031318wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
March 13, 2018
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, March 13, 2018,
in Conference Room A, County Administration Building, 420 McKinney Parkway, Lillington,
North Carolina.
Members present:
Staff present:
Gordon Springle, Chairman
Howard Penny, Vice Chairman
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Joe Miller, Commissioner
Abe Elmore, Commissioner
Paula Stewart, Interim County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk
Chairman Springle called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Commissioner Elmore led the Pledge
of Allegiance and invocation.
The following agenda was before commissioners:
➢ ReEntry Space Needs
> Cooperative Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program
(EFNEP) Update
> Cooperative Extension Employee Merit Increase (county portion)
➢ Parks and Recreation Fee Discussion
> EMS Training Captain Position
➢ Airport Committee and Bylaws
➢ Employee Health Committee Dissolution
➢ Occupancy Tax Discussion
> County Manager's Report:
- Reappointment of Tax Administrator
- March 19, 2018 Regular Meeting Agenda Review
- Invitations and upcoming meetings
> Closed Session
➢ Adjourn
Harnett County Emergency Services Director Jimmy Riddle, EMS System Medical Director Dr.
Erin Wirths and EMS Division Chief Ricky Denning presented Harnett County Emergency
Services' request to create a new position for the Emergency Medical Services Division titled
March 13, 2018 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 1 of 4
Training Captain at a Salary Grade 25, $50,579 - $60,695. An EMS Level II Instructor is
required for this position. This position will require a Paramedic certification as well as several
other certifications in the process of understanding all documentation principles. Mrs. Honeycutt
confirmed that there is funding in contingency to fund this position May 1st. Commissioners will
consider approval to create this new position during their upcoming regular meeting.
Harnett County Cooperative Extension Interim Director Bill Stone asked for approval of a 3%
merit increase of $336 to Kittrane Saunders, Community Rural Development Agent, retroactive
to July 1, 2017. Mr. Stone explained that the State gave the merit increase in 2017 however staff
fail to follow through regarding the County's portion. The positon is currently funded 60/40.
The Board will consider approval of the merit increase during their upcoming regular meeting.
Mr. Stone and Mrs. Stewart update the Board on the current interview process for the new
Director of Harnett County Cooper Extension.
Harnett County Parks and Recreation Director Carl Davis lead the Parks and Recreation Fee
discussion. Mr. Davis gave a quick overview of the process to establish a service district stating
a public hearing is required before the adoption of the tax. He said a .05 cent county -wide parks
and recreation tax would raise about $2.8 million a year. Mr. Davis said this does not include
municipalities even though towns could opt to be included. He also said the amount could
change annually. Mr. Davis said this money would allow the County to build parks in all areas
of the county hopefully allowing everyone quick access to a park. Commissioners talked about
the need to do the most for citizens outside of incorporated areas the fairest way. Discussions
continued. It was suggested that staff develop a solid plan, using different amounts, to present to
commissioners for consideration.
Mr. Davis also noted that staff, in the upcoming budget, is looking at paying every town the
same amount as Western Harnett which is approximately $27 per kid. He also said he is thinking
about developing an advisory board for parks and recreation in Harnett County.
Mr. Penny reminded the group that the elderly do get an exemption on property taxes and talked
about the need to educate citizens about this exemption.
Mrs. Stewart proposed for discussion the dissolution or restructuring of the Employee Health
Benefits Committee. Mrs. Stewart and Mrs. Pollard said they did not believe the advisory
committee members should be involved in the decision making related to employee benefits.
Commissioner McKoy said she thinks the Employee Health Committee has been a great resource
for Human Resources. She also believes it has helped employees understand more about
healthcare and rising costs. Commissioner McKoy believes the committee could still be helpful
but the members need to be switched around. It was the consensus of the Board to dissolve the
current Employee Health Committee and staff will come back with recommendations on how to
restructure an internally appointed employee committee.
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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The Board and staff had a lengthy discussion regarding the Airport Committee. Commissioners
stressed changes needed as they talked about revising the bylaws, membership and term limits.
Commissioners would like to discuss the pros and cons of a committee or an Authority. Staff
will research options and come back before the Board.
Harnett County Public Relations Director Brian Haney provided a brief overview of the
occupancy tax process thus far. Commissioners previously adopted a Resolution Levying a Six
Percent (6%) Room Occupancy Tax within Harnett County District H. Mr. Haney said the
County would collect an estimated $63,000 in occupancy tax in the first year from the two
eligible entities. He shared a NC map showing 81 counties in NC that currently levy the tax in
some version. Staff mentioned that they are currently researching how to force air B&B's in
county to collect the tax. Mr. Haney said the County is also authorized to set-up a Tourism
Authority, who would decide how to spend these funds, and reviewed membership requirements.
Discussions continued.
Jon Hockaday, General Manager of Anderson Creek Club, and Kevin Mishra, owner of
Lillington's Microtel Inn & Suites, represent the only two entities in the county currently
affected by the occupancy tax. Mr. Hockaday and Mr. Mishra addressed the Board saying they
do not see the benefit in this tax, there is no incentive for them in this and they believe the
County should wait until there are more entities to impose such a tax. The Board discussed
possibly lowing the percentage of collection. Ken Adelburg, also representing the Anderson
Creek Club, responded they are against adding an additional percentage of any amount. It was
the consensus of the Board to resend the previously approved Resolution Levying a Six Percent
(6%) Room Occupancy Tax within Harnett County District H in June 2018, which is the end of
the fiscal year in which the resolution was adopted, and to refund any taxes collected back to the
two businesses.
Dot Ehlers and Natalie Mabon talked about ReEntry's space needs in Harnett County. ReEntry
is a nonprofit that the County has provide free office space to since 1999. The Town of
Lillington, who now owns the Noble House in Lillington, has told ReEntry that they must
relocate. ReEntry currently offers four programs including: Healthy Choices Program (JCPC
funding), Family PRIDE Program (DSS funding), HALT Program (GCC funding), and Drug
Diversion. Mrs. Ehlers and Mrs. Mabon briefly reviewed these programs, saying all have a
substance abuse recovery component. They responded regarding their funding sources from
multiple state and county entities as well as charging client fees for most of their programs. The
group talked about possibly leasing ReEntry office space at Shawtown once it is renovated.
Mrs. Stewart informed the Board it is time to consider reappointing the Tax Administrator. She
also reviewed the proposed March 19 regular meeting agenda and upcoming meetings,
invitations and dates of interest. Staff was directed to poll commissioners regarding the
proposed agenda for the upcoming work session with the Board of Education.
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Mrs. Honeycutt stated her intention to continue to including within the budget ordinance the
calculation regarding teacher bonuses so she can monitor that number however commissioners
responded that once they give the School Board the money for bonuses that they can do whatever
with it.
Vice Chairman Penny moved that the Board go into closed session for the following purposes:
1) Consultation with the County's legal staff and special counsel in order to preserve the
attorney-client privilege concerning the handling of certain claims and litigation
including:
a. The claim investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice vs. the Harnett County
Sheriff s Office; and
b. Anderson Creek Partners, L.P. vs County of Harnett, Harnett Superior Court File
No. 17 CVS 2251; and
2) To instruct the County staff concerning the position to be taken by the County in
negotiating a contract for the acquisition of real property; and
3) To discuss certain personnel matters; and
4) To discuss matters relating to economic development.
This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(3)(5)(6) & (4).
Commissioner Miller seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Commissioner Elmore moved that the Board come out of closed session. Commissioner Miller
seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Commissioner Elmore moved to adjourn the meeting at 2:32 pm. Vice Chairman Penny
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
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March 13, 2018 Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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