072616wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
July 26, 2016
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, July 26, 2016, in
the County Manager's Conference Room, County Administration Building, 102 East Front
Street, Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present:
Staff present:
Jim Burgin, Chairman
Gordon Springle, Vice Chairman
Abe Elmore, Commissioner
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Joe Miller, Commissioner
Joseph Jeffries, County Manager
Paula Stewart, Deputy County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Allen Coats, Deputy County Manager
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk
Chairman Burgin called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Commissioner Miller led the pledge of
allegiance and invocation.
The following agenda was before commissioners:
➢ US MOTTO ACTION COMMITTEE's request to display IN GOD WE TRUST in
and on governmental buildings.
➢ GIS Training
➢ Update on the Harnett County Public Utilities Efficiency Study
➢ August 1, 2016 Regular Meeting agenda review
➢ Closed session
Mr. Rick Lanier, Vice Chairman of US MOTTO ACTION COMMITTEE, invited
commissioners to join the growing list of cities and counties that are deciding to
proudly and prominently displaying IN GOD WE TRUST, in and/or on their governmental
buildings. Mr. Lanier shared pictures presented by his sign company showing
what the national motto could look like on the Harnett County Courthouse and Administration
Building. He said 100% of the cost to display the national motto would come from private
donations. Mr. Lanier responded since Davidson County paved the way, not one legal challenge
has been raised against any city or county that has voted yes to display our national motto.
Commissioners will discuss further. Chairman Burgin noted that "In God We Trust" decals have
been placed on all Harnett County Sheriff vehicles.
July 26, 2016, Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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IT Director Ira Hall and GIS Analyst Chris Hawk provided commissioners training on the
county's new GIS website. Staff distributed a "Quick Start Guide — Harnett County Parcel
Viewer v1.3" to commissioners.
Public Utilities Director Steve Ward reported progress on the Prioritization of Recommendations
from the Harnett County Public Utilities Efficiency Study performed by MartinMcGill
Management Consulting in July 2015. Mr. Ward noted some of the recommendations
specifically centered around customer service and their growing customer base. He also reported
other recommendations had been addressed on county and departmental levels. Discussions
continued. Mr. Ward responded the 42 MGD water plant upgrade is 95% complete. Mr. Ward
also alerted the group that NC Department of Transportation has approached them, along with
other larger utilities, wanting to shift the work for utility relocations to those utilities and then
reimburse them for the cost.
Mr. Jeffries reviewed the proposed August 1, 2016 regular meeting agenda.
Commissioners discussed displaying IN GOD WE TRUST in and/or on Harnett County
governmental buildings. It was the consensus of the Board to consider, as a
regular agenda item at their upcoming meeting, a resolution to display 1N GOD WE TRUST on
the county courthouse and administration building. Once the resolution is approved, staff will
work through the details and bring a proposal back before the Board.
Commissioner Miller moved that the Board go into closed session for the following purposes:
1) Consultation with the County legal staff in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege
concerning the handling of certain claims and litigation including the following case: "In
Re: Estate of John David Livingston, II, et als, Petitioners vs Harnett County Sheriff s
Office, Harnett County File No. 16 CVS 1165; and,
2) To discuss certain personnel matters; and
3) To discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses
in Harnett County.
This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(3), (6) & (4).
Commissioner Elmore seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Commissioner Elmore moved that the board come out of closed session. Commissioner Miller
seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Commissioner Elmore moved to adjourn the meeting at 12:00 pm. Vice Chairman Springle
seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
AYtzek
Regina Weler, Clerk
July 26, 2016, Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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