092920wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
September 29, 2020
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, September 29,
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:
Joe Miller, Vice Chairman
Mark B. Johnson, Commissioner
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Gordon Springle, Commissioner
Member absent: District 3 Commissioner
Special Guest: Commissioner -elect W. Brooks Matthews
Staff present: Paula Stewart, County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk
Vice Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Commissioner Mark Johnson led
the Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation.
The following agenda was before the Board:
➢ Update on the 2020 General Election
> Discuss granting leave to County employees to work the election and early
voting
> Harnett County IT requests approval and funding to hire a new position
> Discuss Broadband Initiative proposals, rankings, conclusions and next steps
> Discuss Sandhills Center funding for Veteran's Treatment Court
➢ Discuss Harnett County's Legislative Priorities to submit for the North
Carolina Association of County Commissioners 2021-2022 Legislative Goals
> Discuss Boards and Committees Commissioners serve on
> FSA Reopening Plan
> COVID-19 Update
September 29, 2020 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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➢ County Manager's Report:
- October 5, 2020 Regular Meeting Agenda Review
- Review applications to serve on Boards and Committees
- Invitations and upcoming meetings
➢ Closed session
➢ Adjourn
Claire Jones, Harnett County Elections Director, provided an update on the 2020 General
Election. She gave a brief financial overview of the Board of Elections including grant funding
and expenses. Ms. Jones briefly reviewed the voting process and polling procedures noting
safeguards in place for COVID-19. She responded to questions and discussions continued.
Assistant County Manager Brian Haney briefly talked about CARES ACT funding for the
County verses COVID-19 grand funding received by individual County department. He
presented for discussion the request that the County grant paid leave to County employees to
work the polls on Election Day. He clarified that county employees would be paid as poll
worker in addition to the paid leave. Mr. Haney said granting employees leave, instead of
employees using their own leave time, would hopefully encourage employees to work the polls
on Election Day. Mr. Haney explained the need for approximately 50 additional poll workers.
Mr. Haney and Mrs. Jones responded to questions and concerns from commissioners. The Board
will continue discussing this request during their upcoming October 5, 2020 regular meeting.
Ira Hall, Director of Harnett County Information Technologies, requested approval and funding
to hire a new position at a Grade 25 with an annual salary of $50,579 for the I.T. department.
The new position would help with the increased workload due to the COVID-19 pandemic and
the Broadband expansion project. Staff noted that this new position would be funded with
COVID-funds through the end of the fiscal year. Mr. Hall responded to questions. It was the
consensus of the Board to consider approval of this request during their upcoming regular
meeting.
Mr. Hall briefly reviewed the RFP Assessment criteria for three vendors for the Broadband
Initiative proposal. He detailed the pros and cons of each vendor ultimately saying he believes
CloudWyze would be the best fit for Harnett County. Mr. Hall shared the cost proposal by
CloudWyze for the Broadband Initiative totaling $7,970,000 with the County's contribution
being $3,985,000. Mr. Hall and Mr. Haney reported that Harnett County is eligible for a
GREAT Grant up to $1.5 Million to offset the County's cost for this initiative. Mr. Haney also
said he hopes that the County will be able to use approximately $2 Million of the CARES ACT
funding towards this project. Mr. Hall responded to questions. Staff said this will be a 2 year
process and clarified that the County would pay for the infrastructure but it would not belong to
the County. It was the consensus of the commissioners to add this item to their upcoming
regular meeting agenda for discussion and consideration.
September 29, 2020 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Mr. Haney provided an update regarding Veterans Treatment Court funding. He presented
Harnett County Veterans Services' request for approval of the MOU with Sandhills Center and
to accept funding from Sandhills Center in the amount of $155,840 to fund Veterans Treatment
Court for mental health and substance abuse counseling and treatment. The funds also include
administrative services and will be reimbursable. Mr. Haney noted this was a one-time fund
allocation from Sandhills Center who expects the Court to develop a sustainability plan beyond
the life of this allocation. It was the consensus of the Board to consider this agenda item during
their upcoming regular meeting.
Mr. Haney briefly reviewed Harnett County's 2020-2021 Legislative Priorities. It was the
consensus of the Board to submit all of the County's Legislative Priorities to the North Carolina
Association of County Commissioners to be considered for their 2021-2022 Legislative Goals.
Commissioners talked about who would replace Howard Penny on several boards and committees.
Staff will provide Mr. Brooks with additional information on the Harnett County Properties
Corporation. The Board will consider approval of the revised list of Boards and Commissioner on
Which Commissioner Serve during their upcoming regular meeting.
Mrs. Stewart presented the USDA Farm Service Agency's (FSA) Reopening Plan as requested
by the Board. The FSA office is located in the County Agriculture Building. She noted Phase 2
would allow staff to bring a customer in to the building by appointment only. Mrs. Stewart also
noted that Lynn Lambert with Harnett County Soil and Water Conservation District is asking to
be allowed to bring customers in to the building by appointment. It was the consensus of the
commissioners to allow the FSA, along with other agencies in the Harnett County Agriculture
Building, to bring customers into the building by appointment.
Mrs. Stewart reviewed the draft October 5, 2020 regular meeting agenda, invitations and
upcoming meetings. Commissioners reviewed applicants requesting appointment to serve on
boards and committees.
Mrs. Stewart sought consensus from the Board to allow Administration to enter into an
Memorandum of Understanding with the UNC School of Government (SOG) to participate in a
program where the SOG will perform a workplace survey that will help us better understand how
our employees feel about county government. Mrs. Stewart said participation in the program
would be at no obligation to the County. The survey is scheduled to launch on October 19th with
results being presented on December 4th. It was the consensus of the Board to allow staff to
move forward with participation in the program/survey.
Vice Chairman Miller asked about the need to reorganization the Board once Mr. Matthews is
seated. Mr. Snow offered confirmation regarding the selection of a new Chairman. Vice Chairman
Miller told the Board that he would like to remain Vice Chairman and not be considered for
Chairman if allowed. The Board will select a new Chairman following Mr. Matthews' Oath of
Office on October 5, 2020.
September 29, 2020 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Harnett County Emergency Services Director Larry Smith and Harnett County Health Director
John Rouse presented a COVID-19 update for Harnett County. Mr. Rouse also talked about
possible COVID vaccines.
Mr. Matthews left the meeting.
Commissioner Johnson moved that the Board go into closed session for the following purposes:
1) To instruct the County staff concerning the position to be taken by the County in
negotiating a contract for the acquisition of real property; and
2) To discuss certain economic development matters.
This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(6)&(4).
Commissioner Springle seconded the motion which passed 4-0.
Commissioner McKoy moved that the Board come out of closed session. Commissioner
Springle seconded the motion that passed 4-0.
Commissioner Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:54 am. Commissioner Springle
seconded the motion which passed 4-0.
Regina -r, Clerk
September 29, 2020 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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