May 11, 1981 - 7:30 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Recessed)

May 11, 1981The Johnston County Board of Commissioners reconvened in regular session;,Monday, May11, 1981, at 730 pm, in the Commissioners Room of the Johnston County Courthouse, Smithfield,North Carolina, with the following members presentNorman C Denning, Chairman, Frank B Holding, Vice - Chairman, John M Booker, James WCash and Howard BentonMembers Absent NoneThe Chairman called the meeting to order and the following business was transacted1 Health Department - 1981 -1982 Budget PresentationHelen Ray, Administrator, met with the board and presented the 1981 -82 budget requestfor the Johnston County Health Department, Ms Ray explained the request in detail stating thatthe entire budget reflects a 95 increase over last years budget appropriation,,with a 57oacross the board salary increase for employees, the Health Department budget seeks anappropriation request of 662,704, up 57,383 over last years budget Ms Ray furtherexplained that the Community Action Board voted to transfer Home Health Services to theJohnston County Health Department for administration as of July 1, 1981, and further that thiswas the only major change in the Health Department services, however, this program requiresno county fundingThe board reviewed and questioned the Health Department budget request at length Noaction was taken pending further budget study2 Mental Health - 1981 -1982 Budget PresentationDr Dan Searcy, Director, met with the board and presented the 1981 -82 budget requestfor the Johnston County Mental Health Center Dr Searcy explained that the 1,974,025 budgetincludes a request for county funds in the amount of 238,738, 27,046 more than the countyscontribution last yearIfiIIMay 11, 1981 ContIn discussion, Dr Searcy advised this request was only A3 57o over -all increase,including a 57o salary increase for Mental Health employeesThe board reviewed the Mental Health Budget request, but no action was taken pendingfurther budget study3 Area Light - Bulk Container Sitesa Harold Blizzard, County Planner, reported that an area light for the bulkcontainer sites will cost 670 a month 8040 annually and involves a three 3 yearcontractThe board discussed this matter, however, deferred action at this timeb Harold Blizzard, County Planner, also advised the board that a question had comeup concerning exactly who could use the Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Mr Blizzardexplained that a company from Raleigh that rents pootable bathrooms to various individualsand companies in Johnston County had requested to dispose waste collected from these units intothe Wastewater Treatment Plant Mr Blizzard indicated that it seemed logical to allow anyoneto dispose of waste collected in Johnston County at the County facility and of course complywith the conditions of said facility Mr Blizzard also suggested that the county, as leadagency, should adopt a policy determining who may use this facilityAfter discussion; Commissioner Frank B i1? ng moved that Harold Blizzard,beauthorizedto negotiate With the- Raleigh firm to allow it to dispose of waste from portable units at thecounty _Wastewater facility Commissioner Holding further moved that Mr Blizzard keep theboard informed -on these servicesCommissioner James W Cash seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous vote4 Landfill - Water TableHarold Blizzard, County Planner, explained to the board that the site now being usedat the landfill indicates a high water table across about half the site Mr Blizzard statedthat it may only be a perched water table and if this could be proven, water could be re-routed by trenching upstream and this would allow deeper excavation at this site Stateregulations prohibit digging in true water tables, Mr, Blizzard further explained that thiscould be determined only by drilling tests that will cost approximately 2,000 to 3,000After discussion, Commissioner John M Booker moved that the County Planner beauthorized to test the water table at the landfill to determine whether the present site hasa true high water table or a perched water table Commissioner Frank B Holding seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous vote5 Building Inspections - Planning DepartmentHarold Blizzard again asked the board for a decision on the new inspector needed inthe Planning Department to enforce new State mandated inspection regulations The boardagreed to take this under advisement6 Nursing HomeMr Anderson Howell, Wilmington Attorney, and backers of a proposed Nursing Home inJohnston County, again met with the board seeking the countys endorsement to enable thiscorporation to secure low interest tax exempt bonds to finance the facility Mr Howellagain emphasized that they have a Certificate of Need for a facility of new type,After much discussion, the Board of Commissioners still showed much concern about thecounty endorsing a tax - exempt bond and asked the County Attorney to talk with State Officialsand investigate this request and report back to the board7 307 Highway ProjectCommissioner Frank B Holding moved that the Johnston County Board of Commissionersrespectfully request the Governor and the North Carolina Department of Transportation toreconsider the widening of U S Highway 301 between Smithfield and Selma; and further thatthe Columbus County Highway # 130 not be funded ahead of the 301 project in Johnston County,as the volume of traffic on U S Highway 301 between Smithfield and Selma is much heavierthan the traffic on Columbus County Road # 130,Commissioner Holding further moved that a copy of the editorial appearing in theSmithfield Herald on March 10, 1981, because it tells the plight of this project so clearly,be mailed to the Governor, members of the North Carolina Highway Commission, and members ofthe North Carolina General Assembly representing Johnston CountyCommissioner Howard Benton seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous vote120May 11, 1981 ContinuedUpon a motion by Commissioner James W Cash, duly seconded by Commissioner John MBooker and carried by unanimous vote, it was moved that the board go into Executive Sessionto discuss the employment of a County AdministratorAfter discussion in Executive Session, Commissioner Frank B Holding moved that theExecutive Session be closed and regular session be resumed; and further that the board recessuntil Monday, May 18, 1981, at 730 pm,iCommissioner James W Cash seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voteNorman C Denning, ChairmanEleanor N Cri-eelfClerk to the Board