022817prmHarnett County Board of Commissioners
Minutes of Work Session/Planning Retreat
February 28, 2017
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session for their planning retreat on
Tuesday, February 28, 2017, at the Northwest Harnett Volunteer Fire Department, 6015
Christian Light Road, Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina.
Members present:
Gordon Springle, Chairman
Abe Elmore, Commissioner
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Howard Penny, Commissioner
Member absent: Joe Miller, Vice Chairman
Staff present:
Joseph Jeffiies, County Manager
Paula Stewart, Deputy County Manager
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk
Allen Coats, Deputy Finance Officer
Brian Haney, Director of Community and Government Relations
Chairman Springle called the meeting to order at 9:00 am and led the invocation and Pledge of
Allegiance. Northwest Harnett Volunteer Fire Department Chief Chris Prince welcomed the
group.
The following agenda was before commissioners:
• Economic Development Updates and HFTC Restructuring
• Financial Presentation to the Board of Commissioners and Board of Education
• Market -Based Salary and Grade Table Study Presentation
• Financial Update
• Wrap-up
Mr. Jeffries provided a brief overview of the day's agenda.
Consultant Lee Anne Nance and Economic Development Staff Nick Dula, Angie Stewart and
Debbie Taylor provided economic development updates. Staff and Mrs. Nance responded to
questions and discussions continued.
Members and staff of the Harnett County Board of Education joined the meeting.
February 28, 2017 Planning Retreat Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Ted Cole with Davenport and Co., the County's financial advisor, delivered a financial
presentation to the Board of Commissioners and Harnett County Board of Education members
and staff Contents included:
• Credit Rating Overview and Peer Comparatives
• General Fund Balance
• Existing Tax Supported Debt Profile
• Potential Capital Project and Financing Needs
• Appendix A: Existing Tax Supported Debt
• Appendix B: Financial Policies
• Appendix C: Rating Reports
Discussions among the two boards continued including school growth, redistricting, how to fund
the construction of a new high school, alternatives to building new schools, and federal funding
for military students.
The Board of Education members and staff left the meeting following lunch.
Heather Pollard, Interim Director of Human Resources Director, addressed the group. Mr.
Haney gave a brief overview and background of the comprehensive study. John Anzivino with
Springsted, Public Sector Advisors, presented the Market -Based Salary and Grade Table Study.
Staff recommended Option 3A with a salary impact of $2.66 Million dollars not including
benefits. Mr. Jeffries said that number is misleading and Mr. Honeycutt said it would actually
cost $1.8 million net to the county to implement the study considering DSS and the enterprise
funds. Commissioners questioned the steps in place to ensure regular performance reviews and
performance based increases. Staff acknowledged lot of issues with our current pay structure
and proposed a performance pay plan to deal with compression forward. Staff continued to
explain recommendations in the Springsted study. Mr. Jeffries said population growth has
strained our employees and discussed employee retention and institutional knowledge.
Finance Officer Kimberly Honeycutt provided a financial update including review of the
County's Fiscal Policy Guidelines, Reserve Polices, unassigned fund balance, total expenditures,
reserve fund balance, investment earnings and cash position history, total cash & cash
equivalents, Ad valorem tax and collection rate history, collection percentage, net levy, Public
School Building Capital Fund and Harnett County's Financial Summary Report.
Ms. Stewart mentioned many of the accomplishments of Harnett County Government in
2016/17. Mr. Jeffries discussed several proposed 2017-2018 goals including expanding services,
employee retention, potential future office space at Shawtown for less than $100,000, Public
Utilities upgrading capacity at the sewer North Harnett, Library expansion county -wide library
system, fleet management and determining the best way to deal with our growing fleet, Parks
and Recreation, Emergency Services, Solid Waste to open additional convenient centers and
expansion at Dunn -Erwin site, move up in capital plan and go ahead and purchase command
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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center, space needs and a new DSS facility & renovation saying staff would like to begin in the
upcoming year, demolish old jail at Emergency Services in upcoming budget, consider an
adoption center at Animal Services in upcoming year and clarify enforcement is different than
adoption could be a great opportunity for improving services, Sheriffs Office training as a
priority focusing on crisis intervention and mental health which would require additional funding
as well as needing additional positions at the jail, focus on fiber, and new software in
Development Services and Finance.
Mr. Jeffries noted HeadStart had yet to identify a good solution and are currently considering
placing mobile units at the old Shawtown site. He said they are working with the Town of
Lillington regarding water and sewer permits.
Mr. Jeffries said he thinks we have come a long way regarding employee retention and
recruitment and talked about performance, morale and the cost of training employees.
Mr. Jeffries reviewed the proposed March 6, 2017 regular meeting agenda. He said staff would
present the Capital Improvement Plan at next the work session. He also noted additional
information forthcoming at upcoming work sessions for the proposed goals mentioned earlier.
He sought direction from the Board regarding the sale of surplus furniture at old Boone Trail
School.
Commissioner Elmore moved to adjourn the meeting at 2:55 pm. Commissioner Penny
seconded the motion which passed 4 — 0.
Mark B. Johns
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February 28, 2017 Planning Retreat Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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