05061968151
May 6, 1968
The Harnett County Board
Lillington, N. C., on Monday,
Chairman; Gilbert Brown, W. J.
Jr., County Auditor and Clerk
of Commissioners met in Regular Session at the County Courthouse in
May 6, 1968, at 10 :00 o'clock A.M., attended as follows: M. H. Brock,
Cotton, Jr., C. E. McLamb, and J.E. Womble, Commissioners; H. D. Carson,
of the Board; Wiley F. Bowen, County Attorney; and Recording Secretary.
The Meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Brock, who presided. Commissioner Womble
lead in prayer, after which the following business was transacted.
Item 1. Mayor Beasley of Coats, Mr. J. D. Norris and Mr. Herbert Johnson, also of Coats, appeared
before the Board and highly recommended Mr. Dave Alexander as Harnett County Manager. They stated that
they felt he was well qualified and would do a good job. Mr. Heyward Hall and Mr. William Clendenin
of Angier, also appeared before the Board, and indorsed Mr. Alexander as County Manager, stating that
they did not know of a finer man that could possibly be obtained.
Item 2. The minutes of the meeting held in April, 1968, were read and approved.
Item 3. Mr. E. Marshall Woodall, Welfare and Tax Lien Attorney, appeared before the Bca rd and
filed his report as follows:
REPORT
TAX AND WELFARE LIEN ATTORNEY
MAY 6, 1968
COLLECTIONS ON TAXES:
Total Am't.
Name Township S.D.# Collected
*John A. Smith Grove 330- $ 293.58
Ervin Lester House Duke 31;27 173.03
Maurice T. Pittman A.C. 3507 75.78
Roger Thomas S. C. 3510 137.04
C. M. Mitchell N. C. 3515 74.78
Brady Johnson A. C. 3512 1.94.88
Willie W. Wrench Aver. 3518 370.70
Homer L. Terry A. C. 3516 64.64
Arthur Owen Bryant Luke 3527 179.97
Bobby Truelove B. H. 3543 232.25
Viola Suggs Grove 3557 117.13
*Robert McBryde Heirs S. C. 3261 89.98
'iodise McNeill Aver. 3560 330.94
*Suits Commenced by Mr. Ross
TAX SUITS COMMENDED:
Name
Daniel McLean
Henry W. Lee
Arthur McLean
J. A. Neff
Janie Ragland
Alexander Davis
Junior Walker
Thomas Pipkin
Roland Smith
N.V. Keith
Daisy Chalmers
John Bennie Johnson
C & F Motors
Henry L. Johnson
Totals
Township
U.L.R.
s. C.
John.
Lill
S. C.
S. C.
S. C.
John.
John.
John.
Lill.
Aver.
Aver.
S.D.#
3572
3573
3574
3575
3576
3577
3578
3579
3580
3581
3582
3583
3584
3585
Atty.
Fee
0.0
32.00
30.00
30.00
30.00
30.00
30.00
30.00
20.00
20.00
20.00
10.00
20.00
$ 2,334.70 $ 310.00
Amount
of Taxes
$ 23.52
87.52
107.86
31.37
20.65
14.75
113.21
42.87
114.48
80.71
30.19
448.33
100.57
145.54
Total 1,361.57
Item 4. Upon motion of W. J. Cotton, Jr., and second by C. E. McLamb, be it resolved:
I. That pursuant to G. S. 153 -20 David W. Alexander is hereby appointed County Manager
for the Term of one year.
II. Duties of the County Manager (G. S. 153 -21)
It shall be the duty of the County Manager:
(1) To be the administrative head of the County government for the Board
of Commissioners;
(2) To see that all the orders, resolutions, and regulations of the Board
of Commissioners are faithfully executed;
(3) To attend all the meeting of the board, and recommend such measures for
adoption as he may deem expedient;
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(4) To make reports to the board from time to time upon the affairs of the County,
and to keep the board fully advised as to the financial condition of the County and
its future financial needs;
(5) To appoint, with the approval of the County Commissioners, such subordinate
officers, agents, and employees for the general administration of County affairs as the
Board may consider necessary, except such officers as are required to be elected by
popular vote, or whose appointment is otherwise provided by law;
(6) To serve as administrative liaison agent of the Board of County Commissioners
coordinating the responsibilities and duties of all departments and to assist and
cooperate with all departments and agencies which are dependent wholly or in part upon
county funds, so as to develop sound, economical, efficient, and courteous government.
(7) To represent the County with its citizens and to provide them up -to -date
and accurate information on the operation of the county government. In this regard the
manager shall, when designated by the Board of Commissioners, represent the County
at meetings, events and special affairs as official representative.
(8) To perform such other duties as may be required of him by the B oard of
Commissioners.
III. Removal of Officers and Agents (G. S. 153 -22)
The County Manager may remove such officers, agents, and employees as he may
appoint, and upon any appointment or removal he shall report the same to the next
meeting of the Board of Commissioners.
IV. The Office of County Manager is hereby combined with the Harnett Agri - Business
Development Commission. The Agri- Business Commission shall continue to function
as presently conceived. Its budget shall be $30,000.00 per annum and it shall be
charged with the financial affairs of the combined offices of the County Manager
and the Industrial Development.
V. Compensation (G. S. 153 -23)
The County Manager shall hold his office at the will of the Board of Commissioners,
and shall be entitled to such reasonable compensation for his services as the Board
of Commissioners may determine. The Board shall also fix the compensation of such
subordinate officers, agents and employees as may be appointed by the County Manager.
While serving as Director of the Industrial Development Office the County Manager
shall receive an additional $3,000.00 per annum.
The resolution was adopted by the Board, and the Recording Secretary was instructed to
let the record show tlat Mr. Gilbert Brown opposed the hiring of Colonel Alexander as County Manager.
Item 5. Mr. D. W. Denning, Angier, N. C., appeared before the Board, and recommended Mr.
Alexander as County Manager. He stated that he had worked with Mr. Alexander and that he believed
him to be a very well qualified man for the job. He further stated that he thought Mr. Alexander
had done much for the development of Harnett County.
Item 6. Mr. Brock, Chairman of the Board, advised the Board that the Clerk of Superior Court
had requested that that office be moved into the present office of the County Auditor since it was
agreeable with the Auditor to move his office into the office previously occupied by the Sheriff.
The Board had no objection to this since those concerned were agreeable to the moves. The motion
to approve these changes and also to have Mr. Alexander, the County Manger, move into the Auditor's
office was made by Commissioner Womble, seconded by Mr. Cotton, and the motion carried.
Item 7. Mr. Earl Jones, Tax Collector, appeared before the Board and filed his report which
was adopted.
Item 8. Mr. Jones also advised the Board
Gilchrist to redeem property of Henry Gilchrist,
determined that this property is now in the name
seconded by Mr. Womble that the attorney execute
motion carried.
that he had received $220.26 from Mr. George D.
his father, in Johnsonville Township. It was
of the Conpp,t,xx Mr.b�Browjv,made motion which was
a fldt�R ltox ge GSlc�ir`i�tl b iRiiblfio ty/ The
Item 9. Mr. Tom Allen, Tax Supervisor, appeared before the Board and recommended that the
following Resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS, after matters were discussed with relation to the total value of
property and the Tax Supervisor having presented his estimate of property values for
the year 1968, the Board is of the opinion, considering the financial structures of
the County and the various municipalities, that person\and real property should be
assessed at 65% ratio of its true value.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Harnett County Commissioners
that sixty -five (65 %) per cent ratio be adopted and that both real and personal
property be assessed for taxation in Harnett County at sixty -five (65 %) per cent of
its true value for the year 1968.
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Commissioner Cotton moved the adoption of the foregoing Resolution which was seconded by
Commissioner Womble, the Resolution was unanimously adopted.
11 H. D. Carson, Jr.
Clerk
/s/ M. H. Brock
Chairman
Item 10. Mr. Allen also requested that the following tax refund be approved:
Payee: 0. H. Mangum, Heirs, C/0 Ed. Bain, Lillington
Refund on 1 acre of land value $4842. which was double listed to Fred Atkins for the
years 1965 -1966 -1967. Assessed Value $3147.
Johnsonville Twp. 1965 $ 37.45
1966 37.45
1967 38.71
$ 113.61
Approved by Harnett County Board of Commissioner this the 6th day of May, 1968.
/s/ M. H. Brock
M. H. Brock, Qiairman
This refund was approved upon motion of Commissioner Womble and second of Mr. Brown.
Item 11. Mr. Frank Lewis and Chairman Brock discussed with the Board the litter problem at and
rear the Garbage Pit in Dunn. The possibility of renting a house at the entrance of the pit and
allowing someone to live there and police the area for a monthly salary of $100, more or less, or of
hiring two retired men to police the area during the day, except for Sunday, at a monthly salary of
$101.00 each, was discussed. Mr. Brock requested the Board to authorize Mr. Lewis, Mr. Mclamb and
himself to take whatever action was necessary to get the area cleaned up for the remainder of this
fiscal year. He pointed out that this would be for only a two month period and that the Board would
be in better position to analyze the situation after this two month period. The Board gave its
authority for these gentlemen to do this.
Item 12. Mr. Brock stated that if the Board had no objection, Mr. Godwin would be hired as Health
Department Administrator for Harnett County. Mr. Godwin is recommended by the N. C. State Board of
Health and Dr. Roberts, Chairman of the Harnett County Board of Health and the entire Board. He
received his Master's Degree in Public Health at the University, and is employed at the Health
Department in Virginia. His salary would be set at approximately $13,000.00 annually. Mr. Brock
stated that it would not be possible to get a doctor to serve in this capacity for less than $20,000
inthe future, and that this position did not require the services of a doctor. The Board had no
objection to this. Mr. Brock stated that it would be approximately sixty days before Mr. Godwin would
be available.
Item 13. Mr. Brock presented the following Resolution to the Board from the Harnett County Bar
Association:
WHEREAS, the current charge being made by the office of the Register of Deeds
of Harnett County of One Dollar ($1.00) per page for photostats made on the Xerox
machine provided by the County of Harnett is excessive and has met with the dis-
approval of attorneys within and without Harnett County; and
WHEREAS, the customary and prevailing charge for such photostatic material
in other places approximate Twenty -Five Cents (25¢) per page, and makes for an increase
and profitable use of the Xerox machine and incidental supplies:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Members of the Harnett County Bar Association in meeting
assembled, that the Board of Commissioners of Harnett County be, and they are hereby,
respectfully petitioned and requested to enter an order fixing the charge for Xerox
photostatic prints at nd exceeding Twenty -Five Cents (25¢) per print to be made by the
Register of Deeds for each photostatic copy furnished attorneys and other Court
officials and patrons of that office; and that a copy of this Resolution be furnished
the Board of Commissioners of Harnett County and a copy be spread upon the minutes of
the Harnett County Bar Association.
The foregoing Resolution was adopted by the Members of the Harnett County Bar
Association in meeting duly assembled, this 10th day of April, 1968.
ATTEST:
/s/ Gerald Arnold
Secretary
/s/ Edward H. McCormick
President
154
l
Motion was made by Commissioner Cotton that the Resolution be adopted, seconded by Commissioner
Brown, and the motion carried.
Item 14. Mr. H. D. Carson, Jr., Clerk of the Board, appeared and filed the following reports:
Clerk of Superior Court Elizabeth F. Matthews
Clerk of Recorders Court Kyle Harrington
Register of Deeds Inez Harrington
Electrical Inspectors B. H. Sellars and L. Perry Cameron
veterans' Service Officer dean M. Irvin
Auditor H. D. Carson, Jr.
The Meeting was recessed for lunch at 12:00 Noon.
The Meeting reconvened at 1:50 P.M. in the Courtroom.
Item 15. A public meeting was held to discuss the highway fatalities in Harnett County. Meeting
with the Commissioners were Mayors, Police Chiefs, State Patrolmen, and other interested persons. To
begin the meeting Chairman Brock welcomed everyone present and expressed his appreciation and the Boards
for the interest shown. State Patrol Sergeant G. A. Stewart gave a detailed report to the group of the
traffic accidents in Harnett County from Jan. 1 thru April 30, 1968 compared with accidents January 1
thru April 30, 1967 which revealed there were 10 more fatal accide ts, 15 more persons killed, and 71
more persons injured during the same period in 1968 than in 1967. He further stated in his report that
it has been conclusively determined that the use of seat belts prevents fatalities and reduces seriousness
of injuries in motor vehicle accidents. Mr. Stewart stated that the most prevalent violations are speed-
ing and reckless driving. His report also showed that more accidents occur on secondary roads. Mr. John
G. Thomas asked if the reason for this might not because there are not enough patrolman to adequately
patrol these roads. Mr. Stewart stated that the men are placed on the highways and roads were they
would protect the greatest number of motorists, and when asked about the number he felt would be adequate
to patrol the highway systems in N. C. he said he thought it would take approximately 2500 men to do
this. He told the group that there are presently 800 patrolmen on the -job now. Mr. Stewart stated
that there is an indication that those attending driver training program have fewer accidents. Police=
Chief A. A. Cobb stated that the citizens could help by being informed and testifying in cases where
they have seen a violation of the traffic laws and the officer has not. The citizens, he stated, could
get the license plate number of the automobile and report it to the officer, and then be willing to
testify against the driver. It was stated that the parents must be educated before Anything could be
done with the children or young drivers. Many suggestions were made by those present. Mr. John G.
Thomas made a motion that those present at the meeting be named as a Harnett County Safety Committee,
and that the select their own chairman, and meet in the future periodically, and see if they can work
something out to help correct this situation. The motion was seconded by Steadman Ray, and it carried.
Mr. Dave Alexander nominated Mr. John Thomas as Temporary Chairman of this Committee, and Mr. Thomas
was elected by the group.
Item 16. Mr. Sam Wilson, District Engineer, discussed the problem of litter on the highways
with the group. He stated that the Highway Department is sometimes severely critized for the litter
on the highways and rights -of -way. Hefurther stated that the Department needs some assistance in
imposing this law to eliminate as much dumping of garbage on highways as possible. He stated that
there are also junked cars just left on the highways or rights -of -way. The penalty for littering is
$50.00 he stated, and he requested the assistance of the local authorities in imposing this fine on
those found littering the highways.
The public meeting ended at 3 :00 o'clock P.M.
The regular business meeting was continued at 3:10.
Item 17. The following road petitions were presented to the Board:
(1) Parker St. in Cameron Hills Acres, z mile - Request for addition to State maintained
secondary road system.
(2) Oakwood Ave, Delano Ave and N. Ashe Avenue- Request for paving.
Commissioner McLamb made a motion that these request be approved, seconded by Commissioner Brown
and the motion carried.
Item 18. Mr. Cliff Ammons appeared before the Board to bring the Board up -to -date on a drainage
project on Black River in Averasboro Township which was initiated some five or six year ago, he stated.
At that time the Army Corp of Engineers was requested to make a survey. He had received a report and an
estimate from the Engineers that the project could be completed for appoximately $151,000 of which the
Federal Government would grant $136,000, leaving $15,000 to be raised locally. Mr. Ed McCormick,
attorney, discussed the legal technicalities involved in this, and stated that it was his understanding
that it would require about $15,000 to get this Drianage District organized. The property owners could
be assessed for cost of setting up the Drainage District, or the alternative (N.C. General Statute
156 -61) would be for a majority of the property owners in the District or as an alternative/three-fifths
of the property owners in the vicinity, providing those owners own 3/5 of property to be affected/to fil
a petition with the Court. After the petition is filed, if funds are not otherwise made available, the
Clerk of Superior Court would make a determination as to actual acreage and assess the cost to the
property owners on a pro -rata basis according to acreage owned. The alternative method (General
Statute 156 -61, last paragraph) "tthe Board of County Commissioner may advance the funds or any part
thereof for purposes set forth ." These funds would come back to the county if Drainage
District is formed since the District would be taxable. The original $15,000 would go back to persons
who advanced the funds. After the petition is filed, a public hearing would be held, and the Clerk
of Superior Court would appoint a Board of viewers of which one member would be an engineer approved by
the Department of Water Resources. Mr. McCormick stated that in his opinion it would take ten months
to a year to complete the work necessary for the Clerk of Suprior Court to determine if the Drainage
155
District is practical and whether or not it would benefit the public. The cost to get the work to
this point would be approximately 10 to 15% of the $15,000, Mr. McCormick estimated. He asked the
Board if it'would entertain the idea of financing this project to the point where the Clerk of
Superior Court would make a determination as to whether or not it was practical to organize the Drainage
District. He further stated that as far as he could determine the County would not be compensated
only if the Drainage District was not organized. Title to the property would be vested in the District
upon the order of the Clerk of Superior Court.
Commissioner Mclamb stated that he would like to see this project brought to a conclusion and made
a motion that the County participate in this project in an amount not to exceed $1500.00. Commissioner
Womble seconded the motion and it carried.
Item 19. Mr. Ed Bain, attorney, appeared before the Board and requested that the Board authorize
the payment of an additional $11,544 for the materials used in the water line to Lawrence Texturing Corp.
The Board had previously authorized the payment of $14,000 for the materials to a lay a 6" water line to
this industry, but Mr. Bain explained that this line was inadequate and that, in fact, a 10" line was
necessary and had been installed for a total cost of materials of $25,544. Mr. Brock stated that it had
been the policy of the Board to participate in these projects outside the cities, and that they would
discuss the matter with the Auditor and reach a decision in the near future and advise Mr. Bain of
that decision.
Item 20. Mr. Brock report,that Mrs. Harvey O'Quinn and Mr. B. B. Felder had resigned from the
Harnett County Good Neighbor Council, and that the Council had requested that the Board appoint Mr.
Grady McNeill of Dunn in Mr. Felders place, and Mrs. Irene Roberts. of Lillington in Mrs. O'Quinn's place.
The Council also requested that Mr. C. Ray West of Erwin, Mr. W. A. Johnson of Lillington, Mr. W. N.
Porter of Erwin, and Mr. J. 0. McLean of Lillington be appointed to the Good Neighbor Council to
enlarge and strengthen the council.
Commissioner Cotton made the motion that those requested by the Council be appoinei9to serve
on the Harnett County Good Neighbor Council, seconded by Commissioner Mclamb,and the motion carried.
Item 21. At the request of Mr. H. D. Carson, Jr., County Auditor, and upon the motion by
Commissioner McLamb and Second by Commissioner Brown the following Resolution was adopted by the
Boar dk
WHEREAS, it appears that certain accounts of the General Fund has or will exceed
their appropriations for the °arrant fiscal year; namely, the Sheriff's Office, Courthouse,
General Assistance, Professional Services, Elections and Mental Health Accounts.
The Board of County Commissioners hereby authorized the County Auditor to continue
paying the necessary expenses of these and other accounts for the remainder of this 1967 -68
fiscal year.
Item 22. Mr. Brock stated that he would set the budget meetings soon, and also would set up a
meeting in Ashborough with architects soon regarding the mental health building.
Meeting adjourned 4 :00 o'clock P.M.
r
Respectfully submitted,
.4
cording Secretary