STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA ) OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS
) STOKES COUNTY GOVERNMENT
COUNTY OF STOKES ) DANBURY, NORTH CAROLINA
) AUGUST 27, 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 27, 2007 at 6:00 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
Finance Director Julia Edwards
Chairman Leon Inman called the meeting to
order.
Vice Chairman Walker 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- Proposed Water Rate Increase Danbury Water System
Chairman Inman opened a Public Hearing for the
proposed Water Rate Increase.
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 27, 2007 meeting.
Vice Chairman Walker
moved to approve the Agenda as submitted.
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 following items on the
Consent Agenda:
·
Minutes of June 4, 2007
·
Minutes of June 5, 2007
·
Minutes of August 10, 2007
·
Minutes of August 13, 2007
Commissioner Carroll noted the following
corrections:
June 4th minutes
Page #6 Change the wording most
increase
to most needed increase
June 5th minutes
Page #14 - Change indefinite
to
indefinitely
Page #15 Change that limit action
to that limited action
August 10th minutes
Page #2 Change law no more that
to
law anymore than
Commissioner Smith noted the following
correction:
June 4th minutes
Page # 5 Change Truck #31
to Truck #310
Single Family
Rehabilitation Program # 9
Finance Director Julia Edwards
submitted Budget Ordinance Amendment #9.
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 |
|
|
|
|
205.4970.180 |
Professional Services |
$00.00 |
$64,000.00 |
$64,000.00 |
|
205.4970.440 |
Misc. Contractual Services |
$00.00 |
$336,000.00 |
$336,000.00 |
|
|
Totals |
$00.00 |
$400,000.00 |
$400,000.00 |
This budget amendment is justified as follows:
To appropriate Single Family Rehabilitation Program Funding
for Stokes County.
This will result in a net increase of $400,000.00 in the
expenditures and other financial use to the Countys 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 |
|
|
|
|
205.3301.000 |
Single Family
Rehabilitation Program |
$00.00 |
$400,000.00 |
$400,000.00 |
|
|
Totals |
$00.00 |
$400,000.00 |
$400,000.00 |
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 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 at the August 13th meeting.
Commissioner Lankford
moved to approve the Consent Agenda as amended.
Commissioner Smith seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT GOVERNING BODY INFORMATION AGENDA
Comments
Manager & Commissioners
Chairman Inman noted
that Comments from the Manager and Commissioners would be
a regular item on the information agenda at each regular meeting.
County Manager Steen presented a brief
overview of the following:
·
YVEDDI Proposed 2007/08 Transportation Program was not placed on the
Agenda due to the Public Hearing not being properly advertised by YVEDDI Per
Charlie Walker-YVEDDI, the item will be advertised and scheduled for the
September 10th meeting
·
NCACC Annual County Commissioners Conference
o
Summary of State Budget Highlights
o
New tax options available to Counties
o
Preparing to work with the new Governor
o
Different approaches to funding the construction of schools such as
adequate public facilities ordinance and associated fees
o
Lease purchase agreement for construction of schools
o
High performance buildings for schools
·
Recreation Advisory Council met on August 20th and will be
conducting an inventory of recreational opportunities in Stokes County and
programs provided by YMCA; a survey will also be conducted to receive input
from citizens regarding what recreational opportunities are needed in the
County
Vice Chairman Walker, who also attended the
Annual Commissioners Conference,
noted the following:
·
Very worthwhile sessions
·
Sessions on cooperative efforts between local governments such as
Planning/Zoning, Utilities, etc
·
The ETJ (for cities and towns)
does not expand as areas are annexed, less ETJs in North Carolina today than
ever before
·
Information regarding utilities possibly forced to look at options in
future - NC has more small water systems than any other State many systems
are very old and in need of major renovations and repairs
Vice Chairman Walker, who serves on the
Recreation Advisory Council, requested that
the Recreation Advisory Council be added to the September 24th
agenda to start a discussion
regarding the current inventory of recreational programs in the County
and reviewing a survey
conducted by the Council of what recreational programs are needed and
wanted in the County.
The Board discussed
the information presented regarding the Recreation Advisory
Council. Vice Chairman Walker
also noted that the Advisory Council did not have a clear
understanding of what the Board of Commissioners desired regarding
recreational opportunities
in Stokes County.
Commissioner Lankford
and Commissioner Carroll both noted that the Board
would need ample time to review the information received from the
Advisory Council
including (as previously requested) a detailed breakdown of the current
County funding
allocation to Stokes Family YMCA before meeting with the Council.
The Board discussed
possible dates for a presentation from the Recreation Advisory
Council and the current makeup of the Advisory Council. Chairman Inman requested the Clerk
to provide the Board with member information regarding the current
Recreation Advisory
Council.
The Board unanimously
agreed to schedule the Advisory Council on the September 24th
agenda, as long as information was received in time for the Board to
have sufficient time to
review the information. Vice
Chairman Walker requested the Clerk to notify the Advisory
Council of the tentative date of September 24th.
Manager Steen stated
that the County had met with CenterPoint for their quarterly
review. Manager Steen noted that the following:
- Information
regarding the recent 45-hour issue (consumer needed placement in a
facility -no beds available) with a consumer that had involved Stokes
County Sheriffs Department revealed that CenterPoint CEO Betty Taylor had
actually intervened with the State to help get the consumer into a
facility
- Triumph will
be staying in Danbury
- New Consumer
Advisory Committee will be trying to bring mental health issues to the
table
- Discussion of
Consumer Collaborative Committees role
- Discussion of
Consumer and Family Advisory Committee which hopes to help identify
problems and help meet the needs of children in the County
- Possible
state incentive grant (up to possibly $100,000) relating to drug and
alcohol fatal accidents, to provide new assessment and early intervention
to reduce the number of fatal accidents related to drugs and alcohol
- Met with
representatives from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Forsyth
Memorial Hospital, CenterPoint, and Northwest Community Care Network to
further discuss the mental health coordinator position (have already met
with Stokes Emergency Responders and Stokes County Mental Health
Association)
- DSS Director
Spencer and I will continue to work on the coordinator position
Manager Steen requested approval from the
Board to schedule a joint meeting with the
Planning Board on September 27th at 6:00 pm to discuss
recently adopted legislation regarding
telecommunication towers that affects Stokes County and the Stokes
County Planning/Zoning
Ordinance for wireless telecommunications. Mr. Rusty Monroe, Stokes County
Telecommunications Consultant, will inform both Boards of the new
regulations. The
Board had no issue with the joint meeting and directed the County
Manager to confirm the
meeting time of September 27th for a joint meeting with the
Planning Board.
Chairman Inman, with consensus of the Board,
directed the Clerk to advertise the joint
meeting with the Planning Board for Thursday, September 27th
- 6:00pm.
Manager Steen informed
the Board of the following Budget Memorandums that the had
recently approved:
·
Veterans Services Transfer of $45 from postage to dues/subscriptions
in order for the Veterans Services Officer to join the NC Association of
Veterans Services Officers
·
Health Department Transfer of $440 from Office Supplies to Equipment
Non Capitalized for an emergency purchase of a refrigerator which stores
vaccines- refrigerator quit over the weekend
Manager Steen requested direction from the
Board regarding scheduling a
demonstration by the NWPCOG - Mobile Job Center at the first meeting in
October.
The unit can travel from place to place - taking applications, writing
resumes, etc. Manager
Steen noted this would be a good opportunity for officials from King,
Danbury, and Walnut
Cove to also see what is available.
Chairman Inman suggested possibly having the
demonstration at the League of Governments meeting scheduled for
October 18th, which will
be hosted by the County. The
Board unanimously agreed to have the mobile unit at the League
of Governments meeting in October.
Manager Steen noted
that the NC Department of Health & Human Services is replacing
paper checks with electronic payments for child support this October.
Manager Steen
reiterated the Stokes County Mental Health Association will be
sponsoring Community Fun Day at Central Park in King on September 7th.
Manager Steen noted
that he had scheduled the following meetings to discuss joint
ventures between the cities and towns in the county:
·
Manager of the City of King September 5th
·
Presentation at the regular Board Meeting - Town of Walnut Cove
September 4th
·
Presentation at the regular Board Meeting Town of Danbury to be
scheduled later in September
Commissioner Smith updated the Board with the
following information regarding the
Regional Tourism Initiative:
·
Recently attended the Steering Committee Meeting in Elkin
·
Vintage Marketing has been employed on a contractual basis for
advertising and promotion
·
Membership currently includes 8 northwestern counties in NC, 2
southwestern counties along with the City of Galax in Virginia
·
Any other participants have to be on board by the end of September
·
Vintage Marketing posed the brand name to be The Cascade Highlands
·
Steering Committee approved the brand name as The Cascade Highlands
·
Will continue to work on tag lines at the next steering committee
meeting
Commissioner Lankford updated the Board
regarding the old Prison Camp location.
Commissioner Lankford noted that plans for clean up are currently
underway at the location
with removal of the mobile units and inventorying possible space at the
location.
Commissioner Lankford noted that several avenues are being investigated
for possible grants.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT GOVERNING BODY DISCUSSION AGENDA
Appointments
Chairman Inman
presented the following appointment:
·
Jury Commissioner to serve on the Jury Commission in compliance with
NCGS 9-1 which had recently been requested from Clerk of Superior Court Jason
Tuttle
·
Mr. Lynwood Shelton has served on the Commission for several years and
does wish to be considered for re-appointment
Clerk to the Board Darlene Bullins noted that
the appointment has been advertised
according to the Boards guidelines.
Commissioner Lankford
nominated Lynwood Shelton for re-appointment to serve
on the Jury Commission.
Nominations can be
considered at the September 10th meeting.
Proposed
Leasing of County Property
County Manager Bryan Steen presented the
following information regarding the leasing
of a portion of the old Health Department to Northwest Child
Development:
·
Received a request from Cindy Tuttle, Director of Stokes Partnership
for Children on August 10th that CEO Tony Burton-NW Child
Development had expressed interest in leasing space within the Danbury area for
the More at Four Program
·
Interested location 1070 Hospice Drive, Danbury, NC 27016 near Stokes Reynolds Memorial
Hospital (county facility)
·
Cindy Tuttle who also serves as Chairman of the Recreation Advisory
Council has indicated that the YMCA (YMCA currently operates the recreation
program in the entire building) does not have a problem allowing the requested
portion of the building to be used for the More at Four Program
·
Review of space was conducted and a rental rate for the square footage
with utilities, excluding telephone/internet access, is estimated at $600 per
month
·
Minor changes to the facility will be needed to comply with program requirements
which will be paid by NW Child Development
·
Space is anticipated to be needed by October
Commissioner Lankford noted that the issue was
discussed at the last Stokes
Partnership for Children meeting.
Commissioner Lankford noted the following:
·
State has appropriated an additional $59 million dollars for the More
at Four Program which will provide an additional 15-18 slots
·
Current waiting list for the More at Four Program in Stokes County
·
Area needed most is in the northern part of the county
·
Board members have been checking with local churches in the northern
part of the county, currently none have expressed interest in housing the
program
Vice Chairman Walker confirmed that at the
last Recreation Advisory Council, there
was no opposition to allow the More at Four Program to share the
facility. Chairman
Inman, with full consent of the Board, authorized the County Manager to
begin developing a
proposed contract for this Board to approve in content and form for the
next meeting and also
inform Northwest Child Development of the Boards intentions.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT GOVERNING BODY ACTION AGENDA
Proposed
Water Rate Increase Danbury Water System
County Manager Bryan
Steen reiterated the need for the water rate increase for the
Danbury Water System, which was presented to the Board by Danbury Town
Mayor Jane
Priddy- Charleville at the August 13th meeting.
Commissioner Lankford
requested information from Mayor Priddy-Charleville who
was in attendance for the meeting regarding the Non-User (Sale of
Water) rate increase.
Mayor Priddy-Charleville noted that the issue was scheduled to be
discussed at the next council
meeting.
The Board continued
discussion of the water rate increase for the Danbury Water
System.
Chairman Inman
entertained a motion regarding the following proposed water rate
increase 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 |
Vice Chairman Walker moved to approve the
increased water rates as submitted for the
Danbury Water System.
Commissioner Smith seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Vice Chairman Walker
amended the motion to include the effective date of the water
rate increase to be September 1, 2007. Commissioner Smith seconded the amendment.
The amendment to add the effective date of September 1, 2007 to the
motion carried
unanimously.
Proposed Resolution Allowing the Tax Administrator to Approve Refunds
and Releases for Real & Personal Property under $100
County
Manager Bryan Steen presented 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 presented the
proposed Resolution at the
August 13th meeting.
County Manager Steen reiterated the proposed
Resolution would allow a faster
refund/release for the citizen and make the department operate more
efficiently.
The Board continued discussion regarding the
proposed Resolution.
Chairman Inman entertained a motion to approve
the proposed Resolution as submitted
by Tax Administrator Oakley.
Commissioner
Lankford moved to approve the Resolution submitted by Tax
Administrator Oakley to allow the release or
refund of tax of less than one hundred dollars
($100).
Vice Chairman Walker seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Restructure of Job Descriptions for the Tax Department
County Manager
Steen also presented the job description for the part time Personal
Property Listing Appraiser job
reclassification that was submitted by Tax Administrator Jake
Oakley at the August 13th
meeting. Manager Steen reiterated the
need for approval which
would allow Administrator Oakley to proceed
with the hiring process in order to have someone
in place and trained by the first of the year
for the listing period.
Commissioner
Lankford requested to hold the agenda item until after closed session.
The
Board had no issues with holding the agenda item until after closed session.
Appointments
Planning
Board Danbury and Meadows Townships- Three Year Term
Chairman Inman noted that Lewis Wood Danbury Township and Patrick Flinchum
Meadows Township had both been nominated at the August 13th meeting.
Clerk to the Board Darlene Bullins noted that there had not been any other applications
for the appointment.
Chairman Inman entertained a motion.
Commissioner Lankford moved to appoint the
following to serve on the Stokes County
Planning Board:
·
Lewis Wood Danbury Township
·
Patrick Flinchum Meadows Township
Vice Chairman Walker seconded and the motion
carried unanimously.
Voluntary
Agricultural Advisory Board Yadkin and Meadows/Sauratown Townships
Three-Year Term
Chairman Inman noted that Tony Mabe Yadkin Township and David Hartman
Meadows/Sauratown Townships had both been nominated at the August 13th meeting.
Clerk to the Board Darlene Bullins noted that there had not been any other applications
for the appointment.
Chairman Inman entertained a motion.
Commissioner Smith moved to appoint the
following to serve on the Stokes County
Voluntary Agricultural Advisory Board:
·
Tony Mabe Covington Road Yadkin Township
·
David Hartman Pine Hall Road Meadows/Sauratown Townships
Commissioner Lankford seconded and the motion
carried unanimously.
Stokes County
Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing Authority Board
Chairman Inman noted
the following had been nominated at the August 13th meeting
to serve on the Stokes County Industrial Facilities and Pollution
Control Financing Authority
Board:
·
Jerry Rutledge
·
Marvin Gentry
·
Jasper Hedgecock
·
Worth Hampton
·
Bruce Younts
·
Turk Tergliafera
·
Gary Merritt
Vice Chairman Walker moved to appoint the
following to serve on the Stokes
County Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing Authority
Board:
·
Jerry Rutledge
·
Marvin Gentry
·
Jasper Hedgecock
·
Worth Hampton
·
Bruce Younts
·
Turk Tergliafera
·
Gary Merritt
Commissioner Smith seconded and the motion
carried unanimously.
CLOSED SESSION
Chairman Inman
entertained a motion to enter into 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)
Commissioner Carroll moved to enter into
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)
Vice Chairman Walker seconded and the motion
carried unanimously.
The Board reconvened
to the regular session of the August 27th meeting.
Restructure of Job Descriptions for the Tax Department
Chairman Inman
entertained a motion regarding the part time Personal Property Listing
Appraiser job reclassification.
Commissioner Smith
moved to approve the Personal Property Listing Appraiser
job reclassification submitted by the Tax Administrator. Vice Chairman
Walker seconded the
motion.
Commissioner Lankford
questioned the hourly rate regarding the part time position.
Clerk Bullins noted that the hourly rate would be the minimum rate of
the salary according to
the countys salary schedule for that position. Clerk Bullins noted that Administrator
Oakley
had a set amount of funding in part time salary allocated to the
position which was approved in
the 2007-08 Budget. The motion
was unanimous.
Adjournment
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. Commissioner Smith
seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
_________________________ _____________________________
Darlene M.
Bullins J. Leon Inman
Clerk to the
Board Chairman
