HomeMy WebLinkAbout052725 wsHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
May 27, 2025
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 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, Vice Chairman
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Duncan "Eddie" Jaggers, Commissioner
Members absent: Matthew B. Nicol, Chairman
W. Brooks Matthews, Commissioner
Staff present: Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Brent Trout, County Manager
Melissa Capps, Clerk
Vice Chairman Morris called the Harnett County Board of Commissioners meeting to order at
9:00 am.
Vice Chairman Morris led the Pledge of Allegiance and provided the invocation.
Vice Chairman Morris called for any additions or deletions to the published agenda.
Commissioner Jaggers made a motion to approve the agenda as published. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner McKoy and carried unanimously
The following agenda was before the Board of Commissioners:
1. Call to order — Vice Chairman Bill Morris
2. Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation — Vice Chairman Bill Morris
3. Consider any additions and/or deletions to the published agenda.
4. Presentation by Enterprise regarding Fleet Agreement to procure vehicles for
Sheriffs Office; Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer; Gary McNeill, Sheriff's Office;
and Enterprise
5. Discuss a request to adopt a Resolution updating Review Officers; Ira Hall, Chief
Information Officer
6. Discuss a request to add offices at 420 McKinney Parkway to relocate the GIS
department; Ira Hall, Chief Information Officer
7. Discuss a request to approve the Buies Creek and Coats Collection Systems
Upgrades Project Ordinance; Seann Byrd, Assistant Harnett Regional Water Director
8. Discuss a request to approve the Erwin Downtown Utility Upgrades Project
Ordinance; Seann Byrd, Assistant Harnett Regional Water Director
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Work Session Minutes
May 27, 2025
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9. Discuss a request to approve the Old Hamilton Road Water Extension Project
Ordinance; Seann Byrd, Assistant Harnett Regional Water Director
10. Discuss a request to approve the Lead and Copper Compliance Project Ordinance;
Seann Byrd, Harnett Regional Water Director
11. Discuss FY 2025-2026 Recommended Budget; Brent Trout, County Manager and
Lisa McFadden, Assistant County Manager
12. Discuss Johnston -Lee -Harnett Community Action Group
appointment/reappointment. (please note action may be taken on this item)
13. Presentation of Golden LEAF Foundation Community -Based Grants Initiative;
Brent Trout, County Manager
14. Discuss relocating Probation and Parole Office; Vice Chairman Bill Morris
15. Review applications to serve on Boards and Committees.
16. County Manager's Report — Brent Trout, County Manager
• Resolution requesting NC Department of Transportation add Sugarberry
Place, Blackgum Court, Basswood Court, Sandalwood Drive, and Black Oak
Place in Rolling Springs Subdivision to the State's Secondary Road System.
• June 2, 2025 Regular Meeting Agenda Review
• Upcoming meetings and invitations
17. Closed Session
18. Adjourn
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer, introduced Devon Moore with Enterprise. Mr. Moore
reviewed the following information regarding a Fleet agreement to procure vehicles for the
Sheriffs Office:
Executive Summary
o Key Objectives
• Reduce the total cost of owning and operating a fleet of
vehicles
• Execute a fleet plan that is sustainable and will create
stable budget
• Utilize programs to track and manage costs while creating
efficiencies
• Cooperative Purchasing Partnerships
o Sourcewell
o TIPS
o E&I Cooperative Services
• Fleet profile and Strategic Recommendations
• Fleet Analysis
• Services provided by Enterprise Fleet Management
Additional discussion included using a local vendor for upfit of equipment on Sheriff
Department vehicles, mileage limitation, resale of leased vehicles, acquisition of vehicles, spare
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Work Session Minutes
May 27, 2025
Page 2 of 6
vehicles and fuel program. Consensus of the Board was to place this item as a individual item on
the next agenda for additional discussion.
Ira Hall, Chief Information Officer, reviewed a request for the Board to adopt a Resolution
updating our Review Officers. According to General Statute § G.S. 47-30.2 the Board of
Commissioners of each county shall, by resolution, designate by name one or more persons
experienced in mapping or land records management as a Review Officer to review each map
and plat required to be submitted for review before the map or plat is presented to the Register of
Deeds for recording. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda.
Mr. Hall also reviewed a request to add offices at 420 McKinney Parkway to relocate the GIS
Department. The estimated cost is $200,000. Kimberly Honeycutt and Lisa McFadden have
reviewed the project costs, and this project can begin this budget year upon board approval.
Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda.
Seann Byrd, Assistant Harnett Regional Water Director, reviewed a request for the Board to
approve the Buies Creek and Coats Collection System Upgrades project ordinance. The HRW
Sewer Capacity Improvement Project in the Buies Creek and Coats areas involves design,
engineering, and the installation of a new gravity and force main sewer lines as well as upgrades
to existing sewer pump stations in the collections system aimed at improving sewer capacity and
access in the specified area. The project will expand the existing sewer infrastructure to
accommodate growing demand while ensuring compliance with local and regional wastewater
regulations. The proposed sewer line and pump station upgrades are located in the NC Highway
27 East and US 421 South corridors. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next
consent agenda.
Mr. Bryd also reviewed a request for the Board to approve the Erwin Downtown Utility
Upgrades project ordinance. This water service relocation project covers the block of downtown
Erwin bounded by S 12th Street, S 13th Street, East H Street, and Denim Drive, currently served
by a 2-inch water line located behind the buildings. Due to aging infrastructure, HRW plans to
replace the water services for the block while abandoning the existing water line in place. Due to
the location of the current water line and other utilities, HRW intends to relocate the water
services to the front of the buildings, connecting to the existing water lines along the streets.
Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda.
Mr. Bryd also reviewed a request for the Board to approve the Old Hamilton Road Water
Extension project ordinance. The HRW Water Extension Project on Old Hamilton Road
involves design, engineering, and the installation of a new water distribution system aimed at
improving water supply and access in the specified area. The project will expand the existing
water infrastructure to accommodate growing demand while ensuring compliance with local and
regional water regulations. The proposed water line located on Old Hamilton Road near Erwin,
North Carolina would connect to an 8-inch diameter water line on NC82 and a 6-inch diameter
water line on Antioch Road. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent
agenda.
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Work Session Minutes
May 27, 2025
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Mr. Bryd also reviewed a request for the Board to approve the Lead and Copper Compliance
project ordinance. This project is based on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Lead
and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). The LCRI became effective on December 30, 2024,
marking the start of the rule's implementation, while its full compliance date is November 1,
2027. The consultant will perform hand tool excavations at planned locations to verify service
line materials. Consultant will document, record, and notify HRW staff of lead connectors
discovered during verification of service line materials. Tasks performed in this project will
comply with the LCRI. Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent
agenda.
Lisa McFadden, Assistant County Manager, reviewed the following information regarding the
FY 2025-2026 Recommended Budget:
Public Hearing Follow-up Items
• Board of Elections -Outreach Specialist position
o Salary & benefits and equipment costs-$68,286
• Mental Health Funding
o Page 80
• Increased funding by $200,000 in FY 2026 for Behavioral Health Urgent Care
• EMS Rescue Squad Funding
o Page 109
• Increased funding by 10% in FY 2024, 17% in FY 2025, and 10% in FY 2026
• DSS Program Funding
o No DSS Programs were cut by the County
o Budgeting based on actual activity instead of estimates by the State and
"what -ifs"
o The County is reimbursed for services provided (50-100%)
• Cape Fear River Advisory Council
o NC Department of Environmental Quality has an advisory group
• Focuses on Cape Fear River Basin planning
• Next meeting — June 2, 2025, at 2:O0pm in Agriculture
Center
• Lynn Lambert is Harnett County's representative
• Soil & Water Board
o Purpose is to focus on water quality protection in our area
• Public Safety Functional Area
o Animal Services
o Emergency Services
o Rescue Districts
o Sheriffs Office
o Communications (911)
• $57,034,466 — Public Safety
o 30.5% of General Fund Budget
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Work Session Minutes
May 27, 2025
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• Harnett County Schools
o In FY 2025 budget, the Board approved $5,566,572 set aside in
Contingency to help oil set the lost low -wealth funding from the State
o HCS has requested $3,500,000
o The current and next year's budgets have been adjusted to account for the
increase
o FY 2026 per pupil funding - $1,684.56
o Increase of $268.39 per student
• Changes to the Recommended Budget
o General Fund:
Revenues
• Increase Appropriated Fund Balance to balance the budget
[+$3,530,005]
Expenses
• Increase Harnett County Schools continuation budget
[$3,500,000]
• Decrease Parks and Recreation expansion budget to
remove Toro Spraymaster [-$20,395]
• Increase Governing Body expansion budget for Economic
Development Corporation - Harnett County
• Jobs Campaign [+$50,000]
• Increase Cooperative Extension continuation budget to
account for another desktop computer [+400]
o Capital Reserve Fund:
Revenues
• Increase Appropriated Fund Balance to balance the budget
[+$500,000]
Expenses
• Increase Development Services Expansion budget for a
CIP project — Highland Road Extension grant match
[+$500,000]
• Fund Balance - FY 2026 Appropriated Fund Balance - $11,572,041
• Recommended Tax Rate - $0.591 (per $100 valuation)
o One penny = $1,562,226
Discussion items included:
• Harnett Regional Water — Capital Improvement Plan
• Cost of living adjustments (COLAs) and 401 K
• Board of Commissioners salary adjustments
• Recommended Fees
• Fire Districts recommended tax increases
• Recommended positions
• Reclassifications
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Work Session Minutes
May 27, 2025
Page 5 of 6
• Harnett County Schools funding
Commissioner Jaggers asked if any other applications had been received for the Johnston -Lee -
Harnett Community Action Group. Melissa Capps, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners stated
none had been received. Commissioner Jaggers made a motion to reappoint Gordon Springle to
serve on the Johnston -Lee -Harnett Community Action, Inc. Board of Directors. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner McKoy and carried unanimously.
Brent Trout, County Manager, shared information regarding the Golden LEAF Foundation
Community -Based Grants initiative. Each county may submit up to four projects that total up to
$2m, though no single project may exceed $1.5m. Golden LEAF will make no more than three
awards totaling $1.5 million in a county. County managers may submit project worksheets to
Golden LEAF for review and feedback. These grants can be given to any governmental entity
and non-profit organizations. I'll be emailing the towns and posting information on the website
for interested parties. Worksheets will be due to me by July 8a'.
Vice Chairman Morris shared concerns he had received from various community members
regarding the location of Probation and Parole. Staff was asked to evaluate options on where the
office could be relocated, where it would be centrally located.
The Board reviewed applications to serve on Boards and Committees. Consensus of the Board
was to place the appointment of Amanda Reagan, District 2, to the Harnett County Planning
Board on the next consent agenda.
Mr. Trout reviewed a request for the Board to adopt a Resolution requesting NC Department of
Transportation add Sugarberry Place, Blackgum Court, Basswood Court, Sandalwood Drive, and
Black Oak Place in Rolling Springs Subdivision to the State's Secondary Road System.
Consensus of the Board was to place this item on the next consent agenda.
Commissioner Jaggers made a motion to go into Closed Session to consult with and give
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 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 11:07 am.
Commissioner McKoy seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
William Wiris, Vice Chairman
Meliss Capps, Clerk
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Work Session Minutes
May 27, 2025
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