June 19, 1996 - 7:00 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Recessed)

June 19, 1996The Johnston County Board of Commissioners resumed regular session on Wednesday, June 19,1996, at 700 oclock pm, in the Commissioners Room, Johnston County Courthouse Annex, Smithfield,North Carolina, with the following membersPresent Norman C Denning, Chairman, John M Booker, Vice Chairman, James W Cash, JerryF Wood, Eleanor N Creech, Cecil M Massengill and Cookie PopeAbsent NoneAlso Present Richard B Self, County Manager, and Joyce H Ennis, Clerk to the BoardThe Chairman called the meeting to order and the following business was transacted1 Budget SessionThe Board discussed the following budget itemsA Salaries for EmployeesCommissioner Eleanor N Creech recommended a one -step increase for employees Other Commissionersconcurred It was agreed that further discussion on employee salaries and benefits be tabled until othermatters were consideredB SchoolsCommissioner James W Cash recommended an increase in School current expense appropriationof 1 million He noted this would be approximately 10 over last years funding, while the tax base hasonly grown about 4 Commissioner John M Booker stated he was supportive of an increase, but would like to see theSchool Boards operating budget, as requested at the last meetingSchool Board Chairman, Kay Carroll, informed the Board he has not been able to get a line -itembudget for the Commissioners, but has been reassured that the information presented this year is the sameinformation provided each yearHe noted that in order to progress, the schools are requesting 26 million more than last yearsappropriation, however, to maintain at last years level, they would require 14 million in additionalfunds He commented on the success of reducing classroom sizes in kindergarten through second gradesin six of the Countys schools last year, and stated that to finish this project throughout the County, theadditional funding would have to be increased to 18 millionIn discussion, Commissioners Cecil Massengill and Eleanor Creech pointed out that traditionallythe State gives the schools considerably more than their planning allotment indicates They expressed hopethat this would be the case this year They voiced regret that the County does not have the money to fundall the School Boards needsCommissioner John Booker voiced frustration that the General Assembly is considering cuttinga portion of the sales tax that is earmarked for schools, especially with all the school needs across theStateChairman Carroll concurred and stated he appreciates the efforts of the Commissioners, andalthough disappointed that it seems the schools will not be going forward, if the Board funds 14 million,at least they will not be going backwardAfter further discussion, the Board decided to look at the other requests at this timeC New PositionsThe Commissioners discussed the new positions that have been requested for the upcoming yearBoard members supported funding of the following positions3471 Elections Clerk - Board of Elections1 Tax Clerk - Tax Department1 Child Support Agent - Child Support Enforcement Agency3 Investigators -Violent Crime - Sheriffs Department1 Deputy I - Alcohol Enforcement Officer - Sheriffs Department1 Building Inspector II - Inspections Department1 Planner - Planning Department1 Soil Specialist I - Environmental Health1 Processing Assistant 50 time - Environmental Health1 Animal Control Officer I - Health Department1 Social Worker II - Foster Care - Social Services DepartmentEarl Marett, Social Services Director, stressedthe importance of the requested increase in 401Kcontributions for employees He noted most employees do not make enough money to provide forretirement This 2 increase would bring other employees in line with the amount already being given toSheriffs Deputies and would make a difference in the quality of retirement life for employeesFollowing discussion, the Board agreedto increasethe Countys contributionto employees 401Kfrom 3 to 5 to bring all employees to the same levelThe Board discussed where the necessary funds would come from since there would not beenough in the budget to cover these appropriations It was concluded that there would have to be a taxincrease, or the Board would have to allocate some of the Countys fund balance County Manager,Richard Self, pointed out the State requires counties to keep a working balance of 8 at all times;however, the average county the size of Johnston keeps 238 of total expenses in a fund balance Atpresent, Johnston County is 55 million short of that figureMotion to Approve Budget OrdinanceFollowing further discussion, Commissioner Jerry F Wood moved the Board adopt the FiscalYear 1996 -97 Budget Ordinance approving the one -step salary increase and 2 increase in 401K forCounty employees, the new positions that were supported in discussion, and 14 million increase incurrent expense allocation for the schools Commissioner Wood further moved the additional needed fundsto meet this budget come from the Countys unappropriated balance Commissioner John M Bookerseconded the motionFurther DiscussionCommissioner Cookie Pope stressed her desire to make sure all departments are operating asthriftily as possible She noted she would like to see the fund balance, which is being appropriated, backin place as soon as possibleChairman Norman C Denning voiced disappointment that the additional funds to lower class sizein the rest of the Countys primary schools would not be appropriated at this time He stated he did notlike to see a situation where all schools in the County are not treated alikeCommissioner James W Cash agreed, and stated all primary schools need to have lower classsizesCommissioners Booker, Creech and Massengill all expressed the belief and hope that between theState, the school budget and the County, the necessary funds will be found to accomplish this The Boardmembers stressed that if any additional revenues come in during the year, they would support anadditional allocation for the remaining classroom size reductionChairman Carroll stated, that with that understanding, he felt more comfortable He noted theSchool Board would work with the Commissioners in this effort He stressed the Schools have cut thisyears budget to the bone, and will continue to be as prudent as possibleVote on BudgetAyes John M Booker, James W Cash, Jerry F Wood, Eleanor N Creech, Cecil MMassengill, and Cookie PopeNay Norman C Denning•BUDGET ORDINANCE FY 1996 - 1997JOHNSTON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINABE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Commissioners of Johnston County, North CarolinaSECTION L BUDGET ADOPTION There is hereby adopted the following Operating Budget for the Countyof Johnston for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 1996 and ending June 30, 1997; the same being adopted by fundand activity within each fund as listedGENERAL FUNDEXPENDITURESGENERAL GOVERNMENT 7,275,803PUBLIC SAFETY 6,512,382PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT 4,197,527HUMAN SERVICES 19,925,860EDUCATION 18,924,452TOTAL 56,836,024REVENUESCURRENT YEAR AD VALOREM TAX 26,661,638OTHER TAX REVENUES 12,310,000REIMBURSEMENT FROM STATE FEDERAL 9,899,514LICENSE, FEES, ETC 3,900,061OTHER REVENUES 865,230FUND BALANCE APPROPRIATED 3,199,581TOTAL 56,836,024TOURISM AUTHORITYEXPENDITURES 313,000REVENUES3 OCCUPANCY TAX 285,000INTEREST INCOME 2,000MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 1,000FUND BALANCE 25,000TOTAL 313,000SCHOOL CAPITAL CONSTRUCTIONEXPENDITURESGENERAL CAPITAL OUTLAY 1,000,000CLEVELAND SCHOOL COP 611,248CLAYTON ELEM SCHOOL COP 1,229,200SCHOOL FEES FOR COP 10,000MOBILE CLASSROOMS BUSES 1,394,059CONSTRUCTION RENOVATION 2,149,552BOND PRINCIPAL 400,000BOND INTEREST 823,084TOTAL 7,617,143REVENUESFIRST 12 SALES TAX 30 977,700SECOND 12 SALES TAX 60 1,939,980INTEREST 687,995GENERAL FUND PROPERTY TAX 4,011,468TOTAL 7,617,143REVALUATION FUNDEXPENDITURERESERVE FOR REVALUATION 100,000REVENUESTRANSFER FROM GENERAL FUND 100,000DEBT SERVICE FUNDEXPENDITURESSCHOOL PRINCIPAL 1,250,000SCHOOL INTEREST S 244,950SCHOOL FEES 1,000ASCS BUILDING 89,385I40NC42 SEWER LOAN 2381269349WATER PLANT LOAN - FCB 402,269WATER PLANT LOAN - CLEAN WATER 159,000TOTAL 2,384,873REVENUESTRANSFER FROM GENERAL FUND 2,384,873MENTAL HEALTH FUNDEXPENDITURES 541,215OPERATION OF CENTER 8,480,199REVENUES2,237,871FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 471,294STATE GOVERNMENT 3,445,125TRANSFER FROM GENERAL FUND 1,116,525ABC - FIVE CENT PER BOTTLE TAX 20,725ABC PROFITS 4,000FEES AND CHARGES 2,937,460INTEREST INCOME 100,000FUND BALANCE 385,070TOTAL 8,480,199COMMUNICATION FUNDEXPENDITURESOPERATION OF CENTER 338,011E -911 OPERATIONS 451,554TOTAL 789,565REVENUESKENLY 1,619FOUR OAKS 11448PINE LEVEL 1,268PRINCETON 1,237MICRO 434JOHNSTON COUNTY FIRE ASSOCIATION 24,000JOHNSTON COUNTY RESCUE ASSOCIATION 42,000TRANSFER FROM GENERAL FUND 266,005ENHANCED 9 -1 -1 451,554TOTAL 789,565OTHER COLLECTIONSEXPENDITURESSPECIAL DISTRICT TAX 1,149,500MOTOR VEHICLE TAX 3,974,775MOCCASIN CREEK DISTRICT TAX 28,000TOTAL 5,152,275REVENUESSPECIAL DISTRICT TAX 1,149,500MOTOR VEHICLE TAX 3,974,775MOCCASIN CREEK DISTRICT TAX 28,000TOTAL 5,152,275AIRPORT AUTHORITY FUNDEXPENDITURESOPERATIONS 541,215CAPITAL COST 1,696,656TOTAL 2,237,871REVENUESFEDERAL GRANTS 851,832STATE GRANTS 556,479TRANSFER FROM GENERAL FUND 346,000FEES AND SERVICES 251,950LOAN - HANGAR CONSTRUCTION 231,610TOTAL 2,237,871HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENT PROGRAM FUNDEXPENDITURESPROGRAM COST 1,977,450REVENUESFEDERAL GOVERNMENT HUD 1,977,450350CONTINGENCY FUNDEXPENDITURESRESERVE FOR FUTURE AMENDMENTS 200,000REVENUESTRANSFER FROM GENERAL FUND 200,000JOB TRAINING PROGRAM FUNDEXPENDITURESPROGRAM COST 308,689REVENUESFEDERAL GOVERNMENT 308,689HOPEWELL - PISGAH SERVICE DISTRICTEXPENDITURESPROGRAM COST 200,000REVENUESRETAIL SALES 155,000TAP FEES 30,000METER FEES 15,000TOTAL 200,000PUBLIC UTILITIESEXPENDITURESADMINISTRATION 180,368SOLID WASTE 2,654,602WATER 1,937,939WASTE WATER 1,865,642TOTAL 6,638,551REVENUESADMINISTRATION 180,368SOLID WASTE FEES 2,276,229TRANSFER FROM GENERAL FUND 378,373WATER FEES 1,937,939WASTE WATER FEES 1,865,642TOTAL 6,638,551SECTION H There is hereby levied a Tax Rate of seventy -four 74 cents per one hundred dollars valuationof property listed for taxes as of January 1, 1996 This rate shall be levied entirely in the General FundThe Tax Rate is based on an estimated total valuation of property for the purposes of taxation of 3,316,413,892and an estimated collection rate of 956 SECTION III Schedule B Licenses shall be levied in accordance with the North Carolina Revenue ActSECTION IV Inspection Fees, Fire Code Fees, and Environmental Sanitarian Fees shall be continued as perschedule in the Clerks Office Planning and Zoning Fees and Public Utility Fees are adopted as recommendedand are on file in the Clerks Office GIS fees are approved to recognize cost and may be amended as neededSECTION V Landfill Tipping Fees shall be levied at a rate of 31 per ton for solid waste generated in JohnstonCounty The minimum fee for any vehicle shall be 3 A rate of four times the inside rate shall be levied for allsolid waste generated outside of Johnston County A Solid Waste Enforcement Officer is designated within theSheriffs Department to enforce Solid Waste Laws, Rules and Regulations in Johnston County to ensurecompliance with Senate Bill I I VSECTION VI A fee of 45 per household shall be levied to all citizens in the county using the mannedcompaction sites and the landfill The fee shall be prorated in the manner authorized by the Board A rate of 13 5per commercial operation to all businesses using the compaction site, this rate includes a maximum of three 3ninety gallon containers per week A vehicle identification sticker must be purchased prior to use of the sites inthe CountySECTION VII Salaries The following shall govern salary and wage compensation for Fiscal Year 1996 -1997A Pay PlanThere is hereby adopted a pay plan which includes an across the board cost of living adjustmentin the amount of approximately 42 from the FY 95 -96 Pay Plan and is applicable to allCounty employees The pay plan shall have a range of 16 steps with each step divided into twoequal parts351B Salary AdjustmentsEach employees salary shall be examined and adjusted to ensure that the pay grade reflects theyears of service, proficiency and quality of work Each classification is to be continuouslyreviewed and adjustments instituted by the County Manager to make the plan fair for all classesof employeesC Retirement AdjustmentsThe County provides 401K and the North Carolina Retirement System benefits forgovernmental employees and law enforcement employees These benefits are adjusted toprovide all employees the same basis of retirement This includes equalization of anyrequirement to belong to the retirement system imposed by the County government and that allemployees receive the same 401K benefit which is currently 5 with immediate vestingSECTION VIII The Budget Officer is hereby authorized to transfer appropriations within a fund as containedherein under the following conditions as specified in North Carolina General Statute 159A The Budget Officer may transfer amounts between objects of expenditure within departmentslisted in this Ordinance without a reportB The Budget Officer may transfer amounts up to 5,000 between departments of the same fundand reported as part of the monthly financial statementsC The Budget Officer may not transfer amounts between funds nor from the Contingency Fundwithout prior Board ActionSECTION IX Restricted Revenues The Finance Officer is hereby directed to fund appropriations which havespecified revenues prior to funding with General Fund monies This is to include but not limited to Fines andForfeitures, ABC profits, Sales Tax, State and Federal Grants, and Forestry Revenues That a non -profitcorporation be continued to issue obligations to finance the purchase andor construction of fixed assets toincluded but not limited to utility lines and buildingsSECTION X School Capital Outlay Fund is hereby continued and is to be funded through sales tax, interestincome and property tax up to a total of 7,617,143 School Debt Service is to be paid from his fund forcertificates of participation and bonded debt, fees and interestSECTION XL Encumbrances All outstanding encumbrances from Prior Fiscal Years are to be carried forwardto Fiscal Year 1996 - 1997 All Project Ordinance appropriations are continued Operating and Capital Fundsfor Johnston County Community College not expended at the end of the fiscal year shall be placed by JCCC intheir Special Capital Outlay Account and used as match for State funds Over collections and under expendituresin the Health Department budgets are designated to the Health Department Construction Reserve accountSECTION XII Budget Control The Board of Commissioners in approving the Budget, have utilized to thefullest extent possible its revenue sources Over collections of revenue or unanticipated revenue sources cannotbe expected to materialize during the year It is therefore, of utmost importance, and the County Manager ishereby directed, to initiate steps to insure that the budget as fixed herein is complied with The County Manageris further directed where it appears that costs may possibly exceed budget appropriations, to first take steps tocontain costs by any necessary methods including reductions in services, prior to requesting budget amendmentaction by the Board of CommissionersSECTION XIII The Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Johnston County Tax Administrator tocollect taxes for the Towns of Clayton, Smithfield, Four Oaks, Pine Level, Micro, Whitley Heights SanitaryDistrict, Moccasin Creek District and Smithfield Downtown Development District in compliance with thecontracts adopted by the various governing boards A charge of two percent 2 of all taxes collected for thegovernmental units will be payable to Johnston County for said billing and collection servicesSECTION XIV Intra governmental Service Financial Plan is approved as followsEXPENSESTELEPHONE OPERATIONS 497,120HOUSEKEEPING OPERATIONS 393,180TOTAL 890,300REVENUESFEES 890,300SECTION XV The Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Tax Administrator to bill and collect taxesfor the Whitley Heights Sanitary District and for the Fire Departments listed below and to charge a uniform feeof two percent 2 of all taxes collected on their behalfArcher Lodge Fire District 8 centsBanner Fire District 6 centsBentonville Fire District 7 centsBeulah Kenly Fire District 4 centsBoon Hill Princeton Fire District 5 cents352Blackmons Crossroads Fire District 6 centsBrogden Fire District 7 centsClaytex4centsCorinth Holder Fire District 8 centsElevation Fire District 8 centsMcLemore- Cleveland Fire District 5 centsMeadow Fire District 6 centsMicro Fire District 8 centsNahunta Fire District 6 centsNewton Grove Fire District 4 centsOakland Fire District 5 centsONeals- Antioch Fire District 8 centsPI -LE 6centsSelma 8centsShoeheel 8centsSmithfield 8centsStrickland Crossroads Fire District 6 centsThanksgiving 6centsWest Johnston Fire District 7 centsWilsons Mills Fire District 6 centsWynn Four Oaks Fire District 6 cents50 -210 Fire District 5 centsThe above amounts are per one hundred dollar valuation of property listed for taxes as of January 1, 1996, locatedwithin these Special Fire DistrictsThe Board of Commissioners hereby appropriates to the Special Fire Districts, sums collected for the use by theSpecial Fire Districts in such manner and for such expenditures as is permitted by law from the proceeds of thetax levyThe ORDINANCE being duly passed and adopted this 19th day of June, 1996JOHNSTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSNorman C Denning, ChairmanJoyce H Ennis, Clerk to the Board2 Fire Tax RatesThe County Manager informed the Board the Fire Districts have recommended their tax rate for the1996 -97 fiscalyear The only recommended changes among the departments were a one -cent increase for Banner,Beulah, PI -LE, West Johnston, and Wynn, a two -cent increase for Claytex, a one -cent decrease for Newton Grove,and a two cent decrease for the 50 -210 departmentUpon a motion by Commissioner Jerry F Wood, seconded by Commissioner James W Cash and carriedby unanimous vote, the Board approved the requested fire tax rates and authorized they be incorporated in theCountys FY 1996 -97 Budget Ordinance3 Moccasin Creek Drainage District Tax RateUpon a motion by Commissioner Jerry F Wood, seconded by Commissioner John M Booker and carriedby unanimous vote, the Board approved the requested tax rate for the Moccasin Creek Drainage District andauthorized that amount be incorporated in the Countys FY 1996 -97 Budget OrdinanceThere being no further business, Commissioner John M Booker moved the Board recess until 700 pm,June 26, 1996 Commissioner Cookie Pope seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voteNorman C Denning, ChairmanJoyce K Ennis, ClerkDetailsAnnotationsEntry PropertiesModified11192013 15049 PMCreated492003 85931 AMTemplateMinutesFieldsMinutes - TypeRecessedMinutes - Date6191996Book20