June 6, 1994 - 10:00 AM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes

June 6, 1994The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in regular session Monday, June 6, 1994, at 10oclock am in the Commissioners Room, Johnston County Courthouse Annex, Smithfield, North Carolina,with the following members presentNorman C Denning, Chairman, Frank B Holding, Vice Chairman, James W Cash, John M Booker,DVM, Jerry F Wood, DDS, Eleanor N Creech and Cecil M MassengillAbsent 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 MinutesThe Chairman asked if there were any corrections to the minutes of the May 2, 1994 board meetingThere being no corrections the Chairman declared the minutes approved as presented2 Community College Board of Trustee - Stanley PeeleStanley Peele, member of the Board of Trustees with the Johnston Community College, met brieflywith the Commissioners Mr Peele explained his term will expire this month, and having served 12 years asboth an appointee by the Governor and the Board of Commissioners, he will not apply for reappointment Heexpressed gratitude for having had the experience and stressed the need for the County Commissioners tocontinue appointing members to all boards and committees from all parts of the County3 Department of Transportation Addition to SystemThe Board reviewed petitions presented by the North Carolina Department of Transportationrequesting the following roads be added to the State Secondary System for maintenanceRichmond Drive and Bristol Circle in Virginia Downs, Phase I and Phase II, Wilders TownshipArrowhead Drive in Arrowhead Subdivision, Boon Hill TownshipFollowing review, Commissioner Eleanor N Creech moved that the Board concur with the NCDepartment of Transportations request to add Richmond Drive and Bristol Circle in Virginia DownsSubdivision in Wilders Township, and Arrowhead Drive in Arrowhead Subdivision, Boon Hill TownshipCommissioner Frank B Holding seconded the motion which carried by unanimous vote4 Department of Transportation - Right- of -Wav AcauisitionsThe Board considered requests from DOT to remove SR 2135 Old Creech Road and SR 2328ThompsonWoodard Road from the State paving list as they have been unable to obtain right -of -way for someof the citizens along these two roadsFollowing discussion, the Board postponed action until Board members have an opportunity to talkwith the citizens involved5 Public Library Contract of Affiliation with Mary Duncan Library in BensonUpon a motion by Commissioner John M Booker, seconded by Commissioner Frank B Holding andcarried by unanimous vote, the Board approved the following contract formalizing the relationship between thePublic Library and the independent library of Benson, the Mary Duncan LibraryLibrary ContractThis contract, made and entered into this 6th day of June, 1994, by and between the Public Libraryof Johnston County and Smithfield herein the County Library and the Mary Duncan Public LibraryWITNESSEDWHEREAS, the County Library operates under the Chapter 153A, Article 14 GS 153 -261 throughG S 153 -271 to give library service to the residents of Johnston County and the Municipality of Smithfield;andWHEREAS, the Mary Duncan Library operates to give library service to the residents of Benson andwishes to become affiliated with the County Library to have the benefit of additional services which the CountyLibrary can provide558THEREFORE, IT IS MUTUALLY AGREED THATThe County Library will furnish to the Mary Duncan Library the services set forth herein and inAppendix I, and any future amendments as agreed to by other partiesThe Mary Duncan Library will remain under the control of the Municipality of Benson and its LibraryBoard of Trustees, and will continue as the agency responsible for providing library services for the residentsof BensonThe Mary Duncan Library will be known as the Mary Duncan Public Library, an affiliate ofthe PublicLibrary of Johnston County and SmithfieldThe Mary Duncan Library will employ and supervise personnel of the Mary Duncan Library, whosesalaries, retirement, social security and any other employee benefits will be paid with funds appropriated bythe Municipality of Benson or otherwise contributed to the Mary Duncan LibraryThe officials of the Municipality of Benson will agree to sign the annual Maintenance of Effort Reportand Declaration as required by the NC Department of Cultural Resources, Division of State Library, and assigned by the officials of Johnston County and the Municipality of SmithfieldThe Mary Duncan Library will maintain the building and grounds of the Mary Duncan Library,including major repairs or emergency repairs Any and all equipment and real property furnished by theMunicipality of Benson shall remain the property of the Municipality of BensonThe Mary Duncan Library will provide for telephone service on the premises for the use by librarystaffThe Mary Duncan Library will be open for service a minimum of thirty six hours 3 6 hours per weekThe Mary Duncan Library will provide to the County Library the following a copy of the MaryDuncan Librarys bylaws; monthly fiscal and statistical reports; two 2 copies ofthe annual audit by December30 of the fiscal year following the audit year; and a copy of the new fiscal year budget by July 30 of the newfiscal yearThe County Library will loan books, periodicals, and other library materials to the Mary DuncanLibrary in such quantities as the Director of the County Library may determine, such materials to supplementmaterials already owned or subsequently acquired by the Mary Duncan Library Materials loaned to the MaryDuncan Library by the County Library will remain the property of the County Library Materials owned bythe Mary Duncan Library may be loaned to the County Library or its units upon special request; such materialswill remain the property of the Mary Duncan LibraryThe County Library and the Mary Duncan Library agree to enter into this contract through a periodending June 30, 1994 Thereafter, in accordance with the requirements of the NC Department of CulturalResources, Division of State Library, it is agreed by the County Library and the Mary Duncan Library thatthe term of this agreement shall be for a period of ten 10 years beginning July 1, 1994, with each partyreserving the right to terminate the agreement after the ten 10 year period, upon giving written notice six 6months prior to the date of termination The County Library and the Mary Duncan Library, upon giving six6 months written notice, may extend this contract for an additional ten 10 year periodBy this contract the Mary Duncan Library has agreed to certain terms required by the N C Departmentof Cultural Resources, Division of State Library Nevertheless, both parties understand that apart from theparties agreement to these terms as independent contractors, neither party hereby acquires any right of control,supervision or direction over the physical facilities, employees, or operation of the other The Mary DuncanLibrary will indemnify the County Library from any loss by virtue of any liability arising from a transaction,act, omission or occurrence at the Mary Duncan Library facility or in the operation of the Mary DuncanLibrary; and the County Library will likewise indemnify the Mary Duncan Library from loss due to anyliability arising from the operation of the County Library or its facility Neither party by this agreement agreesto waive any governmental immunity except to the extent insured And in fact both parties attach, as a part ofthis agreement, copies of automobile liability policy with liability and employee errand protection limits of1,000,000 by the County Library and 2,000,000 by the Mary Duncan Library As to a premises liabilitypolicy, the parties attach copies of policy with liability limits of 2,000,000 on the Mary Duncan Libraryfacility, and 4,055,000 on the County Library facility Each party will agree to continue to provide insurance,as referenced in the two preceding sentences, and evidence of its annual renewal during the term of thiscontractThis contract may be amended upon unanimous approval of all the parties signing this agreementIN WITNESS THEREOF, the County Library, the Mary Duncan Library, the Municipalities ofBenson and Smithfield, and the County of Johnston have caused this contract to be executed this 6th day ofJune, 1994CONTRACT APPENDIX IServices to be provided by the County LibraryAdministrative SupportProfessional ConsultationAcquisition ServicesCataloging ServicesRebinding ServicesPermanent Loan of Reference and Other MaterialCounty -wide Interlibrary Loan and ReferenceState -wide Interlibrary Loan and ReferenceSupport of Patron Registration559Bookmobile ServicesA -V Services, as availableChildrens Services, as availableCirculation Support, as availablePublic Relations Services, as availablePrinting of Library Forms and Other MaterialsAll Services are subject to the availability of funds6 Letter of Support to State Legislators House Bill 1624 and Senate Bill 1502 Additional Fundsfor Low Wealth School SystemsCommissioner Jerry F Wood moved the Board submit a letter of support to local legislators of HouseBill 1624 and Senate Bill 1503 which would allocate additional State funds for low wealth school systemsincluding Johnston CountyCommissioner James W Cash seconded the motion which carried by unanimous vote7 Award of Bid Financing of Clayton Elementary SchoolThe Board considered the following bids received in response to the request for proposals for a 10 yearloan in the amount of 95 million to construct Clayton Elementary School The loan will be repaid from theannual County capital outlay appropriation to the Board of EducationFirst Citizens Bank498Nations Bank562BB T592Centura610Wachovia519Following discussion Commissioner Jerry F Wood moved the Board award bid to low bidder, FirstCitizens Bank in the amount of 498 Commissioner Cecil M Massengill seconded the motion which carriedby the following voteYea Norman C Denning, James W Cash, Jerry F Wood, Eleanor N Creech, John M Booker,Cecil M MassengillNo NoneAbstaining Frank B Holding8 Clavton Elementary School Financing Local Government CommissionUpon a motion by Commissioner Jerry F Wood, seconded by Commissioner Eleanor N Creech andcarried by unanimous vote, the Board authorized the Chairman and County Manager to sign the necessarydocuments with the Local Government Commission and call for the public hearing on the Clayton ElementarySchool financing9 Land Records Management Grant AnnlicationCommissioner Frank B Holding moved the Board adopt the following resolution authorizingapplication for matching funds under the NC State Land Records Management Program CommissionerHolding further moved the Board designate GIS Director, Terry Ellis, as Grant AdministratorRESOLUTIONJOHNSTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBE IT RESOLVED, that on the 6th day of June, 1994, the Commissioners of Johnston County votedto apply for matching funds under the North Carolina State Land Records Management Program through itsrepresentative, Terry Ellis, GIS DirectorNOW THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Commissioners of Johnston County that1 They share a willingness to participate in the State Land Records program2 They have budgeted the necessary funds in the General Fund for FY 1994 -95 to match thegrant funds requested3 The grant requested be in the amount of 25,0004 They will assign said funds to this project5 Upon accepting grant funds made available, all applicable laws will be complied withThis 6th day of June, 1994Commissioner Cecil M Massengill seconded the motion which carried by unanimous vote56010 Fireworks Displays ApprovedCommissioner Frank B Holding moved the Board approve the following requests for fireworksdisplays subject to GS 14- 410 -415, Chapter 20 of the Standard Fire Prevention Code, and the necessaryinspections and permitsFactory Stores of America Outlet Center - July 4, 1994 at Outlet Center in SmithfieldTown of Pine Level - July 4, 1994 at Sam Godwin Park in Pine LevelClayton Recreation Department - July 4, 1994 in Town of ClaytonCommissioner Holding further moved the Board authorize Chairman Norman C Denning to approve anyrequest that might be submitted for fireworks displays during the remainder of June and early July with a fullreport of such action at the July 5, 1994Commissioner Eleanor N Creech seconded the motion which carried by unanimous vote11 Public Hearing 1015 am - Rezoning CasesAdvertised May 17, 24, 1994 - The Smithfield HeraldCertified letters were mailed to adjoining property owners on May 16, 1994 and notices wereposted at the locations on May 27,1994The Chairman opened the public hearing and invited anyone who wished to address the Board on thefollowing rezoning requestsCASE #87 Petition to rezone approximately one acre located at 2747 Hwy 50 South in BannerTownship from ARR -40 to Hwy Business Applicant L E and Shirley JohnsonCASE #88 Petition to rezone approximately 134 acres located at the end of Whisper Wind Road SR1990 in Clayton Township from ARR -40 to Light Industrial Applicant Miles, IncJeff Coutu, Planning Director, displayed maps of the properties and indicated the surrounding zoningHe stated the Planning Board recommended approval of these requestsThere being no further comments, the Chairman closed the public hearing12 Decisions on Rezoning CasesA CASE #87 Petition to rezone approximately one acre located at 2747 Hwy 50 South inBanner Township from ARR -40 to Hwy Business Applicant L E and Shirley JohnsonUpon a motion by Commissioner Jerry F Wood, seconded by Commissioner Frank B Holding andcarried by unanimous vote, the Board approved rezoning case 487, rezoning of approximately one acre inBanner Township from ARR -40 to Hwy Business for LE and Shirley JohnsonB CASE #88 Petition to rezone approximately 134 acres located at the end of Whisper WindRoad SR 1990 in Clayton Township from ARR -40 to Light Industrial Applicant Miles,IncUpon a motion by Commissioner Cecil M Massengill, seconded by Commissioner Eleanor N Creechand carried by unanimous vote, the Board approved rezoning case 488, rezoning of approximately 134 acresin Clayton Township from ARR -40 to Light Industrial for Miles, Inc13 Update on Amtrak DerailmentDewayne West briefed the Board on the May 16, 1994 Amtrak derailment incident Mr West statedover 90 agencies and businesses responded providing medical care, food, accommodations, transportation andgeneral assistance to the victims of the wreck He stated the County can be proud of the way the recentlyadopted Emergency Operations Plan worked and the professional way in which Johnston County officialscarried out the Plan County, state and federal agencies, along with railroad officials, and the FederalTransportation Board worked well together to make the operation as smooth as possible He noted that withoutexception, the media comments on Johnston Countys response were very positive and complimentary Hethanked the Board for their supportCounty Manager, Richard B Self, reported the trains engine landed on and cracked one of theCountys 16 concrete water pipes The equipment used to remove the wreckage put too much pressure on thecrack and the pipe ruptured Within 24 hours Public Utilities had replaced the pipe causing nominalinterruption to service561In response to a comment by Commissioner Eleanor N Creech that all the people involved should becommended for their efforts, Commissioner Frank B Holding moved the Board send letters of appreciation toeach organization, agency and individual who offered assistance in the Amtrak derailment incidentCommissioner John M Booker seconded the motion which carried by unanimous vote14 Hopewell Pisgah Water District - Loan from CountyCounty Manager, Richard B Self, informed the Board the County has been assured that FarmersHome Administration will approve the loan for the Hopewell Pisgah Water District; however the finalpaperwork has not come through at this time He recommended the County advance 100,000 to McKim andCreed Engineers so they can continue with the project This money would be reimbursed to the County as soonas the FmHA loan comes throughUpon a motion by Commissioner Frank B Holding, seconded by Commissioner Jerry F Wood andcarried by unanimous vote, the Board authorized the loan of 100,000 from County unappropriated surplusto McKim Creed to allow the engineers to proceed with the project with the understanding that the moneywill be reimbursed with FmHA funds as soon as that money is released15 Community Based Alternative Funds 1994 -95 AllocationsWilliam Mann, Chairman of the Johnston County Youth Task Force, presented for the Boardsapproval his committees recommendation for 1994 -95 proposed program agreements and CBA fundingA Johnston County Youth Services - Director Leigh Hudson, Proposed Funding 62,882B Johnston Mentor Program for Youthful Sexual Offenders - Director Alice ONeal, ProposedFunding 11,880C Hillcrest Group Home - Director Eddie Perkins, Proposed Funding 42,000D JC Juvenile Restitution Program - Director Freddy Narron, Proposed Funding 35,725E Partners of Wake Johnston Counties - Director Tony Adams, Proposed Funding 17,500expansion of the Wake County programMr Mann explained Johnston County received additional funds this year to bring the Countysallocation to 179,882 He noted a sixth program is being considered and will possibly be recommended at alater dateUpon a motion by Commissioner Eleanor N Creech, seconded by Commissioner Jerry F Wood andcarried by unanimous vote, the Board approved the 1994 -95 allocation of CBA funds as recommended by theJohnston County Youth Task ForceCommissioner Creech, who also serves on the Youth Task Force, commended the Project Leaders forthe excellent job they are doing16 Budget Amendments AnnrovedUpon a motion by Commissioner Jerry F Wood, seconded by Commissioner Cecil M Massengill andcarried by unanimous vote, the Board approved the following budget amendmentsA Water Wastewater Facilities ConstructionExpenditure Increase10 67007345 Wilsons Mills Elem School Sewer 185,00000Revenue Increase10 39908100 Fund Balance 185,00000B Mental Health DepartmentExpenditure DecreasePersonal Services8,95000Expenditure IncreaseSupplies Materials18,78500Current Obligations Services11,35000Fixed Charges Other9,41500Capital Outlay14,80000Contracts, Grants, Other Subsidies66,15000TOTAL111,55000Revenue IncreaseMedicaid - Day By Day100,00000State Funds7,80000Governors SA Prevention - Carryover funds Federal3,75000TOTAL111,5500056217 Public School Building Capital Fund - Request for Release of Funds Wilsons Mills SchoolConstructionAt the request of the Johnston County Board of Education, Commissioner James W Cash moved theBoard approve the Wilsons Mills Elementary School construction project and jointly, with the Board ofEducation, request release of 1,500,000 from the State Public School Building Capital Fund for this purposeCommissioner Frank B Holding seconded the motion which carried by unanimous vote18 Johnston Community College - 1992 -93 Projects ApprovedUpon a motion by Commissioner Jerry F Wood, seconded by Commissioner Frank B Holding andcarried by unanimous vote, the Board approved the following use of 1992 -93County reserve funds by theJohnston Community CollegePurchase of School Van12,08717Auditorium Debt31,18460Renovation in Student Lounge9,62480Excavation for Greenhouse Storage Building for fertilizer,etc11,04750TOTAL63,9440719 AppointmentsA Emergency Medical Services - COGUpon a motion by Commissioner Jerry F Wood, seconded by Commissioner Eleanor N Creech andcarried by unanimous vote, the Board reappointed Dewayne West, Douglas Fisher and Connie Grady, andappointed Donald Lewis to the Emergency Medical Services -COG board for two year terms to expire June,1996B Library Board of TrusteesUpon a motion by Commissioner James W Cash, seconded by Commissioner John M Booker andcarried by unanimous vote, the Board reappointed Norwood Thompson to the Library Board of Trustees fora three year term to expire June, 1997C Johnston Community College Board of TrusteesUpon a motion by Commissioner James W Cash, seconded by Commissioner John M Booker andcarried by unanimous vote, the Board appointed James H Ellerbe to the Johnston Community College Boardof Trustees for a four year term to expire June, 1998D Fire District CommissionsUpon a motion by Commissioner Eleanor N Creech, seconded by Commissioner Frank B Holdingand carried by unanimous vote, the Board appointed the following members to fire commissionsONeals Fire Commission - Reappointed Scott Givens, Stan Creech, appointed Russell LeePeele - two year appointments to expire June, 1996Boon Hill Fire Commission - William G Lee and Robert Starling appointed for two yearterms to expire June, 1996McLemore Fire Commission - John T Hill appointed for two year term to expire May,1996E Emergency Medical Advisory CommitteeUpon a motion by Commissioner Eleanor N Creech, seconded by Commissioner Cecil M Massengilland carried by unanimous vote, the Board appointed Anthony C Wilson and Eddie Haddock to the JohnstonCounty Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee for terms to expire April 30, 1996F Youth Task ForceUpon a motion by Commissioner Jerry F Wood, seconded by Commissioner Eleanor N Creech andcarried by unanimous vote, the Board appointed LaToya Markel Blackmon as student youth member of theJohnston County Youth Task Force for a term of two years to expire June, 1996G Nursing Home Domiciliary Home Advisory BoardUpon a motion by Commissioner Eleanor N Creech, seconded by Commissioner Cecil M Massengilland carried by unanimous vote, the Board appointed Barbara C Wagner to the Nursing Home DomiciliaryHome Advisory Board for a term of three years to expire April 30, 1997563H Town of Princeton - Board of AdjustmentCommissioner Jerry F Wood moved the Board appoint Annie Atkinson as ETJ member of thePrinceton Board of Adjustment for a three year term as recommended by the Princeton Board ofCommissionersCommissioner John M Booker seconded the motion which carried by unanimous vote20 Tri- County Planning Initiative NC State - County Criminal Justice Partnership ActThe Board discussed a request by Lee County to join in a Tri- County Planning Initiative to apply forstate incentive money to set up local programs to deal with criminals which will be sentenced under the newstructured sentencing regulations Lee County is requesting Harnett and Johnston join with them in a effortto put programs in place in the 11th Judicial District to handle the non - violent criminals who will be sentencedto alternative punishment and rehabilitation rather than incarcerationCounty Manager, Richard B Self, informed the Board that he and Dr Dan Searcy, Director of theJohnston County Area Mental Health Department, are currently researching this to determine what would bemost beneficial to Johnston County He explained that Johnston County could elect to independently apply forthe state fundsFollowing discussion during which Commissioner John M Booker voiced concern that this was anotherexample of the State transferring responsibility to the Counties, the Board agreed to postpone a decision untilfurther information could be obtained21 Public Hearing 1100 am - Amendment to Rezoning Ordinance Watershed MapAdvertised May 17, 24, 1994 - The Smithfield HeraldThe Chairman opened the public hearing and invited anyone who wished to address the Board on aproposed amendment to the Johnston County Zoning Ordinance to amend Article XIII, Water SupplyWatershed Protection, to include the Watershed Protection MapJeff Coutu, County Planning Director, displayed the Watershed Protection Map which was dulyadvertised and is recommended for approval by the County Planning BoardThere being no further comments, the Chairman closed the public hearing22 Watershed Man Adopted - County Zoning OrdinanceUpon a motion by Commissioner Jerry F Wood, seconded by Commissioner Cecil M Massengill andcarried by unanimous vote, the Board approved an amendment to the Johnston County Zoning Ordinance,Article XIII, Water Supply Watershed Protection to include the Watershed Protection Map23 Proposed Johnston Countv Water Plant - DiscussionTim Broome, engineer with McKim and Creed, presented the Preliminary Engineering Report forPrime Water Supply Facilities for Johnston County and gave a summary of the findingsMr Broome gave a brief history of the Countys decision to proceed with plans for a County WaterPlant with the first phase producing 40 mgd, expandable to a projected capacity of 120 mgd He discussedthe four water supply sources which were initially considered and the alternate sites which were carefullyevaluated before the current site on the Neuse River, approximately 34 miles upstream of US 70, was finallyidentified He stated an environmental assessment has been prepared for the site and approval is expectedwithin a few days He stated the regulated low flow of the Neuse at the intake site should be ample for theCountys water supply needs for the foreseeable futureMr Broome continued that after careful evaluation ofthree alternatives for water treatment processing,McKim and Creed has recommended the Modified Conventional Treatment method The procedure is both costeffective and has an excellent operating record in this general region He gave a total opinion of capital costfor the first phase facility including new transmission mains of 10,336,000 and recommended the Boardcontinue to seek EDA grant funding and State Clean Water Revolving Loan funds to supplement the projectMr Broome concluded his comments with the recommendation that upon final approval of theenvironmental assessment the County proceed with construction of a 40 mgd water treatment plant,expandable to 120 mgd, with design and construction to be completed as soon as practical He stated aprojected time frame for completion would be from 24 to 36 months depending on whether the County electsto begin immediately with award of site contract by early fall564In response to question concerning the status of grants or loans available for this project, CountyManager, Richard B Self, explained two 3 million loans from the State Revolving Loan Fund over the twoyear period appear promising He stated the County is still exploring the possibility of grant moneyContract with Engineering Firm ApprovedFollowing further discussion, Commissioner Jerry F Wood moved the Board contract with McKimand Creed to proceed, based on a 24 month time frame for completion, with the design and engineering for a40 mgd water treatment plant, expandable to 120 mgd at a total estimated engineering cost of 662,500Commissioner Wood further moved the Board authorize the County Manager to sign all necessary documentsfor this projectCommissioner Cecil M Massengill seconded the motion which carried by unanimous voteAuthorization to Purchase Land for Proposed Water PlantCommissioner James W Cash moved that subject to the final impact report, the Board authorize theChairman and County Manager to sign the necessary documents and budget amendment to purchase theproperty currently under consideration as a site for the new proposed Johnston County Water PlantCommissioner Jerry F Wood seconded the motion which carried by unanimous vote24 Public Hearing 1994 -95 Proposed Budget PresentationThe Chairman opened the public hearing on the 1994 -95 Proposed BudgetIn accordance with GS 15912, County Manager, Richard B Self, presented the 1994 -95 ProposedBudget with the following budget messageJOHNSTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSCITIZENS OF JOHNSTON COUNTYCOUNTY OF JOHNSTONNORTH CAROLINADear Chairman Denning and Members of the BoardThe PROPOSED BUDGET for Johnston County for the Fiscal Year July 1, 1994 - June 30, 1995, is herebypresented for your considerationA Proposed Budget is meant to be a starting point for the Board The first priority for funding is to providefor debt service and mandated expenses The crystal ball this year continued to be as cloudy as ever as theCounty Agencies attempted to predict the number of jobless, underemployed, deaths, births, crimes, and at thesame time consider disasters, inflation, work place safety, lawsuits, and the increased demand for a saferenvironmentThe Budget Preparation begins for Johnston County Agencies in the month of December During the periodof December through February, the County Agencies examine their service levels, efficiencies, state and federalmandates, and their effectiveness in service delivery Every effort is made to deliver the highest, most efficientlevel of service to the citizens of Johnston County and still keep the cost of providing the various services aslow as possible Inflation, new legislation, and a slowing economy have worked a hardship on most of theagencies The public has placed increased attention to lawlessness, demanded longer jail terms, and higherlevels of personal protection More citizens are qualifying for Medicaid and state county assistance to adults,and placing a greater demand on the health services The public continues to demand safer landfills, morerecycling, cleaner water, elimination of hazardous waste, and express greater environmental concerns ingeneral These increased demands do not come without a price tag in the form of greater workloads as wellas a prodigious demand for the limited county resourcesThe dedication of the Johnston County Employees and the effective team spirit of all County Agencies workingtogether to deliver these services are the only reasons that cost have been contained so well The ProposedBudget shows a decrease in the county government budgets when education is excluded The increase in theHuman Services is almost completely tied to the mandated entitlement programs which do not containpersonnel, supplies, etc The increase in the General Fund is reflected almost totally in the School BudgetThe Revenue growth has been 44 in the Proposed Budget This is in line with the growth in the economyas a whole The Commerce Department reported the income for city dwellers grew at a 48 annual rate from1990 through 1992 compared to a 55 annual rate of growth in rural counties, reversing the trend of the1980s latest figures available from the U S Department of Commerce I am optimistic that the growth inhousing stock and the increased level of interest by industry trying to locate in more rural, nonunion, industryfriendly areas will continue565The Board should keep in mind that the General Assembly is still in session which could mean erosion of ourrevenue, cost shifting from the state to the county, and new mandates The intangible tax, which is not a staterevenue nor a shared revenue, is under fire by some members of the General Assembly and special interestgroups This one revenue source equals over three cents on the tax rate Last year, the General Assemblyfinished shifting the burden of public school utilities to the counties and has continued to fund Johnston Countyschools below the minimal level to maintain accreditationCounty Governments provide a wide array of services prescribed by the State and Federal Government Dueto this method of service delivery, there is a close working relationship between these three levels ofgovernment Funding for many of these programs, particularly in the Social Services, Health and MentalHealth Agencies use complicated formulas to calculate the countys share of the program expense Servicedelivery by county agencies touches all ofthe county residents in one way or another and varies depending uponthe economy and the national focus The current focus appears to be crime, education, welfare reform, andhealth care As you can see, all of these are county servicesIf the County ever hopes to have more local autonomy in the area of service delivery to the citizens of JohnstonCounty, it will have to be accomplished at the Federal Level of government Lobbying, encouraging thecitizens to write Congress and working more closely with our State Legislators in their lobbying efforts wouldrepresent the initial steps to accomplish this goal We need to educate the State and Federal elected officialsthat the cookie cutter approach to service delivery which worked in the 60s, does not work today CountyCommissioners need to have the flexibility to tailor social programs to fit the particular needs of theircommunity Special Interest PACS lobby hard to keep the status quo while most small and medium sized localgovernments watch and wish for changesTRENDSThe County Agencies are making use of technology to provide more services without the need for morepersonnel We are currently computer networking all agencies together in order to share information moreefficiently In Social Services this new technology means fewer forms to complete, more centralizedapplication processing, and on line data entry to the state computers In Child Support this means direct online entry to the State and eliminates the need for new clerical positions to handle the additional paperworkIn Finance, agencies are able to enter their purchase orders and keep a constant watch on their spending Wehope to move GIS from using tax funds to being self - supporting Planning and Inspections are able to checkland records, soil data, flood maps and tax data more easily, thereby providing greater and faster assistanceto the public The Tax Office, through the use of imaging, is better able to track real property andimprovements This will result in providing a higher level of service to the citizens when they have questionson their tax valuesCONSTRUCTIONWater Districts are beginning to take an expanded role in Johnston County The enthusiasm will continue toincrease, especially when the construction begins in Hopewell Pisgah Water District Through the use ofcomputers, the administrative staff and the GIS staff have been able to provide the maps and technicalassistance needed by the community, the engineers, and FmHA to help create these new districts efficiently andmore quicklyThe working relationship between the Board of Education and the County Commissioners has opened the doorto more school construction within the limited tax dollars available Construction of the new Cleveland Schoolis almost finished and we are preparing to start on the Clayton Elementary School We are still working withthe US Marshalls office to expand the jail, and to relocate the Sheriff, DA, and Communications Selectionof an architect for the expansion of the Health department is underway, the Cleveland Skill Training Centeris almost ready to award bids, the parking lot on 3rd Street should begin soon and construction of the animalcontrol facility should begin in FY 95 In addition, the water plant is in the environmental review process, andmore water and waste water lines are being installed throughout the countyBUDGET CONCEPTIONI was specifically directed to prepare a balanced budget without a recommendation for salary adjustments forthe county employees This budget adheres to that mandate All requests for salary increases, personnelincreases and new expenditures are shown in the agencies Requested Budgets but are not included in theProposed Budget No directions were given to the agency heads concerning what percentage to request foremployee salary adjustmentsAs stated, no new employees have been recommended in the Proposed Budget; however, both the Sheriff andthe Board of Education have included additional personnel in their Requests The Sheriff has requested elevennew tax - funded positions for the jail and sheriffs department The Board of Educations Requested Budgetincludes 1,344,708 for new tax - funded positions, a salary increase for school employees and increasedsupplements totaling another 619,671• iGENERAL FUNDThe General Fund is divided into five sections General Government, Public Protection, Physical Development,Human Services, and Education The following is a brief explanation of these divisions Allother funds are self - sustaining and do not require additional ad valorem tax fundsGENERAL GOVERNMENTThe General Government Division, which is composed of those agencies which do not specifically fit intopublic protection, physical development or human services, is over half a million dollars less than the FY 94budget The only expansion request is for 188,000 to replace the existing voting machines in the Board ofElections This request is not in the Proposed Budget, but is reflected in the Requested Budget The currentvoting machines were purchased in the late 70s and have served the County well New voting machines weretested during the Primary and have many modern advantagesPUBLIC PROTECTIONThe Public Protection Division is 27 higher than FY 94 The majority ofthis increase is tied to the operationof the jail with the increased number of individuals incarcerated and the increased number of juveniles whichthe County pays other facilities to keep The Sheriff is requesting 238,792 in the Sheriffs department and94,670 in the jail to fund eleven new positions As previously stated, these are noted in the Requested BudgetThe Guardian Ad Litem Program is asking for 7,200 to provide rental office space and the Fire Associationis requesting 5,000 toward the purchase of a fire demonstration housePHYSICAL DEVELOPMENTThe Physical Development Divisions Proposed Budget is over 1,900,000 less than FY 94 This decrease isattributed to water and waste water construction projectsHUMAN SERVICESThe Human Services Division includes most of the mandated programs This division reflects a 12 increaseover FY 94 All of the increase can be attributed to the payment programs which do not include supplies,personnel, etc Public Assistance and Child Day Care constitute the increased expenditures With theincreased emphasis on health insurance, the income levels and age criteria to qualify for Medicaid are openingthe doors to serve a greater portion of the population of Johnston County which will have future impacts onthe countys limited resourcesEDUCATIONEducation includes both the Public Schools as well as the Community College These requests for fundingrepresent the largest increase request in the budget and is delineated as followsThe Board of Education is requesting a 2,490,012 increase in Current Expense and a 1,652,000 increasein Capital Outlay The Current Expense Request is presented in three parts for the Proposed BudgetDetailsAnnotationsEntry PropertiesModified11192013 21214 PMCreated4162003 100558 AMTemplateMinutesFieldsMinutes - TypeRegularMinutes - Date661994Book19