December 14, 1988 - 12:00 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Special)

Meeting of the Johnston County Board of CommissionersDecember 14, 1988The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Wednesday,December 14, 1988, at 12 oclock noon in the Commissioners Room, Johnston CountyCourthouse, Smithfield, NC, with the following members presentNorman C Denning, Chairman, Frank B Holding, Vice Chairman, James W Cash,John M Booker, DVM and Jerry F Wood, DDSMembers Absent NoneAlso present Richard B Self, County Manager, Eleanor N Creech, Clerk to theBoard and W R Britt, County AttorneyThe Chairman called the meeting to order and the following business was transacted1 Inspection TourThe Chairman directed the commissioners and the press to the new Courthouse Annexfor an inspection tour of the first floor It was explained to the Board that the generalcontractor needed tentative acceptance of the first floor in order for new furniture to beplaced in the buildingThe Board toured the entire first floor of the new Courthouse Annex and gavetentative acceptance so that furniture can be delivered2 School Board Request - Bond IssueIn a memo to the Board, the County Manager reported that he appeared before theBoard of Education on Tuesday, December 13, 1988, at the request of Dr Ellerbe, SchoolSuperintendent, to present the school bond sale timetable The County manager presented theBoard of Commissioners the following request and information from the Board of EducationThe Board of Education has requested the County to change the bond issue fromthe proposed ten 10 year payback to a twenty 20 year payback with the difference inannual payments to be given to the Board of Education They presented this request as aformal motion and requested a formal response from the County CommissionersThe discussion with the Board of Education included the dovetailing of the currentHospital bond issue with that of the 9,000,000 School Bond Issue; the cost of funds byextending the payback for an additional ten years; the philosophical issue of mortgaging toofar into the future; changes at this point in time would or could delay the sale date whichhas been established; the method being pursued would result in an even debt payment bythe, County; and since the current debt payment was not an issue, it probably would not bea general public issue in the futureIn discussion of the request, Commissioner Frank B Holding expressed concern thatthe bond financing needs to be kept as short term as good judgement dictates, inconsideration for the interest burden on the taxpayers, as the interest would be much lessfor 10 years than for 20 years Commissioner John Booker questioned what advantages therewould be to the school system to extend the bond payments, and if there has been buildingprogram changes The County Manager stated that Board of Education members said thatannual bond payments would be lower and this would be a benefit to the School Board TheBoard of Commissioners again emphasized a big difference in interest paymentsCommissioner James W Cash asked if the 20 year payback is to replace another bondreferendum He continued that it would be easier to understand if this Board knew what theBoard of Education plans to do in the future Commissioner John M Booker agreed the Boardneeds to know what the immediate plans and needs are in the county schools constructionprogramChairman Denning stated this Board knows that the County has some large schoolneeds and the Board of Education is in a better position to know what those needs are thanthe Board of Commissioners He continued that he was not opposed to another bond request,but the Commissioners need to know a little more about this request before they can make adecisionCommissioner Holding stated that he respects the Board of Educations request,however, he supports the shortest financing that is practicalThe Board instructed the County Manager to contact the Board of Education to tryand determine the schools needs and what their construction plans are in an effort to knowthe best financing termsIIiIkDecember 14, 1988 Continued3 Four Oaks SchoolBetsy Byrd, Lynwood Parker, Ralph Dunn, and other citizens from the Four OaksSchool District, met with the Board greatly concerned about a recent decision made by theBoard of Education to build a school for grades K -5 on the Four Oaks Campus, instead ofK -8 that they had been promised if the bond issue passed They stated that Four Oaks hasan immediate problem with 6th, 7th and 8th grades and still have children in mobileclassroomsMr Dunn stated that Four Oaks was promised that a school for grades K -8 would bebuilt at Four Oaks if the bond issue passed He further emphasized that the citizens ofJohnston County should be able to depend on promises made by county officials This groupasked the Board of Commissioners if they can do anything about the Board of Educationsdecision to build grades K -5 instead of grades K -8The Chairman and board members expressed concern about the Four Oaks schooldisaster and agreed that it is their responsibility and duty to do the very best thingpossible to fulfill the needs of our school system Commissioner John M Booker said, It isimportant for the School Board to give this Board facts to study; today, we do not havethese facts He continued, It is a real privilege to work with these commissioners; to knowthat people in this county can come and meet and receive consideration4 Four Oaks Dog ProblemSandy Lee of Four Oaks brought to the Boards attention that on several occasionsFour Oaks citizens have requested help from the county animal control officer and were toldthat he could not assist within the jurisdiction of the town limits Mr Lee feels that thepeople of Four Oaks should be able to get help with wild dogs in special situationsThe Board asked the County Manager to take this situation under advisement; to talkwith the dog warden to see that he assist the town of Four Oaks with special problems5 Airport Authority - Maintenance HangarCommissioner John M Booker moved that the Johnston County Airport Authority beauthorized to secure the necessary funding to construct a maintenance hangar; the County tobe responsible for repayment of the principal over the next several fiscal yearsCommissioner Jerry F Wood seconded the motion which carried by the following voteAye John M Booker, James W Cash, Jerry F Wood and Norman C DenningNay NoneAbstaining Frank B HoldingUpon a motion by Commissioner Jerry F Wood, duly seconded by Commissioner JohnM Booker and carried, the Board adjournedNorman C Denning, ChairmanEleanor N CreechClerk to the Board343DetailsAnnotationsEntry PropertiesModified11192013 121403 PMCreated492003 124853 PMTemplateMinutesFieldsMinutes - TypeSpecialMinutes - Date12141988Book18