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Home My WebLink About121024 wsHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Minutes of Work Session December 10, 2024 The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 9:00 am, in the Commissioners Meeting Room, Harnett County Resource Center and Library, 455 McKinney Parkway, Lillington, North Carolina. Members present: Matthew B. Nicol, Chairman William Morris, Vice Chairman Barbara McKoy, Commissioner W. Brooks Matthews, Commissioner Duncan "Eddie" Jaggers, 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. Vice Chairman Matthews led the Pledge of Allegiance and provided the invocation. The following agenda was before the Board of Commissioners: 1. Call to order — Chairman Matt Nicol 2. Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation — Commissioner Barbara McKoy 3. Update on Riverside Project; Coley Price, Deputy County Manager and Withers & Ravenal 4. Discuss a request to add an Accountant I position at Harnett County Department of Social Services (DSS); Paul Polinski, DSS Director 5. Discuss a request for approval of a contract between Harnett County and Campbell University; Gary McNeill, Major, Sheriff's Office 6. Discuss a request to receive grant funds and approve a project ordinance for the Farmer's Market; Tim Mathews, Cooperative Extension Director 7. Discuss the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Lobbyists; Brent Trout, County Manager 8. Presentation of recommended Capital Improvements Program for Fiscal Years 2026-2032; Lisa McFadden, Budget Director 9. Review Boards and Committees Commissioners serve on. 10. Review applications to serve on Boards and Committees. 11. County Manager's Report —Brent Trout, County Manager • December 16, 2024 Regular Meeting Agenda Review • Upcoming meetings and invitations 12. Closed Session 13. Recess and Reconvene in Training Room 103 B/C, Harnett County Resource Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes December 10, 2024 Pagel of 8 Center and Library 14. Planning Meeting Welcome and Overview — Brent Trout, County Manager 15. Year in Review — Administration Staff 16. Debt Affordability and Financial Analysis — Davenport 17. Break 18. Review of Fiscal Policy — Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer 19. Harnett County Trends — Lisa McFadden, Budget Director 20. Board Goals and Priorities — Brent Trout, County Manager 21. Legislative Priorities Development — Brent Trout, County Manager 22. Lunch 23. Adjourn Coley Price, Deputy County Manager provided background information regarding the Riverside Drainage Project and introduced Ross Perry with Withers Ravenel. Mr. Perry provided the following information regarding the Riverside Community Drainage Assessment: • Study Area • Purpose, Objective and Ultimate Goal • Process & Schedule • Field Assessment • Flood Modeling • ConceputalImprovements: 1. Restoration of Existing Infrastructure & Conveyances • Remove/clear debris from Beaverdam Swamp Canal to promote drainage • Remove sediment from existing culverts and roadside ditches to achieve positive drainage. 2. Stormwater Infrastructure Improvements • Upsize existing roadway culverts • Install new roadway culverts • Install new stormwater pipes and ditches to provide increased connectivity and promote positive drainage. 3. Restoring Beaverdam Swamp Canal 4. Stormwater Pump Station Installation Benefits and Challenges for each Conceptual Improvement Proposed Projects 1. Project #1 — Beaverdam Swamp Canal Debris and Dam Removal 2. Project #2 — Restoring Existing Drainage Conveyances and Infrastructure 3. Project 93 — Installation of New Roadway Culverts 4. Project 94 — Upsizing Existing Roadway Culverts 5. Project #5 — Beaver Rd and Bunnlevel Erwin Rd Drainage Diversion 6. Project #6 — Restoring Beaverdam Swamp Canal Benefits and Challenges for each Proposed Improved Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes December 10, 2024 Page 2 of 8 • Prioritization Factors • Prioritization Matrix — Improvement Projects • Conclusions: Priority Ranking 1 Proposed Improvement Project Project #1: Clearing Beaverdam Swamp Canal Probable Costs 2 $ 400,000 2 Project #2: Restoration of Existing Drainage Conveyances and Infrastructure $ 340,000 3 Project #3: Installation of New Roadway Culverts (4323 & 4479 Bunnlevel Erwin Road) $ 245,000 4 Project #5: Rerouting Drainage to the East from Beaver Road $ 145,000 5 Project #4: Upsizing Roadway Culverts (4691 Bunnlevel Erwin Road & Beaver Road) $ 255,000 6 Project #6: Restoring Beaverdam Swamp Canal $ 2,126,000 Total Costs = $ 3,511,000 • Potential Funding Sources • Next Steps Discussion included: • Partnering with NCDOT • Beaver Dams • ARPA Funding • Possible Grant Funding Consensus of the Board was to begin with Project 1, apply for grant funding and keep moving forward. Paul Polinski, Social Services Director, reviewed a request for approval to add an Accountant I position at a beginning salary of $52,637 plus benefits. This position would compile, monitor, and audit financial reports, accounts, etc. The position would work with supervisors to ensure staff are properly coding day sheets to maximize reimbursement received from the state and feds. The Accountant I position would complete needed reports from the Munis system to complete the 1571 report from start to finish each month. They would work closely with the County Finance Office. The county would receive at least 50% reimbursement for this position from the state. Mr. Polinski stated they had funding for the remaining of the year to fund this position. Commissioner Matthews asked Mr. Trout if he was comfortable with being able to provide funds for the position in next year's budget. Mr. Trout stated yes sir. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda. Major McNeill shared information regarding a request to approve a contract between Harnett County and Campbell University. The Sheriffs Office would provide six (6) sworn county law enforcement personnel of the rank of Deputy and one Supervisor (the "Campbell Deputies") who shall be under the supervision and control of the HSO and assigned to CAMPBELL for the purposes of providing law enforcement services exclusively within the Coverage Area Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes December 10, 2024 Page 3 of 8 In exchange for the Sheriffs Office providing the Campbell Deputies and the law enforcement services to be rendered, CAMPBELL shall pay to the COUNTY all costs and personnel benefits for the Campbell Deputies, which shall include but not be limited to the following: (i) Any salaries and benefits that the COUNTY would expend for current full-time employees; (ii) Any costs for uniforms, weapons, equipment (except motor vehicles), materials, supplies, subscriptions, and training; (iii) Any other additional costs that the COUNTY may have due to these such as increased liability, workers compensation or other insurance charges; and (iv) Reimbursement to the COUNTY of fuel purchased by Campbell Deputies utilizing the County issued WEX Fuel card issued by HSO to vehicles while providing law enforcement services to Campbell and the Buies Creek area as shown on Exhibit A and reimbursement to the County for maintenance of motor vehicles for use by the Campbell Deputies. (v) Prior approval by the Vice President for Student Life and Christian Mission and her designee is required for any equipment purchases in excess of One Thousand Dollars $1 ,000.00. The term of this contract shall be for three (3) years to be effective beginning at 12:00 midnight on July 1, 2025, and shall extend through June 30, 2028. Major McNeill shared they have requested per the Legal Department to remove the auto renewal clause. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda with no auto -renewal. Tim Mathews, Cooperative Extension Director reviewed a request to approve the receipt of the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission Grant funds and the Farmers Market Capital Project Ordinance. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda. Brent Trout, County Manager, reviewed a request for the board's approval to contract with Kairos Government Affairs for lobbying services. A request for proposal process was conducted for lobbying services. The County Manager has selected Kairos Government Affairs to perform these services. Kairos Government Affairs has done an exceptional representing us in this initial contract. Included is a report from Kairos regarding their activities over the last two years of the contract. The annual cost of this contract is a fee of $4,000 per month. In addition, there is a yearly lobbyist registration fee that we pay for the five lobbyists that work for the firm in the amount of $2,515. We have the funds budgeted in contingency for this item for the rest of this year and we will include it in next year's budget. The proposed contract will be for two years with the option to renew after two years for an additional two years. The bid tabulation and the proposal submitted by Kairos Government Affairs was included in the packet for your information. Consensus of the Board was to place this item as an action item on the next agenda. Lisa McFadden, Budget Director, presented the recommended Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2026-2032. Additional discussion included a location for the Board of Elections and the facilities assessment. The Public Input Session on the recommended CIP will Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes December 10, 2024 Page 4 of 8 be held at the December 16, 2024 Board Meeting and staff is requesting the Board consider approval at the January 6, 2025 Board Meeting. Chairman Nicol reviewed the following proposed committee assignments: Commissioner Jaggers: Executive Board of Research Triangle Regional Partnership Executive Board of CAMPO Advisory Board of Good Hope Behavioral Hospital Transportation Advisory Board Home and Community Block Grant Committee Alliance Health Commissioners Advisory Board Commissioner McKoy: Board of Health Harnett Health System Board HC Public Library Board of Trustees Johnston -Lee -Harnett Community Board of Directors Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Commissioner Nicol: Jetport Committee Social Services Board FAMPO Board Extension Advisory Leadership Council Sandhills YMCA Board Commissioner Matthews: Transportation Advisory Board Mid -Carolina RPO Board Mid -Carolina Board of Directors HC Economic Development Partnership CAMPO Alternate Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Commissioner Morris: Mid -Carolina Aging Advisory Committee Averasboro Township Tourism Development Authority Cape Fear River Assembly Board I-95/I-40 Crossroads of America Economic Development Alliance Board of Directors Jetport Committee Southeastern Economic Development Comm. HC Economic Development Partnership Consensus of the Board was to place the committee assignments on the next consent agenda. Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes December 10, 2024 Page 5 of 8 The Board of Commissioners reviewed the application from Amy Brown to serve on the Board of Health as a public member. Consensus of the Board was to place the appointment on the next consent agenda. Brent Trout, County Manager, shared we did receive approval on the Jetport layout plan which gives us the ability for the Engineer of Record to speak with the Department of Aviation for approval to begin the runway extension project and it allows us the opportunity to start work on the corporate hangar project as well. Chairman Nicol recessed at 10:49 am to reconvene in the Training Room 103 B/C for the Planning Meeting. Chairman Nicol called the meeting back to order at 11:00 am. The following agenda was before the Board: ➢ Welcome and Overview ➢ Year in Review ➢ Debt Affordability and Financial Analysis ➢ Review of Fiscal Policy ➢ Harnett County Trends ➢ Board Goals and Priorities ➢ Legislative Priorities Development 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. Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer, introduced Ted Cole with Davenport. Mr. Cole reviewed the following information: • Credit Rating Overview and Peer Comparatives • Existing General Fund Financial and Tax Supported Debt Profile • Capital Planning Analysis • Flatwoods Middle School Financing Schedule • Harnett Water Debt and Financial Profile • Solid Waste Debt and Financial Profile Consensus of the Board was to proceed with Scenario 1 in the Capital Funding Analysis Summary. (Attachment 1) The Board of Commissioner took a lunch break at 11:56 pm. Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes December 10, 2024 Page 6 of 8 The meeting resumed at 12:21 pm. Ms. Honeycutt reviewed the following information regarding the fiscal policy: • Fiscal Policy Purpose • Reserve Policies • Historical data on fiscal policies and the effect on the fund balance. • General Fund Balance History • General Fund Assigned and Committed Fund Balance History • Governmental Funds — Capital Reserves • General Fund Balance as Percentage • Harnett Regional Water Fund Reserves • Solid Waste Fund Reserves • General Fund Snapshot • Sales Tax • General Fund FTE Employees Funded • Internal Service Funds — Net Position Lisa McFadden, Budget Director, reviewed the following trends: • 5-Year Population Growth in Unincorporated Area and Municipalities • New Homes Constructed • Unemployment rate • Current Employment Levels as of 12/6/2024 • Sales Tax (Article 39) Collections First Three Months • Effective Tax Rates and Tax Rates 2024-2025 Additional discussion included: • School Resource Officers (SRO) Vacancies and Bonus Pay • Local Teacher Supplements • Teacher Pay Mr. Trout reviewed the five main strategic goals and key strategic actions of each goal which included: • Superior Education • Organization Excellence • Safe & Healthy Community • Economic Strength • Informed & Engaged Citizens Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes December 10, 2024 Page 7 of 8 Additional discussion included: • Adding some key strategic actions for decreasing drug and alcohol abuse under Safe and Health Community • Look at hours of operation for Saturdays at the landfill Mr. Trout also reviewed Legislative Priorities. Additional discussion included: • Senate Bill 382 • Fire Suppression Bill • The need for a double turn lane in Lillington on Hwy 421 • Look at removing the use of schools for elections Kairos Government Affairs provided a quick legislative update. Vice Chairman Morris made a motion to adjourn the Board of Commissioners at 1:57 pm. Commissioner Jaggers seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Matthew B. Nicol, Chairman Melissa Capps, Clerk Harnett County Board of Commissioners Work Session Minutes December 10, 2024 Page 8 of 8 ATTACHMENT 1 Capital Funding Analysis Summary Harnett COUNTY Overview and Summary of Results A B C D E F G H I Capital Funding Analysis Summary 1 Fund 2 Debt Issued 3 Spring 2025 (FY 2025) 4 Summer 2025 (FY 2026) 5 Summer 2026 (FY 2027) 6 Total Debt Issued 8 Total Debt Service 9 10 Debt Ratios (Worst Shown) Policy 11 Projected 10-year Payout 70.57% 50.00% 12 Years out of Compliance 13 Projected Debt to AV 1.04% 2.50% 14 Years out of Compliance 15 Projected DS vs. Expenditures 9.76% 15.00% 16 Years out of Compliance 17 18 Revenue/Reserves Equivalent Impact 19 Total Amount Required 20 Years Required 21 22 Tax Equivalent Impact (As Needed) 23 FY 2028 24 FY 2029 25 FY 2030 26 FY 2031 27 Total 28 29 One -Time Tax Equivalent Impact - FY 2027 (Upfront) Scenario County School Total - 85,500,000 85,500,000 10,000,000 - 10,000,000 10,000,000 85,500,000 95,500,000 14,000,000 130,387,500 144,387,500 67.94% 61.41% 61.41% 0 -0 --� 0 1.22% 1.63% -- 1.63% 0 0 0 10.74% 12.91% 13.01% 0 0 0 N/A N/A N/A 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.004 - 0.004 Details for Scenario 1 and Scenario 2 can be found in Appendix A and B, respectively. DAVENPORT PUBLIC FINANCE December 10, 2024 County School Total - 85.500,000 85,500,000 10,000,000 - 10,000,000 - 100,000,000 100,000,000 10,000,000 185,500,000 195,500,000 14,000,000 282,887,500 296,887,500 67.94% 60.62% 60.81% 0 0 0 1.22% 2.02% 2.09% 0 0 0 10.74% 15.87% 16.29% 0 1 1 v 23,813,369 23,813,369 N/A FY 30 - FY 36 FY 30 - FY 36 3.324 3.324 - 0.104 0.104 0.004 3.424 3.424 0.004 1.724 1.724 Harnett County, North Carolina 14