) STOKES COUNTY GOVERNMENT
COUNTY OF STOKES ) DANBURY, NORTH CAROLINA
) JANUARY 11, 2010
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 (Administration Building) located in Danbury, North Carolina
on Monday,
January 11, 2010 at 1:30 pm with the following members present:
Chairman Jimmy
Walker
Vice Chairman Ernest
Lankford
Commissioner J.
Leon Inman
Commissioner Ron
Carroll
Commissioner
Stanley Smith
County
Personnel in Attendance:
County
Manager K. Bryan Steen
Clerk
to the Board Darlene Bullins
Finance
Director Julia Edwards
Economic
Development Director Alan Wood
Public
Health Director Josh Swift
Chairman Jimmy Walker called the meeting to
order and delivered the invocation.
Chairman Walker 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 Walker entertained a motion to
approve or amend the January 11, 2010
Agenda.
Commissioner Smith requested to add the following
to the Discussion Agenda:
·
Adding wordage regarding the Discussion Agenda to
read –“If time sensitive material is being discussed, the Board has the option
to move the item to Action Agenda”
Vice Chairman Lankford expressed concerns with
discussing changing the format of the
Agenda during a regular meeting and suggested discussing the item at an
upcoming budget/goal
session.
Chairman Walker stated
he would entertain a motion at this time.
Commissioner Carroll
noted that Commissioner Smith’s proposal is simply putting in
writing what the Board’s practice has been during the last three years
and would make it very
clear to the public to avoid any confusion.
Commissioner Carroll
moved to add Commissioner Smith’s request to today’s Discussion
Agenda. Commissioner Smith
seconded the motion.
Vice Chairman Lankford
reiterated the need to discuss this type of item in a work session
rather than a regular meeting and expressed concerns with this item not
being on today’s Agenda.
Chairman Walker called
the question.
The motion carried
(4-1) with Vice Chairman Lankford voting against the motion.
Chairman Walker noted
the item would be added to today’s Discussion Agenda as
Item G.
County Manager Bryan Steen informed the Board
that there is no longer a need to have
a Closed Session today and requested to remove the item from today’s
Agenda.
The Board had no
issues with Manager Steen’s request.
Commissioner Smith moved to approve the January
11, 2010 Agenda as amended.
Commissioner Carroll seconded and the motion carried (4-1) with Vice
Chairman Lankford
voting against the motion.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
CONSENT AGENDA
Chairman Walker entertained a motion to
approve or amend the following items on the
Consent Agenda:
Minutes
Fire Marshal
- Budget Amendment #45
Finance Director Julia Edwards submitted Budget
Amendment #45.
To amend the General Fund, the expenditures are to
be changed as follows:
|
|
|
Current |
|
|
|
Account |
Account |
Budgeted |
Increase |
As |
|
Number |
Description |
Amount |
(Decrease) |
Amended |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
|
|
|
|
100.4340.000 |
Salaries & Wages |
$135,318.00 |
$(2,256.00) |
$133,062.00 |
|
100.4340.351 |
Maint. & Repairs –Auto |
$3,400.00 |
$2,256.00 |
$5,656.00 |
|
|
Totals |
$138,718.00 |
$00.00 |
$138,718.00 |
This budget amendment is justified as follows:
To transfer funds for repairs to vehicles.
This will result in a net increase of $00.00 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 this fiscal year.
Health
Department - Budget Amendment #46
Finance Director Julia Edwards submitted Budget
Amendment #46.
To amend the General Fund, the expenditures are to
be changed as follows:
|
|
|
Current |
|
|
|
Account |
Account |
Budgeted |
Increase |
As |
|
Number |
Description |
Amount |
(Decrease) |
Amended |
|
|
Health Department |
|
|
|
|
100.5100.261 |
Office Supplies |
$63,110.00 |
$298.00 |
$63,408.00 |
|
100.5100.370 |
Advertising |
$1,340.00 |
$450.00 |
$1,790.00 |
|
|
Totals |
$64,450.00 |
$748.00 |
$65,198.00 |
This budget amendment is justified as follows:
To appropriate funds received to help with the new
NC Smokefree Law.
This will result in a net increase of $748.00 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 and verified through the WIRM
Reporting System.
|
|
|
Current |
|
|
|
Account |
Account |
Budgeted |
Increase |
As |
|
Number |
Description |
Amount |
(Decrease) |
Amended |
|
100.3301.227 |
NC Smokefree Law |
$00.00 |
$748.00 |
$748.00 |
|
|
Totals |
$00.00 |
$748.00 |
$748.00 |
Commissioner Inman moved to approve the
Consent Agenda as presented.
Vice Chairman Lankford seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY – INFORMATION AGENDA
Update – Manager
and Board of Commissioners
County Manager Bryan
Steen noted the following:
The Board discussed possible dates for the EMS
Open House – New Pinnacle Station.
The Board unanimously
agreed to have the EMS Open House on Tuesday, February 16th
at 2:00 pm.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY – DISCUSSION AGENDA
EDC Update
Economic Development
Director Alan Wood presented the following EDC Update:
(EDC Chairman Worth Hampton was unable to attend the meeting)
The Board commended Director Wood on his
progress and the work being done by the
Economic Development Commission.
Request to Use
Economic Development Funding
Economic Development
Director Alan Wood presented the following information
regarding Stokes County joining the Piedmont Food Initiative:
·
Program is based on a project from Rutherford
County (Foothills Connect)
·
Initiative will match farmers in Rockingham,
Stokes, and Caswell counties with institutions in the immediate area that are
looking for fresh, nutritious, competitively priced locally grown produce
·
Idea is to use technology to link farmers and
potential customers via the internet
·
Mr. Tim Will, who developed Foothills Connect in
Rutherford County, is willing to share his technology and website which will greatly
reduce the time frame to get the program up and running in Stokes County
·
Once farmers are signed up in the program, they
will provide information via a website on what products they have for sale
o Customers will
then place orders on line
o The produce and
value-added products will be delivered to a central distribution facility and
delivered directly to the institution or central drop off point (if they are
going to individual buyers)
o Money is collected
and proceeds are deposited directly into the farmers’ accounts (split is 80%
for the farmer and 20% to cover the costs associated with the program)
·
Rockingham County, who started working on this program
about six months ago, has invited Stokes County to join in – saving Stokes County
numerous hours of work and money getting the program off the ground
·
Program will create a new income stream for local
farmers and will get fresh foods to local consumers in a more timely fashion
·
Stokes County Cooperative Extension Director
Michael Hylton is recruiting farmers in Stokes and thinks the results can have
a significant impact
·
Feels the initiative will definitely impact the
local economy and open up a potential large new market – institutional food
buyers in the Piedmont
·
Hopes to keep family farms in operation and provide
wholesome fresh foods
·
Rockingham County has projected a $111,000 budget
for 2010
·
Rockingham, Caswell, and Stokes counties estimate
to generate $120,000 to $150,000 local sales this year
·
Various grant applications for funding have already
been applied for such as Gold Leaf Foundation, Tobacco Trust Fund, etc., both
grants (if approved) will not be awarded until May
·
Funds are needed to get the program up and running,
with hopes to be selling produce in March
·
Rockingham County has already provided a
substantial portion of what is needed but not the entire amount
·
Three meetings have been held with approximately 30+
farmers very interested in the program
·
Classes will be provided for local farmers
·
Program could also expand the growing season for
farmers by using hoop houses and greenhouses
·
Next meeting will be January 19th in Reidsville,
Michael Hylton is working on transportation for local farmers to attend that
meeting
·
Program in Rutherford County involves high school
students
·
Program is intended to sell produce from large or
small farms, someone can even grow their produce in their own backyard
Director Wood requested to use $5,000 from the
Economic Development Capital Reserve
Funding to assist with this project.
Director Wood noted that Rockingham County has not
requested funding, but reiterated joining Rockingham County at this
point will allow Stokes
County farmers to start selling produce this spring.
The Board discussed
the program, new types of produce being grown in Stokes County, and
the possibility of expanding the growing season (hoop houses,
greenhouses, etc.) with Director
Wood.
Commissioner Inman,
who serves on the EDC, noted this comes as a unanimous
request from the EDC.
Chairman Walker
confirmed with ED Director Wood that if the County started this
type of program without joining Rockingham, it could cost well over
$100,000+. Director Wood
also noted that the County is tagging on to an estimated $300,000 to
$400,000 already spent in
Rutherford County.
Chairman Walker, with
full consent of the Board, directed the item be placed on
the January 25th Action Agenda.
Tax
Administration Report – December 2009
Tax Administrator Jake Oakley presented the following informational data:
|
Fiscal Year 2009-10 |
Budget Amt |
Collected Amt |
Over |
Under |
||||
|
|
|
|
Budget |
Budget |
||||
|
County Regular & Motor
Vehicles |
$(20,702,277.00) |
$14,984,547.31 |
|
$5,717,729.69 |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Prior Taxes 93-08 Tax
Years |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
County Regular & Motor
Vehicles |
$ 600,000.00 |
$ 457,769.85 |
|
$ 142,230.16 |
||||
|
EMS Collections |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Total Collected (12-1-09/12-31-09) |
$
6,875.59 |
|
|
|
||||
|
Total Collected (07-01-09/6-30-10) |
$
44,861.14 |
|
|
|
||||
|
Delinquent accounts
received from EMS (December 09) = 0 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Personal Property
Discovery Report |
# of |
Total |
Taxes |
|
||||
|
Audit Dates |
Accts |
Value |
Due |
|
||||
|
12-01-09/12-31-09 |
6 |
$65,762 |
$533.01 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Business Personal
Property Discovery Report |
# of |
Total |
Taxes |
|
||||
|
Audit Dates |
Accts |
Value |
Due |
|
||||
|
12-01-09/12-31-09 |
0 |
$00.00 |
$00.00 |
|
||||
|
Motor Vehicle Release
Report |
Accounts |
Total Value |
|
||||||||
|
Audit Dates |
|
|
|
||||||||
|
12-01-09/12-31-09 |
73 |
$2,587.52 |
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Motor Vehicle Refund
Report |
Accounts |
Total Accounts |
|
||||||||
|
Audit Dates |
|
|
|
||||||||
|
12-01-09/12-31-09 |
8 |
$148.77 |
|
||||||||
|
Number billed for Dec.
2009 |
4238 |
|
|
||||||||
|
Garnishment Totals |
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
Month |
Total Accounts |
Original Levy Amt |
Collected Amt |
|
|||||||
|
F/Year 2009-10 |
|
||||||||||
|
(July 1 – June 30) |
1258 |
$247,702.91 |
$216,340.61 |
|
|||||||
|
December-09 |
159 |
$26,630.04 |
$28,505.76 |
|
|||||||
|
Stokes County
Interstate Collection Report |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Vehicle Taxes |
Dec. 2009 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Month to Date Collected |
$7,436.35 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
# of Accounts Collected |
154 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Month to Date Cancelled |
$ 930.47 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
# of Accounts Cancelled |
10 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Property Taxes |
Dec. 2009 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Month to Date Collected |
$ 801.91 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
# of Accounts Collected |
7 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Month to Date Cancelled |
$00.00 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
# of Accounts Cancelled |
0 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
EMS |
Dec. 2009 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Month to Date Collected |
$ 2,398.80 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
# of Accounts Collected |
15 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Month to Date Cancelled |
$1,499.98 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
# of Accounts Cancelled |
5 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cumulative Totals |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cumulative Total to Date
Collected-Motor Vehicles |
$
11,395.16 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cumulative Total to Date
Collected- Property Taxes |
$
1,190.26 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cumulative Total to Date
Collected - EMS |
$
3,559.62 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Grant Total to Date
Collected - All categories |
$
16,145.04 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Releases (Real and
Personal Property) Less than $100–December
09-Per NCGS 105-381 (b)
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Refunds (Real and
Personal Property) Less than $100–December
09-Per NCGS 105-381 (b)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tax Administrator Oakley presented the following Real and Personal Property Refunds
(December 2009) which are more than $100 for the Board’s consideration:
|
Refunds (Real and
Personal Property) More than $100–December
09-Per NCGS 105-381 (b)
|
Tax Administrator Oakley presented the following Late Applications for Elderly &
Disabled Exemption and Disabled Veterans Exclusion for 2009 for the Board’s consideration:
|
Name |
Parcel Number |
Acreage |
Assigned Value |
|
Roger Dean Amos |
6968-00-88-3645 |
Tract |
$117,100 |
|
Jonathan & Charlene
Crumley |
6050-00-65-0620 |
Tract |
$207,100 |
|
Charlie Mae Brown |
6919-00-62-2854 |
Tract |
$238,400 |
|
Alvis & Era Jane Hole |
6952-08-89-2653 |
Tract |
$355,700 |
|
Mary L. Sharpe |
6912-03-04-3964 |
Tract |
$197,100 |
|
Elsie L. Shropshire |
6912-04-51-5587 |
Tract |
$118,600 |
|
Nancy T. Smith |
6961-01-17-9496 |
Tract |
$67,500 |
Tax Administrator Oakley recommends approval of the following:
· Refunds more than $100 – Real & Personal Property
· Late Applications for Disabled Veteran Exclusion for 2009
· Late Applications for Elderly and Disabled Exemption for 2009
The Board had no issues with the requests presented by Administrator Oakley.
Vice Chairman Lankford
requested information from Tax Administrator Oakley regarding
the fact that no EMS accounts were submitted to the Tax Department
during the month of
December.
Vice Chairman Lankford
noted the need to make sure that delinquent accounts are being
handled promptly and turned over to the Tax Department as soon as
possible.
Tax Administrator
Oakley noted that the process for collecting EMS accounts is a slower
process due to making sure that insurance has been filed and collected
before the bill is turned over
to the Tax Department. Tax
Administrator Oakley also noted that during the month of December,
EMS staff was making sure all accounts eligible for collection by Interstate
Collection were turned
over to the Tax Department in time for debt setoff by the NC Department
of Revenue in 2010.
Chairman Walker, with
full consent of the Board, directed the following items be placed on
the January 25th Consent Agenda.
· Refunds more than $100 – Real & Personal Property
· Late Applications for Disabled Veteran Exclusion for 2009
· Late Applications for Elderly and Disabled Exemption for 2009
Tax
Administration – Approval of 2010 Personal Property, Motor Vehicles &
Business Pricing Guides
Tax Administrator Jake
Oakley presented the following for the Board’s consideration:
·
2010 Department of Revenue Cost Index and
Depreciation Schedules (Business Personal Property)
·
2010 Pricing Guidelines for Personal Property
·
2010 Single Wide Mobile Home Pricing Guidelines
(Schedules developed from Marshall and Swift)
·
2010 TEC Motor Vehicle Pricing Guide
Tax Administrator Oakley noted the following:
·
These pricing guides have been used for several
consecutive years by
Stokes County
Vice Chairman Lankford
questioned the process being used by the Tax Department
regarding a vehicle with a salvage title.
Tax Administrator
Oakley noted that the Tax Department tries to work with individuals
who have a vehicle with a salvage title. If individuals do not agree
with the value placed by
the Tax Department, they are informed that they have the right to
appeal the Tax Department’s
decision to the Board of Commissioners.
Chairman Walker, with full consent of the
Board, directed the Approval of 2010 Personal
Property, Motor Vehicles & Business Pricing Guides be placed on the
January 25th Consent
Agenda.
Proposed
Board of E&R Hearing Dates
Tax Administrator Jake
Oakley presented the following proposed hearing dates for the 2010
Board of Equalization and Review for the Board’s consideration:
·
April 8, 2010, Thursday, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
·
April 22, 2010, Thursday, 10:00 am -1:00 pm
·
May 6, 2010, Thursday, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
·
May 18, 2010, Tuesday, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The Board discussed the proposed dates.
The Board discussed the following possible
dates:
·
April 7, 2010, Wednesday, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
·
April 22, 2010, Thursday, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
·
May 6, 2010, Thursday, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
·
May 17, 2010, Monday, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Chairman Walker, with full consent of the
Board, directed the following proposed dates be
placed on the January 25th Consent Agenda:
·
April 7, 2010, Wednesday, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
·
April 22, 2010, Thursday, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
·
May 6, 2010, Thursday, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
·
May 17, 2010, Monday, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Commissioner Inman commended the Tax
Department for their collection efforts with 73%
of the projected budget being collected by the end of December.
Tax Administrator
Oakley noted that as of 01-11-10, approximately 90% of the projected
ad valorem tax revenue has been collected.
Job Vacancies
County Manager Bryan
Steen recommended the following positions be filled:
§ EMS Paramedic –
Vacant on 01-01-2010
§ E911
Telecommunicator – Vacant on 01-04-2010
§ PHN II (Women’s
Health Coordinator) – Vacant on
01-21-2010
Health Director Josh
Swift spoke briefly regarding the Public Health Nurse II position.
Director Swift noted that the PHNII position will be vacated due to a
lateral move within the
Family Health Center.
Chairman Walker opened
the floor for further discussion.
Commissioner Carroll
moved the item be placed on today’s Action Agenda.
Commissioner Smith seconded the motion.
Vice Chairman Lankford confirmed with Manager
Steen that the item did not have to be
moved to the Action Agenda today and could wait until the January 25th
meeting.
The motion carried (4-1) with Vice Chairman
Lankford voting against the motion.
Tentative
Schedule – Goal Session Meetings
County Manager Bryan
Steen presented the following tentative schedule for
Goal Session Meetings for the Board’s consideration:
·
Thursday, February 25, 2010 - 1:30 pm
·
Wednesday, March 3, 2010 - 2:00 pm
·
Thursday, March 11, 2010 - 10:30 am
The Board discussed the proposed dates
submitted by Manager Steen.
Chairman Walker noted that additional meetings
could be set if needed.
The Board unanimously agreed on the following
dates for Goal Session Meetings:
·
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 – 1:30 pm
·
Wednesday, March 3, 2010 – 2:00 pm
Chairman Walker directed the Clerk to post the
Goal Session Meeting dates.
Agenda
Procedures – Discussion Agenda
Chairman Walker opened
the floor for discussion regarding agenda procedures added
to today’s Discussion Agenda.
Commissioner Smith
requested that wordage be added below the Discussion Agenda
that time sensitive material may be moved if necessary to the Action
Agenda. Commissioner
Smith noted that this informs the public that items could be moved
directly to the Action
Agenda if necessary.
Commissioner Carroll reiterated
that the statement would inform the public what has already
been the practice of this Board for the past three years.
Commissioner Carroll suggested placing the
following in parenthesis directly below
Discussion Agenda:
·
“Items on the Discussion Agenda that are time
sensitive may be moved to the
Action Agenda at the same meeting at the discretion of the Board”
Vice Chairman Lankford noted that he actually
opposes items being added to the
Agenda at the beginning of the meeting unless absolutely necessary,
adding items to the Agenda
does not give adequate time to research the item if needed. Vice Chairman Lankford feels the
format of having the item on Discussion Agenda and then moving it to
Action Agenda at the next
meeting gives sufficient time to do further research if necessary. Vice Chairman Lankford
noted if there are time sensitive items that need to be added after the
agenda is delivered,
the Manager should inform Board members prior to the meeting.
Commissioner Carroll
agreed that items should only be added if time sensitive, but the
Board’s Rules of Procedures allow for Board members to request items to
be added during
the approval of the Agenda at each meeting. Commissioner Carroll reiterated that there
are
times that items need to be moved to the Action Agenda and adding the
wordage simply
notifies the public of the possibility.
Chairman Walker, with
no further discussion or objection, directed the item be placed on
the January 25th Action Agenda.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY – ACTION AGENDA
Job Vacancies
Chairman Walker
entertained a motion regarding the following positions recommended by
Manager Steen to be filled:
§ EMS Paramedic –
Vacant on 01-01-2010
§ E911
Telecommunicator – Vacant on 01-04-2010
§ Public Health
Nurse II – Vacant on 01-21-2010
Commissioner Smith moved to approve the
recommendation by the County Manager
to advertise the following vacant county positions:
§ EMS Paramedic –
Vacant on 01-01-2010
§ E911
Telecommunicator – Vacant on 01-04-2010
§ Public Health
Nurse II – Vacant on 01-21-2010
Commissioner Carroll seconded and the motion
carried unanimously.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before
the Board, Chairman Walker
entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Commissioner Inman moved to adjourn the
meeting. Vice Chairman Lankford
seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
_________________________
_____________________________
Darlene M.
Bullins
Jimmy Walker
Clerk to the
Board Chairman