STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA )                    OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS

                                                            )                    STOKES COUNTY GOVERNMENT

COUNTY OF STOKES                   )                    DANBURY, NORTH CAROLINA

                                                            )                    FEBRUARY 4, 2009

 

           

            The Board of Commissioners of the County of Stokes, State of North Carolina, met

 

for Goals Planning Session in the Third Floor Conference Room of the Ronald Wilson Reagan

 

Memorial Building (Administrative Building) located in Danbury, North Carolina on

 

Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 1:00 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

                                                                                                                       

Chairman J. Leon Inman called the planning session 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. 

 

Eagle Scout Awards

 

            Clerk Darlene Bullins presented the following proposed Resolutions for the Board’s

 

consideration:

 

RESOLUTION IN RECOGNITION OF BENJAMIN JOHN “BEN” ORE

FOR ACHIEVING THE RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT

 

WHEREAS, the Boy Scouts of America was founded on February 8, 1910, and has been at the forefront of instilling timeless values in our youth; and

 

WHEREAS, the Boy Scouts of America is committed to helping millions of youth succeed by providing the support, friendship, and mentoring necessary for character building, citizenship training, and personal fitness; and

 

WHEREAS, one of the major objectives in the Scouting Program is to develop citizenship through community involvement, and in addition to working for citizenship merit badges, Scouts are encouraged to participate in community service projects; and

 

WHEREAS, the highest advancement rank in Scouting is the coveted rank of Eagle Scout, in which a Boy Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service and outdoor skills; and

 

WHEREAS, only approximately five percent of all Boy Scouts earn the Eagle Scout rank; and

                                                       

WHEREAS, Benjamin John “Ben” Ore has distinguished himself by achieving the rank of Eagle Scout by forming a team to paint the Pine Hall Community Building; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Stokes County Board of Commissioners does hereby honor and congratulate Benjamin John “Ben” Ore on his successful completion of Eagle Scout Rank.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Stokes County Board of Commissioners commends Benjamin John “Ben” Ore for obtaining this level of achievement and encourages him to continue his dedicated service to the community.

 

Adopted this 4th day of February, 2009.

____________________________                              _____________________________

J. Leon Inman- Chairman                                    Jimmy Walker – Vice Chairman

____________________________                             _____________________________

Ron Carroll - Commissioner                               Ernest Lankford - Commissioner           

____________________________                                     Attest:  

Stanley Smith – Commissioner                                                                                                             

___________________________________

Darlene M. Bullins – Clerk to the Board      

 

RESOLUTION IN RECOGNITION OF WORTH ALEXANDER “ALEX” YOUNTS

FOR ACHIEVING THE RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT

 

 

WHEREAS, the Boy Scouts of America was founded on February 8, 1910, and has been at the forefront of instilling timeless values in our youth; and

 

WHEREAS, the Boy Scouts of America is committed to helping millions of youth succeed by providing the support, friendship, and mentoring necessary for character building, citizenship training, and personal fitness; and

 

WHEREAS, one of the major objectives in the Scouting Program is to develop citizenship through community involvement, and in addition to working for citizenship merit badges, Scouts are encouraged to participate in community service projects; and

 

WHEREAS, the highest advancement rank in Scouting is the coveted rank of Eagle Scout, in which a Boy Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service and outdoor skills; and

 

WHEREAS, only approximately five percent of all Boy Scouts earn the Eagle Scout rank; and

                                                       

WHEREAS, Worth Alexander “Alex” Younts has distinguished himself by achieving the rank of Eagle Scout by forming a team to paint the Pine Hall Community Building; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Stokes County Board of Commissioners does hereby honor and congratulate Worth Alexander “Alex” Younts on his successful completion of Eagle Scout Rank.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Stokes County Board of Commissioners commends Worth Alexander “Alex” Younts for obtaining this level of achievement and encourages him to continue his dedicated service to the community.

 

Adopted this 4th day of February, 2009.

 

____________________________                         _____________________________

J. Leon Inman- Chairman                                Jimmy Walker – Vice Chairman

____________________________                          _____________________________

Ron Carroll - Commissioner                            Ernest Lankford - Commissioner  

____________________________                         Attest:  

Stanley Smith – Commissioner                                             

___________________________________

Darlene M. Bullins – Clerk to the Board      

            Clerk Bullins noted the following:

 

·         Worth Alexander “Alex” Younts and Benjamin John “Ben” Ore have put many long hours in achieving the rank of Eagle Scout

·         Only approximately 5% of all Boy Scouts earn the Eagle Scout rank

·         Item was originally scheduled to be on the upcoming February 9th Agenda

·         Alex Younts’ Eagle Scout Dedication Service is scheduled for Sunday,

February 8th

·         Request approval in order that Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor Elwood Mabe, who is Alex’s Scout Master, can present the Resolution to Alex on Sunday during the Eagle Scout Dedication Service

 

The Board had no issues with the proposed Resolutions and commended Alex and Ben

 

on their successful completion of Eagle Scout Rank.

 

            Chairman Inman entertained a motion.

 

            Vice Chairman Walker moved to approve the submitted Resolutions for Alex Younts and

 

Ben Ore.  Commissioner Carroll seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Goals Planning – Continuation of the Review of 2007 and 2008 Goals

           

Chairman Inman suggested setting short and long terms.

 

            The Board continued their review of the 2007 and 2008 Goals.

 

            The Board discussed the following goals:

 

            Stokes Reynolds Memorial Hospital and Health Services Alliance

 

·         Continue to evaluate all options to provide the best medical services and facilities for the entire county

·         Continue to evaluate the delivery of health services in Stokes County

·         Continue to partner with Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, who currently leases Stokes Reynolds Memorial Hospital

·         Continue to work with Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and Novant Health

·         Determine what type of care can be provided that is the best use of Stokes Reynolds Memorial Hospital

 

Vice Chairman Walker noted that the recent Health Services Alliance’s planning session

 

listed Stokes Reynolds Memorial Hospital and its services as the number one top priority. Vice

 

Chairman Walker also noted that Stokes Reynolds Hospital is preparing a feasibility study which

 

should be released later this year.

 

            Veteran Services

 

·         Still unknown if a CBOC will be located in King

·         Continue to support the need for a CBOC in King

 

Mental Health

 

·         Continue to evaluate to determine if residents are receiving the best mental health services available

·         Possibility of Mental Health funding cuts from the State

·         Discussion of the County’s current allocation - $395,820

·         Surry and Rockingham counties currently seeking LME

·         Continue to evaluate mental health services in Stokes County

·         Stokes Opportunity Center renovation project underway

·         Continual need for the Stokes Opportunity Center

·         Current Mental Health Coordinator position working well

·         Mental Health Coordinator position is currently being funded 100% by CenterPoint

·         CenterPoint has notified the County that there will be no funding for the Mental Health Coordinator position after June 30, 2009

·         Possible other funding sources for Mental Health Coordinator position – Kate B. Reynolds

·         Kate B. Reynolds Grant, if awarded, would possibly fund 60% to 65% of the position

·         Resignation received from current Mental Health Coordinator, Angela Grubb to be effective March 16th – Ms. Grubb is concerned about not having a job after

June 30th

·         Request from Keith Merritt, Stokes Mental Health Association, to be on the February 9th Agenda to discuss the Mental Health Coordinator’s vacancy

 

Commissioner Smith stated that he had no issues with funding the Mental Health

 

Coordinator position in the next fiscal year budget 2009-10 in order to evaluate the position.

 

The position has not had enough time to produce a benchmark to evaluate need for the position.

 

            Vice Chairman Walker noted that the Mental Health Coordinator concept is working

 

very well and the item needs to be placed on an upcoming Agenda for further discussion.

 

            Commissioner Carroll noted that the number of concerns about mental health has

 

decreased since the Mental Health Coordinator position was created.

 

            Vice Chairman Walker agreed with Commissioner Carroll that the number of concerns

 

about mental health has decreased.

 

            Commissioner Lankford noted the need to evaluate all budget issues before deciding on

 

whether the County can fund the Mental Health Coordinator position in fiscal year 2009-10.

 

            County Manager Bryan Steen noted the current need for Mental Health Transportation

 

and the need for additional funding the transportation program.

 

            Vice Chairman Walker agreed with Commissioner Lankford that all the county’s needs

 

must be evaluated before committing to a certain need.

 

            Chairman Inman, with full consent of the Board, directed County Manager Steen to

 

inform Keith Merritt and Angela Grubb that Mental Health Coordinator’s position will be

 

on the February 9th Discussion Agenda and request Ms. Grubb to present a current update

 

regarding the Mental Health Coordinator position.

           

Staff Personnel Classification and Salary Study

 

            County Manager Bryan Steen requested direction from the Board regarding the

 

Classification and Salary Study budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2008-09.  Manager Steen noted that

 

unless the Board had objections, he plans to hold off on the Salary Market Study due to the

 

current economy.   Manager Steen questions whether the County could afford to implement

 

the results of the study.

 

            The Board discussed the following:

           

·         Commissioner Lankford had no issues with holding off on the study

·         Commissioner Carroll had no issues with holding off on the study

·         Commissioner Smith feels the County needs to know where we stand regarding salaries and classifications

·         Vice Chairman Walker would be willing to put off the market study if the current salary compensation plan is also put on hold

·         Vice Chairman Walker expressed concerns with a system that allows employees do as little as it takes to keep a job and still receive a longevity step

·         Chairman Inman had no issues with holding off on the study due to the current economy 

 

County Manager Steen stated that his intentions are not to move forward with the market

 

study at this time, unless directed by the Board.

 

            County Manager Steen also spoke briefly concerning the need to look at all departments

 

to see if there are some departments not as busy due to the current economy that could possibly

 

transfer employees to another department who is extremely busy due to the economy.

 

            The Board discussed the need for Manager Steen to keep a current handle on Comp.Time

 

being accrued.  Manager Steen noted that department heads are currently monitoring Comp.

 

Time being accrued and used.

 

            The Board discussed the accrual of holiday time (Sheriff, EMS, Jail, and

 

Communication Departments) which is required to be paid if an employee leaves.

 

            The Board, unanimously agreed, to request Manager Steen to provide the Board with a

 

complete list of employee leave balances.

 

            Commissioner Carroll suggested that employees take holiday time before taking

 

vacation time.

 

            Commissioner Carroll suggested that terminating employees not receive no more than

 

their annual balance rollover (180 hours) amount with the remaining being transferred to sick

 

leave.

 

            Vice Chairman Walker noted the need to have a plan in place for department heads that

 

might leave or retire.  Commissioner Carroll noted that appointed positions are the Board’s

 

responsibility.   Commissioner Lankford noted the need to be as prepared as possible.

 

            County Manger Steen noted these type changes can be incorporated into the update of the

 

Personnel Policy.

 

            The Board discussed a possible hiring freeze with exceptions to certain vacancies,

 

evaluating each vacancy, and job sharing within departments.

 

Emergency  Medical Services

 

·         Building Plans for the New EMS Facility to be located on Chestnut Grove Road

·         The need to keep on track to keep moving forward on the new EMS facility project

·         Evaluate convalescent calls being run in Stokes County (revenue loss)

·         Future needs for an additional EMS unit in Stokes County

·         Continue to provide the best EMS service to the citizens of Stokes County

·         Continue to evaluate locating future EMS stations in Fire Departments

 

District Plan for Electing Commissioners and School Board Members

 

·         Committee was established and citizens were given an opportunity to express their opinions

·         Not enough citizens interested in the Board revisiting the issue

 

 

Historical Preservation

 

·         Loss of Sheppard’s Mill

·         Continue to assess historical buildings in Stokes County and work with the Historical

Society

 

Tourism

 

·         Continue to partner with Regional Tourism Initiative (RTI)

·         New Director, Brandon McCann, will be marketing the RTI -  “Cascade Highlands”

·         RTI hopes to receive revenue from private entities in the near future

·         RTI will be requesting funding this upcoming year, with hopes that revenue from private entities and grants will fund the entire the RTI operation after this budget year

·         Marketing is the key to attracting tourism to Stokes County

·         RTI funding allocation from all participants will provide advertising in large tourism magazine, which would be too expensive for the County to advertise separately

·         Need for motel/conference center in the County for visitors to have somewhere to stay overnight and spend money in Stokes County

 

Economic Development

 

·         Need for an assessment of Economic Development needs and opportunities in the County

·         Place priorities on the needs and opportunities

·         Need for the Economic Development Commission to develop strategic plan with priorities

·         Need to see a plan for tourism

·         Need for better internet services

 

Goals for 2009

 

            Chairman Inman requested Board members to provide their 2009 goals in rank order and

 

identify as current/ongoing or short or long term goals for the next planning session.

 

Adjournment

 

There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairman Inman recessed the

 

planning meeting until Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 1:00 pm.

 

 

________________________                                  _____________________________

Darlene M. Bullins                                                    J. Leon Inman

Clerk to the Board                                                    Chairman