MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2022

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.

 

Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 5:34 P.M.  The following were present:

 

PRESENT:                  John Welch, Chairman

Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman

                                    Carrington Pertalion, Commissioner

                                    Larry Turnbow, Commissioner

                                    Charlie Wallin, 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.

Approval of Minutes

Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the April 5, 2022, regular meeting and closed session minutes.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the April 5, 2022, regular meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the April 5, 2022, closed session minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Approval of Agenda

Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the April 19, 2022, agenda.

 

Chairman Welch requested to add Boards and Commissions to the agenda to consider an appointment to the Workforce Development Board.

 

Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the April 19, 2022, agenda as amended.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Proposed Resolution Recognizing the Month of May as Mental Health Awareness

Commissioner Pertalion read a proposed resolution recognizing the awareness of mental health in the month of May and recognizing an individual or family from our community that has been impacted personally by mental health issues.  This year the Board will honor the Ligon family.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adopt the resolution as presented by Commissioner Pertalion.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Proposed Update of Interlocal Agreement for Appalachian Regional Library

Ms. Jane Blackburn, Director of Libraries with Appalachian Regional Library, presented an Interlocal Agreement with the Appalachian Regional Library that has been adopted by both Ashe and Wilkes Counties.  The current agreement was set to expire in 2022.

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners adopted the new agreement on September 21, 2021; however, additional changes were made prior to adoption by Ashe and Wilkes counties.  The original proposed amendment would add language that would require ARL members to be selected from each county’s local library advisory boards.  This would ensure the ARL Board members were familiar with their local county library.  The additional proposed changes included requiring the ARL Director to consult with the local library board of each member county for review and input in the selection and appointment of the county librarian, and prior to ARL Board approval of the annual budget, the separate budgets of each member county be submitted to that county’s local library board for review and input.  All of the proposed amendments were currently in practice but not in writing.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the interlocal agreement with Appalachian Regional Library with all amendments included as adopted by Ashe and Wilkes Counties.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Budget Amendments

Ms. Misty Watson, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:

 

Account #

Description

Debit

Credit

104310-451001

Capital Outlay – Equipment

$19,140

 

103300-349400

NC Crime Commission Grant

 

$19,140

 

 

 

 

The amendment recognized the purchase of radars provided through a grant from the NC Crime Commission as approve at the February 15, 2022, Board meeting.

 

103300-332006

Senior Health Info Grant

 

$4,007

105550-449901

Senior Health Information Program

$4,007

 

 

 

 

 

The amendment recognized the acceptance of the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) grant funds as approved at the February 15, 2022, Board meeting.  Matching funds were not required from the County.

 

 

 

 

104310-451000

Capital Outlay – Equipment

$9,250

 

103839-343100

Donations – Sheriff’s Office

 

$9,250

 

 

 

 

The amendment recognized the donation of a K-9 as approved at the February 15, 2022, Board meeting.

 

 

 

 

105911-471000

Lottery Funds

 

$300,000

105911-470001

Carpet and Tile

$45,000

 

105911-470005

Cafeteria Equipment

$55,000

 

105911-470037

Gym Floors

$20,000

 

105911-470070

Retaining Wall – Bethel

$50,000

 

105911-470071

Boiler System – Hardin Park

$10,000

 

105911-470019

Classroom Doors

$20,000

 

105911-470043

Renovations/Replace Roofs

$100,000

 

 

 

 

 

The amendment recognized lottery funds requested and approved at the February 15, 2022, Board meeting.

 

 

 

 

105911-470041

Pavement Repair/Resurface

$160,000

 

105911-470034

Security Cameras

$50,000

 

105911-470029

Mobile Unit

$150,000

 

105911-470036

HVAC/Sewer Pumps

$25,000

 

105911-470069

1:1 Devices

$300,000

 

103980-398121

Transfer from Capital Projects Fund

 

$685,000

213991-399101

Fund Balance Appropriation

 

$685,000

219800-498010

Transfer to General Fund

$685,000

 

 

 

 

 

The amendment transferred funds for capital needs from the Capital Reserve for the School System as approved at the February 15, 2022, Board meeting.

 

 

 

 

104920-463000

General Appropriations

$10,000

 

213991-399101

Fund Balance Appropriation

 

$10,000

219800-498010

Transfer to General Fund

$10,000

 

103980-398121

Transfer from Capital Projects Fund

 

$10,000

 

 

 

 

The amendment transferred funds from Capital Reserve for Economic Development funding for the Boomerang Music and Arts Festival as recommended by the Economic Development Commission (EDC) and approved at the March 1, 2022, Board meeting.

 

145310-442201

PC Software and Licenses

$3,723

 

143531-323000

Admin Cost Reimbursement – State and Federal

 

$18,723

145310-469101

Professional Services – Legal

$30,000

 

143991-399102

Fund Balance

 

$15,000

 

 

 

 

The amendment recognized legal fees and PC licenses above the budgeted amount for the Department of Social Services.  The County will be reimbursed 100% of the PC licenses and 50% for legal fees.

 

145410-449031

CARES LIEAP CIP

$317,623

 

143531-323000

Admin Cost Reimbursement – State and Federal

 

$317,623

 

 

 

 

The amendment recognized the allocation of additional funds from the NC Department of Health and Human Services additional funds to assist with LIEAP under the American Rescue Plan Act.

 

 

 

 

145410-449300

APS Essential Services

$3,518

 

143531-323000

Admin Cost Reimbursement – State and Federal

 

$3,518

 

 

 

 

The amendment recognized the allocation of additional funds from the NC Department of Health and Human Services additional funds to assist with Adult Protective Services.

 

104920-463000

General Appropriations

$22,000

 

213991-399101

Fund Balance Appropriation

 

$22,000

219800-498010

Transfer to General Fund

$22,000

 

103980-398121

Transfer from Capital Projects Fund

 

$22,000

 

 

 

 

The amendment transferred funds from Capital Reserve for Economic Development funding for the Spotlight Gold Campaign and video production as recommended by the Economic Development Commission and approved at the March 15, 2022, Board meeting.

 

103835-341351

Town of Beech Mountain Ambulance Crew

 

$71,471

104199-499100

Contingency

 

$11,529

104370-469501

Contracted Services – Watauga Medics

$83,000

 

 

 

 

 

The amendment recognized funds for a 24/7 ambulance to be stationed in Beech Mountain as approved at the March 15, 2022, Board meeting.

 

105890-469857

Blue Ridge RC&D – Todd Island Park

$15,000

 

104199-499100

Contingency

 

$15,000

 

 

 

 

The amendment allocates funds to the Todd Island Park project with the caveat Ashe County match the $15,000 as approved at the November 17, 2020, Board meeting.

 

105890-469858

Habitat for Humanity

$20,000

 

104199-499100

Contingency

 

$20,000

 

 

 

 

The amendment allocated funds to Habitat for Humanity for construction of a new road as approved at the March 1, 2022, Board meeting.

 

667420-457000

Capital Outlay – Land

$125,000

 

663991-399100

Retained Earnings

 

$125,000

 

 

 

 

The amendment recognized funds to purchase property where the current Highway 421 Container Site is located as approved at the February 15, 2022, Board meeting.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Watson.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Tax Matters

A.    Monthly Collections Report

 

Tax Administrator, Mr. Larry Warren, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of March 2022.  The report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.

 

B.    Refunds and Releases

 

Mr. Warren stated that there were no refunds and presented the Releases Report for March 2022 for Board approval:

TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the Releases Report for March 2022 as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Board of Elections Software, Maintenance, and Warranty Agreement with Election Systems & Software, LLC (ES&S)

Mr. Matt Snyder, Board of Elections Director, stated that, per Statute, a contract was required for the maintenance of elections equipment.  The contract was previously required every five years but now had to be approved annually.  Mr. Snyder presented a one-year contract with Election Systems & Software, LLC (“ES&S”) for software, maintenance, and warranty for voting machines to be contingent upon County Attorney approval.  The local Board of Elections voted unanimously to approve the contract with ES&S in the amount of $28,917.52 annually.  Adequate funds were budgeted to cover the expense.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the one-year contract with Election Systems & Software, LLC (“ES&S”) in the amount of $28,917.52 annually.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Miscellaneous Administrative Matters

 

A.    Boards and Commissions

 

Workforce Development Board

 

Chairman Welch stated that Mr. Keith Deveraux, Director of High Country Council of Governments Work Force Development Board, had requested the reappointment of Ms. Jessica Auten for a term ending on June 30, 2024.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Ms. Jessica Auten as a Watauga County representative on the Work Force Development Board with a term ending on June 30, 2024.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

B.    Announcements

 

County Manager Geouque announced the following:

 

·       Budget Work Sessions are scheduled for Thursday, May 12, 2022, beginning at 12:00 noon and Friday, May 13, 2022, beginning at 9:00 A.M.

 

·       Registration for the 2022 Watauga Compassionate Community Initiative (WCCI) Conference is now open and available at www.wataugacci.org.  Registration closes Monday, April 25, 2022.

 

·       The deadline date for citizens to appeal their new property tax valuation has been extended to April 29, 2022.  The extension was enacted due to a printing issue which caused the valuation letters to be mailed later than planned.  The new date will give property owners a full three-week period to appeal their value.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy announced that the last of the four housing forum sessions was upcoming and encouraged attendance.

 

County Manager Geouque stated that the Board of Elections would be using the Board of Commissioners’ Board Room for one-stop voting through May 17, 2022, and again in July for a second primary. 

 

The County Manager recommended moving the May 3 and July 19 meetings to the Community Room in the Community Recreation Center (CRC) and to reschedule the May 17, 2022, meeting to either Wednesday, May 18, or Tuesday, May 24, and hold it in the Commissioners’ Board Room which is better suited for budget public hearing which is scheduled for the second meeting in May each year.

 

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to change the venue of the May 3, 2022, and July 19, 2022, regular Board meetings to the Community Room in the Community Recreation Center and to reschedule the May 17, 2022, meeting to Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Public Comment

There was no public comment.

Closed Session

At 6:03 P.M., Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3) and Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6).

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:36 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Possible Action After Closed Session

There was no action after closed session.

Adjourn

Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:36 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

 

John Welch, Chairman

 

ATTEST:

Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board