041018wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
April 10, 2018
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, in
Conference Room A, County Administration Building, 420 McKinney Parkway, Lillington,
North Carolina.
Members present:
Staff present:
Gordon Springle, Chairman
Howard Penny, Vice Chairman
Abe Elmore, Commissioner
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Joe Miller, 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. Commissioner Miller led the Pledge
of Allegiance and invocation.
The following agenda was before the Board:
➢ Closed Session
• CCCC "The Harnett Promise"
➢ Economic Development Advertising Update
➢ System Development Fee Analysis and Fee Schedule Report
Employee Health Benefits Committee
➢ Capital Plan
➢ County Manager's Report:
- April 16, 2018 Regular Meeting Agenda Review
- Invitations and upcoming meetings
➢ Adjourn
Commissioner McKoy moved that the Board go into closed session for the following purposes:
1) To discuss certain personnel matters; and
2) 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
3) To discuss certain economic development matters.
This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(6)(5)&(4).
Vice Chairman Penny seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Commissioner Elmore moved that the Board come out of closed session. Vice Chairman Penny
seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
April 10, 2018 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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CCCC President Dr. Bud Marchant presented "The Harnett Promise". He said this would be a
pilot project that CCCC and Harnett County would review after four years and decide on future
appropriations to continue the program. Dr. Marchant said "The Harnett Promise" would
guarantee all eligible Harnett County residents who graduate from a public high school, having
completed four dual -enrollment courses or 12 dual -enrollment credit hours, up to two years of
free tuition and fees at Central Carolina Community College for the two years immediately
following their high school graduation. He noted that through Central Carolina Works they
currently have over 555 high school students in Harnett County taking college credits.
Dr. Marchant said he wanted to begin a conversation today but he is not asking for a
commitment at this time. CCCC Provost Jon Matthews and Dr. Phillip Price were also present.
Dr. Marchant responded to questions. He said students would still have to meet CCCC's regular
enrollment standards. The projected Harnett County commitment would total $1.7 Million over
a four year period. Dr. Marchant said because this is a pilot, CCCC would return any money not
used. He assured the Board that CCCC would not come back to Harnett County seeking any
additional funds if the costs were more than the projected; the college would cover any overages.
They guestimate 250 to 300 students would take advantage of the program. Discussions
continued. It was the consensus of commissioners to look at starting "The Harnett Promise" in
2018.
Harnett County Economic Development staff Debbie Taylor, Angie Stewart and Nick Dula
provided an update on Economic Development advertising and program activities.
Harnett County Public Utilities Director Steve Ward presented the System Development Fee
Analysis and Fee Schedule Report. Mr. Ward noted Harnett County commissioned WR Martin to
analyze our Water and Sewer System Development Fees (SDF) to comply with North Carolina
House Bill (HB 436). SDFs are defined as one-time charges assessed against new development to
recover a proportional share of the costs of capital facilities constructed to provide service capacity
for new customers connecting to the water and sewer systems.
Mr. Ward noted the bill was ratified to address fee inconsistencies among public providers
including calculation methodologies and implementation. The new law provides specific
guidelines that public water and sewer providers must follow to change SDF's. Typically, the cost
basis for setting capacity fees is based on the system components that are necessary to serve, and
that provide benefit to, all customers. These components typically include land, treatment plants,
lift stations, lines, and other equipment.
Mr. Ward said the draft report must be posted on-line for 45 days followed by a public hearing.
He said he wanted to provide an update and outline next steps however no action is needed
by the Board at this time. Mr. Ward recommends charging $2000 for water and $1,500 for
sewer, which they could charge for up to 5 years. Discussions continued.
Commissioner Elmore 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 by lease; and
April 10, 2018 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 2 of 3
2) Consultation with the County's legal staff and special counsel in order to preserve the
attorney-client privilege concerning the handling of certain claims and litigation
including the following case:
"Anderson Creek Partners, L.P. vs The County of Harnett and Thomas Shane
Cummings"
Harnett Superior Court File No. 17CVS2251
This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(5)&(3).
Vice Chairman Penny seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Vice Chairman Penny moved that the Board come out of closed session. Commissioner Elmore
seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Mrs. Stewart and Human Resources Director Heather Pollard shared their concerns regarding the
previous role and current membership of the Employee Benefits Committee, which was
established as an advisory committee by the Board several years ago. Discussions continued.
The Board will consider staff's recommendation to restructure the committee from a Board
appointed committee to an interdepartmental committee overseen by Human Resources.
Staff distributed a draft General Government Capital Improvement 5 -year Plan and briefly
reviewed the requests submitted for FY 2018/19. Mrs. Stewart sought guidance from the Board
regarding their priorities. Mrs. Honeycutt suggested developing a funding formula for capital
improvements. Discussions continued. Chairman Springle said he thought the Capital
Improvement Plan was a good plan but the key is deciding how much to spend on capital
improvement each year.
Mrs. Stewart reviewed the proposed April 16, 2018 regular meeting agenda. She reviewed
invitations and upcoming meetings. Mrs. Stewart announced that the County received notice
that all three projects submitted to The Golden Leaf Foundation were approved with approval
letters forthcoming.
Mrs. Stewart recommended that the Board wait until 2019 to consider a proposed recreation
tax. She noted staff needs additional time to perform due diligence including holding public
meetings to educate the public.
The group discussed Mrs. Honeycutt recent inquiry about the amount it would cost to start
paying county employees bi-weekly.
Chairman Springle asked staff to prepare a letter to NC Geodetic Survey asking that they
establish borders for Harnett County and surrounding counties.
Commissioner Elmore moved to adjourn the meeting at 1:05 pm. Vice Chairman Penny seconded
the :tion that passed unanimously.
• n Sprin;le, ' h
Regina W S eler, Clerk
April 10, 2018 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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