080117wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
August 1, 2017
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, August 1, 2017,
in the County Manager's Conference Room, County Administration Building, 102 East Front
Street, Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present:
Staff present:
Gordon Springle, Chairman
Joe Miller, Vice Chairman
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Howard Penny, Commissioner
Abe Elmore, Commissioner
Joseph Jeffries, County Manager
Paula Stewart, Deputy County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk
The following agenda was before commissioners:
> Request for reimbursement for North Harnett Primary chiller replacement
➢ Animal Services reorganization and Adoption Coordinator position request
> Discussion regarding Animal Services fees
> HARTS update
> County Manager's Report:
- August 7, 2017 Agenda Review
- Board of Education's request to travel out of state
➢ Closed session
> Adjourn
Chairman Springle called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Vice Chairman Miller led the Pledge
of Allegiance and invocation.
Superintendent Aaron Fleming requested reimbursement of approximately $218,000 for a
replacement chiller at North Harnett Primary. He noted the chiller was listed in their capital
improvement plan. Mr. Fleming stated this request was for additional funds into
their capital allotment. Mr. Flemings also noted water heaters need to be replaced at Harnett
Central High and Angier Elementary costing approximately $29,700. He said these items were
also included in their capital improvement plan. The Board will consider appropriating $241,000
of additional funding to cover these capital items in a future meeting.
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Mr. Fleming sought direction from the Board regarding how he should get approval in the future
for items listed in their capital improvement plan. Discussions continued. It was the consensus of
the Board that emergency items not listed in their CIP would come back before the Board;
otherwise the County Manager could approve these requests. Discussion regarding Harnett
County Schools capital needs and fund balance continued. Chairman Springle said, in regards to
the Board of Education's fund balance, anything the school board could do to help with these
costs would be appreciated. He said Chairman Morris suggests a $2 Million fund balance. Mr.
Fleming said a low percentage in their fund balance makes him nervous and his goal is to have a
5 to 7 percent fund balance. He said they currently have $50,000 for capital in their fund
balance.
Mr. Jeffries said the Board of Education plans to travel to San Francisco to visit Apple and
would like a county commissioner and the county manager to go along with them. Mr. Fleming
said this could give kids world class technology as he thinks we are behind the curve
technologically. He said Apple has asked that they send a group of decision -makers to go look at
a couple of Kl2 schools practicing the one to one initiative. Mr. Fleming said the goal would be
for students to take computers home. Commissioners voiced concerns regarding the lack of
broad band across the county. Discussions continued.
Director of General Services Barry Blevins presented Animal Services reorganization and a
request for an Adoption Coordinator position. He gave a quick background on Animal Services;
which include the shelter and animal control, noting both are becoming much more complicated.
Mr. Blevins stressed the need to concentrate on rewriting the Animal Control Ordinance based
on general statutes. He also said they have been approached by Fort Bragg to provide animal
control for Linden Oaks and other areas. Mr. Blevins said the shelter needs full time staff
focused on leading those operations. He requested an Adoption Coordinator and Shelter
Manager position that could be partially funded by the contract with Fort Bragg. Mr. Blevins
talked about the reorganization within Animal Services. He said they will make the existing
building into a shelter, with current offices becoming a cat room and put Animal Control in a
modular unit from the Board of Education. Mr. Blevins talked about seeking outside resources
that will help with recommendations. He also explained on-call officer rotations and coverage.
Mr. Blevins lead a lengthy discussion regarding Animal Services fees, the costs of keeping
animals and working with rescue groups. Mr. Jeffries believes an Adoption Coordinator will be
able to identify issues, come up with policies and work with the rescue groups. Commissioner
believe staff needs to do a better job vetting rescue groups. It was the consensus of the Board to
give Animal Services discretion and flexibility with fees for rescue groups to do what they need
to however they said citizens must continue to pay. Mr. Blevins said he will provide a monthly
report to commissioners.
Mr. Blevins and Harnett County Transits Service Manager Lawrence Smith provided an update
on HARTS. They noted the recent purchase of some new vehicles and implementation of new
software has made huge positive changes within the program resulting in being much more
efficient. Mr. Blevins said they can now transport without the help of local vendors.
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Mr. Jeffries reviewed the August 7, 2017 draft agenda. Discussions continued regarding the
Board of Education, their fund balance, capital improvement requests, the need for a master plan
including priorities and future plans, and the need for communication between the two Boards.
Mr. Jeffries sought direction from the Board regarding the recent request from the Board of
Education to replace Erwin Elementary. Commissioners asked that he communicate back to the
Superintendent that they need a master plan from the Board of Education listing priorities and
future plans. Commissioners asked talked about moving students to other schools instead of
building a new school. Chairman Springle talked about the possibility of going to San Francisco
with the Board of Education
Mr. Jeffries announced that Dr. Rebecca Crouch, an Assistant Professor at Campbell University,
would be making a presentation about the initiation of the "American Lung Association Better
Breather's Club" to the Board on August 7t'. He also noted that the Board would attend a
breakfast meeting with Campbell on September 19th.
Mr. Jeffries said staff would be putting parking signs up for veterans beside of the handicap signs
at all county public buildings. Commissioner McKoy suggested also reserving parking for
county commissioners.
Commissioner Elmore requested a follow-up on Alphin Bros.
Vice Chairman Miller moved that the Board go into closed session for the following purposes:
1) To discuss certain economic development matters; and
2) To consult with the County's legal staff in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege
concerning the handling of certain claims and litigation including the following case:
Anderson Creek Partners, L.P. vs. County of Harnett
Harnett County File No. 17 CVS 363; and
3) To discuss certain personnel matters.
This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)&(3)&(6).
Commissioner Penny seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Vice Chairman Miller moved that the Board come out of closed session. Commissioner Penny
seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Commissioner Elmore moved to adjourn the meeting. Vice Chairman Miller seconded the
motion, which passed unanimously.
et Regina eeler, Clerk
August 1, 2017 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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