011216wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
January 12, 2016
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, January 12, 2016,
in the Commissioners Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 102 East Front Street,
Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present:
Staff present:
Jim Burgin, Chairman
Gordon Springle, Vice Chairman
Abe Elmore, Commissioner
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Joe Miller, Commissioner
Joseph Jeffries, County Manager
Paula Stewart, Deputy County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk
Chairman Burgin called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Vice Chairman Springle led the pledge
of allegiance and invocation.
The following agenda was before commissioners:
D Shawtown Alumni Association Presentation, President John F. Smith Sr.
D Sheriff's Office requests three additional deputy positions, Sheriff Larry Rollins
D EMS System Plan Renewal review, Ricky Denning, EMS Division Chief
➢ Emergency Services requests approval to create a new position and reclassify a
current position
D Engineering and Facilities requests approval to reclassify two heavy equipment
operator positions
D I.T. requests approval to reorganize which includes reclassification of two positions
D Health Department requests approval to reclassify a Public Health Nurse position
D Health Department requests approval to enter into a MOU with Harnett Health to
provide morgue services
➢ County Manager's Report:
- Legislative Priorities/Luncheon Agenda (February 1st)
- Planning Retreat Agenda (March 1st)
- Donation request from Harnett Central High School Choral Booster Club
- Boards and Committees on which commissioners serve
- HFTC Update
- January 19, 2016 Regular Meeting Agenda Review
D Closed Session
January 12, 2016 Special Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 1 of 4
Representatives from the Shawtown Alumni Association could not be present today and will
reschedule their presentation.
Sheriff Larry Rollins and Wayne Coates presented the Sheriff's Office request for three
additional deputy positions. Discussions continued and staff proposed considering these new
positions in the upcoming budget.
EMS Division Chief Ricky Denning reviewed the EMS System Plan noting renewal of the plan
is required every 6 years by the State. The EMS System Plan describes how Harnett County
provides the citizens with 24/7 EMS coverage. The plan includes the individual EMS
departments that provide these services including the 911 center. The plan explains the training
for our EMS personnel and the staffing of our EMS units. Mr. Denning pointed out that
Emergency Services also requests approval to designate the County Manager signature authority
for any EMS System Plan renewals and changes forward. It was the consensus of the Board to
consider approval of the request during their upcoming regular meeting.
Emergency Services Director Jimmy Riddle requested approval to create a new County Fire
Marshal position at salary grade 78 and reclassify the job duties for the Deputy Emergency
Services Director position to a salary grade 80 from grade 79. This will allow the department a
broader flexibility in meeting its long-range plan and staffing requirements. No additional
funding is needed. It was the consensus of the Board to consider approval of the new
position/reclassify during their upcoming regular meeting.
Information Technology Director Ira Hall requested approval of a minor reorganization which
includes: 1) transitioning the Applications Analyst position to the Systems Team and
reduce the pay grade from 77 to 75;
2) Increase the grade of the Systems Manager position from salary grade 77 to
grade 78 to align this position to our succession plan; and
3) Change the Admin. Assistant title to Admin. Tech and increased one grade
level from 63 to 64 that will correspond with newly assigned technical duties.
Mr. Hall said these transitions will not change the current I.T. Department budget. It was the
consensus of the Board to consider this request during their upcoming regular meeting.
County Engineer Amanda Bader, on behalf of Harnett County Facilities and Maintenance,
requested approval to reclassify two Heavy Equipment Operator positions at salary grade 63 to
Solid Waste Crew Leaders at salary grade 65. The reason for this reclassification is to create a
construction crew under the Solid Waste department. These reclassifications will be absorbed in
the Solid Waste's current budget. Discussions continued regarding convienient centers and
recycling. It was the consensus of the Board to consider approval of the reclassifications during
their upcoming regular meeting.
Health Director John Rouse presented the Health Department request for approval to reclassify a
Public Health position to a Physician Extender II position. This reclassification will cause a
January 12, 2016 Special Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 2 of 4
small increase in the salary which can be absorbed in the Health Department's current budget. It
was the consensus of the Board to consider approval of the reclassification during their
upcoming regular meeting.
Mr. Rouse also reviewed the Health Department's request for approval to enter into a
Memorandum of Understanding with Harnett Health to provide a morgue for medical examiner
cases at a cost of $50 per case. It was the consensus of the Board to consider approval of this
request during their upcoming regular meeting.
Brian Haney, with the County Manager's Office, reviewed potential 2016 Harnett County
Legislative Priorities and the upcoming Legislative Luncheon agenda. Discussion continued
including establishing an ag/business district.
Mr. Jeffries reviewed the proposed March 1, 2016 Planning Retreat agenda and sought feedback
from the Board. It was the consensus of the Board to not consider funding the donation request
from Harnett Central High School Choral Booster Club.
Commissioners reviewed and discussed the Boards and Committees on which commissioners
serve and will formally approve the list during their upcoming regular meeting.
Mr. Jeffries provided and update on HFTC and Mr. Haney reviewed marketing efforts for
Brightwater, Edgerton, WHIP, etc., and proposed moving forward with Avison Young for
marketing with an agreement forthcoming before the board. It was the consensus of the Board to
move forward with this plan.
Mr. Jeffries reviewed the January 19, 2016 regular meeting agenda. It was the consensus of the
Board to add Campbell University's request for a waiver of all building permit fees for the
construction of the new South Residence Hall that will be located on Leslie Campbell Avenue.
There was a lengthy discussion regarding a request for possible bonuses for social workers that
go out at night, weekend, etc. Commissioners would like staff to research adding this into staff's
salary via a reclassification in lieu of a bonus.
Commissioner Elmore 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
claims and litigation including the following case: "In RE: Gail Newsome Highsmith," U.S.
Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of N.C., File No. 12-80586. This motion is made pursuant to
N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(3). Vice Chairman Springle seconded the motion
which passed unanimously.
Commissioner Elmore moved that the Board come out of closed session. Vice Chairman
Springle seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
January 12, 2016 Special Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 3 of 4
Regarding school selection, Chairman Burgin notified commissioners that the School Board had
recently selected Mosely Architect, who was $2.5 million higher than the lowest bid submitted,
to build the new school. He said there was a letter by a past superintendent promising the job to
Mosely. Discussions continued
Commissioner Elmore moved to adjourn the meeting at 12:51 pm. Vice Chairman Springle
seconded the motion which passed u
W. Brooks Matthews, Chairman
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et Regina eeler, Clerk
January 12, 2016 Special Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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