101519wsHARNETT COUNTY BOARD.OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
October 15, 2019
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, October 15,
2019, in Conference Room A, County Administration Building, 420 McKinney Parkway,
Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present:
Gordon Springle, Chairman
Howard Penny, Vice Chairman
Mark B. Johnson, Commissioner
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Member absent: Joe Miller, Commissioner
Staff present:
Paula Stewart, County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk
Coley Price, Assistant County Manager
Allen Coats, Assistant Finance Officer
Lindsey Lucas, Deputy Clerk
Chairman Springle called the meeting to order at 9:00 am and led the Pledge of Allegiance and
invocation.
The following agenda was before the Board:
- Town of Angier's request for FY2019 SRO Reimbursement in the amount of
$70,029.94
Property Tax Exemption/Exclusion Late Applications
County Manager's Report:
• Various project updates
• October 21, 2019 Regular Meeting Agenda Review
• Invitations and upcoming meetings
- Closed session
Adjourn
Mrs. Stewart presented the Town of Angier's request for FY2019 SRO Reimbursement for
$70,029.94. Angier Town Manager Gerry Vincent stated in an October 3, 2019 letter that they
were without a Finance Director and support staff for a time. Mrs. Stewart said, per the
agreement, the town was supposed to submit monthly invoices for reimbursement. Staff
suggested that commissioners delay consideration of this request until the town is able to provide
detailed documentation supporting the $70,029.94 request.
October 15, 2019 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Harnett County Tax Administrator Bill Tyson discussed Property Tax Exemption/Exclusion Late
Applications with the Board. Jenny Harrop, Deputy Tax Administrator/Real Property
Supervisor, also attended the meeting. Mr. Tyson said these applicants, other than missing the
deadline, meet all qualifications per General Statute. According to General Statute 105-282.1(a)
Late Application — Upon a showing of good cause by the applicant for failure to make a timely
application, an application for exemption or exclusion filed after the close of the listing period
may be approved by the Department of Revenue, the Board of Equalization and Review, the
Board of Commissioners, or the governing body of a municipality, as appropriate. An untimely
application for exemption or exclusion approved under this section applies only to property taxes
levied by the county or municipalities in the calendar year in which the untimely application is
filed. Staff recommends that the Board approve these late application appeals.
Regarding the application appeal for the Anderson Creek Club Charter School, Mr. Tyson
explained that the facility had been exempt in the past however when they transferred ownership
of the building the exempt code was automatically removed and they did not file timely. Staff
recommends moving forward with the appeal. Discussions continued. The Board will consider
approving the late property tax exemption/exclusion applications during their upcoming regular
meeting.
Mrs. Stewart reviewed the proposed October 21, 2019 regular meeting agenda. Mrs. Stewart
shared a draft invitation for the Harnett County Resource Center & Library Groundbreaking
Ceremony scheduled at 11:00 am on October 29, 2019.
Mrs. Stewart responded that staff would do some target marketing, in addition to the upcoming
public hearing scheduled, to get feedback from citizens regarding HARTS. She said staff would
provide an update on services and progress soon.
Commissioner McKoy moved that the Board go into closed session for the following purpose:
1) To discuss certain economic development matters.
This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11 (a)(4).
Vice Chairman Penny seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Vice Chairman Penny moved that the Board come out of closed session. Commissioner Johnson
seconded the motion, which passed 4 — 0.
Following closed session, and having completed the published agenda before the Board,
commissioners and staff discussed several additional issues at length. Commissioners Springle
and Penny said they recently met with US Marshal Mike East who is encouraging the County to
expand their jail to house, and transport, the additional federal prisoners he would like to send to
Harnett County. Commissioners confirmed that Mr. East cannot guarantee the number of federal
prisoners that may be sent. It was noted that Renee Pascal is currently working on a feasibility
study on constructing and operating an additional pod at the Harnett County Sheriff's Office.
Discussions continued.
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Chairman Springle also said Senator Burgin told him that the state is looking at contracting with
and paying counties to house mentally disabled inmates.
Commissioners thanked staff for the outstanding work they did with the recent Town Hall
County Update meetings throughout the County. They suggested doing four community
meetings next year outside of the municipalities.
Chairman Springle announced that the Mid -Carolina COG would be interviewing for a new
executive director the following week. All commissioners are invited to attend a Mid -Carolina
COG meeting on November 6, 2019 in Fayetteville.
Mrs. Stewart reported that the Board of Education, during their last meeting, did not accept the
land recommendation to purchase land for the new Northwest Harnett School. She also said they
will not sign the lottery application, so that the County can draw down $1.21 Million for the
Board of Education's capital funding, until the County gives them the leftover monies from the
Benhaven school project bond proceeds to go toward the Johnsonville improvements estimated
at $7 Million. Mrs. Honeycutt said she is unable to pay capital invoices being submitted by the
Board of Education. Staff reported that the Benhaven school project is not yet compete with an
on-going legal dispute with the contractor. Discussions continued.
Commissioner Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:28 am. Commissioner McKoy
seconded the motion that passed 4-0.
Gordon Sprin
t Regina eeler, Cler
October 15, 2019 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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