020419mHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Regular Meeting
February 4, 2019
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, February 4,
2019, in the Commissioners Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 420 McKinney
Parkway, Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present:
Staff present:
Gordon Springle, Chairman
Howard Penny, Vice Chairman
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Joe Miller, Commissioner
Abe Elmore, Commissioner
Paula Stewart, 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.
Chairman Springle called for any additions or deletions to the published agenda. Mrs. Stewart
requested the addition of Harnett County Finance Office's request for approval of an amendment
to the contract with Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs. P.A. to audit the County's accounts.
Mrs. Stewart requested the deletion of the Sheriff's Office requests for approval of a Consulting
Services Agreement and additional Administrative Assistant associated with CALEA. Mrs.
Stewart said staff will present all of the numbers needed for this program during the upcoming
work session. Commissioner Elmore moved to approve the agenda as amended. Vice Chairman
Penny seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Commissioner Elmore moved to approve items on the consent agenda. Vice Chairman Penny
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
1. Budget Amendments:
672 Emergency Services
Code 1104411 529090 EMP18-OPERET-EMPG-INITIALAMT 35,000 increase
1104411 330210 EMP18-FEDERAL-NCP02-EMPER 17,500 increase
1104411 330310 EMP18-STATE-NCP02-EMPER 17,500 increase
February 4, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 1 of
866 Veterans Treatment Court
Code 2504185 504010
2504185 519090
2504185 523040
2504185 526010
2504185 531030
2504185 531050
2504185 539090
2504185 544000
2504185 59090
2504185 544000
2504185 330210
1003 Board of Education
Code 5905910 555000
5903900 390982
Expense Allowance
Professional Service -Other
Medical Supplies
Office Supplies
Lodging
Registration
Other Services
Contracted Services
Other Services
Contracted Services
Federal Grant
Capital Outlay -Equipment
Transfer From -Special Rev
1005 Economic Development
Code 2705910 598500 Interfund Trans -Capital Res
2703900 390990 Fund Balance Appropriated
2. Tax rebates, refunds and releases (Attachment 1)
8,270 increase
125,568 increase
1,862 decrease
2,545 increase
6,142 decrease
129 increase
11,676 increase
100,110 decrease
2,400 decrease
2,400 increase
40,074 increase
841,307 increase
841,307 increase
841,307 increase
841,307 increase
3. Administration requested approval of revisions to the Harnett County Personnel
Ordinance. The proposed revisions are intended to clarify expectations for County
employees during activation of the County's Emergency Operations Center (EOC), as
well as during Adverse Weather Events. Portions of the Personnel Ordinance, which are
being revised, include adding a definition for "Work Week" under Article I, Section 3
(Definitions); Article III, Section 18 (Emergency Operations Compensation); Article V,
Section 11 (Emergency Operations); and Article VI, Section 13 (Adverse Weather
Policy).
4. Proclamation Recognizing Mrs. Helen Chaffin Byrd on this 100th Birthday
5. Harnett Regional Water requested approval of write-offs for the fourth quarter of 2018
totaling $31,141.80. All of these accounts have been delinquent for more than three
years. The facilitation of these write-offs is an important step in a continuing effort to
effectively manage collections and bad debt.
6. Harnett County General Services requested award of bid to Southeastern Construction of
Buies Creek in the amount of $771,970.00 for community building renovation at the
Shawtown Campus, Lillington, NC. Southeastern Construction was the sole bidder,
lowest responsive and responsible bidder; both times the project was advertised. Award
amount was arrived at by negotiation after original bid exceeded funds available for the
project.
February 4, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 2 of �,
7. Harnett County Finance Office requested approval of an amendment to the contract with
Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs. P.A. to audit the County's accounts. Additional
time was needed due to Hurricane Florence, software conversion and staff turnover.
Chairman Springle opened the floor for informal comments by the public, allowing up to
3 minutes for each presentation up to 30 minutes.
- Penny Christman of the Carolina Seasons subdivision in Cameron addressed
the Board.
Commissioner Miller moved to approve the appointment listed below. Commissioner McKoy
seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Harnett County Public Facilities Corp. Board of Directors
Steve Ward was reappointed to serve on this board for a term of one year expiring March
31, 2020.
Vice Chairman Penny questioned why they were considering appointments to the Harnett
County Jetport Committee, as he believed the committee had been disbanded. Staff explained
they were submitting appointments for consideration in accordance with the revised Bylaws of
the Harnett County Jetport Committee adopted by the Board of Commissioners on November 5,
2018. Commissioner McKoy responded she had a different understanding and reminded the
Board of her earlier nomination of Walter Massey to serve on this committee as a District 1
representative. Staff was directed to hold the current applications until commissioners could
discuss the Harnett County Jetport Committee during the February 12, 2019 work session.
County Attorney Dwight Snow presented a proposal from Everette E. Smith to purchase a real
property tract owned by Harnett County. The property is described as a 1.8 -acre tract located in
Johnsonville Township off Dove Road, Cameron, NC 28326 with Parcel ID No. 0995469000.
The tract is a wooded lot that has no public road frontage and is contiguous to the home place of
Mr. Smith's mother. Mr. Smith has made an offer on this property of $6,000, which is based on
the county tax value of $5,460 plus an additional amount, which would cover the county's
advertising cost with the local newspaper pursuant to the General Statute requirements.
Mr. Snow provided a copy of a real property proposal letter by Mr. Everette E. Smith dated
January 14, 2019 together with his statutory deposit check of $300, deed for subject property to
County of Harnett, Harnett County Tax Department card of subject property showing tax value
of $5,460 and a proposed resolution to sell real property. Commissioner Elmore moved to
approve the Resolution by the Harnett County Board of Commissioners to Sell Real Property as
presented. Commissioner Miller seconded the motion that passed unanimously. (Attachment 2)
February 4, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 3 of /
Mrs. Stewart presented the following reports:
- Johnston -Lee -Harnett Community Action, Inc.'s Community Services Block Grant —
Community Anti -Poverty Plan Grant Application
- Harnett County DSS Monthly Report — December 2018
Mrs. Stewart noted that she and the assistant county managers would be out of the office
Wednesday through Friday of this week attending the North Carolina City and County
Management Seminar in Winston-Salem, NC. Staff also reported on a recent meeting regarding
broadband initiatives.
Commissioner McKoy moved that the Board go into closed session to discuss certain personnel
matters. This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(6). Vice
Chairman Penny seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Vice Chairman Penny moved that the Board come out of closed session. Commissioner McKoy
Seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Chairman Springle recessed the meeting. Following the regular Board meeting, several
commissioners toured the Harnett County Waste Water Facility located at 607 Edwards Brothers
Drive in Lillington.
Chairman Springle reconvened the meeting of the Harnett County Board of Commissioners at
11:45 am. Commissioners hosted their 2019 Legislative luncheon and the following legislators
and legislative staff attended:
Senator Jim Burgin
Representative John I. Sauls
Representative Larry Strickland
Kim Barnes on behalf of Senator Tom Tillis
Carol Armstrong on behalf of Office of Representative George Holding
Elissa. Tew from Senator Burgin's Office
Chandra Reed from Representative Lewis' Office
David Capen from Representative Lewis' Office
Commissioners and staff discussed in detail the following six Harnett County 2019-2020
Legislative Priorities:
1. Assist Harnett County in Expanding Broadband Access to Underserved Areas (State/Federal)
Lack of access to high speed Broadband is a significant barrier to economic growth for a
community, and limits educational opportunities and outcomes for residents. We ask for
assistance in developing infrastructure and providing broadband to underserved areas within
the county, through either legislation or funding. The County is currently completing a
Broadband Survey of residents' current and desired level of Broadband access to share with
providers in hopes of attracting them to expand service.
February 4, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 4 of 7p
2. Address Disparities Related to Impact Aid Funding for Military -Connected Students
(Federal) Due to the way Counties are currently funded for military -connected students,
Harnett County receives considerably less in federal funding per student than do surrounding
counties. We believe that the funding provided for military -connected students should be the
same, regardless of where they attend school, and we seek additional funding to support the
education of these students and reduce the burden on the County's taxpayers.
3. Support County Efforts to Expand Natural Gas Capacity (State) Access to natural gas is a
basic requirement for many industries and businesses looking for sites to locate new
facilities. Despite population growth in portions of Harnett County, a lack of access to natural
gas has prevented the commercial and industrial growth that would normally accompany this
growth. We ask for assistance in identifying ways to expand natural gas capacity throughout
the county through public-private partnerships.
4. Allow Counties to Enact Impact Fees to Support Public Education (State) Harnett County is
among the fastest growing counties in North Carolina, and with that growth comes additional
demand for public services. The County's median home value in 2017 was $144,700, which
does not generate enough tax revenue to pay for the services the home's occupants will need.
At present, approximately 3,700 new homes are at some stage of development in Northwest
Harnett County, which will create a significant burden on our school system. We request
legislation that would allow the County to enact a fee on new development to assist in
funding public education in the county.
5. Give School Systems Flexibility in Establishing their K-12 Calendars (State) Allowing
flexibility in establishing their K-12 calendars would give school systems the ability to align
the K-12 calendar with local community colleges, which would allow for more opportunities
for high school students to take advantage of opportunities for higher education. The Harnett
County Board of Commissioners voted last year to provide free tuition for high school
students in Harnett County who meet certain requirements to attend Central Carolina
Community College.
6. Grant County Boards of Commissioners the Ability to Construct Schools (State) The Harnett
County Board of Commissioners asks for the authority to construct schools, to allow the
County strategically plan for growth and to reduce existing and future issues with school
overcrowding.
Additional priorities provided include:
Authorize Use of Recreation Fees for Construction (State)
Assist Harnett County in Funding its Veterans Treatment Court Program (State/Federal)
Assist Counties with Efforts to Install Additional Gauges on Rivers and Waterways (State)
Assist Counties in the Cleanup of Rivers and Waterways (State)
Assist Counties with Storm Mitigation Planning and Implementation (State/Federal)
Provide Funding to Help Counties Implement School Security Measures (State/Federal)
February 4, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 5 of 4
Support the County's efforts to Enhance the Harnett Regional Jetport (State)
Support County's Efforts to Correct Boundary Issues (State)
Address Issues with Motor Vehicle Gap Billing (State)
Continue Support of Construction of Four Lane Highway into Wake County (State)
Lower NCDOT Road Takeover Threshold to 75 percent Buildout (State)
Allow Counties to use E-911 Funds for E-911 Needs Other than Equipment (State)
Preserve Funding for Local Health Departments (State)
Restore State Aid Funding of Public Libraries to Pre -2011 Levels (State)
Provide Local Governments with Liaison for Utilities Providers (State)
Reinstate Funding for Drug Treatment Courts and Mental Health Courts (State)
Legislators responded and discussions continued. Vice Chairman Penny moved to adjourn the
meeting at 1:45 pm. Commissioner Miller seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
February 4, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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5. Keith Faulkner
Tax Administrator
ATTACHMENT 2
Harnett
COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
RESOLUTION BY THE HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF
COMNIISSIONERS TO SELL REAL PROPERTY
www.harnett.org
THAT WHEREAS, Harnett County is the owner of a 1.8 acre real property tract located
off Dove Road in the Johnsonville Township of Harnett County; this tract was conveyed to
Harnett County in that Deed recorded in Book 734, Page 743, Harnett County Registry with
Parcel ID No. 0995469000; and
WHEREAS, Everette E. Smith has made an offer to Harnett County to purchase said 1.8
acre real property tract for the purchase price of $6,000.00 pursuant to the negotiated offer,
advertisement and upset bid procedure set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. §160A-269; that the Harnett
County Board of Commissioners has considered this offer and said Board desires through this
Resolution to propose to accept the Smith offer on the condition that Smith pay a 5% deposit
($300.00) and that the further requirements of N.C. Gen. Stat. §160A-269 are met.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Harnett County Board of
Commissioners pursuant to the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. §160A-269 does hereby propose to
accept the offer by Everette E. Smith of $6,000.00 to purchase that 1.8 acre real property tract
upon his deposit of 5% of the offered price ($300.00) and subject to any upset bids received after
publication of the Smith offer pursuant to the aforementioned statute.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County legal staff will insure the compliance
with the sale provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. §160A-269 and will provide to the Board a proposed
Special Warranty Deed at such time that a final bid has been received and accepted for said real
property.
Adopted this the 4th day of February, 2019.
ATTEST:
HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
By: 1,
Gordon Spangle ¢'haiia?r'--
argarRe: na Weler
Clerk t'. the Board
strong roots • new growth