051820mHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Regular Meeting
May 18, 2020
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, May 18, 2020,
in the Commissioners Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 420 McKinney
Parkway, Lillington, North Carolina. Due to COVID-19 this meeting was not open to members
of the public to attend in person however, citizens and staff were provided options to listen to the
meeting live. Only County staff necessary to conduct the meeting or to speak on scheduled
agenda items were in attendance, stationed in the meeting chambers to maintain the
recommended social distancing of 6 feet, as the Board demonstrated compliance with State law
and prudent public health practices.
Members present:
Staff present:
Howard Penny, Jr., Chairman
Joe Miller, Vice Chairman
Mark B. Johnson, Commissioner
Gordon Springle, Commissioner
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Paula Stewart, County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk
Chairman Penny called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Vice Chairman Miller led the Pledge of
Allegiance and invocation.
Chairman Penny called for any additions or deletions to the published agenda. Mrs. Stewart
requested to add the following items for consideration:
- Proposed acceptance by Harnett County of 154.10 acre Hairfield Tract Conveyance
from the United States of America
Harnett County Workforce Development requests approval to accept the COVID-19
Telework Grant Award in the amount of $800 from Triangle South Workforce
Development Board.
Harnett County Workforce Development requests approval of an amendment to the
contract for FY 2019-2020 with the Triangle South Workforce Development Board,
who administers the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA) grant.
Commissioner Springle moved to approve the agenda as amended. Commissioner McKoy
seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
May 18, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 1 of 8
Vice Chairman Miller moved to approve the items on the revised consent agenda.
Commissioner McKoy seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
1. Minutes: May 4, 2020 Regular Meeting
2. Budget Amendments:
89 Aging Department
Code 1105160 526010
1105160 532050
1105160 504010
239 Animal Shelter
Code 1104512 582000
1104512 380840
352 Health Department
Code 1105110 519090
1105110 380890
385 Workforce Development
Code 2404970 502020
2404970 504010
2404970 531010
2404970 531020
2404970 531030
2404970 531050
2404970 532010
2404970 532050
2404970 533010
2404970 526010
2404970 525010
2404970 535030
2404970 549085
2404970 624009
2404970 624011
2404970 624001
2404970 624007
2404970 330210
385 Workforce Development
Code 2404970 502020
2404970 504010
2404970 531010
Office Supplies
Postage
Expense Allowance
Non -Cap Asset Small Equip
Contributions and Donations
Other
Other revenue
Project HCYIN
Salaries & Wages PT
Expense allowance
Training - Mileage
Training - Meals
Training - Lodging
Training - Registration
Telephone Service
Postage
Electricity
Office Supplies
Vehicle Supplies - Fuel
R & M Vehicles
Indirect Cost
WIOA - Voucher
WIOA - Participant Travel
WIOA - Child Care
WIOA - OJT Training
Federal
Project HCYOT
Salaries & Wages PT
Expense Allowance
Training - Mileage
2700 increase
491 increase
200 increase
2405 increase
2405 increase
6600 increase
6600 increase
166 decrease
181 decrease
60 decrease
104 decrease
181 decrease
99 decrease
200 decrease
25 decrease
125 decrease
250 decrease
175 decrease
125 decrease
684 decrease
2000 decrease
925 decrease
250 decrease
494 decrease
6044 decrease
498 decrease
447 decrease
275 decrease
May 18, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 2 of 8
385 Workforce Development
Code 2404970 531020
2404970 531030
2404970 531050
2404970 532010
2404970 532050
2404970 533010
2404970 526010
2404970 525010
2404970 535030
2404970 549085
2404970 502090
2404970 624011
2404970 624001
2404970 624007
2404970 330210
418 Social Services
Code 1105322 618092
1105310 330210
585 Workforce Development
Code 2404970 502010
2404970 506010
2404970 507070
2404970 507050
2404970 506020
2404970 505010
2404970 503030
2404970 505050
2404970 507010
2404970 504010
2404970 531010
2404970 531020
2404970 531030
2404970 531050
2404970 532010
2404970 533010
2404970 526010
2404970 624021
2404970 330210
Project HCYOT continued
Training - Meals
Training - Lodging
Training - Registration
Telephone Services
Postage
Electricity
Office Supplies
Vehicle Supplies - Fuel
R & M Vehicles
Indirect Cost
Salaries & Wages
WIOA - Participant Travel
WIOA - Child Care
WIOA - OJT Training
Federal
LIEAP (Low Income Energy)
Social Services Admin
Project HCDLW
Salaries & Wages
Medical Insurance
Other Post Employment
Employee Clinic
Dental Insurance
FICA WH
401K — General
State Retirement
Unemployment Insurance
Expense Allowance
Training - Mileage
Training - Meals
Training Lodging
Training - Registration
Telephone
Electricity
Office Supplies
WIOA - OJT Training
Federal
312 decrease
543 decrease
298 decrease
600 decrease
75 decrease
375 decrease
750 decrease
525 decrease
375 decrease
2052 decrease
1803 decrease
775 decrease
2750 decrease
1503 decrease
13956 decrease
19358 increase
19358 increase
1850 decrease
756 decrease
15 decrease
13 decrease
26 decrease
141 decrease
35 decrease
166 decrease
18 decrease
300 decrease
100 decrease
248 decrease
204 decrease
344 decrease
140 decrease
170 decrease
100 decrease
4874 decrease
9500 decrease
May 18, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 3 of 8
864 Workforce Development Project HCADT
Code 2404970 624021 WIOA - ITA Training
2404970 624009 WIOA - Voucher
2404970 624003 WIOA - Participant Cost
2404970 624005 WIOA - Support Services
2404970 330210 Federal
3. Tax rebates, refunds and releases
4500 increase
4000 increase
500 increase
500 increase
9500 increase
4. Harnett County Library requested approval to accept the LSTA COVID-19 Response
Mini -grant in the amount of $4,000. Grant funds will be used to purchase materials and
supplies needed to reopen library operations to the public and adapt services to reduce the
impact of COVID-19. Purchased items will include hand sanitizing stations, social
distancing floor decals, and material needed to construct sneeze guards. These items will
be distributed among all 7 libraries as needed. This is a reimbursable grant and there is
no County match required.
5. Harnett County Health Director requested approval to accept funds in the amount of
$3,391 from the State of North Carolina, Department of Insurance, SHIIP Division to
promote the Medicare D program.
6. Administration requested approval of the PEG Educational Channel Memorandum of
Understanding between the County of Harnett and the Harnett County Board of
Education.
7. Harnett County Finance Officer requested approval of the contract for the firm of Martin,
Starnes & Associates, CPA to audit the County's accounts for the period beginning July
1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020. The Local Government Commission requires Board
approval each year.
8. Harnett Regional Water (HRW) requested approval of the Harnett Regional Water
Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project Ordinance totaling $13,887,945. This project
consists of the replacement of all existing water meters in the HRW inventory. HRW
currently has approximately 45,000 manual and drive by read meters in their system. The
replacements will be "smart meters" and will utilize advanced metering infrastructure
technology to allow HRW and its customers to monitor their usage multiple times per day
through their website portal to quickly discover leaks, usage changes, etc. This project
will be funded entirely from HRW reserves and will allow their meter reading personnel
to devote their time to customer service and repair issues entirely. (Attachment 1)
9. Administration requested approval of the revised Rules of Procedures of the Harnett
County Board of Commissioners. Revisions included removing time limits during public
hearings as well as incorporating certain requirements provided in Session Law 2020-3
Public Bodies/Remote Meetings During Declared Emergencies.
May 18, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 4 of 8
10. Administration requested acceptance by Harnett County of 154.10 acre Hairfield Tract
Parcel ID No. 010513 0236 Conveyance from the United States of America. Quitclaim
Deed Fort Bragg Tract 404-1, it was determined by section 2836 of Public Law 105-85 as
amended by section 2847 of Public Law 110-181 to transfer tract 404-1 to Harnett
County, North Carolina. The conveyance is subject to the condition that the County
develop and use the conveyed property for educational purposes and the construction of
public school structures.
11. Harnett County Workforce Development requested approval to accept the COVID-19
Telework Grant Award in the amount of $800 from Triangle South Workforce
Development Board. Funds will be used to purchase equipment to assist with
teleworking due to COVID-19.
12. Harnett County Workforce Development requested approval of an amendment to the
contract for FY 2019-2020 with the Triangle South Workforce Development Board, who
administers the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA) grant. This
amendment decreases funding for the Harnett County WIOA Youth/NextGen Program by
$20,000 due to the decrease of program demands for funding. This amendment also
transfers $9,500 from the WIOA Dislocated Worker Budget to the WIOA Adult budget
due to a decline in layoffs and an increase demand in WIOA Adult services.
Vice Chairman Miller moved to approve the following appointment. Commissioner Springle
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Board of Health
Gayle Adams was reappointed to serve as the Public Member on this Board for a term of
three years expiring May 31, 2023.
Historic Properties Commission
Moses Gallion was appointed to serve as the District 3 representative on this Board for a
term of three years expiring June 30, 2023.
Donna Johnson was reappointed to serve on this board for a term of three years expiring
June 30, 2023.
Southeastern Economic Development Commission
Stanley K. Price was appointed to serve as the Minority Representative for Harnett
County on this Commission for term of four years expiring March 31, 2024.
May 18, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 5 of 8
Matt Braswell with Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs. P.A., participating remotely, presented
the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) of Harnett County for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2019. Highlights reviewed by Mr. Braswell included:
• Unmodified Opinion
■ No findings or questioned costs
■ Cooperative Staff
■ General Fund Balance: $121,636,660 revenues, $123,765,911 expenditures
• Total Fund Balance General Fund $43,620,214 ($441,722 increase)
■ Unassigned Fund Balance $29,737,935 (decrease of $2,463,488 from 2018)
• Unassigned Fund Balance as a Percent of Expenditures—General Fund 23.5%
■ Property Tax $65,856,490 ($63,099,033 in 2018)
■ Other Taxes and Licenses $24,962,763 ($23,169,428 in 2018)
• Restricted Intergovernmental $17,830,044 ($17,671,651 in 2018)
• Human Services $23,785,760 ($25,870,415 in 2018)
• Education $26,712,828 ($25,783,213 in 2018)
• Public Safety $32,745,970 ($31,730,943 in 2018)
• Water & Sewer Fund:
o Unrestricted Net Position $54,249,375
o Cash flow from Operations $17,622,360
o Debt Service 2019 $4,813,681
o Enterprise Fund Operating Income $4,803,378
• Solid Waste Fund
o Unrestricted Net Position $551,611
o Cash flow from Operations $1,297,239
o Debt Service 2019 $360.004
o Enterprise Fund Operating Income $649,132
Chairman Penny opened the meeting for informal comments by the public, allowing up to 3
minutes for each presentation up to 30 minutes. Citizens were allowed to call in and provide
their public comments verbally during this period or submit their public comments in writing
prior to the meeting to be read aloud during the meeting as time allowed. No one spoke and no
public comments were received.
Ms. Stewart petitioned the Board for a public hearing on Harnett County's FY 2020-2021
recommended budget. A proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020, for Harnett
County, North Carolina, including the HRW Department of Public Utilities Water and Sewer
Ordinance, and expenditures for the Harnett County Economic Development Department as well
as appropriations for specific economic development incentives, was presented to the Harnett
County Board of Commissioners on May 4, 2020.
May 18, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 6 of 8
Mrs. Stewart stated the total expenditures budgeted for economic development matters is
$754,189. Included are specific incentive grant disbursements pursuant to previously adopted
Economic Development Incentive Agreements. Grants are performance based and calculated as
eighty percent (80%) of property taxes paid by the company attributable to its direct investments.
Specific incentives are as follows:
• Rooms To Go Distribution Company, LLC $351,820
• Pallet Consultants of North Carolina, Inc. $3,442
Additional economic development uses included in contingency are as follows:
• $6,425 Advertising and marketing
• $4,050 Specialized economic development legal assistance
• $8,000 Economic Development website redesign
• $4,000 Economic Development Summit and Industry Appreciation
• $46,558 Grant match funds as follows:
- Krigen Pharmaceuticals LLC $25,000
- Pallet Consultants of North Carolina, Inc. $21,558
Vice Chairman Miller asked if Campbell University could help with the Economic Development
website redesign.
Chairman Penny called to order a public hearing on the matter and opened the meeting for
comments from the public. Citizens were encouraged to submit their comments regarding the
proposed budget in writing prior to the meeting or to call in and provide their comments verbally
during the meeting. Hearing no one speak, and having received no written comments, Chairman
Penny closed the public hearing. Commissioners will continue reviewing and discussing the FY
2020-2021 recommended budget during their upcoming work sessions and meetings.
Ms. Stewart presented the following reports:
Harnett County DSS Monthly Report — March 2020
Harnett County Public Health Activities — April 2020
NC Department of State Treasurer, Retirement Systems Division Contribution -Based
Benefit Cap Report
Interdepartmental Budget Amendments
Mrs. Stewart reviewed upcoming meetings and provided an update on COVID-19.
Chairman Penny called for any new business. Vice Chairman Miller said he had been contacted
by School Board member Bill Morris asking if the County would be willing to front the money
to start construction on Erwin Elementary before the County has secured funding for the project.
Vice Chairman Miller said Mr. Morris said the builder would like to start work on site on June
1st. Commissioners asked why the School Board wouldn't use their own fund balance for such.
Chairman Penny said the School Board would need to submit a formal request to commissioners
for consideration.
May 18, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 7 of 8
Mrs. Honeycutt responded that something like this would create a liability for the County. She
reviewed the following financing calendar for the 2020 series of General Obligation School
Bonds, which includes funding for the Erwin Elementary project:
- June 15th bond ratings due
- June 30th bond sale
- July 23rd bond closing/deliver
Mrs. Honeycutt cautioned, especially during these uncertain times, that there is no guarantee
regarding the bond sale. She noted that the Board had previously approved a reimbursement
resolution to start demolition and the County has dispensed $1.68 million for this so far.
There was no need for closed session.
Vice Chairman Miller moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:43 pm. Commissioner McKoy
seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
et Regi . Wheeler, Clerk
May 18, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 8 of 8
ATTACHMENT 1
Harnett Regional Water Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project
Ordinance
BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Commissioners of Harnett County, North Carolina, sitting
as the governing board of Harnett County.
Section I.
This project consists of the replacement of all existing meters in the HRW
inventory. HRW currently has approximately 45,000 manual and drive by read
meters in our system. These replacement meters will be "smart meters" and will
utilize advanced metering infrastructure technology to allow HRW and its
customers to monitor their water usage multiple times per day through our
website portal to quickly discover leaks, usage changes, etc. This project will
allow our meter reading personnel to devote their time to customer service and
repair issues entirely.
Section II. This project will be funded by Harnett Regional Water reserves.
Section III. The following amounts are hereby appropriated for this project:
Engineering $ 582,945
Construction 12,500,000
Materials & Supplies 145,000
Professional Services 30,000
Legal/Admin 5,000
Contingency 625,000
Total $ 13,887,945
Section IV. It is estimated that the following revenue will be available for this capital project:
HRW Reserves
Duly Adopted this 18th day of May, 2020.
ATTEST:
Marga R. Wh, Clerk to the Board
$ 13,887,945
H envy, Chairman
am County Board of ommissioners