MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SPECIAL MEETING

 

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2021, & TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on Monday, February 8, 2021, and Tuesday, February 9, 2021, in order to conduct a budget retreat to review goals and objectives for the County.  The meetings originated in the Community Room at the Community Recreation Center, Boone, North Carolina.

 

PRESENT:         John Welch, Chairman

Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman

Carrington Pertalion, Commissioner

Charlie Wallin, Commissioner

Larry Turnbow, 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 Monday, February 8, 2021, at 1:05 P.M., welcoming those in attendance. Charlie Wallin arrived at 1:20 P.M.

 

The following topics were discussed:

 

Opening Remarks

      Mr. Deron Geouque

FY 2021 Review and Discussion of 2022 Budget

      Ms. Misty Watson

1.     Revenues

2.     Expenditures

3.     Debt Service Report

4.     Budget Calendar

5.     Special Appropriations

Review of Current Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

      Mr. Deron Geouque & Mr. Robert Marsh

1.     Current CIP Status Report

2.     Courtroom # 2 Renovations

3.     Valle Crucis Elementary School

4.     East Annex Building Program

5.     Courthouse and Administration Roof Replacements

6.     County Facilities Assessment Update

7.     Courthouse Parking

8.     Recreation Fields

a.      Tennis Courts

b.     Basketball Courts

c.      Pickleball Courts

9.     Community Recreation Center Update

10.  Library

11.  Habitat Road Request

12.  School Facilities

Break from 2:58 P.M. to 3:25 P.M.

Chairman Welch rejoined the meeting at 3:41 P.M. due to a prior commitment during the break.

Sanitation Matters

      Mr. Rex Buck

1.     Organics Recycling Market Study

2.     Facility Upgrades

Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute

      Dr. Mark Poarch

Tourism Development Authority (TDA)

      Mr. Matt Vincent and Mr. Wright Tilley

Appalachian District Health

      Ms. Jennifer Greene

Watauga Medics

      Mr. Craig Sullivan

1.     Annual Report

2.     Future Needs

Public Safety and Emergency Communications Systems Study Update

      Mr. Will Holt

County Manager’s Summary

      Mr. Deron Geouque

 

A recess was declared at 6:28 P.M.  The meeting reconvened on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at 9:07 A.M.

 

Middle Fork Greenway Update

      Ms. Wendy Patoprsty

Minimum Housing Standards

      Mr. Joe Furman

Census 2020

      Mr. Joe Furman

Broadband Update

      Mr. Joe Furman

2022 Revaluation

      Mr. Larry Warren

Employee Compensation and Retention Plan

      Mr. Deron Geouque

Break from 10:30 A.M. to 10:38 A.M.

School Board Funding Issues

      Superintendent Dr. Scott Elliott, School Board Members:  Dr. Gary Childers, and Dr. Jay Fenwick, as well as Staff members: Ms. Ly Marze, Mr. Jeff Troxler, Ms. Tamara Stamey, and Dr. Stephen Martin

1.     FY 2022 Funding Needs

2.     Schools’ Capital Improvement Plan

Miscellaneous & Commissioner Matters

      Mr. Deron Geouque

Wrap up, Goals, Objectives, and Board Directives

 

Budget work sessions were set for May 13, 2021, from 12:00 to 8:00 P.M. and May 14, 2021, from 9:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M.

 

The County Manager concluded the retreat by reviewing the issues discussed and seeking direction from the Board for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.

 

The meeting adjourned at 11:46 A.M.

 

John Welch

Chairman, Watauga County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:  Deron Geouque, County Manager