HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Minutes of Regular Meeting

June 2, 2014

The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, June 2, 2014, in the Commissioners Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 102 East Front Street, Lillington, North Carolina.

Members present: Joe Miller, Chairman

Gary House, Vice Chairman

Jim Burgin, Commissioner

Beatrice B. Hill, Commissioner

Gordon Springle, Commissioner

Staff present: Tommy Burns, Harnett County Manager

Joseph Jeffries, Deputy County Manager

Dwight Snow, County Attorney

Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer

Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk to the Board

Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Commissioner Hill led the pledge of allegiance and invocation.

Chairman Miller called for additions and deletions to the published agenda. Chairman Miller requested the addition of a Resolution Requesting that the North Carolina General Assembly Include Harnett County on an Act to Establish a Moratorium on Filing of Actions by Certain Local Boards of Education Challenging the Sufficiency of Local Funds Appropriated by Boards of County Commissioners for Public Schools. Commissioner Springle moved to approve the agenda as amended. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Commissioner Hill moved to approve the items listed on the consent agenda. Vice Chairman House seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

  1. Minutes: May 19, 2014 Regular Meeting

May 13, 2014 Special Session

  1. Budget Amendments:

420 Public Utilities

Code 531-9000-431.86-31 Debt Service Interest 15,930 increase

531-9000-431.87-31 Debt Service Principal 300,000 increase

531-0000-399.00-00 Fund Balance Appropriated 315,930 increase

424 Public Utilities

Code 534-9003-431.87-31 Debt Service Principal 26,000 increase

539-9008-431.87-31 Debt Service Principal 3,000 increase

540-9009-431.87-31 Debt Service Principal 1,000 increase

532-9001-431.86-31 Debt Service Interest 3,531 decrease

534-9003-431.86-31 Debt Service Interest 260,583 decrease

535-9004-431.86-31 Debt Service Interest 21,083 decrease

536-9005-431.86-31 Debt Service Interest 18,619 decrease

537-9006-431.86-31 Debt Service Interest 35,559 decrease

538-9000-431.86-31 Debt Service Interest 3,017 decrease

539-9008-431.86-31 Debt Service Interest 13,803 decrease

540-9009-431.86-31 Debt Service Interest 37,403 decrease

541-9010-431.86-31 Debt Service Interest 8,954 decrease

532-0000-357.00-00 Capital Lease Revenue 3,531 decrease

534-0000-357.00-00 Capital Lease Revenue 234,583 decrease

535-0000-357.00-00 Capital Lease Revenue 21,083 decrease

536-0000-357.00-00 Capital Lease Revenue 18,619 decrease

537-0000-357.00-00 Capital Lease Revenue 35,559 decrease

538-0000-357.00-00 Capital Lease Revenue 3,017 decrease

539-0000-357.00-00 Capital Lease Revenue 10,803 decrease

540-0000-357.00-00 Capital Lease Revenue 36,403 decrease

541-0000-357.00-00 Capital Lease Revenue 8,954 decrease

425 Public Utilities

Code 531-9000-431.86-31 Debt Service Interest 288,699 increase

531-9000-431.87-31 Debt Service Principal 329,395 increase

531-9000-431.50-00 Capital Lease Districts 372,557 decrease

531-0000-357.00-00 Capital Lease Revenue 245,537 increase

428 Library

Code 110-8100-450.64-25 Books & Publications 1,000 increase

110-0000-353.81-05 Library / Friends of the Library 1,000 increase

433 General Fund

Code 110-5400-420.74-76 Lease – Other Financing Use 19,845 decrease

110-5400-420.74-75 Lease Expense 1,690 decrease

110-0000-370.21-03 Capital Lease 21,535 decrease

435 Asset Forfeiture Fund

Code 251-5100-420.90-10 Interfund Transfer – General Fund 950 decrease

251-0000-336.16-00 Asset Forfeitures 150,000 increase

251-0000-336.16-01 Drug Seizures – County 10,000 increase

251-0000-399.00-00 Fund Balance Appropriated 159,050 decrease

  1. Tax refunds, rebates and release (Attachment 1)
  1. Resolution Directing the Publication of Notice of Intention to Apply to the Local Government Commission for Approval of Bonds (Attachment 2)
  1. Resolution Authorizing the Finance Officer to Apply to the Local Government Commission for Approval of the County’s Proposed General Obligation School Bonds and to Submit Such Application to the Local Government Commission (Attachment 3)
  1. Resolution Making Certain Statements of Fact Concerning Proposed Bond Issue (Attachment 4)
  1. Resolution In Support of Saab Barracuda and Its Continued Operations in Lillington (Attachment 5)
  1. Information Technology (I.T.) requested permission to donate two county-owned computers to Harnett County Literacy. These computers are currently not in use and are located in the I.T. Department to be used as spares. Harnett County Literacy’s office at Triangle South flooded recently and they lost all of their computers.
  1. Cooperative Extension requested permission to accept 2014-2015 Adolescent Parenting grant from the NC Department of Health and Human Services Department in the amount of $60,000 in support of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative. A match of $14,000 consists of $405 County local cash, $10,800 County in-kind (office space), $895 Harnett Health Hospital, and $1,900 private donation volunteers.
  1. Northwest Harnett Fire Department requested permission to purchase a used fire engine no to exceed $150,000. They have set aside the funding for this engine over several budget years. At this time, Northwest Harnett Fire Department is in the process of building a new sub-station to improve the insurance rating within their respective district. The purchase of this used fire engine would be needed to support their operating procedure.
  1. Public Utilities requested award of the FY 14/15 chemical supply contracts. HCDPU wishes to award these supply contracts to the following chemical suppliers: Key Chemical, Sanco Industries, C&S Chemicals, Brenntag Southeast Inc., Water Guard Inc., Cape Fear Water Solutions, Southern States Chemical, Evoqua Water Technologies Inc., Oltrin Solutions Inc., and Univar USA Inc. Bid recommendations were provided by the Water Plant and Wastewater Plant Supervisors. A bid result summary sheet is attached. (Attachment 6)
  1. Health Director requested permission to establish the following new procedure fees:

20600 Small Joint Injection $120

20605 Intermediate Joint Bursa Injection $131

20610 Major Joint or Bursa Injection $166

65205 Removal Foreign Body, eye $133

11730 Avulsion of nail plate, partial or complete $149

11732 Avulsion of Additional Nail Plates $73

30300 Removal Foreign Body, Intranasal $150

11740 Evacuation of Subungual Hematoma $97

17000 Destruction of Benign Lesion (1) $108

17003 Destruction of Benign Lesion (2-14) $20

17004 Destruction of Benign Lesion (>15) $125

17110 Destruction of Flat Warts, Molluscum $153

17111 Destruction of Flat Warts, Molluscum $125

11201 Removal of Skin Tags (ea. Add. 10 lesions) $49

46916 Destruction of Anal Lesion (simple) $200

46924 Destruction of Anal Lesion (extensive) $250

54056 Destruction of Penile Lesions (simple) $246

54065 Destruction of Penile Lesions (extensive) $300

56501 Destruction of Vulva Lesion (simple) $271

56515 Destruction of Vulva Lesion (extensive) $350

57061 Destruction of Vaginal Lesions (simple) $262

57065 Destruction of Vaginal Lesions (extensive $300

Price Increase

90675 Pre-exposure Rabies Vaccine $230

(This is to cover increase from manufacturer – current charge $202)

The Board of Health at their regular meeting on May 15, 2014 approve to establish these fees.

Chairman Miller opened the floor for informal comments by the public, allowing up to 3 minutes for each presentation up to 30 minutes.

§  Paul Long of 645 Old Buies Creek Road in Lillington said he is really concerned about

HB 1108 which was alleged to protect the voters but does not. Mr. Long said the latest move by our state representative to sneak language on a Duplin County local bill; which is an insult, which basically takes several rights away from the County Board and School Board. Mr. Long said the Board did not discuss this matter, they did not promote it, they did not consult with the representative about it and they did not vote to do this. Mr. Long recommended a resolution asking to withdraw the language from HB 1108. Mr. Long said this was an attempt to micro-manage Harnett County. He also recommended that the County Manager require inquiries by elected officials to pass through the chain of command because we don’t need commissioners working one on one with departments without the knowledge of the entire Board. Mr. Long said he likes our County Manager and recommended that they give him a contract immediately. Last, Mr. Long urged the Board to pass a tax increase.

§  Carolyn McDougal of 809 East Johnson Street in Dunn, who said she was speaking on behalf of the Harnett County and NC NAACP, said they think it is disgusting that Representative David Lewis continues to take attack on the people that they elected; to take the power away from the people that they elected such as the County Commissioners and Board of Education. She said they would continue to fight and will not stand for this.

§  Joe Langley, 298 Kirk Adams Road in Angier, addressed HB 1108 saying he was puzzled at who would have initiated the language that would restrict the powers of the county commissioners and somewhat limit them to where they don’t have full authority during their last 7 months. Mr. Langley asked for a show of hands by commissioners of that were aware of HB 1008. Mr. Langley said he would fight for each commissioner’s right to serve their full term with full authority. Mr. Langley also asked what action does this board take on a meeting by meeting basis that does not affect the actions of the future board.

§  Sharlene Jones of Old Buies Creek Road pleaded with the Board to raise taxes. She said we can’t continue in this county unless we raise taxes. Mrs. Jones suggested sending out a post card explaining to home owners and land owners “how to do the math” because it’s not going to be that much money so we can get schools and get other things we need. Mrs. Jones said everybody has got to contribute to this.

§  Theresa Oudeh of Canterbury Drive in Dunn spoke on behalf of the Harnett County Democratic Party saying they are in opposition of HB 1108. Mrs. Oudeh said this should be a non-partisan issue. She said we need to keep the power in our county and give our county commissioners time to decide if decisions made at the State are correct for our county.

§  Susan Byerly of 407 Old Post Road in Erwin spoke regarding a pending bill saying we’ve lost all the teacher assistant positions in grades 2 through 3 if this bill goes forward and we have teachers who are going to have to either choose due process or take a pay increase. She said we need school and said Harnett County is one of the lowest in the state in per pupil expenditure. Mrs. Byerly said the Board of Commissioners and the Board of Education seem to have really tried to work together for the betterment of this county. She said it absolutely appalls her that someone in Raleigh thinks that they can take away the right of the citizens that have elected the commissioners and their right to make the best decisions for this county. Mrs. Byerly said she hopes they will have a resolution that does away with this.

§  Donna Parker, 1139 Larrington Road in Lillington, said as a farmer’s wife they do own all the acreage and where she doesn’t like paying taxes she believes we have got to raise them. Mrs. Parker said when it comes time to vote for taxes, we need schools and we need to be able to hire teachers. She echoed Mrs. Byerly’s concerns regarding Representative David Lewis. Mrs. Parker said Commissioner Hill is her representative and she lets her vote for her and frowns upon anyone that take her power away.

§  Penny Christman of Quail Hollow in Cameron said she agrees so far with what is being said. She said she would like to see growth come to Harnett County because we need businesses here to help us with our tax base. Mrs. Christman said she was glad to see Wal-Mart is opening up a store on Hwy 87. She said she has been doing a lot of leg work and has been contacting companies trying to get them to see the potential here but she need helps help as they are asking her to send proposals. She said she would gladly pay a higher tax base but if we can get these stores to recognize us and come here we will get the schools and our children will get the education they so deserve. Mrs. Christmas said there is a lack of communication and we need to do something better.

§  Ben Slaughter of Chalybeate Springs said HB 1108 was a sly, devious trick to put absolute power in a very small number of people. Mr. Slaughter said this is Pandora’s Box and will hopefully be stopped. He said it was a disgrace to try to circumvent democracy and likened it to the rise of Adolf Hitler.

§  Pastor Felton Smith, from the Riverside community, said he would be remiss if he did not give voice to some of the atrocities that have been perpetrated against us as a people. He said this entire mess is about exploiting our differences and denying our commonalities. Pastor Smith said we need people in office that are going to do the right thing because it’s right and not for the right reason; when it becomes the right reason it is agenda based and not for the benefit of the people. Pastor Smith said asked elected officials to stand on principal and have some integrity and be willing to do what is right in the face of adversity.

§  Goldie Pryor, 1503 McLean’s Chapel Road in Bunn Level, said she is very disappointed regarding HB 1108 because when we elect people to state office we want them to work at the state level and leave the county level alone. Mrs. Pryor said we have county commissioners and Board of Education members that we elect and think they can do the job and want them to be able to do their job. She said we do need some kind of tax increase but it needs to be for everybody in Harnett County, including renters, because everyone is interested in the education of the kids. She said it doesn’t just need to be a property tax, it needs to be other ways of bringing in income too so it will not be such a heavy burden on land owners and businesses. She said Economic Development needs to move faster and we need to promote shopping locally. Mrs. Pryor also thanked commissioners for the employee insurance with co-pays.

§  Daniel Glover of Old Stage Road in Coats said HB 1108 was nothing more than to try to give full control to a certain few. He said it is dirty politics. Mr. Glover said he started a blog called Harnett Dispatch and will give them more transparency than they ever wanted. He said if you are not the Chairman, if you are not in charge, you do not try to dictate what is going to happen in the next course. Mr. Glover said we elected these officials who should represent us the rest of their terms. He said HB 1108 is an overreach of government.

Commissioner Hill said she feels an injustice has been done to the people of this County as well as a part of this Board. She said she understand the statement was made a few months ago “I am making changings in Harnett County and I am going to undo some things that were done” and said maybe that’s what they are attempting to do now. Commissioner Hill asked if anyone wanted to pass a bill why was it not discussed with this Board instead of being done behind the board’s back. She said she hopes the public is not holding some of this board responsible for what one or two other board members did. Commissioner Hill said she feels we need a tax increase. She said this county is in trouble and if all of the board members cannot agree on a tax increase then let the state come down and let them put a tax on the county.