January 24, 1995 - 6:00 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Special)

January 24, 1995The Johnston County Board of Commissioners resumed special session Tuesday, January 24,1995, at 600 pmin the Commissioners Room, Johnston County Courthouse Annex, Smithfield, North Carolina, with the followingmembers presentNorman C Denning, Chairman, John M Booker, Vice Chairman, James W Cash, Jerry F Wood, DDS,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 Adoption of Schedule of Values for 1995 RevaluationAs there were no comments from citizens concerning the proposed schedules, standards, and rules for the 1995revaluation, Commissioner Jerry F Wood moved the Board adopt the Schedules, Standards and Rules for the 1995revaluation as proposed Commissioner Cookie Pope seconded the motionDiscussionCommissioner Eleanor N Creech asked for further discussion on the land area rates and the size factor whichwould affect the value of small tracts of landSteve Whitacre, project manager with the revaluation team, explained how the size factor would be used inassessing the value of property under 30 acres In response to a question from County Manager, Richard B Self,concerning the land area classification along the lower part I -40, specifically in Meadow Township, Mr Whitacrestated the property values are comparable with other property in this classificationFollowing further discussion the Board unanimously adopted the Schedules, Standards and Rules for the 1995Revaluation as proposed2 State - County Criminal Justice Partnership ActThe Honorable Knox Jenkins, Superior Court Judge for the 11th Judicial District, addressed the Board on theState - County Criminal Justice Partnership Act He explained the new Structured Sentencing law, which went intoeffect October 1, 1994, has vastly changed the way judges will sentence non - violent offenders In many cases underthe new law community penalties or intermediate probationary punishments will replace jail sentences The State -County Criminal Justice Partnership Act calls for a voluntary joint effort between state and local government toestablish a plan and set up programs necessary to carry out these sentencesJudge Jenkins introduced Levi Dawson with the NC Department of Correction Mr Dawson explained theState has appropriated money for each County to implement the programs Johnston County has been allocated107,000 County participation is voluntary at this time The first step a county must take if they participate is toappoint an advisory board as outlined by the Act, then apply for separate technical assistance funds to hire someoneto research the court records and develop a plan for programs specific to the needs of this county The technicalassistance funds require a 2,000 County match, however, the law allows in -kind match if staff is used for the researchConcerning the States participation, Mr Dawson stated the funds are supposed to be permanent and werewritten into the continuation budget through 1996; however, with the recent changes in the General Assembly, the lawcould be changed He noted that with no programs in place, the County jail population for short -term sentences upto 90 days will continue to grow at a very rapid rate With programs in place, the new law is designed, among otherthings, to cut down on recidivismCommissioner John M Booker stated that although he understands the situation, and recognizes what theCounty is being asked to do, he feels the County should not be in the prison business He pointed out that until 1979when the State enacted the local confinement law, the State assumed total responsibility for prisonersTom Locke, District Attorney, Freddy Narron, Sheriff, and Will Crocker, Clerk of Superior Court were alsopresentDistrict Attorney Locke commented in his opinion the demands on our local resources will continue to grow,regardless of whether the law remains the same, and regardless of whether the County decides to participate in thePartnership Act at this time He noted Harnett and Lee Counties have formed a joint partnership and are consideringprobation reporting centers and programs to supervise pretrial release Sheriff Narron agreed that the Countysresponsibility will increase and the jail population will continue to grow regardlessClerk of Superior Court, Will R Crocker, pointed out that ifthe County decides to participate, they would havethe opportunity each quarter to discontinue participation in the program1 1 EWhen asked by the Chairman for their recommendation in this matter, Mr Locke, Sheriff Narron and MrCrocker each declined stating they had mixed feelings on the matterCommissioner Cecil M Massengill stated, in his opinion, the Board needs to look at the program regardlessof whether the Sheriff, Clerk of Court and District Attorney recommend it or not He continued, if it is viable for theCounty in the Commissioners eyes, then the Commissioners have the responsibility to make the decision which is inthe best interest of the CountyCommissioner Booker concurred, but noted he would welcome direction from these gentlemen, as well asJudge Jenkins3 Award of Bids Tandem Axle Truck for Public UtilitiesThe Board considered the following bids received January 17, 1995, for a tandem axle truck to be used as aroll off truck for the Solid Waste Division of Public UtilitiesTom Bailey, Rocky MountRD 690S 65,00000Triad Mack, RaleighDM 690S 59,78600The County Manager explained the low bid from Triad Mack of Raleigh does not meet the specifications, andsome items which were required in the specification document were omitted and listed at additional cost Herecommended the Board award bid to Tom Bailey of Rocky Mount at bid price of 65,000, which is within the amountbudgetedUpon a motion by Commissioner John M Booker, seconded by Commissioner Cecil M Massengill and carriedby unanimous vote, the Board awarded contract to Tom Bailey of Rocky Mount at bid price of 65,0004 Relocation of Benson Senior Citizen CenterCounty Manager, Richard B Self, informed the Board the Benson Senior Citizens Center needs to be relocatedto a larger facility so the citizens can participate in many additional activities He stated he and Benson Town Manager,Keith Langdon, along with Council on Aging Director, Donna Creech, have looked at several alternate sites and believethe old school on North Johnson Street would be an ideal location Renovations to the building, which would includeheating air conditioning and painting, would cost approximately 14,500 It was suggested the expense be shared bythe town and the County at a 4060 ratio Cost to the County would be approximately 8,500Following discussion Commissioner Jerry F Wood moved the Board participate with the Town of Benson inrenovating the old school building on North Johnson Street in Benson as a new location for the Benson Senior CitizensCenter and approve the following budget amendmentExpenditure Increase10 67007365 Benson Senior Citizens Center8,500Expenditure Decrease10 66505700 Contingency 8,500Commissioner Cecil M Massengill seconded the motion which carried by unanimous vote5 Aerial Photographs of Johnston CountyThe County Manager informed the Board the Countys aerial maps are over 10 years old and need to bereplaced In order to get the photographs this year, the fly -over must be done within the next few weeks while thereis no foliage on the trees The cost to the County would be 24,000 He stated the GISMapping Department hassufficient funds in its budget for this projectUpon a motion by Commissioner Jerry F Wood, seconded by Commissioner Eleanor N Creech and carriedby unanimous vote, the Board authorized the County Manager to replace the aerial maps of the County at a cost of24,000, with funds to come from within the GISMapping Departments budgetThere being no further business Commissioner John M Booker moved the Board adjourn CommissionerEleanor N Creech seconded the motion which carried by unanimous voteDetailsAnnotationsEntry PropertiesModified11192013 125330 PMCreated4152003 102525 AMTemplateMinutesFieldsMinutes - TypeRecessedMinutes - Date1241995Book19