June 26, 1989 - 7:00 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Recessed)

June 26, 1989The Johnston County Board of Commissioners reconvened regular session on Monday,June 26, 1989, at 7 oclock pm in the Commissioners Meeting Room, Johnston CountyCourthouse Annex, Smithfield, North Carolina, with the following members presentNorman C Denning, Chairman, Frank B Holding, Vice Chairman, James W Cash, DrJerry F Wood and John M Booker, DVMMembers Absent NoneAlso Present Richard B Self, County Manager, Eleanor N Creech, Clerk to theBoard, and Joyce H Ennis, Deputy Clerk to the BoardThe Chairman called the meeting to order, and the following business was transacted1 School Board - Discussion on Alternatives to 49 Million School Bond IssueBy invitation, members of the Board of Education and school officials met with theBoard of Commissioners to discuss possible alternatives to the 49 Million Bond Issue forfunding new school construction needs within the CountyChairman Denning commented that facing the issue of funding new schools issomething that effects both boards as well as everyone in the County He expressed concernthat should the bond issue fail to pass, the Commissioners would have to look upon that as amandate from the people to hold back on making commitments to the School Boards ProgramHe noted that absorbing the cost on a yearly basis through a tax increase might be apossible alternative Commissioner Denning asked how the School Board would feel if theCommissioners could find funds to construct one new school a year; would they consider thisas a possible alternative to the bond issueDr Dicky Parrish, Chairman, Johnston County Board of Education, thanked theCommissioners for the invitation and opportunity to discuss informally the schools needs Hecommented the Board of Education is always open to suggestions and are willing to takeunder consideration any proposal the Board of Commissioners ask them to, however, they arecomfortable with the proposed bond issueDr Parrish said they would need to have a yearly dollar figure instead of abuilding a year in order to answer Chairman Dennings question He explained that cost forthe different projects would vary and feels the figure would need to be approximately 7million per year to be used for new construction with additional funds of approximately 12 to2 million for necessary maintenance and repairs of existing buildings at least until most ofthe new construction is completed Commissioner Frank B Holding, in discussing maintenance costs, expressed concern for the additional mobile classroom units requested in the School Boards budget, Id rathernot be a party to mobile classrooms if there are any alternatives, he commentedCommissioner Holding further stated he feels a minimum amount should be spent on the oldthree story buildingsII It was explained that due to new state mandates on class sizes and lack of time andi funds for construction of additional classrooms, some mobile units are essential, however, DrLa433June 26, 1989 ContinuedParrish said the Board of Education is dedicated to eliminating them, and plans are tomaintain old buildings as best we can,- nothing moreCommissioner James W Cash asked how the Board of Education would feel about aspecial school tax voted on by the people which would lock in a yearly amount and mightpass easier than the bond issueGordon Woodruff, School Board member, responded that he would not be in favor ofa supplementary tax for capital outlay projects, saying these taxes can be easily repealedand he feels the public would rather support a bond issueCommissioner John M Booker said he has always wanted to be identified as beingfor schools He expressed belief that the Board of Commissioners might be willing, over aperiod of eight years, to raise taxes to add additional money to increasing sales tax revenueand other monies already committed to new school construction, in order to make availablethe 47 million the School Board is seeking in the bond issue 49 Million Bond Issue includes2 million for water line This would amount to approximately 58 million per year He saidhe is concerned about the up- coming bond election as it relates to the County debt, andwould feel better about school appropriations this year if they were not faced with a bondissue Commissioner Booker remarked he hopes the County will receive some Critical Needsmoney from the State and that would also help with the schools problems Its ourresponsibility to determine how to finance the needs of this County, Commissioner Bookercontinued, If we have to bite the bullet, we need to get startedBoard of Education members, in talking about alternatives to the bond issue, voicedconcern about future County commitments to the School Boards Program Their concerncentered around whether this Board, or their successors, could continue financial supportover the years until the entire program is completed Mrs Glenda Hales, School Boardmember, explained the three -phase program was based on a long -range educational plan andprovision of adequate physical facilities countywideIn response, Chairman Denning remarked he believes the people in the County, alongwith the Commissioners, are committed to continued school improvements Looking at thepossibility that the bond issue may not pass, the Commissioners are seeking a good positivealternative that will do the jobCommissioner Frank B Holding questioned the Board of Education as to the amount ofmoney actually needed in the upcoming budget for new constructionAt this time Richard Self, County Manager, Dan Jones, School Finance Officer, DrJim Ellerbe, Superintendent of Public Instruction and Gordon Woodruff conferred in anattempt to make this determination and reported back to the Board that 2,322,909 will beavailable for new construction, if the 1989 -90 request for capital outlay is approvedThe Commissioners discussed the possibility of reducing the schools current operatingexpense request, which is up 19 , to be able to increase capital outlayIn conclusion, it was determined the Board could not commit a dollar amount to theschools until they have considered the entire 1989 -1990 budget requestsChairman Denning thanked the Board of Education members and school officials formeeting with the Commissioners and advised that upon completion of the budget study, theywould be back in touchDr Parrish remarked they appreciate this opportunity and would be glad to entertainany proposal from the Board of Commissioners2 Budget Work SessionThe Board briefly discussed several other budget request Landfill compactors andcaterpillar , Hospital requests, Hospital roof and Mental HealthUpon a motion by Commissioner Jerry F Wood, duly seconded by Commissioner FrankB Holding, the Board recessed until 7 oclock pm, June 27, 1989Norman C Denning, ChairmanEleanor N Creech, ClerkDetailsAnnotationsEntry PropertiesModified11192013 15959 PMCreated442003 115849 AMTemplateMinutesFieldsMinutes - TypeRecessedMinutes - Date6261989Book18