June 7, 1977 - 7:30 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Special)

ZoomFit widthfF ,Meeting of Board of Commissioners for the County of JohnstonJune 7 1977The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in special session in the CommissionersRoom of the Johnston County Courthouse, Smithfield, North Carolina, Tuesday, June 7, 1977, at 730pm, with the following members presentNorman C Denning, Chairman, Frank B Holding, Vice Chairman, Howard Benton, J E Rogersonand John M Booker, DVMMembers Absent NoneThe Chairman called the meeting to order and the following business was transacted1 1977 -1978 Budget Request - Sheriffs DepartmentGeorge Johnson, Chief Deputy, met with the Board and presented statistics to substantiatethe 1977 -78 Budget request for the Sheriffs DepartmentDeputy Johnson explained in detail the duties and responsibilities of the deputies and theSheriffs Office, and related that this office cannot continue to maintain crime today unless somechanges are made in this department Deputy Johnson asked the Board for consideration in the new - fiscal yearsbudget^ forpurchasing new cars on a two year basis, he emphasized they needed aheavyduty poTice package,toconsider purchasing radial tires for the deputies car for safer more economical -travel,to reinstathe special deputies to help serve papers and to consider budgeting for three new deputiesDeputy Johnson and Deputy Charlie Lewis emphasized that the Sheriffs Office could notpossibly maintain the county with police protection with the manpower it has now, they asked theBoard to take a good look at Johnston County and you can see its not where it needs to be as faras law enforcement is concerned The question was raised concerning Chief Deputy Johnson being bonded as he is acting inthe absence of Sheriff Aaron blood Sheriff Wood has been absence due to sickness for several weeksAfter discussion, Commissioner Frank B Holding moved that George Johnson, Chief Deputy, bebonded retroactive to March 24, 1977, as he is acting in the capacity of Sheriff Aaron WoodCommissioner J E Rogerson seconded the motion which was carried unanimouslyThere was much discussion regarding the special deputies, their duties and responsibilitiesand adequate insurance coverage needed on their vehicles privately owned to protect the countyagainst any liabilities In discussion, Commissioner Booker made the following recommendations forconsideration by the Sheriffs Department1 No special deputy serve any papers subpoenas on another deputy2 No special deputy serve any papers subpoenas on a police officer3 No special deputy serve any paperssubpoenas on a highway patrolman4 No special deputy be paid if paper subpoenas returned marked not to be foundDeputy Johnson also told the Board that manytimes the special deputy is called upon toperform special duties above and beyond the call of duty However, Deputy Johnson explained theyhave never complained and do not get paid for any duties other than serving papersCommissioner John M Booker stated thatit washis thinking when a special deputy performsspecial duties he should be paidIn conclusion, Deputy Johnson stated that he would appreciate any and all considerationgiven by the Board to his request2 Budget Discussion - Sheriffs DepartmentThe Board discussed the Sheriffs Department and the budget request at length There wa-smuch discussion on the number of deputies, their duties, the special deputies and serving papersThe Board discussed in regards to the Sheriffs Department request; cars, tires, manpower and theincreased needs of the Sheriffs Office, and how this office can best serve the needs of ruralJohnston CountyCommissioner Howard Benton was very concerned with the migrant camps located in southernJohnston County Commissioner Benton commented that the law enforcement it just as important ashealth of the_migravt laborers ^and thte county receives federal assistance to provide better medicalcare for the migrant workers` At this time, Commissioner Benton moved that Kramer Jackson, County Administrator, beauthorized to investigate and pursue all avenues for any federal assistance that might be availableto Johnston County to assistant with law enforcement in the migrant- campsCommissioner Frank B Holding seconded the motion which was carried unanimously292jJune 7, 1977 Cont1After a lengthy discussion, Commissioner Howard Benton moved that the Board of Commissionersgo along with the recommendation of 36,000 budgeted for Special Officers and hire three 3 newg gdeputies oand along with the other recommendations of the Administrator for the SheriffsDepartment budgetCommissioner Frank B Holding seconded the motionThere was discussion of the motion and Commissioner Booker moved that the motion be amendedand moved to recommend that at least two deputies be placed in the southern part of the county andhighly recommended one be place in Pleasant Grove TownshipThe amendment died for lack of a secondiThe motion made by Commissioner Benton, duly seconded by Commissioner Holding was voted onas made and seconded, and carried by the following voteAye Commissioners Howard Benton, J E Rogerson, Frank B Holding and Norman C DenningNay Commissioner John M BookerThe Chairman polled the board members regarding the purchase of radial tires for the depuitescars and all members favored radial tires3 Health Department and Social ServicesHelen Ray, Director, Johnston County Health Department and Donald Morrison, Director,Department of Social Services, met with the Board and explained to the Board the working relationsof their Family Planning co- ordinating services and its affect on these departments budgetsThe Board discussed these departments budgets, but made no final decision at this meetingHowever, it was recommended that Mr Morrison hold his salary increases to an average of 8 withthe exception of the one employee that has been reclassified Commissioner Benton-told the Boardmembers if they wished he would talk with Mr Morrison regarding theintentions of the Board onsalary increases for his department The board members agreed this was a good idea4 Budget Study ContinuedThe Board continued work on the 1977 -78 budget and reviewed the following departmentalrequests Jail, Fire Departments, Rescue Squads, Landfill, Coroner, Dog Warden, AgriculturalExtension Service, Non - Departmental, Airport Authority, Smithfield -Kenly Waterline, 201 Project,Debt Service and RevaluationIn consideration of the above the Board tentatively agreed to increase the Fire Marshallssalary Fire Department Budget from 3600 to 4200 annually5 W M Gaskin Property LotCommissioner Frank B Holding moved that the County Administrator negotiate the purchase ofa lot on the coroner of Second and Johnson Streets from W M Gaskin The purchase price not toexceed 35,000 at 6 interest rateCommissioner J E Rogerson seconded the motion which was carried unanimouslyUpon a motion by Commissioner John M Booker, duly seconded by Commissioner J E Rogersonand carried unanimously, the Board recessed to meet again June 13, 1977, at 730 pmn C Denning,1 ?C?t- -?-? -?Eleanor N Creech, ClerkairmanI