051419wsHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
May 14, 2019
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, in
Conference Room A, County Administration Building, 420 McKinney Parkway, Lillington,
North Carolina.
Members present:
Members absent:
Staff present:
Gordon Springle, Chairman
Howard Penny, Vice Chairman
Joe Miller, Commissioner
Abe Elmore, Commissioner
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Paula Stewart, County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Allen Coats, Deputy Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, 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:
> Emergency Services Study Presentation, Larry Smith and Bill Kramer
> Debt Funded Capital - New Building Update, Little/Balfour Beatty
• Update from Fort Bragg Garrison Commander Kyle Reed
> County Manager's Report:
May 20, 2019 Regular Meeting Agenda Review
May 29, 2019 Special Meeting
- Invitations and upcoming meetings
➢ Closed session
▪ Adjourn
Emergency Services Director Larry Smith thanked everyone for his or her support and
involvement in the Emergency Services Study performed over the last eight months. He believes
this is a good road map for the future with the growth. Bill Kramer, with Kramer and
Associates, presented the Harnett County Emergency Services Study and briefly discussed
recommendations. The study included an analysis to determine the capability of the Harnett
County Emergency Services to determine necessary EMS service, fire protection and first
response for other emergencies, both now and into the future. Staffing, organizational
structuring, fire and EMS station conditions and locations, water supply, emergency
communications and similar factors were studied in detail.
May 14, 2019 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Brian Haney, Assistant County Manager, provided an overview of County services, staff and
space; mentioning growth and the desire for a campus environment. He said the new building
not only addresses growth demands, it will also allow the County to save some annual rental cost
as well as the potential to sale some of the vacated buildings.
Representatives from Little Diversified Architectural and Balfour Beatty presented the current
project scope for the new Harnett County Resource Center and Library, the DSS building
addition, and site improvements and reviewed construction costs. The new 57,000 square foot
two-story building will include a Library, Veteran Services, Legal, Parks and Recreation,
training rooms, Board Chambers, Administration, Finance Office and Human Resources.
Staff sought direction from the Board regarding the project coming in over budget at
$24,027,257. Reasons for cost increases included new parking to support the occupants of the
new building, off-site improvements being required at the intersection of McKinney Parkway &
401 and a new entrance across from Alexander Drive. Discussions continued regarding the
following options:
Option 1 — maintain the existing budget, which would require
significant elimination of building programming
Option 2 — Increase the budget
Option 3 — Seek alternative funding
Mrs. Stewart and Mr. Coats addressed financing including a debt affordability analysis provided
by Davenport. They said there would be no tax impact to the County at this time based on
Davenport's models and interest rates; including borrowing money this year for the new building
and DSS renovations for $23,000,000 and borrowing money for the two new schools in 2020.
The group also believes there will be an increase in taxes during the tax reval in 2022; however,
that was not factored in to this model.
Commissioners will consider an increasing Project Budget Ordinance Amendment to adjust the
project budget to reflect the estimated cost of $24,027,257 to construct the DSS building
addition, the new Harnett County Resource Center and Library and site improvements. Staff was
directed to seek alternative methods to fund the $1.5 Million FF&E cost of the project.
Mrs. Stewart reviewed the draft May 20, 2019 regular meeting agenda. She also noted the
Habitat for Humanity of Harnett County would soon come before the Board to request a waiver
of all of the necessary fees associated with the lot preparation and construction of a house to be
located at 807 Rosemary Street in Erwin.
Mrs. Stewart announced the scheduling of a special session on May 29, 2019 at 9:00 am for her
to deliver the Budget Message and proposed 2019/2020 budget to the Board. She noted the RFP
for demo of the old Boone Trail was out and they are trying to preserve Boone Trail High School
sign to use for the park. Last, Mrs. Stewart announced that the Harnett County DSS and Health
Department offices would close half a day on Friday because the chillers for their buildings will
be down.
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Staff sought support from commissioners to schedule a joint meeting with the Board of
Education and Kara Millonzi with the UNC School of Government to discuss the dynamics
between the two boards, and the authority and expectations of each. The meeting is intended to
help each board understand the perspective and responsibilities of the other.
Fort Bragg Garrison Commander Kyle Reed met with commissioners. He addressed the
transfer of the Hairfield Tract and where it is in the approval process; believing the transfer
should be approved and completed within the next month. Col. Reed updated the Board on
growth and activities at Fort Bragg. Discussions continued including issues such as safety
exercises, veterans, Harnett County Veterans Court and funding for military students. Col. Reed
announced that Col. Phil Sounia would replace him as Garrison Commander on May 31, 2019.
Commissioner Miller moved that the Board go into closed session for the following purposes:
1) Consultation with the County's legal staff in order to preserve the attorney-client
privilege concerning the handling of certain claims and litigation including the
following case: "PN Development, LLC vs Harnett County" Harnett County File No.
19 CVS 968; and
2) To discuss a personnel matter.
This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(3)&(6).
Vice Chairman Penny seconded the motion, which passed 3 - 0.
Vice Chairman Penny moved that the Board come out of closed session. Commissioner Miller
seconded the motion that passed 3 — 0.
Commissioner Miller moved to adjourn the meeting at 12:06 pm. Vice Chairman Penny
seconded the motion that passed 3-0.
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May 14, 2019 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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