December 4, 2023 - 6:00 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Rezoning)

10 904 Meeting of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners December 4 , 2023 6 00 pm The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in regular session Monday , December 4 , 2023 at 6 00 pm in the Commissioners Meeting Room , Johnston County Courthouse Annex , Smithfield , North Carolina The following members were present Present Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr , Vice Chairman Patrick E Harris , Tony Braswell , Ted G Godwin , Fred J Smith , Jr , Richard D Braswell and April Stephens Absent None Also Present County Manager Rick J Hester , County Attorney Jennifer J Slusser , Clerk to the Board Dana G Cuddington , and Executive Assistant Deputy Clerk Susie Reeves Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr called the meeting to order at 6 00 pm and the following business was transacted Chairman Lawter reminded everyone of the Board’s six priorities including Public Safety , Infrastructure , County Employees , Financial Stewardship , Educational Funding , and Land Use and the Board’s continuing efforts to keep these priorities in mind when working through the agenda Announcement Regarding Case 23 - 20 withdrawn Petition to rezone 83 acres located at 14979 NC Highway 39 in the O’Neals Township from Agricultural Residential AR to General Business - Conditional Zoning GB - CZ Tax ID 11M01022A Owner Emma Doris Mitchell Applicant Raymond Mitchell - Conditional Zoning Request Business office and Barber Beauty salon Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr announced that Case 23 - 20 has been withdrawn by the applicant and will not be heard 1 Approval Discussion of Agenda Upon a motion by Commissioner Ted G Godwin , seconded by Vice Chairman Patrick E Harris , and carried by unanimous vote , the Board approved the agenda adding Appointments as Item No 2 from the morning meeting 2 Appointments Economic Development Advisory Board – Upon a motion by Commissioner Ted G Godwin , seconded by Commissioner April Stephens , and carried unanimously , the Board reappointed Mike Fleming representing Smithfield , Linwood Parker representing Four Oaks , and O Hampton Whittington , Jr representing Benson for two year terms to expire on December 31 , 2025 with Mr Fleming and Mr Whittington receiving waivers in the length of service policy Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr stated the Board will utilize written ballots for appointments to the Economic Development Advisory Board two at - large positions and the Tourism Authority four positions Chairman Lawter asked each Commissioner to complete and sign their ballots and submit them to the Deputy Clerk to be tallied and announced at the end of the meeting 3 Public Comment None 4 Nonprofit Agency Funding Policy County Attorney Jennifer Slusser presented information as it relates to a draft policy for nonprofit agency funding Ms Slusser recalled that during budget discussions last fiscal year , the Board had asked staff to look at a process for funding requests received from nonprofit agencies and see if there is a way to improve that process She stated the presentation will address some of the fundamental questions that need to be answered in considering nonprofit agency funding by local governments Ms Slusser stated the two most important things to consider are 1 why does the County want to fund nonprofits ; and 2 does the County want to have a formal process Ms Slusser stated the School of Government released an article about nonprofit agency funding that provided a good summary of the advantages of funding nonprofits , which included the following Page905 December 4 , 2023 – 6 00 pm Continued • Nonprofits may be better service providers than governments when they can supplement public funds with the contributions of time , expertise , and money from volunteers and other donors • Sometimes nonprofits can move more flexibly or quickly than local governments to address a pressing need • Nonprofits can build a sense of community within the County and also encourage civic participation with volunteers , neighbors , and others who are trusted within a particular community • Nonprofits can bring specialized expertise on community issues or on a specific population because of their mission and experience • Nonprofits augment , complement , or fill in gaps in government services Ms Slusser stated Johnston County has historically funded nonprofits and has viewed that funding as an investment in valuable community services and partnerships with other organizations that serve Johnston County citizens Ms Slusser continued by presenting the following information Page906 December 4 , 2023 – 6 00 pm Continued Ms Slusser noted that staff uses the Board’s mission statement as a guide in drafting and recommending all policies for the Board of Commissioners to consider Ms Slusser also noted that in considering a policy for nonprofit agency funding , it is consistent with the Board’s Financial Stewardship Priority Page907 December 4 , 2023 – 6 00 pm ContinuedPagePage pageNumber5908 December 4 , 2023 – 6 00 pm Continued Ms Slusser concluded her presentation and offered to answer any questions Commissioner Ted G Godwin stated staff has done a good job putting the draft policy together and have addressed all his concerns Vice Chairman Patrick E Harris asked if the Board adopts the policy , that staff notify all the agencies that have historically requested funding , of the new policy and application process and further that there be some level of assistance given to those agencies on understanding the new process Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr agreed with Vice Chairman Harris that it would be a good idea to go ahead and notify the nonprofit agencies of this new process the Board is considering so they will be aware Chairman Lawter thanked the staff for their thoroughness on drafting the policy and assembling the information 5 Manager Reports and Comments None 6 Board Reports and Comments Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr stated the votes have been tallied for appointments to the Economic Development Advisory Board at - large positions and the Tourism Authority , as follows Economic Development Advisory Board – Edwin Aldridge , Jr and Steve Hargis were reappointed for two year terms to expire on December 31 , 2025 Tourism Authority – Bud Andrews was reappointed and James Jenkins , Kimberly Pickett , and James Lassiter were appointed for three year terms to expire on October 31 , 2026 PagePage pageNumber6909 December 4 , 2023 – 6 00 pm Continued Chairman Lawter announced that the Board will be holding a Strategic Planning Session on February 15 and 16 , 2024 at The Clayton Center located at 111 East Second Street , Clayton , North Carolina 7 Closed Session – NCGS 14331811 a 4 – Economic Development Upon a motion by Commissioner Fred J Smith , Jr , seconded by Commissioner Richard D Braswell , and carried by unanimous vote , the Board recessed regular session to sit in closed session to discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area , pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143 - 31811 a 4 No action was taken by the Board Commissioner Ted G Godwin moved the Board to adjourn closed session and resume regular session Commissioner April Stephens seconded the motion , which carried by unanimous vote There being no further business , Commissioner Ted G Godwin moved the Board adjourn Commissioner April Stephens seconded the motion , which carried by unanimous vote The meeting adjourned at 6 41 pm RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr , Chairman Dana G Cuddington , Clerk to the BoardPage