STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA ) OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS
) STOKES COUNTY GOVERNMENT
COUNTY OF STOKES ) DANBURY, NORTH CAROLINA
) AUGUST 13, 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, August 13, 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:
County
Manager K. Bryan Steen
Clerk
to the Board Darlene Bullins
County
Attorney Edward Powell
Finance
Director Julia Edwards
Support
Services Supervisor Danny Stovall
Tax
Administrator Jake Oakley
Information
Systems Director Dianna Fulp
Arts
Council Director Eddy McGee
Chairman Leon Inman called the meeting to
order.
Chairman Inman delivered the invocation.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT-GOVERNING BODY-PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE
Chairman Inman opened
the meeting by inviting the citizens in attendance to
join the Board with the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC
HEARING- Fiscal Year 2007-08 Rural Operating Assistance Program Funds
Chairman Inman called the Public Hearing for
the Fiscal Year 2007-08 Rural Operating
Assistance Program Funds to order.
There were no public
comments.
Chairman Inman closed
the Public Hearing.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY – APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chairman Inman entertained a motion to approve
or amend the agenda for the
August 13, 2007 meeting.
Commissioner Lankford
requested to put Discussion Item D- “Public Buildings
-Job Reclassification Request” on hold.
Vice Chairman Walker requested to add “Voting
Delegate at the NCACC Annual
Conference” to the Action Agenda as Item C.
County Manager Bryan Steen requested to pull
Discussion Agenda – Appointments –
“Northwest Piedmont Youth Council” from the agenda. Manager Steen noted that Linda
Chisom – NWPCOG had notified the County after the agenda was prepared
that the
appointments were appointed by the Workforce Development Board instead
of the Board of
Commissioners. Ms. Chisom
requested the County allow the notification to remain on the
County’s website, as there is always a need for volunteers to serve on
the Council.
Ms. Chisom expressed her regret for the
confusion.
County Manager Steen
also requested to add under the Action Agenda a motion to
authorize the Finance Officer to make monthly payments to the fire
departments that sign and
return their revised Funding Agreement. Payments would be based on the available revenues,
as they would relate to total budget figures for departments in the
fiscal year 2006-07, until the
Fire Commission provides revised department budgets that total without
exceeding the
authorized amount adopted for this purpose in the County Fiscal Year
2007-08 budget for the
Fire District Service Departments and the Walnut Cove Volunteer Fire
Department. Manager
Steen noted that the motion would eliminate confusion regarding fiscal
year 2007-08 payments
until the service district budget has been revised according to the
adoption of the 2007-08
county budget. Manager Steen
requested to add the item to the Action Agenda – Item D.
County Manager Steen
also requested to add manager’s comments relating to a recent
meeting with CEO Betty Taylor – CenterPoint and a recent meeting with
Interim CEO Donny
Lambeth- Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center to the
Information Agenda – Item B.
Vice Chairman Walker
moved to approve the Agenda as amended.
Commissioner
Lankford seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public
comments.
CONSENT AGENDA
Chairman Inman
entertained a motion to approve or amend the Consent Agenda:
·
Minutes of July 23, 2007
Commissioner Carroll noted the following
corrections:
July 9th Minutes
Page #7 – change the wording – (3) years…
to 2 three (3) year terms for a…
Page #8 - Change issue is… to
issue are…
Register of Deeds
- Budget Amendment # 7
Finance Director Julia Edwards
submitted Budget Ordinance Amendment #7.
To amend the General Fund, the expenditures are to be
changed as follows:
|
|
|
Current |
|
|
|
Account |
Account |
Budgeted |
Increase |
As |
|
Number |
Description |
Amount |
(Decrease) |
Amended |
|
|
General Fund |
|
|
|
|
100.9820.960 |
Transfer to Capital Reserve |
$225,000.00 |
$2,120.00 |
$227,120.00 |
|
|
Totals |
$225,000.00 |
$2,120.00 |
$227,120.00 |
|
|
Capital Reserve Fund |
|
|
|
|
201.4180.025 |
Register of Deeds |
00.00 |
$2,120.00 |
$2,120.00 |
|
|
Totals |
00.00 |
$2,120.00 |
$2,120.00 |
This budget amendment is justified as follows:
To appropriate General Fund Balance to the Register of Deeds
Technology per G.S. 161-11.3.
This will result in a net increase of $4,240.00 in the
expenditures and other financial use to the County’s annual budget. To provide the additional revenue for the
above, the following revenues will increase.
These revenues have already been received or are verified they will be
received in this fiscal year.
|
|
|
Current |
|
|
|
Account |
Account |
Budgeted |
Increase |
As |
|
Number |
Description |
Amount |
(Decrease) |
Amended |
|
|
General Fund |
|
|
|
|
100.3991.000 |
Fund Balance |
$00.00 |
$2,120.00 |
$2,120.00 |
|
|
Totals |
$00.00 |
$2,120.00 |
$2,120.00 |
|
|
Capital Reserve Fund |
|
|
|
|
201.3981.000 |
Transfer from General Fund |
$225,000.00 |
$2,120.00 |
$227,120.00 |
|
|
|
$225,000.00 |
$2,120.00 |
$227,120.00 |
Health Department
– King Clinic -Budget Amendment #8
Finance Director Julia Edwards
submitted Budget Ordinance Amendment #8.
To amend the General Fund, the expenditures are to be
changed as follows:
|
|
|
Current |
|
|
|
Account |
Account |
Budgeted |
Increase |
As |
|
Number |
Description |
Amount |
(Decrease) |
Amended |
|
|
Health Dept. (King Clinic) |
|
|
|
|
100.5191.230 |
Medical Supplies |
$25,000.00 |
($9,014.00) |
$15,986.00 |
|
100.5191.511 |
Equipment – Non Capital |
$00.00 |
$9,014.00 |
$9,014.00 |
|
|
|
$25,000.00 |
$00.00 |
$25,000.00 |
This budget amendment is justified as follows:
To move funding to cover equipment needed for the King
Clinic.
This will result in a net increase of $00.00 in the
expenditures and other financial use to the County’s annual budget.
Commissioner
Carroll requested further information regarding Budget Amendment #7.
Finance Director Edwards noted that 10% of the Register of
Deeds revenues must be set aside
for technology.
Director Edwards noted that this amendment combines two amendments that
relate to the same issue.
The Board directed the Finance Director to continue combining
related budgetary items on budget amendments if possible.
Board of
Education Funding Request – Fiscal Year 2007-08
The Stokes County
Board of Education formally request the following State
Public School Building Capital Fund Applications be approved:
·
School Technology = $300,000.00
·
Debt Service = $423,275.00
(Piney Grove Middle School and West Stokes
High School)
The Stokes County Board of Education also
formally request the following Lottery
Fund Applications be approved:
·
Land – Lawsonville Elementary School
= $180,000.00
·
Meadowbrook School Renovations
= $225, 000.00
The above requests are based on funding approved in the 2007-08 Capital
Outlay Budget.
Commissioner Smith moved to approve the
Consent Agenda as amended.
Commissioner Lankford seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY – INFORMATION AGENDA
Presentation
– Stokes Opportunity Center – Mental Health Issues
Director Cathy Long –
Stokes Opportunity Center presented a request from the
Stokes Opportunity Center (SOC) to consider some much needed
improvements to the Center;
specifically, remodeling the kitchen area to include a space for a
lunchroom and a new,
larger classroom space.
Director Long
summarized the following request:
Request
from Stokes Opportunity Center
•
Remodeling of kitchen to incorporate space for a lunchroom
----Could
be accomplished by removing interior walls and reorganizing space
----
Installing a room divider would
enable the space to also be used for small meetings with case managers,
families, and other agencies
----Part
of the space could be used as a showcase for the art-based program and the
micro enterprise program
•
Increasing the size of the classroom
----Current
space is much too small and not properly configured to permit the use of
computers or work on projects
----Could
be accomplished by adding a modular unit or by adding to the existing facility
----
Plenty of space in the back yard of the existing facility for an addition
----
When not being used as a classroom, space could be used by other community
organizations to provide services for southeastern Stokes County-for example,
Forsyth Technical Community College could offer GED, ESL, and skills training;
other mental health service providers could have satellite offices (probably
better accomplished with a modular unit than an addition); room would be
available for support groups and other community groups to meet)
----
We could serve more people with greater levels of disabilities for whom the
workshop environment is not the best option
Director Long also
noted the following:
·
Very hard to find funding sources for “brick-and-mortar” infrastructure
improvements, while funds to enhance or start new programs and services may be
more easily accessible
·
Having the $200,000 from CenterPoint Human Services allows the
Commissioners to make a long-term investment in providing mental health and
other community services to residents of eastern Stokes County and many of the
rural communities in the county
·
Reiterated that Capital Improvements to SOC would provide space for
other community services that would benefit not only people attending SOC, but
other residents of Stokes County.
·
Current classroom needs major remodeling or expansion
·
Current classroom is 8x12 – very overcrowded when all 25 students
attend compensatory education classes
·
Expansion would enable Forsyth Tech. Community College to provide
compensatory education classes for students throughout the county who may wish
to attend class but not attend SOC
·
Grant from Apple Foundation in the amount of $10,000 has enabled the
center to provide arts-based program; additional $5,000 has recently been
awarded in order to continue the art program
·
No funding if allocated will be used for staff salaries
·
Classroom expansion could be accomplished by an addition to the
existing facility or adding a mobile unit to the property
·
Tremendous need for a lunchroom, lunch is either eaten outdoors in nice
weather or in the work area on cold and rainy days
·
Possible day program for patients with mental health issues such as
Dementia and Alzheimer’s
·
Possible location for primary mental health service providers
·
Possible satellite location for other county departments for special
programs
·
ARC of Stanly, the administrative entity for SOC, supports the request
·
Consumers at SOC endorsed a request to the Commissioners in favor of
the expansion project
The following also spoke in favor of the
request and briefly summarized current
programs that were having a positive impact at the center:
·
Paul Kindley – FTCC
·
Kris Jonzcak – FTCC
·
Stokes County Arts Council Director Eddy McGee
·
Sara Giroux – Arts Council Volunteer
Director McGee is currently investigating FEMA
modular units that were used as
work stations after hurricanes that may be available. Chairman Inman requested that Director
McGee contact Danny Stovall for assistance regarding the FEMA modular
units.
Director Long concluded by respectfully
requesting that the County utilize a portion of
the $200,000 available from CenterPoint Human Services to purchase a
modular unit or expand
the existing facility to include space for a classroom and to expand
the kitchen area to provide
space for a lunchroom. The
capital improvements would allow SOC and the County to better
serve individuals with developmental disabilities and other mental
health issues.
The Board discussed
estimated cost of the proposed expansion project, adding modular
versus adding to the current facility, and program funding.
Chairman Inman
suggested that Danny Stovall get in touch with Cathy Long to proceed
with obtaining estimates for the proposed additions.
The Board expressed
their appreciation to the staff at SOC for their continued
dedication serving the citizens of Stokes County.
Director Long also
expressed appreciation for the continues support from Stokes
County of the SOC.
(A complete package was presented to each Commissioner and will be
retained by the Clerk)
Manager’s
Comments
Chairman Inman, with
full consent of the Board, requested the Clerk to place
Manager’s Comments under the Information Agenda for each meeting.
CenterPoint
Human Services
Manager Bryan Steen
presented the following comments from a recent meeting with
CEO Betty Taylor, Manager of Community Operations Jeff Eads-CenterPoint
and Chairman
Inman:
·
Discussed job requirements for a position proposed by Stokes County
Emergency Responders and Stokes County Mental Health Association – possible
Coordinator to be located in the County
·
Information regarding the job requirements has been passed onto the
Emergency Responders and Mental Health Association for review
·
Proposed position well received by CenterPoint
·
CEO Taylor currently investigating for any available state funding
·
Possible position under DSS with possible state funding
The Board discussed implementation of the
proposed position, funding for the
position, and this position being a model to improve mental health
services throughout the 3-
county area (Stokes, Davie, & Forsyth).
Chairman Inman noted Stokes County Mental
Health Day – September 7, 2007
(10:00am to 3:00pm) in King, NC.
Wake Forest
University Baptist Medical Center
Manager Bryan Steen
and Chairman Inman recently met with Interim CEO Donny
Lambeth and Vice President Doug Atkinson – WFUBMC. Manager
Steen noted the following:
·
CEO Lambeth and VP Atkinson would like to schedule a meeting in the
near future with the entire Board
·
Also interested in the proposed Coordinator position for improving
mental health issues in Stokes County
·
Very interested in being a part of providing better mental health
services to the citizens of Stokes County
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY – DISCUSSION AGENDA
Proposed
Water Rate Increase – Danbury Water System
Mayor Jane Priddy-Charleville
introduced Mr. Bryon Ellis, the new part time Town
Administrator for the Town of Danbury.
Mayor Jane
Priddy-Charleville –Town of Danbury presented the following proposed
water rate increases for the Danbury Water System:
|
TOWN OF DANBURY |
Current Rate |
|
Residential/Small Business |
$13.50 minimum per month up to 3,000
gallons |
|
(per bi-monthly billing cycle) |
$2.60 per 1,000 gallons usage from 6,000
to 10,000 gallons |
|
|
$3.95 per 1,000 gallons usage over
10,000 gallons |
|
|
|
|
Institutional/Industrial |
$28.00 minimum per month up to 3,000
gallons |
|
(including all quasi-governmental
offices) |
$3.40 per 1,000 gallons usage from 3,000
to 10,000 gallons |
|
|
$3.95 per 1,000 gallons usage over
10,000 gallons |
|
|
|
|
Availability Charges (effective 11-1-94) |
1/2 minimum monthly charge |
|
|
|
|
Non-User (Sale of Water) |
$11.20 base charge plus $5.60 per 1,000
gallons sold |
|
|
|
|
TOWN OF DANBURY |
Proposed Rate |
|
Residential/Small Business |
$20.00 minimum per month up to 3,000
gallons |
|
(per bi-monthly billing cycle) |
$5.75 per 1,000 gallons usage above
3,000 gallons |
|
|
|
|
Institutional/Industrial |
$20.00 minimum per month up to 3,000
gallons |
|
(including all quasi-governmental
offices) |
$5.75 per 1,000 gallons usage above
3,000 gallons |
|
|
|
|
Availability Charges |
1/2 minimum monthly charge |
|
|
|
|
Non-User (Sale of Water) |
$25.00 base charge plus $30.00 per 1,000
gallons sold |
Mayor
Priddy-Charleville noted the following regarding the proposed water rate
increases:
·
Town has faced many challenges and issues this past year regarding the
water system
·
Proposed rates were approved by the Town Council on 08-09-07
·
Proposed rates were calculated by Cavanaugh and Associates
·
Proposed rates will produce an additional estimated $22,752 in revenue
·
The Town’s water budget approximately $22,000+ over budget last year
(presented detail 2006/07 water department
budget to the Board) – $19,441 transferred from water department fund balance
·
Items over budget: chemicals,
repairs/parts, clerk and operator salaries, service contract, - some items related to state mandates
·
Estimated water fund balance - $4,000 to $5,000
·
Discussed debt service funding investments to yield higher returns for
use in the water department
·
Water rates must allow department to break even in order to receive
grant funding, the proposed rate increase is a good start to achieving that
level
·
The proposed water rate increase is not an option, it is a must
·
Currently in compliance with recent radium levels
·
Implementation of water rate increases need to be effective September
1, 2007
Commissioner Lankford noted the proposed
non-user (sale of water) increase not being
within the same range as the other increases – extra water could be
needed by farmers or
for economic projects.
Mayor
Priddy-Charleville noted that the Council had voted on the higher increase in
order to possibly deter the sale of water to non-users due to not
having a full time water
operator available during the day when most people request the
water. Mayor Priddy-
Charleville noted the possibly of an agricultural rate and would take
the suggestion back to the
Council for further consideration.
The Board discussed the current system, the
proposed increased water rate, the
proposed increase for non-user (sale of water), a possible agricultural
rate/non user rate, and
scheduling a public hearing.
Chairman Inman, with
full consent of the Board, directed the Clerk to advertise
a Public Hearing for the proposed water rate increase for the next
meeting – August 27th and
place the item on the Action Agenda.
Fiscal Year
2007-08 Rural Operating Assistance Program Funds
Administrative
Assistance Jeff Cockerham – YVEDDI (Charlie Walker was unable to
attend the meeting) presented the Application
for Operating Assistance –Fiscal Year 2007-08
Rural Operating Assistance Program Funds.
Mr. Cockerham noted
the following proposed allocations:
·
Senior Services –Elderly/Disabled Transportation Assistance Program =
$76,982
·
Stokes DSS – Employment Transportation Assistance Program = $13,014
·
YVEDDI – Rural General Public Transportation Program = $68,599
Mr. Cockerham noted that the Public Hearing
will be re-advertised for the next meeting,
August 27th due to the incorrect information in the public
hearing advertisement for the
August 13th meeting.
Mr. Cockerham request approval for YVEDDI to serve as program
operator and the Rural Operating Assistance Program Certified Statement
for F/Y 2007-2008
will be placed on the August 27th Action Agenda following
the public hearing.
Chairman Inman
directed the Clerk to place another Public Hearing on the agenda for
the August 27th meeting (to be advertised by YVEDDI) and
place the Rural Operating
Assistance Program approval on the Action Agenda.
Vice Chairman Walker
noted that YVEDDI would be contacting the County for an
agenda date to present update information on the proposed facility
project/grant.
Tax
Administration Report
Tax Administrator Jake
Oakley presented the Tax Collection Status Report ending
July 2007:
|
Fiscal
Year 2007-08 |
Budget
Amt |
Collected
Amt |
Over
Budget |
Under
Budget |
|
County
Regular & Motor Vehicles |
$ (18,619,330.00) |
$
617,144.44 |
|
$18,002,185.56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prior
Taxes 1991-2006 Tax Years |
|
|
|
|
|
County
Regular & Motor Vehicles |
$
700,000.00 |
$
(133,933.26) |
|
$ 566,066.74 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EMS
Collections |
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Collection =$615,479.20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Administrator Oakley
noted that several other reports from the Tax Department would
be forthcoming to the Board for informational purposes.
Administrator Oakley presented the following
Motor Vehicle and Real/Personal
Property Releases and Motor Vehicles Refunds for July 2007:
(these releases and refunds were approved and processed by the Tax
Administrator)
|
Motor
Vehicle Releases (July 07) |
|
|
Real&
Personal Property Releases (July 07) |
Amount |
|
Juan Jose
Arriaza |
$ 13.05 |
|
Juan Jose
Arriaza |
$ 15.37 |
|
Louis
Wesley Belcher Jr. |
$ 21.49 |
|
Elizabeth
Robertson Berry |
$ 30.87 |
|
BNAR LLP |
$ 5.00 |
|
Tommy
& Wanda Burrow |
$ 19.88 |
|
Brian
Steve Cain |
$ 0.26 |
|
Terry Ann
Carter |
$ 1.92 |
|
Kevin
Todd Childress |
$ 68.91 |
|
Alton Ray
Cole |
$ 69.50 |
|
David
Robert Cox |
$ 36.59 |
|
Rhonda
Gail Cox & Richard Van Logan Lassiter |
$ 43.67 |
|
John
Charles Darida |
$ 28.93 |
|
Davis
Heating & Air Conditioning |
$ 15.63 |
|
Frosty W
Denny |
$ 102.33 |
|
Exprezit
#835 Convenience Store |
$ 5.00 |
|
Liesa
Phillips Foster |
$ 46.32 |
|
Jerry
Dean Gwyn |
$ 3.22 |
|
Betty
Fulp Harger |
$ 131.45 |
|
Cheryl
Faith Harmon |
$ 23.36 |
|
Renaldo
& Janet Hernandez |
$ 29.47 |
|
Mary S.
Hicks & Scarlet J. Simmons |
$ 95.30 |
|
Jeffrey
Lane Holt |
$ 16.90 |
|
Lynn
Nance Hooker |
$ 24.90 |
|
Frank D.
Hutchins |
$ 35.36 |
|
Janet
Lynn Jackson |
$ 11.24 |
|
Jurgen M.
& Myrtle J. Kastner |
$ 79.05 |
|
Glenn
& Sally Knox |
$ 38.86 |
|
Timothy
Ray Mabe |
$ 25.56 |
|
Dianna L.
Maready |
$ -
|
|
Dianna L.
Maready |
$ 30.00 |
|
Mickey’s
Grocery |
$ 13.73 |
|
Sandra B.
Miller |
$ 13.63 |
|
Sara E.
Mincoff & James D.Williams |
$ 26.10 |
|
Belinda
Luella Moser |
$ 39.35 |
|
Danny
Dean Mullins |
$ 20.85 |
|
Edward
Arley Nelson |
$ 34.95 |
|
Lester
Leonard Nickelston |
$ 17.76 |
|
Jose
Manuel Vega Ocampo |
$ 41.92 |
|
Billy Lee
& Patricia Pack |
$ 6.00 |
|
Stephen
Bryant Page |
$ 77.97 |
|
Dennis
Patterson |
$ 19.57 |
|
Dennis
Patterson |
$ 40.17 |
|
Dennis
Patterson |
$ 19.57 |
|
Michael
Ray Pemberton |
$ 62.14 |
|
Gary
Elwood Rudler |
$ 9.30 |
|
Harold
Kimball Scunders |
$ 1.95 |
|
Sheets
Construction |
$ 28.80 |
|
Amy
Truskowski Simmons |
$ 112.04 |
|
Michael
Ray Simmons |
$ 16.86 |
|
Terry
James Slate |
$ 50.96 |
|
John A
Slater |
$ 6.00 |
|
Samuel F.
& Annie Mae Smith |
$ 7.80 |
|
Joseph
Franklin Snow |
$ 36.33 |
|
Jason
Clayton Sowers |
$ 31.55 |
|
Dreama B.
& Joseph Owen Stanley, Jr. |
$ 97.97 |
|
Malachi
R. & Traci Fulcher Stanley |
$ 52.99 |
|
John
Dillard & Mildred B. Stultz, Jr. |
$ 44.52 |
|
Tony M
& Karon B Sturgill |
$ 4.88 |
|
Cynthia
R. & Timothy F. Tilley |
$ 87.18 |
|
Roger L.
& Gayle M. Tucker |
$ 19.01 |
|
Richard
Kelly Turner |
$ 8.42 |
|
Ronald G.
& Kathie Hall Tuttle |
$ 6.51 |
|
Randall
Edward Walker |
$ 33.46 |
|
Linda Griesenbro
Welborn |
$ 5.44 |
|
Olin
Alvise White |
$ 36.03 |
|
Walter
Delano White Jr. |
$ 17.01 |
|
Eric B.
Willard |
$ 37.08 |
|
Dennis
Homer Williams |
$ 34.88 |
|
Nathan
Dale Williams |
$ 2.62 |
|
Nathan
Dale Williams |
$ 6.55 |
|
Thomas
Dee & Linda Mabe Willis |
$ 46.16 |
|
Daniel
Lee Witcher |
$ 84.10 |
|
Total
Releases |
$ 2,429.50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Motor
Vehicle Refunds (July 2007) |
Amount |
|
Reuben Wilson Brown & Kent Wayne Mabe |
$ 52.33 |
|
Helen L. Davis |
$ 11.95 |
|
Barry L. & Shirley Flinchum |
$ 9.88 |
|
Honda Lease Trust |
$ 58.18 |
|
Joyce K. Lawrence |
$ 36.96 |
|
John Francis Pack |
$ 6.40 |
|
Dewey Seldon Robertson |
$ 28.45 |
|
Randall Edward Russell |
$ 42.10 |
|
Jeffrey Dean Young |
$ 69.25 |
|
Totals |
$
315.50 |
Proposed Resolution Allowing the Tax Administrator to Approve Refunds
and Releases for Real & Personal Property under $100
Tax
Administrator Jake Oakley requested the approval of the following proposed
Resolution which would implement the provision
of N.C.G.S. 105-381 (b) whereby “The
governing body may, by resolution, delegate
its authority to determine requests for a release or
refund of tax of less than one hundred dollars
($100) to the finance officer, manager or attorney
of the tax unit”:
) RESOLUTION
COUNTY OF STOKES )
WHEREAS,
Section 105-381(b) of the North Carolina General Statutes provides that
"The governing body may, by resolution, delegate its authority to determine requests for a
release or refund of tax of less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) to the
finance officer, manager, or attorney of the taxing unit".
WHEREAS, That in
keeping with the statute stated above, the Stokes County Board of Commissioners
do hereby charge the Stokes County Tax Administrator with the delegated
authority to submit requests for release or refund of
tax of less than one hundred dollars ($100.00).
WHEREAS, That in
keeping with the statute stated above, the Stokes County Board of Commissioners
do hereby charge the Stokes County Finance Director to refund tax of less than
one hundred dollars ($100.00) submitted by the Stokes
County Tax Administrator.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Stokes County Board of
Commissioners:
(1) Orders
the Stokes County Tax Administrator to determine the requests for a release or refund of tax of less than one hundred dollars ($100.00), and;
(2)
Orders the Stokes County Finance Department to issue a refund of tax of less
than one hundred dollars ($100.00) upon the
submission of a request from the Stokes County Tax Administrator, and;
(3) Orders the Stokes County Tax Administrator to report such requests
for a release or refund in a monthly report to the Stokes County Board of Commissioners on
the first regular scheduled meeting of each month, and finally;
(4) Orders
the Stokes County Finance Department to
report the payment of monies
in refund to the Stokes County Board of Commissioners on the first regular scheduled meeting of each month.
Adopted this the ____ day of August, 2007
Tax
Administrator Jake Oakley noted the following regarding the proposed
Resolution:
·
Orders the Stokes County Tax Administrator to determine the requests
for a release or refund of tax of less than $100
·
Orders the Stokes County Finance Department to issue a refund of tax of
less than $100 upon the submission of a request from the Stokes County Tax
Administrator
·
Orders the Stokes County Tax Administrator to report such requests for
a release or refund in a monthly report to the Board of Commissioners at the
first regular meeting of each month
·
Orders the Stokes County Finance Department to report the payment of
monies in refund to the Board of Commissioners at the first regular meeting of
each month
·
Proposed Resolution has been approved the County Attorney
·
The proposed Resolution would allow a faster return for the citizen and
make the department more efficient
The Board discussed the proposed Resolution.
Chairman Inman, with full consent of the
Board, requested the Clerk to place the item
on the August 27th Action Agenda.
Approval of Tax Releases over $100
Tax
Administrator Jake Oakley requested approval of the following Property Tax
Releases:
·
Wayne Wilmoth - $236.74
·
Jonathan & Charlene Crumley - $160.27
·
Darrell Richard Newsome - $110.87
·
Deanna Duggins - $110.31
The Board discussed the requested
releases. With full consensus of the
Board,
Chairman Inman noted the releases would be moved to the Action Agenda
in order to execute
the agenda item.
Appointment of Cheryl C Hill as Deputy Tax Collector
Tax
Administrator Jake Oakley requested the Board appoint Ms. Cheryl C. Hill as
a Deputy Tax Collector in order to collect
taxes.
The
Board noted that the appointment would need to be approved after approval of
the
new job classification.
Restructure of Job Descriptions for the Tax Department
Tax
Administrator Jake Oakley noted that since his appointment, all job duties had
been identified and requested approval of
revised job classifications for the entire staff.
Tax
Administrator Oakley noted the following: (11 full time and 1 part time
positions)
·
Business Personal Property Appraiser/Listing Supervisor
·
Delinquent Tax Collector
·
Deputy Delinquent Tax Collector
·
Deputy Tax Collector
·
Motor Vehicle Appraiser
·
Personal Property Listing Appraiser
·
Personal Property Listing Appraiser – Part Time
·
Real Property Appraiser I
·
Real Property Appraiser II
·
Real Property Appraiser Supervisor
·
Tax Administrator
·
Tax Collector Assistant
The Board discussed the proposed job
reclassifications. The Board requested
Administrator Oakley to furnish the Board with a complete current
organizational chart of the
Tax Department.
Commissioner Lankford requested that the job
reclassification be put on hold until after
the salary committee completed their current project.
Tax
Administrator Oakley noted that the only job description that needed to be
approved as soon as possible is the part time
Listing Appraiser which needs to be advertised.
Administrator Oakley would like to proceed
with the hiring process as soon as possible,
in hopes of having an employee trained by the
first of the year (listing time).
Chairman
Inman, with full consent of the Board, directed the Clerk to place the part
time position job description on the August 27th
Action Agenda.
Information Systems - Proposed Computer Network Upgrade
Support Services Supervisor Danny Stovall
presented quotes received from the
Information Systems staff which are from North
Carolina state contracts, 240L Cisco
Switches, 204A Microcomputer/Peripherals, and
208H Microsoft software products to upgrade
the County’s computer network:
·
Dell- $59,969.24 - Computer
Hardware
·
SHI- $41,693.59 - Software
·
AT&T- $45,607.97 – Cisco Switches
·
Total Project Cost =
$147,270.80
Mr. Stovall noted the following:
·
NC G.S. 143-129: “Procedure for letting of public contracts” contains
exceptions that allow the County to purchase off of state contracts without
going through the formal bidding procedure
o
(7) Purchases of information technology through contracts established
by the State office of Information Technology Services as provided in G.S.
147-33.82(b) and G.S. 147-33.92 (b)
o
Purchases from contracts established by the State or any agency of the
State, if the contractor is willing to extend to a political subdivision of the
State the same or more favorable prices, terms, and conditions as established
in the State contract
·
Currently securing quotes from financial institutions for funding the
project
·
Lease agreement will be three (3) years with annual payments in advance
and will be presented at the August 27th meeting
The Board discussed
the state contract pricing, current condition of computer
servers/software/switches, and the urgent need to proceed with the
project.
Chairman Inman noted
the lease amount had been approved in the 2007-08 budget.
Information Systems
Director Dianna Fulp has no issues with the recommendations
from state contracts, but request the Board act as soon as possible in
order to get the equipment
ordered and installed into the current system.
Chairman Inman, with
full consent of the Board, noted the item (Computer Network
Upgrade - to purchase off state contract) would be moved to the Action
Agenda in order to
expedite the ordering process.
New Telephone
System
Support Services
Supervisor Danny Stovall noted the new telephone system for all
county buildings will begin next week with the majority of the
installation being done the
weekend of August 25th.
Appointments
Planning
Board – Danbury and Meadows Townships- Three Year Term
Clerk to the Board Darlene Bullins noted that the appointments had been placed on the
County Website and in the Stokes News. Planning Director David Sudderth notified the Board
that Lewis Wood – Danbury Township and Patrick Flinchum – Meadows Township had both
requested that their names be considered for re-appointment.
Commissioner
Lankford nominated the following:
·
Lewis Wood – Danbury Township
·
Patrick Flinchum – Meadows Township
Nominations can be considered at the August 27th
meeting.
Voluntary
Agricultural Advisory Board – Yadkin and Meadows/Sauratown Townships – Three
Year Term
Clerk to the Board Darlene Bullins noted that the appointments had been placed on the
County Website and in the Stokes News. District Soil/Watershed Conservationist Tom Smith
informed the Board the Voluntary Agricultural District Advisory Board had presented the
following names for consideration:
·
Tony Mabe – Covington Road – Yadkin Township
·
David Hartman – Pine Hall Road – Meadows/Sauratown Townships
(Both have expressed interest in serving on the Advisory Board)
Commissioner Smith
nominated the following:
·
Tony Mabe – Covington Road – Yadkin Township
·
David Hartman – Pine Hall Road – Meadows/Sauratown Townships
Nominations can be considered at the August 27th
meeting.
Northwest Piedmont
Youth Council - Appointments
Clerk to the Board
Darlene Bullins reiterated that the Board did not need to take
any action regarding the Northwest Piedmont Youth Council vacancy. The County had been
misinformed (by NWPCOG) regarding the appointments, appointments are
made by the Work
First Development Board. The
NWPCOG did request that the County leave the information
regarding the appointments on the web for future volunteers.
Stokes County
Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing Authority Board
Economic Development
Director Ron Morgan requested the Board consider
appointments/re-appointments to the Stokes County Industrial Facilities
and Pollution Control
Financing Authority Board.
Director Morgan noted the following:
·
Originally a seven-member board
·
Meets as needed to fulfill the requirements of issuance of federal
revenue bonds
·
General Statute requires every county to have an Industrial
Facilities/Pollution Control Financing Authority Board which is responsible for
issuing an inducement letter for issuance of these bonds that go into the state
bond pool program
·
This Authority met last in March 1984
·
Need for the Board to meet as soon as possible for a current project
·
Jerry Rutledge, Marvin Gentry, and Jasper Hedgecock, who were previous
members, are willing to be re-appointed
·
Must have a quorum (4 members) in order for a meeting
Clerk to the Board Bullins noted that the
appointment would be in the August 16th
edition of Stokes News and it also has been placed on the County’s
website.
Commissioner Carroll nominated the following:
·
Jerry Rutledge
·
Marvin Gentry
·
Jasper Hedgecock
Vice Chairman Walker nominated the following:
·
Worth Hampton
·
Bruce Younts
·
Turk Tergliafera
Commissioner Smith nominated Gary Merritt.
Chairman Inman
requested Director Morgan confirm with Mr. Hampton, Mr. Younts,
Mr. Tergliafera, and Mr. Merritt to determine if they would be willing
to serve.
Nominations can be considered at the August 27th
meeting.
NCDOT Request
for Road Addition to the NC Secondary Road System – Meadow View Drive and Oak
View Drive in Meadow Oak Estates
County Manager Bryan
Steen presented the following information regarding a request
from NCDOT for addition to the North Carolina Secondary Road System –
Meadow View
Drive and Oak View Drive in Meadow Oak Estates:
·
Road is classified as subdivision
·
Both drives are rural roads that were in existence prior to Oct. 1,
1975
·
State provides some funding for the addition of old rural roads
·
Estimates by NCDOT in order to bring the road to state standards =
$46,000
·
Funding available by NCDOT = $42,000
·
Property owners must provide the additional $4,000
Chairman Inman directed the Clerk to place the
road addition on the August 27th
Consent Agenda.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY – ACTION AGENDA
County Public
Auction
Support Services
Supervisor Danny Stovall requested direction from the Board
regarding Auctioneer Fees to conduct a public auction on behalf of
Stokes County.
Mr. Stovall has
received quotes from the following:
·
Burwell & Sons = $1,000.00
·
Todd Gordon = $1,750.00
Mr. Stovall noted the following regarding the
proposed auction date:
·
Proposed date Saturday, October 27, 2007 at 10:00 am in the parking lot
of the Ronald W. Reagan Memorial Building
·
Vehicles will be the majority of items sold
·
Surplus items will be presented to the Board at a later date for
approval
·
Advertising will be done by the County
Mr. Stovall requested permission to move
forward with contracting with Burwell &
Sons for auctioneer fees.
The Board discussed
the proposed auction sale and quotes received from both
auctioneer firms.
Commissioner Lankford
requested if General Statutes require the County to hire a
licensed auctioneer for a public auction.
County Attorney Edward
Powell requested time to research the issue.
After reviewing
General Statute 153A-176,160A-270, and 85B-4, Attorney Powell
confirmed that the Board did not have to provide a licensed auctioneer
to perform the sale.
Chairman Inman
entertained a motion regarding auctioneer fees for the county
public auction scheduled for Saturday, October 27th at 10:00
am.
Commissioner Smith
moved to contract with Burwell & Sons for auctioneer services
for $1000 for the County public auction as recommended by Mr. Stovall. Vice Chairman
Walker seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Stovall noted that
future plans are to investigate the use of GovDeals for disposal of
County surplus sale.
Appointments
– Piedmont Triad Partnership Board of Directors
Chairman Inman noted
the vacancy on the Piedmont Triad Partnership – Board of
Directors, which was discussed at the July 23rd meeting.
Commissioner Lankford volunteered to serve as
the County representative on the Board
of Directors.
Chairman Inman entertained
a motion to appoint Commissioner Lankford to the
Piedmont Triad Partnership Board of Directors.
Commissioner Smith
moved to appoint Commissioner Lankford to serve on the
Piedmont Triad Partnership Board of Directors as the Stokes County
representative. Vice
Chairman Walker seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
NCACC- Voting
Delegate – Fayetteville Conference
Commissioner Lankford
moved to appoint Vice Chairman Jimmy Walker as voting
delegate for Stokes County at the NCACC – Commissioners Conference in
Fayetteville, NC.
Commissioner Smith seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Fire
Departments
County Manager Bryan
Steen requested the Board adopt the following motion in order
authorize the Finance Officer to make monthly payments to the fire
departments that sign and
return their revised Funding Agreement:
Motion to authorize
the Finance Officer to make monthly payments to fire departments
that sign and return the revised Funding Agreement with payments based
on the available
revenues as they would relate to total budget figures for departments
in FY 2006-07; until the Fire Commission provides revised department budgets
that total without exceeding the authorized amount adopted for this purpose in
the FY 2007-08 Budget for Fire Service
District Departments and Walnut Cove Volunteer Fire Department.
Manager Steen reiterated that the motion would
eliminate confusion regarding the fiscal
year 2007-08 payments until the service district budget has been
revised according to the
adoption of the 2007-08 county budget.
The Board discussed
the motion requested by County Manager Steen.
County Manager Steen
noted that revised Service District and Walnut Cove Fire
contracts will be mailed on Tuesday – August 14th.
Commissioner Carroll
moved to authorize the Finance Officer to make monthly
payments to fire departments that sign and return the revised Funding
Agreement with
payments based on the available revenues, as they would relate to total
budget figures for
departments in FY 2006-07; until the Fire Commission provides revised
department budgets
that total without exceeding the authorized amount adopted for this
purpose in the FY 2007-08
Budget for Fire Service District Departments and Walnut Cove Volunteer
Fire Department.
Commissioner Lankford seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Tax Releases
Chairman Inman
entertained a motion to approve the following tax releases as presented
during the Discussion Agenda:
·
Wayne Wilmoth - $236.74
·
Jonathan & Charlene Crumley - $160.27
·
Darrell Richard Newsome - $110.87
·
Deanna Duggins - $110.31
Commissioner Smith moved to approve the
following tax releases as requested by the
Tax Administrator:
·
Wayne Wilmoth - $236.74
·
Jonathan & Charlene Crumley - $160.27
·
Darrell Richard Newsome - $110.87
·
Deanna Duggins - $110.31
Vice Chairman Walker seconded and the motion
carried unanimously.
Information
Systems – Computer Network Upgrade - Approval State Contracts
Chairman Inman entertained a motion to approve
the following purchases for
computer hardware, software, and switches previously discussed under
the Discussion Agenda:
·
Dell- $59,969.24 - Computer Hardware
·
SHI- $41,693.59 - Software
·
AT&T- $45,607.97 – Cisco Switches
·
Total =$147,270.80
Commissioner Lankford moved to approve the
followings purchases for computer
hardware, software, and switches:
·
Dell- $59,969.24 - Computer Hardware
·
SHI- $41,693.59 - Software
·
AT&T- $45,607.97 – Cisco Switches
·
Total =$147,270.80
Vice Chairman Walker seconded and the motion
carried unanimously.
CLOSED SESSION
Chairman Inman
entertained a motion to enter Closed Session for the following:
·
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)
·
To consult with the
Attorney employed or retained by the Public Body in Order to preserve the
attorney-client privilege between the Attorney and the Public Body, which
privilege is hereby acknowledged, and to consider and give instructions to an
attorney concerning the handling or settlement of a claim judicial action,
mediation, arbitration, or administrative procedure pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11
(3).
Commissioner Smith moved to enter Closed
Session for the following:
·
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)
·
To consult with the
Attorney employed or retained by the Public Body in Order to preserve the
attorney-client privilege between the Attorney and the Public Body, which
privilege is hereby acknowledged, and to consider and give instructions to an
attorney concerning the handling or settlement of a claim judicial action,
mediation, arbitration, or administrative procedure pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11
(3).
Vice Chairman Walker seconded and the motion
carried unanimously.
The Board reconvened
to the regular session of the August 13th meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before
the Board, Chairman Inman
entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Commissioner Smith moved to adjourn the
meeting. Commissioner Carroll
seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
_________________________ _____________________________
Darlene M.
Bullins J. Leon Inman
Clerk to the
Board Chairman
