May 25, 1976 - 7:30 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Special)

2Fit width188Meeting of Board of Commissioners for the County of JohnstonMay 25, 1976The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in special session in the CommissionersRoom of the Johnston County Courthouse, Smithfield, North Carolina, Tuesday, May 25, 1976, at730 pm, with the following members presentNorman C Denning, Chairman, Frank B Holding, Vice Chairman, Freddie Adams, HowardBenton and Hoyt Castleberry 7;iMembers Absent None }Mr M A Morgan, Chairman, Johnston County Bicentennial Commission, opened the meetingwith prayer EThe following business was transacted1 Library Budget DiscussionMr J Herman Brown, Chairman, members of the Library Board of Trustees, Mr Art Goetz,Director, staff members and concerned citizens, met with the Board of County Commissioners insupport of the budget request for the Public Library of Johnston County and SmithfieldMr Brown advised the Board they had come to support and discuss library budget mattersMr Brown discussed the increase in cost of operations, such as supplies, utilities, postage,maintenance and audit fees, and further advised the Commissioners that they had available beforethem copies of the services rendered by the library with cost percentage increases shownArt Goetz, Director, further elaborated on the librarys increased expensesMr Goetz explained many of the librarys services in detailThe library board members and concerned citizens commented favoring an increase inrevenues from the county to the library so that the same services may be provided and continuedThe Board of Commissioners thanked Mr Brown, Mr Goetz, staff members and citizens forthe impressive presentationCommissioner Howard Benton commented that the Board wants to do everything it can forthe county library, theres no question there is a need for a good up -to -date aggressive library,its just sad we are in a stage of our life, of economy, that everything is up, however, revenuedoes not increase likewise, with revenue sharing in doubt, well be inserious trouble if we do notget the revenue sharing money, we have no alternative but to raise the tax rate and no one wants toraise the tax rateCommissioner Frank B Holding emphasized, I do not favor raising the tax rate , I amopposed to raising the tax rate one penny , I find no fault with any specific agency, I am justsaying, we are responsible, and its our responsibility to set priorities and adopt a sound budget After much discussion and study, the Board took no official action on the Library Budgetrequest at this time2 Bicentennial Day - May 29, 1976Mr M A Morgan, Chairman, Johnston County Bicentennial Commission, advised the Boardof the Bicentennial Day celebration in Smithfield May 29, 1976 Saturday The Commissioners areto participate in the parade3 1976 - 1977 Budget StudyThe Board of Commissioners studied and discussed several departments budget request, theBoard of Education, Airport Authority, West Smithfield Sanitary District and the County GeneralFund, however, took no official action on the 1976 - 77 Budget at this time pending further study4 State Clean Water Bond FundsCommissioner Frank B Holding moved that the State be requested to release the State fClean Water Bond money obligated to the Clayton Water Line and any other balance allocated toJohnston County and apply these funds to the Kenly Water ProjectCommissioner Freddie Adams seconded the motion,which was carried unanimouslyi5 Johnston County - USA Achievement Award 3Norman C Denning, Chairman, and Kramer Jackson, County Administrator, advised the Board `?of Commissioners that Johnston County had been selected to receive a NACo New County, USAAchievement Award This award earned for outstanding progressive county developments whichdemonstrate an improvement in county governments services to citizensrtEMay 25, 1976 ContMr Denning advised the Board that the award will be presented at the Annual Conventionof the National Assocation of Counties held in Salt Lake City, Utah, June 25th - July 1, 1976The Board of Commissioners congratulated Mr Jackson for the excellent job on the AchievementAward entry submitted to NaCoThe Chairman asked Mr Jackson and a member of the Board if one can attend to attend theconvention in Salt Lake City to accept the award, the Board members concurredUpon a motion by Commissioner Hoyt Castleberry, duly seconded by Commissioner Freddie Adamsand carried unanimously, the Board recessed to meet again, Tuesday, June 1, 1976, at 730 pm,Ieanor N Creech, Cler