May 22, 1978 - 7:30 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes

454May 22, 1978The Johnston County Board of Commissioners reconvened in regular sessionMonday, May 22, 1978, at 730 pm, in the Commissioners Room of the JohnstonCounty Courthouse, Smithfield, North Carolina, with the following members present;Norman C Denning, Chairman, Frank B Holding, Vice Chairman, HowardBenton, J E Rogerson and John M Booker, DVMMembers Absent NoneThe Chairman called the meeting to order and the following business wastransacted1 Budget Request - Board of EducationMr Ray Boyette, Chairman, John Radford, James Ellerbe, Sherwood Parkerand Wade Stephenson, members of the Johnston County Board of Education, and MrE S Simpson, Superintendent, J L Pittman, Carlton Daughtry, John Sanderson,Assistant Superintendents, and Glenn Wiggs, Finance Director, met with the Boardof Commissioners to make their budget requests for the fiscal year 1978 -1979Kramer Jackson, County Administrator, had prepared and reviewed with theBoard of Education and Board of Commissioners a work sheet to show the total CapitaOutlay funds available, total funds obligated, total funds requested and the shorta;of requested funds Mr Jackson reviewed the obligated funds totaling 3,539,281and the requested capital outlay not obligated totaling 3,362,488, which totals6,901,769, reflecting a shortage of requested Capital Outlay funds of 3,411,719The Board of Education is requesting 980,000 in capital outlayMr Boyette, Chairman, stated I am proud of the industrial progress thecounty has made, the Board of Commissioners is to be complimented, however, theprogress of the county schools will play a big part in the future of the county Mr Boyette stressed the importance of up- dating the older schools in thecounty as many of the buildings now used for elementary grades were built in theearly 1900s Mr Boyette stated they hoped to get funding for at least two projeca year Mr Boyette also told the Board the federal government says that in thefuture all schools shall be equipped for the handicappedThe Board of Commissioners discussed and questioned various line items inthe requested school budget such as supplements, salary increase percentages andetcMr Simpson told the Board that salary increase would be equal to what thecounty or state does from 6 to 87o with no increase in supplementsThe Board told Mr Simpson and the Board of Education members that wherethe county is funding the salaries the increases should be held to 7 MrSimpson stated that their salary increases will stay in line with county increasesChairman Denning responded that the school needs are here and many ofthe school k uildin,gsneed repairs and additions, however, there is only so much,mtfri and °4th;Sad wod ,,p? ©`#ate a certain amount of money and the Board ofducation would have to take ?t4- eponsibility of setting priorities with capitaloutlay fundsII?a r tMay 22, 1978 ContinuedMr Simpson replied that many needs are facing the county school system,needs that they will be legally required to meet, these needs will be piling upif not met on an annual basis Mr Simpson further stated that he appreciatesand recognizes that current expense cost has increased substantially in the pastseveral yearsSherwood Parker questioned how you could placea priority on needs of thesame meritCha?Lrman Denning indicated again there was no way the Board can answerthe needs of ?-his4budget without a substantial tax rate increaseMr Jim Ellerbe statedhe was sure the Board of Commissioners will doeverything they can do, but asked the question, what is going to happen down theroad, it is very difficult to set a priority as every school in the county needssome improvements Mr Ellerbe further emphasized that their request only reflects10 of the school needsMr Wade Stephenson told the Board he had toured all the school facilitiesand all have merit, our youth should have top priority Mr Stephenson said hewas sure the Board of Commissioners will give this budget their best effortsbefore finalizing the school budget Mr Stephenson further emphasized thatimprovement of school facilities are essential in recruiting new industry AirStephenson further indicated he was willing for the tax rate to be raisedJohn Radford stated to the Board that spending about one million a yearwould bring the school capital outlay projects up to where they need to be, andwith good schools new industry will be attracted to the county The childrenshould be our number one priority and further that he hopes the Boardwill findsome way to fund this budgetChairman Denning indicated that he concurred in what had been said, howeverin trying to be honest, they can not put an additional million in this budget andhow much they will be permitted to do is ,just not known at this pointMr Simpson responded that they deeply appreciate what the Board of CountyCommissioners and Kramer Jackson has done and ask that they do the best that theycan as has been done in the pastMr Boyette, on behalf of the entire School Board, Superintendents andstaff, thanked the Board of Commissioners for their timeThe Board of Commissioners took no final action on the School Budget atthis time pending further study and consideration2 Budget Work SessionThe Board of Commissioners continued work on the 1978 -1979 Proposed Budget beginning with page 18 and continued through page 223 Jiggs Broadwell Request Surplus PropertyJiggs Broadwell met with the Board regarding surplus property owned by thecounty stored in Mirco Mr Broadwell told the Board there was several items ofthis property that he would like to have if agencies fire departments, hospital,towns, rescue squads do not show just need for this equipmentMr Broadwell also told the Board about the only piece of equipment thatmight be of value to the county is a 1500 KW generator which is in fairly goodconditionCommissioner Frank B Holding suggested that Wayne Strickland talk with tTown of Smithfield to see if they would have any need for the generator, and ifit will not meet the needs of the Town of Smithfield check with SelmaMr Broadwell suggested that it be put up for bidsThe Board instructed Mr Jackson to talk with the Fire Marshall and WayneStrickland and come up with a plan to disburse this equipmentUpon a motion by Commissioner John M Booker, duly seconded by CommissioneJ E Rogerson and carried unanimously, the Board recessed to meet again Thursday,May 25, 1978, at 130 pmI ?-?d44?4Eleanor N Creech, ClerkNorman C Denning, Chairman