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HomeMy WebLinkAbout052620wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Work Session Minutes May 26, 2020 The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, 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 and stationed in the meeting chambers to maintain the recommended social distancing of 6 feet as the Board demonstrated compliance with State law. Members present: Staff present: Howard Penny, Chairman Joe Miller, Vice Chairman Mark B. Johnson, Commissioner Barbara McKoy, Commissioner Gordon Springle, Commissioner Paula Stewart, County Manager Dwight Snow, County Attorney Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk Chairman Penny called the meeting to order at 9:00 am and led the Pledge of Allegiance and invocation. The following agenda was before the Board: ➢ General Budget Discussion: - Board of Education's Budget Request, - Nonprofit Committee Funding Request - Solid Waste Budget ➢ Relocation of Fire District Boundary Lines, Rodney Daniels ➢ City of Dunn's request to purchase county property > County Manager's Report: - June 1, 2020 Regular Meeting Agenda Review and meeting logistics - Review applications to serve on Boards and Committees - Invitations and upcoming meetings > Closed session > Adjourn May 26, 2020 Work Session Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 1 of 5 Harnett County Superintendent Aaron Fleming, participating remotely, presented Harnett County Schools 2020-2021 Local Appropriation Funding Request including: • $ 24,680,603 Continuation Budget • $ 4,001,772 Current Expense Expansion • $179,920,398 Capital Outlay Category I - Facilities • $ 122,000 Capital Outlay Category II - Equipment • $ 641,456 Capital Outlay Category III - Vehicles Mr. Fleming also reviewed the following 2020-2021 School Facilities Needs List: o Current Projects - Erwin Elementary & Northwest Harnett Elementary Schools - $65,600,000 o Tier 1 Projects — Immediate to 1 -year - $166,622,000 o Tier 2 Projects — 2 years to 4 years - $TBD o Tier 3 Projects — 5 years to 9 years - $TBD o Tier 4 Projects —10 years to 15 years - $TBD o Tier 5 — Prioritized as resources become available - $TBD Mrs. Stewart reiterated to the Board that Harnett County Schools would be included in the County's CIP this coming year. Dr. Fleming responded to questions from commissioners and discussions continued. Vice Chairman Miller said it was unacceptable that the cost of the Erwin Elementary School Project had been underestimated $6 million. Discussions continued. Chairman Penny asked when the Board would be provided any documentation for the Erwin Elementary School Project as the County is scheduled to go to the bond market in June to borrow monies for this project. Mr. Fleming noted the Board of Education is scheduled to approve the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) Contract the evening of June 1St. Mrs. Stewart asked that a copy of the CMAR be shared with commissioners as soon as possible. Mrs. Honeycutt said the Board of Commissioners could and must consider approval of the "Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the County of Harnett North Carolina Providing for the Issuance of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2020" during their regular June 1, 2020 meeting to stay on schedule. Nonprofit Committee Chairman Lucia Turlington, participating remotely, said the committee members had been advised to adjust their recommendation to $60,000 or less and the Boys and Girls Club had been removed from the list. The Board previously tabled the Nonprofit Funding Committee's 2020/2021 funding request for $92,000 on April 6, 2020. Commissioner McKoy questioned when the Boys and Girls Club was removed from the list or a maximum amount set for nonprofit funding, saying the Board never voted on either of these. Commissioner McKoy said this wasn't handled right and she doesn't like it. Mrs. Stewart responded that she had only used the $60,000 amount as a placeholder in the current recommended budget but with all items in the proposed budget it is up to the Board to suggest any changes. Discussions continued. May 26, 2020 Work Session Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 2 of 5 Mrs. Turlington sought clarification regarding a limit for nonprofit funding and asked if the Boys and Girls Club currently receives and funds from the County. Staff responded that the Boys and Girls Club are provided County space at no charge but they will eventually pay for the cost of their utilities. Mrs. Turlington stated that the Nonprofit Committee's revised 2020-2021 funding request is $63,500 and does include $5,000 for the Boys and Girls Club. The Board will consider approval of the revised funding request during their upcoming regular meeting. Chad Beane, Director of Harnett County Solid Waste, provided a brief overview of the Harnett County Solid Waste Department including the convenient sites and landfills. He said their priorities are customer service for the citizens of Harnett County and waste disposal in the most environmentally friendly manner. The group talked about littering in the County. Mr. Beane responded that he has talked to the Sheriff about using prisoners to pick up trash on the roads and will try to move forward with that as soon as possible. Mr. Beane noted that the Solid Waste Department will be focusing on building their capital budget within the Enterprise Fund this year. He noted that a recommended increase in the Solid Waste Availability Fee from $65 per household to $80 per household is included in the recommended budget. The increase will allow the fund to fully fund its liability for post -closure costs associated with the old landfill and to build a capital reserve for improvements to Solid Waste Collection Centers and other capital needs, such as replacement of equipment. Chris Appel, Senior Staff Attorney, quickly reviewed the process and statutory requirements for relocating fire protection service district boundary lines. Harnett County Fire Marshall Rodney Daniels provided the details regarding the proposed relocation of fire district boundary lines. Mr. Daniels stated that due to a recent division of property and access to parcel(s), address 6262 NC 217, one or more properties are beyond six road miles from the responsible fire department. The following maps were provided for review: o Current Fire Response Districts o Proposed New Response Area and Tax District Lines o Summerville Bunnlevel Fire Protection Service District o West Area Fire Protection Service District Mr. Daniels is asking the Board to consider approving changes to the Westarea Fire Department Service District and Summerville-Bunnlevel Fire Department Service District to afford the affected property owners lower insurance rates. Mr. Daniels noted the affected citizens and servicing fire departments are in agreement with the proposed change. Mr. Appel presented the Resolution of the Harnett County Board of Commissioners Declaring Its Intent To Relocate Boundary Lines Between Adjoining Fire Protection Service District to be considered by the Board during their June 1, 2020 regular meeting. May 26, 2020 Work Session Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 3 of 5 Mrs. Stewart reviewed the draft June 1, 2020 regular meeting agenda. She noted that Johnston - Lee -Harnett Community Action, Inc., will receive a grant for CSBG CARES from the Office of Economic Opportunity. Harnett County's portion of the grant is $340,466 and will be used for emergency services such as rent, utilities, food and miscellaneous. Regarding the Coronavirus Relief Fund allocation for Harnett County, the County is required to submit a plan by June 1, 2020 stating how they plan to spend $2,462,374. Brian Haney updated commissioners on the progress of developing this plan. City of Dunn Mayor William Elmore and City Manager Steve Neuschafer, both participating remotely, presented the City of Dunn's request to purchase three parcels of County property for $350,000 to upgrade and expand their water plant. Steve Ward, Director of Harnett Regional Water (HRW), shared HRW's future plans for the some of the properties. Mr. Ward distributed "Phase II — Water System Evaluation" performed by Hazen and Sawyer in 2017 showing "East Central Option 4" as a new water treatment plant north of the river. He said this is valuable property because of the potential there; the County will need it in 20 years to serve its customers. Mr. Ward said the County is going to need a water plant north of the river and this property that we own is the most logical place to put it and utilize the intake track. Mr. Ward recommended that the County hold on to these properties but did say if the County decides to sale Dunn any property, the old Erwin waste water plant property parcel #0597-22-3784.000 could be sold to them allowing them the ability to expand their plant without affecting us in a tremendous way. Discussions continued. Mrs. Stewart talked about possibly allowing some reopenings and meetings to take place in mid- June if safety measurements are in place and protocals are followed. Commissioners will discuss this during their upcoming regular meeting. As a follow up to budget discussions, Mrs. Stewart noted staff is working on the proposed budget ordinance scheduled for adoption on June 15, 2020. She asked that commissioners let her know as soon as possible any changes they would like to see in the recommended budget. Discussions continued. Within the County Manager's budget message, Mrs. Stewart proposed funding Harnett County Schools at the FY2020 levels as our funding formulas would have resulted in reductions for both operating and capital outlay. Staff also noted that the County will hold Harnett County Schools harmless for the loss of 127 students as the school system is funded on a per student basis. Mrs. Stewart said funding is proposed at $24,680,603 for current expenses/continuation budget and $1,021,528 for capital outlay funding. She noted that the Board of Commissioners have already approved $51.5 million in funding for the construction of new schools in Erwin and northwest Harnett County as well as approved additional funding for the Benhaven project and Johnsonville renovations and addition. Mrs. Stewart said the County would need to consider May 26, 2020 Work Session Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 4 of 5 additional requests if monies become available. She also said staff will work together regarding Harnett County Schools' requests when developing the CIP. By consensus commissioners agreed with the County Manager's 2020/2021 recommendations of funding for Harnett County Schools. There was no need for closed session. Commissioner Springle moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:12 am. Commissioner Miller seconded the motion that passed unanimously. d Penny, Jr., Cha' 7, .4 t Regina eeler, Clerk May 26, 2020 Work Session Minutes Harnett County Board of Commissioners Page 5 of 5