MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
Chairman Turnbow called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: Larry Turnbow, Chairman
Charlie Wallin, Vice-Chairman
Todd Castle, Commissioner
Braxton Eggers, Commissioner
Ray Russell, Commissioner
Anthony di Santi, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Commissioner Russell opened with a prayer and Commissioner Castle led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Turnbow called for additions and/or corrections to the May 2, 2023, regular and closed session minutes as well as the May 4 and May 5, 2023, special meeting minutes.
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to approve the May 2, 2023, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to approve the May 2, 2023, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to approve the May 4, 2023, special meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to approve the May 5, 2023, special minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Turnbow called for additions and/or corrections to the May 16, 2023, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested to add the establishment a budgetary fund line item and a grant support letter request from WAMY Community Action.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the May 16, 2023, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Public Comment
The following spoke during public comment requesting a minimal housing standard be established: Moriah Cox, Alana Baird, J.B. Brych, Sarah Davis, Olive Burress, Dana Bango, Maegan Furman, Eric Plaag, Brielle Kaluzny, Benjamin Hyler, and Claire McCoy.
Each Commissioner shared appreciation for the comments. Chairman Turnbow stated that the Board would discuss forming a study group to look at viable options.
Chairman Turnbow called for a break beginning at 6:14 P.M. with the meeting resuming at 6:20 P.M.
Public Hearing to Allow Citizen Comment on the FY 2024 Proposed Budget
Chairman Turnbow stated that a public hearing was scheduled to allow citizen comment on the Manager's Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2024.
During the budget work sessions, the Board indicated the desire to evaluate adding a day(s) during the week to allow those individuals unable to utilize Saturday for the 2,000-pound residential waiver. After review with Sanitation staff, the recommendation was to add Thursday in addition to Saturday and evaluate the impact on operations (efficiency on processing of customers through the system, traffic, utilization, and staffing) and finances. The addition of Thursday was included in the proposed rate of $102.87 for the solid waste fee.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to open the public hearing at 6:22 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
The following share comments regarding the proposed budget:
Jessica Yates supporting The Children’s Council
David Jackson supporting Appalachian Theatre and the Community Housing Council & Trust
Allison Jenning supporting WAMY Community Action
Hunter Varipapa supporting The Children’s Council
Elisha Childers supporting The Children’s Council
Virginia Ford supporting The Children’s Council
Kacey Brown supporting The Children’s Council
Eric Plaag supporting the proposed Library expansion
Emily Bish supporting the Board of Elections
Brittany Luxton supporting WAMY Community Action
Monica Caruso supporting the Library and submitted a written comment from Sara Pedroni
Mindy Goble supporting The Children’s Council
Jerry Shore supporting OASIS
Marrena Greer supporting the Southern Appalachian Historical Association
Dana Bango supporting funds for the Community Recreation Center for more senior accommodations.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to close the public hearing at 7:04 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Each Commissioner thanked those who shared comments and expressed the desire to be fiscally responsible while prioritizing the needs of all.
Chairman Turnbow called for a break beginning at 7:16 P.M. with the meeting resuming at 7:28 P.M.
WAMY Community Action Grant Support Request
Ms. Brittany Luxton, WAMY Finance Director, stated that WAMY was applying for the Housing Preservation Grant through the USDA to provide repair and rehabilitation to low and very low-income homes. The grant, if received was for $300,000 and would be used over a two-year term to repair and provide weatherization and heating to qualifying homes. Homes were chosen for the program after being referred by other entities and then being subjected to a priority scoring system. The grant required the support of local government to ensure there was no duplication of services. The Board had access to a proposed letter of support.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the Chairman signing the letter of support.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
NC State Cooperative Extension Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
Mr. Jim Hamilton, Cooperative Extension Director, presented an updated Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the North Carolina State Cooperative Extension and the County. The standardized Lock-In MOA was going to all counties. This was basically the same agreement Watauga has been operating under since the last MOA from 2007. The Watauga MOA Addendum outlined the current salary distributions for Watauga staff who receive direct County funding. The percentages may change slightly over time due to state-only raises, etc. Other Extension Specialists and agents that were funded wholly by NC State and available to Watauga County as regional support were also listed. The other addendum was only needed if the County were to decide to opt-out of the Lock-In Plan. Under the Lock-In MOA, the County would agree to support any state salary changes and would automatically be billed. If desired, the County would have to opt out to Non-Lock-In. In both cases the County could provide raises on the percentages and other increases.
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to adopt the Watauga County Lock-In MOA as presented by Mr. Hamilton.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Mr. Larry Warren, Tax Administrator, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of April 2023. The report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
B. Refunds and Releases
Mr. Larry Warren, Tax Administrator, presented the Refunds and Releases Report for April 2023 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for April 2023 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Proposed Property & Liability Insurance and Workers Compensation Renewals Request
County Manager Geouque presented renewal rates for property and liability insurance and workers compensation. The rate for property and liability was $318,021, an $80,100 increase, and the rate for workers compensation was $212,024, an $18,137 decrease. The increase in property and liability was experienced statewide; in addition to the fire at the Transfer Station and the water damage claims at the Administration Building, Community Recreation Center, and Courthouse. Based on prior years’ claims experience, staff was recommending continuing the property deductible at $5,000. The Manager’s recommended budget included adequate funds to cover the insurance premiums.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to accept the renewals for property and liability insurance and workers compensation from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC), in the amount of $318,021 and $212,024 respectively.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Request to Establish New Multi-Year Fund
County Manager Geouque requested approval to establish a new multi-year fund budget line item for the new Emergency Services Complex. The fund needed to be established at this time due to an upcoming closing date on property where the facility will be constructed.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to approve the establishment of a multi-year fund budget line item for the new Emergency Services Complex.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Boards and Commissions
Recreation Commission
County Manager Geouque stated that, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the opening of the Watauga Community Recreation Center (CRC), several Recreation Commission members needed appointment or reappointment. The County Manager presented the following slate of members with terms that would continue to be staggered as provided by Mr. Eric Smallwood, Parks and Recreation Director:
|
NAME |
REPRESENTING |
ORIGINAL TERM EXPIRATION |
NEW TERM EXPIRATION |
|
|
School |
|
|
|
Jason Eldreth |
Bethel |
2021 |
2024 |
|
Denny Norris |
Green Valley |
2021 |
2024 |
|
Gene Swift |
Parkway |
2021 |
2024 |
|
Brittany Bolick |
Hardin Park |
2022 |
2025 |
|
Sam Painter |
Valle Crucis |
2022 |
2025 |
|
Jared Everett |
Blowing Rock |
2023 |
2026 |
|
Loyce Warren |
Mabel |
New |
2026 |
|
Scott Carter |
Cove Creek |
New |
2026 |
|
|
At-Large Area |
|
|
|
Kalie Epplie |
Town of Boone |
2023 |
2026 |
|
Jeanine Underdown- Collins |
Town of Boone |
2023 |
2026 |
|
Sean Royall |
Beech Mountain |
2022 |
2025 |
|
Vacant |
Town of Boone |
- |
- |
|
Vacant |
Town of Blowing Rock |
- |
- |
|
Vacant |
Town of Seven Devils |
- |
- |
|
|
Elected Board |
|
|
|
Ray Russell |
Watauga County |
Annually/Election |
Annually/Election |
|
Becca Nenow |
Town of Boone |
Annually/Election |
Annually/Election |
|
Doug Matheson |
Town of Blowing Rock |
Annually/Election |
Annually/Election |
|
Ron Henries |
Board of Education |
Annually/Election |
Annually/Election |
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to waive the second reading and appoint the members to the Recreation Commission as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· A live Zoom Ethics Training will be held on May 25, 2023, from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. in the Commissioners Conference Room.
· The Trustees of Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute invited the Board of Commissioners to their meeting on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 6:00 P.M. at the Watauga Campus on Hwy 105 Bypass, Boone NC, in the Student Services Center.
Closed Session
At 7:50 P.M., Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3), Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i), and Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6)
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to resume the open meeting at 9:04 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:04 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Larry Turnbow, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board