MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SPECIAL MEETING

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020, & FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2020

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on Thursday, February 13, 2020, and Friday, February 14, 2020, in order to conduct a budget retreat to review goals and objectives for the County.  The meetings were held in the Commissioners’ Board Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.

 

                                          PRESENT:            John Welch, Chairman

                                                                        Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman

                                                                        Larry Turnbow, Commissioner

                                                                        Charlie Wallin, Commissioner

Perry Yates, Commissioner

                                                                        Deron Geouque, County Manager

                                                                        Misty Watson, Finance Director

 

Lunch was provided at 12:00 P.M. Chairman Welch called the meeting to order on Thursday, February 13, 2020, at 12:30 P.M. welcoming those in attendance.

 

The following topics were discussed:

 

Opening Remarks

      Mr. Deron Geouque

FY 2020 Review and Discussion of 2021 Budget

      Ms. Misty Watson

1.     Revenues

2.     Expenditures

3.     Debt Service Report

4.     Budget Calendar

5.     Future Appropriations

Review of Current Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

      Mr. Deron Geouque & Mr. Robert Marsh

1.     Current CIP Status Report

2.     Courtroom # 2 Renovations

3.     East Annex Building Program

4.     Courthouse and Administration Roof Replacements

5.     County Facilities Assessment Update

6.     Turner Building

7.     Recreation Fields

a.      Tennis Courts

b.     Basketball Courts

c.      Pickleball Courts

d.     Anne-Marie Paving

8.     Library

9.     School Facilities

Break from 2:45 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.

Sanitation Matters

      Mr. Rex Buck

1.     Organics Recycling Market Study

2.     Facility Upgrades

Appalachian District Health

      Ms. Jennifer Greene

Tourism Development Authority (TDA)

      Mr. Matt Vincent and Mr. Wright Tilley

Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute

      Dr. Mark Poarch

Break from 4:45 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

School Board Funding Issues

      Superintendent Dr. Scott Elliott, School Board Members Mr. Ron Henries, Ms. Brenda Reese, Dr. Jay Fenwick, and Staff members Ms. Ly Marze, Mr. Danny Clark

1.     FY 2021 Funding Needs

2.     Schools’ Capital Improvement Plan

Public Safety and Emergency Communications Systems Study Update

      Mr. Will Holt

County Manager’s Summary

      Mr. Deron Geouque

 

A recess was declared at 7:00 P.M.  The meeting reconvened on Friday, February 14, 2020, at 9:00 A.M.

 

Pritzker Children’s Initiative (PCI) Presentation

      Ms. Crystal Kelly

Update on Recreational Projects

      Mr. Joe Furman & Ms. Wendy Patoprsty

1.     Guy Ford Paddle Access

2.     Middle Fork Greenway

Census

      Mr. Joe Furman

Broadband Update

      Mr. Joe Furman

Watauga Medics

      Mr. Craig Sullivan

1.     Annual Report

2.     Future Needs

Miscellaneous & Commissioner Matters

      Mr. Deron Geouque

Budget work sessions were set for May 14, 2020, from 12:00 to 8:00 P.M. and May 15, 2020, from 9:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.

Board Discussion and Directives

The County Manager concluded the retreat by reviewing the issues discussed and seeking direction from the Board for Fiscal Year 2020-2021.

 

The meeting adjourned at 11:25 P.M.

 

John Welch

Chairman, Watauga County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

Deron Geouque

County Manager