January 8, 1991 - 7:00 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Special)

January 8, 1991The Johnston County, Board of Commissioners met in special session on Tuesday, January8, 1991, at 7 oclock pm in the Superior Courtroom, Johnston County Courthouse, Smithfield,North Carolina, for the purpose of meeting jointly with the Johnston County Board of Educationto disuss longe range planning The following members were presentNorman C Denning, Chairman, Frank B Holding, Vice Chairman, John M Booker, DVM,James W Cash and Jerry F Wood, DDSMembers Absent NoneBoard of Education Members present Dr Dicky Parrish, Chairman, Glenda Hales, ViceChairman, Kenneth Deacon Jones, Gordon Woodruff and Wayne StewartAlso present Richard B Self, County Manager, Eleanor N Creech, Clerk to the Board,Joyce H Ennis, Deputy Clerk to the Board, and Dr James H Ellerbe, Superintendent of SchoolsChairman Norman C Denning called to meeting to order, welcomed the Board of Educationmembers and expressed the Commissioners appreciation for the joint meetingDr Dicky Parrish opened the discussion by saying the Board of Education wishes tokeep the Commissioners updated on school budget needs and informed on the progress of theSchools Capital Outlay projects, and their concerns regarding the future of Johnston Countyschool childrenHe reported on the Four Oaks School, Clayton Middle School and Selma Middle Schoolprojects; air conditioning pilot projects; and current expense cost and increasing needs DrParrish emphasized that Current Expense costs are up primarly because of increased cost offuel oil, gasoline and utilities He expressed concerns for additional funds as these costswill continue to rise, and also indicated a need for more county funded classroom teachersContinuing Dr Parrish asked the Board for directions on - 1 reassurances that theCounty will continue a 5 million dollar appropriation in Capital Outlay funds; 2 if anyadditional funds can be expected in the current budget, next years budget or any increase inCounty funds for additional teachersDeacon Jones said that part -time Assistant Principals are needed in two or threeschools, he also asked the Board to consider some assistance in the air conditioning projects;and reminded the Board that fuel costs are up 149 over budgeted figuresThe Board of Education is expecting cost estimates to be completed for the airconditioning -pilot projects for Pine Level and Glendale Schools within the next few weeksGordon Woodruff related concerns regarding increasing needs in the Current ExpenseBudget and remarked that if the Capital Outlay appropriation stays at the current level withno increase it will extend construction projects time frame by several years He stated theirmain concerns at the present are - 1 Capital construction projects - 2 Current Expensefunding and - 3 air conditioning projects; and these projects can not be done without thecountys helpChairman Denning agreed with the need for air conditioning projects in the schools,however, agreeing with Dr Parrish, sees the biggest need is money to fund these projects,along with other pressing needsChairman Denning and Commissioner Holding advised Board of Education members theCounty has no extra money as the countys fund balance had been very low in the past few yearsbecause it had been used to complete the new Courthouse Annex The Chairman explained thatState law requires Counties to maintain a certain amount of unappropriated fund balance andthese funds have just been built back up to meet minimum requirementsCommissioner Holding further commented that the County has to also maintain reserve tooperate County Government until people begin paying their county property taxesChairman Denning continued by stating the County intends to appropriate at least thesame amount in Capital Outlay as this year and will work on the Schools Current Expensebudget as best they can However, the Chairman firmly stated he is not willing to raise theCountys 89? tax rate to increase these appropriations The Commissioners expressed; it ishoped that the countys unappropriated fund balance will continue to grow to the point thecounty will be in better shape financially than the past few years Board members agreed withChairman Dennings comments on County funding, however, see a much dimmer picture when StateLegislature meets, with no hopes for increased State funds School Board members concurredrelating they also fear extreme cuts676January 8, 1991 - ContinuedDr Parrish asked the Board what is Johnston Countys number one priority ; sayingthey school children depend on adults for answers Responding, Commissioner Holding stated that as a County Commissioner, he is notembarrassed with the amount of money the people in Johnston County are putting into the SchoolBudget Commissioner Holding also says he is willing to commit to continue at least the sameappropriation in School Capital Outlay and does not anticipate cutting other schoolappropriations Realizing the Board of Education is faced with tough budget matters andmandates, he stressed priorities should be placed on classroom teachers Chairman Denning alsocommented further, this Board will have to view what they do in Raleigh, but says in hisopinion, they Board of Commissioners do not intend to cut the Schools appropriations and hefeels they might be able to make some increases, but at this time can not anticipate anypercentagesCommissioner James W Cash reminded both Boards, the County will probably experience ashort fall in State inventory tax reimbursementsSchool Board Member Wayne Stewart expressed concerns as to where Johnston County ranksin the State in Current Expense funding and encouraged the boards to consider looking at thesestatisticsIn expressing his views, Commissioner John M Booker said he realizes the County has aproblem, the Schools have needs; but there are unnecessary expenses being placed on countygovernment and a lot will have to be done through the Legislature to help correct many ofthese needless requirements He stated, in general, the public is not aware of the expenses ofcounty government - he desires to see the building program proceed faster, but the Board ofCommissioners can only do so much He asked the Board of Education to present a budget that isclear and within reason, so that he, as a County Commissioner, can help the Board of Educationmeet their obligationsBoard of Education Vice Chairman Glenda Hales, and other School Board members, alsoreminded the County Commissioners that it is not a good year to expect any help from Raleigh,and do not anticipate any new State construction funds for next years budgetiThe Board of Commissioners did express hopes of some relief within the next two tothree years when Hospital Bonded Indebtedness is paid, but in summary it appears that Countyand State Budgets are now faced with shortfallsIn sharing the same concerns and responsibilities, the Board of Commissioners andBoard of Education agreed they may have to face budget cuts from the State, and realize nextyears budget tasks will be very difficult However, the Board of Commissioners againreassurred the Board of Education it could expect Capital Outlay funding for the next fiscalyear to be at least on the same level as this year 5 million dollarsMembers of both Boards again expressed appreciation for this joint meeting and agreedto meet again for discussions on budgets and needs of the Johnston County SchoolsUpon a motion by Commissioner John M -Booker, duly seconded by Commissioner Jerry FWood and carried by unanimous vote, the Board adjournedEleanor N Creech, C erkBoard of Commissioners1DetailsAnnotationsEntry PropertiesModified11192013 10742 PMCreated3282003 15006 PMTemplateMinutesFieldsMinutes - TypeSpecialMinutes - Date181991Book18