June 9, 2010 - 6:00 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Special)

10 868 Meeting of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners June 9 , 2010 Special Meeting The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in special session Wednesday , June 9 , 2010 at 6 00 pm in the Commissioners Meeting Room , Johnston County Courthouse Annex , Smithfield , North Carolina The following members were present Present Wade M Stewart , Chairman , Allen L Mims , Jr , Vice Chairman , Cookie Pope , Jeffrey P Carver , W Ray Woodall , DeVan Barbour , and Tony Braswell Absent None Also Present Rick J Hester , County Manager , Paula G Woodard , Clerk to the Board , J Chad McLamb , Finance Officer , David F Mills , County Attorney , and Melissa A Daughtry , Paralegal Deputy Clerk Chairman Wade M Stewart called the meeting to order and announced the purpose of the meeting is to continue discussions regarding the FY 2010 - 2011 County budget and related matters 1 Public Hearing – Proposed FY 10 - 11 County Budget Reconvened from the June 7 , 2010 6 00 pm Meeting Chairman Wade M Stewart reconvened the public hearing from the June 7 , 2010 6 00 pm meeting on the proposed FY 10 - 11 County budget and called for those interested in addressing the Board to come forward A Johnston County Board of Education Larry Strickland , Chairman of the Johnston County Board of Education , stated the Board of Education originally proposed a budget request of 562 million to the County ; however , he noted they have since modified their request following discussions between himself and Chairman Wade M Stewart Mr Strickland stated the Board of Education is aware of the current economic times and the difficulties being faced by the citizens and they also understand how the County Manager came to his proposed budget allocation of 496 million Mr Strickland informed the Commissioners that the Board of Education has decided to use some of their fund balance from the current FY 09 - 10 budget to help with their FY 10 - 11 budget needs ; however , in order for Johnston County Schools to maintain their low - wealth status with the State of North Carolina to qualify for State funding , they must receive an appropriation of at least 514 million from the County Mr Strickland stated the Board of Education recently toured the newly constructed Cleveland and Corinth Holder High Schools and he added that the Board of Education feels very fortunate for what the County Commissioners and the taxpayers of Johnston County have done for Johnston County Schools Mr Strickland reported students will be enrolled at the new schools in August 2010 and he stated the Board of Education realizes the sacrifices and the commitments made by the County Commissioners so the two communities could have modern high schools Mr Strickland stated that he feels the projects took a lot of effort and coordination by both Boards Mr Strickland stated the two new high schools have been furnished and will be ready to open in August Mr Strickland noted that with conservative and hard work from Superintendent Dr Ed Croom and his staff , the Board of Education has tried to spend the taxpayers ’ dollars wisely He reported that Johnston County Schools expects to receive a sales tax reimbursement from all the furniture placed in the new high schools and those funds coupled with money saved from the Board of Education trying to do business in a better way , has allowed for some surplus in their current budget Therefore , he stated the Board of Education would like to forgo receiving their June 2010 monthly allocation in the amount of approximately 468 million from the County Mr Strickland stated the Board of Education is committed to working with the Board of County Commissioners on delivering educational services to the children of the County and he stated the Board of Education voted unanimously to forgo the June 2010 allotment Mr Strickland asked the Commissioners to consider allocating funding for FY 10 - 11 in the amount of 514 million so Johnston County Schools can maintain their low - wealth funding status from the State At the request of Chairman Wade M Stewart , Mr Strickland introduced his fellow Board of Education Members Dorothy Johnson – Vice Chair , Dr Peggy Smith , Keith Branch , and Johnston County Schools Superintendant Dr Ed Croom Page869 June 9 , 2010 – 6 00 pm Continued Dr Croom addressed the Commissioners and stated that he has many concerns going into the next twelve months Dr Croom added that he has to plan for next year when the stimulus money goes away and he cautioned that Johnston County Schools will have some major building concerns in the future that must be addressed Dr Croom expressed his appreciation for the working relationship he shares with County Manager Rick Hester as well as the Commissioners and stated there will indeed be more work ahead between the two groups Chairman Stewart stated that for the first time in his twelve years as a County Commissioner , he feels there is total transparency with the current Board of Education that is in place He added that a lot of information has been shared between the two boards and they now each have a good understanding of the other’s situation Chairman Stewart stated that through a collaborative effort with Mr Strickland , they were able to reach a consensus on how to address the budget situation which shows that when everyone works together , good results can be achieved Chairman Stewart stated he appreciated the Board of Education returning the June allotment in that the County Commissioners cannot continue to use fund balance or raise taxes to balance the budget Therefore , the return of the June allotment will enable the County to appropriate more funds to Johnston County Schools so they can maintain their low wealth funding status Commissioner Allen L Mims , Jr asked for more information regarding the new enrollment estimates Commissioner Mims stated specifically , Johnston County Schools had reported that for FY 09 - 10 , they had anticipated 700 new students ; however , according to the 20 - day enrollment numbers , there were only 26 more new students from the previous year Commissioner Mims also stated that the Commissioners were provided with a chart dated May 11 , 2010 that showed an increase of only 299 more children than the year before Dr Croom reported Johnston County Schools had 732 new students added to the enrollment in FY 09 - 10 He explained that Johnston County Schools ’ receives their funding from the State based on the 20 - day enrollment numbers ; however , he clarified that they would not have all the anticipated new students enrolled by the twentieth day Commissioner Mims expressed his concerns that the enrollment numbers are not consistent Dr Croom stated he understood Commissioner Mims ’ frustrations , and he added that the numbers change every day Commissioner Mims asked if Johnston County Schools had used one - time stimulus funding for reoccurring expenses Dr Croom responded that some of the stimulus funding was used for reoccurring expenses because they did not have a choice He stated they presently have 387 employees that are paid from stimulus funds at an average annual salary of just under 40,000 , which equals approximately 15 million Dr Croom noted that within twelve months those 387 employees will exist without a funding source , and in many cases , the positions are required by the State At the inquiry of Commissioner Mims , Dr Croom stated that Johnston County Schools did employ some of the referenced 387 employees before the stimulus funds became available ; however , he stated at that time , they had the money to cover them Commissioner Jeffrey P Carver cautioned everyone that the next fiscal year will be an even more difficult year financially , especially if the State begins to put local revenue sources such as the lottery funds in jeopardy Dr Croom agreed that next year’s budget will be even harder to address B Not Just Another Community Center Robert Lee Pearson , CEO for Not Just Another Community Center in Benson , addressed the Board and stated the Community Center would appreciate any type of financial consideration the Board could grant them Mr Pearson stated the Center began with 11 children and now averages over 52 children in attendance each day He noted that the Center is still operating with the same computers as when they started and are in need of new technology to help the kids that visit the Center Mr Pearson reported the Partnership for Children will be helping with some of their technology and security needs , but he stated there is much to be done He stated notPage870 June 9 , 2010 – 6 00 pm Continued only does the Center help the Benson area but it is a benefit for the entire County Mr Pearson offered to answer any questions by the Board County Manager Rick Hester reported in FY 08 - 09 , the County allocated 5,000 to the Center and he stated there was no funding allocated in the current FY 09 - 10 budget year Mr Pearson reported the Center did not apply for funding for the FY 09 - 10 budget year Commissioner Tony Braswell inquired as to the other revenue sources that help support the Center Mr Pearson stated the Town of Benson owns their building and allows them to occupy it for free as well as the Town pays the electric bill He stated the Center has many community volunteers that help out as well as the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council has agreed to assist with funding for a part - time salary position Mr Pearson reported they receive donations from various private local businesses , churches , and individuals ; however , at the present time , they do not have a steady source coming straight to the Center Upon a question by Commissioner Allen L Mims , Jr , Mr Pearson reported the Center does not have a set budget they work from He stated as monies are received , they are spent to support the Center where they are needed most The Board thanked Mr Pearson for the service that the Center provides to the community C Department of Social Services – Home and Community Care Block Grant for Older Adults Earl Marett , Director for Johnston County Social Services , presented the draft Home and Community Care Block Grant for Older Adults to the Board and requested its approval He noted the grant requires a match of 9,343 for the Department of Social Services ’ portion of the grant County Manager Rick Hester informed the Board that the Council on Aging receives part of the grant that also requires a match and if the grant is approved by the Board , in essence , the Board would also be approving a match in the amount of 87,783 for the Council on Aging He suggested the Board take the request under advisement until the adoption of the final budget Commissioner Jeffrey P Carver stated that he felt the Board should find the funds to meet the 10 matching requirements associated with the grant in order to keep the Federal money coming to Johnston County D Public Utilities FY 10 - 11 Proposed Operations Budget Tim Broome , PE , Director of Utilities and Engineering , presented the Department of Public Utilities Proposed FY 10 - 11 Operations Budget request to the Board Mr Broome stated one new position is requested for FY 10 - 11 for the Solid Waste Division He explained that the convenience site truck hauling has increased 37 over last year and staff believes this is due to mandatory plastics recycling imposed by the State He requested the Board to consider changing a part - time truck driver position 34 hours per week to full time Mr Broome presented a summary of proposed capital expenditures for FY 10 - 11 to the Board , as well as the following proposed adjustments in fees and charges • Recommend the landfill tipping fee for asbestos waste be increased from 27 per ton to 45 per ton including State surcharge The additional revenue is needed to cover the actual cost of disposal which includes isolated location burial , location surveys , and special record keeping required by State rules • Recommend establishing an ineligible illegal tire disposal fee of 6500 per ton The fee would apply to any tires received which are not eligible for disposal cost reimbursement by the State The fee is essentially equal to that charged by our tire recycling disposal contractor • In order to expedite processing small loads of yard waste , staff recommends establishing a charge of 800 per pickup size load for non - commercial yard wastes This will eliminate returning vehicles to the scales to determine weight • Finally , staff recommends the minimum scale tipping fee be increased from 300 to 500 This would apply to MSW , C & D , yard waste , clean wood , and septage haulers Commissioner Tony Braswell asked if the convenience center program was presently at a level sufficient to handle the volume of trash being received Page871 June 9 , 2010 – 6 00 pm Continued Mr Broome stated the program could use an additional convenience center site in the western area of the County to help alleviate the congestion at the Barber Mill and McGee’s centers Mr Broome reported the need is presently there to support an additional convenience site ; however , it is the Board’s decision as to when staff should begin to pursue a site Following further discussion , County Manager Rick Hester asked if the Board would like for staff to begin investigating a new convenience center site in the western area of the County Commissioner Braswell stated he believes the Board will continue to hear from the citizens that the convenience centers in certain locations are overcrowded ; therefore , he feels the Board should stay ahead of the curve and begin the planning stages of an additional site where needed Mr Broome stated that , with the Board’s permission , staff could set a goal of identifying , rezoning , and purchasing a site next fiscal year with plans to construct the convenience box equipment the following fiscal year At the inquiry of the Chairman , it was the unanimous consensus of the Board for staff to begin exploring sites for an additional convenience center Public Hearing Closed There being no further comments , the Chairman closed the public hearing and stated the Board would consider the adoption of the FY 10 - 11 budget at the meeting on Monday , June 14 , 2010 at 6 00 pm 2 Manager Comments A Water Plant Improvements County Manager Rick Hester brought to the Board’s attention that there have been many improvements completed recently at the Water Plant and he stated staff would like to arrange for the Board to tour the plant prior to the July 6 , 2010 6 00 pm meeting B Landfill Gas to Energy Contract County Manager Rick Hester and Director of Utilities and Engineering Tim Broome requested the Board to discuss and consider approving the final contract between the County and Blue Source for the Landfill Gas to Energy initiative at the June 14 , 2010 6 00 pm budget meeting The Board agreed to review and consider the th contract at the June 14 meeting following the conclusion of business related to the FY 10 - 11 budget 3 Board Comments A Inspections Update At the request of Commissioner Cookie Pope , Mr Dean Barbour , Director for Johnston County Inspections provided the Board with a brief update on the residential permitting in the County B Research & Training Zone Tax Rate Commissioner Allen L Mims , Jr reported the RTZ Advisory Committee met recently and voted to recommend the Board of Commissioners retain the current tax rate of 008 per 100 valuation for property located within the RTZ District as well as for the cash balance of account 6146109078 as of June 30 , 2010 to be carried forward into the next fiscal year Commissioner Mims also stated the Committee voted unanimously to recommend increasing the Workforce Development Center budget , going forward , by 30,000 along with a one - time distribution of 10,000 for general maintenance in FY 10 - 11 with funds that are currently available in this year’s budget Chairman Wade M Stewart stated the Board would confirm the recommendations of the RTZ Committee along with the adoption of the County budget PagePage pageNumber5872 June 9 , 2010 – 6 00 pm Continued There being no further business , Commissioner Cookie Pope moved the Board adjourn Commissioner W Ray Woodall seconded the motion , which carried by unanimous vote The meeting adjourned at 7 00 pm Wade M Stewart , Chairman Paula G Woodard , Clerk to the BoardPage