MINUTES

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

COUNTY OF HENDERSON MAY 29, 2001

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners met for a special called meeting at 3:00 p.m. in the Commissioners= Conference Room of the Henderson County Office Building at 100 North King Street, Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Those present were: Chairman Bill Moyer, Vice-Chair Marilyn Gordon, Commissioner Grady Hawkins, Commissioner Don Ward, Commissioner Charlie Messer, County Manager David E. Nicholson, Finance Director J. Carey McLelland, and Budget Analyst/Assistant to the County Manager Selena Coffey.

Absent was: Clerk to the Board Elizabeth W. Corn. David Nicholson took notes for preparation of these minutes.

Also present were: Sheriff George Erwin, Major Eddie Watkins, and Captains Mac Varnadore, Eddie Pruett, and Rodney Raines.

CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME

Chairman Moyer called the meeting to order. He then made the motion for the Board to go into closed session as allowed pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11 for the following reasons:

1. (a)(1) To prevent disclosure of information that is privileged or confidential pursuant to the law of this State or of the United States, or not considered a public record within the meaning of Chapter 132 of the General Statutes allowed by and pursuant to NCGS 153A-98.

2. (a)(3) To consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the public body, which privilege is hereby acknowledged and to consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to consider and give instructions to the attorney with respect to a claim.

3. (a)(5) To establish, or to instruct the public body=s staff or negotiating agents concerning the position to be taken by or on behalf of the public body in negotiating the amount of compensation and other material terms of an employment contract or proposed employment contract.

4. (a)(6) To consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee; or to hear or investigate a complaint, charge, or grievance by or against an individual public officer or employee.

All voted in favor and the motion carried.

Commissioner Ward made the motion for the Board to go out of closed session. All voted in favor and the motion carried.

FY 2001-2002 BUDGET WORKSHOP

Chairman Moyer called the meeting back to order and stated the purpose of the meeting was to meet with the Sheriff and his staff concerning their requested budget for FY 2001-2002.

Sheriff Erwin stated that he understood the position the County is in due to the state budget crisis. He and his staff are willing to work with the Board on this year=s budget. Sheriff Erwin stated that the largest portion of their budget request is in the area of personnel. Positions requested include Middle School Resource Officers, Telecommunicators, Court Security, Victim Service and Crime Scene staff.

Chairman Moyer asked about the amount of funding needed for the leased vehicle program. The Sheriff informed the Board of the importance of the leased vehicle program to his department and the effect on the other county departments. They have 18 total leased vehicles, of which 18 are paid by non-county funds. The County Manager informed the Board that funds were included in his recommended budget to continue the leased vehicle program. Vehicle funds were cut for non-recommended positions.

Chairman Moyer then asked about non-emergency calls to the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center. Sheriff Erwin stated that they are getting less non-emergency calls on 9-1-1. He believes that calls to 311 or 211 are confusing to the public.

Commissioner Hawkins asked about the increase in service calls for the Town of Fletcher and Laurel Park. Commissioner Ward stated that Henderson County should again look at indirect costs for the municipalities in the area of law enforcement. The Board also noted less meals served at the Jail and transports.

The County Manager suggested that the County should look at the 9-1-1 telephone surcharge for the satellite receivers. The Sheriff indicated that he would continue to research grants for the School Resource Officers and Victim Assistance programs.

Funds were included within the Detention Center Budget to continue the Booking Program with a charge to the municipalities. The new facility was designed with centralized booking in mind. Staff will look at alternative sources of revenues such as state reimbursements to fund this program.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

Attest:

Elizabeth W. Corn, Clerk to the Board William L. Moyer, Chairman