103117wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
October 31, 2017
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, October 31,
2017, in the County Manager's Conference Room, County Administration Building, 102 East
Front Street, Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present:
Staff present:
Gordon Springle, Chairman
Joe Miller, Vice Chairman
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Abe Elmore, Commissioner
Howard Penny, Commissioner
Paula Stewart, Interim County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk
Chairman Springle called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Vice Chairman Miller led the Pledge
of Allegiance and invocation.
The following agenda was before the Board:
➢ Update on the Utilities Access Program
➢ Proposed change to the Personnel Ordinance: Article III. The Pay Plan,
Section 6 & Section 8
➢ Harnett County Cooperative Extension Update:
- Horticulture
- Field Crops and Livestock
➢ County Manager's Report:
November 6, 2017 Agenda Review
- Letter of intent to fund up to $300,000 toward the
installation of an alternate entrance road/bus loop at the
North Harnett Primary School.
- Town of Lillington Agreement Update
I-95 Interchange Improvements
- Invitations and upcoming meetings
➢ Closed session
➢ Adjourn
Chairman Springle called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Vice Chairman Miller led the Pledge
of Allegiance and invocation.
October 31, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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General Services Director Barry Blevins, Assistant Director Anna Peele and Public Utilities
Director Steve Ward provided an update on the Harnett County Utilities Access Program. The
program allows citizens to apply for tap fee waivers if they income qualify. Mrs. Peele noted
they have received five applications and approved three. Staff said they believe the program is a
success and discussed additional ways to publicize it.
Human Resources Director Heather Pollard discussed the following proposed changes to the
Personnel Ordinance, Article III. The Pay Plan:
1) Section 6.1, the 3/5 Plan. Remove the paragraph beginning with "Employees hired after
January 1, 2016... minus the additional $500 increase. Revised 6/19/17."
Mrs. Pollard said this portion of the ordinance is no longer necessary as it poses multiple issues
with the workings of the new Performance Pay Plan, implemented 7/1/2017.
2) Removal of Section 8. Salary Compression "The annual salary of supervisors may be at
least $500 more than the highest paid employee supervised and is subject to the request
of the Department Head and at the discretion of the County Manager."
Mrs. Pollard said this section is outdated and cost prohibitive due to the new Performance Pay
Play implemented July 1, 2017. The group discussed the proposed changes and stressed this still
goes back to performance reviews and communications. Commissioners will consider approving
the proposed changes at their upcoming meeting.
Harnett County Cooperative Extension Interim Director Bill Stone said staff wants to make sure
commissioners and citizens know what cooperative extension is all about; who they are and the
services they offer. Agriculture Extension Agents Matt Jones and Brian Parrish provided
agriculture updates. They discussed their roles, services provided and highlighted activities
regarding crops, livestock, pesticides, farm testing, consumer and commercial horticulture,
workshops, consultations, outreach programs and local grants received. Mr. Parrish said Harnett
County is ranked 14th in agriculture in the state. Discussions continued.
Mr. Stone said Cooperative Extension staff could also leverage university resources to address
local needs. He said Cooperative Extension addresses localized needs relevant to local counties
and you can see the dollar value and quality of life impacts that are so important. Mr. Stone said
staff looks forward to presenting quarterly sessions to the Board. Last, Mr. Stone reminded the
group about the upcoming dedication ceremony in honor of the late Jennifer Walker. Mrs.
Stewart noted Cooperative Extension staff is working with Economic Development on the
agriculture asset mapping.
Mrs. Stewart reviewed the proposed November 6, 2017 regular meeting agenda.
Mrs. Stewart said in order to get on NC DOT's December agenda they need a letter of intent
from the County regarding funding for the installation of an alternate entrance road/bus loop at
the North Harnett Primary School. She said the State confirmed they have receive $200,000 in
contingency funding from the Speaker's Office however, we have yet to receive confirmation
from Senator Rabon's office regarding the additional $100,000. Mrs. Stewart said this would put
the County paying $200,000 toward the $500,000 project. She said Superintendent Fleming
responded this road would be a good thing but it is not a priority for them at this time. The group
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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discussed their three active projects with DOT. Staff confirmed the County is not putting any
funds towards the Campbell sidewalk project. Discussions continued. It was the consensus of
the Board to consider approval, at their upcoming regular meeting, a letter of intent for the
County to provide up to 200,000 for the installation of an alternate entrance road/bus loop at
North Harnett Primary School in Lillington provided they receive a total of $300,000 in
contingency funds from the North Carolina General Assembly.
Mr. Snow reported that the property swap with the Town of Lillington closed on October 25,
2017. Mrs. Stewart said renovations of the new building should be complete in December with
staff hopefully moving by the end of the year. She said departments are excited about the
warehouse space for storage.
Commissioners received information provided by NCDOT regarding the upcoming I-95
Interchange Improvements. Mrs. Stewart mentioned Economic Development's new display
currently located in the lobby. Staff reviewed several invitations sent to commissioners for
upcoming meetings and events. Mrs. Stewart also announced Care4Carolina has expressed
interest in hosting a kickoff in Harnett County.
Chairman Springle reported that Central Carolina Community College recently went through
their certification program with absolutely no issues, which is a great accomplishment he said.
Commissioner Penny noted a representative of the Boys and Girls Club contacted him
saying the preliminary cost to get the old Shawtown School facility ready for their use is
$300,000. They should work with staff to present to the Board at an upcoming meeting.
Vice Chairman Miller moved that the Board go into closed session for the following purposes:
(1) To instruct the County staff concerning the position to be taken by the County in
negotiating a contract for the acquisition of real property; and
(2) To discuss certain personnel matters.
This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(5)&(6).
Commissioner Penny seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Commissioner Elmore moved that the Board come out of closed session. Vice Chairman Miller
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Commissioner Elmore moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:58 am. Commissioner Penny
seco ded the motion that passed unanimously.
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eler, Clerk
October 31, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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