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MINUTES

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA	BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF HENDERSON	JUNE 21, 1999

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners met for a special called meeting at 3:00 p.m. in Kaplan Auditorium of the Henderson County Public Library.

Those present were: Chairman Grady Hawkins, Vice-Chair Bill Moyer, Commissioner Renee Kumor, Commissioner Don Ward, Commissioner Marilyn Gordon, County Manager David E. Nicholson, Assistant County Manager Angela S. Beeker, Finance Director J. Carey McLelland, and Budget Analyst Selena Coffey.

Absent was: Clerk to the Board, Elizabeth W. Corn. David Nicholson prepared notes for Ms. Corn.

CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME

Chairman Hawkins called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance. He informed the Board that the first item on the agenda was to hold a public hearing on a possible Community Development Block Grant.

PUBLIC HEARING - Habitat for Humanity

Possible Community Development Block Grant

Commissioner Kumor made the motion to go into public hearing. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Chairman Hawkins requested that any person or organization that wished to present a project for possible consideration to speak.

Public Input

1. Malcolm McCormick - Mr. McCormick presented Habitat for Humanity=s plan for Grove Hills, a new subdivision in East Flat Rock. They have met with representatives from the North Carolina Community Development Office in Raleigh and are restructuring their grant to meet the requirements of the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant. The total subdivision would include 30 homes with infrastructure for 23 of the homes coming from CDBG. The land was purchased through a Habitat for Humanity International Grant.

2. Jack Lynch - Mr. Lynch, League of Henderson County Property Owners, spoke in support of the grant. Mr. Lynch stated that he had reviewed the plans and that the homes would be constructed for low income persons and persons with disabilities.

Commissioner Kumor made the motion to go out of public hearing. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Commissioner Kumor made the motion to hold the second public hearing on July 12, 1999 at 2:30 p.m. at the County Office Building. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Dr. David Sink, President of Blue Ridge Community College, introduced their new Dean of Fiscal Affairs, Ed Bell and new Trustee appointee Fielding Lucas to the Board of Commissioners.

The College is pleased with the County Manager=s recommended budget with the exception of a couple of items. Dr. Sink reviewed the need for improved security at the College. They have had some problems with threats since the DSS staff moved onto the campus. The cost for two Sheriff=s Deapartment employees would be $80,000 or $30,000 for the private security service. Dr. Sink informed the Board that the County Manager recommended $200,000 for Capital projects in the budget. They had requested $685,000 to set aside for future projects including a motorcycle course and an athletic complex. The Board questioned if enough funds were included in their budget for maintenance. Dr. Sink stated that the recommended budget included the maintenance funds.

Chairman Hawkins then brought up the subject of the land at BRCC. He stated that Dr. Sink had informed him that the deed needed to be transferred into the Trustee=s name in order to match the state grant for the completion of the auditorium. The Board stated that they want the Trustees to understand that the County is considering the construction of a County Complex at this site. Should a decision be made to build such a complex at BRCC, the Board expects that the property would revert back to the County. Dr. Sink stated that the Trustees understood that this was a possibility. He stated that there is property behind the campus that could be considered for a future land purchase for the College=s needs. The Board recognized that the College will need land in the future and agreed that the County should consider a right of first refusal on the property next to the hospital. The Chairman will work with staff on an agreement.

BUDGET WORK SESSION

The Board then began the review of the County=s budget. They reviewed the budget for the County Manager, Assistant County Manager and Human Resources. The Board discussed the proposal to establish a Purchasing Department for the County.

Following much discussion, the Board agreed to study the need and cost savings for the coming fiscal year and consider this issue for Fiscal Year 2000-2001. The Board then reviewed the budgets of the Board of Elections, County Assessor, Tax Collector, Legal Department, Register of Deeds, Public Buildings, Garage, and Court Facilities.

There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairman Hawkins adjourned the meeting at 5:30 p.m.

ATTEST:

Elizabeth W. Corn, Clerk Grady Hawkins, Chairman