081120wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
August 11, 2020
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, August 11, 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 six feet, as the Board demonstrated compliance with State law
and prudent public health practices.
Members present:
Howard Penny, Jr., Chairman
Mark B. Johnson, Commissioner
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Gordon Springle, Commissioner
Member absent: Joe Miller, Vice Chairman
Staff present:
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:
> HARTS Transportation Discussion
➢ 2019 Tax Settlement
> Discussion regarding Shawtown leases
➢ Possible donation of surplus property from DSS Child Support
> County Manager's Report:
August 17, 2020 Regular Meeting Agenda Review
Review applications to serve on Boards and Committees
Invitations and upcoming meetings
> Closed session
> Adjourn
Harnett County General Service's Director Barry Blevins and Transit Services Manager Larry
Smith presented HARTS Transportation COVID-19 information and responded to questions.
Mr. Smith noted COVID-19 HARTS Administrative Operation's current total anticipated
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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allocation is $785,307.03. Commissioner McKoy stressed that staff also needs to check rider's
temperature before they are allowed to enter the transport. Mr. Smith will research purchasing
thermometers for all 26 vehicles. Mr. Smith noted ridership fees are still being waived. He
presented different proposed models of operation looking forward.
Harnett County Tax Administrator Bill Tyson and Tax Collection Supervisor Amy Bain
presented the 2019 Tax Settlement which is a summary of charges of levy, discovered levy, and
penalties along with collections, releases and adjustments of levy. The report also compares
charged levy and collections of Real, Public Service, Motor Vehicles and Gap Registration bills
during a five year period. Staff reported that as of June 30, 2020, uncollected 2019 taxes
constituting liens on real property totals $399,802.35 and uncollected 2019 taxes of personal
property totals $79,672.04
Assistant County Manager Brian Haney led a discussion regarding lease agreements for the
entities at the Shawtown Community Development Center. Mr. Haney noted that the Board
initially approved leases with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Carolina, Eleventh Judicial
District ReEntry, Inc. and Harnett United Police Athletic League (PAL). Per the lease
agreements with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Carolina and Eleventh Judicial District
ReEntry, Inc., starting September 1st of this year the lessees will pay the average cost of utilities
including water, sewer, electricity and trash collection. Mr. Haney briefly reviewed the formula
staff used to determine that the Boys and Girls Club of Central Carolina owe $644 a month for
utilities and Eleventh Judicial District ReEntry, Inc. owes $381 a month for utilities. It was the
consensus of Board that staff move forward with billing these two entities utility costs on a
monthly bases.
Per the lease agreement with the Harnett United PAL, Mr. Haney said the Board must decide
whether or not to charge them their utility cost of $733 per month. Mr. Haney reported that the
Harnett United PAL Director said that they do not have the funds to pay these utilities at this
time due to COVID-19. Commissioner McKoy said she would like to amend the Harnett United
PAL lease agreement to forgive their utility cost for an additional year. It was the consensus of
the Board to consider approval of a lease agreement amendment with the Harnett United PAL
during their upcoming regular meeting.
Mrs. Stewart said that the Harnett County Department of Social Services would like to donate
the old furniture from the Harnett County DSS Child Support Office to a local nonprofit. DSS
Child Support staff recently relocated to the new DSS addition which was newly furnished. She
noted all of the old furniture was purchased by the State. Commissioners will consider
approving a resolution to donate the old furniture during a future meeting.
Mrs. Stewart reviewed the proposed August 17, 2020 regular meeting agenda, invitations and
upcoming meetings. Commissioners reviewed applicants interested in serving on boards and
committees.
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Mrs. Stewart proposes having a virtual ribbon cutting for the new DSS addition soon. She also
sought permission from the Board to allow a blood drive to be held in the Commons Area
Meeting Room on September 10th while County buildings are still closed to the public. It was
the consensus of the Board to allow the blood drive to be held in the Commons Area.
Commissioners Penny and Johnson said they recently met with a contractor complaining about
Harnett Regional Water. Chairman Penny said the contractor alleges that permitting delays by
Harnett Regional Water have prevented them from completing a job along I-95. He questioned
if the County provides contractors, builders, homeowners, etc. with a check -list up front to
ensure that we are not impeding progress. Mrs. Stewart responded that there was fault on both
sides of this specific issue, further complicated by NC DOT, however County staff must do their
due diligence before they can allowed an applicant to proceed.
Commissioner McKoy said she really appreciates staff arranging the forthcoming public face
covering distribution.
There was no need for closed session.
Commissioner Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:18 am. Commissioner McKoy
seconded the motion that passed 4 — 0.
Penny, Jr., Chairma
t Regina ig eeler, Clerk
August 11, 2020 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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