July 6, 2004 - 10:00 AM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes

10 719 MEETING OF THE JOHNSTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS July 6 , 2004 The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in regular session Tuesday , July 6 , 2004 , at 10 00 am in the Commissioners Meeting Room , Johnston County Courthouse Annex , Smithfield , North Carolina , with the following members present Present James H Langdon , Jr , Chairman , Cookie Pope , Vice Chairman , Allen L Mims , Jr , Wade M Stewart , Jeffrey P Carver , and W Ray Woodall Absent Thomas M Moore Also Present Rick J Hester , County Manager , Joyce H Ennis , Clerk to the Board , Mark Payne , County Attorney , and John R Massey , Finance Officer The Chairman called the meeting to order and the following business was transacted 1 Minutes Approved Upon a motion by Commissioner W Ray Woodall , seconded by Commissioner Cookie Pope and carried by unanimous vote , the Board approved the minutes of the June 7 , 14 , 16 , 22 , 2004 board meetings as presented Public Comments 2 North Aviation Industrial Park Property Developer Norwood Thompson informed the Board that he is interested in purchasing the remaining 40 + acres in North Aviation Industrial Park from the Johnston County Airport Authority He stated he and a partner would purchase the property for strictly industrial development , with an emphasis on attracting industries that create jobs and provide services for the area He stressed the need to make this a real industrial park using distinctive architectural design throughout He stated he is prepared to purchase the property at the appraised value of 902,500 Chairman Langdon recommended Mr Thompson present his proposal to the Airport Authority , and noted the Commissioners will look forward to hearing from the Authority concerning their recommendation 3 Report to Board - Fireworks Displays Approved by Chairman The Chairman updated the Board on the following Fourth of July fireworks displays he approved since the last regular meeting Triple “ S ” Ranch , Middlesex , NC ; Town of Clayton ; and Celebrate Cleveland 4 Introduction to Bond Order and Call for Public Hearing - Little River Water District Upon a motion by Commissioner Cookie Pope , seconded by Commissioner W Ray Woodall and carried by unanimous vote , the Board recessed regular session to sit as the Little River Water District Board Upon a motion by Commissioner Cookie Pope , seconded by Commissioner W Ray Woodall and carried by unanimous vote , the Board adopted the following resolutions introducing the bond order and calling for a public hearing for the Little River Water District BOND ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE LITTLE RIVER WATER DISTRICT IN THE MAXIMUM AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF 9,995,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING , IN PART , THE ACQUISITION , CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPPING OF A WATER SYSTEM IN THE DISTRICT WHEREAS , The Board of Commissioners of Johnston County the “ Board ” acting as the governing body of the Little River Water District the “ District ” has decided to pursue the issuance of general obligation bonds in the maximum aggregate principal amount of 9,995,000 under the Local Government Bond Act the “ Act ” to finance , in part , the acquisition , construction and equipping of a water system in the District ; and WHEREAS , The Board has filed an application with the Local Government Commission of North Carolina for approval of such bonds as required by the Act ;Page720 July 6 , 2004 Continued BE IT ORDERED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF JOHNSTON COUNTY ACTING AS THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE LITTLE RIVER WATER DISTRICT 1 It is hereby determined necessary and expedient for the District to borrow money , and there is hereby authorized to be issued general obligation bonds of the District for the purpose of providing money , to finance , in part , the acquisition , construction and equipping of a water system in the District 2 The bonds shall be in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed a maximum of 9,995,000 3 The bonds shall be general obligations of the District for the payment of principal of and interest on which its full faith and credit shall be irrevocably pledged and taxes will be levied in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds 4 A sworn statement of debt has been filed with the Clerk to the Board pursuant to GS § 159 - 55 and is open to public inspection 5 This Bond Order will take effect when approved by the voters of the District pursuant to GS § 159 - 61 RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON BOND ORDER FOR 9,995,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND PUBLICATION OF BOND ORDER AND NOTICE OF HEARING AND OTHER ACTION WHEREAS , There has been introduced by the Board of Commissioners of Johnston County acting as the governing body of the Little River Water District a Bond Order entitled , “ BOND ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE LITTLE RIVER WATER DISTRICT IN THE MAXIMUM AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF 9,995,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING , IN PART , THE ACQUISITION , CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPPING OF A WATER SYSTEM IN THE DISTRICT ; ” and WHEREAS , GS § 159 - 54 provides there shall be a public hearing on the Bond Order and GS § 159 - 56 provides for publication of the Bond Order and notice of hearing ; NOW , THEREFORE , the Board of Commissioners of Johnston County , meeting in regular session at Smithfield , North Carolina , on July 6 , 2004 , do the following BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF JOHNSTON COUNTY ACTING AS THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE LITTLE RIVER WATER DISTRICT 1 A public hearing on the Bond Order shall be held at 10 30 am , or as soon thereafter as possible , in the Commissioners ’ Meeting Room in the Johnston County Courthouse Annex , Smithfield , North Carolina on August 2 , 2004 2 The Clerk to this Board of Commissioners shall cause the Bond Order , with a statement appended in form described by GS § 159 - 56 , to be published in The Smithfield Herald 3 The County Finance Officer is hereby designated to file the statement of debt required by GS § 159 - 55 4 The completed form of application to the Local Government Commission with respect to the proposed bonds is hereby approved 5 This resolution shall take effect immediately Upon a motion by Commissioner W Ray Woodall , seconded by Commissioner Cookie Pope and carried by unanimous vote , the Little River Water District Board adjourned , and regular session was resumed 5 Surplus Property - Sheriff’s Vehicles The Chairman explained that the Sheriff has requested the Board declare surplus the following vehicles a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria Vin # 2FALP71WXVX206316 with 117,779 miles , and a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria Vin # 2FAHP71W63X220765 that was totaled in a wreck The Airport Authority has indicated a need for a courtesy car for people who fly in and stay briefly in the County , and have asked that the 1997 vehicle be donated to them for this purpose The wrecked vehicle needs to be turned over to the insurance company for payment of claim In response to a question from Commissioner Cookie Pope , it was explained that the Airport would be responsible for insurance on the 1997 vehicle if it is donated to the Airport Upon a motion by Commissioner Allen L Mims , Jr , seconded by Commissioner Cookie Pope and carried by unanimous vote , the Board declared surplus the following two vehicles and authorized that the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria be donated to the airport , and the title for the wrecked vehicle be turned over to the insurance company to settle the claim 6 Designation of Voting Delegate to NCACC Annual Conference Upon a motion by Commissioner W Ray Woodall , seconded by Commissioner Cookie Pope and carried by unanimous vote , the Board designated Chairman James H Langdon , Jr as voting delegate to the NC Association of County Commissioners Conference to be held in Buncombe County in August Page721 July 6 , 2004 Continued 7 Offer to Purchase County Property The Chairman noted that Frank Lee has made an offer of 75,000 to purchase the County property located at 1701 South Brightleaf Blvd where JCATS was previously located The offer , if accepted , would have to be advertised for upset bid as required by law Upon a motion by Commissioner Wade M Stewart , seconded by Commissioner Cookie Pope and carried by unanimous vote , the Board accepted the offer from Frank Lee of 75,000 for the property at 1701 South Brightleaf Blvd , and authorized staff to advertise the offer for upset bid , as required by NCGS 160A - 269 8 HAPP - Proposed Amendment to Administrative Plan HAPP Director , Melody Gates , requested the Board approve an amendment to her agency’s administrative plan The plan currently sets a threshold of 500 in overpaid subsidy , at which point a voucher holder must not only repay the overage , but the rental assistance is automatically terminated This 500 threshold is lower than most other agencies ; and , Raleigh , Smithfield and Selma have no threshold at all They simply make the participants repay and give them a warning , with automatic termination for a second offense In an effort to combat fraud , Ms Gates noted her agency is now checking the Employment Security Commission’s website on a regular basis for unreported wages Under the 500 threshold , failure to report wage income for as little as two months could result in a family losing their home The outcome could mean that she would lose approximately 49 working families , leaving more clients with less income , who require higher subsidies She asked the Board to approve an amendment to her administrative plan that would change the threshold to 2,000 Cases of lesser amounts would still have to pay back what is owed ; however , they would have another chance before being put out of the program Commissioner Wade M Stewart , who also serves on the Social Services Board , stated he could support this request , since working families are probably less likely to apply for other public assistance Statistics show that new families coming into Johnston County each month , who are eligible for DSS benefits , far exceed families who exit the benefits programs Following further discussion , Commissioner Cookie Pope moved the Board approved the amendment to the HAPP Administrative Plan to change the threshold to 2000 in overpaid subsidy before a family is terminated from the rental assistance program Commissioner Allen L Mims , Jr seconded the motion , which carried by unanimous vote 9 Budget Amendment Approved Upon a motion by Commissioner Cookie Pope , seconded by Commissioner Allen L Mims , Jr and carried by unanimous vote , the Board approved the following budget amendment FUND BUDGET LINE ITEM REQUESTED CHANGE CODE CLASSIFICATION EXPENDITURE INCREASE DECREASE 10 5920 - 0408 Professional Medical Provider - Adult Hea lth 7,50000 FUND BUDGET LINE ITEM REQUESTED CHANGE CODE CLASSIFICATION REVENUE INCREASE DECREASE 10 5920341554 Division of Public Health - Wise Wom an Cancer Screening 7,50000 10 Appointment Upon a motion by Commissioner W Ray Woodall , seconded by Commissioner Cookie Pope and carried by unanimous vote , the Board appointed Bryant Worley to the Oakland Fire Protection District Commission to fill an unexpired term to expire November 2004 11 Tax Releases and Refunds - 5 16 04 through 6 15 04 Upon a motion by Commissioner Cookie Pope , seconded by Commissioner W Ray Woodall and carried by unanimous vote , the Board approved the following tax releases and refunds Page722 July 6 , 2004 Continued Motor Vehicle Release Refund Report for Period 05 16 2004 thru 06 15 2004 Year Bill # Acct # Name Tran Type Paid Interest 2003 0307 - 078440 0304 - 087997 Butler , Dewey Rick Release 30112 2003 0308 - 089630 0305 - 102679 Butler , Dewey Rick Release 30513 2003 0311 - 123110 0308 - 135604 Butler , Dewey Rick Release 38229 2003 0311 - 130173 0308 - 133810 Godwin , Jr , Calvin Overpayment 10894 000 2003 0403 - 166834 0312 - 178489 Massengill , Larry Edgar Release 12071 2003 0403 - 171417 0312 - 177859 Stephenson , Samuel Myatt Release 28471 2003 0405 - 197892 0402 - 220549 Jeffreys , Barbara Atkinson Release 12740 2003 0405 - 192600 0402 - 218796 Beck , Charles Barnett Release 14493 2003 0403 - 172709 0312 - 181795 Hudson , Elizabeth Elmore Release 18194 2003 0405 - 198227 0402 - 219463 Country Clean Inc Release 23105 2003 0405 - 188878 0402 - 222419 White , Laura Lawson Release 19050 2003 0405 - 191328 0402 - 225185 Stone , Matthew Wade Release 14280 2003 0402 - 160468 0311 - 167608 Ormond , Susan Ashworth Release 20561 2002 0304 - 045932 0301 - 050850 Hertz Equipment Rental Corp Overpayment 38223 000 2002 0304 - 045933 0301 - 053021 Hertz Equipment Rental Corp Overpayment 11668 000 2002 0304 - 042699 0301 - 042446 Hertz Equipment Rental Corp Overpayment 12141 000 2003 0405 - 190522 0402 - 219022 Markuson , Brenda Fowler Release 14394 2003 0405 - 192689 0402 - 224477 Daugherty Concrete Release 16133 2003 0405 - 194336 0402 - 223167 Peedin , Donnie Michael Release 16002 2003 0405 - 197654 0402 - 222916 Smith , Bonita Williams Release 11907 2003 0405 - 192674 0402 - 220553 Courtney , Michael Ross Release 14960 2003 0405 - 190641 0402 - 224295 Miles , Marcelletta Onita Release 16609 2003 0405 - 193462 0402 - 222141 Performance Auto Center Inc Release 47087 2003 0405 - 193463 0402 - 223201 Performance Auto Center Inc Release 36066 2003 0405 - 193794 0402 - 219859 Hales , Donnie Ray Release 15188 2003 0405 - 193259 0402 - 219849 Darden , Thomas Grey Release 18742 2003 0405 - 198434 0402 - 219849 Darden , Thomas Grey Release 30469 2003 0404 - 175856 0401 - 195057 Caviness , Ginger Wilson Release 12251 2003 0311 - 126046 0308 - 137360 Perez - sebastian , Jose Luis Overpayment 17194 000 2003 0401 - 147698 0310 - 160749 Kelly , Tina Marie Overpayment 14573 000 2002 0305 - 060569 0302 - 061011 Gibson , Cathy Ingram Overpayment 12222 000 2003 0405 - 189590 0402 - 219653 Cyr , Jeffrey Mark Release 13455 2003 0401 - 147698 0310 - 160749 Kelly , Tina Marie Void Refund 14573 000 2003 0405 - 198413 0402 - 220418 North & South Truck Tires Sales Inc Release 31374 2003 0404 - 182289 0401 - 196650 Reger , Jeffrey M Release 19854 2003 0403 - 165369 0312 - 177136 Norman , Joseph Mathew Overpayment 12020 000 2003 0403 - 164062 0312 - 177695 City Florist of Clayton Inc Overpayment 21755 000 2003 0403 - 165370 0312 - 182197 Norman , Temperance Manor Overpayment 12095 000 2001 0109 - 854799 0106 - 092026 Braswell , Scottie Warren Overpayment 19980 000 2003 0401 - 148093 0310 - 157466 Baucom , Jacky Stancil Overpayment 19169 000 2003 0309 - 109689 0306 - 111509 Newkirk , Ronald Overpayment 10503 000 2003 0403 - 170576 0312 - 182041 Criado , Visente Depaul Release 11273 2003 0405 - 190047 0402 - 224417 Hein , Jr , Frederick Release 10931 2003 0403 - 164885 0312 - 179521 Johnson , Matthew Earl Release 13215 2000 0102 - 791928 0012 - 026829 Llewellyn , Michael Adrian Release 10761 2003 0402 - 156644 0311 - 168775 Winborne , Jr , James Edward Overpayment 10350 000 2003 0405 - 193123 0402 - 219685 Wall , Jeffrey Dale Tag Surrender 12482 2003 0404 - 175628 0401 - 191004 Bmw Financial Services Na Llc Overpayment 16648 000 2003 0405 - 197584 0402 - 225296 Moran , Shane James Release 12784 2003 0403 - 165828 0312 - 178441 Smith , Peter Brooks Tag Surrender 16218 2003 0403 - 170699 0312 - 181426 Fox , Brenda Dunn Release 1,33435 2003 0401 - 151025 0310 - 160825 Creech , Gregory Collins Overpayment 11678 000 2003 0403 - 162131 0312 - 179677 Circle T Rodeo Co Llc Overpayment 15089 000 2003 0405 - 196414 0402 - 222248 Larry M Barbour Trucking Co Inc Release 29391 2003 0310 - 118490 0307 - 127904 Lee , Craig Johnson Release 10657 2003 0403 - 162131 0312 - 179677 Circle T Rodeo Co Llc Void Refund 15089 000 2003 0405 - 198359 0402 - 222451 Ruan Leasing Company Overpayment 1,59090 000 2003 0404 - 173415 0401 - 192350 Heat Master Release 21586 2003 0403 - 167784 0312 - 181991 Suggs , Julie Boyce Overpayment 10318 000 2003 0403 - 162736 0312 - 182563 Gardner , Christopher Irvin Release 14859 2003 0310 - 122119 0307 - 121469 Mattress , Sophia Elizabeth Release 21542 Real Personal Property Release Report 5 17 04 12 40 31 124 James 2001 - 070422 2000058940 Toler , Ricky 15367 5 17 04 12 42 16 124 James 2002 - 071532 2000058940 Toler , Ricky 16399 5 19 04 15 19 44 124 James 2004 - 200541 95154160 Wilder , Virginia W 13343 5 19 04 15 20 16 124 James 2004 - 200542 95154160 Wilder , Virginia W 13343 5 19 04 15 20 36 124 James 2004 - 200543 95154160 Wilder , Virginia W 2792PagePage pageNumber5723 July 6 , 2004 Continued 5 20 04 12 14 22 121 Cathy 2003 - 078769 2000043103 White , Barry Frederick 71375 5 20 04 12 21 19 121 Cathy 2000 - 203591 2000058940 Toler , Ricky 1638 5 20 04 12 36 32 121 Cathy 2003 - 200482 2000097392 Central Marketing Inc + 7,38536 5 21 04 16 35 03 124 James 2003 - 019456 1353 Daniels , Cathy Olive T a 1,39526 5 24 04 11 50 19 124 James 2000 - 049914 2000056198 P & P Farm Inc + 99926 5 24 04 11 51 35 124 James 2001 - 052414 2000056198 P & P Farm Inc + 79418 5 24 04 11 51 59 124 James 2002 - 053223 2000056198 P & P Farm Inc + 95747 5 24 04 11 52 23 124 James 2003 - 055691 2000056198 P & P Farm Inc + 83215 5 24 04 16 10 23 121 Cathy 2003 - 071684 2000070111 Stroud , Theodore G 6633 5 25 04 8 51 33 124 James 2003 - 202395 2000101646 Edwards , Natalie Jones 59274 5 25 04 9 02 29 124 James 2003 - 076822 2000045745 Walter S Davis 3495 5 26 04 11 03 04 124 James 2003 - 202812 2000089674 James , Felecia Faye 34958 5 27 04 12 32 35 121 Cathy 2003 - 041998 2000070976 Kugler - hunt , Christian & 10779 5 28 04 16 48 16 105 Sheila 2004 - 200669 2000033003 Bristow , Claire H 13973 5 28 04 16 48 45 105 Sheila 2004 - 200670 2000033003 Bristow , Claire H 13973 5 28 04 16 49 41 105 Sheila 2004 - 200671 2000033003 Bristow , Claire H 28981 6 3 04 10 23 32 105 Sheila 2003 - 078192 2000062112 Wells , David R 15693 6 7 04 12 21 42 105 Sheila 2004 - 200747 2000074153 Blackman , Charles E 14679 6 7 04 12 22 10 105 Sheila 2004 - 200748 2000074153 Blackman , Charles E 14679 6 7 04 12 22 33 105 Sheila 2004 - 200749 2000074153 Blackman , Charles E 26516 6 9 04 8 10 47 124 James 2003 - 202493 2000101208 Alvarado , Jose Aguilar 15741 6 9 04 14 13 30 124 James 2003 - 202490 2000084498 Alston , Tony Alphonso 15239 6 9 04 15 06 43 124 James 2003 - 202516 2000075843 Barbour , Christopher Ray 1301 6 9 04 16 59 40 124 James 2003 - 086236 2000097571 Peyton , William Thomas 29046 6 11 04 10 26 47 124 James 2003 - 002185 2000066164 Aqua Pro Exterior Cleaning 10058 6 14 04 9 36 12 105 Sheila 2003 - 047398 56321492 Martin , Richard 61168 6 15 04 10 02 29 124 James 2001 - 203965 2000083203 Epoxitex Industrial Svcs + 29533 6 15 04 10 03 07 124 James 2001 - 203966 2000083203 Epoxitex Industrial Svcs + 24986 6 15 04 10 03 30 124 James 2001 - 203967 2000083203 Epoxitex Industrial Svcs + 23021 6 15 04 15 59 36 124 James 2003 - 084124 2000069664 Price , Archie 36128 Real Personal Property Refund Report 5 17 04 9 26 22 189 Teri 2003 - 077661 2000016377 Watson , Valeshia B 23352 # Garn 5 20 04 12 15 46 121 Cathy 2004 - 200664 2000043103 White , Barry Frederick 57164 # Remt 5 20 04 12 38 06 121 Cathy 2003 - 200482 2000097392 Central Marketing Inc + 7,64383 # 7856 5 21 04 15 41 18 125 Linda 2003 - 024448 2000031973 Everette , James E 15315 # Citi 5 26 04 11 56 55 121 Cathy 2003 - 004347 2000060998 Baker , Sandra Lynn 46982 # 0762 5 27 04 12 34 45 121 Cathy 2003 - 041998 2000070976 Kugler - hunt , Christian & 11143 # Abn 5 28 04 14 46 18 125 Linda 2003 - 080195 95906140 Williams , James Earl 100 # Citi 6 1 04 10 26 55 125 Linda 2003 - 079239 2000055190 Whitley , Pauline G 59371 # Secu 6 2 04 11 05 36 189 Teri 2003 - 024448 2000031973 Everette , James E 22664 # Garn 6 10 04 10 47 22 189 Teri 2003 - 025306 2000040652 Fitzgerald , Samuel Andrew 262 # Garn 6 10 04 12 02 42 121 Cathy 2003 - 078704 2000003731 Wherry , James G 1,01401 # Remt 12 Annual Tax Settlement and Charge to Collect Taxes for 2004 Tax Administrator , Pat Goddard , presented the following Annual Tax Settlement Report for 2003 taxes as of June 30 , 2004 ANNUAL TAX SETTLEMENT FOR 2003 TAXES Total 2003 - 2004 Real Business Personal Tax Levy 59,603,35259 Total 2003 - 2004 Motor Vehicle Tax Levy 8,148,95096 Total 2003 - 2004 Tax Levy 67,752,30355 Total Collected 65,954,66349 Collected Real Estate 9857 Collected Motor Vehicles 8842 Overall Collected 9735 PagePage pageNumber6724 July 6 , 2004 Continued Collected Credited Balance Unpaid Real Business Personal 58,040,48751 Discoveries 2,267,19798 Releases 704,33290 Levy 59,603,35259 Payments 58,749,00886 854,34373 Percent Collected 9857 Up 12 Motor Vehicles 8,258,83669 Discoveries 69,95449 Releases 179,84022 Levy 8,148,95096 Payments 7,205,65463 943,29633 Percent Collected 8842 Up 69 Totals Collected 65,954,66349 Percent Collected Up 55 Note Annual audit will provide final figures in all categories Prior Years Collected 1993 - 2002 796,78802 Real Personal 1995 - 2002 939,10644 Motor Vehicles Increase in real business personal property levy Decrease in motor vehicle levy 2002 46,565,01874 2002 8,403,46106 988,642,478 v 2003 59,603,35259 2003 8,148,95096 1,044,737,303 v - 254,51010 or 0302 Overall increase in levy 12,783,82375 or 2325 v evaluation for tax purposes Less to collect for motor vehicles due to the reduction in the tax rate Enforced Collections Garnishments served # 3513 for 2003 - 2004 755,33488 Actual Collected 496,70791 unpaid active 220,79964 terminated 34,24961 released 3,57772 Bank attachments # 2356 for 2003 - 2004 2,032,12061 Actual Collected 968,88762 unpaid active 1,035,56040 no funds 6,92845 account closed 1,66393 released 19,08021 Levy’s 33,88691 plus costs of 14,22626 Bankruptcy Real and Personal - 167,70969 Debt Setoff Program 21,20125 Field Collections two deputy collectors 995,67917 Total collected by enforcement actions 2,516,36286 or 381 Foreclosure Sales Dates Number of Properties Amount Collected 06 04 03 5 7,81729 12 19 03 10 11,70416 06 22 04 12 11,67894 Pending Sold by negotiated offer 3 properties sold for 2,94500 4 sales pending for 2,40181 Increase in Tax Collection Rate 2000 9377 2001 9544 2002 9601 2003 9680 2004 9735PagePage pageNumber7725 July 6 , 2004 Continued Summary With the increased amount to collect and the county’s dependency on the property tax for funding of necessary services , the challenge is to continue to collect more each year while maintaining outstanding customer service Our goal is to not rest on current success but increase the collection rate We remain dedicated to the fair and equitable treatment of the citizens of Johnston County By collecting taxes owed , the tax rate in subsequent years is lower for all taxpayers Due to the recent death of the tax collections supervisor , the office has overcome unusual adversity With more dollars to collect and more dollars protected by bankruptcy , including one of the county’s top ten taxpayers , the staff has done an admirable job with the 2003 collections I commend the collections staff , led by Dennis Woodward , in their initiative to continue to improve the collection rate The county has signed agreements with both Kenly and Selma to collect their taxes beginning with the 2004 tax bills Benson is the only remaining municipality that the county doesn’t collect This is a true and accurate settlement pursuant to NCGS 105 - 373 I request the Johnston County Board of County Commissioners accept the settlement and pursuant to NCGS 105 - 321 charge me as Tax Collector with the responsibility for collection of the 2004 taxes by all legal means necessary The final audit will be conducted by an outside auditing firm and included in the county - wide audit for 2003 - 2004 Board members thanked Ms Goddard and her staff for the excellent job they are doing Motion to Accept Tax Settlement and Charge Tax Administrator to Collect 2004 Taxes Upon a motion by Commissioner W Ray Woodall , seconded by Commissioner Wade M Stewart and carried by unanimous vote , the Board accepted the Annual Tax Settlement for 2003 taxes and issued the following charge to the Tax Administrator for collection of 2004 taxes To the Tax Collector of the County of Johnston You are hereby authorized , empowered , and commanded to collect the taxes set forth in the tax records filed in the office of the Tax Administrator and in the tax receipts herewith delivered to you , in the amounts and from the taxpayers likewise therein set forth Such taxes are hereby declared to be a first lien upon all real property of the respective taxpayers in Johnston County , and this order shall be a full and sufficient authority to direct , require , and enable you to levy on and sell any real or personal property of such taxpayers , for and on account thereof , in accordance with law Board Reports and Comments 13 Appreciation of County Employees Commissioner W Ray Woodall voiced his appreciation for County employees He noted they do a great job and they do it with a smile There being no further business , Commissioner Cookie Pope moved the Board adjourn Commissioner W Ray Woodall seconded the motion , which carried by unanimous vote ____________________________________________ James H Langdon , Jr , Chairman ________________________________ Joyce H Ennis , Clerk to the BoardPage