June 1, 1981 - 10:00 AM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes

June 1, 1981The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in regular session Monday, June 1, 1981,at 10 oclock am, 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, James W Cash, John MBooker, DVM, and Howard BentonMembers Absent NoneThe Chairman called the meeting to order and the following business was transacted1 MinutesThe board reviewed the minutes of the April 6, 15 and 22nd board meetingsCommissioner James W Cash moved that the minutes of the April 6, 15 and 22nd beapproved as recordedCommissioner Howard Benton seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous vote2 Audit Contract - AwardedThe board reviewed the following bids received for auditing the county financialrecords for the fiscal year 1980 - 1981a Eason, Dees and Jackson, PA, Smithfield, N CHourly rates Clerical 1200; Junior Accountant 2000Senior Accountant 3000;Accounts General Fund 8,64500; Airport Authority 89500; Mental Health4,59500; Rural Fire Departments 2,16000;Total 16,29500b Travis J Hill, CPA, Clayton, N CHourly rates Clerical 900; Junior Accountants 15,00; Senior Accountants2000; Principal 3000;Accounts General Fund 9,28000; Airport Authority 96000; Mental Health4,77500; Rural Fire Departments 1,41500Total 16,43000c Daniel G Matthews Associates, Inc, Smithfield, N CHourly rates Clerical 1100; Other Accountants 1800; Senior Accountants2300; Principal 3000;Accounts General Fund 8,59500; Airport Authority 89500; Mental Health4,37000; Rural Fire Departments 1,52500Total 15,38500126June 1, 1981 ContinuedAfter discussion, Commissioner Howard Benton moved that the annual audit contract forthe 1980 -1981 fiscal year be awarded to DanielG Matthews and Associates, Inc, of SmithfieldN C, low bidderCommissioner James W Cash seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous vote3 Fire Works Display - Optimist Club of SmithfieldCommissioner John M Booker moved that the Optimist Club of Smithfield be grantedpermission to have a 4th of July fire works display iCommissioner Frank B Holding seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous vote4 Fire Works Display - Archer Lodge Community Recreation, IncCommissioner John M Booker moved that the Archer Lodge Community Recreation, Inc,be granted permission to have a 4th of July fire works displayiCommissioner Frank B Holding seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voteI5 Home Health Nurses - RetirementJohnnie Stott, Interim County Administrator, advised the board thatltheHomeHealthNurses transferring from Johnston -Lee Community Action have requested permission to join theLocal Governmental Employees Retirement System effective July 1, 1981 In conflict with therequest the County Personnel Policy states that each full time permanent county employee shallbe required to join`the Local Government Employees Retirement System on their one yearanniversary dateThe board deferred action on this matter at this timeThe board again discussed the Home Health Services with Helen Ray, Administrator,Johnston County Health Department6 Princeton - Community Development Block Grant - ResolutionUpon a motion by Commissioner Howard Benton, duly seconded by Commissioner John MBooker, DVM, and carried by unanimous vote, the following resolution was adoptedRESOLUTIONiWHEREAS, the Johnston County Board of Commissioners feel that it is in the best interestof Johnston County to assist low and moderate income families in obtaining standard housing; andWHEREAS, housing assistance is available through the Community Development Block Grantprogram administered by the U S Department of Housing and Urban Development; andWHEREAS, the citizens of the Princeton Community expressed interest and need forimproved housing and public facilities at two public hearings held in May and June, 1981;NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Johnston County Board of Commissioners that;1 The Johnston County Board of Commissioners endorse the Johnston County CommnityDevelopment Program proposed for the Target Area adjacent to the Town of Princeton;and2 The Johnston County Board of Commissioners authorizes the Chairman of the Board ofCommissioners to sign and submit a full application for the Community DevelopmentBlock GrantNorman C Denning, ChairmanATTEST7 ReportsThe following reports were filed with the board Tax Collector; Electrical Inspector;4Dog Warden; Agricultural Extension Service and Planning, Johnnie Stotts Interim CountyAdministrator, and Finance Director reported on budget transfers between departments,13June 1, 1981 Cont8 Water Study Report by Ragsdale EngineersTim Broome and Frank Stephenson, Ragsdale Engineers, met with the board and presenteda preliminary study report on three alternative plans for the expansion of water supply inJohnston County Mr Broome explained that they had studied the Little River source, CapeFear and Neuse River sources for additional water to fed into the Johnston County SystemMr Broome presented the projected water use in Johnston County until 2010 and thecapital cost for the three alternate plans The first phase of getting water from LittleRiver to fed into the central Johnston County system, which would require a water treatmentplant, would cost approximately 6,007,000, expansion of the Neuse River plant would cost3,804,000 and to link to the Cape Fear by way of Benson, would cost between 3,753,000 and3,926,000Mr Broome explained that at this point Ragsdale Engineers had no recommendations asthe plans need further study The board took no action at this time9 Manning RoadChairman Norman C Denning explained to the board that he had received more complaintsfrom property owners on Manning Road The property owners contend that as a result of damagescaused by the contractors and the heavy rains they were still having problems with yardswashing and until the road and yards are rebuilt and put back as they were before the waterand sewer lines were constructed, they will continue to have problems The Chairman indicatedthat in his opinion these residents have a legitimate complaintAfter much discussion of this problem with the engineers, Commissioner Frank B Holdingmoved that a representative from Ragsdale Engineers visit with property owners on Manning Roadand make every reasonable effort to resolve the problems and further that the County willpay for the expense involvedCommissioner Howard Benton seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous vote,10 Jury SelectionWill Crocker, Clerk of Superior Court, talked briefly with the board regarding acomputerized system of selecting jurors Mr Crocker explained further that a representativefrom the State office would meet with the board to explain this system if the Commissionerswere interested The board indicated that they were interested if this system would befeasible for Johnston County11 Hospital Bond Issue EndorsedCommissioner Frank B Holding advised the board that many people had approached himabout the Hospital Bond Referendum with regard to the boards attitude on the issueCommissioner Holding emphasized that years ago the Hospital Board of Trustees approached theBoard of Commissioners with plans to up -date the hospital and he was sorry the board did notsupport the plans at that time However, today, Commissioner Holding expressed that he favoredthe boards endorsement of the Hospital Bond Referendum and stated several reasons ChairmanDenning agreed stating that the citizens of Johnston County need and deserve better healthcare facilities than what we have Commissioner Howard Benton who serves on the HospitalBoard of Trustees as Chairman indicated that a more modern facility would attract moredoctors , and further that he knows of two good doctors that are waiting to see if the Bondissue carries before making a decision to come to Smithfield,Commissioner John M Booker stated that the County Commissioners should strive toprovide better hospital facilities, however, did not agree with the issue proposed on theHospital Bond Referendum Commissioner Booker stated that just this phase of improvement isnot;going to_solve the,,prcblemF if it as;, not the intentions of the board to go forward with ` ob Commissioner Booker indicated favor toward a;the program; thin wlil- be? just a pa-??`j;clinic type practice in Johnston County Commissioner Booker further questioned thismodernization plan and the general obligation bonds as the means of financing as he felt thetax increase would have to be greater than anticipatedAfter a lengthy discussion, Commissioner Frank B Holding introduced the followingresolution and moved that it be adoptedWHEREAS, on June 16, 1981, the voters of Johnston County will have the opportunity tovote on a 7,500,00000 County Bond Issue to finance the modernization program at JohnstonMemorial Hospital;WHEREAS, the citizens of Johnston County deserve good health care facilities;WHEREAS, Johnston Memorial Hospital is in great need of improved facilities;28June 1, 1981 ContinuedWHEREAS, the rising price of gas will make it necessary for ,many Johnstonians to relyon the local hospital for medical services hereafter rather than to travel to out -of- countyhospitals and clinics;WIiEREAS, the proposed moderniAct on 61- Johnston Memorial Hospital should help toattract new doctors to locate in this area;WHEREAS, the financial condition of Johnston Memorial Hospital has greatly improvedin recent months;WHEREAS, as the proposed Bond Issue should not be a big financial burden on the taxpayers of Johnston CountyNOW THEREFORE, the Board of Commissioners of Johnston County does hereby go on recordas being in favor of the 7,500,00000 County Bond Issue to be voted upon on June 16, 1981,and the Board encourages all of the citizens in the County to vote and to give the improvementof Johnston Memorial Hospital their serious considerationCommissioner James W Cash seconded the motion which was carried by the followingvoteAye Frank B Holding, James W Cash, Howard Benton and Norman C DenningNay John M Booker, DVM12 Energy Saving Program - GasolineJohnnie Stott, Interim County Administrator, stated that MICA Management ImprovementCorporation of America has offered to the county a proposal to save onthe amount of gasolineused by the county by 77o by adding a lubicate and cleaner to the bulk gasoline tank, Theboard tabled this matter at this timeAt this time, Commissioner Howard Benton moved that that?-regfIlar session be recessed,and the Board of Commissioners sit as a Board of Equalization and ReviewBOARD OF EQUALIZATION AND REVIEW1 Champion Products - Bartex Plant - Valuation ?Johnnie Stott, Tax Supervisor, reported that he, Commissioner James W Cash and EarlBradley, Tax Appraiser, had visited the Bartex Plant Champion Products in Clayton and basedon the on -sight inspection and in their opinion, the valuation of this property should bechanged from 309,560 to 281,130 a reduction of 28,430 Mr Stott reported further that thewrong depreciation figureswere used After hearing Mr Stotts report; Commissioner FrankB Holding moved that the valuation be changed as recommendedCommissioner Howard Benton seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voteUpon a motion by Commissioner John M Booker, duly seconded by Commissioner HowardBenton and carried by unanimous vote, the Board of Equalization and Review adjourned, and theBoard of Commissioners resume regular sessionREGULAR SESSION13 Building InspectorHarold Blizzard, County Planner, again reviewed with the board the requirements ofthe County Inspection System and the new requirements of the State of North Carolina for abuilding inspector effective July 1, 1981 Mr Blizzard also reviewed with the board thenew inspections and permits required and proposed a new fee schedule for all county inspectionsThe board agreed to study the new recommended fee schedule14 School Budget Request Presented - 1981 -82Mr Wade Stephenson, Chairman, and members of the Johnston County Board of Education,along with Dr James Ellerbe, Superintendent, met with the Board of Commissioners and presentedthe proposed 1981 -82 budget for the Johnston County Schools Each school board memberpresented different sections of the school budget request and emphasized that this budget didnot include any new positions or program, nor any funds to make up for cuts made by the stateand federal governments, however, showed an increase of approximately 177oDr Ellerbe summed up this budget request stating that the budget was prepared byfiguring a 1 salary increase, 12 increase for inflation and 20 volume increase for energy,In closing, Dr Ellerbe told the board that this budget is as accurate as we can make it atthis time The board questioned the school budget request at length, however, made no decisionspending further budget studyrJune 1, 1981 ContinuedUpon a motion by Commissioner James W Cash, duly seconded by Commissioner John MBooker, and carried by unanimous vote, the board recessed to meet again Monday, June 8, 1981,at 730 pmEleanor N CreechClerk to the Board