052620wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Work Session Minutes
May 26, 2020
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, May 26, 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 and stationed in the meeting chambers to maintain the
recommended social distancing of 6 feet as the Board demonstrated compliance with State law.
Members present:
Staff present:
Howard Penny, Chairman
Joe Miller, Vice Chairman
Mark B. Johnson, Commissioner
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Gordon Springle, 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 9:00 am and led the Pledge of Allegiance and
invocation.
The following agenda was before the Board:
➢ General Budget Discussion:
- Board of Education's Budget Request,
- Nonprofit Committee Funding Request
- Solid Waste Budget
➢ Relocation of Fire District Boundary Lines, Rodney Daniels
➢ City of Dunn's request to purchase county property
> County Manager's Report:
- June 1, 2020 Regular Meeting Agenda Review and meeting logistics
- Review applications to serve on Boards and Committees
- Invitations and upcoming meetings
> Closed session
> Adjourn
May 26, 2020 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 1 of 5
Harnett County Superintendent Aaron Fleming, participating remotely, presented Harnett County
Schools 2020-2021 Local Appropriation Funding Request including:
• $ 24,680,603 Continuation Budget
• $ 4,001,772 Current Expense Expansion
• $179,920,398 Capital Outlay Category I - Facilities
• $ 122,000 Capital Outlay Category II - Equipment
• $ 641,456 Capital Outlay Category III - Vehicles
Mr. Fleming also reviewed the following 2020-2021 School Facilities Needs List:
o Current Projects - Erwin Elementary & Northwest Harnett Elementary Schools - $65,600,000
o Tier 1 Projects — Immediate to 1 -year - $166,622,000
o Tier 2 Projects — 2 years to 4 years - $TBD
o Tier 3 Projects — 5 years to 9 years - $TBD
o Tier 4 Projects —10 years to 15 years - $TBD
o Tier 5 — Prioritized as resources become available - $TBD
Mrs. Stewart reiterated to the Board that Harnett County Schools would be included in the
County's CIP this coming year. Dr. Fleming responded to questions from commissioners and
discussions continued.
Vice Chairman Miller said it was unacceptable that the cost of the Erwin Elementary School
Project had been underestimated $6 million. Discussions continued. Chairman Penny asked
when the Board would be provided any documentation for the Erwin Elementary School Project
as the County is scheduled to go to the bond market in June to borrow monies for this project.
Mr. Fleming noted the Board of Education is scheduled to approve the Construction Manager at
Risk (CMAR) Contract the evening of June 1St. Mrs. Stewart asked that a copy of the CMAR be
shared with commissioners as soon as possible. Mrs. Honeycutt said the Board of
Commissioners could and must consider approval of the "Resolution of the Board of
Commissioners of the County of Harnett North Carolina Providing for the Issuance of General
Obligation School Bonds, Series 2020" during their regular June 1, 2020 meeting to stay on
schedule.
Nonprofit Committee Chairman Lucia Turlington, participating remotely, said the committee
members had been advised to adjust their recommendation to $60,000 or less and the Boys and
Girls Club had been removed from the list. The Board previously tabled the Nonprofit Funding
Committee's 2020/2021 funding request for $92,000 on April 6, 2020. Commissioner McKoy
questioned when the Boys and Girls Club was removed from the list or a maximum amount set
for nonprofit funding, saying the Board never voted on either of these. Commissioner McKoy
said this wasn't handled right and she doesn't like it. Mrs. Stewart responded that she had only
used the $60,000 amount as a placeholder in the current recommended budget but with all items
in the proposed budget it is up to the Board to suggest any changes. Discussions continued.
May 26, 2020 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 2 of 5
Mrs. Turlington sought clarification regarding a limit for nonprofit funding and asked if the Boys
and Girls Club currently receives and funds from the County. Staff responded that the Boys and
Girls Club are provided County space at no charge but they will eventually pay for the cost of
their utilities. Mrs. Turlington stated that the Nonprofit Committee's revised 2020-2021 funding
request is $63,500 and does include $5,000 for the Boys and Girls Club. The Board will
consider approval of the revised funding request during their upcoming regular meeting.
Chad Beane, Director of Harnett County Solid Waste, provided a brief overview of the Harnett
County Solid Waste Department including the convenient sites and landfills. He said their
priorities are customer service for the citizens of Harnett County and waste disposal in the most
environmentally friendly manner. The group talked about littering in the County. Mr. Beane
responded that he has talked to the Sheriff about using prisoners to pick up trash on the roads and
will try to move forward with that as soon as possible.
Mr. Beane noted that the Solid Waste Department will be focusing on building their capital
budget within the Enterprise Fund this year. He noted that a recommended increase in the Solid
Waste Availability Fee from $65 per household to $80 per household is included in the
recommended budget. The increase will allow the fund to fully fund its liability for post -closure
costs associated with the old landfill and to build a capital reserve for improvements to Solid
Waste Collection Centers and other capital needs, such as replacement of equipment.
Chris Appel, Senior Staff Attorney, quickly reviewed the process and statutory requirements for
relocating fire protection service district boundary lines. Harnett County Fire Marshall Rodney
Daniels provided the details regarding the proposed relocation of fire district boundary lines.
Mr. Daniels stated that due to a recent division of property and access to parcel(s), address 6262
NC 217, one or more properties are beyond six road miles from the responsible fire department.
The following maps were provided for review:
o Current Fire Response Districts
o Proposed New Response Area and Tax District Lines
o Summerville Bunnlevel Fire Protection Service District
o West Area Fire Protection Service District
Mr. Daniels is asking the Board to consider approving changes to the Westarea Fire Department
Service District and Summerville-Bunnlevel Fire Department Service District to afford the
affected property owners lower insurance rates. Mr. Daniels noted the affected citizens and
servicing fire departments are in agreement with the proposed change. Mr. Appel presented the
Resolution of the Harnett County Board of Commissioners Declaring Its Intent To Relocate
Boundary Lines Between Adjoining Fire Protection Service District to be considered by the
Board during their June 1, 2020 regular meeting.
May 26, 2020 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 3 of 5
Mrs. Stewart reviewed the draft June 1, 2020 regular meeting agenda. She noted that Johnston -
Lee -Harnett Community Action, Inc., will receive a grant for CSBG CARES from the Office of
Economic Opportunity. Harnett County's portion of the grant is $340,466 and will be used for
emergency services such as rent, utilities, food and miscellaneous.
Regarding the Coronavirus Relief Fund allocation for Harnett County, the County is required to
submit a plan by June 1, 2020 stating how they plan to spend $2,462,374. Brian Haney updated
commissioners on the progress of developing this plan.
City of Dunn Mayor William Elmore and City Manager Steve Neuschafer, both participating
remotely, presented the City of Dunn's request to purchase three parcels of County property for
$350,000 to upgrade and expand their water plant.
Steve Ward, Director of Harnett Regional Water (HRW), shared HRW's future plans for the
some of the properties. Mr. Ward distributed "Phase II — Water System Evaluation" performed
by Hazen and Sawyer in 2017 showing "East Central Option 4" as a new water treatment plant
north of the river. He said this is valuable property because of the potential there; the County
will need it in 20 years to serve its customers. Mr. Ward said the County is going to need a
water plant north of the river and this property that we own is the most logical place to put it and
utilize the intake track. Mr. Ward recommended that the County hold on to these properties but
did say if the County decides to sale Dunn any property, the old Erwin waste water plant
property parcel #0597-22-3784.000 could be sold to them allowing them the ability to expand
their plant without affecting us in a tremendous way. Discussions continued.
Mrs. Stewart talked about possibly allowing some reopenings and meetings to take place in mid-
June if safety measurements are in place and protocals are followed. Commissioners will discuss
this during their upcoming regular meeting.
As a follow up to budget discussions, Mrs. Stewart noted staff is working on the proposed budget
ordinance scheduled for adoption on June 15, 2020. She asked that commissioners let her know
as soon as possible any changes they would like to see in the recommended budget. Discussions
continued.
Within the County Manager's budget message, Mrs. Stewart proposed funding Harnett County
Schools at the FY2020 levels as our funding formulas would have resulted in reductions for both
operating and capital outlay. Staff also noted that the County will hold Harnett County Schools
harmless for the loss of 127 students as the school system is funded on a per student basis.
Mrs. Stewart said funding is proposed at $24,680,603 for current expenses/continuation budget
and $1,021,528 for capital outlay funding. She noted that the Board of Commissioners have
already approved $51.5 million in funding for the construction of new schools in Erwin and
northwest Harnett County as well as approved additional funding for the Benhaven project and
Johnsonville renovations and addition. Mrs. Stewart said the County would need to consider
May 26, 2020 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 4 of 5
additional requests if monies become available. She also said staff will work together regarding
Harnett County Schools' requests when developing the CIP. By consensus commissioners
agreed with the County Manager's 2020/2021 recommendations of funding for Harnett County
Schools.
There was no need for closed session.
Commissioner Springle moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:12 am. Commissioner Miller
seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
d Penny, Jr., Cha'
7, .4
t Regina eeler, Clerk
May 26, 2020 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 5 of 5