022422 prmHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Planning Retreat Minutes
February 24, 2022
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in a planning retreat/work session on
Thursday, February 24, 2022, at 9:00 am in the Commissioners Meeting Room, Harnett County
Resource Center and Library, 455 McKinney Parkway, Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present: Lewis W. Weatherspoon, Chairman
Matt B. Nicol, Vice Chairman
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Mark B. Johnson, Commissioner
W. Brooks Matthews, Commissioner
Staff present: Brent Trout, County Manager
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Melissa Capps, Clerk
Lisa McFadden, Budget Director
Brian Haney, Assistant County Manager
Coley Price, Assistant County Manager
Allen Coats, Deputy Finance Officer
Chairman Weatherspoon called the Harnett County Board of Commissioners meeting to order at
9:00 am.
Vice Chairman Nicol led the Pledge of Allegiance and invocation.
The Board recessed and reconvened at 9:12 am in the Training Room 103 BC located in the
Harnett County Resource Center and Library, 455 McKinney Parkway, Lillington, North
Carolina.
The following agenda was before the Board:
➢ Welcome and Overview
➢ Year in Review
➢ Capital Improvement Program (CIP) / ARPA Funding
➢ Review of Fiscal Policy
➢ Revenue Update & Financial Trends
➢ Board Goals and Priorities
➢ Wrap-up & Adjourn
Chairman Weatherspoon welcomed everyone.
February 24, 2022 Planning Retreat Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Brent Trout, County Manager, gave a brief overview of the Retreat Agenda.
A video was played for the Year in Review. Following the video, Commissioners discussed
additional accomplishments of the year.
Mr. Trout stated the Capital Improvement Program was approved last Tuesday. Staff has been
looking at federal guidance to see how best to utilize ARPA Funding. Mr. Trout proposed the
following schedule to discuss ARPA Funds:
• March 15, 2022, staff will present a list of proposed projects for the Board's
consideration formulated with three primary criteria:
o Expressed need for the project;
o Eligibility of the project; and
o Alternative funding for the project.
• March 21, 2022, provide an opportunity for the public to provide comment on the
proposed list.
• March 29, 2022, the Board will review and discuss the recommended list with approval
following this meeting, unless we need more time, we could have an additional work
session on April 12`x'.
Discussion included sewer projects, natural gas expansion, drainage in the Riverside
Community, an additional water plant, new schools that are needed, the Animal Shelter, Shell
Building, Economic Development and convenience sites. Consensus of the Board was to begin
with the proposed timeline and adjust if needed.
The Board took a break at 10:02 am to 10:15 am.
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer, introduced Ted Coles with Davenport. Mr. Coles
reviewed the following information:
• Credit Rating Overview
• General Fund Balance
• Existing Tax Supported Debt Profile
• Future Debt Capacity
• Department of Public Utilities Debt and Financial Profile
• Solid Waste Debt and Financial Profile
• Existing Tax Supported Debt
• Existing Department of Public Utilities Debt
• Existing Solid Waste Debt
• Financial Policies
• Rating Reports
February 24, 2022 Planning Retreat Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Ms. Honeycutt provided historical data on fiscal policies and the effect on the fund balance.
The Board recessed for lunch and reconvened at 12:03 pm.
Lisa McFadden, Budget Director, reviewed the following trends:
• Historical Context & Projected Growth
o Growth in unincorporated area & municipalities
o Change in population by township
o Growing population by age
o Data is based on 2020 information
• Employment
o Unemployment rate
o Harnett County budgeted positions
o Harnett County vacancies
• Financial & Revenue Trends
o Foreclosures
o Revenue increases
o Property Taxes & Comparisons
o Income
o Inflation
Mr. Trout stated there is good and bad in these numbers. Our collection numbers are good, our
population is growing but we also see inflation and a shortage of staff. We will have to have
competitive pay, so we can attract individuals and have a good COLA. The biggest thing is to
retain what we have and then be able to go out and search to fill the vacant positions.
Mr. Trout asked that each Commissioner review the recently adopted strategic plan goals and
actions and to rank those actions in matter of importance or priority which resulted in the
following:
Strategic Goal #1
Superior Education
Key Strategic Actions
1. Action 1.1 Engage school administration proactively to discuss and coordinate budget
priorities and funding for FY 2023.
2. Action 1.4 Address teacher supplements to increase competitiveness in the region.
3. Action 1.3 Create and adopt a long term plan for funding new schools based on Board of
Education priorities.
4. Action 1.5 Adopt Legislative priorities for FY 2022 that includes advocacy for increased
funding for schools.
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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5. Action 1.2 Restore County Involvement in capital planning and architectural committee
for ongoing and upcoming projects.
Strategic Goal #2
Organization Excellence
Key Strategic Actions
1. Action 2.1 Complete Compensation Study to assess competiveness of employee pay and
salary compression for existing employees.
2. Action 2.4 Develop and implement an organization training and development program.
3. Action 2.2 Review and revise employee performance evaluation process to encourage
culture of accountability.
4. Action 2.5 Research, develop, and implement a holistic performance management
program.
5. Action 2.3 Engage County employees in improving internal processes and provide
regular education on adherence.
6. Action 2.7 Provide County employees with enrichment opportunities.
7. Action 2.6 Implement process for obtaining citizen feedback on County service
provision.
Strategic Goal #3
Safe and Healthy Community
Key Strategic Actions
1. Action 3.3 Assess most pressing issues surrounding substance abuse and engage
stakeholders to develop plan to curb problems.
2. Action 3.1 Prioritize parks and greenway projects for development through Capital
Improvements Program.
2. Action 3.2 Provide support for local farmer's markets and community gardens at County
locations to support healthy food options for residents.
4. Action 3.4 Increase provision of County programs and initiatives aimed at encouraging
healthy lifestyles and outdoor activity.
5. Action 3.5 Meet regularly with the local arts organizations to generate and implement
ideas celebrating arts and cultures.
Strategic Goal #4
Economic Strength
Key Strategic Actions
1. Action 4.2 Increase availability of high speed Broadband throughout County.
2. Action 4.3 Seek to extend natural gas availability along strategic corridors identified for
commercial growth.
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Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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3. Action 4.1 Revise development and incentive policies to support thriving business and
job creation.
4. Action 4.5 Plan water and wastewater infrastructure to direct and attract residential,
commercial and industrial growth toward targeted areas.
5. Action 4.4 Pursue enhanced transportation infrastructure to reduce congestion and
increase access throughout the county.
6. Action 4.6 Educate County departments about economic development priorities and their
role in advancing those priorities.
Strategic Goal #5
Informed and Engaged Citizens
Key Strategic Actions
1. Action 5.2 Create and distribute bimonthly County newsletters in Harnett Regional Water
bills.
2. Action 5.5 Redesign County website with citizen dashboard to create more user friendly
experience.
3. Action 5.4 Launch new engagement initiative to inform citizens and County employees
through quarterly update meetings.
5. Action 5.1 Launch program to provide presentations to community groups and
organizations from County staff on requested topics.
5. Action 5.3 Implement use of video and storyboards to promote County events and
educate citizens on County services and initiatives.
Mr. Trout stated staff will send out a copy of the rankings of the action items.
Chairman Weatherspoon thanked the Commissioners for participating and their input. He also
thanked staff for providing information.
Commissioner McKoy thanked Mr. Trout for his assistance in prioritizing the strategic action
items.
Coley Price, Assistant County Manager, stated I appreciate everyone working together as a team
and moving our County forward. We have a lot of good things happening. I am proud to be a
part of it.
Brain Haney, Assistant County Manager, stated I would echo those comments and I appreciate
the Board's commitment to the Strategic Planning process.
Vice Chairman Nicol made a motion to adjourn at 1:18 pm. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Johnson and carried unanimously.
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Lewis W. Wekarspoon, Chairman elissa D. Capps, Cler c
February 24, 2022 Planning Retreat Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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