121013ss HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Special Session
December 10, 2013
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, December 10,
2013,in the Commissioners Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 102 East Front
Street,Lillington,North Carolina.
Members present: Joe Miller, Chairman
Gary House,Vice Chairman
Jim Burgin, Commissioner
Beatrice B. Hill, Commissioner
C. Gordon Springle, Commissioner
Staff present: Tommy Burns, County Manager
Joseph Jeffries,Deputy County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt,Interim Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Commissioner Hill led the pledge of
allegiance and invocation.
The meeting agenda was as follows:
> Viper Radio, Sheriff Larry Rollins
> Emergency Management Ordinance and Emergency Operation Plan, Gary
Pope
> 5-10-20 year plan reviews:
1) EM/Fire Marshal/EMS Office
2) Public Utilities
> Subdivision Roads,Joseph Jeffries
> Sidewalks on Ray Road,Joseph Jeffries and Amanda Bader
> Finance Officers Report
> County Manager's Report:
1) Employee Awards Luncheon
2) Special Presentation
3) 2014 BOC Schedule of Meetings
Sheriff Larry Rollins asked commissioners and staff to figure out a way to finance the new Viper
System as soon as possible. He said he knows it's a lot of money but the need is very critical as
the current system could go down at any time. He said there is no doubt the Viper System is the
way to go as they have been discussing it for four years.
December 10,2013 Special Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 1 of 3
Major Gary McNeill said it would take a year to switch over to the new system once the
equipment is purchased. Major McNeill reported the total cost for the project is $7.2 Million
which includes $344,000 of contingency. Gary Pope,Director of Emergency Services,noted
staff is exploring every avenue to find funds for this project and have recently applied for a grant
up to $1 Million.
Major McNeill,recognizing Motorola representatives present, said Motorola is willing to finance
$5.6 Million of the total project cost at a 1.42%interest rate and had presented a couple of
financing and payment options to the County. Major McNeill explained the main reason for
talking with the Board today is Motorola has offered a package of incentives totaling
approximately$900,000 that is good through the end of the year. Motorola is the sole source for
this equipment.
Mrs. Honeycutt said the County could lease the equipment for 59 months without submitting
application to the Local Government Commissioner(LGC). She said the LGC will not approve
any type of financing for us considering our outstanding debt. Mrs. Honeycutt said she also
received a soft quote from US Bank of a 1.42%interest rate for 59 months which matched
Motorola. Mrs. Honeycutt shared her concerns regarding the new potential debt,the County's
current outstanding debt and the fund balance.
Mrs.Honeycutt clarified an additional $1.5 million is needed for tower equipment which would
extend coverage. Major McNeill said the County will save several hundred thousand dollars a
year in maintenance cost for the current system. This project will replace approximately 1,200
radios in the County. Mr. Pope said they came up with a formula to spread the cost fairly. Mr.
Pope said the fire departments contribute $25 dollars per radio per month. Commissioner Burgin
questioned if the fire departments should contribute to the project from their fund balances.
Discussions continued regarding the Viper System. The County must be P25 compliant by
January 2015 as required by the FCC. Project 25 is a rule the FCC put in place after 9-11 which
mandates all digital radios must be able to work on all systems. Staff will work with Motorola to
provide information to commissioners for consideration at the December 16,2013 regular
meeting.
Mr. Pope reviewed the annual updates to the Emergency Management Ordinance and
Emergency Operation Plan. He also presented the 5-10-20 year plan review for EM/Fire
Marshal/EMS Office.
Steve Ward,Director of Public Utilities,presented the 5-10-20 year plan review for Public
Utilities.
Mr. Jeffries led a discussion regarding subdivision roads, specifically roads within Colonial Hills
Subdivision. Mr. Jeffries and County Engineer Amanda Bader also led a discussion regarding
sidewalks on Ray Road.
December 10,2013 Special Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 2 of 3
Mrs. Honeycutt provided a Finance Officers Report.
Commissioners and staff reviewed the draft December 16,2013,regular meeting agenda. They
also discussed their 2014 meeting schedule which they will consider for approval at their
upcoming regular meeting. Mr. Burns reminded commissioners of the upcoming Employee
Awards Luncheon on December 13.
The meeting adjourned at 12:33 pm. y gay
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December 10,2013 Special Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 3 of 3