HomeMy WebLinkAbout041525 wsHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
April 15, 2025
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 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 Nicol called the Harnett County Board of Commissioners -meeting to order at 9:00 am.
Commissioner McKoy led the Pledge of Allegiance and provided the invocation.
Chairman Nicol stated I would like to add an item for discussion, we will add Item 17 as
Discussion about Harnett Regional Water, making Closed Session Item 18 and Adjournment as
Item 19.
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. Presentation of Telecommunicators Week Proclamation
4. Economic Development Quarterly Update; Stephen Barrington, Economic
Development Director
5. Finance Quarterly Update; Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
6. Discuss a request to accept additional grant funding from Chatham County
Partnership for Children; Tim Mathews, Cooperative Extension Director
7. Discuss a request to approve amendment to the current contract with Gregory
Poole; Chad Beane, Solid Waste Director
8. Discuss a request to accept Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program funds in
the amount of $116,327 from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services; Lynn Lambert, Natural Resources Director/Conservation
Education Coordinator
9. Discuss a request for permission to apply for supplemental funding from the North
Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA), Agricultural Development and
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April 15, 2025
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Farmland Preservation Trust Fund for the Cotton Conservation Easement Project
in the amount of $916,360; Lynn Lambert, Natural Resources Director/Conservation
Education Coordinator
10. Development Services briefing on upcoming public hearings:
• Proposed Zoning Change Case#PLAN2503-0001: Landowner/Applicant:1960
Properties, LLC / Chan Ho; 1.19 +/- acres; Pin # 9568-66-9087.000; From RA-
20R to Commercial Zoning District; Barbecue Township; SR # 1207 (Seawell
Rosser Road) & NC Hwy 87 N.
• Harnett Horizons 2040 Comprehensive Plan
11. Discuss a request for the Board to consider two resolutions authorizing grant
and/or loan applications to NCDEQ to address preliminary engineering, design,
and construction at the Harnett Regional Water Treatment Plant; Tommy Burns,
Harnett Regional Water Director
12. Discuss a request to approve an assignment and dedication of utility easements for
North West Water and Sewer; Christopher Appel, Senior Staff Attorney
13. Discuss a request to adopt the S-7 2024 Supplement to the Code of Ordinances;
Melissa Capps, Clerk to the Board
14. Southeastern Economic Development Commission (SEDC) Vacancy
15. Review applications to serve on Boards and Committees.
16. County Manager's Report — Brent Trout, County Manager
• April 21, 2025 Regular Meeting Agenda Review
• Upcoming meetings and invitations
17. Discuss Harnett Regional Water
18. Closed Session
19. Adjourn
Commissioner Jaggers read Telecommunicators Week Proclamation proclaiming the week of
April 13" - April 19'', 2025 as National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week. A copy of the
Proclamation was presented to the Harnett County Sheriff s Office Public Safety
Telecommunicators.
Stephen Barrington, Economic Development Director, provided a quarterly update. Information
included:
• Product Development
• Business Development
• Active Projects
• Site Identification and Site Readiness
• Site Development
• Economic Development — Hot Topics
o I-685
o Smaller Industrial / Flex Buildings
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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April 15, 2025
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Mr. Barrington also shared power is an area of concern and staff is working with Duke Energy.
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer, provided a quarterly update. Information included:
S&P and Moody's Ratings
Debt Affordability Analysis — Schools
o 2025 Limited Obligation Bonds — 80,565,000 — Flatwoods Middle School
■ Comparison of Planning Affordability and Actual Financing Costs
General Fund
o Revenues reported through March 31, 2025 totaled $129,853,039, an increase
from the same period last year of $128,317,274.
o The collection of ad valorem taxes as the County continues to experience growth
in addition to the strong collection rate that Harnett County has always
experienced. Harnett County's levy collection rate for FYE 2024 was 99.38%
o The collection of sales tax remains strong but we are beginning to see post
pandemic activity begin to stabilize.
o General Fund expenditures are more than last year at due to the County's annual
transfers to the debt service funds, increased expenditures for Public Safety, and
funding to the schools for current expense.
o General Fund Overall — Stable
Harnett Regional Water
o Revenues reported through March 31, 2025 totaled $37,045,493.14, a decrease
from the same period last year of $49,627,575.10. The amount for the prior period
is overstated and contains a non -revenue yearend entry in the amount of
$15,780,196.17.
o The majority of the revenues for Harnett Regional Water are from user fees.
o The operating revenue derived from user fees continues to remain strong for
Harnett Regional Water.
o Operating expenditures are higher than the prior year but remain appropriate for
the growth the County is experiencing.
o Harnett Regional Water, Overall - The financial position of Harnett Regional
Water continues to remain positive in response to the continued growth of the
county and demand for water and sewer services.
• Solid Waste
o Revenues reported through March 31, 2025 totaled $8,230,765.17, a slight
decrease from the same period last year of $8,801,973.01.
o Solid Waste, Overall - The financial position of the Solid Waste Fund is solid and
continues to grow.
Additional discussion included:
• A request for a more detailed analysis of the fund balance for Harnett Regional Water
• Salaries and retention of employees
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April 15, 2025
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Chairman Nicol thanked Ms. Honeycutt and her staff for all their hard work.
Tim Mathews, Cooperative Extension Director, reviewed a request for approval to receive
additional funds from the Chatham County Partnership for Children. These funds will increase
the CCR&R budget by $1,553.02. The consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next
consent agenda.
Chad Beane, Solid Waste Director, reviewed a request for approval of an amendment to the
current services agreement with Gregory Poole due to an increase of costs. The original value of
the contract was $275,000, however due to unforeseen circumstances the value of the contract
has increased to $425,000. The consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent
agenda.
Lynn Lambert, Natural Resources Director/Conservation Education Coordinator, reviewed a
request for permission to accept Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program funds in the
amount of $116,327 from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
No matching funds are required. These funds will be used to clear vegetative debris from
identified areas within Buies Creek and East Buies Creek. The consensus of the Board was to
place this item on the next consent agenda.
Chairman Nicol stated every time I pass over the bridge right here at the Cape Fear, there are
more and more logs that keep piling up. Who would be responsible for removing those. Ms.
Lambert stated that would fall under NCDOT and the Corp of Engineers.
Ms. Lambert also reviewed a request for permission to apply for supplemental funding from the
NCDA, Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund for the Cotton
Conservation Easement Project in the amount of $916,360. $500,000 has already been secured in
cycle 16, however policies have been updated to allow for application for supplemental funds
from projects being awarded less than 50% of the development rights value of the property to be
conserved. The required project match will be provided by landowner development rights
donation. The consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda.
Sarah Arbour, Planner II, provided a briefing on the following upcoming public hearings:
• Proposed Zoning Change: Case#PLAN2503-0001 Landowner/Applicant:1960 Properties,
LLC / Chan Ho; 1.19 +/- acres; Pin # 9568-66-9087.000; From RA-20R to Commercial
Zoning District; Barbecue Township; SR #1207 (Seawell Rosser Road) & NC Hwy 87 N.
• Harnett Horizons 2040 Comprehensive Plan developed by Development Services staff
and Stewart Engineering
Tommy Burns, Harnett Regional Water Director, reviewed a request for the Board to adopt two
resolutions authorizing grant and/or loan applications to NCDEQ to address preliminary
engineering, design, and construction at the Harnett Regional Water Treatment Plant. This
project will add the necessary changes needed to successfully remove PFAS/PFOA and other
chemicals from the raw water supply. The consensus of the Board was to place this item on the
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April 15, 2025
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next consent agenda.
Christopher Appel reviewed a request for the Board to reconvene as the governing body of North
West Water & Sewer District following the adjournment of the Regular Meeting on April 21,
2025 to consider assignment and dedication of utility easements. The consensus of the Board
was to add this to the agenda as requested.
Melissa Capps, Clerk to the Board reviewed a request for the Board of Commissioners to adopt
the S-7 2024 Supplement to the Code of Ordinances. This supplement contains all ordinances of
a general and permanent nature enacted since the prior supplement to the Code of Ordinances.
The consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda.
Brent Trout, County Manager, shared information regarding a vacancy on the Southeastern
Economic Development Commission (SEDC). Ms. Patsy Carson declined reappointment.
Chairman Nicol stated he would like the Board to consider appointing Mr. Roger Farina to the
SEDC. The consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda.
The Board of Commissioners reviewed applications received to serve on Boards and
Committees. The consensus of the Board was to appoint Ronnie Pleasants to the Mid -Carolina
Aging Advisory Committee and reappoint Frankie Spivey to the Agricultural Advisory Board as
District 5 representative.
Brent Trout, County Manager, shared County Advocacy Days will be held June 10-11, 2025.
Please let Melissa know if you would like to attend. He also provided an update on the following
bills on the move in the General Assembly:
• House Bill 219
• House Bill 298
• House Bill 876
• House Bill 950
• House Bill 958
• House Bill 539
Mr. Trout stated the Board of Adjustment did approve the setback variance for the new hangar at
the Jetport. Also, just a reminder, County offices will be closed Friday in observance of Good
Friday holiday.
Commissioner McKoy shared she attended the NC Association of County Commissioners
District 6 meeting in Cumberland County. Commissioner McKoy also shared concerns regarding
restrictions that could affect their ability to assist their constituents.
Chairman Nicol stated the new Item 171 placed on the agenda for Harnett Regional Water is that
I would like the Board to consider the removal of fluoridation from our water treatment process.
Chairman Nicol stated it is a hot topic right now across the nation, several other states are
banning it. Discussion continued. The consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next
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agenda for discussion and asked Mr. Burns to contact the regional partners to let them know it
will be on the agenda.
Commissioner Jaggers made a motion to go into Closed Session for consultation with the
County's legal staff in order to preserve the attorney -client privilege concerning the handling of a
claim. This motion is made pursuant to NC General Statute Section 143-318.11 (a)(3). The
motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Morris and carried unanimously.
Following a motion to come out of Closed Session, Chairman Nicol called the meeting back into
open session.
Commissioner Jaggers made a motion to adjourn the Board of Commissioners at 10:47 am. Vice
Chairman Morris seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Matthew B. Nicol, Chairman
Meliss Capps, Clerk
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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April 15, 2025
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