MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2018

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners' Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.

 

                        PRESENT:      John Welch, Chairman

                                                Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman

                                                Larry Turnbow, Commissioner

                                                Charlie Wallin, Commissioner

                                                Andrea Capua, County Attorney

                                                Deron Geouque, County Manager

                                                Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board

 

Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 5:38 P.M.

 

Chairman Welch announced that Commissioner Yates was not in attendance due to a prior commitment.

 

Commissioner Wallin opened with a prayer and Commissioner Turnbow led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes

Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the December 3, 2018, regular meeting and closed session minutes.

 

Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the December 3, 2018, regular meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin, Turnbow)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Yates)

 

Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the December 3, 2018, closed session minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin, Turnbow)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Yates)

Approval of Agenda

Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the December 18, 2018, agenda.

 

Chairman Welch stated that the Children’s Council would be moved to the beginning of the meeting.  County Manager Geouque requested to add Personnel Matters to the scheduled closed session, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6).

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the December 18, 2018, agenda as amended.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin, Turnbow)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Yates)

Children’s Council Presentation of “It Takes A Village”

Ms. Crystal Kelly, Children’s Council Director, presented a resolution from the National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers to promote investments in young children and families from prenatal to age three.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to adopt the resolution as presented by Ms. Kelly.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin, Turnbow)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Yates)

Presentation of Fiscal Year 2018 Audit

Ms. Misty Watson, Finance Director, presented the following highlights of the Fiscal Year 2018 audit:

 

  • The total assets of the County exceeded its liabilities at the close of the fiscal year by $144,765,916.

 

  • The County’s unassigned fund balance for the general fund was $20,137,429 at the end of the year, representing 39.4% of total General Fund expenditures. This is a decrease of $1,967,136 in the unassigned fund balance from the previous year.

 

  • The current year collection rate for property taxes was 98.83% which was a decrease from last year’s 98.90%. The County is still above similar counties our size with an average of 98.06% for entities of similar populations in fiscal year 2016-17.

 

  • Outstanding debt principal decreased by $4,077,361. Total outstanding debt principal at June 30, 2018 is $34,996,388. Watauga County’s legal debt limit is $696,471,530 so the County continues to be well below the state limits.

 

  • S&P upgraded the County’s credit rating to AA while affirming the County’s stable outlook.

 

Mr. Dan Mullinix with Gould Killian CPA Group, P.A., presented the Fiscal Year 2018 County audit as summarized below:

 

“The following summarizes the more significant required communications related to our audit concerning the County’s accounting practices, policies, and estimates:

 

The County’s significant accounting practices and policies are those included in Note 1 to the financial statements.  These  accounting  practices  and  policies  are  appropriate,  comply  with  generally  accepted accounting principles and industry practice, were consistently applied, and are adequately described within Note 1 to the financial statements.

 

·       A summary of recently issued accounting pronouncements is included in the Significant Accounting and Reporting Matters section of this report.

 

·       The County implemented GASB No. 75 for the year ended June 30, 2018. The implementation of this statement required the County to begin reporting the net other postemployment benefit (OPEB) liability and related deferrals for the retiree health benefits offered by the County.    The notes to the financial statements describe the effects of implementation in greater detail.

 

·       We noted no transactions entered into by the County during the fiscal year for which there is a lack of authoritative guidance or consensus. All significant transactions have been recognized in the financial statements in the proper period.

 

Significant estimates are those that require management’s most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain.”

 

The County continues to remain financially strong with prudent, fiscally, and conservative management.  The audit was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.

Child Fatality Prevention Team Report

Ms. Kelly Welsh, AppHealthCare Director of Clinical Services, presented the AppHealthCare Child Fatality Prevention Team (CFPT) 2017 Annual Report which included a summary of the causes of death, number of cases reviewed, recommendations for prevention, as well as the local team activities and accomplishments.

 

Ms. Welsh reported that in 2017 two deaths were reviewed.  One was related to co-sleeping with an infant and resulted in a recommendation for community education around the dangers of co-sleeping.  The recommendation also focused on the need for access to affordable housing.  The other death was caused by a motor vehicle accident.  The CFPT recommendation was for consideration of increasing the age for children to receive their Driver’s License.  The recommendation also focused on providing community education regarding vehicle safety.  Individual reports were completed for each of the deaths as reviewed by each team and were sent to the North Carolina Department of Public Health Child Fatality Prevention Team Program Coordinator.

 

Ms. Welsh stated that the Watauga County CFPT meets quarterly in conjunction with the Community Child Protection Team.

 

The report was given for information only.

AppHealthCare Opioid Report

Ms. Jennifer Greene, AppHealthCare Director, and staff presented an update on the Opioid epidemic.

 

Ms. Elizabeth Kerley, AppHealthCare Health Promotion Program Manager, shared that mental/behavioral health, substance use/misuse prevention, and physical activity and nutrition have been designated as health priorities from 2018-2020.  Ms. Kerley shared that breakout groups were established during the Opioid Summit in May which included the following categories:  Prevention and Education, Harm Reduction, Behavioral Health Treatment, and Chronic Pain Management.  The key takeaways from the Summit were collaboration, increased communication, and stepping outside the box.

 

Ms. Mollie Mellishrencken is the Corrections Treatment Specialist for AppHealthCare and works in conjunction with the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office.  Ms. Mellishrencken shared information from a needs assessment which was performed for the Watauga County Detention Center in 2018.  The Sheriff’s Office undertook the research project to determine the causes of repeat offenders and to identify what the Sheriff’s Office could do to connect offenders to the resources that would help them to be successful at staying out of jail.  It was found that ninety percent (90%) of the inmates interviewed were linked to drug and alcohol use.  The Sheriff’s Office has established a “Recovery on the Inside” program to assist inmates in finding treatment for mental health and substance abuse issues that may be the underlying causes for repeat offenses.  Ms. Mellishrencken stated treatment facilities exist in Western North Carolina for inmates but no facilities are located in Watauga County.

 

Ms. Kerley stated that there is a relationship between communicable disease and opioid use as well.  One Hepatitis A related death in the County was linked to intravenous drug use.  Ms. Kerley also shared that Hepatitis C is on the rise and methamphetamines with fentanyl cut in it has been detected in Watauga County.

 

Ms. Greene stated that the AppHealthCare Annual Report is available on the website at:  www.apphealthare.com and more information regarding the opioid crisis and Naloxone which is a life-saving medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose is available at www.savealifenc.com.

 

The report was for information only.

Board of Elections Request for Additional Staff and Storage

Mr. Matt Snyder, Board of Elections, introduced Mr. Eric Eller, Board of Elections member and Secretary.  Mr. Eller presented a resolution as adopted by the Board of Elections and of which he was the author which included the following: 

 

“WHEREFORE, be it RESOLVED that the Watauga County Board of Elections hereby respectfully requests the Watauga County Board of Commissioners to:

 

1.     Fully fund at least two (2) additional full-time staff positions in the Watauga County Elections Office, and

 

2.     Provide adequate space for the Watauga County Elections Office, to include onsite storage of equipment and adequate space for personnel to perform their duties.

 

The Watauga County Board of Elections hereby directs the Director of Elections in Watauga County, or his designee, to deliver a copy of this Resolution to Watauga County Board of Commissioners for their consideration prior to their next regularly scheduled meeting, and to provide a second copy to them within 30 days prior to their budgetary meetings for the next fiscal year.”

 

Mr. Eller stated that the request was based, in part, on results showing the amount of work processed in Watauga County was three times the amount processed in the following similar sized counties:  Lenoir, Columbus, Hoke, and Anson Counties.  Mr. Eller stated that the time put in by staff is year-round with peaks of fifteen to sixteen hour workdays, six days-a-week, during election times.  Mr. Eller asked that the Board of Commissioners keep this information in mind during the upcoming budget process.

 

Mr. Snyder stated that a new issue will be voter identification cards and new equipment over the next couple of years.  Mr. Snyder stated that information will be provided during budget time to help with decisions.

 

County Manager Geouque stated that the County has gone above and beyond by increasing staffing needs through part-time employees and providing extra staff during election times.

 

By consensus, the Board agreed to direct the County Manager to meet with Mr. Snyder and Commissioner Turnbow to review the information presented on staffing and storage needs as well as the information available from comparable counties.

Emergency Services Matters

A.  Bid Award Request for Communications Truck

 

Mr. Will Holt, Emergency Services Director, presented a bid for a four-wheel drive Ford F350 SD Crew Cab for Emergency Management.  Several bids were solicited with no local response.  Asheville Ford, the Sheriff’s Association’s Western Section dealership, supplied the lowest responsive bid in the amount of $60,225.23.  Mr. Holt stated that the purchase is 100% reimbursable up to $60,000 through the Domestic Preparedness Region Prime Mover Grant.  Therefore, the County will be responsible for $2,037.99 which is the amount over the $60,000 including tax and tag.  Mr. Holt stated that adequate funds have been budgeted in the current fiscal year to cover the purchase for reimbursement and the amount over the $60,000.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to award the bid for a four-wheel drive Ford F350 SD Crew Cab in the amount of $62,037.99 with $60,000 to be reimbursed from the Domestic Preparedness Region Prime Mover Grant.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin, Turnbow)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Yates)

 

B.  Bid Award Request for Communications Netclocks

 

Mr. Will Holt presented a quote for the replacement of netclocks for the primary and back-up 911 locations.  The quote is from Mobile Communications America (MCA) and is in the amount of $20,683.88 with the costs of the replacements being 100% reimbursable under 911 funding.  The current netclocks have reached their end-of-life cycle.  Mr. Holt stated that adequate funds are budgeted in the current fiscal year to cover the purchase. 

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the quote with Mobile Communications America (MCA) for $20,683.88 for the netclocks replacement.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin, Turnbow)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Yates)

Tax Matters

A.  Monthly Collections Report

 

Tax Administrator, Mr. Larry Warren, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of November 2018.  The report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.

 

B.  Refunds and Releases

 

Mr. Warren presented the Refunds and Releases Report for November 2018 for Board approval:

 

TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for November 2018 as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin, Turnbow)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Yates)

Out-of-State Travel Request

County Manager Geouque presented, on behalf of Parks and Recreation Director Stephen Poulos, a request for approval of out-of-state travel taken by Ms. Keron Poteat, Recreation Specialist II.  Ms. Poteat recently traveled with seniors to Bristol Lights and Christmas Village in Bristol, Tennessee, and the Barter Theater in Abingdon, Virginia.  The County Manager stated that Mr. Poulos has requested permission after the fact due to his omission in submitting an earlier request.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve Ms. Keron Poteat’s out-of-state travel as requested.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin, Turnbow)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Yates)

Miscellaneous Administrative Matters

A.  Boards and Commissions

 

County Manager Geouque shared the following appointment recommendations:

 

Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees

 

The Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees has recommended Ms. Kim Miller, Mr. Kent Tarbutton, and Ms. Jan Winkler for re-appointment as Board Trustees.  Each of their terms would be effective January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2021.

 

By consensus, the appointments were tabled to a future meeting.

 

Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee

 

Ms. Janet Specht has indicated willingness to serve a one-year appointment to the Watauga County Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee to fill a vacant seat.  This is a first reading.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Ms. Janet Specht to a one-year term on the Watauga County Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin, Turnbow)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Yates)

 

Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District Board

 

Each Commissioner nominates a representative to the Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District Board whose terms run concurrent with the term of the appointing Commissioner.  Boone Rural Fire Service District Board members must own property and reside within that Fire Service District.

 

Commissioner Turnbow recommended reappointment of Ms. Katy Abrams to the Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District Board.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to reappoint Ms. Katy Abrams to the Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District Board as Commissioner Turnbow’s District representative.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin, Turnbow)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Yates)

 

Commissioner Wallin requested to table his appointment to the Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District Board.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, recommended reappointment of Mr. Jimmy Marsh to the Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District Board.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to reappoint Mr. Jimmy Marsh to the Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District Board as Vice-Chairman Kennedy’s District representatives.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin, Turnbow)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Yates)

 

Watauga County Planning Board

 

Each Commissioner nominates a representative to the Watauga County Planning Board whose terms run concurrent with the term of the appointing Commissioner.  Planning Board members must live within the appointing Commissioners District and action must be taken by the entire Board of Commissioners to make these appointments.

 

Commissioner Turnbow requested the appointment of Ms. Marsha Walpole to the Planning Board.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to appoint Ms. Marsha Walpole to the Planning Board as Commissioner Turnbow’s District representative.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin, Turnbow)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Yates)

 

Commissioner Wallin requested the appointment Ms. Diane Tilson to the Planning Board.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to appoint Ms. Diane Tilson to the Planning Board as Commissioner Wallin’s District representatives.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin, Turnbow)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Yates)

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy requested the reappointment of Mr. Dennis Scanlin to the Planning Board.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to reappoint Mr. Dennis Scanlin to the Planning Board as Vice-Chairman Kennedy’s District representatives.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Wallin, Turnbow)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Yates)

 

B.  Announcements

 

County Manager Geouque announced that the January 1, 2019, Board meeting has been cancelled and, therefore, the next regular meeting of the Board will be Tuesday, January 15, 2019, at 5:30 P.M.

Public Comment

The following shared concerns regarding the closure of the current swimming pool during the construction of the new Community Recreation Center:  Ms. Rebecca Riddle, Ms. Lauren Patterson, and Ms. Sarah Jackson.  Ms. Josie Herring had signed up to speak but had to leave the meeting before public comment due to a prior commitment.

Closed Session

At 7:10 P.M., Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3) and Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6).

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Turnbow, Wallin)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Yates)

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to resume the open meeting at 8:11 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Turnbow, Wallin)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Yates)

Adjourn

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:11 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Turnbow, Wallin)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Yates)

 

 

John Welch, Chairman

 

ATTEST:

Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board