012621prmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Planning Retreat/Work Session
January 26, 2021
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in planning retreat/work session on Tuesday,
January 26, 2021, 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:
Staff present:
W. Brooks Matthews, Chairman
Lewis W. Weatherspoon Vice Chairman
Mark B. Johnson, Commissioner
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Matt Nicol, Commissioner
Paula Stewart, County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk
Coley Price, Assistant County Manager
Lisa McFadden, Budget Director
Chairman Matthews called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Commissioner McKoy led the
Pledge of Allegiance and invocation.
The following agenda was before the Board:
> Welcome and Overview, Paula Stewart
Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation, Commissioner Barbara McKoy
> Closed Session
➢ Break
> Year in Review, Administration Staff
> Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), Renee Paschal and Lisa McFadden
➢ Working Lunch — CIP continued
➢ Review of Fiscal Policy, Kimberly Honeycutt
> Revenue Update, Renee Paschal and Lisa McFadden
➢ Financial Trends, Renee Paschal and Lisa McFadden
> Board Goals and Priorities, Paula Stewart
> Wrap up/Adjourn, Paula Stewart
January 26, 2021 Planning Retreat/Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Mrs. Stewart provided the welcome and overview for the meeting noting that there would be no
closed session during today's meeting.
Brian Haney, Assistant County Manager, briefly presented "Harnett County 2020 Year in
Review".
Mrs. McFadden and Mrs. Renee Paschal, the County's Budget Consultant who participated
remotely, reviewed the recommended 2022-2028 Capital Improvements Program (CIP). Staff
provided additional information throughout and responded to questions. Commissioner will rank
projects and CIP discussions will continue during their February 1, 2021 regular meeting.
Mrs. Honeycutt review Harnett County's Fiscal Policy.
Mrs. Paschal provided a brief Revenue Update.
Mrs. Paschal and Mrs. McFadden presented Financial Trends including:
Historical Population Growth in Unincorporated Area and Municipalities
Estimated 2017 Population by Township
- Historical and Projected Population Growth by Age
- Annual Number of Foreclosures in Harnett County
Harnett County Unemployment Rate
- Article 39 Collections for First Five Months
Register of Deed Excise Tax by Quarter
- Building Inspections Revenue by Quarter
General Fund Types Unassigned Fund Balance as Percent of Budgeted Expenditures
- Available Fund Balance as % of Budgeted Expenditures Compared to Population Group
- Revenues Per Capita in Constant Dollars
Expenditures Per Capita in Constant Dollars
Debt Service as a Percentage of General Fund Expenditures
Sales Tax Per Capita in Constant Dollars
Restricted Intergovernmental Revenue Per Capita in Constant Dollars
Property Tax Per Capita in Constant Dollars
- FY 2019 Per Capita Revenue Comparison For Counties 100,000+ Population
FY 2019 Per Capita Revenue Comparison For Counties 100,000+ Population
Without Utilities
Property Tax Collection Percentage
Comparison of Effective Tax Rates
Harnett County's Historic Sales Assessment Ratio
Assessed Value Per Capita
- 2020 Real Tax Base Comparison: Harnett v. Benchmarks & State Average
Per Capita Income
Discussions continued. Mr. Price responded to questions and addressed the Board.
January 26, 2021 Planning Retreat/Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Commissioners each shared their individual priorities for the County which resulted in the
following top priorities and goals:
1) Economic Development
2) Developing a Strategic Plan for Harnett County
3) Schools and collaborating with the School Board
4) Broadband
5) Natural gas
6) Harnett County Jetport
Mrs. Stewart reviewed the draft February 1, 2021 regular meeting agenda. She also led a
discussion regarding COVID-19 leave for employees. Mrs. Stewart asked that the Board
consider enacting something local, in addition to the County's regular leave policy, given that the
Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act expired December 31, 2020. Discussions considered. Senior
Staff Attorney Christopher Appeal addressed the Board about current practices for employees
dealing with COVID-19 related issues. The Board will continue to discuss this issue during
their upcoming regular meeting where staff will provide additional information.
Vice Chairman Weatherspoon moved to adjourn the meeting at 1:22 pm. Commissioner Nicol
seconded the motion that pass ly.
W. Brooks Matthews, Cha
t Regina, '►1 eeler, 'lerk
January 26, 2021 Planning Retreat/Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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