June 8, 2015 - 6:00 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Special)

10 632 Meeting of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners June 8 , 2015 6 00 pm The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in special session Monday , June 8 , 2015 at 6 00 pm in the Commissioners Meeting Room , Johnston County Courthouse Annex , Smithfield , North Carolina The following members were present Present Chairman Tony Braswell , Vice Chairman DeVan Barbour , Cookie Pope , Allen L Mims , Jr , Jeffrey P Carver , Ted G Godwin , and Chad M Stewart Absent None Also Present County Manager Rick J Hester , Clerk to the Board Paula G Woodard , Finance Officer and Assistant County Manager J Chad McLamb , County Attorney Jennifer J Slusser , and Paralegal Deputy Clerk to the Board Dana Cuddington Chairman Tony Braswell called the meeting to order at 6 00 pm and announced the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2015 - 2016 County budget and related matters The Chairman called for anyone wishing to address the Board to come forward 1 Register of Deeds Office Johnston County Registrar of Deeds Craig Olive addressed the Board regarding his request for an additional position in the Register of Deeds Office as part of the Fiscal Year 2015 - 2016 budget process Mr Olive stated the Register of Deeds Office began issuing passports last year as well as offering notary public services Mr Olive noted with the new passport program , they have generated more revenue that he originally anticipated Mr Olive stated as of today , the Register of Deeds Office has issued 988 passports He stated every time a passport is issued , 25 of the fee is retained by the Register of Deeds Office Mr Olive also noted they offer photo services in - house for the passports at 10 each and have collected 4,790 to date from the photo service Mr Olive stated because of the increase in business with the passport service and the notary public service , he is requesting the Board of Commissioners to approve a new position in the budget for the Register of Deeds Office Commissioner DeVan Barbour asked about funding for the new position Mr Olive stated if the new position is approved , he proposes to begin funding his current Technology Services position through the automation preservation fund and use some of the funds that formerly covered the Technology Services position to cover the cost for the new position Chairman Tony Braswell asked how much is in the automation preservation fund Mr Olive stated presently there is approximately 320,000 in the automation preservation fund that is used for software support and he plans to use some of that funding to cover the cost of his Technology Services position , freeing up those funds for the new position Mr Olive reported the Register of Deeds Office retains 10 each month of their revenues which is on average between 7,000 to 8,000 each month that goes into the automation preservation fund and would sustain the salary Mr Olive stated he is very proud of his office and is only asking for what they need He noted they just received a Technology Award of Excellence which he gives the credit to his staff for Mr Olive stated they currently have eight full time staff and one part time person Upon a question by Commissioner Allen L Mims , Jr , Mr Olive stated the total revenue generated for the 988 passports was almost 30,000 and the 4,790 in revenue was for photo services only At the inquiry of Commissioner Cookie Pope , Mr Olive stated it is his understanding that the Clerk of Superior Courts Office used to issue passports , but they discontinued that service Mr Olive noted passports are good for 10 years He stated the notary services are offered free of charge Mr Olive thanked the Board of Commissioners for their support to the Register of Deeds Office The Board thanked Mr Olive for the information Page633 June 8 , 2015 – 6 00 pm Continued Chairman Braswell asked if there were any others in the audience that wished to address the Board on the budget There being no further business , Commissioner Cookie Pope moved the Board adjourn Commissioner Allen L Mims , Jr seconded the motion , which carried by unanimous vote The meeting adjourned at 6 10 pm ____________________________ Tony Braswell , Chairman Paula G Woodard , Clerk to the BoardPage