053116wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
May 31, 2016
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, May 31, 2016, in
the County Manager's Conference Room, County Administration Building, 102 East Front
Street, Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present:
Staff present:
Jim Burgin, Chairman
Gordon Springle, Vice Chairman
Abe Elmore, Commissioner
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Joe Miller, Commissioner
Joseph Jeffries, County Manager
Paula Stewart, Deputy County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Allen Coats,
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk
Chairman Burgin called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Commissioner McKoy led the pledge
of allegiance and invocation.
The following agenda was before commissioners:
➢ Tax Department:
1) Request to contract with Pope Law Group to assist with delinquent
collections including foreclosures
2) Discussion regarding payment allocation; what order to apply
payment to taxes
➢ Discussion regarding CCCC invoices
➢ Social Services' request to reclassify a SW II position to an IMCW II position
➢ Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Operations and User Policy
➢ General Services' request, 2016-2017 Community Development Block Grant
Commerce
Fellows — Building Community through Capacity and Knowledge
➢ 2016/2017 Budget Discussion/questions
➢ County Manager's Update:
1) Tour of NC 87 Corridor, Piedmont Natural Gas Follow-up
2) June 6, 2016 Regular Meeting agenda review
➢ Closed session
Mr. Jeffries introduced summer intern Taylor Emory.
May 31, 2016, Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Harnett County Tax Administrator Keith Faulkner introduced Tax Attorney Billy Godwin and
Attorney Wiley Pope and announced that Mr. Godwin would no longer be able to serve as the
County's tax attorney. Mr. Faulkner said the Tax Department would like to contract with the
Pope Law Group who is willing to assist with delinquent collections including foreclosures as
well as serving as a legal advisor on matters pertaining to the collection of property taxes. He
said all associated fees pertaining to these services would remain the same as with Mr. Godwin
and no additional funding would be needed. Mr. Faulkner said this would basically provide for
no break in service as Mr. Pope has agreed to the same terms as Mr. Godwin and the paralegal
will go with the files. Mr. Godwin addressed the group. The Board will consider approval of a
contract with Pope Law Group to assist with delinquent collections including foreclosures during
their upcoming regular meeting. If approved, Pope Law Group will also serve as a legal advisor
on matters pertaining to the collection of property taxes and all associated fees pertaining to this
service are remaining the same as with the prior attorney, no additional funding is needed.
Mr. Faulkner led the discussion regarding payment allocation; what order to apply payment to
taxes. Commissioners will consider approval of a Resolution to Establish a Policy on Credit
Allocation for Partial Payments of Ad Valorem Taxes in Harnett County during their upcoming
regular meeting.
Mrs. Honeycutt distributed copies of the CCCC invoices requesting reimbursement for the Dunn
Center, noting this was not included in CCCC budget request. Mrs. Honeycutt reminded the
group that the Board previously approved a resolution of support for the project and only
agreeing to pay the operating costs.
Social Services Director Paul Polinski presented DSS's request to reclassify a SW II position to
an IMCW II position. Mr. Polinski said this request had already been approved by the State. It
was the consensus of the Board to consider approval of the requested reclassification during their
upcoming regular meeting however commissioners asked staff to draft proposed changes to the
Personnel Ordinance that would allow the County Manager to approve these types of
reclassifications going forward. They stressed if the change is dynamic or increases the cost they
will still come before the Board. Mr. Polinski also discussed status of cases, training of staff and
upcoming events.
Ira Hall, Director of Harnett County Information Technologies, presented and reviewed the
Proposed Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Operations and User Policy for Harnett County. He
noted the policy governs county government usage of UAS equipment in both normal and
emergency situations. GIS Systems Administrator Chris Hawk and Emergency Services staff
Jimmy Riddle and Larry Smith were also present. Staff noted that Emergency Services had
recently purchased a UAS and talked about the many benefits to the County having aerial
imagery, 3D modeling and pictometry. Mr. Hall noted users of UAS will be trained and
specifically named, applying for the public operations (governmental) Certificate of
May 31, 2016, Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Authorization (COA). Staff shared information about the UAS, processes and discussions
continued. It was the consensus of the Board to consider adoption of the proposed Unmanned
Aerial Systems (UAS) Operations and User Policy during their upcoming regular meeting.
Harnett County General Services Director Barry Blevins and staff Anna Peele requested
permission to apply for the 2016-2017 Community Development Block Grant Commerce
Fellows — Building Community through Capacity and Knowledge. They believe the program
will help staff develop a different way of looking at community development. Mr. Blevins said
the grant would require a 10% match of $3,000 which he believes we can get back on
administrative fees. It was the consensus of the Board to consider approval of the application to
the NC Department of Commerce, Rural Economic Development Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) funding program following apublic hearing during their upcoming regular
meeting.
During the 2016/2017 budget discussion, Mr. Jeffries explained changes regarding Economic
Development monies/budget which now require a separate public hearing. He said the proposed
budget now includes a new position in the Sheriffs Office to process evidence and sought
direction from the Board regarding other requests. It was the consensus of Board to fund the
D.A. position, including the State 5% increase, to be included in Administration's contingency
funds. Commissioners said they were comfortable with the proposed budget. Mr. Jeffries said
staff is still working on the pay plan and will bring it back before the Board in the near future. It
was the consensus of the Board to try to look for ways to honor our volunteers.
Mr. Jeffries provided an update on the upcoming tour of the NC 87 Corridor. He gave a follow-
up regarding Piedmont Natural Gas. Mr. Jeffries also reviewed the draft June 6, 2016 regular
meeting agenda.
Commissioner Miller reported on a recent meeting with the Fort Bragg Garrison Commander
where they talked about the new Linden Oaks Elementary school, natural gas, federal funding for
students, the Hairfield Tract project, a possible animal control contract for Linden Oaks, and
opportunities to work together and be good partners.
Chairman Burgin asked about the status of the upcoming Ag Summit. Discussions continued
and it was the consensus of Board to move forward with holding the summit at Campbell
University and engaging Ted Abernathy.
Commissioner Miller moved that the Board go into closed session for the following purposes:
1) To discuss certain personnel matters; and
2) To discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses
in Harnett County; and
3) To consult with the County's legal staff in order to preserve the attorney -client privilege
concerning the handling of certain claims and litigation including the following case:
May 31, 2016, Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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a. County of Harnett vs Randy Rogers
Harnett County File No. 12 CVS 890
This motion is made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(6),(4)&(3). Vice
Chairman Springle seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Vice Chairman Springle moved that the Board come out of closed session. Commissioner
McKoy seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Commissioner Miller moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:50 am. Vice Chairman Springle
seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
W. Brooks Matthews, Chairman
(Afro i -2i)
ter/14g2-1-
eeler, Clerk
May 31, 2016, Work Session Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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