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Home My WebLink About051424 wsHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Minutes of Work Session May 14, 2024 The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 9:00 am, in the Commissioners Meeting Room, Harnett County Resource Center and Library, 455 McKinney Parkway, Lillington, North Carolina. Members present: William Morris, Chairman W. Brooks Matthews, Vice Chairman Barbara McKoy, Commissioner Lewis W. Weatherspoon, Commissioner Matthew B. Nicol, Commissioner Staff present: Dwight Snow, County Attorney Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer Brent Trout, County Manager Melissa Capps, Clerk Chairman Morris called the Harnett County Board of Commissioners meeting to order at 9:00 am. Commissioner Nicol led the Pledge of Allegiance and invocation. The following agenda was before the Board of Commissioners: 1. Call to order — Chairman William Morris 2. Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation — Commissioner Matt Nicol 3. Recognition of Harnett County EMS workers named North Carolina's top paramedic team for 2024. 4. Discuss a request to approve the application for NCDOT/IMD Micro -transit Feasibility Study Grant; Barry Blevins, General Services Director 5. Discuss a request to approve the FY2026 5311 Administrative Grant pre -application documents as requested by NCDOT/IMD; Barry Blevins, General Services Director 6. Discuss the Proposed Text Amendment: Case# PLAN2401-0066 Applicant: Harrington Companies, LLC; Harnett County Unified Development Ordinance; Article V, Section 1.2; 7.6.2 & 7.6.3. Applicant requests that Outdoor Flea Markets be added to Article V, Section 1.2 "Table of Use Regulations." (previously tabled from April 15, 2024) 7. Discuss a request to extend the contract with Averasboro Battlefield Commission; Ally Fouts Gaines, Management Analyst 8. Discuss a request to approve a lease for Probation and Parole; Christopher Appel, Senior Staff Attorney Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes May 14, 2024 Page 1 of 9 9. Discuss a request to adopt the S-6 2023 Supplement to the Code of Ordinances; Melissa Capps, Clerk to the Board 10. Discuss Nonprofit Committee Bylaws and policies; Thomas Royer, Assistant Staff' Attorney and Brent Trout, County Manager 11. Discuss a request from North Carolina Department of Transportation for a Resolution of Support for a safety improvement project on SR 1121 (Ray Road); Brent Trout, County Manager 12. Discuss a request for approval of write-offs for calendar year 2023 in the amount of $206,720; Steve Ward, Harnett Regional Water Director 13. Discuss Harnett Regional Water Capital Improvement Projects; Steve Ward, Harnett Regional Water Director 14. Discuss FY 2024-25 Recommended Budget; Lisa McFadden, Budget Director and Brent Trout, County Manager 15. Review applications to serve on Boards and Committees. 16. County Manager's Report — Brent Trout, County Manager • Resolution requesting NCDOT add Fairfax Drive and Savannah Court in Pittman Crossing Subdivision to the State's Secondary Road System • May 20, 2024 Regular Meeting Agenda Review • Upcoming meetings and invitations 17. Closed Session 18. Recess - The Board of Commissioners will convene in Joint Session with The Board of Education at 11:00 a.m. in Training Room 103 B/C. 19. Presentation of the 2024-2025 Harnett County School Budget 20. Adjourn Chairman Morris and the Board of Commissioners recognized Harnett County Paramedics District Chief Morgan Langdon and Assistant Chief Jonathan Murphy who were named 2024 State Paramedic Competition winners of the 32nd Annual North Carolina Paramedic Competition. Barry Blevins, General Services Director, reviewed a request for approval of the application for NCDOT/IMD Micro -transit Feasibility Study grant. Micro -transit is an emerging service option for transit agencies. The Feasibility Study grant will fund planning and analysis for potential integration of micro -transit service into existing HARTS operations. This study will be a comprehensive evaluation of a potential micro -transit service model. Micro -transit service involves an on -demand transportation solution, similar to Uber and Lyft services, flexible and responsive to the real-time demand of transit riders. All micro -transit implementations are unique to match the circumstances of each community. This study is a valuable decision -making tool intended to segue into pilot projects, implementation of micro -transit service, or other grant opportunities. The Micro -transit Feasibility Study planning grant is 100% funded by NCDOT. No local match is required. The Harnett County Transportation Advisory Board voted to support HARTS' application. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda. Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes May 14, 2024 Page 2 of 9 Chance Torain, Transportation Services Manager, reviewed a request for approval of the FY2026 5311 Administrative Grant pre -application documents as requested by NCDOT/IMD. These pre - application documents will be reviewed by IMD as part of their pre -application activities. Furthermore, these documents will be added to the combined FY2026 5311 Administrative - Capital applications whose estimated due date is October 4, 2024. The anticipated allocated amount for FY2026 Administrative allocation is $400,312 with a 15% local County match, estimated at $60,048. A Community Transportation Program Public Hearing for public comment will be held at a later date after release of the FY2026 Capital application. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda. Sarah Arbor, Long Range Planner/ Planner 11, reviewed the proposed text amendment Case# PLAN2401-0066 Applicant: Harrington Companies, LLC; Harnett County Unified Development Ordinance; Article V, Section 1.2; 7.6.2 & 7.6.3. Applicant requests that Outdoor Flea Markets be added to Article V, Section 1.2 "Table of Use Regulations." Applicant requests that Outdoor Flea Markets be added to Article V, Section 1.2 "Table of Use Regulations. Add "Outdoor Flea Markets" to 7.6.2 as well as the Letters E and F, which specifies what outdoor displays consist of, how long it can be displayed, and the minimum lot size required (10 acres). On April 1, 2024, the Planning Board voted unanimously (3-0) to recommend approval of the proposed text amendment. The Planning Board stated that approval was recommended based on the use regulations set forth in the staff suggested text as well as the requirement for a special use permit to be obtained from the Board of Adjustment. And at the May 6, 2024 Planning Board meeting, the Planning Board voted unanimously (4-0) to recommend approval of the revised text amendment with the additional use regulation as written. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda. Ally Fouts Gaines, Management Analyst, reviewed a request for the approval of Amendment #1 to extend the deadline of the use of funds to June 30, 2025 for Averasboro Battlefield Commission, Inc. In September of 2022, the County of Harnett entered into a contract with Averasboro Battlefield Commission, Inc. This funding contract granted the Commission $100,000, from the County's general fund, to pay for the services of hired or contracted park rangers and employees to staff the Averasboro Battlefield and Museum. The effective date of this contract is July 1, 2022 and the termination date is June 30, 2024. Paragraph 3 of the funding contract states that the funds "may be rolled over for use by the Commission to subsequent fiscal years upon written notification by the Commission to the County and agreement by the County." The Commission has submitted a written request for the funds to be rolled over to Fiscal Year 2024-2025. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda. Christopher Appel, Senior Staff Attorney, reviewed a request for the approval of the Lease Agreement between the County of Harnett and Lucknow Properties LLC for Probation and Parole. The initial term of the lease is three years with three one-year options to renew. The monthly rent for the first year is $5,250.00 monthly, for the second year $5,775.00 monthly, and for the third year $6,352.00 monthly. Additional discussion included the space needs study and Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes May 14, 2024 Page 3 of 9 locating probation and parole in a county building in the future. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda. Melissa Capps, Clerk to the Board, reviewed a request for approval of an Ordinance adopting the S-6 Supplement to the Code of Ordinances for Harnett County. The supplement contains all ordinances of a general and permanent nature enacted since the prior supplement to the Code of Ordinances. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda. Thomas Royer, Assistant Staff Attorney, reviewed a request for approval of the updated Nonprofit Funding Committee bylaws and policies. Attorney Royer reviewed the changes to the bylaws and policies which included the conflict -of -interest statement in the bylaws and eligibility and application criteria within the policies. Consensus of the Board was to place this item as a separate action item on the next meeting agenda. Brent Trout, County Manager, shared a request from NCDOT for a Resolution of Support for a safety improvement project on SR 1121 (Ray Road). NCDOT is pursuing funding for a safety project to provide improvements on SR 1121 (Ray Road) at the intersection with SR 2508 (Highgrove Drive) and SR 1122 (McKay Drive) and on SR 1121 (Ray Road) near the intersection with West and East Northpoint Roads. The improvements will allow safer access for pedestrians between Overhills Elementary, Middle, and High Schools and the subdivisions north and south of the schools. The project will include installation of sidewalks, high visibility crosswalks, pedestrian signal heads, and rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB), which warn drivers of crossing pedestrians with high intensity, rapidly flashing lights. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda. Steve Ward, Harnett Regional Water Director, reviewed a request for approval of write-offs for calendar year 2023 in the amount of $206,720. The amount is higher than usual because the write-offs include dry tap account outstanding balances through December 31, 2020. The facilitation of these write-offs is an important step in a continuing effort to effectively manage our collections and bad debt. HRW is currently using the Local Government Debt Setoff Program and On -Line Collections, Inc. to help collect our delinquent accounts. We are happy to report that we have recovered over $874,000 in bad debt previously written off through the Debt Setoff Program. Mr. Ward also presented information regarding Harnett Regional Water Capital Improvement projects. Information included: • Recently Completed Capital Projects • Ongoing Capital Projects • Projects with Design & Construction Planned in FY 2024-25 • Planned Projects through FY 2027 Hamett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes May 14, 2024 Page 4 of 9 Lisa McFadden, Budget Director presented information regarding the FY 2024-25 Recommended Budget. Information included: • General Fund: $173,542,146 • Harnett Regional Water: $47,108,000 • Solid Waste: $8,825,858 • Budget Overview — General Fund • Your tax dollars at work • General Fund Revenue Summary • Revenue Sources • Fund Balance o FY 2025 Appropriated Fund Balance - $6,567,772 o $1,157,385 less than the FY 2024 Appropriated Fund Balance amount of $7,725,157 o Harnett County does not project to use any of the original $7,725,157 that was budget in the FY 2024 Budget Ordinance • Recommended FY 2025 Tax Rate o $0.591 (per $100 valuation) o No recommended tax rate increase o One penny = $1,459,478 • FY 2024-2025 Budget Priorities • Compensation • Positions Recommended — General Fund? Full -Time Positions • Positions Recommended — Harnett Regional Water 9 Full -Time Positions • Position Reclassifications -General Fund • Recommended Expansions — General Fund • Harnett County Schools — Projects • Harnett Regional Water Budget Summary • Harnett Regional Water — Revenue Summary • Harnett Regional Water — Expansion Requests • Harnett Regional Water —Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) • Solid Waste Budget Summary • Solid Waste — Revenue Summary • Solid Waste — Expansion Requests • Summary of Expansion Costs • Recommended Fees • Fire Department Tax Rates • Discussion Items o Fire District Tax for West Area o Boys and Girls Club Allocation - $50,000 Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes May 14, 2024 Page 5 of 9 o Non-profit Organizations Allocation - $75,000 (consensus was to add this with the separate line item for consideration with the Nonprofit Bylaws and Policies updates at the May 20a' board meeting) o COLA — 1% increase is $867,000 o Recommended Fees • Next Steps o Budget Work Session — Joint Board Meeting with Harnett County Schools — today, May 14th at 11:00 am o Public Hearing for the Budget — Monday, May 20th at 6:00 pm o Budget Work Session (if needed) — Tuesday, May 28th o Budget Work Session (if needed) — Tuesday, June 11 th o Budget Approval by — June 17a' The Board of Commissioners reviewed the application from Eugenia C. Angibeau and consensus was to place the appointment of Ms. Angibeau to the Harnett County Commissioner for Women and Youth on the next consent agenda. Mr. Trout reviewed a Resolution requesting NCDOT add Fairfax Drive and Savannah Court in Pittman Crossing Subdivision to the State's Secondary Road System. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda. Mr. Trout also shared the Planning Committee will be meeting to decide if we will move forward with the Jetport Ribbon Cutting and Jamboree on Saturday due to weather conditions or push it to the rain date. Commissioner Weatherspoon made a motion to go into Closed Session for consultation with and instructions to the County staff concerning the position to be taken by the County in negotiating a proposed contract for the acquisition of real property. This motion is made pursuant to NC General Statute Section 143-318.11 (a)(5). The motion was seconded by Commissioner Nicol. Following a motion to come out of Closed Session, Chairman Morris called the meeting back to open session. Chairman Morris made a motion to recess and reconvene downstairs at 11:00 am to meet in Joint Session with the Board of Education. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Nicol and carried unanimously. Chairman Morris called the meeting back to order at 11:00 am. Members present: William Morris, Chairman W. Brooks Matthews, Vice Chairman Barbara McKoy, Commissioner Lewis W. Weatherspoon, Commissioner Matt Nicol, Commissioner Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes May 14, 2024 Page 6 of 9 Staff present: Dwight Snow, County Attorney Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer Allen Coats, Assistant Finance Officer Brent Trout, County Manager Melissa Capps, Clerk Coley Price, Deputy County Manager Christopher Appel, Senior Staff Attorney Lisa McFadden, Budget Director Mike Morrow, Assistant County Manager Desiree Patrick, Community Relations Director Public Information Officer Ben Pollock, Computer Support Technician Chairman Jaggers called the Board of Education meeting to order at 11:00 am. Harnett County Board of Education Members Present: Duncan E. Jaggers - Chairman Joey W. Powell - Vice -Chairman Bradley J. Abate Sharon M. Gainey Don R. Godfrey Staff Present: Jason Duke, Board Attorney Dr. Aaron Fleming, Superintendent Andrew Cox, Assistant Superintendent Brookie Ferguson, Assistant Superintendent Monica Thompson, Assistant Superintendent Jermaine White, Assistant Superintendent Natalie Ferrell, Public Information Officer Virigina Taylor, Human Resources Director Greg Griffin, Recruitment and Retention Carol Blalock, Recruitment and Retention Alisha Washington, Recruitment and Retention Jessica Moss, Recruitment and Retention Michelle Vuncannon, Recruitment and Retention Uriah Parker, Transportation Director Jamie Acree, Bus Patrol Representative Tammy Johnson, Executive Assistant/Board Clerk Dee Crea, Executive Assistant Chairman Jaggers called upon Board Member Godfrey to lead the invocation. Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes May 14, 2024 Page 7 of 9 Chairman Jaggers called upon Board Member Abate to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Chairman Jaggers asked for any amendments to the agenda. Being none, Vice Chairman Powell motioned to approve the agenda as presented. Board Member Abate seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Greg Griffin, Jessica Moss, Carol Blalock, Michelle Vuncannon and Alisha Washington,, from Recruitment and Retention reviewed a presentation on recruitment and retention efforts which included: • District Attrition o Teach in another LEA District o Teacher Supplement Comparison o Teacher Supplement Annual Difference o Certified Attrition by School o Resignations by Yeats of Service with Harnett County Schools • Exit Survey Data for Certified Personnel o Percentage leaving for bigger salaries o Sample comments from exit survey • Recruitment and Retention Efforts o What are we doing for recruitment? o Where they come from? o What are we doing for retention? o Why is Harnett better than other LEA'S? • Classified Attrition • Exit Survey Data for Classified Personnel Andrew Cox, Assistant Superintendent, provided information on the low wealth allotment and supplements. Mr. Cox shared FY 23-24 initial allotment was $13,343,686 and for FY 24-25 planning estimate is $8,122,345 a difference of (5,721,341). Additional discussion included Harnett County tax rate in comparison to the state average, what the allotment is used for, and what they are doing about the loss. Dr. Aaron Fleming, Superintendent, reviewed the 2024-25 Harnett County Board of Education Local funding request and the 2024-25 School facilities needs list. Uriah Parker, Transportation Director and Jamie Acree, Bus Patrol Representative, provided an update on bus patrol. Discussion included cameras, statistics and enforcement. Dr. Fleming clarified the last day of school is May 29 h, it is a half day. Board Member Powell made a motion to adjourn the Board of Education at 12:18 pm. Board Member Godfrey seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes May 14, 2024 Page 8 of 9 Commissioner Nicol made a motion to adjourn the Board of Commissioners at 12:18 pm. Commissioner Weatherspoon seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. William Morris, ClIairman Melish Capps, Clerk T Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes May 14, 2024 Page 9 of 9