STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA )                    OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS

                                                            )                    STOKES COUNTY GOVERNMENT

COUNTY OF STOKES                   )                    DANBURY, NORTH CAROLINA

                                                            )                    FEBRUARY 11, 2008

 

 

 

           

            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 11, 2008 at 1:30 pm with the following members present:

 

 

                                                Chairman J. 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

                                                Interim Health Director Jenny Braswell

                                                Captain Mike Marshall

                                                Public Works Director Mark Delehant

Support Services Supervisor Danny Stovall

Tax Administrator Jake Oakley

 

 

Chairman J. 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. 

 

 

GENERAL GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY – APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

            Chairman Inman entertained a motion to approve or amend the February 11, 2008

 

agenda.           

 

            County Manager Bryan Steen requested to add a closed session for a personnel issue.

 

            Vice Chairman Walker requested to transfer Budget Amendment #58 and #61 to the

 

discussion agenda.

 

            The Board unanimously agreed to both requests.

 

 

 

            Commissioner Lankford moved to approve the February 11th agenda as amended. 

 

Vice Chairman Walker seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

 

PUBLIC HEARING

NCDOT - Stokes County Secondary Construction Program – F/Y 2007-08

 

            Chairman Inman opened the Public Hearing regarding the Stokes County Secondary

 

Construction Program – Fiscal Year 2007-08.

 

The following spoke during the Public Hearing:

 

Mr. James Dalton

PO Box 873

Walnut Cove, NC  27052

Re:  East Walnut Cove Park – Burton Road

 

Mr. Dalton presented the Board with statistical information pertaining to the activities

(family reunions, family gatherings, community/church gatherings, baseball/softball games, kids’ recreation, etc.) which involve all races and ages of people at East Walnut Cove Community Park.   Mr. Dalton noted that the overall number of people attending the park on an annual basis is more than most secondary roads are traveled during the year which would definitely increase if the road was paved.  Mr. Dalton expressed the importance of the road being paved with the possibility of future car shows if the road was paved.

 

            Chairman Inman closed the Public Hearing.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

The following spoke during public comments:

 

Mr. Gary Alley

1069 Pack Road

Walnut Cove, NC  27052

RE:  Meeting with Forsyth County

 

Mr. Alley informed the Board that he and others were meeting with the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners and wished to confirm with the Board that Forsyth County had not had any recent correspondence or negotiations with Stokes County.

 

Chairman Inman informed Mr. Alley that there would be comments later in the meeting in reference to his question.

 

Mrs. Arthur Jessup

2732 Brown Mountain Road

Pilot Mountain, NC  27041

Re:  Dogs

 

Ms. Jessup expressed concerns with a dog lot (adjoining their property) located on Brown Mountain Road which currently has approximately 21 dogs with at times as many as 30. 

Ms. Jessup stated the following issues related to the dog lot:  barking all hours of the night, odor, insects, and unable to have outdoor activities.  Ms. Jessup presented the Board with a petition with 16 signatures from the neighborhood regarding the nuisance of Mr. Bill McGee’s dog lot. 

Ms. Jessup requested any assistance from the County regarding their issue.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

Chairman Inman entertained a motion to approve or amend the following items on the

 

consent agenda:

 

Minutes

 

 

Sheriff’s Department – Budget Amendment #47

 

            Finance Director Julia Edwards submitted Budget Ordinance Amendment #47.  

 

To amend the General Fund, the expenditures are to be changed as follows:

 

 

 

Current

 

 

Account

Account

Budgeted

Increase

         As

Number

Description

Amount

(Decrease)

      Amended

 

District Resource Center

 

 

 

100.4310.260

Departmental Supplies

$25,093.00

$230.00

$25,323.00

 

Totals

$25,093.00

$230.00

$25,323.00

 

This budget amendment is justified as follows: Purchase of respirator and two cartridges

 

This will result in a net increase $230.00 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

100.3431.415

Judgments

$5,426.00

$230.00

$5,656.00

 

Totals

$5,426.00

$230.00

$5,656.00

 

            Budget Amendment #47 was discussed at the January 28th meeting.  Additional

 

information was requested and received from Sheriff Mike Joyce which justified the

 

budget amendment.

 

Sheriff’s Department – Budget Amendment #48

 

            Finance Director Julia Edwards submitted Budget Ordinance Amendment #48.

 

To amend the General Fund, the expenditures are to be changed as follows:

 

 

 

Current

 

 

Account

Account

Budgeted

Increase

As

Number

Description

Amount

(Decrease)

Amended

 

Sheriff’s Department

 

 

 

100.4310.260

Departmental Supplies

$25,093.00

 $30.00

$25,123.00

 

           Totals

$25,093.00

    $30.00

     $25,123.00

                                   

This budget amendment is justified as follows:

Doctor’s visit for employee to wear respirator mask

 

This will result in a net increase of $30.00 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

100.3431.415

Judgments

 $5,426.00

$30.00

$5,456.00

 

Totals

 $5,426.00

$30.00

$5,456.00

 

            Budget Amendment #48 was discussed at the January 28th meeting.  Additional

 

information was requested and received from Sheriff Mike Joyce which justified the budget

 

amendment.

 

GIS/Mapping – Budget Amendment #54

 

            Finance Director Julia Edwards submitted Budget Ordinance Amendment #54.

 

To amend the General Fund, the expenditures are to be changed as follows:

 

 

 

Current

 

 

Account

Account

Budgeted

Increase

As

Number

Description

Amount

(Decrease)

Amended

 

E911 Fund

 

 

 

200.4325.180

Professional Services

$35,500.00

$8,383.00

$43,883.00

 

           Totals

$35,500.00

  $8,383.00

     $43,883.00

                                   

This budget amendment is justified as follows:

To appropriate state grant for Aerial Photography Project.

 

This will result in a net increase of $8,383.00 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

 

E911 Fund

 

 

 

200.3301.000

State Grant

    $.00

$8,383.00

$8,383.00

 

Totals

    $.00

$8,383.00

$8,383.00

 

Emergency Communications – Budget Amendment #55

 

            Finance Director Julia Edwards submitted Budget Ordinance Amendment #55.

 

To amend the General Fund, the expenditures are to be changed as follows:

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

Account

Account

Budgeted

Increase

As

Number

Description

Amount

(Decrease)

Amended

100.4325.000

General Fund

Salaries and Wages

$356,204.00

$10,306.00

$366,510.00

100.4325.090

Social Security

$24,435.00

     $639.00

$25,074.00

100.4325.091

Medicare Tax

$5,714.00

    $150.00

$5,864.00

100.4325.100

Retirement

$18,100.00

    $509.00

$18,609.00

100.4325.101

401(k)

$3,551.00

    $104.00

$3,655.00

100.4325.110

Group Health Insurance

$42,414.00

 $1,473.00

$43,887.00

100.4325.111

Dental Insurance

$3,163.00

   $110.00

$3,273.00

100.4325.510

Equipment

$5,605.00

   $495.00

$6,100.00

 

 

   $459,186.00

$13,786.00

$472,972.00

 

 

Capital Reserve Fund

 

 

 

201.9810.000

Transfer to General Fund

     $12,605.00

$(5,605.00)

       $7,000.00

201.4325.002

Emergency Communications

       $1,895.00

   $5,605.00

$7,500.00

 

Total Capital Reserve Fund

     $14,500.00                              

-                      

     $14,500.00

 

 

 

 

 

                                    Totals                                       $473,686.00     $13,786.00         $487,472.00

                       

This budget amendment is justified as follows:

To appropriate funds from 2008 EMS Toolkit grant for EMD software, training and personnel. The software and training had been budgeted in General Fund and E911 Fund.  Therefore, this is to budget the personnel and to appropriate the grants funds in the place of other revenue sources.

 

This will result in a net increase of $13,786.00 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

 

 

 

100.3301.265

State Office of EMS

$ --

$19,391.00

$19,391.00

100.3982.960

Transfer from Cap. Reserve

$12,605.00

$(5,605.00)

$7,000.00

 

Total General Fund

$12,605.00

$13,786.00

$26,391.00

 

E911 Fund

 

 

 

200.3301.000

Grants

         $.00

$23,800.00

$23,800.00

200.3301.000

Fund Balance

$31,497.00

$(23,800.00)

$7,697.00

 

Total E911 Fund

$31,497.00

$--

$31,497.00

 

                             Totals                                     $44,102.00          $13,786.00           $57,888.00

 

Vehicle Maintenance - Budget Amendment #56

 

            Finance Director Julia Edwards submitted Budget Ordinance Amendment #56.

 

To amend the General Fund, the expenditures are to be changed as follows:

 

 

 

Current

 

 

Account

Account

Budgeted

Increase

As

Number

Description

Amount

(Decrease)

Amended

 

Vehicle Maintenance

 

 

 

100.4210.350

M&R - Equipment

   $2,800.00

 $42,427.00

$45,227.00

 

Contingency

 

 

 

100.9910.000

Contingency

$212,435.00

$(42,427.00)

$170,008.00

 

           Totals

$215,235.00

    $.00

   $215,235.00

                                   

This budget amendment is justified as follows:

To transfer funds from Contingency for repairs to the fuel tanks per NCDENR requirements.

 

This will result in a net increase of $00.00 in the expenditures and other financial use to the County’s annual budget. 

 

Senior Services and Social Services – Budget Amendment #57

 

            Finance Director Julia Edwards submitted Budget Ordinance Amendment #57.

 

To amend the General Fund, the expenditures are to be changed as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

Account

Account

Budgeted

Increase

As

Number

Description

Amount

(Decrease)

Amended

 

Senior Services

 

 

 

100.5860.441

Misc. Contractual-EDTAP

  $48,213.00

 $29,419.00

$77,632.00

 

Social Services

 

 

 

100.5310.316

NCDOT Work First                

    $6,507.00

 $6,507.00

$13,014.00

 

Special Appropriation

 

 

 

100.4520.490

YVEDDI

  $63,106.00

$27,297.00

$90,403.00

 

           Totals

$ 117,826.00

 $63,223.00

   $181,049.00

                                   

This budget amendment is justified as follows:

To appropriate additional funding from Rural Operating Assistance Program for transportation and appropriate EDTAP Client Donations for Senior Services transportation

 

This will result in a net increase of $63,223.00 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

100.3301.263

EDTAP

$89,315.00

$56,066.00

$145,381.00

100.3301.367

NCDOT Work First

  $6,507.00

$6,507.00

$13,014.00

100.3586.454

EDTAP Client Donations

 

   $650.00

$650.00

 

Totals

$95,822.00

$63,223.00

$159,045.00

 

 

Finance – Budget Amendment #58

 

            Budget Amendment #58 transferred to the discussion agenda.

 

 

Finance -Budget Amendment #59

 

            Finance Director Julia Edwards submitted Budget Ordinance Amendment #59.

 

To amend the General Fund, the expenditures are to be changed as follows:

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

Account

Account

Budgeted

Increase

As

Number

Description

Amount

(Decrease)

Amended

 

Finance

 

 

 

 

Documentation below

$2,647,729.00

$(151,756.00)

$2,495,973.00

 

           Totals

$2,647,729.00

$(151,756.00)

$2,495,973.00

                                   

This budget amendment is justified as follows:

To transfer funds to contingency from the December quarterly review with a savings of $92,856

 

This will result in a net decrease of $58,900.00 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 change.  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

100.3301.416

HAVA Grant

  $60,000.00

$(60,000.00)

$.00

100.3438.001

Animal Control Rabies Fees

    $2,200.00

 $1,110.00

$3,300.00

 

Totals

  $62,200.00

$(58,900.00)

$3,300.00

 

 

 

 

 

 Increase

 Revised

 

 

 

 Budget

 (Decrease)

 Budget

 

General Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elections

 

 

 

 

 

Printing

100.4170.340

 $    22,834.00

 $   (7,099.00)

 $    15,735.00

 

Maint. & Repairs Equipment

100.4170.350

 $    26,230.00

 $ (25,400.00)

 $         830.00

 

Advertising

100.4170.370

 $         960.00

 $      (160.00)

 $         800.00

 

Precinct Officials

100.4170.390

 $    36,738.00

 $   (9,700.00)

 $    27,038.00

 

Rental of Equipment

100.4170.430

 $      2,595.00

 $      (765.00)

 $      1,830.00

 

Dues & Subscriptions

100.4170.490

 $         160.00

 $       165.00

 $         325.00

 

Equipment Non Capitalized

100.4170.511

 $    60,000.00

 $ (60,000.00)

$                -  

 

 

 

 $  149,517.00

$(102,959.00)

 $    46,558.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State referendum was not held and the equipment to be purchase with HAVA will not occur this fiscal year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public Buildings

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries & Wages

100.4190.000

 $  280,261.00

 $ (20,000.00)

 $  260,261.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries savings due to vacancy.  Transferred to Solid Waste for repairs to trucks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Information Systems

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries & Wages

100.4210.000

 $  132,536.00

 $   (7,000.00)

 $  125,536.00

 

Professional Services

100.4210.180

 $      3,000.00

 $   (1,500.00)

 $      1,500.00

 

Training

100.4210.311

 $      9,700.00

 $   (7,000.00)

 $      2,700.00

 

Equipment

100.4210.510

 $  170,365.00

 $   (5,000.00)

 $  165,365.00

 

Equipment Non Capitalized

100.4210.511

 $      2,500.00

 $      (397.00)

 $      2,103.00

 

 

 

 $  318,101.00

 $ (20,897.00)

 $  297,204.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emergency Medical Services

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries & Wages

100.4370.000

 $1,105,965.00

 $ (10,000.00)

 $1,095,965.00

 

Salaries & Wages-Part Time

100.4370.020

 $  140,000.00

 $   10,000.00

 $  150,000.00

 

Social Security

100.4370.090

 $    87,661.00

 $   (7,000.00)

 $    80,661.00

 

Medicare Tax

100.4370.091

 $    20,501.00

 $   (1,000.00)

 $    19,501.00

 

Retirement

100.4370.100

 $    62,803.00

 $   (2,500.00)

 $    60,303.00

 

401K

100.4370.101

 $    11,039.00

 $   (3,500.00)

 $      7,539.00

 

Group Insurance

100.4370.110

 $  123,707.00

 $ (10,000.00)

 $  113,707.00

 

Dental Insurance

100.4370.111

 $      9,224.00

 $   (1,000.00)

 $      8,224.00

 

Medical Supplies

100.4370.230

 $    93,000.00

 $   15,000.00

 $  108,000.00

 

Utilities

100.4370.330

 $    16,000.00

 $   10,000.00

 $    26,000.00

 

 

 

$1,669,900.00

 $              -  

$1,669,900.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Animal Control

 

 

 

 

 

Postage

100.4380.321

 $      3,500.00

 $       800.00

 $      4,300.00

 

Maint & Repairs Equipment

100.4380.350

 $         500.00

 $       300.00

 $         800.00

 

 

 

 $      4,000.00

 $     1,100.00

 $      5,100.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase cost of postage for dog tags and repairs to the radio.  Appropriate rabies fees revenue for these

expenditures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solid Waste

 

 

 

 

 

Maint. & Repairs Equipment

100.4720.350

 $    50,000.00

 $   20,000.00

 $    70,000.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repairs to trucks.  Transferred from Public Buildings' budget.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cooperative Extension

 

 

 

 

 

Misc. Contractual Services

100.4950.440

 $  175,500.00

 $ (30,000.00)

 $  145,500.00

 

Maint. & Repairs Auto

100.4950.351

 $        450.00

 $     1,000.00

 $      1,450.00

 

 

 

 $  175,950.00

 $ (29,000.00)

 $  146,950.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extension director salary and repairs to van.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 $2,647,729.00

 $(151,756.00)

 $2,495,973.00

 

 

Social Services – Budget Amendment #60

 

            Finance Director Julia Edwards submitted Budget Ordinance Amendment #60.

 

To amend the General Fund, the expenditures are to be changed as follows:

 

 

 

Current

 

 

Account

Account

Budgeted

Increase

As

Number

Description

Amount

(Decrease)

Amended

 

Social Services

 

 

 

100.5480.000

Crisis Intervention

$52,159.00

 $6,695.00

$58,854.00

 

           Totals

$52,159.00

   $6,695.00

     $58,854.00

                                   

This budget amendment is justified as follows:

Social Services received an additional funding authorization for Crisis- 100% federal dollars.

 

This will result in a net increase of $6,695.00 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

100.3301.202

SS County Federal

    $52,159.00

$6,695.00

$58,854.00

 

Totals

    $52,159.00

$6,695.00

$58,854.00

 

Animal Control – Budget Amendment #61

 

            Budget Amendment #61 transferred to the discussion agenda.

 

 

Sheriff’s Department – Budget Amendment #67

 

            Finance Director Julia Edwards submitted Budget Ordinance Amendment #67.

 

To amend the General Fund, the expenditures are to be changed as follows:

 

 

 

Current

 

 

Account

Account

Budgeted

Increase

As

Number

Description

Amount

(Decrease)

Amended

 

Sheriff’s Department

 

 

 

100.4320.511

Non-Capital Equipment

$17,228.00

 $7,000.00

$24,228.00

 

           Totals

$17,228.00

  $7,000.00

     $24,228.00

                                   

This budget amendment is justified as follows:

Purchase a computer program to be used for first appearance hearing for inmates.

 

This will result in a net increase of $7,000.00 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

100.3301.441

Federal Fines/Forfeitures

 $11,863.00

$7,000.00

$18,863.00

 

Totals

 $11,863.00

$7,000.00

$18,863.00

 

Liquidation of EMS Charges

 

            Emergency Services Director Monty Stevens requested the Board of County

 

Commissioners liquate the following charges of individuals who were incarcerated in the

 

Stokes County Jail at the time of service. (Information verified by Jail Sergeant Jeff Whitaker)

 

Call Number

Date of Call

Total Charges

0707102

12/8/2007

 $   356.00

0704928

8/27/2007

 $   356.00

0702990

5/19/2007

 $   667.00

 

Total

 $1,379.00

 

Proposed Allocation of Additional HCCBG Funding and Budget Amendment #66

 

Senior Services Program Director Lynn Martens presented the following additional

 

HCCBG funding:

 

 

Director Martens noted the Stokes Aging Planning Committee recommended the

 

following distribution of funding:

 

 

Senior Services – Budget Amendment #66

 

            Finance Director Julia Edwards submitted Budget Ordinance Amendment #66.

 

To amend the General Fund, the expenditures are to be changed as follows:

 

 

 

Current

 

 

Account

Account

Budgeted

Increase

As

Number

Description

Amount

(Decrease)

Amended

 

Senior Services

 

 

 

100.5860.440

Misc. Contractual Services

$73,000.00

 $3,903.00

$76,903.00

 

           Totals

$73,000.00

  $3,903.00

     $76,903.00

                                   

This budget amendment is justified as follows:

To appropriate additional funding from the Home & Community Block Grant for transportation.

 

This will result in a net increase of $3,903.00 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

100.3301.369

NWPCOG-Transportation

    $83,849.00

$3,903.00

$87,752.00

 

Totals

    $83,849.00

$3,903.00

$87,752.00

 

Vice Chairman Walker requested information regarding budget amendments that

 

were being submitted, his understanding was that the County Manager had the authority to

 

approve budget amendments below a certain amount (reference BA #47 & #48).

 

            Finance Director Julia Edwards noted these small amount budget amendments have

 

revenues that must be approved by the Board.

 

Commissioner Lankford moved to approve the consent agenda as amended.  Vice

 

Chairman Walker seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

 

GENERAL GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY – INFORMATION AGENDA

 

Susan Medlin – Vintage Marketing

 

            Marketing Manager Susan Medlin- Vintage Marketing spoke briefly with the Board

 

regarding the Regional Tourism Initiative (RTI).   Ms. Medlin noted the following:

 

·         Have worked with the RTI to identify, develop, and name a website

·         RTI has made amazing progress over the past few months

·         RTI very energetic group working toward a common goal – tourism

·         Amazing concept to join with a bordering state to promote tourism

 

Ms. Medlin presented the “Cascade Highlands” website power point presentation.

 

Ms. Medlin noted that the RTI is developing a job description in order to contract with an

 

individual who can update and monitor the website and provide information to inquirers.

 

            Ms. Medlin also spoke to the Board regarding Economic Development.  Ms. Medlin

 

noted that Vintage Marketing can work with the County in the following areas:

 

·         Support and market Economic Development

·         Work on a campaign to target particular companies for Stokes County

·         Evaluate Stokes County to see what is best suited for the area

·         Economic Development Commission provides the “blueprints” and marketing builds the “house”

·         Help to create the “right” brochure for Stokes County

·         Distribute the brochures to the right places

·         Provide strategy groups to help the County decide what is right for Stokes County

·         Provide resources to assist the County in inventorying the County’s assets relating to Economic Development

 

Ms. Medlin urged the County to remember that marketing is one of the most valuable

 

tools for bringing Economic Development to the County, but cautioned the Board that it must

 

be done right. 

 

            Chairman Inman expressed the Board’s appreciation to Ms. Medlin for her informative

 

update.

 

Golder & Associates – Update

 

            Public Works Director Mark Delehant presented the following Golder and Associates

 

feasibility study update:

 

·         Phase  I – Preliminary Needs Assets has been completed

·         Phase II – Ground Water Resource Evaluation has been completed

·         Phase III – Identify Ground Water Resource Sites which will perform hands on testing for future water resources (currently is underway)

·         Phase III had been postponed due to the illness of the previous Public Works Director

·         Phase III – projection date for completion – May 2008

·         Golder and Associates to present final presentation upon the completion of Phase III

 

The Board discussed the need for completion of the project in order for the County to

 

pursue future grants.

 

            Director Delehant noted that work has already begun to obtain permission from

 

property owners in order to proceed with Phase III.

 

            Chairman Inman reiterated that the final results should provide countywide water

 

assessment.

 

Water & Sewer Authority – Update

 

            Public Works Director Mark Delehant presented the following Water and Sewer update:

 

·         Recently dealt with a water increase from Forsyth County which mandated an increase to the current customers (Increase from $2.76 to $3.10 per one thousand gallons) with the basic rate remaining at $16.00

·         Starting to do a month by month assessment in order to evaluate the expenditures and revenues of the water system

·         New billing system – positive comments from customers

 

Director Delehant concluded that he is conducting a study of the entire system.

 

Comments – Manager and Board of Commissioners

 

            County Manager Bryan Steen presented the following request:

 

v  Invitation from Misti Holloway – West Stokes High School to

hold the April 28th regular meeting (6:00 pm) at West Stokes

 

            The Board discussed having meetings at different locations within the County.

 

            Chairman Inman directed the County Manager to look at the requested date and place

 

the item on the February 25th action agenda.

 

            Vice Chairman Walker requested any information pertaining to the vacancies on

 

the Stokes County Board of Health.  Commissioner Carroll noted that he was unable to attend

 

the last Health Board meeting, but that the Interim Health Director should be able to answer

 

that question later in the meeting.

 

            Chairman Inman expressed the following comments to clarify remarks in a recent

 

article in the Winston-Salem Journal entitled “Solo plans for local landfill is put forth”:

 

First of all, North Carolina law, specifically General Statute 153A-15 provides as follows:

 

 

“153A-15 (b)  Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 153A-158, 160A-240.1, 130A-55, or any other general law or local act conferring the power to acquire real property, before any county, city or town, special district, or other unit of local government which is located wholly or primarily outside another county acquires any real property located in the other county by exchange, purchase or lease, it must have the approval of the county board of commissioners of the county where the land is located.

 

This has been the law of our state since 1981.

 

This means that the City of Winston-Salem was required to obtain the approval of the Stokes County Board of Commissioners prior to purchasing any land in Stokes County.  However, the City of Winston-Salem purchased tracts of land from two different sellers for a total acreage of 119.97 acres on September 15, 2006 and recorded the two deeds in the Stokes County Register of Deeds office on September 18, 2006.

 

To my knowledge, this Board of Commissioners has never to this day been requested to approve any purchase of land in Stokes County by the City of Winston-Salem.

 

The obligation is solely on the City of Winston-Salem and the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities Commission to correct their mistakes.  No mistakes have been made by Stokes County or this Board.

 

 

            Chairman Inman concluded no meetings have been held between the Stokes County

 

Board of Commissioners and Forsyth County.

 

 

GENERAL GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY – DISCUSSION AGENDA

 

NCDOT – Stokes County Secondary Construction Program – F/Y 2007-08

 

            District Engineer John Rhyne –NCDOT presented the following Stokes County

 

Secondary Construction Program: 

 

(also in attendance – Assistant District Engineer Jeff Turner)

 

 

NCDOT

 

Secondary Construction Program

 

Fiscal Year 2007-08

Amount

 

 

Estimated SRCF Allocations (GS 136-44.5b)

 $   803,000.00

Estimated SRCF Allocations (GS 136-44.5c)

 $   387,000.00

Estimated Trust Fund Allocations (GS 136-44c)

 $2,019,000.00

Total RCF & Trust Fund Allocation

 $3,209,000.00

 

 

 

 

 

Rural Roads

 

 

 

 

Estimated

Priority

State

 Local 

Mile

Description

Construction

Number

Road #

 Name

Length

of Work

Funds

15

1501

 Elllis Lawson Rd

0.45

Grade, base, pavement

 $  112,500.00

16

1437

 Lum Hall Rd - ROW

0.84

Grade, base, pavement

 $  210,000.00

 

 

Mileage

1.29

sub total

 $  322,500.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

17

1920

Burton Road

0.8

Grade, base, pavement

 $  200,000.00

18

2060

Jones Farm Road

0.4

Grade, base, pavement

 $    80,000.00

19

2024

Case Collins Road

0.58

Grade, base, pavement

 $  145,000.00

20

1628

Martin Mill Rd-ROW

0.26

Grade, base, pavement

 $    65,000.00

21

1900

Talmadge Knight-ROW

0.35

Grade, base, pavement

 $    88,000.00

22

1632

Victory Hill Rd

0.4

Grade, base, pavement

 $  100,000.00

23

1698

Davis Chapel Rd

0.54

Grade, base, pavement

 $  135,000.00

24

1700

Otis Woods Rd

0.51

Grade, base, pavement

 $  153,000.00

25

1447

Gilmer Mabe Rd

0.58

Grade, base, pavement

 $  145,000.00

26

1653A

Doss Rd

1.3

Grade, base, pavement

 $  390,000.00

 

 

Mileage

5.72

sub total

 $1,501,000.00

 

 

Total Mileage

7.01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right of Way Engineering

 

 

 $  190,000.00

 

 

Spot Stabilization-Unpaved Rds

 

 

 $  208,000.00

 

 

Stabilization-Spot Improvement

 

 

 

 

 

Road Additions/POP/Fire Depts

 

 

 $  184,500.00

 

 

Road Widening

 

 

 $  803,000.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Grand total

 $3,209,000.00

 

            Mr. Rhyne noted the following:

 

·         In the event a right of way is not available in any of the above mentioned projects in the program, the next road on the priority list, road addition, or property owners participation, whichever is appropriate will be considered

·         Program is subject to funding, right of way and environmental review

·         Any additional available funds that may become available will be used for additional safety projects, property owners participation paving, widening, bridge replacements, road additions, industrial access projects, and fire station drives

 

Mr. Rhyne requested the Board’s approval for the 2007-08 Secondary Construction

 

Program by Resolution.

 

            Vice Chairman Walker requested clarification regarding the Otis Woods Road –

 

program indicates .51 mile and priority list indicates .80 mile.  Mr. Rhyne noted that property

 

owners have requested abandonment of the end of the road which will be submitted to the

 

Board at a later date.

 

            The Board discussed the priority system, which is scheduled to be updated in the fall of

 

2008 which will be in effect for the 2008-09 construction program.

 

            Mr. Rhyne noted that the Burton Road which was mentioned during public comments

 

should be completed as long as funding is available and there are no right of way issues.

 

            Chairman Inman directed the Clerk to placed the item on the February 25th action

 

agenda.

 

 

Financial Advisor – Presentations

 

BB&T Capital Markets - (BB&TCM)

 

            Senior Vice President Alison Peeler and Senior Vice President David Adams – BB&T

 

Capital Markets presented the following for consideration as a Financial Advisor for Stokes

 

County:

 

·         BB&TCM – a registered broker/dealer subsidiary of BB&T Corporation

·         11th largest US Financial Holding Company with $130.8 billion in total assets

·         Has grown to become one of the largest “off - Wall Street” fixed income distribution agents in the US

·         150 representatives registered to conduct business in NC

·         BB&T headquarters is located in Winston Salem

·         BB&T has more than 35 bank branches within the Piedmont Triad Region with one located in Stokes County (City of King)

·         Has over 1500 retail banking operations in 11 states

·         Ms. Peeler has 16 years of NC public finance experience

·         BB&TCM is committed to governmental and higher educational clients in North Carolina and throughout the Southeast

·         Utilizes a team approach to every engagement in order to ensure that each client receives the highest level of service from professionals that are experts in their respective field

·         Analytical Capabilities

§  Internal Credit Rating Modeling

§  Comprehensive Debt Review

§  Capital Improvement Plans

§  Tax Impact Analysis

§  Pooled Loan Programs

·         Distribution Infrastructure

·         Municipal Research

§  Former Moody’s Manager (10 years)

§  Credit Rating Strategies

·         BB&T is willing to negotiate fees and open to other methods that would be satisfactory to the County

·         Financial Advisory fee for a transaction is stated on a per bond basis and the Financial Advisory fee for the CIP is on an hourly basis with a cap

·         The agreed upon fee for a transaction would be payable only upon closing of a transaction

·         As financial advisor, BB&TCM will be available on an ongoing basis at no charge to the County throughout the engagement

·         Wealth of in-house resources to deliver timely and innovative solutions to our financial advisory clients

·         Direct access to market intelligence, investor preferences and information about the board spectrum of financial products utilized by local governments

·         In-house Municipal Research Group provides detailed research reports which assist potential investors in making investment decisions

·         References from numerous cities/towns and counties

·         Ms. Peeler worked with Stokes County during the refinancing of 96 and 98 GO Bonds which saved the County approximately $350,000

 

The Board discussed the BB&TCM proposal with Ms. Peeler and Mr. Adams.

 

Ms. Peeler and Mr. Adams expressed their appreciation to the Board for considering

 

their company for a Financial Advisor.

 

 

 

DEC Associates, Inc

 

             Mr. Doug Carter and Mr. Jeremy Carter presented the following for consideration as

 

Financial Advisor for Stokes County:

 

·         Formed in late 2004 –family owned and operated

·         Sole focus to provide independent financial advice

§  Debt Issuance

§  Investment Management

§  Capital Planning

§  Swap Analysis

§  Economic Development Strategies

§  Comprehensive Financial Planning

·         Understands the County comes first

·         Advisory Services covering a broad range of governmental needs

·         Emphasis on the financial plan

·         Will provide independent advisory services- no broker/dealer services

·         Has achieved number one NC Advisor Status in 2005

·         Would assist in developing a financial plan and execute it

·         Will match cost with available revenues

·         Will set roadmaps

·         Will create sound perceptions with credit rating folk & private placement banks

·         Will keep County informed

·         Will get LGC involved early

·         Financial Planning for the now and the future

·         Developing Strategies and Raising Capital Funds

·         Extension of County Finance Staff

·         Assistance with the Credit Rating Process

·         Will work with the County as a team

·         There would be clear understanding of what is needed, why it is needed, and why it is the best financing for the County

·         Numerous references from cities/towns and counties

·         Financial advisor for Sampson County who embarked on a significant capital program ($150 million)

 

The Board discussed the DEC proposal with Mr. Carter.

 

Mr. Doug Carter expressed appreciation to the Board for their time and consideration

 

and reiterated that Stokes County would always their #1 client if chosen as the Financial

 

Advisor.

 

            Chairman Inman directed the Clerk to place the item on the February 25th action

 

agenda.

 

Health Department – Funding Reallocation and Budget Amendment #63 and #64

 

Environmental Health

 

            Interim Health Director Jenny Braswell requested the following transfer of funds within

 

the Health Department’s approved budget, which will require no additional county funds:

 

·         Transfer funding ($30,500) from salaries and wages to professional services to contract with two available authorized Environmental Health Specialists to work weekends to help reduce the backlog of work until the vacancy is filled

·         15 hours per week/EHS for 19 weeks @ $50/hour = $28,500

·         Mileage reimbursement for 19 weeks at County rate = $2,000

 

Interim Director Braswell noted the following reasons for a temporary solution to the

 

problem:

 

·         Backlog (8-10 weeks) of requests for septic system permits

·         The department is unable to achieve 100% of the State-required food, lodging, and institutional (child care centers, nursing homes, schools, etc.) inspections

·         Vacant Environmental Health Specialist position – lack of qualified applicants

·         Inclement weather

·         Board of Health endorsed the request at their February 5th meeting

 

            The Board discussed the backlog of permits, complexity of issuing the permit, recent

 

issues with failing systems, contract positions, schedule for contract positions, and the vacant

 

Environmental Health Specialist’s position. 

 

            Interim Director Braswell stated that the salary seems to be the biggest hurdle in

 

attracting applicants for the vacant position with several Environmental Health Specialists’

 

vacancies across the state.

 

Interim Director Braswell challenged the Board to ride with an Environmental Health

 

Specialist in order to fully understand the process. 

 

            Chairman Inman noted the County needs to do a better job on educating the public on

 

what a perk test is and issuing a perk permit, which is definitely different.  Chairman Inman

 

suggested possibly placing information on the county’s website explaining the procedures for

 

obtaining a perk permit with a possible time frame so that citizens would not wait till the last

 

minute to submit their request.

 

            Interim Director Braswell requested the Board place the following Budget Amendment

 

#63 on the action agenda due to the urgency of the situation:

           

Health Department - Budget Amendment #63

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

Account

Account

Budgeted

Increase

As

Number

Description

Amount

(Decrease)

Amended

 

Health Department

 

 

 

100.5100.180