March 22, 1979 - 7:30 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Special)

554March 22, 1979The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in special called sessionThursday, March 22, 1979, at 730 pm, in the Commissioners Room of the JohnstonCounty Courthouse, Smithfield, North Carolina, with the following members presentNorman C Denning, Chairman, Frank B Holding, Vice Chairman, J ERogerson, John M Booker, DVM and James W CashMembers Absent NoneChairman Denning called the meeting to order and the following businesswas transactedI1 Transportation ProgramJohnston County agencies participating in the Johnston County CoordinatedTransportation System requested a meeting with the Board of County Commissionersto express their concern and support of the programThe following agencies were representedDepartment of Social Services - Ben Niblock, Director,Bob Williams, TransportationCoordinatorJohnston County Industries, Inc - John Edwards, DirectorJohnston County Mental Health Clinic - Dan Searcy, DirectorEarl Marett, Finance DirectorJohnston County Council on`Aging - Paul KellerJohnston County Community Action - Jim BaileyJohn Edwards, Director, Johnston County Industries, Inc, spoke represent-ing the agencies and presented a status report and recommendations on the Trans-portation System Mr Edwards advised that the agencies participating in thetransportation program request the following action by the Board of Commissioners1 provide the needed 23,535 to assure continuation of the coordinatedsystem at its present level2 designate a Transportation Coordinating Committee to monitor thesystem, to receive and evaluate complaints, to make periodic reportsto the County Board of Commissioners, and to explore additional Stateand Federal funding sourcesThe Board of Commissioners was advised of the budget deficit in thetransportation budget at the March 5th meeting, and tonight they were told that8 to 10 percent of the passengers using the transportation services are ineligiblesThe federal government does not participate in the cost of ineligibles, this meansthe county is paying 100 of the cost for ineligibles to ride the vansJoyce Walters, President of the Johnston County- Federation for the Blind,told the board that many legally blind people who may not meet the eligibilityrequirements because of income depend on-the transportation system as their onlymeans of transportation to attend special classes for the blindPaul Keller also gave supportive information that some ineligibles may haveto attend out -of- county medical clinics and have no other means of transportation,therefore, they are dependent on the county transportation systemMarch 22, 1979 ContinuedCommissioner Frank B Holding emphasized the Board of Commissionershave no questions in their minds that the Transportation Program is meaningful andProvides needed services to the eligible people of Johnston -County, but this is abig county and the board is limited as to what it can doThe board showed much concern regarding the ineligibles using the countytransportation system, and indicated that it seems this system has grown way beyondthe original intentions Commissioner John M Booker indicated that he couldsee the need for a Transportation System, but he thought it could be decreased andstill be effectiveChairman Denning stated that strict guidelines should be adhered to foreligibility of county transportation servicesThe Johnston County Transportation System was praised by interested citizensattending this meeting Mrs John Blackman from Benson told the board the Councilon Aging bus is well used and is doing a wonderful service in the Benson area Ben Niblock advised the Board of Commissioners that the Board of Educationhad 4,000 to contribute to the Transportation ProgramAfter a lengthy discussion, the board instructed Mr Niblock to cut theTransportation System by five 5 buses and to try to balance the TransportationProgram budget for the remainder of this fiscal year Mr Niblock is to reportback to the board at the April 2nd board meeting2 Foam Tanker - Fire AssociationM J Oliver, Fire Marshall, and members of the Johnston County FiremensAssociation Joe Moore, Joe Price, Gene Castleberry and Teeney Strickland met withthe board requesting the county to purchase chemical foam for the fire tanker MrOliver advised the board the foam would cost about 10 to 11 a gallon and theyneeded 1,000 gallons This would include 800 gallons for the tank and 200 gallonsfor back -up Shell Oil Company donated a tractor to the Johnston County FiremensAssociation to Pull the foam tanker the county association has had for several yearsThe Board of Commissioners agreed that the foam used at a fire should be replacedby the property ownerAfter discussion, Commissioner Frank B Holding moved that Kramer Jacksonbe authorized to purchase 1,000 gallons of chemical foam for the foam tanker andthe proper budget amendment be made by a transfer of funds; from line item 1053174 and 1053174 3 t0­10 530, 74 Commissioner John M Booker seconded the motion which was carriedunanimously3 Foam Tanker - Title and InsuranceCommissioner Frank B Holding moved that Kramer Jackson, County Administrato ,and Red Smith, Selma Town Manager, be authorized to work out an agreement on thetractor title and the insuranceCommissioner J E Rogerson seconded the motion which was carriedunanimously4 Airport - Land LeaseKramer Jackson, County Administrator, advised the board he had beenapproached by Tom Stancil about leasing the farm land at the Johnston County AirportsiteAfter discussion, Commissioner Frank B Holding moved that the JohnstonCounty Airport Authority be authorized to lease the farm land satisfactory to theiV,terms and further that the Airport Authority retain the income to help maintain theairportCommissioner John M Booker seconded the motion which was carriedunanimouslyUpon a motion by Commissioner John M Booker, dulyFrank B Holding and carried unanimously, the board adjour Norman C Denning,Eleanor N Creech, Clerk32779seconded by CommissionernedChairman °`