minutes of January 6th,
January 20th and the proposed Resolution for Highway #8:
January 6th
January 20th
Resolution – Highway #8
Commissioner
Lankford moved to approve the consent agenda with the noted
amendments. The motion was
unanimous.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY - INFORMATION AGENDA
King Public
Library
Ms. Kay McGee Phillips, Chairman-King Library Board, (Board members Bonnie
Crouch, Virginia Southern, Branch Librarian Rikki Ashburn, Area Supervisor Joan Sherif-
Northwest Regional Library System were also present) presented the following information
regarding the King Public Library and proposed expansion project:
o Circulation = 81,253
o Internet Use = 15,296
o Registered Users = 11,171
o Programs = 325
o Program Attendance = 7,123
o Patron Attendance for the year = 55,116
o Shelton Room Use (August 2004 – August 2006) = 7,200
Chairman Phillips stated her understanding is that the City of King is requesting the
Board of Commissioners split the cost of the proposed expansion project estimated at
$760,000. (Stokes County = $380,000 and City of King = $380,000)
The Board discussed the proposed expansion project, the need for the project, and
future library needs for the County.
Chairman Inman expressed the Board’s appreciation to Chairman Phillips for the
presentation.
Tax Administration
Report
Tax Administrator
Wren Carmichael presented the following information regarding
recent releases and refunds already approved by the Tax Administrator:
· Releases - Personal property in the amount of $33.64
o Linda R. Tilley = $33.64
· Refunds – Motor Vehicle in the amount of $443.49
o Carolina Signs and Lighting = $21.26
o Carolina Signs and Lighting = $4.68
o Jeffrey Lee Mabe = $13.72
o Zachariah Sterling Ore = $36.81
o Christopher Ray Palmer = $167.05
o John H Reid = $44.41
o William Kane Shelton = $4.67
o William Kane Shelton = $8.96
o Robert Craig Smith and Barbara W Smith = $86.84
o Joseph Owen Stanley Jr. = $55.09
· Releases – Motor Vehicle in the amount of $3,533.65
o Charles
Mitchell Allen = $28.00
o Curtis
J. Amos = $9.83
o Lonnie
Dean Baker = $19.92
o Jerry
Wyatt Beasley = $9.74
o Brady
Flanary HVAC Inc. = $8.52
o David
A. and Dora Bragg = $64.35
o Gail
Gordon Bumgarner = $19.26
o Kyle
Steven and Dena Donaldson Carroll = $66.06
o Robert
D. Chamberlain = $7.69
o Stephen
Ray and Jamie Hundley Chaney = $40.73
o Irvin
Gregory and Tenia Creson = $20.15
o Mark
Donald Crum = $15.03
o Michael
Eugene and Ann Marie Davis = $24.00
o Rex
Allen Decker = $82.88
o Rex
Allen Decker = $83.98
o Gary
Lynn Derrenbacher = $32.24
o Danny
Ray Douglas and Leonard R. Partridge = $189.36
o Elbert
Arthur Elvis Jr. and Jo Lynn Elvis = $5.19
o Lynne
E. Fortin = $5.29
o Jennifer
S. Gause = $16.11
o Amberly
Inex Goins = $31.10
o Merle
L. Gunter = $31.05
o Steven
Alfred Hall = $32.72
o Martha
Brown Hartley = $10.88
o Paul
Joseph Hilgeford Jr. and David Lewis Flythe = $1.95
o Paul
Joseph Hilgefore Jr. and David Lewis Flythe = $66.95
o Paul
Joseph Hilgefore Jr. and Shelia Stringfield Hilgeford = $50.66
o Robert
Lincoln Hodge = $25.15
o George
S. and Susan M. Hodges =$9.56
o William
Thomas and Linda Horton Jones = $16.63
o Anthony
Boyd Joyce = $55.84
o Cheryl
Blackmon Joyce = $18.08
o Rodney
Andrew and Tonya Beck Lankford = $60.00
o Jeffrey
D. Long = $41.04
o James
Lloyd Mabe = $3.28
o Erin
Covington Merritt and Nathan Michael Merritt = $18.24
o Davie
Edwin Mills = $99.93
o Thomas
Larry Mitchell = $7.70
o Sheryl
Lee Montross = $6.19
o William
S. Morgan = $7.60
o Richard
E. and Bonita M. Newsome = $252.09
o Richard
E. and Bonita M. Newsome = $252.09
o Richard
E. and Bonita M. Newsome = $382.20
o Richard
E. and Bonita M. Newsome = $382.20
o Nova
Concrete Company = $216.58
o Katie
Taylor Padgett = $15.22
o Thomas
Francis Parese = $7.29
o Christopher
Craig and Joyce Smith Sames = $39.35
o Glenn
A. Shelton-Glenn A. Shelton Construction Co DBA = $48.17
o Anthony
Linwood Slate = $6.99
o David
Smith = $64.00
o Derek
B. Smith = $45.99
o Scotty
Joe and Karen Michell Smith = $27.86
o Willie
Gary Smith Sr. = $3.50
o William
Jeffrey Spainhour = $72.05
o Beverly
Hill Stephens = $108.14
o Connie
Sheppard Stephens = $13.10
o Charlie
H Styers = $13.23
o Denise
Wall Synder = $17.41
o Lee
and Melissa W. Truskowski = $68.93
o Billy
J. Turner = $6.11
o Richard
Wayne Watson = $74.11
o Robert
O. and Ella Louise Welch = $21.98
o Dale
Williams Yarbrough = $52.18
Tax Administrator Carmichael reiterated that the County could not tax vehicles that
are leased by the hour or day until the County imposes an occupancy tax.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY – DISCUSSION AGENDA
Reclassification
of Social Services Position
DSS Director Jan Spencer requested permission to reclassify the Income
Maintenance Supervisor I position to an Income Maintenance Caseworker III (Lead Worker)
position. Director Spencer noted the following:
· Due to the high caseloads, this position will begin to carry a reduced caseload in addition to the lead worker duties
· Both classifications are on Grade 65 – thus will be no difference in the salary ranges
· Currently, this unit (Food Stamps) is the fastest growing unit in the department
· Two other (IMC III) lead workers in the agency – Adult Medicaid and Family/Children’s Medicaid
· DSS Board approved the reclassification on January 31st
The Board discussed the reclassification request.
The reclassification can be considered at the February 26th meeting.
Proposed
Relocation of Medical Helicopter Helipad
Interim County Manager Darlene Bullins presented the following information
pertaining to the Proposed Relocation of the Medical Helicopter Helipad as requested by the
Board:
· Per Transportation Program Manager Charlie Walker, YVEDDI- a meeting between YVEDDI and NCDOT will be set for the week of February 12th
· Per Mr. Walker, there will be at least a 60-day lead time after the confirmation from NCDOT for bidding out the project and obtaining the necessary permits
· Support Services Supervisor Danny Stovall is in the process of obtaining bids for the project cost for the relocation of the Helipad which will be presented at the February 26th meeting
· Mr. Charlie Walker was unable to attend today’s meeting due to a prior appointment
The Board discussed the relocation of the Helipad, the status of the NCDOT project,
the urgent need to get this project off the ground, and the need for the County to proceed with
getting cost estimates for the relocation of the Helipad.
The Board directed Interim County Manager Darlene Bullins to set up a meeting
if possible for the upcoming Board Retreat –Continuation already scheduled for Monday,
February 19th at 4:00 pm with Charlie Walker and YVEDDI Executive Director Jo Ann
Larkins.
Appointments and
Re-Appointments
Clerk to the Board Darlene Bullins informed the Board of the following appointments:
· Legislative Liaison to the NCACC
· Northwest Piedmont Job Training Consortium Workforce Development Board
· Town of Walnut Cove – ETJ
Chairman Inman nominated Vice Chairman Walker to serve on the Legislative Liaison
to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.
Commissioner Smith nominated Commissioner Lankford to serve on the Northwest
Piedmont Job Training Consortium Workforce Development Board.
Clerk to the Board Bullins informed the Board that there had been no applications
for the Walnut Cove Planning Board/Board of Adjustments for the ETJ position other than
Kevin Webb – member and Diane Coffill-alternate.
Commissioner Carroll nominated Kevin Webb to serve as the ETJ member and Diane
Coffill as the ETJ alternate for the Walnut Cove Planning Board/Board of Adjustments.
Surplus Property –
Mobile Units – Old Prison Camp Location
Support Services Supervisor Danny Stovall presented the following information
regarding the mobile units at the old prison camp location:
· The Board of Commissioners approved to sell the vacant two mobile units located at the old prison camp location for $52.50 to A V Marshall
· Mr. Marshall informed Mr. Stovall on January 23, 2007 that he was no longer interested in purchasing these units due to health reasons
Mr. Stovall noted the following Board’s options:
· Rescind the previous award to A.V. Marshall and re-advertise in the paper for upset bids for the sale of the mobile units
· G.S. 160A-266(d) which allows the County to discard any personal property that: (i) is determined to have no value; (ii) remains unsold or unclaimed after the County has exhausted efforts to sell the property using any applicable procedure under this Article; or (iii) posses a potential threat to the public health or safety
Commissioner Carroll suggested the possibility of allowing the Volunteer Fire
Department in the area to burn the units for fire training.
Mr. Stovall recommended that the Board of Commissioners reject Mr. Marshall’s bid
and requested direction from the Board regarding the removal of the units.
The Board discussed the possible options of removing the units at no cost to the
County.
Surplus Property –
Cat Cages – Animal Shelter
Support Services Supervisor Danny Stovall (at the request of Chief Animal Control
Officer Sarah Shumate) requested that the County approve the donation of seven (7) old
cat cages to the Animal Rescue of Stokes County. The cages are eighteen (18) years old and
are in poor condition, are in need of repair, and do not meet new State standards set for our
facility. Officer Shumate noted in her memo that Animal Rescue of Stokes County would be
able to increase their intake of homeless animals for placement if they had these old cages and
that this non-profit organization has often helped in placement of animals, donation of food
and other needed items at our facility.
Mr. Stovall noted that this request can be fulfilled, if the Board wishes to do so by
following guidelines as set forth in North Carolina General Statutes 153A-176, 160A-266,
and 160A-267.
The Board discussed the possible options and directed Mr. Stovall to proceed with
disposing of the old cat cages by G.S. 160A-267.
Stokes County Work
First Plan – Re-Designation of County Status- Continuation
DSS Director Jan Spencer presented the following information regarding the
Re-Designation of County Status for the Stokes County Work First Plan:
· A letter from Emily Wilkins-Work First Representative noted that “A County that desires to be re-designated shall submit a request in writing to the Department at least six months prior to the effective date of the next State Plan.
A County’s re-designation shall become effective on the effective date of the next State Plan following the re-designation. The effective date of the next State Plan is October 1, 2007, therefore, the last date of re-designation is
April 1, 2007.
· Standard Counties were cut last year with the State not cutting the electing counties due to being in the middle of the two year cycle
· If re-designation to Standard is approved by the Board, the Standard Work First Plan can be posted on the County Website, placed at the Public Libraries, placed at County Administrative Office, and placed at the DSS Office to allow for a comment period for citizens
· State representatives suggested that staying as an “Electing” County is “high risk”
· Possibly hold a public hearing on February 26th
· Approval for the Work First Plan on March 12th
The Board discussed the pros and cons for changing back to a Standard County,
savings associated with an Electing County, and the Board re-designating to be an “Electing
County”.
Proposed District
System for Stokes County
Commissioner Carroll requested to discuss adopting a plan to move forward with
regards to a District System for Stokes County.
Vice Chairman Walker requested to
discuss the issue at another work session before
moving forward with a plan. Vice Chairman Walker requested to discuss issues such as
what kind of committee, is this something Stokes County wants to deal with right now, and
are there more important issues to work on before starting with this issue. Commissioner
Walker stated he wants what is the best for the County and that is too important of an issue
to rush.
Commissioner Carroll noted that this discussion was not to approve a district plan, but
to set up a process to study the district plan. Commissioner Carroll stated that if the Board
chooses to proceed with a plan to study the district system, a committee would be appointed
by the Board. The committee would study the issue and receive input from citizens
throughout the County. Representatives on this committee would include members from both
political parties including the unaffiliated which would represent all areas of the County, no
governmental employees as members and would hold public hearings hopefully in each
precinct. This committee would come back to this Board with a recommendation to help this
Board make a decision regarding the District System.
Commissioner Smith would support the appointment of a Blue Ribbon Committee
to study the District System. Commissioner Smith stated that the Board would make the
decision whether to place the item on the ballot, and the voters would decide whether Stokes
County would have a District System.
Commissioner Lankford also supports the appointment of a Blue Ribbon Committee
to study the District System. Commissioner Lankford requested additional time before setting
up the guidelines of how the committee would be appointed due to the item not being a
scheduled agenda item.
Chairman Inman also supports the appointment of a Blue Ribbon Committee to study
the District System and that a public hearing should be held in every precinct. Chairman
Inman suggested further discussing the method of appointing a committee at the scheduled
February 19th Board Retreat.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY – ACTION AGENDA
Stokes County Work
First Plan – Re-Designation of County Status
Commissioner Lankford moved to change the County’s position from “Electing” to
“Standard” for the Work First Plan for 2007-2009. The motion was unanimous.
Vice Chairman Walker moved to schedule a public hearing for citizen input regarding
the Work First Plan on Monday, February 26th - 6:05 pm. The motion was unanimous.
Handicap Ramps –
Old Courthouse – Continuation
Support Services Supervisor Danny Stovall presented the following additional
information regarding the replacement of the Handicap Ramps at the Old Courthouse:
· Reviewed the status of the project
· Met with Mayor Jane Priddy-Charleville on January 26, 2007 along with Public Works Director Jay Kinney and discussed the scope of the work being proposed for installing the concrete ramps
· Reiterated to Mayor Priddy-Charleville that the proposed project would change the appearance of the side lawn area and that there were no guarantees that parking would be as is
· Possibility of eliminating one parking space
· Mayor Priddy-Charleville expressed no reservations toward this option
· Met with local contractors – James Brown, Clarence Wilson, and Nathan Southern concerning cost of the proposed project
· Bid from C-TUC = $14,238.00 (Nathan Southern)
· Bid from Fletcher Brothers = $14,850.00
· No bid received from James Brown or Clarence Wilson
· Proposed project could possibly take 2-3 weeks
Mr. Stovall presented a sketch of the proposed project for the Board’s review.
The Board discussed the new option of replacing the ramp with concrete instead of
using a metal ramp and the scope of the proposed project.
Chairman Inman spoke with Mayor Priddy-Charleville and confirmed that she was
satisfied with this option and understood that the Town could possibly loose one
parking space.
Mr. Stovall noted that the Board would need to rescind the previous motion awarding
the project to Edwards Products if the Board desires to use concrete instead of aluminum.
Chairman Inman entertained a motion to rescind the motion approved on
December 28, 2006 awarding the project to Edwards Products.
Vice Chairman Walker moved to rescind the motion which, was approved on
December 28, 2006, which awarded the project to Edwards Products. The motion was
unanimous.
Commissioner Smith moved to accept the bid submitted by C-TUC (Nathan Southern)
in the amount of $14,238 for the replacement of the handicap ramps at the Old Courthouse.
The motion was unanimous.
Departmental
Staff Meeting
The following
department heads were present for the departmental staff meeting
with the Board of Commissioners:
·
Interim County Manager Darlene Bullins
·
Support Services Supervisor Danny Stovall
·
Director Vicki East – Walnut Cove Senior Center
·
Arts Council Director Eddy McGee
·
Chief Animal Control Officer Sarah Shumate
·
Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor Elwood Mabe
·
Program Director Lynn Martens – Senior Services
·
Public Works Director Jay Kinney
·
Information Systems Director Dianna Fulp
·
Administrative Officer Wanda Hicks for Health Director Don Moore
·
Fire Marshal Brad Cheek
·
DSS Director Jan Spencer
·
E911 Director Del Hall
·
EMS Director Monty Stevens
·
DRC Director Tony Hill
·
Register of Deeds Kathy Young
·
Sheriff Mike Joyce
·
James Booth –Natural Resources
·
Tax Administrator Wren Carmichael
·
Elections Director Olivia Robbins
·
Economic Development Director Ron Morgan
·
Director Ann Watts – Forsyth Tech Community College
·
Director Jack Loudermilk – Cooperative Extension
·
Planning Director David Sudderth
·
GIS/Mapping Administrator Jake Oakley
·
Sergeant Jeff Whitaker for Captain Al Tuttle
·
Finance Director Julia Edwards
Chairman Inman expressed his appreciation to
the Department Heads for attending
today’s meeting, the services each one provides to the citizens of
Stokes County, and the
importance of each department.
Chairman Inman noted
that each member of the Board feels strongly that the image of
Stokes County should be a very positive image and that the people of
this County that we
serve should see us as “public servants”. The image that each one projects should be a
positive image and everyone should always remember that “we” serve the
people
of this County and that we should always do it with dignity and
respect.
Chairman Inman
concluded that the Board of Commissioners wants to make sure that
everyone knows the expectations of this Board - a good, positive image
and that everyone will
deal with the public in that manner.
Commissioner Carroll
noted that the purpose of this meeting is not to call anyone on
the carpet, but to make sure everyone knows the Board’s expectations.
Commissioner Carroll
also noted that we need to polish the image of the County and the
responsibility of that
starts in this room, first with the Board of Commissioners, secondly
the Department Heads
and their department.
Commissioner Carroll reiterated the need to be “public servants” and
expressed his appreciation for the dedication of each Stokes County
employee.
Commissioner Lankford
expressed his appreciation for the services provided by all
departments to the citizens of Stokes County and that the Board is
going to be open, fair,
friendly, and build a positive image for Stokes County.
Vice Chairman Walker
noted that each department affects the daily lives of every
citizen in Stokes County and that the concept of “user friendly
government” strikes a very
important note with him. Vice
Chairman Walker wants every request or need to be treated
promptly, courteously, professionally, respectfully, and always give
the citizen a chance to
explain his/her side of the story.
Vice Chairman Walker concluded the need to always end the
conversation in a positive way.
Commissioner Smith
expressed his appreciation not only as a Commissioner, but also
as a citizen for serving the citizens of Stokes County. Commissioner Smith noted that this
meeting is a “pep rally” and that you have a five member board that
wants what is best for the
people of Stokes County and what is best for the employees of Stokes
County. Just remember
that every citizen’s issue is an important issue to that citizen.
Interim Manager
Darlene Bullins expressed the County’s appreciation to Cooperative
Extension Director Jack Loudermilk who will be retiring February 28,
2007.
The Board expressed
their appreciation to Director Loudermilk for his dedication
and service to Stokes County.
CLOSED SESSION
Chairman Inman entertained
a motion to enter into closed session for the following:
the county in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege pursuant to
GS 143-318.11(a)(3).
·
To consider the
initial employment or appointment of an individual to any office or position,
other than a vacancy in the Board of County Commissioners or any other public
body, or to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character,
and fitness of any public officer or employee, other than a member of the Board
of Commissioners or of some other public body pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(6)
Commissioner Lankford moved to enter into
closed session for the following:
the county in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege pursuant to
GS 143-318.11(a)(3).
·
To consider the
initial employment or appointment of an individual to any office or position, other
than a vacancy in the Board of County Commissioners or any other public body,
or to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, and
fitness of any public officer or employee, other than a member of the Board of
Commissioners or of some other public body pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(6)
The motion was unanimous.
The Board returned to the regular meeting of February 12, 2007.
Chairman Inman
entertained a motion to schedule special sessions for
February 22, 2007 and February 27, 2007 at 1:00 pm.
Commissioner Lankford
moved to schedule February 22nd and February 27th
at 1:00 pm for special sessions.
The motion was unanimous.
There
being no further business to come before the Board, Chairman Inman
entertained a motion to adjourn
the meeting.
Commissioner
Lankford moved to adjourn the meeting.
The motion was
unanimous.
_________________________ _____________________________
Darlene M.
Bullins
J. Leon Inman
Clerk to the
Board
Chairman