042418ssmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Special Session
April 24, 2018
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, in
Conference Room A, County Administration Building, 420 McKinney Parkway, Lillington, North
Carolina.
Members present:
Gordon Springle, Chairman
Howard Penny, Vice Chairman
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Joe Miller, Commissioner
Member absent: Abe Elmore, Commissioner
Staff present:
Paula Stewart, Interim 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 purpose of this special meeting was noticed to 1) discuss the FY 2018-19 budget, 2)
closed session, and 3) consideration of naming a County Manager.
Vice Chairman Penny 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). Commissioner McKoy
seconded the motion, which passed 4 - 0.
Vice Chairman Penny moved that the Board come out of closed session. Commissioner McKoy
seconded the motion that passed 4 - 0.
Commissioner McKoy moved that Paula Kelly Stewart be appointed as County Manager of Harnett
County pursuant to an Employment Agreement which includes an annual salary of $155,000 plus
benefits. Vice Chairman Penny seconded the motion, which passed 3 to 1 with Commissioner Miller
opposing.
Staff presented an overview of the FY 2018/19 budget including personnel requests, health insurance,
benefits, other post -employment benefits (OPEB), new budget impacts, and a summary of department
operating expenditure requests. Staff also mentioned future budget requests that included the library
consolidation, CCCC "Harnett Promise", school security, Sandhills (intellectually & developmentally
disabled), library/recreation needs, and schools including land purchases. Discussions continued as staff
sought direction and responded to questions. Staff will bring recommendations back to the Board. Mrs.
Stewart is scheduled to present the proposed budget on May 15, 2018. Commissioners asked to be
provided a detailed proposed budget.
April 24, 2018 Special Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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It was the consensus of the Board to continue to fund the District Attorney position. Mrs. Stewart said
she believes the savings realized pretty much pays for this position.
Staff noted that John Gasiorowski with insurance broker Independent Benefit Advisors (IBA) will
present health benefits in detail during the Board's upcoming regular meeting. Staff said he will be
proposing a 3% increase for all health insurance tiers but no increase for dental or vision, or for
voluntary benefits. Staff proposed that the County contribute 2% 401K for all employees regardless of
their contribution. Discussions continued.
Mrs. Honeycutt requested permission to put a funding mechanism in place to set funds aside to plan and
participate in the State's other post -employment benefits (OPEB) plan. She said NC State Treasurer
Dale Folwell highly encouraged units to participate and begin setting those funds aside. It was the
consensus of the Board to move forward. Commissioners will consider approving a resolution stating
the County's intent to establish an Irrevocable Trust Agreement with the State Treasurer's Office during
budget adoption.
Regarding capital funding for the Harnett County Schools, Mrs. Honeycutt discussed establishing a
funding formula based upon a percentage of the prior fiscal years net Article 39 (General Fund) sales tax
collections. Mrs. Honeycutt said a funding formula would allow consistency and enable the schools to
better plan for the upcoming year. It was the consensus of Board to fund capital funding for the Harnett
County Schools at 20% of the prior fiscal years net Article 39 sales tax collections; $896,881.40 for
capital funding for schools in the FY 2018/19 budget.
The group discussed funding for Fire/EMS Squads and reviewed a hand out listing of the Fiscal Year
2017 Cash & Cash Equivalent, Less Current Liabilities, Operating Expenditures, and Fund Balance
Percentages for 16 units. The group discussed rates, increases requested and processes.
The group discussed CCCC's current budget request and the "Harnett Promise" proposal. Staff sought
direction regarding funding for "Harnett Promise" and will follow up with clarification from CCCC
staff.
Mrs. Stewart presented a budget proposal totaling $536,013.08 for additional school deputies for school
security. She said this is assuming that Harnett County School gets their grant funding for three
additional positions. They discussed lottery funds and the need to purchase land for schools in western
Harnett.
Commissioner Miller moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:57 am. Vice Chairman Penny seconded the
motion, which passed unanimously.
April 24, 2018 Special Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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