103018wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
October 30, 2018
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, October 30,
2018, in Conference Room A, County Administration Building, 420 McKinney Parkway,
Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present:
Gordon Springle, Chairman
Howard Penny, Vice Chairman
Abe Elmore, Commissioner
Joe Miller, Commissioner
Member absent: Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Staff present:
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 and led the Pledge of Allegiance and
invocation.
The following agenda was before commissioners:
➢ CCCC Harnett County Promise Proposal, Dr. Bud Marchant and Dr. Jon Matthews
D. Soil and Water/Voluntary Ag District Reports, Lynn Lambert
➢ Draft Airport Committee bylaws, Barry Blevins
➢ County Manager's Report:
November 5, 2018 Regular Meeting Agenda Review
- Invitations and upcoming meetings
➢ Closed session
• Adjourn
CCCC President Bud Marchant and Dr. Jon Matthews, Harnett County Provost for Central
Carolina Community College (CCCC), presented the Harnett County Promise proposal. Dr.
Marchant asked commissioners to review the proposal and make a decision as early as possible.
He noted the obligation amounts provided are the maximum amounts, not total appropriations;
CCCC will bill the County for the number of students that actually take advantage of the program.
The appropriation for the first year of operation is up to $200,000 and up to $400,000 per year for
the following three years. Prior to the FY 2024 budget being completed, CCCC and Harnett
County will review all data related to the program and decide on future appropriations to continue
the program.
October 30, 2018 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 1 of 3
Dr. Marchant said each county may incorporate different aspects to customize the program to
their county. Students must meet all qualifications and requirements to be eligible for the
program and funding from federal and state grants, scholarships, and outside funding must be
exhausted before Harnett County Promise begins paying. Tuition and fees total approximately
$1,400 per semester. Dr. Marchant responded to questions and discussions continued. Mrs.
Honeycutt said the sales tax expansion monies might be a funding source for this program.
Dr. Marchant responded that he plans to leave CCCC in April 2019. Dr. Marchant and Mr.
Matthews thanked the County for repairs and renovations at the CCCC Health Sciences Building.
Last, Dr. Marchant asked that the County think about joint -use libraries when building libraries
near CCCC campuses in the future and hopes CCCC can be included in future conversations.
Lynn Lambert, Natural Resources Director/Conservation Education Coordinator, presented the
Harnett Soil and Water Conservation District 2018 Report. Natural Resource Conservationist
Mark Walton and Agriculture Cost Share Technician Kerry Taylor were also present. Mrs.
Lambert noted the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is housed within her office.
Mrs. Lambert performed a demonstration with a table -top rain simulator to show what happens to
land with different types of tillage. She talked about technical assistance, cost share assistance and
conservation education services available. Mrs. Lambert reviewed cost share programs available
through NCDA and NRCS and reported $348,421 of Agricultural Conservation Cost Share dollars
went to Harnett County citizens in 2018.
Mrs. Lambert talked about the Harnett County Agricultural Advisory Board and the Voluntary
Agriculture District (VAD) program. She reported the 2018 current enrollment is 19,785 acres.
Mrs. Lambert said almost the entire county is covered in a VAD buffer as there is a one -mile aerial
buffer for land enrolled in the program.
Commissioners asked what they could do to encourage realtors and lawyers to inform buyers they
will be living in a VAD. Mrs. Lambert said this is a huge concern for her board and noted they
are drafting a fact sheet to share with realtors. Mrs. Lambert announce the Harnett Ag Strong
Campaign to raise awareness of the importance of agricultural production to the economy of
Harnett County and the strength that farming communities provide to citizens resulting in a high
quality of life, #HarnettAgStrong. Mrs. Lambert also noted county staff is working together to try
to include agriculture when considering future development.
Harnett County General Services Director Barry Blevins and Staff Attorney Chris Appel
presented the revised Airport Committee Bylaws. Mr. Blevins briefly reviewed the changes.
The Airport Committee recently met and approved the revised bylaws. Mr. Appel said the
revised bylaws definitely gives the Board of Commissioners more control. Vice Chairman
Penny said hanger leases at the airport are a top priority.
October 30, 2018 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 2 of 3
Mrs. Stewart reviewed the November 5, 2018 regular meeting agenda and the group discussed
several agenda items at length. She also reviewed upcoming meetings and invitations. Mrs.
Stewart also noted an upcoming Mid -Carolina COG meeting. It was the consensus of the
commissioners to consider approving a resolution at their upcoming regular meeting to
reschedule the Tuesday, November 27, 2018 work session to 9:00 am on Monday, November 26,
2018.
Commissioners asked staff to draft a letter to the Board of Education explaining the approved
funding for the renovations of the former Benhaven Elementary School as there is
misinformation circulating about this.
Mrs. Stewart and Mrs. Honeycutt shared their concerns that Harnett County Schools had started
spending their $1 Million in Capital on items not listed in their original request. Discussions
continued. The Board requested that a formal letter be drafted from the Board of Commissioners
to the Board of Education and the Superintendent reiterating their allocated capital funds for the
year and what was requested; asking that they prioritize those funds to handle any emergencies
throughout the year as coming back to the Board for additional funding is not an option.
Chairman Springle said he was asked to find out if the Board of Commissioners would consider
approving a resolution thanking David Levinson for Anderson Creek.
Vice Chairman Penny moved that the Board go into closed session to consult with the County's
legal staff in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege concerning the handling of certain
litigation including the following case: Livingston Estate, et als vs. Kehagias, et als, U.S.
District Court, Eastern District of N.C., Western Division, Case No. 5:16CV-00906-BO.
This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(3). Commissioner
Miller seconded the motion which passed 4 — 0.
Commissioner Elmore moved that the Board come out of closed session. Vice Chairman Penny
seconded the motion that passed 4 - 0.
Commissioner Elmore moved to adjourn the meeting. Vice Chairman Penny seconded the
motion, which .assed 4 - 0.
et Regina $ eeler, Clerk
October 30, 2018 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 3 of 3