June 11, 1996 - 7:00 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Recessed)

June 11, 1996The Johnston County Board of Commissioners resumed regular session on Tuesday, June 11,1996, at 700 oclock pm at the Farm Bureau Building on Hwy 301 South in 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 BoardFollowing a meal provided by the Johnston County Farm Bureau, the Chairman called the meetingto order and the following business was transactedJerry Cox, President of Johnston County Farm Bureau, introduced Julian Philpott, AssociateGeneral Council for the State Farm BureauMr Philpott explained the State Bureau is made up of all 100 county organizations and has over400,000 family memberships Johnston County has over 8000 memberships and is one of the most activein the State He commented that the Farm Bureau wishes to establish a good relationship between the farmcommunity and County Government He noted that he works closely with the North Carolina Associationof County Commissioners and is available to help County Boards of CommissionersChairman Norman C Denning thanked the Farm Bureau for inviting the Board to have dinnerand meet with them He stated the Commissioners would be happy to try to answer any questions themembership might have concerning County Government He commented on the tremendous amount ofgrowth in the County and some of the challenges the County faces in trying to meet the needs of thegrowing populationIn response to a question about funding school needs, Chairman Denning pointed out that theCounty is in the process of borrowing 65 million for school facilities, which represents only a portionof the facility needs He noted a statewide bond issue would not be the answer for Johnston County Whatis needed is an ongoing source of revenue such as a one -cent local option sales tax, a land transfer fee,andor an impact fee on new construction, all of which would require approval from the General Assemblybefore being voted on by the citizens He stressed the burden can not be put on ad valorem taxesCommissioner James W Cash stated that, in his opinion, the County needs an impact fee of1000 to 1500 on new construction He also questioned why, with school needs escalating across theState, the General Assembly is considering doing away with a portion ofthe food tax, which is earmarkedfor educationCommissioner Cecil M Massengill outlined the Countys request to the General Assembly lastyear for local bills to allow the citizens an opportunity to vote on a local option sales tax, a land transferfee, and an impact fee on new construction He noted the bills were not received favorably by thelegislators and were never voted upon He asked the Farm Bureau members to speak to their legislatorsand ask them to reconsider these local billsCommissioner John M Booker concurred, however, he pointed out another way the County couldrealize a source of revenue would be for the State to absorb the Countys portion of Medicaid paymentsThis cost to the County is continually rising, and this year amounted to close to 3 million Next year,Commissioner Booker noted, the County has been told to budget 34 million for medicaid Another areawhere the State could help the Counties would be to increase reimbursement payments for prisoners heldover in the county jails Currently the cost to house an inmate runs approximately 55 to 60 per day, plusmedical expenses, and the State only reimburses the county 1450 per day Commissioner Bookerstressed that if Johnston County could have the money mandated for these two services, there would beno school building problemsCommissioners Eleanor N Creech and Jerry F Wood agreed that the only answer is new sourcesof revenue They asked for the support of Farm Bureau members333Board members again thanked the Farm Bureau for the delicious meal and the opportunity tospeak with the membership about the needs of the CountyThere being no further comments, Commissioner John M Booker moved the Board recess untilWednesday, June 12, 1996 at 700 pm Commissioner Eleanor N Creech seconded the motion, whichcarried by unanimous voteNorman C Denning, ChairmanJoyce K Ennis, ClerkDetailsAnnotationsEntry PropertiesModified11192013 14202 PMCreated492003 90458 AMTemplateMinutesFieldsMinutes - TypeRecessedMinutes - Date6111996Book20