MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SPECIAL MEETING

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 & TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on Monday, February 18, 2019, and Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 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 PM. Chairman Welch called the meeting to order on Monday, February 18, 2019, at 12:40 PM, welcoming those in attendance.

 

The following topics were discussed:

 

Opening Remarks

      Mr. Deron Geouque

FY 2019 Review and Discussion of 2020 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.     Turner Building

5.     Recreation Fields

a.      Reorientation of Complex Field

b.     Tennis Courts

c.      Basketball Courts

d.     Pickleball Courts

e.      Draft Fee Schedule for New Community Recreation Center

Break from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM

Sanitation Matters

      Mr. Rex Buck

1.     New Solid Waste Contract

2.     Solid Waste Ordinance

3.     Community Pride Schedule

Tourism Development Authority (TDA)

      Mr. Matt Vincent and Mr. Wright Tilley

Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute

      Dr. Mark Poarch

Break from 4:45 PM to 5:00 PM

School Board Funding Issues

      Superintendent Dr. Scott Elliott, School Board Members Ron Henries, Jason Cornett,

      Dr. Jay Fenwick, Dr. Gary Childers, and Staff members Ly Marze, Dr. Stephen Martin,       Danny Clark

1.     FY 2020 Funding Needs

2.     Schools’ Capital Improvement Plan

Public Safety and Emergency Communications Systems Study Update

      Mr. Marvin Hoffman and Mr. Will Holt

County Manager’s Summary

      Mr. Deron Geouque

 

A recess was declared at 6:46 P.M.  The meeting reconvened on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at 9:00 AM.

 

Children’s Council Presentation

      Ms. Crystal Kelly

Update on Recreational Projects

      Mr. Joe Furman & Ms. Wendy Patoprsty

1.     Guy Ford Paddle Access

2.     Middle Fork Greenway

Community Recreation Center (CRC) Update

      Mr. Chad Roberson

County Facilities Assessment

      Mr. Chad Roberson

Landfill Solar Lease

      Mr. Derek Moretz

 

Miscellaneous & Commissioner Matters

      Mr. Deron Geouque

Budget work sessions were set for May 8, 2019, from 2-8 P.M. and May 9, 2019, from 9 A.M.-4 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 2019-2020.

 

The meeting adjourned at 11:25 PM

 

John Welch

Chairman, Watauga County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

Deron Geouque

County Manager