MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at 5:30 P.M. remotely with the meeting originating in the Commissioners’ Board Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
Chairman Welch called the remote electronic meeting to order at 5:32 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: John Welch, Chairman
Carrington Pertalion, Commissioner
Charlie Wallin, Commissioner
Larry Turnbow, Commissioner
Anthony di Santi, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Commissioner Wallin opened with a prayer and Commissioner Turnbow led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy was not in attendance due to a prior commitment.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the April 20, 2021, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the April 20, 2021, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the April 20, 2021, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the May 4, 2021, agenda.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the May 4, 2021, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Consideration of Proposed Resolution Expressing the Appreciation of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners
Chairman Welch read a proposed resolution expressing appreciation for the assistance received from other law enforcement agencies, public safety agencies, individuals, organizations and businesses throughout the County’s recent tragedy which resulted in the deaths of Sergeant Chris Ward and Deputy Logan Fox.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adopt the “Resolution Expressing the Appreciation of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners for the Assistance Received to Our Community During the Tragic Event of April 28, 2021, and the Ensuing Aftermath” as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Community Update
County Manager Geouque stated that Ms. Jennifer Greene, AppHealthCare Director, had a prior commitment and was not available to provide an update on the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
State of Emergency (SOE) Discussion
A modified State of Emergency was presented for the County which would impact the method County meetings would be held. The section addressing electronic meetings had been removed. Future meetings of the Board of Commissioners and County affiliated Boards and Commissions would adhere to the North Carolina Open Meetings Law followed prior to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Meetings would be held with attending Board/Commission members in person and proof of COVID-19 vaccination would not be required. The proposed recommended effective date was May 5, 2021, at 12:00 A.M.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the amended State of Emergency as presented with the effective date of May 5, 2021, at 12:00 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
FY 2022 AppalCART Contracts
Mr. Craig Hughes, AppalCART Director, gave an update on services. Ridership was down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first electric bus and charging station was being ordered. Two routes would be added in August. Mr. Hughes presented four contracts for FY 2022 transportation services for the County including the Project on Aging and Social Services Departments. The proposed rates for the Project on Aging, Department of Social Services, and other County functions were $2.28 per direct mile. Mr. Hughes also presented a contract for the POA Meal delivery with a $1.45 per direct mile rate. The rate was one of the rare instances that direct miles and service miles were about the same. Thus, the rate of $1.45 versus the $2.28 rate proposed in the other contracts. The $1.45 rate had previously been the same for the last five (5) years.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the AppalCART four contracts for Project on Aging, Project on Aging Meals, Social Services, and Watauga County as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Sheriff’s Office Request for Axon Body Camera Program/Contract Year 5 Payment
Chairman Welch extended condolences to Captain Justin Wood prior to his presentation in regards to the recent tragedy of losing two officers in the line of duty. Captain Justin Wood thanked Chairman Welch and added that the support was appreciated. Captain Wood requested approval for payment of the final installment for the purchase and service contract for the Axon body cameras along with licensing fees and cloud-based storage. Adequate funds were budgeted in the current FY 2020-2021 budget.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to pay Axon for the final installment payment of the body cameras along with licensing fees and cloud-based storage in the amount of $20,636.73.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Presentation of the FY 2022 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
County Manager Geouque presented his FY 2021-2022 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for review prior to discussion during the upcoming budget work sessions.
B. Presentation of the Manager’s FY 2022 Recommended Budget
County Manager Geouque presented his Recommended FY 2022 Budget and reviewed highlights. Mr. Geouque announced the upcoming budget work sessions scheduled on Thursday, May 13, 2021, beginning at 12:00 P.M. and Friday, May 14, 2021 at 9:00 A.M. A public hearing was scheduled on May 18, 2021, at 5:30 P.M. to allow citizen comment on the proposed budget.
C. Proposed Property & Liability Insurance and Workers Compensation Renewals Request
County Manager Geouque presented proposed renewal rates for property and liability insurance and workers compensation. The rate for property and liability was $205,592 which was a $10,071 increase and the rate for workers compensation remains the same at $237,279. Based on prior years’ claims experience, staff is recommending continuing the property deductible at $5,000. The Manager’s recommended budget includes adequate funds to cover the insurance premiums.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, 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 $205,592 and $237,279 respectively.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
D. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· Budget work sessions were scheduled for May 13, 2021, from 12:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and May 14, 2021 from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M., respectively.
· A public hearing would be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at 5:30 P.M. to allow for citizen comment on the Manager’s FY 2022 Recommended Budget.
· Watauga County Offices were scheduled to close at 12 noon on Thursday, May 6, 2021, to allow for employees to attend the service for our recently fallen officers.
Chairman Welch announced the funeral arrangements for Sergeant Chris Ward and Deputy Logan Fox. The service would begin at 3:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 6, 2021, in the Convocation Center on the Campus of Appalachian State University.
Public Comment
There was one public comment submitted from the Watauga County Historical Society.
Closed Session
At 6:05 P.M., Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:01 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Adjourn
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:01 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
John Welch, Vice-Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board