051721 bwsHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Budget Work Session
May 17, 2021
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Monday, May 17, 2021, in
the Commissioners Meeting Room, Harnett County Resource Center and Library Building, 455
McKinney Parkway, Lillington, North Carolina. Due to COVID-19 this meeting was open to a
limited number of the public to attend in person however, citizens and staff were also provided
options to listen to the meeting live. Only County staff necessary to conduct the meeting or to
speak on scheduled agenda items were in attendance, stationed in the meeting chambers to
maintain the recommended social distancing of six feet, as the Board demonstrated compliance
with State law and prudent public health practices.
Members present: W. Brooks Matthews, Chairman
Lewis W. Weatherspoon Vice Chairman
Mark B. Johnson, Commissioner
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Matt Nicol, Commissioner
Staff present: George Wood, Acting County Manager
Coley Price, Assistant County Manager
Christopher Appel, Senior Staff Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Lindsey B. Lucas, Interim Clerk
Chairman Matthews called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm. Vice Chairman Weatherspoon led
the Pledge of Allegiance and invocation.
The following agenda was before the Board:
➢ Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation
➢ Sheriffs Budget Discussion
➢ Harnett Regional Water Budget Discussion
➢ Adjourn
Sheriff Wayne Coats spoke to the Board about what his priorities were for the Harnett County
Sheriff's Department. Sheriff Coats would like the Board to approve a 10% raise for all sworn
law enforcement officers so not to lose them to other agencies, he would like to hire 15 new
officers, and in car cameras. Discussions were continued.
Director of Emergency Services Larry Smith came in to update the Board on emergency services
for Dunn and Erwin and the remainder of the county.
Director of Harnett Regional Water Steve Ward stated that the Northwest Harnett Treatment
Plant is planned to be started fiscal year 2024, the other project is the Water Treatment Plant
which is scheduled to be started in Erwin in fiscal year 2029. Mr. Ward explained that these
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May 17, 2021 Budget Work Session
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projects take a lot of time to get through the engineering and permitting process. Vice Chairman
Weatherspoon suggested moving these projects up as soon as possible. Discussions were
continued.
Commissioner Nicol made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:39 pm. Commissioner Johnson
seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
W. Brooks Matthews, Chairman
Lindsey B. Lucas, Interim Clerk
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