012423 pr HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Planning Retreat Minutes
January 24, 2023
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in a planning retreat/work session on Tuesday,
January 24, 2023, at 9:00 am in Training Room 103 A, Harnett County Resource Center and
Library, 455 McKinney Parkway, Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present: Matt B. Nicol, Chairman
William Morris, Vice Chairman
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
W. Brooks Matthews, Commissioner
Lewis W. Weatherspoon, Commissioner
Staff present: Brent Trout, County Manager
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Melissa Capps, Clerk
Lisa McFadden, Budget Director
Coley Price, Assistant County Manager
Mike Morrow, Assistant County Manager
Allen Coats, Deputy Finance Officer
Rebecca Jackson, Consultant, True North Performance Group, LLC
Chairman Nicol called the Harnett County Board of Commissioners 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
➢ Year in Review
➢ Revenue Update& Financial Trends
➢ Review of Fiscal Policy
➢ Harnett County Trends
➢ Board Goals and Priorities
➢ Wrap-up & Adjourn
Brent Trout, County Manager, gave a brief overview of the Retreat Agenda.
A video was played for the Year in Review. Following the video, Commissioners discussed
additional accomplishments of the year.
January 24, 2023 Planning Retreat Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer, introduced Mitch Brigulio with Davenport. Mr. Brigulio
reviewed the following information:
• Credit Rating Overview
• General Fund Balance
• Existing Tax Supported Debt Profile
• Debt Capacity/Affordability Analysis
• Department of Public Utilities Debt and Financial Profile
• Solid Waste Debt and Financial Profile
• Generic Debt Capacity/Affordability Cases
• Existing Tax Supported Debt
• Existing Department of Public Utilities Debt
• Existing Solid Waste Debt
• Financial Policies
• Rating Reports
The Board took a break at 10:07 am to 10:25 am.
Ms. Honeycutt reviewed the following information:
• Historical data on fiscal policies and the effect on the fund balance.
• Harnett County Fiscal Policy identifies six key areas:
o Capital Improvement
o Debt
o Reserve (Fund Balance or Retained Earnings)
o Budget Development
o Education
o Cash Managements and Investment
• The Reserve Policy and the impact that it's had on the County's overall financial health.
• Five classifications of reserves:
o Non-spendable
o Restricted
o Committed
o Assigned
o Unassigned
• Enterprise Funds
Ms. Honeycutt noted the County's Fiscal Policy also addresses Enterprise Reserve Policies and
has established a fund reserve goal of 50%of operating and maintenance expenses.
Lisa McFadden, Budget Director, reviewed the following trends:
• Historical Context& Projected Growth
o Growth in unincorporated area& municipalities
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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o Change in population by township
o Growing population by age
o Data is based on 2020 information
• Employment
o Unemployment rate
o Harnett County budgeted positions
o Harnett County vacancies
• Financial & Revenue Trends
o Foreclosures
o Revenue increases
o Property Taxes & Comparisons
o Income
o Inflation
Mr. Trout reviewed the following information:
• TEAM Harnett Performance Management Plan Background
• Harnett County Strategic Plan Goals
• Aligning TEAM Harnett for Success
• TEAM Harnett Performance Management Plan Name, Vision and Mission Statement
• TEAM Harnett Timeline Information
• What is Performance Management, why we need it, how does it work and where it will
lead us.
Mr. Trout introduced Rebecca Jackson, Consultant with True North Performance Group, LLC.
Ms. Jackson reviewed the following information:
• The Five Pillars of Superior Performance Supported by Leaders at Every Level
o Visionary Planning
o Operational Results
o Commitment to Quality
o Employee Empowerment
o Customer Orientation
• Leadership as a Foundation for Superior Performance
Mr. Trout reviewed the mission statement for the adopted Strategic Plan and discussed the status
of key strategic actions and other critical projects.
The Board took a lunch break and called the meeting back to order at 12:24 pm.
Mr. Trout asked that each Commissioner review the adopted strategic plan goals and actions and
to rank those actions in matter of importance or priority which resulted in the following:
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Strategic Goal#1
Superior Education
Key Strategic Actions
1. Action 1.4 Address teacher supplements to increase competitiveness in the region.
2. Action 1.3 Create and adopt a long term plan for funding new schools based on Board of
Education priorities.
3. Action 1.1 Engage school administration proactively to discuss and coordinate budget
priorities and funding for FY 2023.
4. Action 1.2 Restore County Involvement in capital planning and architectural committee
for ongoing and upcoming projects.
Strategic Goal#2
Organization Excellence
Key Strategic Actions
1. Action 2.1 Complete Compensation Study to assess competiveness of employee pay and
salary compression for existing employees.
2. Action 2.2 Review and revise employee performance evaluation process to encourage
culture of accountability.
3. Action 2.3 Engage County employees in improving internal processes and provide
regular education on adherence.
3. Action 2.4 Develop and implement an organization training and development program.*
3. Action 2.7 Provide County employees with enrichment opportunities.*
4. Action 2.5 Research,develop, and implement a holistic performance management
program.
5. Action 2.6 Implement process for obtaining citizen feedback on County service
provision.
*3 way tie for 2.3, 2.4 and 2.7
Strategic Goal#3
Safe and Healthy Community
Key Strategic Actions
1. Action 3.3 Assess most pressing issues surrounding substance abuse and engage
stakeholders to develop plan to curb problems.
2. Action 3.1 Prioritize parks and greenway projects for development through Capital
Improvements Program.
3. Action 3.2 Provide support for local farmer's markets and community gardens at County
locations to support healthy food options for residents.
4. Action 3.4 Increase provision of County programs and initiatives aimed at encouraging
healthy lifestyles and outdoor activity.
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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5. Action 3.5 Meet regularly with the local arts organizations to generate and implement
ideas celebrating arts and cultures.
Strategic Goal #4
Economic Strength
Key Strategic Actions
1. Action 4.2 Increase availability of high speed Broadband throughout County.*
1. Action 4.3 Seek to extend natural gas availability along strategic corridors identified for
commercial growth.*
2. Action 4.5 Plan water and wastewater infrastructure to direct and attract residential,
commercial and industrial growth toward targeted areas.
3. Action 4.4 Pursue enhanced transportation infrastructure to reduce congestion and
increase access throughout the county.
4. Action 4.6 Educate County departments about economic development priorities and their
role in advancing those priorities.
5. Action 4.1 Revise development and incentive policies to support thriving business and
job creation.
*Tie for 4.2 and 4.3
Mr. Trout stated he appreciated the input from the Board of Commissioners.
Chairman Nicol thanked staff for their hard work and also thanked the Board for their
participation and input. I appreciate it.
Commissioner Matthews stated it has been very informative. When we embarked on the
Strategic Plan process, I said I wanted it to make sure it was something we continued to invest in.
Thank you.
Vice Chairman Morris stated it was very informative and I can see we are tight with our money
and that is a good thing.
Commissioner McKoy stated we have come a long way.
Commissioner Weatherspoon thanked staff and Davenport for their hard work so we can try to
make informed decisions. He also thanked Mr. Trout for his guidance.
Vice Chairman Morris made a motion to adjourn at 12:46 pm. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Matthews and carried unanimously.
Matthew B.Nicol,Chairman Melissta Capps, Clerk
January 24, 2023 Planning Retreat Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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