) STOKES COUNTY GOVERNMENT
COUNTY OF STOKES ) DANBURY, NORTH CAROLINA
) MAY 10, 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,
May 10, 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
Jail
Captain Kenny Norman
Chief Animal
Control Officer Phil Handy
Support
Services Supervisor Danny Stovall
Tax
Administrator Jake Oakley
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 May 10, 2010
Agenda.
Chairman Walker
requested to add a proposed proclamation in support of
“Relay for Life” (American Cancer Society) to the Consent Agenda.
The Board had no issues
with adding the proposed proclamation to the Consent Agenda.
Vice Chairman Lankford moved to approve the May
10, 2010 Agenda as amended.
Commissioner Smith seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
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
Health Department
- Budget Amendment #90
Finance Director Julia Edwards submitted Budget
Amendment #90.
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 |
|
|
|
|
100.5100.000 |
Salaries and Wages |
$1,027,119.00 |
$6,663.00 |
$1,033,782.00 |
|
|
Totals |
$1,029,119.00 |
$6,663.00 |
$1,033,782.00 |
This budget amendment is justified as follows:
To allocate additional Family Planning State Funds
received by the Health Department which will be used for salaries/wages.
This will result in a net increase of $6,663.00 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.
|
|
|
Current |
|
|
|
Account |
Account |
Budgeted |
Increase |
As |
|
Number |
Description |
Amount |
(Decrease) |
Amended |
|
100.3301.247 |
Health Family Planning X |
$116,242.00 |
$6,663.00 |
$122,905.00 |
|
|
Totals |
$116,242.00 |
$6,663.00 |
$122,905.00 |
Health
Department - Budget Amendment #91
Finance Director Julia Edwards submitted Budget
Amendment #91.
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 |
$69,513.00 |
$(7,000.00) |
$62,513.00 |
|
100.5100.511 |
Non-Capital Equipment |
$27,110.00 |
$7,000.00 |
$34,110.00 |
|
|
Totals |
$96,623.00 |
$00.00 |
$96,623.00 |
This budget amendment is justified as follows:
This amendment is a revision to previously approved
Budget Amendment #40 (H1N1) and to transfer funds for the purchase of a
security system for vaccines and medical supplies.
This will result in a net increase of $00.00 in the
expenditures and other financial use to the County’s annual budget.
Proposed
Resolution – Request to Declare Surplus Property - Hobe Kiser Property
Support Services Supervisor
Danny Stovall requested at the April 26th meeting to allow the
City of King Fire Department to use the houses located on the Kiser
Property on Hobe Kiser Road
for training purposes. Chairman
Walker, with full consensus of the Board, directed Mr. Stovall at
the April 26th meeting to prepare a proposed Resolution for
consideration at the May 10th meeting.
Mr. Stovall submitted the following proposed Resolution for the Board’s
approval:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, NCGS 153A-176 authorizes the County to dispose of real or personal property in accordance with procedures prescribed in Chapter 160A, Article 12;
WHEREAS, NCGS 160A-265 gives the Board of Commissioners the authority to dispose of real or personal property;
WHEREAS, located at 232 Hobe Kiser Road is a farm house and buildings that need to be removed;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Stokes County Board of Commissioners declares these buildings as surplus and approves for the City of King Fire Department to utilized these structures for training exercises along will conducting a live burn;
Adopted this the 10th day of May 2010.
____________________________ _____________________________
Jimmy Walker - Chairman Ernest Lankford – Vice Chairman
___________________________ _____________________________
___________________________
Attest:
__________________________________
Darlene M. Bullins –
Clerk to the Board
Commissioner Carroll noted
the following correction to the proposed resolution:
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Stokes County Board of Commissioners declares these buildings as surplus and approves for the City of King Fire Department to utilize these structures for training exercises along with conducting a live burn;
Aging
Planning Committee Vacancy
Secretary Lynn
Martens, Aging Planning Committee, submitted the following request:
·
Approval for Martina Moore to replace Lori Webb on
the Stokes Aging Planning Committee
·
Ms. Webb served as a service provider
representative from Hospice and Palliative Care Center on the Aging Planning
Committee
·
Aging Planning Committee bylaws dictate that
membership must consist of a representative from Hospice
·
Ms. Webb is no longer able to attend the meetings
due to relocation in her work assignment
·
It is the consensus of the Aging Committee that Ms.
Moore be appointed to fill the remainder of Lori Webb’s term
Proclamation
– Older Americans Month
DSS Director Jan
Spencer submitted the following proposed proclamation which
proclaims May 2010 as “Older Americans Month”:
OLDER AMERICANS MONTH
MAY 2010
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the year 2010 marks the 45th anniversary of the federal Older Americans Act, which is the core legislation that established home and community services and supports for seniors and their caregivers;
WHEREAS, this year’s national theme for Older Americans Month – Age Strong! Live Long! – mirrors North Carolina’s theme of “Living Wise to Age Well,” that acknowledges aging as a lifelong process during which it is never too early or too late to strengthen one’s physical, mental, social, and financial well-being, or to address disparities among individuals in their opportunities for aging well;
WHEREAS, May is a special time to recognize and celebrate senior programs and services and the many important contributions of seniors to our communities;
WHEREAS, Stokes County’s older population is expected to increase 48.70% by 2029—making it imperative for North Carolina to be well prepared for this demographic change at the state and local levels;
WHEREAS, in support of older adults in North Carolina Governor Perdue has issued an Executive Order to ask all State cabinet agencies to assess and strengthen their readiness to serve and work with our aging population and also encouraged local communities to do so as well;
NOW, THEREFORE, We of Stokes County, NC do hereby proclaim May 2010 to be Older Americans Month. We urge every citizen to take time this month to honor our older adults and professionals, family members, and volunteers who care for many of them. Our recognition and involvement of older Americans can enrich our entire community’s quality of life.
Dated this 10th day of May, 2010
By the
Jimmy Walker,
Chairman Ernest
Lankford, Vice-Chairman
J. Leon Inman,
Commissioner Ron
Carroll, Commissioner
Stanley Smith, Commissioner Attest:
________________________________
Darlene M. Bullins, Clerk to the Board
Director Spencer
requested the Board approve the submitted “Older Americans Month”
– May 2010 Proclamation.
Commissioner Carroll noted the following
correction to the proposed proclamation:
NOW, THEREFORE,
We, the Commissioners of Stokes
County, NC do hereby proclaim May 2010 to be Older Americans
Month. We urge every citizen to take
time this month to honor our older adults and professionals, family members,
and volunteers who care for many of them.
Our recognition and involvement of older Americans can enrich our entire
community’s quality of life.
Proclamation
– Relay for Life
Chairman Walker
submitted the following proposed proclamation in support of the
“Relay for Life” (American Cancer Society) for the Board’s approval:
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
RELAY FOR LIFE
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the South Atlantic Division of the American Cancer Society is a community based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer through research, education, advocacy and service; and
WHEREAS, approximately 49,586 North Carolinians will be diagnosed with cancer in 2010 and approximately 18,969 North Carolina citizens will die from this disease; and
WHEREAS, racial and ethnic cancer disparities exist across the enter cancer spectrum, from primary prevention to palliative care; and
WHEREAS, Relay for Life provides vital funding for cancer research and cancer control programs in North Carolina and Stokes County; and
WHEREAS, Relay for Life, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, will celebrate and honor North Carolinians and their families that have been affected by cancer.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, the Stokes County Board of
Commissioners does hereby proclaim
the month of May, 2010 as “RELAY FOR LIFE MONTH”.
Adopted this 10th
day of May, 2010.
__________________________ _____________________________
Jimmy Walker - Chairman Ernest
Lankford – Vice Chairman
____________________________ _____________________________
____________________________
Attest:
__________________________________
Darlene M. Bullins –
Clerk to the Board
Commissioner Smith moved to approve the
Consent Agenda with the changes noted by
Commissioner Carroll. 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:
·
Assembly Day in Raleigh is scheduled for May 19th
·
Eddy McGee, Director of Arts and Cultural Services,
has received a musical performance shell from the Winston Salem Arts Council
(formerly the Winston Salem Symphony Shell) at no charge
·
The well recently drilled for the Danbury Water
System has not yielded the amount of water desired by the County and further
information will be provided to the Board at a later date
Vice Chairman Lankford noted the walking trail
at Moratock Park needs some attention.
Chairman Walker directed Manager Steen to follow up on the walking
trail at Moratock.
Jail
Inspection Report – April 2010
Jail Captain Kenny
Norman represented the following update regarding the recent
April 2010 Jail Inspection Report:
·
Jail Inspector Litonya Carter, NC Department of
Health and Human Services, inspected the Stokes County Jail on April 7, 2010
·
No immediate responses were required for any
deficiencies
·
Jail Inspector Carter requested jail staff to start
having the water tested, jail staff is implementing a water testing program
The Board commended Captain Norman and his
staff for receiving an exceptionally
good inspection from the State.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY – DISCUSSION AGENDA
Public
Hearing – Stokes Reynolds Memorial Hospital, Inc. – Further Discussion
County Manager Bryan
Steen noted the following information as requested by
Commissioner Carroll at the April 26th meeting:
·
Contacted Mr. David French, Strategic Healthcare
Consultants and Chief Craig Smith, Certificate of Need Section, NCDHHS
·
Certificate of Need (CON) can be separated, but may
involve establishment of one or more new LLCs , if none exist, to receive each
component
·
CON application to the State will be necessary for
each component
·
Review and approval process must be completed for
each CON
·
Process includes public hearings, cost of
publication of notices, attorney fees for preparation of any required documents,
and an evaluation of need for each CON by the State
·
Possibility the State could disapprove the CON
request
·
A challenge could result in denial of the CON or a
delay in the approval process
Mr. David French discussed the following with
the Board:
·
Confirmed that one way of separating Stokes
Reynolds Memorial Hospital into separate components would be to create a
Limited Liability Company (LLC) that would be owned by the County and another
entity or entities (if desired)
·
Stokes Reynolds Hospital would submit a new
Certificate of Need (CON) application to the State for the transfer of the
component to the newly created LLC
·
Proposed transfer of the component could include a
new facility location along with the change of ownership
·
Each component would require its own LLC and a CON
application for the proposed changes
·
The State will also want to know what is proposed
to happen to the remaining components and if the components are separated, will
the remaining components be
self sustaining
·
All types of CON applications are required to
justify the need for the services included in the request and must also
demonstrate financial feasibility based on reasonable assumptions
·
Cost for submitting a CON usually ranges between
$25,000 to $50,000 depending on the
overall project capital costs (or fair market value of the health service
facility and/or equipment)
·
Applications take approximately two months to
prepare and up to five months for the CON Section to review the application and
provide a decision
·
A CON decision may be that the project is approved
or denied or it could be conditionally approved and include conditions to
reduce the number of beds, operating rooms or other components
·
A CON application to change ownership of a
component of a hospital is less likely to succeed if the operating rooms, beds
or services show low historical utilization
·
CON decisions can be appealed by other hospitals or
affected persons
·
The appeal process can cause CON projects to be
delayed for years and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees
Commissioner Carroll confirmed with Mr. French
if the Board chose to set up LLCs
and proceed with the CON application process and it was appealed, the
original CON is frozen and
still belongs to the County and the County has the option to withdraw
their CON application at any
time with the State.
Commissioner Inman
confirmed with Mr. French that if the State’s decision were to
downsize beds, operating rooms, etc., the County has to option to
withdraw their application.
Chairman Walker discussed adding operating
rooms, beds, etc. with Mr. French.
Mr. French noted that the State’s 2011 plan
(which will be released soon), purportedly
does not project a need for additional operating rooms, but the County
can petition the State in the
planning process to ask for more operating rooms to be put in the
plan. Mr. French also noted that
once the additional operating rooms are in the plan, anyone including
Stokes County
can file a CON for the additional operating rooms. Mr. French stated that in his opinion, he
feels
separating the components could be very frustrating due to components
being small.
Manager Steen
confirmed with Mr. French that there is a state schedule with specific
categories and the CON must fall into one of the categories. There are usually a couple of
opportunities a year for transfers, but not every month.
Mr. French noted an
upcoming Certificate of Need Public Hearing will be in Kernersville
this week which might be of interest to the Board.
Chairman Walker expressed the Board’s
appreciation to Mr. French for his attendance and
information presented at today’s meeting.
Chairman Walker opened the floor for
discussion relating to the advertisement of the
Public Hearing or any other aspect of the Public Hearing.
Commissioner Carroll noted at the last
meeting, the Board agreed that at today’s meeting,
the Board would identify as many options as known by the Board, which
would be advertised the
two weeks prior to the Public Hearing (May 20th and May 27th)
.
Commissioner Carroll noted his suggestions
presented to the Board at the April 12th and
April 26th meetings:
April 26th:
·
Option
–
To maintain the hospital as a separate corporation controlled by the County
April 12th:
·
Possible combination of 712 options (based on
separating the three very distinct components = hospital, JRJones, and long
term care)
·
Option - Go back to the
original concept – county owns and operates all components as a government
agency
·
Option - Lease the
hospital to a private agency (no public involvement or subsidy)
·
Option - Lease to
private agency and provide some level of public subsidy
·
Option – Lease to
private agency to operate and the county assumes responsibility for the
operating losses if any
·
Option – Continue to own
the hospital and employ a private management agency to operate the facilities
for the County
·
Option – Spin the entire
operation as a independent, self governing, non-profit corporation
·
Option – Sell the
operation to a private agency
·
Option
–
Close the doors and get out of the hospital business
Commissioner Carroll noted that the
advertisement, along with the information presented
by Chairman Walker at the beginning of the Public Hearing, should
contain a statement that the
nine options are not inclusive; there could be others the Board has not
thought of and the Board
invites comments and/or other options from the public.
Clerk Darlene Bullins
noted the options could be advertised the next three weeks if
desired by the Board.
Commissioner Carroll
noted the sooner the options are out there, the better.
The Board discussed
whether to include the options in the public notice.
Vice Chairman Lankford
noted that he did not feel that the Board had the amount of
information needed to list some of the options and that some of the
options needed to be
explained more in detailed.
Commissioner Smith
expressed concerns with advertising the options and that some of
the options could cause some confusion among the citizens. Commissioner Smith noted that
he feels the notification indicating the date, time, place, etc. is
sufficient.
Commissioner Inman
noted one of the most important things is to make the public aware
that the Board of Commissioners has not made a decision on the future
of Stokes Reynolds
Hospital and that suggestions from the public are welcome.
Commissioner Carroll
reiterated that this Board took action at the last meeting to
identify options to be advertised the two weeks prior to the Public
Hearing. Commissioner Carroll
stated that advertising the options is only to inform the public.
Vice Chairman Lankford
stated that he would like to remove the bottom three options
before advertising the options.
Commissioner Smith
reiterated that in his opinion, the following public notice submitted
by the Clerk, is sufficient to invite the citizens to come to the
Public Hearing:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Stokes County Board of Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing for citizen input concerning the future of Stokes Reynolds Memorial Hospital.
The Public Hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 7:00 pm – Government Center (Courtroom A), 1012 Main Street, Danbury, NC.
The public is invited to attend.
Darlene Bullins
Commissioner Inman
agreed with Commissioner Smith that the public notice is
sufficient to invite the citizens to bring their suggestions to the
Board.
Commissioner Carroll
stated that not putting the options in the advertisement is contrary
to what this Board has been talking about over the past three months.
Commissioner Smith
moved to place the item on today’s Action Agenda.
Commissioner Carroll seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Animal
Control Advisory Council Update
Chief Animal Control
Officer Phil Handy presented the following Advisory Council Update
due to Chairperson Mona Triplett being unable to attend today’s meeting:
(Chairperson Triplett
provided the following information to Chief Officer Handy)
·
Met for the first time in September 2008
·
Several items have been researched and debated, but
most were not submitted due to logistics and lack of manpower at the present
time
·
Some of the items discussed:
o Revision of the
adoption contract
o Heartworm testing
for the animals
o Spay/Neuter
Programs
o Partnering with veterinarians
located in
the County to provide spay/neutering at a reduced cost
o Improvements to
the shelter facility
o Voucher system for
those who adopt animals from the shelter
o Volunteer Program
for the shelter
o Amendments to the
Animal Control Ordinance
o Having a third
party to management the shelter
·
Dr. Debbie Cowan offers a reduced spay/neuter fee
for animals adopted from the shelter
·
Animal Control Advisory Council recommends the implementation
of a Volunteer Program and the proposed amendments to the Animal Control
Ordinance being submitted by Chief Animal Control Officer Handy at today’s
meeting
·
Council is committed to continue to seek grants to
assist the Animal Shelter
Proposed
Amendments – Stokes County Animal Control Ordinance
Chief Animal Control
Officer Phil Handy presented the following proposed changes
recommended by the Animal Control Advisory Council which relate to dangerous
dogs and
housing of animals: (items underlined are either changes or additions
to the Ordinance)
Adequate Shelter for Dogs: A structure
intended for the animal’s protection from inclement weather or sun, which
consists of at least three sides, a floor and a roof. The structure must be constructed of durable
fiber, wood, plastic or other non-metal material
Restraint
of a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog: Restraint of a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog is
where the dog must be confined in a securely enclosed pen or other structure
designed to restrain the dog and having a roof, cement floor and secured by a
padlock. When this type of dog is
outside this pen or structure, it must be restrained and held by the owner, or
one who is in direct control, by an adequate leash, chain or other like device
and the dog must be muzzled at all times.
At no time shall restraint of this type of dog be accomplished by
chaining it outside the pen or structure.
Section 6.1. Adequate Shelter for Dogs.
Owners of dogs shall provide a structure
intended for the animal’s protection from inclement weather or sun, which
consists of at least three sides, a floor and a roof. The structure must be constructed of durable
fiber, wood, plastic or other non-metal material.
Section 8. Confinement, muzzling and
control of vicious or dangerous dogs or
animals.
It shall be unlawful for any owner to keep any vicious,
fierce, dangerous or potentially
dangerous dog or animal within the county, unless it is confined within a secure building, pen or enclosure as
defined in this Ordinance, or unless it is securely muzzled and under restraint by a competent person who, by
means of a leash, chain or rope, has such animal firmly under control at all times.
Section 31. Effective Date.
This
ordinance shall become effective on May 1, 1975 as adopted by the Stokes County Board of Commissioners on April 7,
1975 and readopted on September 12,
1977, and amended on December 16, 1985; December
21, 1987; February 7, 1994; June 21, 2001; July 1, 2004 and May _ 2010.
Duly Amended and added Definitions – Adequate Shelter
for Dogs and Restraint of a Dangerous or Potentially Dangerous Dog – and
amended Section 8.
Confinement, muzzling and control of vicious or dangerous
dogs or animals and added new Section 6.1 Adequate Shelter for Dogs and made
other technical corrections on May
2010.
The Board discussed the proposed changes to
the Animal Control Ordinance
with Chief Officer Handy.
Proposed
Volunteer Program
Chief Animal Control Officer Phil Handy
presented the following information regarding
a proposed volunteer program that he and the county manager had been
working on:
·
Shelter receives several requests each month from
people wanting to donate their time and talents for the animals at the shelter
·
Grooming the animals can help get the animals get adopted
The Board had no issues with staff proceeding
to develop a Volunteer Program at the
Animal Shelter.
Proposed Increase
for Adoption Fees
Chief Animal Control Officer Phil Handy
requested the Board consider an increase
for adoption fees in the upcoming fiscal year. Officer Handy noted the following information
regarding the increase:
·
Change the adoption fee from $26.00 $36.00 for dogs
·
Change the adoption fee from $20.00 to $30.00 for
cats
·
Increase would cover parvo test for pups and
heartworm test for dogs six (6)
months and over
·
Increase would cover feline leukemia test for cats
and kittens
·
These services would help adopt healthier animals
from the shelter
·
Animal Control Advisory Council recommends an
increase in the adoption fees
·
Increased adoption fees have been incorporated into
the 2010-11 proposed budget and would go into effective July 1, 2010 if
approved by the Board
Chairman Walker, with full consensus of the
Board, directed the Clerk to place the proposed
amendments to the Animal Control Ordinance on the May 24th
Action Agenda.
Tax
Administration Report – April 2010
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) |
$20,183,460.79 |
|
$518,816.21 |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Prior Taxes 93-08 Tax
Years |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
County Regular & Motor
Vehicles |
$ 600,000.00 |
$629,701.51 |
$29,701.51 |
|||||
|
EMS Collections |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Total Collected (04-01-10/04-30-10) |
$12,989.68 |
|
|
|
||||
|
Total Collected (07-01-09/6-30-10) |
$93,499.50 |
|
|
|
||||
|
Delinquent accounts
received from EMS (April 2010) 82 accounts = $29,518.44 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Personal Property
Discovery Report |
# of |
Total |
Taxes |
|
||||
|
Audit Dates |
Accts |
Value |
Due |
|
||||
|
04-01-10/04-30-10 |
17 |
$653,322 |
$6,195.06 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Business Personal
Property Discovery Report |
# of |
Total |
Taxes |
|
||||
|
Audit Dates |
Accts |
Value |
Due |
|
||||
|
04-01-10/04-30-10 |
0 |
$00.00 |
$00.00 |
|
||||
|
Motor Vehicle Release
Report |
Accounts |
Total Value |
|
||||||||
|
Audit Dates |
|
|
|
||||||||
|
04-01-10/04-30-10 |
25 |
$1,071.45 |
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Motor Vehicle Refund
Report |
Accounts |
Total Value |
|
||||||||
|
Audit Dates |
|
|
|
||||||||
|
04-01-10/04-30-10 |
7 |
$154.44 |
|
||||||||
|
Number billed for April
2010 |
4209 |
|
|
||||||||
|
Garnishment Totals |
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
Month |
Total Accounts |
Original Levy Amt |
Collected Amt |
|
|||||||
|
F/Year 2009-10 |
|
||||||||||
|
(July 1 – June 30) |
1716 |
$412,849.57 |
$343,820.18 |
|
|||||||
|
April-2010 |
134 |
$114,320.80 |
$40,954.16 |
|
|||||||
|
Interstate Collection
Report |
Collection |
Total
Collected |
|
Cumulative
total Collected (to date) |
NC Debt Setoff |
$20,805.39 |
|
Cumulative
total Collected (to date) |
Motor
Vehicles |
$34,031.91 |
Cumulative total Collected (to date) Property Taxes $5,338.57
Cumulative total Collected (to date) EMS $20,560.68
Cumulative total Collected (to date) All Categories
$80,736.55
Tax Administrator Oakley presented the following Real and Personal Property Release
|
(April 2010) which is less than $100 for the Board’s review: Releases (Real and
Personal Property) Less than $100–April
2010-Per NCGS 105-381 (b)
|
Tax Administrator Oakley presented the following Real and Personal Property Refunds
|
(April 2010) which are less than $100 for the Board’s review: Releases (Real and
Personal Property) Less than $100–April
2010-Per NCGS 105-381 (b)
|
Tax Administrator Oakley presented the following Present-Use Late Applications for the
Board’s consideration:
|
Name |
Parcel Number |
Acreage |
E. Wayne Gordon 5984-04-84-2833 2.37 (Agricultural) Mr. & Mrs. Gordon
Lois Gordon already 22 acres under the Agricultural
Present-Use
Value Tax Deferred Assessment
Michael Stewart 6932-03-13-3327 69.29 (Forestry) -Woodland has
been under
Teresa Stewart Forestry since 1988 and now qualifies for the
Agricultural
Deferment also
Tax Administrator Jake
Oakley recommends approval of the Present-Use Value Late
Applications.
Chairman Walker, with full consensus of the
Board, directed the Clerk to place the
following item on the May 24th Consent Agenda:
· Present-Use Value Late Applications
Proposed Bids
– Well Water System – Early College Program
Support Services
Supervisor Danny Stovall presented the following information regarding
the proposed bids for the Early College Water System which were opened
and read aloud on
Thursday, May 6, 2010:
·
K&W Water Conditioners - $84,607.00 – No bid
bond included
·
Gopher Utility Services Inc - $98,191.38 – Bid Bond
-5% certified check
·
Raymond Brown Well Company - $115,620.00 – Bid Bond
– 5% certified check
·
John Baker Pluming - $164,459 – Bid Bond – 5%
certified check
·
Low bidder did not include a bid bond as requested
·
Attorney Frayda Bluestein, UNC School of
Government, stated the omission of the
bid bond was not an informality or a technicality that the County could
waive
Support Services Supervisor Stovall noted the
following options for the Board to review:
·
Declare the bid from K&W Water Conditioners as
non-responsive and award contract to Gopher Utility Service Inc.
·
Reject all bids and re-bid the project – this
option will push project completion timeline to mid August – will not be ready
for school year opening
The Board discussed proposed bids with Mr.
Stovall. Mr. Stovall reiterated there is a very
strict timeline for the project and delaying the award of this contract
could cause some major
issues with getting the project completed on time.
Chairman Walker, with
full consensus of the Board, directed the Clerk to place the item
on today’s Action Agenda.
Mr. Stovall presented the following brief
update regarding the Early College site:
·
Project moving along very well
·
Gravel will be delivered this week
·
Meeting with all contractors scheduled for May 11th
to make sure everything is running smoothly and everyone knows what must be
done to get the project completed in order for students to report to the campus
in August
·
POD should be delivered next week
·
Meeting scheduled with Duke Energy for this
Thursday
·
Two possible hurdles – delivery of water tank from
the manufacturer and approval of the well system from Raleigh
NCDOT –
Request to Abandon a Portion of SR #1213 – Leo Smith Road
County Manager Bryan
Steen presented the following information regarding a request
from NCDOT to abandon a portion of SR# 1213 – Leo Smith Road:
·
NCDOT received a petition from the sole property
owner (spouse deceased) requesting abandonment of approximately 317’ from the
Secondary Roads System
·
Verification received from Tax Administrator Jake
Oakley noting the request from Ms. Lamb does not affect any other property
owner
·
Ms. Lamb has provided staff with an email stating
that she desires to also have the right of way abandoned
The Board discussed the requests from Ms. Lamb
and NCDOT.
Chairman Walker, with full consensus of the
Board, directed the Clerk to place the
item on the May 24th Action Agenda.
County Office
Space Needs and Day Care Building
County Manager Bryan
Steen presented the following information as requested by the
Board at the April 26th meeting:
·
Worked with Health Director Josh Swift and DSS
Director Jan Spencer regarding a potential solution to DSS space needs involving
the former day care facility
·
Recommend relocating Home Health to the former day care
facility and then relocating DSS staff into the area previously occupied by
Home Health
·
Stokes Reynolds and HMC have no issues with the
recommendation as long as they are able to keep three office areas for storage
and use of the laundry room located in the facility
·
Director Spencer and Director Swift support
Manager’s Steen recommendation with support from both the DSS Board and the
Board of Health
·
ED Director Alan Wood submitted the following
information regarding the request for the EDC to do some type of outreach to
determine interest in use of the building by the business community:
o Information is
needed from an independent professional source on what updates would be
required (description and possible costs) as well as information on current
lease rates, before the building could be successfully shopped to local
businesses. Once the information is
gathered, the building could be submitted as available to determine if there is
interest from the private sector
·
ED Director Wood noted that the EDC’s response would
take time to complete with no guarantee of a beneficial outcome
·
YVEDDI and Head Start have inquired regarding use
of the space, but must have 17 spaces in the hospital parking lot.
o Chief Operating Officer Tillman noted there
would be some major problems if 17 parking spaces were allocated strictly for
YVEDDI
Manager Steen noted that he had previously seen
some information relating to USDA Grants
for community facilities which specifically addresses possible USDA
loan funds for the
construction of a day care facility.
The Board discussed
the possible use of USDA loan funds for the construction of a day
care facility.
DSS Director Spencer
presented a power point presentation detailing space issues at the
agency.
Director Spencer noted
the space currently being occupied by Home Health would be an
ideal location for either Adult or Child Protective Services. Director Spencer noted that two
offices could remain for two Health Department employees (as requested
by Director Swift) who
work with Northwest Community Care Network who need to be close to the
Health Department.
Commissioner Carroll
requested information regarding the amount of funding needed
to refurbish the facility for occupancy. Manager Steen noted approximately $30,000 for
roofing
and windows which could be incorporated into the upcoming fiscal year
budget.
Commissioner Carroll
requested the Manager to further investigate the possibility of
USDA loan funding for the construction of a day care facility for a
private entity.
Chairman Walker, with
full consensus of the Board, directed the Clerk to place the
item on the May 24th Discussion Agenda.
Future
Organization of Stokes County Health Services Alliance
County Manager Bryan
Steen presented the following information regarding the proposed
reorganization of Health Service Alliance (HSA):
·
Meeting was held
on April 23rd with the following attendees:
o Jennifer Houlihan
– WFUBMC
o Susie Grabs – At
large member (voting member)
o Mike Freeman –
WFUBMC (voting member)
o Wanda Roberson –
Healthly Carolinians
o Bryan Steen –
Stokes County Manager (voting member)
o Heather Zachary
WFUBMC
·
Proposed Mission Statement: The Alliance will support initiatives that
promote quality, cost-effective, sustainable community-based health care in
Stokes County. All partner agencies and organizations will work collaboratively
to identify health service gaps and solutions to increase access to health
services and improve the health of all Stokes County residents.
·
Logistics of the HSA reorganization:
o HSA should fall
under the leadership of the Public Health Department
o Public Health
Director should receive 1 vote and be named Board Chairman
o Novant and WFUBMC
should each receive only 1 vote (previously 2 each)
o HMC/CAH should
receive one vote
o County Manager
should no longer receive a vote
o County
Commissioner vote should be given to the Commissioner assigned to the Public
Health Board
o Two community
citizens should receive votes
o Total voting Board
members = 7
o Public Health
Director’s administrative assistant should provide secretarial support to the
HSA (preparing agendas, recording minutes, etc)
o Agreement was
reached that no additional “seed money” will be supplied and the projects can
be funded on as an “as needed” basis
o The original
voting members shall retain control of the original seed money until all funds
are exhausted
·
501C(3)
Status: It was determined that
non-profit status is not necessary to fulfill the mission of the HSA. Either Healthy Carolinians and/or the Public
Health Department can be used as sponsor agencies for grant applications.
·
The newly constituted Board should determine an
appropriate meeting schedule based on the perceived needs of the HSA
·
HSA will be meeting Tuesday, May 11th for
further discussion
Manager Steen requested direction from the
Board to either accept the recommendation for
reorganization as submitted or submission of changes to the recommended
reorganization.
Chairman Walker opened
discussion regarding the recommendations for reorganization of
the HSA.
Chairman Walker
expressed concerns with placing the HSA under one particular department
if the mission of the HSA is to bring together the various health
service providers and the county.
Chairman Walker noted, in his opinion, the organization should remain a free
standing organization
with representation from WFUBMC, Novant, Stokes Reynolds Memorial
Hospital and Stokes
County.
Manager Steen noted
the Yadkin HSA is considering the following three options:
·
Dissolve the organization completely
·
Dissolve the 501C(3), but keep meeting quarterly
and hold brainstorming sessions
·
Keep the 501C(3) as a non-profit that will support
Healthy Carolinians (this option will not retain the members from WFUBMC and
Novant)
Member Steen noted that if the 501C(3) status
remains, there will be ongoing legal costs.
The Board discussed
the recommendations submitted by Manager Steen.
Commissioner Carroll noted that Healthy
Carolinians, one agency who attends the meeting,
will be brought under the Health Department after June 30th.
Health Director Josh Swift noted, in his
opinion, the HSA needs to determine what is
the actual mission of the HSA and if the organization needs to remain
as a 501C(3). Health
Director Josh Swift stated that he feels there is a need in the County
for the HSA.
Commissioner Carroll
noted from his observation, there has been no need for the
501C(3) status and the organization has functioned as an interagency
council for health services.
Commissioner Carroll suggested if the organization was going to be like
an interagency council,
members need to be identified and given an equal vote.
Commissioner Carroll suggested the Board take
no action at this time regarding the
reorganization recommendation and let everyone at the table tomorrow
provide input to help decide
the direction the HSA should take.
Vice Chairman Lankford
expressed concerns with some of the recommendations and
sees the Health Alliance being similar to any other advisory council
that reports to the Board of
Commissioners, which only makes recommendations.
The Board agreed to
take no action and allow HSA to meet, work on the recommendation,
and bring a recommendation back to the Board at a future meeting for
further discussion.
Job Vacancies
County Manager Bryan
Steen recommended the following permanent positions be
filled:
·
Jailer – vacated on May 4, 2010
·
Nutritionist II – vacated on February 24, 2010
The Board discussed
the job vacancies.
Chairman Walker, with full consensus of the
Board, directed the Clerk to place the item
on today’s Action Agenda.
Appointments
– Region I Aging Advisory Council
Chairman Walker noted
that the County had recently received a letter from Lou Charland
announcing his resignation from the Region I Aging Advisory Council.
Clerk Bullins noted
that the vacancy will be posted on the county website and advertised
in the Stokes News.
There were no
nominations.
Chairman Walker
directed the Clerk to place the item on the May 24th Action Agenda.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY – ACTION AGENDA
Proposed
Application for Juvenile Crime Prevention Council – Fiscal Year 2010-11 Funding
Chairman Walker entertained a motion regarding
the JCPC proposed application for funding
that was presented at the April 26th meeting.
Commissioner Smith moved to approve the
proposed application for funding for
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council for fiscal year 2010-11. Commissioner Inman seconded the
motion.
Vice Chairman Lankford
confirmed with Manager Steen that the motion only approves the
submission of the application and not county funding appropriation at
this time.
The motion carried
unanimously.
Proposed Bids
– Senior Meals – Fiscal Year 2010-11
Chairman Walker
entertained a motion.
Vice Chairman Lankford
moved to approve the low bid from Golden Corral @ $3.30 per
meal. Commissioner Smith
seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Public
Hearing – Stokes Reynolds Memorial Hospital, Inc. – Further Discussion
Chairman Walker
entertained a motion.
Commissioner Smith
moved that the Board advertise the next three weeks the advertisement
submitted at today’s meeting by the Clerk Bullins. Commissioner Inman seconded the motion.
Commissioner Carroll
stated that he feels the Board is going to destroy its credibility by
reversing what has been discussed during the past three months and as
late as the last meeting this
Board unanimously approved a motion that this Board would officially
identify options that the
Board is aware of and advertise those options on May 20th
and May 27th. Commissioner Carroll
stated that he could not go along with the motion.
Commissioner Smith
stated that it was not his intent at all to disillusion the public, but the
simpler the advertisement is kept, the better, and feels the notice is
sufficient.
Commissioner Inman
stated that he could see both opinions of Commissioner Carroll and
Smith, but doesn’t want citizens to think by advertising the options
that the Board has already
decided that their decision will be one of the options listed when in
fact there may be other options
that the Board hasn’t listed or thought of.
Vice Chairman Lankford
suggested adding wording to the notice that citizens who can’t
attend the public hearing can submit comments to the county administrative
office.
The Board discussed amending the motion to add
additional wording to allow comments
from those who can’t attend.
Commissioner Smith
withdrew his motion with Commissioner Inman withdrawing his
second to the motion.
Commissioner Smith
moved that the Board advertise the next three weeks the advertisement
submitted at today’s meeting by the Clerk Bullins along with the
following additional wording:
· For those citizens who are unable to attend the Public Hearing, citizens
may submit comments in writing or via email to County Manager Bryan Steen before 5:00 pm on Friday, May 21, 2010 at the following addresses:
County Manager Bryan Steen, Stokes County, PO Box 20, Danbury, NC 27016
or email: bsteen@co.stokes.nc.us
Commissioner Inman
seconded the motion.
Commissioner Carroll reiterated the motion
does not reflect what the Board has been
discussing the past three months.
The motion carried (4-1) with Commissioner Carroll voting
against the motion.
Proposed Bids
– Well Water System – Early College Program
Chairman Walker
entertained a motion.
Commissioner Inman
moved to accept the bid from Gopher Utility Services Inc. in the
amount of $98,191.38 for Early College Water System Improvements due to
the lowest bid
submitted by K&W Water Conditioners being non-responsive. Commissioner
Carroll seconded and
the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Stovall commented
that K&W Water Conditioners had confirmed that lack of
submitting a bid bond was an honest mistake.
Mr. Stovall noted that
water test results from State indicate that the magnesium levels are
elevated, no health issues but does stain the fixtures. State has agreed to allow the county to try
to
chemically treat the water for the next six months, if levels are still
elevated, the county will have to
install a green sand system which could be very costly.
Job Vacancies
Chairman Walker entertained a motion.
Commissioner Smith
moved to authorize the filling of the vacant positions of Jailer and
Nutritionist II.
Commissioner Carroll
seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Closed
Session
Chairman Walker entertained a motion to enter
Closed Session for the following:
· To consider the initial employment or appointment of an individual to any office or position, other than a vacancy in the Board of County Commissioners or any other public body, or to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, and fitness of any public officer or employee, other than a member of the Board of Commissioners or of some other public body pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(6).
· To discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the County pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(4).
Commissioner Inman moved to enter Closed
Session for the following:
· To consider the initial employment or appointment of an individual to any office or position, other than a vacancy in the Board of County Commissioners or any other public body, or to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, and fitness of any public officer or employee, other than a member of the Board of Commissioners or of some other public body pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(6).
· To discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the County pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(4).
Vice Chairman Lankford seconded and the motion
carried unanimously.
The Board re-entered the regular session of
the May 10th meeting.
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