MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SPECIAL MEETING
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2025, & FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2025
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on Thursday, February 27, 2025, and Friday, February 28, 2025, in order to conduct a budget retreat to review goals and objectives for the County. The meetings originated in the Commissioners’ Board Room at the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
PRESENT: Braxton Eggers, Chairman
Todd Castle, Vice-Chairman
Emily Greene, Commissioner
Tim Hodges, Commissioner
Ronnie Marsh, Commissioner
Deron Geouque, County Manager/Finance Director
Lunch was provided at 12:00 P.M. Chairman Eggers called the meeting to order on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 1:30 P.M., welcoming those in attendance. Ms. Misty Watson, Finance Director Liaison, joined the meeting for both sessions.
The following topics were discussed:
Opening Remarks
Mr. Deron Geouque
FY 2024 Review and Discussion of FY 2025 Budget
Major Kelly Redmon, Captain Preston Russell, & Captain Brian Bumgarner
A. Sheriff’s Report –
Ms. Misty Watson
B. Revenues
C. Expenditures
D. Debt Service Report
E. Budget Calendar
F. Special Appropriations
Review of Current Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Mr. Deron Geouque & Mr. Robert Marsh
A. Current CIP Status Report
B. Valle Crucis Elementary School
C. County Facilities Assessment Update
D. Board of Elections Storage Needs
E. ARPA Projects/Funding
1. Broadband $7,750,000
2. Kill/Chill Water/Sewer $500,000
Mr. Jim Hamilton
F. 911/Medic/Emergency Services Facility
G. Library
H. School Facilities
Break from 3:28 P.M. to 3:38 P.M.
Sanitation Facility Upgrades
Mr. Chris Marriott
A. Facility Upgrades
B. Recycling
Tax Matters – 2027 Revaluation
Mr. Tyler Rash
Appalachian District Health
Ms. Jennifer Greene & Ms. Lindsay Sullivan
A. District Matters
B. Opioid Plan
Watauga County Comprehensive Plan
Mr. Jason Walker
Watauga Medics
Mr. Craig Sullivan
A. Annual Report
B. Future Needs
County Manager’s Summary
Mr. Deron Geouque
Vice-Chairman Castle, seconded by Commissioner Greene, moved to recess the meeting at 6:02 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Chairman Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Greene, moved to reconvene the meeting on Friday, February 28, 2025, at 9:01 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
EDC/Chamber Foundation Report
Mr. Joe Furman & Mr. David Jackson
Middle Fork Greenway Update
Ms. Wendy Patoprsty
Watauga TDA
Mr. Wright Tilley & Mr. Matt Vincent
Break from 10:14 A.M. to 10:22 A.M.
Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
Dr. Mark Poarch
School Board Funding Issues
Superintendent Dr. Leslie Alexander, School Board Chairman Dr. Gary Childers, Board Member Ms. Allison Idol, as well as Staff members Dr. Chris Blanton, Assistant Superintendent and Human Resources Director, and Ms. Joe Nash, Chief Finance Officer
A. FY 2026 Funding Needs
B. Schools’ Capital Improvement Plan
Public Safety and Emergency Communications Matters
Mr. Will Holt
A. EMS Updates
B. Communications Updates
Miscellaneous & Commissioner Matters
Mr. Deron Geouque
A. State Issues
B. Commissioner Matters
Wrap up, Goals, Objectives, and Board Directives
Budget Work Sessions are set for May 8, 2025, from 12:00 – 8:00 P.M. and May 9, 2025, from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
The County Manager concluded the retreat by reviewing the issues discussed and seeking direction from the Board for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
The meeting adjourned at 1:25 P.M.
Braxton Eggers
Chairman, Watauga County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
Deron Geouque
County Manager