) STOKES COUNTY GOVERNMENT
COUNTY OF STOKES ) DANBURY, NORTH CAROLINA
) FEBRUARY 26, 2009
The Board of
Commissioners of the County of Stokes, State of North Carolina, met
for a recessed Goals Planning Session (recessed from February 4, 2009)
in the Third Floor
Conference Room of the Ronald Wilson Reagan Memorial Building
(Administrative Building)
located in Danbury, North Carolina on Thursday, February 26, 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.
Opening Remarks
Chairman Inman opened the discussion by expressing his desire to hopefully set short
and long term goals for the County and reiterated the need for a plan for the County to follow.
Chairman Inman updated the Board with the following information regarding the recent
news received from David Thompson - NCACC:
· State notified the County that the 3rd quarter ADM and Lottery funding would be taken
· State is setting up a $300 million dollar reserve for operating expenses if needed
· Funding for the reserve will be taken from - $100 million from Clean Water Trust Fund, $50 million from ADM, $100 million from Lottery, and $50 million from State Textbooks
· Possibility that the current balance of ADM and Lottery Funds could be frozen
· NCACC will be lobbying against the funding being taken from ADM and Lottery funding
Chairman Inman noted the need to work together and that shortages could be in the
2009/10 budget, as well as the 2010/11 budget.
Commissioner Carroll suggested drafting a letter to the Representative Bryan Holloway
and Senator Don East expressing the Board’s concern regarding the actions being taken by the
Governor – balancing the State budget from revenues allocated to local governments.
Commissioner Lankford noted the General Assembly spent $1.2 billion of one-time
revenues for recurring expenses.
Vice Chairman Walker expressed concerns with the State spending money frivolously
on whatever, and then having to take funding from the County to balance the State budget and
keep the State operating, especially after the County has worked so hard to get the County’s
finances in order.
Finance Director Julia Edward noted the following:
· Rebecca Troutman, NCACC, noted that Stokes County will lose the ADM and Lottery funding for the third quarter
· There is still question whether the balances of ADM and Lottery funding will be frozen
· No idea whether the Hold Harmless funding will be taken
· Suggested county contact their representatives regarding the Hold Harmless funding
· Uncertain about ADM funding that has already been approved by Counties but not spent yet
· Does not know the exact amount that each county will lose
· School system has been using approximately $300,000 from ADM funding for technology each year, which would now have to be requested from the County
· County and School System have allocated $88,000 from ADM funding this budget year for debt service
Commissioner Carroll noted that the Governor did not touched the schools’ operating
budget in the latest reversions.
Chairman Inman noted that David Thompson, NCACC, will be meeting with the State
Budget Officer this afternoon to discuss what effects using the ADM/Lottery funding will have
on the Counties and school systems.
County Manager Bryan Steen noted that he had met with Fire Commission Chairman
Clifford Hall regarding no increase in the upcoming 2009/10 Fire Service District Budget and
discussed expected revenues. Manager Steen also noted that he had provided Chairman Hall
copies of the minutes, which reflect specific departments who came before the Board this year
requesting equipment and their statement indicating that the department could function this
upcoming year with no increase.
Finance Director Edwards noted that the information regarding projected revenue given
to Manager Steen for the Service District reflects only 94% instead of 96.33% per 2008/09 audit
due to not knowing the results from revaluation appeals, elderly exemptions, and farm
deferments.
Manager Steen also noted that the County is carefully reviewing all revenues and
expenditures relating to this fiscal year’s budget and reviewing all job vacancies on an as needed
basis.
The Board discussed Hold Harmless Funding and Medicaid Relief Hold Harmless.
Commissioner Carroll suggested that Financial Advisor Doug Carter prepare a scenario
with the only income coming from retiring debt.
Chairman Inman requested Board members to list their goals.
Vice Chairman Walker discussed his following goals:
§ Schools (school construction)
§ Community College in Stokes County
§ Economic Development
§ Seeing the County pull together to focus on a vision/direction, develop and commit to a strategic plan for the County to follow
§ Looking at the needs for the citizens of the County
Commissioner Smith discussed his following goals:
§ Provide services to the citizens of Stokes County as most cost effective as possible
§ Work Force Development
o School facilities needs
o Forsyth Tech. Community College in Stokes County
§ Economic Development
o Future hospital in King
o Retention and recruitment of industries
o New jobs in the County
§ No funding being borrowed for recurring expenses, just capital needs
§ Pursue water intake from the Dan River
§ Handle on Fire Service District, Fire Commission look closely at expenditures, revenues, and cash on hand for each department
Commissioner Carroll discussed his following goals:
§ Given the current financial situation, a Strategic Plan for Stokes County and especially a Strategic Plan for Economic Development (working with the Economic Development Commission and the new Economic Development Director)
§ Updated personnel policies along with a salary market study if possible
§ Make sure the County has a safety net in place for the most vulnerable citizens in the County (first and foremost priority as far as programs)
§ More planning for health care and health care facilities (working with the Alliance, NC Baptist, Health Department, etc.)
§ Tangible results for a community college (some type of results to show the County is moving forward- a possible plan)
§ School construction (a new school this year)
Commissioner Lankford updated the Board from the recent NWPCOG stimulus meeting
before discussing his goals:
· $1.8 million will be coming to NWPCOG for our 6 county area from the stimulus package which will help dislocated workers, youth/adults programs
· Most of funding will probably be spent on education and training for dislocated worker – working through JobLink
· Some funding for health care
· Presented the needs in Stokes County – Imaging system for DSS which is being mandated by the State, transportation needs
· Further information regarding funding dollars and how to apply for funding will be available
Commissioner Lankford discussed his following goals:
§ Try to keep jobs for Stokes County employees at today’s present level, look at a hiring freeze
§ Focus on eliminating any wasteful spending, spending will be the key this year and next year just as the County has done during the previous past two years
§ Maintaining a safe environment for the citizens of Stokes County – public safety
§ Provide safety training for employees to keep cost down
§ Complete Danbury Water System Project in 2009 with no additional funding
§ Keep the 2009/10 and probably the 2010/11 budgets at the 2008/09 level or less
§ Obtain grants and special appropriation to support capital needs
§ Manage present resources to help eliminate costs to capital projects – look at every avenue for the lowest possible costs for every capital project
§ Finish the capital projects identified in 2008
§ Review all county policies for updates
§ Keep property taxes at the present rate of $.60
§ Review county debt and revenue to keep county spending in check
§ Possibly delaying some of the identified capital projects until the economy looks better
§ Strive to continue to increase the fund balance, not to decrease the fund balance
§ To increase the county’s revenue by $500,000
§ Seek more grants for public safety
§ Think out of the box – pursue a county home/business security business similar to ADT for possible county revenue
§ Make finances available for the number one school priority – Nancy Reynolds Project once the School Board has decided on what type of project will be done at the location
§ Discuss with the Board of Education for a possible Bond Referendum to finance other capital school needs
§ Economic Development – Retain and promote growth for all the present business/industries in the County; obtain 3 new businesses/industries that will create 75 new jobs; add $2 million dollars of value for County taxes
§ Create and improve County infrastructure by obtaining grants and special appropriations
§ Technology – Promote the need for providers to make available better technology such as faster internet service, better cost effective telephone services, and other communications
§ Possibly join forces with school system on making available more wide band satellite systems for county use
§ Health Care – provide health care through Health Department facilities in an effective and economic practice that will allow a health care system on a break even cost
§ Promote and support our private health care facilities in the County so that they can provide needed health care for the entire county
§ Promote and support day care facilities in the county so that they can provide quality day care for the county – northern part of the county only has one day care facility
Vice Chairman Walker questioned Commissioner Lankford’s comments on the number
one school project – Nancy Reynolds. Vice Chairman Walker stated that he did not think the
Board had adopted the Nancy Reynolds Project as the number one project, over a new school in
the Yadkin Township. Commissioner Lankford referenced the motions adopted by Board.
Vice Chairman Walker requested the Clerk to research the minutes pertaining to the
Board committing to the Nancy Reynolds Project being the top priority.
Chairman Inman discussed his following goals:
§ Top priority – A two-year Strategic Plan to address the current economic crisis, a proactive plan that would encompass a lot of the goals mentioned today dealing with revenues and expenditures
§ Quality cost effective services
§ Keep tax rate as low as possible
§ School facilities needs
o Three number one priorities – Nancy Reynolds, a new school in Yadkin Township and Renovations at Southeastern Middle School
§ Community College in Stokes County
§ Economic Development
§ Completion of the Pinnacle EMS Station
Chairman Inman noted the needs at Southeastern
Middle School and urged other
members of the Board to visit the school.
Vice Chairman Walker
noted the following basics of Economic Development recently
discussed at the Essentials of Government Conference last week:
·
Assess the county needs
·
Set priorities
·
Create a strategic plan and how to implement the
priorities
·
Follow the strategic plan
·
These 4 steps will get you to where you need to be
regarding economic development
Commissioner Carroll posed the following
question to Board members:
·
I have heard no tax increase and tax rate to remain
the same $.60 rate, which is not the same thing with a revaluation taking place
this year.
Vice Chairman Walker clarified his
position: “Find a workable tax rate that
is basically
sustainable for this County and stick with it”. The only exception for consideration at this
point,
would be adding a small increase (1/2 cent) to guarantee the County
would have a Forsyth
Tech. campus or to keep up with school construction. Vice Chairman Walker noted that he was
not in favor of increasing taxes unless the County has a specific goal
or plan.
Commissioner Lankford
noted his position to keep the tax rate at $.60 was so that the
County would be prepared if the County did not receive 100% of Lottery
Funding.
Commissioner Lankford noted that it was extremely close in the State’s
formula (.01) last year
that the County received approximately $800,000 in Lottery
Funding. If the County had not
ranked in the State’s formula where it did, the County would have only
received $463,000 in
Lottery Funding. Commissioner
Lankford stated that with only a (.01) difference between the
County getting $800,000 instead of $463,000, my position would be to
keep the tax rate at $.60.
Commissioner Carroll
noted that if the County retained the same tax rate at $.60, a citizen
would still have a 10% increase in taxes with the revaluation. Commissioner Carroll also
noted the revenue uncertainties until the State adopts a budget, such
as Hold Harmless Funding
and you must know your needs and revenues before you can set a tax
rate.
Commissioner Smith
noted with the revenue shortfalls coming from the State to the
County and proceeding forward with specific projects, a tax increase or
either a revenue
increase would probably be inevitable.
Commissioner Smith noted the need to decide what
services and what capital projects in the County are coming up this
fiscal year and whatever tax
rate it takes, is where I am at.
The Board discussed
the tax rate being revenue neutral with this being a revaluation
year, Hold Harmless Funding which will expire in fiscal year 2012-13,
and possible shortfalls
from the State.
Chairman Inman
questioned Board members if everyone could agree with the following
being a top priorities:
·
A Strategic Plan dealing with the current economic
crisis in order to deliver cost effective services
·
Capital Projects for schools, community college,
EMS facility
Commissioner Lankford noted that he would not
agree to borrow funding at this
particular time.
Chairman Inman noted
that a Strategic Plan could incorporate all the members’ goals.
Vice Chairman Walker
noted the possible low construction costs at the current time and
that he would like to see the costs for the Nancy Reynolds Project and
a new elementary school
in the Yadkin Township.
Commissioner Lankford noted that his top
priority goal was to continue the current
county services.
Chairman Inman noted
an upcoming meeting with Dr. Gary Green, Forsyth Community
College, Representative Bryan Holloway, Senator Don East to discuss a
legislative
appropriation. Chairman Inman noted that Forsyth Community College has
drafted a letter to
Senator Linda Garrou for legislative appropriation.
The Board discussed
seeking funding from the Golden Leaf Foundation and any other
available sources and possible funding from the recent adopted stimulus
funding.
Vice Chairman Walker
noted the need to have a plan in black and white so that the
County and the Board has a plan to follow.
Chairman Inman noted
that the Economic Development Commission is holding a
Planning Work Session on Wednesday, March 4th to discuss
Economic Development Strategic
Plan.
Commissioner Carroll
noted a Strategic Plan could incorporate dealing with the current
economic crisis along with short and long terms goals/priorities, and
plans for accomplishing
those goals.
Commissioner Smith
noted that Surry Community College will be expanding to
Pilot Mountain and Elkin, the old Amos Smith Hosiery Building in Pilot
Mountain has been
purchased for a location in Pilot.
The Board discussed
the current fiscal year 2008-09, the upcoming fiscal year
2009-10 budget, and top school construction priorities.
Vice Chairman Walker
suggested placing a timetable regarding specific projects such
as a new elementary school in the Yadkin Township.
Chairman Inman
reiterated the current shortfall at the State, possible revenue cuts, and
providing the most cost effective services for our citizens.
Commissioner Carroll
noted the need to take the Board members’ goals, organize those,
place priorities, and project time lines for those priorities.
Chairman Inman
requested the Clerk to email the goals to each member and members
should come prepared to discuss a road map for the County
Vice Chairman Walker requested how much
revenue ½ cent would bring in.
Chairman Inman
reiterated the need to have reviewed the submitted goals and be ready
for discussion on March 5th so that the County can start to
develop a plan.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before
the Board, Chairman Inman recessed the
meeting until Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 1:30 pm.
________________________
_____________________________
Darlene M.
Bullins
J. Leon Inman
Clerk to the Board Chairman