June 20, 2001 - 7:00 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Special)

10 610 June 20 , 2001 The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in special session to discuss the FY 2001 - 2002 budget on Wednesday , June 20 , 2001 at 7 00 pm in the Commissioners Meeting Room , Johnston County Courthouse Annex , Smithfield , North Carolina with the following members Present James H Langdon , Jr , Chairman , Cookie Pope , Vice - Chairman , Thomas M Moore , Allen L Mims , Jr , Wade M Stewart , Fred Smith and W Ray Woodall Absent None Also Present Rick J Hester , County Manager , Joyce H Ennis , Clerk to the Board , J Mark Payne , County Attorney , and John R Massey , Finance Officer The Chairman called the meeting to order and , since all members were present , requested that in addition to discussing the upcoming budget , the Board add one item to their agenda Appointment to the Johnston County Jury Commission Due to the relationship of the applicant for appointment with the Chairman , Vice Chairman Cookie Pope was asked to conduct this portion of the meeting 1 Appointment to Jury Commission Vice Chairman Cookie Pope stated an application was received from Lena B Langdon requesting appointment to the Johnston County Jury Commission Upon a motion by Commissioner Allen L Mims , Jr seconded by Commissioner W Ray Woodall and carried by unanimous vote , the Board appointed Lena B Langdon to the Johnston County Jury Commission for a two year term to begin immediately and expire June 2003 Budget Presentation 2 Johnston County Rescue Association Danny Morgan , president of the Johnston County Rescue Association , asked the Board to fund the original request for fuel for County rescue vehicles , and also approve the purchase of three ambulances instead of the two recommended by the County Manager He noted that even though the Board in April gave approval for the squads to begin charging in July for in - county mileage at 750 per mile , that money has been ear - marked for other use 3 Budget for FY 2001 - 2002 Adopted School Funding Approved Commissioner Fred Smith moved and Commissioner Cookie Pope seconded the motion that the Board approve School funding as follows Current Expense allocation - 26,697,153 , which represents the County Manager’s recommendation plus a transfer from School Capital Outlay of 2 million Capital Outlay allocation - 14 Million with the understanding this could be reduced to 11 Million if the State withholds inventory tax reimbursements from the County Teacher Supplements 1,192,299 which represents funding of the Fred Bartholomew plan for this year Discussion Commissioner Thomas M Moore stated he could not support this motion since , in his opinion , the amount for teacher supplements should be higher He stated that according to the reports , the County will have approximately 30 million in reserve at the end of the fiscal year , and in his opinion , can afford to use 25 million of that to fund a three percent increase in teacher supplements He noted the financial model shows an increase in revenues which indicates the County will have sufficient funds in uncommitted reserves for debt service and future expenses such as higher Medicaid Commissioner Fred Smith responded the figures quoted by Commissioner Moore , in his opinion , do not reflect the entire picture He noted the Davenport Group has studied the County’s finances and have reported that while the County’s reserves are healthy at this time , this money will be needed to service debtPage611 that will be coming due in the next few years This is especially important when you project an additional 75 million bond issue that might pass this fall He stressed that Johnston County needs to have a responsible plan that will not place additional taxes on the citizens in the future It is important to maintain a good financial status so that it does not end up in the same shape that so many counties and the State find themselves in at present Commissioner Allen L Mims , Jr voiced support for the motion and stated , in his opinion , it is fiscally responsible He stressed he did not want to place the County in a position to have to raise taxes in the future Chairman Langdon pointed out he was involved with the financial model from the first , and while the revenue has been higher than projected , the expenses have also been higher The County has had to provide more funding for EMS and the Sheriff than anticipated , and there has been additional funding for education over the original projection While Commissioner Moore is right that the County has a good base in reserves , the County needs to be conservative There being no further comments , the Chairman called for a vote The motion passed by a vote of six to one with Commissioner Thomas M Moore casting the dissenting vote Motion to adopt the 2001 - 2002 County Budget Commissioner Fred Smith moved the Board accept the FY 2001 - 2002 County Budget as presented by the County Manager with the following amendments lt; Increase the Capital Outlay for the Community College by 200,000 lt; Fund an additional 50,000 for Johnston County Industries lt; Increase projected revenue from gas sales by 175,000 to a total of 350,000 lt; Increase projected revenue from Inspections by 150,000 lt; Eliminate the Contingency item in Economic Development Budget in the amount of 50,000 lt; Delete 250,000 for renovation of old Health Department building lt; Approve 126,000 for Recreation Grants as recommended by the screening committee lt; Add no new positions to County Staff lt; Delete 3 salary increase for County Commissioners lt; Approve the fire district tax rates as proposed Commissioner Wade M Stewart seconded the motion Discussion Commissioner Thomas M Moore moved the motion be amended to include additional funding in the amount of 4,500 for Council on Aging The motion died for lack of a second There being no further comments , the Chairman called for a vote The motion passed by unanimous vote Budget Ordinance for FY 2001 - 2002 Adopted Based on the preceding motions , the following Budget Ordinance for 2001 - 2002 was adopted BUDGET ORDINANCE FY 2001 - 2002 JOHNSTON COUNTY , NORTH CAROLINA BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Commissioners of Johnston County , North Carolina SECTION I BUDGET ADOPTION There is hereby adopted the following Operating Budget for the County of Johnston for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1 , 2001 and ending June 30,2002 ; the same being adopted by fund and activity within each fund as listed GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES GENERAL GOVERNMENT 11,347,491 PUBLIC SAFETY 14,404,524Page612 PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT 5,459,303 HUMAN SERVICES 29,373,851 EDUCATION 46,373,229 TOTAL 106,958,398 REVENUES CURRENT YEAR AD VALOREM TAX 51,989,125 SALES TAX 19,742,000 OTHER TAX REVENUES 2,088,000 STATE & FEDERAL 18,487,812 LICENSE , FEES , ETC 6,639,651 FUND BALANCE APPROPRIATED 4,491,810 INVESTMENT INCOME 1,300,000 TRANSFER FROM OTHER FUNDS 2,220,000 TOTAL 106,958,398 TOURISM AUTHORITY EXPENDITURES 440,500 REVENUES 3 OCCUPANCY TAX 435,000 INTEREST INCOME 3,500 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 2,000 TOTAL 440,500 SCHOOL CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION EXPENDITURES GENERAL CAPITAL OUTLAY 1,000,000 CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION 400,000 TOTAL 1,400,000 REVENUES GENERAL FUND PROPERTY TAX 1,400,000 TOTAL 1,400,000 REVALUATION FUND EXPENDITURES RESERVE FOR REVALUATION 898,750 REVENUES TRANSFER FROM GENERAL FUND 350,000 FUND BALANCE APPROPRIATED 548,750 TOTAL 898,750 SCHOOL BOND FUND EXPENDITURES TRANSFER TO GENERAL FUND 2,100,000 REVENUES FUND BALANCE APPROPRIATED 2,100,000 LEO SEPARATION FUND EXPENDITURES PROGRAM COST 49,400 REVENUES FUND BALANCE APPROPRIATED 49,400 HERITAGE COMMISSION FUND EXPENDITURES OPERATING EXPENSE 202,289 REVENUES TRANSFER FROM GENERAL FUND 107,789 OTHER REVENUES 94,500 TOTAL 202,289 SOCIAL SERVICE TRUST FUND EXPENDITURES PROGRAM COST 157,000Page613 REVENUES TRUST RECEIPTS 157,000 MENTAL HEALTH FUND EXPENDITURES OPERATION OF CENTER 9,570,997 REVENUES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 413,929 STATE GOVERNMENT 3,503,933 TRANSFER FROM GENERAL FUND 1,565,195 ABC - FIVE CENT PER BOTTLE TAX 23,327 ABC PROFITS 4,000 FEES AND CHARGES 2,742,893 INTEREST INCOME 171,951 FUND BALANCE 1,145,769 TOTAL 9,570,997 COMMUNICATION FUND EXPENDITURES TRANSFER TO GENERAL FUND 40,000 911 WIRELESS OPERATIONS 147,980 E - 911 OPERATIONS 628,895 TOTAL 816,875 REVENUES 911 WIRELESS 100,000 ENHANCED 9 - 1 - 1 628,895 FUND BALANCE APPROPRIATED 87,980 TOTAL 816,875 OTHER COLLECTIONS EXPENDITURES SPECIAL DISTRICT TAX 2,441,000 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX 9,515,800 MOCCASIN CREEK DISTRICT TAX 25,000 TOTAL 11,981,800 REVENUES SPECIAL DISTRICT TAX 2,441,000 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX 9,515,800 MOCCASIN CREEK DISTRICT TAX 25,000 TOTAL 11,981,800 AIRPORT AUTHORITY FUND EXPENDITURES OPERATIONS 834,466 CAPITAL COST 832,000 TOTAL 1,666,466 REVENUES FEDERAL GRANTS 832,000 FEES AND SERVICES 578,866 LOAN - HANGAR CONSTRUCTION 255,600 TOTAL 1,666,466 HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENT PROGRAM FUND EXPENDITURES PROGRAM COST 2,279,150 REVENUES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HUD 2,279,150 CONTINGENCY FUND EXPENDITURES RESERVE FOR FUTURE AMENDMENTS 200,000PagePage pageNumber5614 REVENUES TRANSFER FROM GENERAL FUND 200,000 JOB TRAINING PROGRAM FUND EXPENDITURES PROGRAM COST 200,500 REVENUES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 200,500 HOPEWELL - PISGAH SERVICE DISTRICT EXPENDITURES PROGRAM COST 294,500 REVENUES RETAIL SALES 294,500 TOTAL 294,500 CLAYTON WATER DISTRICT EXPENDITURES PROGRAM COST 307,000 REVENUES RETAIL SALES 273,500 ASSESSMENT FEES 25,000 MISCELLANEOUS 8,500 TOTAL 307,000 CLEVELAND WATER DISTRICT EXPENDITURES PROGRAM COST 720,000 REVENUES RETAIL SALES 595,000 ASSESSMENT FEES 110,000 MISCELLANEOUS 15,000 TOTAL 720,000 WILSON’S MILLS WATER DISTRICT EXPENDITURES PROGRAM COST 208,500 REVENUES RETAIL SALES 180,000 ASSESSMENT FEES 25,000 MISCELLANEOUS 3,500 TOTAL 208,500 PRINCETON - KENLY WATER DISTRICT EXPENDITURES PROGRAM COST 236,500 REVENUES ASSESSMENT FEES 16,500 RETAIL SALES 215,000 MISCELLANEOUS 5,000 TOTAL 236,500 ARCHER’S LODGE WATER DISTRICT EXPENDITURES PROGRAM COST 303,700 REVENUES RETAIL SALES 258,700 ASSESSMENT FEES 35,000 NEW METER FEES 10,000 TOTAL 303,700PagePage pageNumber6615 MCGEE’S CROSSROADS WATER DISTRICT EXPENDITURES PROGRAM COST 510,000 REVENUES RETAIL SALES 430,000 ASSESSMENT FEES 75,000 NEW WATER FEES 5,000 TOTAL 510,000 SOUTHEAST LOWGROUNDS WATER DISTRICT EXPENDITURES PROGRAM COST 107,350 REVENUES RETAIL SALES 87,350 ASSESSMENT FEES 17,000 NEW METER FEES 3,000 TOTAL 107,350 BROGDEN WATER DISTRICT EXPENDITURES PROGRAM COST 51,000 REVENUES RETAIL SALES 45,000 ASSESSMENT FEES 5,000 NEW METER FEES 1000 TOTAL 51,000 PUBLIC UTILITIES EXPENDITURES ADMINISTRATION 711,070 SOLID WASTE 5,368,822 WATER 4,537,927 WASTE WATER 2,589,305 TOTAL 13,207,124 REVENUES FUND BALANCE ADMINISTRATION 165,631 ADMINISTRATION 545,439 SOLID WASTE FEES 4,933,394 TRANSFER FROM GENERAL FUND 435,428 WATER FEES 3,894,000 WASTE WATER FEES 2,589,305 FUND BALANCE - WATER 643,927 TOTAL 13,207,124 SECTION II There is hereby levied a Tax Rate of eighty - five 85 cents per one hundred dollars valuation of property listed for taxes as of January 1 , 2001 This rate shall be levied entirely in the General Fund The Tax Rate is based on an estimated total valuation of property for the purposes of taxation of 6,538,625,604 and an estimated collection rate of 9372 SECTION III Schedule B Licenses shall be levied in accordance with the North Carolina Revenue Act SECTION IV All fees , including Inspection Fees , Fire Code Fees , and Environmental Sanitarian Fees shall be continued as per schedule in the Clerks Office Planning and Zoning Fees and Public Utility Fees are adopted as recommended and are on file in the Clerks Office GIS fees are approved to recognize cost and may be amended as needed SECTION V Landfill Tipping Fees shall be levied at a rate of 36 per ton for municipal solid waste generated in Johnston County The minimum fee for any vehicle shall be 3 A rate of four times the inside rate shall be levied for all solid waste generated outside of Johnston County A Solid Waste Enforcement Officer is designated within the Sheriffs Department to enforce Solid Waste Laws , Rules and Regulations in Johnston County to ensure compliance with Senate Bill 111 The Landfill tipping fee for construction and demolition waste shall be 18 per ton PagePage pageNumber7616 SECTION VI A fee of 55 per household shall be levied to all citizens in the county using the manned compaction sites and the landfill The fee shall be prorated in the manner authorized by the Board A rate of 165 per commercial operation to all businesses using the compaction site , this rate includes a maximum of three 3 ninety gallon containers per week A vehicle identification sticker must be purchased prior to use of the sites in the County SECTION VII Salaries The following shall govern salary and wage compensation for Fiscal Year 2001 - 2002 A Pay Plan There is hereby adopted a pay plan which includes an across the board cost of living adjustment in the amount of 3 from the FY00 - 01 pay plan and is applicable to all county employees , and a merit raise plan B Salary Adjustments Each position shall be examined and adjusted to ensure that the pay grade reflects the level of responsibility and difficulty of the job and market comparability Each classification is to be continuously reviewed and adjustments instituted by the County Manager to make the plan fair for all classes of employees Employee salaries may be adjusted by the County Manager to reflect employee performance or other criteria SECTION VIII The Budget Officer is hereby authorized to transfer appropriations within a fund as contained herein under the following conditions as specified in North Carolina General Statute 159 A The Budget Officer may transfer amounts between objects of expenditure within departments listed in this Ordinance without a report B The Budget Officer may transfer amounts up to 5,000 between departments of the same fund and reported as part of the monthly financial statements C The Budget Officer may not transfer amounts between funds nor from the Contingency Fund without prior Board Action SECTION IX Restricted Revenues The Finance Officer is hereby directed to fund appropriations which have specified revenues prior to funding with General Fund monies This is to include but not limited to Fines and Forfeitures , ABC profits , Sales Tax , State and Federal Grants , and Forestry Revenues That a non - profit corporation be continued to issue obligations to finance the purchase and or construction of fixed assets to include but not limited to utility lines and buildings SECTION X State designated Sales and Use Tax is hereby designated for the payment of debt for new and renovated schools School Debt Service is to be paid from the General Fund as directed by the independent auditors Fines and Forfeitures are deposited directly with the Board of Education by the Clerk of Court SECTION XI Encumbrances All outstanding encumbrances from Prior Fiscal Years are to be carried forward to Fiscal Year 2001 - 2002 All Project Ordinance appropriations are continued Operating and Capital Funds for Johnston County Community College not expended at the end of the fiscal year shall be placed by JCCC in their Special Capital Outlay Account and used as match for State funds SECTION XII Budget Control The Board of Commissioners in approving the Budget , have utilized to the fullest extent possible its revenue sources Over collections of revenue or unanticipated revenue sources cannot be expected to materialize during the year It is therefore , of utmost importance , and the County Manager is hereby directed , to initiate steps to insure that the budget as fixed herein is complied with The County Manager is further directed where it appears that costs may possibly exceed budget appropriations , to first take steps to contain costs by any necessary methods including reductions in services , prior to requesting budget amendment action by the Board of Commissioners SECTION XIII The Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Johnston County Tax Administrator to collect taxes for the Towns of Clayton , Smithfield , Four Oaks , Pine Level , Micro , Princeton , Wilson’s Mills , Whitley Heights Sanitary District , Moccasin Creek District and Smithfield Downtown Development District in compliance with the contracts adopted by the various governing boards A charge of two percent 2 of all taxes collected for the governmental units will be payable to Johnston County for said billing and collection services PagePage pageNumber8617 SECTION XVI The Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Tax Administrator to bill and collect taxes for the Whitley Heights Sanitary District and for the Fire Departments listed below and to charge a uniform fee of two percent 2 of all taxes collected on their behalf Archer Lodge Fire District 8 cents Banner Fire District 6 cents Bentonville Fire District 7 cents Beulah Kenly Fire District 8 cents Boon Hill Princeton Fire District 5 cents Blackmons Crossroads Fire District 6 cents Brogden Fire District 7 cents Claytex 5 cents Corinth Holder Fire District 8 cents Elevation Fire District 8 cents McLemore - Cleveland Fire District 7 cents Meadow Fire District 6 cents Micro Fire District 8 cents Nahunta Fire District 6 cents Newton Grove Fire District 5 cents Oakland Fire District 55 cents ONeals - Antioch Fire District 8 cents PI - LE 6 cents Selma 8 cents Shoeheel 8 cents Smithfield 8 cents Strickland Crossroads Fire District 6 cents Thanksgiving 6 cents West Johnston Fire District 7 cents Wilsons Mills Fire District 6 cents Wynn Four Oaks Fire District 6 cents 50 - 210 Fire District 5 cents The above amounts are per one hundred dollar valuation of property listed for taxes as of January 1 , 2001 , located within these Special Fire Districts The Board of Commissioners hereby appropriates to the Special Fire Districts , sums collected for the use by the Special Fire Districts in such manner and for such expenditures as is permitted by law from the proceeds of the tax levy The ORDINANCE being duly passed and adopted this 20th day of June , 2001 JOHNSTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ______________________________________________ James H Langdon , Jr , Chairman ________________________________________________ Joyce H Ennis , Clerk to the Board 4 Motion to Call for Bond Referendum in November Commissioner Fred Smith moved the Board call for a 75 million bond referendum for the public schools , and a 2 million bond referendum for Johnston Community College to be held at the general election in November Commissioner Wade M Stewart seconded the motion , which carried by unanimous vote 5 County Manager’s Salary Adjusted Chairman Langdon commended Rick Hester , on the outstanding job he is doing as County Manager He recommended the Board increase Mr Hester’s base salary by 8,800 and increase his travel by 1200 effective July 1 , 2001 PagePage pageNumber9618 Commissioner Thomas M Moore moved the Board accept the recommendation of the Chairman and increase the County Manager’s salary by 8,800 and his travel by 1200 Commissioner Wade M Stewart seconded the motion which carried by unanimous vote Commissioner Moore added his thanks to Mr Hester for a job well done He noted it is a real pleasure to work with him Commissioner W Ray Woodall agreed and stated as a new commissioner , Mr Hester has been very helpful There being no further business , Commissioner Cookie Pope moved the Board adjourn Commissioner Thomas M Moore seconded the motion , which carried by unanimous vote ____________________________ James H Langdon , Jr , Chairman ____________________ Joyce H Ennis , ClerkPage