MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

 

SPECIAL MEETINGS, FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2000 &

SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 2000

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held special meetings on Friday, March 17, 2000 and Saturday, March 18, 2000 in order to conduct a retreat. The meetings were held in the Embers Room, Chetola Resort, Blowing Rock, N.C.

PRESENT: Jimmy Hodges, Chairman

Sue Sweeting, Vice-Chairman

James Coffey, Commissioner

Art Kohles, Commissioner

Jeff Hedrick, County Attorney

Robert E. Nelson, Jr., County Manager

Libby Link, Clerk to the Board

Dr. Lawrence, Sr. was ill and unable to attend the meetings.

Chairman Hodges called the meeting to order on Friday, March 17, 2000 at 5:55 P.M. welcoming those in attendance. Mr. Kurt Jenne from the Institute of Government served as Facilitator. Mr. Jenne briefly reviewed the retreat’s agenda with the Board.

 

The following Department Heads addressed the Board and presented reports: Tax Administrator, Larry McLean, Finance Director, Doris Isaacs, and Data Processing Director, Glenda Duncan.

 

A recess was declared at 7:15 P.M., and the meeting resumed at 7:20 P.M.

 

Following the recess, the additional Department Heads addressed the Board and presented reports: Parks & Recreation Director, Deb Wynne, Social Services Director, Jim Atkinson, Operation Services Director, J. V. Potter, and Planning & Inspections Director, Joe Furman.

 

A recess was declared at 8:53 P.M., and the meeting resumed at 8:57 P.M.

 

Planning & Inspections Director, Joe Furman, discussed the report from the Blue Ribbon Commission on Growth Issues and reviewed different ways to address land use management.

 

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Commissioner Kohles, moved to recess the meeting at 10:05 P.M.

 

 

VOTE: Aye-4

Absent-1 (Lawrence)

 

The meeting reconvened on Saturday, March 18, 2000 at 8:00 A.M.

 

Mr. Mike Wagoner, President of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, and Ms. Marion Sofield, Director of Economic Development, addressed the Board and presented a report/strategic business plan.

 

County Manager Nelson and Finance Director, Doris Isaacs, reviewed space issues/a capital improvement plan as well as issues related to the Fiscal Year 2000/2001 budget.

 

A recess was declared at 9:30 A.M., and the meeting resumed at 9:38 A.M.

 

County Manager Nelson and Finance Director Isaacs continued discussion as noted.

 

A recess was declared at 11:25 A.M., and the meeting resumed at 11:31 A.M.

 

Chairman Hodges then turned the meeting over to Facilitator, Kurt Jenne. Mr. Jenne briefly reviewed the information/reports which had been presented to the Board. He stated he would provide Board members with a summary of what had been discussed during the retreat.

 

No action was taken during the retreat.

 

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Vice-Chairman Sweeting, moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:47 A.M.

 

VOTE: Aye-4

Absent-1 (Lawrence)

 

 

 

_________________________________

Jimmy Hodges

Chairman

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

_________________________________

Elizabeth H. Link

Clerk to the Board