061014ssmHarnett County Board of Commissioners
Minutes of Special Session
June 10, 2014
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Tuesday, June 10, 2014,
in the Commissioners Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 102 East Front Street,
Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present:
Staff present:
Joe Miller, Chairman
Gary House, Vice Chairman
Jim Burgin, Commissioner
Beatrice B. Hill, Commissioner
Gordon Springle, Commissioner
Tommy Burns, Harnett County Manager
Joseph Jeffries, Deputy County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Jennifer Slusser, Staff Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Allen Coats, Deputy Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk to the Board
The following meeting agenda was provided:
1) Discussion regarding Proposed Firearms & Explosives
Discharge Ordinance
2) Discussion regarding Proposed Travel Policy
3) Budget Discussion
4) Working lunch
5) County Manager's Report:
- Regular Meeting Agenda Review
- Upcoming Schedule of Meetings
Chaiiman Miller called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Commissioner Burgin led the
invocation.
Mark Locklear and Randy Baker, Harnett County Planning Services, reviewed Draft #5 of the
proposed Firearms & Explosives Discharge Ordinance. Mr. Locklear said staff has researched
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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the issue as well as looking around to see what other counties have done. Sheriff Rollins said he
is okay with Draft #5 of the proposed Fireainis & Explosives Discharge Ordinance with the
exception of requiring it unlawful to discharge of a firearm within 200 feet, instead of 300 feet,
of any public or private road, utility or access easement or peimanent building not under the
ownership of controlled by the person responsible for the discharge of the fireaiiii. Staff will
clarify within the ordinance that hunting is exempt from this discharge ordinance as hunting is
covered under NC Wildlife regulations. The group continued to discuss the proposed ordinance.
Sheriff Rollins reported that he had received feedback from the District Attorney who
recommended that they leave the civil penalty within the ordinance. Mr. Snow sought
clarification regarding Section 14. Violations and Penalty, maximum fine up to $500. Mrs.
Slusser asked if they wanted to include the "civil penalties" as it puts the enforcement back to the
County. Mr. Locklear said this is a police -power ordinance with the enforcement limited to the
Sheriffs Office only. Staff will bring the proposed Firearms & Explosives Discharge Ordinance
back before the Board in August. Staff responded regarding the use of "bullet traps".
Mrs. Honeycutt highlighted proposed changes to the County's Travel Policy. It was the
consensus of the Board to put the revised travel policy forward for approval at the upcoming
regular Board meeting.
Mr. Burns recognized Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) President Dr. Bud
Marchant, Chairman Julian Philpott and Harnett County Provost Bill Tyson. CCCC
representatives shared preliminary plans to add a CCCC campus at the Harnett Training Center
in Dunn. Mr. Tyson distributed drawings of the Harnett Training Center facility in Dunn. Dr.
Marchant said they've been looking for a long time to expand operations in Dunn which is an
underserved area of the county. Commissioner Burgin reported that Dunn Mayor Oscar Harris
stated this could be done at no expense to the County. Dr. Marchant said CCCC should take
possession of the space next summer and would have a lease agreement with the non-profit
Harnett Training Center LLC. He noted a second agreement would be needed between the
County of Harnett and the City and Dunn. Commissioner Burgin also noted the Dunn PAL
program would be located at the facility.
As Budget discussions began, Mr. Burns said he hoped to negotiate through the proposed
balanced budget, including a 5 '/2 cent tax increase, which was previously provided to
commissioners. Mrs. Honeycutt explained how she calculated projected revenues. Staff
continued to field questions regarding projected revenues. Mrs. Honeycutt estimated the
revenues for 2013/2014 would total approximately $110,000,000.
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Mr. Burns responded that the State Auditor had advised the County against using enterprise
funds to balance their budget. However, Mr. Bums did note $400,000 is transferred annually
from the Public Utilities Enterprise Fund to the County's General Fund to cover indirect costs.
The group discussed expenditures. Commissioner Burgin said it looked like all departments had
increased by significant percentages. Mrs. Honeycutt noted the 30% increase in the cost of
employee insurance. Mrs. Honeycutt estimated total expenditures for 2013/2014 would total
approximately $108,500,000.
Commissioner Burgin said he couldn't see how we need a 5.5 cent tax increase. Mr. Burns said
the budget is a forecast document and their main concern is keeping the fund balance healthy.
Mr. Burns said they are thinking ahead for future projects and trying to improve the County's
standing. Mrs. Honeycutt said additional expenses to consider for the upcoming fiscal year
include the cost of insurance, some revenue funds are down, retiree expenses, Brightwater
building payment increase, county absorbing employee benefit costs and workers comp.
Commissioners Burgin and Springle said the 2013 Davenport & Company, LLC report did not
show a tax increase for this year. The group continued to discuss Davenport's recommendations.
Budget discussion continued. Commissioners Burgin, Springle and Miller asked where
additional cuts could be made. Commissioner Hill asked what efforts are being put forth to
collect the $2.6 million in taxes owed. Mr. Burns said the 5.5 cent increase is needed to keep the
current level provision and plan for future debt. The group discussed the cost of salary and
benefits per county employee. Commissioner Springle asked about dollars we have control over;
department revenues verse local cost for state and federal programs. Discussions continued
regarding services provided at local expense. It was noted that Social Services occasionally pay
for cremations of unclaimed bodies in the county.
Mr. Burns assured the Board that staff continues to look at ways to save money. He said the
County could save significantly by eliminating their landscaping contract and could save
approximately $18,000 by contracting out custodian services. He said they were also continuing
to study how they can save money at the courthouse. The group discussed benefits offered to
both employees and retirees and the potential to adjust benefits offered moving forward.
Commissioner Springle asked that they look at what the state averages are and maybe consider
employees paying a portion of benefits as some point. Commissioner Burgin said people need to
know they are getting rich benefits and rich pay. Mrs. Honeycutt said she hates the cost of
insurance increased she feels like we can control that cost by becoming self-insured.
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Commissioner Springle said people seem very pleased with the things that Nick Dula is doing
and the contacts he has made. Commissioner Springle thinks the county is wide-open with what
it can do and the future is bright.
Commissioners agreed to continue budget discussions at 8:00 am on Thursday, June 12, 2014.
Staff will make adjustments and provide additional information to commissioners. The Board
directed, by consensus, the Clerk to notice a public hearing on the proposed 2014/2015 budget
for June 23, 2014 at 7:00 pm.
The group broke shortly for lunch. Staff provided commissioners with copies of 1) June 2014
Sales Tax Analysis by Article; 2) April 2014 Harnett County Financial Summary Report; and 3)
May 2014 Harnett County Financial Summary Report.
Mrs. Slusser reported that the Workforce Development Board has asked Harnett County to apply
to run the Sampson County program. Mrs. Slusser said typically the Board approves application
for grant prior to apply however staff must submit the document today. It was the consensus of
the Board to apply with the understanding that the Board would vote to accept or reject if
awarded.
Mr. Burns reviewed the June 16, 2014 Regular Meeting agenda. Mr. Burns noted there had been
some discussion regarding the cancellation of the July lst special session. Mr. Burns also
reported that the Board of Education had requested a letter of support for application of an i3
Scale -Up Grant to help with expansion of their early college model. The grant would require a
5% match and payments could be made over a five year period. It was the consensus of the
Board to allow Mr. Burns to provide a letter of support for the Board of Education's application
but the Board of Commissioners must first agree to accept the grant if awarded.
At 12:24 pm Commissioner Burgin moved to recess the meeting to reconvene at 8:00 am on
Thursday, June 12, 2014. CommissionwitAllIgtowided the motion which passed unanimously.
Joe filler, Chairman :h aret Regin
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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