September 11, 2006 - 6:00 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Special)

10 645 Meeting of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners September 11 , 2006 6 00 pm The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in joint session with the Board of Education and the Community College Board of Trustees on Monday , September 11 , 2006 at 6 00 pm at the Johnston County Agriculture Building , 2736 NC 210 Hwy , Smithfield , North Carolina The following members of the Board of Commissioners were present Present Cookie Pope , Chairman , Wade M Stewart , Vice Chairman , Allen L Mims , Jr , Jeffrey P Carver , W Ray Woodall , DeVan Barbour and Tony Braswell Absent None Also Present Rick J Hester , County Manager , April N Byrd , Clerk to the Board , John R Massey , Finance Officer , J Mark Payne , County Attorney , and Deva C Holt , Deputy Clerk Chairman Pope called the meeting to order Commissioner Tony Braswell led those in attendance in the pledge of allegiance to the American flag Commissioner W Ray Woodall opened the meeting with a prayer 1 Johnston Community College Board of Trustees Presentation - Facility Master Plan 2006 Update Lynn Austin , chairman of the Johnston Community College JCC Board of Trustees , thanked the Commissioners for the opportunity to provide an update on the College’s facility needs She introduced Dr Don Reichard , president of the College , who presented a power - point presentation Highlights of the presentation are as follows Growth Information • JCC is experiencing growth in the number of students enrolled , programs offered , and employees needed o The total duplicated headcount has increased from 27,000 students in 2001 - 02 to 30,500 students in 2005 - 06 This figure represents the actual number of physical bodies sitting at a desk ; total duplicated headcount has been accepted within the industry as the figure to look at when assessing space needs o Since 1999 , JCC has added 27 new curriculum programs and numerous continuing education programs The College would like to offer several other programs including pharmacy technology , turf grass management , electrical licensing , and more o Within the last five years , the number of applications processed by the College has doubled The number of students applying for financial assistance and the total amount of assistance has also increased In 2005 - 06 , JCC processed over 8,000 applications Over 3,800 students received financial assistance totaling more than 47 million JCC Economic Impact • JCC has an economic impact on the County o College Operations Spending Direct Earnings JCC employed 211 full - time and 315 part - time faculty and staff in FY 2003 This amounts to a total payroll of 141 million Indirect Earnings Faculty and staff wages and salaries add 44 million worth of income as they are spent in the local region o Past - Student Productivity Effects Direct Earnings Past students contribute an estimated 1097 million worth of added income per year to the regional economy after leaving JCC Indirect Earnings The estimated multiplier effect of past student earnings in other industries increase output by yet another 548 million o Achieving an Associate Degree from JCC will increase earnings to 28,669 per year , or 354 more than the average high school graduate Facilities Master Plan – Bond Request • JCC is requesting 58,334,332 in bond funds for its 2006 - 2010 Facility Master Plan , which includes the following building projects Dr Reichard and fellow staff members explained the projects in detail Bond Funds Requested Building Projects Health Building Addition 2,694,151 Student Resources Center 26,991,713 Learning Resource Center Auditorium Ren 2,814,000 Student Center Renovation 1,323,840 Bookstore Addition 827,424 Burn Building 667,944Page646 September 11 , 2006 – 6 00 pm Continued Graphic Design Building Addition & Renovation 481,884 Elsee Building Addition 6,376,175 Joint JCC JCS Building 14,839,256 Horticulture Building Addition 1,317,946 Total 58,334,332 Dr Reichard stated the College appreciates the support given by the County Commissioners , and as a result of that support , JCC serves thousands of students every year He asked the Commissioners to consider the College’s request for 58 million in the next bond referendum Dr Reichard and staff offered to answer questions from the Commissioners Questions and Discussion In response to a question from Commissioner Wade M Stewart , Dr Reichard stated the projects presented are the priority projects at this time If the Commissioners approve less than the proposed 58 million for the next bond referendum , the College will have to take a second look at the projects , given the approved amount Commissioner Allen L Mims , Jr noted , in regards to the requested 26 million for the Student Resources Center , he did not think of the College as a place for recreation and relaxation Dr Reichard invited the Commissioners to take a tour at JCC , and look at the need for the new Student Center from a student’s perspective He noted the importance of what happens to the students while on campus but not in class Commissioner W Ray Woodall stated that he has been pleased with the College’s wise spending and utilization of funds in the past Following further discussion , Chairman Pope thanked the College for their presentation , and stated the Commissioners would work with the County Finance Office to take a closer look at the request 2 Johnston County Schools Presentation - Staffing and Facility Needs Fred Bartholomew , chairman of the Johnston County Board of Education , informed the Board that 29,200 students are enrolled in Johnston County schools for the 06 - 07 year The projection for 07 - 08 is in excess of 32,000 students He emphasized population growth drives almost everything with regards to schools , including building new facilities and hiring retaining teachers Mr Bartholomew invited the Commissioners to take a tour of the County’s schools Dr Anthony Parker , school superintendent , stated that two critical issues face Johnston County Schools JCS staffing and facility needs Johnston County is one of the fastest growing school districts in North Carolina , adding approximately 1,500 students each year This number represents a need to add 100 additional teachers and two schools per year Dr Parker began a power - point presentation , which was continued by Associate Superintendent for Facilities Services Ann Williams Highlights of the presentation are as follows Staffing Challenges • JCS is experiencing staffing challenges o Student population has increased 764 in 10 years 1996 17,383 students 2006 29,114 students 2015 Projected 41,114 students o Staff numbers have increased 467 in 10 years 1996 2,142 students 2006 4,020 students 2015 Projected 5 , 025 students o Staffing is affected by retirement , student population growth , class size reduction efforts , competition with private industry , and working conditions o On average , NC hires approximately 10,000 new teachers each year NC colleges and universities produce about 3,000 new teachers annually Page647 September 11 , 2006 – 6 00 pm Continued o In the past , Johnston County was leading the region in local teacher supplement , however , Wilson and Wayne counties are now offering competitive supplements • There are numerous benefits to effective recruitment and retention efforts , including enhanced teaching and learning , higher student achievement , outstanding school system , reduced teacher turnover , and satisfied customers Facility Needs • The Johnston County Schools Facility Needs 2013 Plan was approved at the July 13 , 2006 Board of Education meeting o Plan outlines the new elementary , middle , and high schools , the additions renovations of existing schools , and technology improvements that would be needed before 2013 o Plan is broken into Phase One , 144 million request , and Phase Two , 905 million request • JCS currently uses 176 mobile units , which are either leased or owned Bond Proposal • Ms Williams noted JCS received a memo from County Manager Rick Hester on July 21 , 2006 , which included a proposal for consideration of a total bond amount for Phase I of 99 million with 4 sale dates July 2007 – no sale July 2008 - 18 million bond sale July 2009 - 32 million bond sale July 2010 - 20 million bond sale July 2011 - 29 million bond sale o JCS believes the total amount of 99 million is insufficient for facility construction for the next five years o JCS believes that the sales are spread too far to accomplish what they must do to meet the needs of the students of Johnston County • Ms Williams presented the following proposal from JCS for the use of 99 million 2007 - 33 million bond sale New East Clayton Elementary - 14 million , New Princeton Elementary - 14 million , Renovation and addition to 5 high schools - 5 million 2008 - 36 million bond sale Riverwood Middle Addition - 3 million , Riverwood Elementary Addition - 3 million , New Corinth - Archer’s High - 15 million - first portion of funding , New Cleveland High - 15 million - first portion of funding 2009 - 30 million bond sale New Corinth - Archer’s High - 15 million - second portion of funding , New Cleveland High - 15 million - second portion of funding o Based on the JCS proposal , Clayton Elementary opens one year earlier ; Princeton Elementary opens two years earlier ; Corinth - Archer’s High opens one year earlier ; Cleveland High opens two years earlier • Ms Williams presented “ JCS ’ Best Proposal ” , which would require 30 million above the proposed 99 million , from additional bond funds , certificate of participations COPs , or lease build options paid for by lottery funds 2007 - 30 million COPs Bond Lease Options & 10 million bond sale New East Clayton Elementary - 14 million , New Princeton Elementary - 14 million , Riverwood Middle Addition - 3 million , Riverwood Elementary Addition - 3 million , Renovation and addition to 5 high schools - 6 million 2008 - 60 million bond sale New Corinth - Archer’s High - 30 million , New Cleveland High - 30 million 2009 - 27 million bond sale New Polenta West Clayton Area Elementary - 15 million , Cooper West Smithfield Addition - 8 million , Benson Elementary Addition - 4 million o All but one of JCS ’ proposed projects opens within three years o The extra 30 million is paid from proceeds from lottery sales , so no extra tax revenues will be required to fund the extra money that is used o The County will be in good shape for the next bond vote in 2010 Questions and Discussion Commissioner W Ray Woodall pointed out the numerous unfunded mandates the State legislature has put on the counties , and expressed concern as to whether the County will be able to afford the bonds requested by Johnston County Schools and the Community College Page648 September 11 , 2006 – 6 00 pm Continued Commissioner Tony Braswell asked whether the Board of Education had considered alternative proposals , such as year - round schools , and their associated costs He encouraged all those involved to look at the alternatives , given the need that has been presented Mr Bartholomew stated year - round schools will take care of immediate concerns , however , four to five years later , the growth will catch up , and new schools will be needed He noted , as a result of Wake County converting some of their schools to year round , JCS is expecting a spike in student enrollment in the 07 - 08 school year Also , Johnston County is hoping to get some teachers from Wake County as well Chairman Pope asked County Manager Rick Hester to respond to JCS ’ presentation Mr Hester explained that Ms Williams failed to mention how the bond sale amounts and dates were established in the 99 million bond proposal He noted that the bond sales were structured in a way to maintain the current ad valorem tax rate of 78 cents School Board Member Jack O’Hale asked what the Commissioners ’ vision is for Johnston County Schools He commented that the Commissioners should also consider alternatives to fund the bonds , ie impact fees , transfer fees Chairman Pope stated the Commissioners want to provide for Johnston County Schools , while keeping in mind the well - being of all the County’s citizens Commissioner DeVan Barbour added the Commissioners will take into account multiple ways to approach the needs presented He encouraged the Board of Education to do the same In response to various questions from Commissioners , Dr Parker stated the number of new students enrolling each year far exceeds the number of students graduating JCS performs exit interviews when teachers leave the school system ; the local supplement appears to be the number one issue in regards to losing teachers Commissioner Allen L Mims , Jr noted , in his opinion , it is hard to raise the supplement when there is a demand to build new schools to accommodate growth He asked whether JCS had performed financial analysis on how much it will cost to retain teachers Further , Commissioner Mims offered his support to JCS when they discuss year round schools with the community , if JCS offers the same support when the Commissioners discuss transfer and impact fees with the State legislature Dr Parker responded that JCS had performed financial analysis , and the information would be presented to the Board of Education at their next meeting Commissioner Wade M Stewart stated Johnston County should not try to keep up with Wake County He expressed support for the traditional school system , if those involved can figure out how to make the system continue to work Commissioner Stewart noted that he believes the citizens of Johnston County will not pass bonds for school construction if the County raises taxes He also stated , in his opinion , impact and transfer fees are simply another tax , and expressed concern that impact fees will only be one time revenues received when new homes are built Commissioners Stewart encouraged the Commissioners and the Board of Education to be smart enough to figure out new alternatives and revenue sources He assured JCS that the Commissioners , County Manager , and Finance Director are well aware of the needs presented , and suggested staff from both parties get together to look at the numbers more closely Dr Parker stated that staff is not expecting Johnston to keep up with Wake County In his opinion , the majority of the teachers will stay if the County will make an earnest effort to increase supplements , so the teachers feel appreciated In response to a question from Commissioner Stewart regarding class size , Dr Parker noted , in some instances , class size is determined by Federal mandates , eg Kindergarten - Third Grade – 1 teacher to 18 students Federal government reduced class size with the understanding this makes a difference in the quality of education provided Commissioner Jeffrey P Carver urged the Commissioners to continue to be fiscally responsible because this will save dollars in the future In his opinion , using COPs would cause serious problems , and the County would be fiscally irresponsible to earmark lottery funds for debt service He stated that no one knows if or when the State will have a deficit and withhold the lottery funds from the counties Commissioner Carver noted that he is not opposed to spending the lottery funds , as long as the County has the money in hand Also , hePagePage pageNumber5649 September 11 , 2006 – 6 00 pm Continued mentioned that revaluation might affect future revenue streams Commissioner Carver stated that he does not have a problem with impact fees , but would like an opportunity to understand all the parameters Chairman Pope stated that the Commissioners are willing to address the issues presented , and encouraged both boards to work together over the next several months She asked if anyone in the audience would like to comment on the meeting Audience Comments Stan Morgan , Clayton , stated the parents in Johnston County are very concerned about the future of their children , and asked both the Commissioners and the Board of Education to take into consideration what they could do to help the children in the County Former County Commissioner Tom Moore , Smithfield , pointed out the County has needs too , and taxpayers need to be made aware of these needs in order to have an overall view He stated , as a taxpayer , he will not vote in support of any issue that will increase taxes CP Thompson , Four Oaks , commented , in his opinion , the County has reached a point that it needs a 10 - 20 year growth management plan , which includes schools and County government facilities as well He urged the municipalities to become involved in the planning Mr Thompson stated that he believes the taxpayers cannot afford a higher tax rate LB Allen , Four Oaks , thanked the boards for taking the time to meet and discuss the difficult situations that face the County Amy Durham , Clayton , also thanked the boards for the time and energy put forth to look at the problems facing Johnston County Schools She urged the boards to work together to look for answers in the immediate future There being no further business , Commissioner Tony Braswell moved the Board adjourn Commissioner DeVan Barbour seconded the motion , which carried by unanimous vote ____________________________ Cookie Pope , Chairman ____________________________ April N Byrd , Clerk to the BoardPage