June 15, 2018 - 8:30 AM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Special)

10 351 Meeting of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners June 15 , 2018 8 30 am The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in special session Friday , June 15 , 2018 at 8 30 am in the Commissioners Meeting Room , Johnston County Courthouse Annex , Smithfield , North Carolina The following members were present Present Vice Chairman Ted G Godwin , Cookie Pope , Chad M Stewart , and Larry Wood Absent Chairman Jeffrey P Carver , Allen L Mims , Jr , and Lee Jackson Also Present County Manager Rick J Hester , Clerk to the Board Paula G Woodard , and County Attorney Jennifer J Slusser Vice Chairman Ted G Godwin called the meeting to order at 8 30 am for the purposes of considering a resolution requesting Johnston County’s legislative delegation to move forward with proposing legislation allowing for the creation of a recreation service district by advisory referendum County Attorney Jennifer Slusser reviewed a draft resolution in support of House Bill 929 entitled “ An Act to Authorize Johnston County to Establish a Recreation Service District by Referendum ” with the Board Ms Slusser explained the legislation would provide the ability for the Board of Commissioners to put the question on a ballot allowing citizens within a proposed district area the opportunity to decide whether or not they would like to put a tax upon themselves to support recreation in their community Upon questions by Commissioner Chad M Stewart , Ms Slusser stated the legislation includes language as to how the question would be put on a ballot , as follows “ [ ] FOR establishing the ____________ recreation service district of Johnston County ” “ [ ] AGAINST establishing the ___________ recreation service district of Johnston County ” Ms Slusser stated the actual ballot would not include language informing the voter that if the district is approved then citizens within the proposed district boundaries would be taxed She explained that the time to make sure citizens understand that a tax would be involved would be during the education period prior to the referendum Ms Slusser stated for the Cleveland Community , she is aware that the leaders from the community have been very clear that this would be a taxing district Ms Slusser advised that while the County cannot take a position on the matter , it can provide information to citizens that this would be a taxing district At the inquiry of Vice Chairman Godwin , Ms Slusser stated if the legislation passes , it would allow other areas within Johnston County to have the ability to create a recreation service district by advisory referendum She explained that going forward all the Board would have to do is adopt a resolution requesting the question to be put on a ballot for the area requesting the district Upon a motion by Commissioner Cookie Pope , seconded by Commissioner Chad M Stewart , and carried unanimously , the Board adopted the following resolution RESOLUTION Local Legislation to Establish a Recreation Service District by Referendum WHEREAS , recreational facilities and programs benefit the public good and general welfare of citizens in Johnston County ; and WHEREAS , Johnston County provides support for recreational facilities and programs within Johnston County through recreational bonds , recreation open space development fees , and various appropriations ; and WHEREAS , the Johnston County Board of Commissioners has determined that the best way to provide for recreational facilities and programs in the unincorporated areas of the County are through local recreation associations which promote recreational uses within their local communities ; andPage352 June 15 , 2018 – 8 30 am Continued WHEREAS , Johnston County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state , increasing by nearly 159 percent since 2010 , well above the statewide growth rate of 77 percent ; and WHEREAS , because of Johnston County’s population growth , demand for recreational facilities and programs has increased ; and WHEREAS , community leaders in the Cleveland community of Johnston County have requested a voter referendum for the creation of a recreation service district to fund recreational facilities and programs within the McLemore Fire District boundaries ; and WHEREAS , the Johnston County Board of Commissioners desire to allow the citizens within a proposed recreation service district to vote on whether or not they wish to be taxed to support the district ; and WHEREAS , there is currently no legislative authority to allow for a voter referendum to establish recreation service districts ; and WHEREAS , the Johnston County Board of Commissioners supports a local bill which allows Johnston County to establish a recreation service district by referendum NOW , THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Johnston County Board of Commissioners urges the members of the North Carolina General Assembly to pass House Bill 929 , which would provide authorization for Johnston County to establish a recreation service district by referendum BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be forwarded to the Johnston County legislative delegation th Adoptedby the Johnston County Board of Commissioners on the 15 day of June , 2018 There being no further business , Commissioner Larry Wood moved the Board adjourn Commissioner Cookie Pope seconded the motion , which carried by unanimous vote The meeting adjourned at 8 36 am ____________________________ Ted G Godwin , Vice Chairman Paula G Woodard , Clerk to the BoardPage