MINUTES

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

COUNTY OF HENDERSON JANUARY 18, 2001

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners met for a special called meeting at 8:30 a.m. at Johnson Farm in Hendersonville, North Carolina. This was a Board Retreat.

Those present were: Chairman Bill Moyer, Vice-Chair Marilyn Gordon, Commissioner Grady Hawkins, Commissioner Don Ward, County Manager/Acting Clerk to the Board David E. Nicholson and Assistant to the County Manager/Budget Analyst Selena Coffey.

CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME

Chairman Moyer called the meeting to order. He introduced Dr. Tom Burnham, Superintendent of the Henderson County Public Schools System. Dr. Burnham welcomed the Board to Johnson Farm, which is owned by the School System. Dr. Burnham then introduced Doug McQueen, who served as the facilitator during the retreat.

INSTRUCTIONS/SETTING OF GOALS

Following introductions, the Board established the purpose of the workshop. This included the establishment of short and long term goals, holding a Ameeting of the minds,@ setting realistic goals for the future, finding ways to become more proactive, and providing direction for the budget process.

Mr. McQueen explained that the process for the day would include the following: recognizing the Commissioners= vision, deciding where we are today, identifying the barriers, and setting goals and establishing activities for meeting these goals.

Goals

The Board agreed that the issues facing our community include: agreement on a thoroughfare plan, development and implementation of a consolidated County facilities plan, making our facilities more cost effective, developing a plan for facility growth, continuing the successful school facility program, and the development of a program that will eventually allow for a successful school bond referendum. The Board also agreed that input from the citizens and non-residents would be essential in developing and implementing successful goals.

Vision Statement

Following much discussion, the Board settled on the following vision statement:

Henderson County - Better Living

Better Opportunities

Better Community

Recess for lunch

The Board had lunch at 11:30 a.m. and reconvened at 12:00.

Staff who joined the Board for lunch were: County Attorney Angela S. Beeker, Asst. County Attorney Jennifer Jackson, Finance Director J. Carey McLelland, and County Engineer Gary Tweed.

BOARD GOALS

The Board then developed a set of short term and long term goals. They were as follows.

YEAR ONE PLAN

I. Revise the land use implementation guide to reflect a balance between quality of life and standard of living.

II. Evaluate and understand the County’s growth and develop a plan to manage that growth. This plan would include all sectors of our economy including industry, tourism, agriculture, retirees and commercial.

III. Complete the addressing project.

IV. Complete and begin implementation of a County facilities plan.

V. Develop a regional solid waste plan.

VI. Complete detention center and implement effective operating procedures.

VII. Complete and adopt a County thoroughfare plan.

VIII. Monitor and ensure compliance with school facilities plan.

IX. Develop and begin implementation of a countywide GIS plan.

X. Evaluate and make a decision on the way County Commissioners are elected.

THREE YEAR PLAN

I. Develop a three-year capital improvement plan.

II. Develop a plan to improve community’s confidence in county government.

III. Revise and adopt a Comprehensive Land Use Plan to reflect balance between quality of life and standard of living and begin implementation of the Plan.

IV. Complete the implementation of the County’s facilities plan.

V. Enhance and improve economic integration within the County.

VI. Integrate all aspects of planning-schools, roads, water, sewerage, housing, industrial, commercial, services-into a comprehensive growth management plan.

VII. Continue to work with the school board and community to improve school facilities and classroom effectiveness.

VIII. Ensure community safety and human services needs are being met.

Staff Direction

The Board requested that the County Manager develop a plan to seek the public=s input on the goals and the action steps necessary to complete these goals for the February 5, 2001 meeting.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 3:15 PM

Notes for these minutes were prepared by Acting Clerk to the Board David E. Nicholson.

Attest:

Elizabeth W. Corn, Clerk to the Board

William L. Moyer, Chairman