051121 wsmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Work Session
May 11, 2021
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in work session on Tuesday, May 11, 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 (Called in)
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Matt Nicol, Commissioner
Staff present: Paula Stewart, County Manager
Dwight Snow, County Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Lindsey B. Lucas, Interim Clerk
Chairman Matthews called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Commissioner McKoy led the
Pledge of Allegiance and invocation.
The following agenda was before the Board:
➢ Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation
➢ Discuss Proclamations, Christopher Appel
➢ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training Update, Paula Stewart
Redistricting After 2020 Census, Dwight Snow
➢ Project Ordinance for Northwest Harnett Elementary School Utility Extension
Project Discussion, Steve Ward
➢ Discuss Summerville Bunnlevel Fire and Rescues Request for the Construction of a
New Fire Station at 4043 NC Hwy 210 N on Property Owned by the Organization,
Larry Smith
➢ Discuss Angier Fire Department's Request for Approval for Expansion to Current
Station, Larry Smith
➢ House Bill 508, Education Funding Transparency
➢ County Manager's Report:
- May 17, 2021 Regular Meeting Agenda Review
- Review applications to serve on Boards and Committees
- Upcoming meetings and invitations
➢ Closed Session
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
May 11, 2021 Work Session Meeting
1 of 4
➢ FY 2022 Budget
➢ Adjourn
Staff Attorney Christopher Appel stood before the Board to discuss the Proclamations honoring
Public Safety Telecommunicators, Health Care Providers, and Volunteers in Harnett County
during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Mr. Appel asked if they would also like to include a
Proclamation for EMS Worker. It was the consensus of the Board to include a Proclamation for
EMS Workers as well.
County Manager Paula Stewart came before the Board to give an update on Diversity, Equity,
and Inclusion Training. Mrs. Stewart said that together with an outside consultant and Kittrane
Sanders, they developed an action plan based on the publics concerns and would like to train
their own workforce on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Mrs. Stewart informed the Board they
had contracted with Dr. Kari -Claudia Allen and the first lecture will be held on June 16, 2021
and it will be mandatory for all county employees and it is an" Introduction to Race and Racial
Reconciliation." This will then be followed by a survey by all of our employees and Dr. Allen
will analyze the results and share what people have learned. In the late summer there will be
another lecture called "Biased Racial Justice and Communities" followed by a "Cultural
Immersion Session". Mrs. Stewart said it is the hope that these lectures will bring the necessary
changes to people's behaviors. Extension Agent Kittrane Sanders approached the Board and
talked about what the plans were for training in the County.
County Attorney Dwight Snow stood before the Board to Discuss Redistricting After 2020
Census. Mr. Snow informed the Board of the possible engagement with the Law Firm of
Tharrington Smith LLP to serve as joint legal counsel to the Harnett County Board of
Commissioners and Harnett County Board of Education in connection with redistricting
following the 2020 Census. Questions were asked by the Board and it was the consensus of the
Board to add this to the consent agenda at the next regular meeting.
Harnett Regional Water Director Steve Ward approached the Board to speak on the Construction
of the new Northwest Harnett Elementary School in getting utilities to the area of Rollins road. It
will be funded by Harnett Regional Water reserves and the project will cost roughly 2.4 million
dollars. It was the consensus of the Board to add this to the consent agenda at the next regular
meeting.
Mr. Ward also discussed the proposal to use LKC Engineering, PLLC to provide the engineering
work for this project and design and provide construction administration and observation for the
Northwest Harnett Elementary School Extension Project. They are currently working with the
school board on site design so it made sense to use the same firm since they are familiar with the
territory and they can get the ground running once the contract is approved. It was the consensus
of the Board to add this to the consent agenda at the next regular meeting.
Emergency Services Director Larry Smith came before the Board to discuss the Summerville
Bunnlevel Fire and Rescue's request to construct a new fire station at 4043 NC Hwy 210 North
on property owned by the organization. The Board of Directors of Summerville Bunnlevel Fire
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
May 11, 2021 Work Session Meeting
2 of 4
and Rescue would like to proceed with the construction of a new 9,000 SF station at a cost of
$1,150,000. The Board of Directors of Summerville Bunnlevel Fire and Rescue believe the new
station will improve response times and effectiveness in their district. The Chairman of the
Board of Directors for the Summerville Bunnlevel Fire and Rescue, Mr. Leo McDonald spoke in
favor of the new construction. It was the consensus of the Board to add this to the consent
agenda for the next regular meeting.
Mr. Smith then spoke on Angier Fire Department's request for approval to expand the current
station. It was the consensus of the Board to add this to the consent agenda for the next regular
meeting.
Chairman Matthews wanted to make the Board aware of House Bill 508 which is Education
Funding Transparency. Chairman Matthews said from the School systems perspective this would
interfere with the smooth process of funds. Vice Chairman Weatherspoon asked to have a letter
sent to our legislative delegation and to the North Carolina Association of County
Commissioners opposing Senate Bill S406 and House Bill 508. It was the consensus of the
Board to draft the letter.
Mrs. Stewart reviewed the draft May 17, 2021 regular meeting agenda.
Vice Chairman Weatherspoon moved to go into closed session to
1.) Consultation 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: "IN RE: National Prescription Opiate Litigation", US District Court for the
Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division; MDL No. 2804; Case: 1: 1 7-md-02804; And
2.) To discuss certain personnel matters
Commissioner Nicol seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Commissioners returned from closed session.
Harnett County Emergency Services Director Larry Smith reviewed the following request for
increases:
o Benson Fire Department requested an increase of .02 cents
o Godwin -Falcon Volunteer Fire Department requested an increase of .05 cents
o Cypress Creek Fire Department requested an increase of .01 cents
o Buies Creek EMS requested an increase of $11,963
o Coats Grove EMS requested an increase of $40,606
o Benhaven EMS requested an increase of $48,615
o City of Dunn EMS requested an increase of $276,810
General Services Director Barry Blevins came before the Board to discuss budget for the Harnett
County Jetport. Below is the Harnett Regional Jetport Budget Summary:
o Salary/Wages & Fringes $208,326
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
May 11, 2021 Work Session Meeting
3 of 4
o Operation Expenditures $74,272
o Budget Total = $282,598
o County Manager Proposed $185,000
o Needed over Proposed $97,598
Questions were asked by the Board and discussions were continued.
Mrs. Stewart spoke to the Board about the nonprofit committee and the requests that were made
by them. Chairman Matthews would like to discuss this further at the next work session.
Questions were asked by the Board and Discussions were continued.
Budget Officer Renee Paschal and Budget Director Lisa McFadden came before the Board to
discuss Harnett County School funding. Mrs. Paschal noted the recommendation is to hold the
schools harmless and provide the same level of funding as well as provided in FY 21 and to hold
the schools harmless for the loss of library money and for the reduction in the number of Harnett
County School students who don't share capital outlay with charter students.
Vice Chairman Weatherspoon made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:54 am. Commissioner
Nicol seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
4ksatt ew4s, Chairmnan
Wo•
Lindsey B. Lucas, Interim Clerk
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
May 11, 2021 Work Session Meeting
4 of 4