MINUTES
STATE OF NORTH
CAROLINA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF HENDERSON JUNE 3, 2002
The Henderson County Board of Commissioners
met for a regularly scheduled meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Commissioners'
Conference Room of the Henderson County Office Building.
Those present were: Chairman Bill Moyer, Vice-Chair Marilyn Gordon, Commissioner
Grady Hawkins, Commissioner Don Ward, Commissioner Charlie Messer, County
Manager David E. Nicholson, County Attorney Angela S. Beeker, and Clerk to the
Board Elizabeth W. Corn.
Also present were: Planning Director Karen C.
Smith, Assistant County Attorney Jennifer O. Jackson, Assistant to the County
Manager/Budget Analyst Selena Coffey, Public Information Officer Chris S.
Coulson, Fire Marshal/Emergency Management Coordinator Rocky Hyder, Property
Addressing Technician Curtis Griffin, and Deputy Clerk to the Board/Volunteer
Coordinator Amy Brantley.
CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME
Chairman Moyer called the meeting to order
and welcomed all in attendance.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Gordon led the Pledge of
Allegiance to the American Flag.
INVOCATION
County Manager David E. Nicholson gave the
invocation.
MAYOR=S CUP RAFT RACE
Chairman Moyer announced that Henderson
County had a team in the Raft Race on Sunday and did better in the Raft Race
this year than they ever have, coming in with a yellow ribbon for fourth place
(beating Fletcher). Our Captain this
year was Chairman Moyer with the following team mates: Commissioner Messer,
Deputy Ken McCraw, and Deputy Duane Frickle. Chairman Moyer stressed that they
were the first raft to cross the finish line with only four members, the teams
ahead of them had six members.
Congratulations to our team.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT OF AGENDA
Chairman Moyer added the following items
under ADiscussion Items@:
1.
Update on
Westfeldt Park
2.
Regional Water
Agreement - Negotiations Meeting update
3.
Update on
Legislative Briefing in Raleigh - NCACC
Commissioner Hawkins added one item under ADiscussion Items@
4.
County Manning
Commissioner Ward added one item under ADiscussion Items@
5.
Budgeting
Procedures
Chairman Moyer made the motion to approve the
agenda as revised. All voted in favor
and the motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner Ward asked to pull item AD - Financial Report@ to ask the County Manager a question. After asking his question, he was satisfied
that Item AD@ go back into the Consent Agenda.
Chairman Moyer asked that item AG@ be pulled for some discussion - AResolution - Strive to Drive Week@.
Angela Beeker reminded the Board that they
had received a revision to the May 2 set of minutes and if they approved them
to please approve them with the revision.
Chairman Moyer made the motion to approve
items A through F (as follows) of the Consent Agenda. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
The CONSENT AGENDA included the following:
AA@ -Minutes
Minutes from the May 2, 2002 special called
meeting were presented for the Board=s review/approval. A revised set was presented with an amendment which
was considered to be the set approved at this meeting.
AB@ -State Road Addition Petitions
A road petition had been submitted for
Kendrick Court in Grove Hills Subdivision to be added to the State Maintenance
System. It has been the practice of
this Board to accept road petitions and forward them to NC Department of Transportation
for their review. It has also been the
practice of the Board not to ask NC DOT to change the priority for roads on the
paving priority list.
AC@ -Tax Collector=s Report
Terry F. Lyda, Tax Collector, had provided
the Tax Collector=s
Report dated May 29 for the Board=s information.
Darlene B. Burgess, Deputy Tax Collector, had
provided the Deputy Tax Collector=s Report dated May 28 for the Board=s information.
AD@ -Financial Report - April 2002
Cash Balance Report - April 2002
The Financial Report and the Cash Balance
Report for April were presented for the Board=s information and consent approval.
AE@ -Henderson County Public Schools Financial
Report - April 2002
The Schools Financial Report for April was
presented for the Board=s information and consent approval.
AF@ -Community Advisory Committee Report
The Nursing/Adult Care Home Community
Advisory Committee Chairman (Nuala Fay) had submitted their annual report for
the Board=s information.
Discussion of Item G - AResolution - Strive to Drive Week@
Chairman Moyer questioned what the Board=s policy is going to be with respect to
individuals that submit Proclamations/Resolutions for discussion and
adoption. His policy had been in the
past not to accept individual Proclamations/Resolutions. We do not have a written policy. Chairman Moyer felt that we should develop a
written policy to serve as a guide.
Much discussion followed with the consensus
of the Board being to develop a procedure or policy for handling
Proclamations/Resolutions in the future.
There was a question raised about how to handle this one since we have
received it and placed it on the agenda.
Mr. Nicholson and Ms. Beeker were asked to
put this out over their professional listserves and see how other counties
handle this issue, whether they accept Proclamations/Resolutions from
individuals. It seems that some
counties have discontinued placing
Proclamations/Resolutions on their agenda altogether because of issues that
have arisen. No formal policy has been
found as yet.
Mrs. Beeker informed the Board that even
though they don=t have a written policy, their past actions
have created a policy in practice.
Following continued discussion, Chairman
Moyer asked the individual (in attendance) if it was OK with him if the Board pulled
his resolution and delayed action on it. Staff will do some further research
and the Board will review it again at a later date. He agreed to the Board pulling his resolution from this agenda.
No action was taken on the Resolution.
NOMINATIONS
Chairman Moyer reminded the Board of the
following vacancies and opened the floor to nominations:
1.
Equalization
and Review - 1 vac.
There were no nominations at this time so
this item was rolled to the next meeting.
2.
Juvenile Crime
Prevention Council - 5 vac.
Commissioner Ward nominated Jim Rasmussen for
reappointment to position #17 and Tim Hopkins from the Recreation Department to
position #18. There were no other
nominations at this time. Commissioner
Ward made the motion to suspend the rules and appoint both men by
acclamation. All voted in favor and the
motion carried. Three vacancies remain.
Commissioner Messer stated that position # 10
has been open for some time. It must be
filled by someone from the faith community.
3.
Henderson County
Board of Health - 5 vac.
Commissioner Gordon nominated John Bell,
Susanne Kilgo, Karylee Clark, and Keith Dale for reappointment to their
respective slots and Richmond Meadows from the General Public to position #
9. There were no other nominations at
this time. Commissioner Gordon made the
motion to suspend the rules and appoint all five by acclamation. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
4.
Nursing/Adult
Care Home Community Advisory Committee - 5 vac.
Commissioner Hawkins nominated Doris Goodwin
for position # 2. There were no other
nominations at this time. Commissioner
Hawkins made the motion to suspend the rules and appoint Ms. Goodwin by
acclamation. All voted in favor and the
motion carried.
5.
Community Child
Protection Team - 1 vac.
Commissioner Messer nominated Sherri
Norman. There were no other nominations
at this time. Commissioner Messer made
the motion to suspend the rules and appoint Ms. Norman by acclamation. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
6.
Zoning Board of
Adjustment, Hendersonville City - 1 vac.
There were no nominations at this time so
this item was rolled to the next meeting.
7.
Zoning Board of
Adjustment, Fletcher - 1 vac.
There were no nominations at this time so
this item was rolled to the next meeting.
8.
Mountain Area
Workforce Development Board - 4 vac.
Commissioner Hawkins nominated Richard Raube
for reappointment. There were no other
nominations. Commissioner Hawkins made
the motion to suspend the rules and appoint Mr. Raube by acclamation. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Chairman Moyer asked Ms. Brantley to contact
the other members of this Board to see if they are willing to continue to serve
on this Board, prior to the next meeting.
9.
Social Services
Board - 1 vac.
Commissioner Ward nominated Argie
Taylor. Chuck McGrady had previously
been nominated. The Clerk was asked to
poll the Board:
Commissioner Ward - Argie
Taylor
Commissioner Messer - Chuck McGrady
Chairman Moyer - Chuck McGrady
Commissioner Hawkins - Argie Taylor
Commissioner Gordon
- Chuck McGrady
Chuck McGrady received three of the five
votes so he was appointed to the Social Services Board.
WORK FIRST BLOCK GRANT
The Chairman and the County Manager had
received a memo from Liston Smith, DSS Director, concerning the County=s Work First Block Grant and the need for
clarification of the statutes associated with this program. This issue deals with the County=s funding responsibilities.
Liston Smith was present to make the Commissioners
aware of this information in case they desire to bring this issue up with the
North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC). The main question Liston asked was ADoes the NC General Assembly intend for
electing counties to be responsible for the cost of cash assistance payments
that result from increased caseloads beyond the funds allocated?@
County Budget Estimates for FY 2002-2003 (provided by DHHS in accordance
with General Statutes 108A-88) states:
AElecting counties are responsible for the
cost of cash assistance payments that result from increased caseloads beyond
the funds that have been allocated to them.@ [page 2]
Mr. Smith stated that available information,
or the lack thereof, raises reasonable doubt as to whether the DHHS
interpretation accurately represents the intent of the General Assembly. To the best of his information, no written
document is available nor has been made available to County Commissioners in
electing counties from DHHS or the General Assembly supporting the DHHS
interpretation.
Mr. Smith felt that this might be an effort
to end electing counties. He feels that
DHHS has taken a position that if an electing county runs out of their cash
assistance line item, then the electing county is on their own, if a standard
county runs out of the cash assistance line item, the State will help them. Mr.
Smith feels that is not in the Statutes nor is it the intention of the General
Assembly.
Henderson County is an electing county. Mr. Smith did not feel that Henderson County
will be negatively impacted by that
fact. Every two years counties decide
whether they want to be standard or electing.
Mr.
Smith=s recommendation to the DSS Board was that we
would not experience an actual fiscal impact.
It=s too unpredictable so he took the prudent
route to allocate $252,000 for FY 2002-2003 for the cash assistance line
item. He stated that this was moving
monies from one pot to another. He also
does not plan to fill two vacant positions in anticipation of this possible
deficit.
Much discussion followed. There was a suggestion that we get an
opinion from the Attorney General.
Chairman Moyer reviewed what the County
Manager=s recommendation was - that the Board request
the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) assistance in
clarifying this law. It was suggested
to also work through our Legislators.
Staff will proceed to try to get some clarification. There was still some consideration
concerning getting the Attorney General=s opinion.
OFFER TO PURCHASE FORECLOSED PROPERTY
Lots 26, 38, 39, & 40 of Lee Morgan
Subdivision
Ms. Beeker reminded the Board that on September
19, 2001, the Board of Commissioners proposed acceptance of a bid submitted on
Lots 26, 38, 39, and 40 of Lee Morgan Subdivision (property which was acquired
by the County in a Sheriff=s sale held for the nonpayment of taxes in 1985). The bid submitted at that time was for
$600.00. In accordance with the Policy
Regarding the Sale of Real Property Owned by Henderson County as a Result of a
Tax Foreclosure Sale, this original bid was advertised in the Times-News
and went through an unusually active upset bid process. The final bid received by the County was
submitted by David LaFave on May 6, 2002, in the amount of $18,000. This bid was advertised on May 13, 2002, but
no further upset bids have been received.
The proper paperwork, including a signed release and deposit, are on
file for this bid. The County Attorney
submitted this bid for final acceptance by the Board.
Ms. Beeker stated that if the Board is
inclined to accept Mr. LaFave=s bid, the Commissioners should consider the proposed resolution which
accepts the offer and authorizes the sale to Mr. LaFave based on the bid of
$18,000.00 that he submitted.
The County Manager noted that the bidding
process worked well in this instance in that the original bid of $600 was
increased to $18,000 (30 times the original bid). Acceptance was therefore recommended.
Following discussion, Commissioner Gordon
made the motion to adopt the Resolution as presented authorizing the sale of
lots 26, 38, 39, & 40 of Lee Morgan Subdivision as discussed. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
ETOWAH-HORSE SHOE FIRE DISTRICT EXPANSION
Etowah Horse-Shoe Fire Department is
scheduled to receive an insurance grading survey from the NC Department of
Insurance (State Fire Marshals Office) in mid June. As part of the survey the department must present current
information on their insurance district boundaries. Therefore the department is requesting a resolution accepting the
district boundaries for insurance grading purposes only. This resolution will not affect the fire tax
district. The State has changed their
rules allowing a six mile radius for an insurance district now instead of a five mile radius. The area in the four to five mile radius
will receive the same insurance grade as the rest of the district. The department of insurance has decided that
the area in the six mile district (from five to six mile radius, across the
state) can only have class IX coverage because of the distance from the fire
house, response times, etc.
Following discussion, Commissioner Hawkins
made the motion to approve the presented Resolution (attached hereto and
incorporated as a part of these minutes) approving the expansion of the
boundaries of the Etowah Horse-Shoe Fire District. Commissioner Ward seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
INFORMAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
1. Dotty Effinger - Ms. Effinger asked the Board to please
authorize the County Manager to get started with the Committee on Mental
Health. On December 5, 1996, at the
request of Chairman Kumor, Ms. Effinger had written a report on the
organization/reorganization of County Government and an Analysis of Mental
Health Statutes. She asked the Board=s permission to redistribute that report
because it fits what is happening right now.
She informed the Board that she has loads of information she would be
happy to share with anyone.
She again stressed to the Board to allow the
County Manager to get the Committee going to find out what our needs are.
UPDATE - WESTFELDT PARK - Add-on by Chairman Moyer
Commissioner Messer reminded those in
attendance that Westfeldt Park is a park in the northern part of the county,
off Hwy #280. Westfeldt Park was shut
down last fall, around Labor Day due to safety concerns at the park. Following the shut-down the Army Corp of
Engineers became involved and did a lot of clearing at the park. All the clearing has been done now. The park is now open, the dock, the ramp,
etc. There has been some activity there
in the last week or so. He encouraged
everyone to go by and check out Westfeldt Park, enjoy the trails and the French
Broad River.
David Nicholson explained that after the Corp
of Engineers did their clearing, our Solid Waste personnel used a chipper and
ground up the debris. Staff leveled it
out and have been hydroseeding. He also stressed for people to use the park.
REGIONAL WATER - NEGOTIATIONS MEETING - Add-on by Chairman Moyer
Chairman Moyer stated that he and
Commissioner Gordon were at a negotiations meeting in Asheville this morning as
was the County Manager. This was the
seventh negotiations meeting. Mr. Nicholson
had shared copies of the materials distributed at the meeting with each
Commissioner in their mailbox today.
One of the issues discussed was the value of
the Bent Creek property. Someone
suggested as a possible solution to the building of regional water lines that
either the Bent Creek property would be sold by the Authority and the City, and
the monies received would be given to Henderson County in lieu of that
obligation or that the property would be transferred to Henderson County free
and clear of any obligations and Henderson County could then do whatever they
chose to with the property. When that
suggestion was made questions were raised about the appraised value of the
property. It was agreed the Authority
would hire an Appraiser to get the appraisal on the property. The appraisal was
delivered this morning just before the meeting so noone had time to take a look
at it. The value was judged to be
$1,345,000. The appraisal was discussed
at great length at the negotiations meeting.
The City of Asheville and Buncombe County indicated that they were quite
surprised with the value. They thought
it would be substantially higher. They
asked to have time to review the appraisal in detail. The appraisal will be an item on the agenda for the next
negotiations meeting. The next
negotiations meeting will be July 18 in the Commissioners= Meeting Room in Henderson County. Chairman Moyer and Commissioner Gordon would
like to have some guidance from the Board about their wishes on this issue
prior to the July 18 meeting.
Nathan Ramsey, Buncombe County Chairman,
suggested that what he thought would be fair would be to take a look at the tax
loss to Henderson County by giving that property to the Authority. He estimated that to be about $150,000 per
year. Much discussion followed on that
subject.
The third issue raised was AIf the money issue could be solved, would
that solve all the issues?@ Chairman Moyer and Commissioner Gordon answered that it would
not. Then discussion followed
concerning a regional approach and a True Authority (162-A). It appears that the City of Asheville is not
interested in a True Authority. The other entities were interested in a True
Authority and working toward that end. There was some discussion of putting the
Treatment Facilities in an Authority and the major Distribution Lines, hoping
to save the State Non-Betterment Costs and it would be a step in the way of
coming up with a regional approach. The
City of Asheville did not like that approach.
The City of Asheville was asked to take a look at whether there was a
basis on which they would consider going into a True Authority. The City indicated that they would study the
comments made today and would explore whether there was any way they would
consider going into a True Authority or whether there was another alternative
they would consider. One of the issues
the City of Asheville kept making was that they did not want to go into a
Regional Water Authority but they wanted to continue to work toward regionalization. The other three entities had trouble seeing
how to move forward on a regional approach if the City of Asheville is moving
to get control.
Chairman Moyer stated that we have two
providers of water that are more than ready to sell us whatever water we
want. The issue is who=s going to pay to run the lines.
There was a suggestion of our Board having a
water workshop prior to the July 18 meeting.
Chairman Moyer asked Mr. Nicholson to get a copy of the map to each
Commissioner that shows where the water lines are located. The Board will plan to set a workshop under AImportant Dates@ today.
PUBLIC HEARING on Street Names (continuation
of Public Hearing from May 23rd
Chairman Moyer called to order the
continuation of the public hearing.
Rocky Hyder reminded the Board that on May
23, 2002, the Board held a public hearing to adopt several road names. At that meeting, the Board discussed their
concern with a citizen over the proposed name of Zzyzx. The applicant offered the alternative of Off
Road. In the meantime, Staff has
reviewed this alternative name and found it not to be a duplicate name. Staff recommended the Board approve Off
Road.
Public Input
Angela Beeker reminded the Board that after
the public hearing had already been continued on May 23, Mr. Coggins spoke and
requested his comments be made part of the continued public hearing today which
is attached hereto and incorporated as a part of these minutes. The Clerk
distributed copies of Mr. Coggins comments at this time.
Commissioner Ward made the motion for the
Board to go out of public hearing. All
voted in favor and the motion carried.
Commissioner Gordon made the motion to accept
the renaming of these streets as present with the change of Light Breeze Drive
to Off Road as discussed and the other names as listed. (A copy of these street
names is attached hereto and incorporated as a part of these minutes) All voted
in favor and the motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING To Consider the Abolition of
the Mud Creek Water and Sewer District (Henderson County Board of Commissioners
Sitting Also As the Mud Creek Water and Sewer District Board of Directors)
Commissioner Ward made the motion for the
Board to go into this public hearing as the Henderson County Board of
Commissioners. All voted in favor and
the motion carried.
Jennifer Jackson explained that on April 17,
2002 the Board of Commissioners, on behalf of Henderson County and the Mud
Creek Water and Sewer District, scheduled a public hearing for tonight to
consider the abolition of the Mud Creek Water and Sewer District. Since the procedure on this public hearing
was a little out of the ordinary, Ms. Jackson distributed a proposed procedure.
Ms. Jackson informed the Board that this
public hearing was advertised in the Times-News on May 20, 2002.
The Mud Creek Water and Sewer District was
formed by the Henderson County Board of Commissioners on August 1, 1998 under
the authority of Article 6 of Chapter 162A of the North Carolina General
Statutes. The formation of this
District has been codified as Henderson County Code Chapter 504. NCGS 162A-87.2 governs the abolition of the
Mud Creek Water and Sewer District.
Action to abolish such district is appropriate only after holding a
properly noticed public hearing and upon the Board=s finding that there is no longer a need for
a county water and sewer district and that there are no outstanding bonds or
notes issued to finance projects in the District. Any abolition of the District would be effective at the end of
the fiscal year in which action is taken to abolish the District.
On December 20, 2000, the County and the City
of Hendersonville entered into an agreement concerning provision of sewer
services within the Mud Creek Water and Sewer District (codified as Code Ch.
504). The Mud Creek Agreement calls for
the City of Hendersonville to provide sewer services in that District. Section IV of the Agreement contemplates
that the boundaries of the District would be redrawn to more accurately reflect
the drainage basin of Mud Creek. That
Section IV also reserved the right of the County to determine whether that new
district would be a formal district or a service area. This work was accomplished by joint efforts
between the County, the City, and the Mud Creek District Advisory Council with
the outcome being a sewer service area to be known as the Amended Mud Creek
District. The Commissioners approved
the boundaries of the Amended Mud Creek District on November 14, 2001 but reserved
action on the effective date. It is contemplated
that the Amended Mud Creek District would be effective July 1, 2002, but action
by the Board of Commissioners and the City of Hendersonville is still required.
It is contemplated that the remaining area
that was previously within the Mud Creek Water and Sewer District but outside
the newly drawn Amended Mud Creek District is to be added to the existing Cane
Creek Water and Sewer District. Plans
are underway on the expansion of the Cane Creek Water and Sewer District with a
public hearing scheduled for June 27, 2002.
Such expansion, if approved at the close of the public hearing, would be
effective July 1, 2002.
With these plans in place and the fact that
neither bonds nor notes have ever been issued for projects within the Mud Creek
Water and Sewer District, Staff believes that the Board can make the necessary
findings that are required to abolish the formally established Mud Creek Water
and Sewer District.
After hearing from the public on the proposed
abolition of the Mud Creek Water and Sewer District, it would be appropriate
for the Board to consider adopting the draft resolution. This resolution does the following:
(1) Abolishes the Mud Creek
Water and Sewer District effective at the end of this fiscal year (June 30,
2002).
(2) Amends the Mud Creek
Agreement to make the Amended Mud Creek District (which is to be served by the
City of Hendersonville) effective on July 1, 2002.
(3) Authorizes the
conveyance of the remaining assets within the Mud Creek Water and Sewer
District to the Cane Creek Water and Sewer District prior to July 1, 2002.
Public Input
There was none.
Commissioner Ward made the motion for the
Board to go into Mud Creek Water and Sewer District. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
MUD CREEK WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
Commissioner Ward made the motion for the
Board to go out of Mud Creek Water and Sewer District. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Close Public Hearing
Commissioner Ward made the motion for the
Board to go out of public hearing as the Board of Commissioners. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Action
Commissioner Hawkins made the motion to adopt
the Resolution presented concerning the Mud Creek Water and Sewer District in
Henderson County for its dissolution and the presented addendum. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Recess - Chairman Moyer called a 15 - 20 minute recess. There was a need to change videotapes.
UPDATE ON LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING - NCACC - in
Raleigh Add-on by
Chairman Moyer
Chairman Moyer reminded the Board that there
was a NCACC Legislative Briefing in Raleigh on Wednesday, May 29. Commissioner Messer, David Nicholson, and
Chairman Moyer attended that briefing. Chairman Moyer had distributed a packet
of information to all the Commissioners that he received at the briefing.
They heard a briefing on the State Budget
which has not improved. He reviewed what the key issues were that the counties
had put forth:
C
Medicaid -
counties should be relieved of the responsibility for paying medicaid program
costs. Counties should continue to
administer the program according to Federal and State regulations and pay the
current 50% administrative costs but would be relieved of the match.
C
Public
Education - the General Assembly should act to fulfill its responsibilities
under existing laws by providing from state revenues the resources needed for
the standard course of study that must be made available in every public school
throughout the state. Counties should
continue to be responsible for building and maintaining capital facilities but
not the expense monies.
C
Funding -
consistent with the action we took to try to get the General Assembly to let us
institute the one half cent earlier or have an additional one half cent
tax. That was pretty much unanimously
agreed.
There was a time on the agenda where Mr.
Moyer presented our Board=s concern with respect to the mental health and reform bill and the
lack of assistance and guidance from the Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS). There were others at
the meeting that shared the same concern.
Chairman Moyer asked for a deferral of these deadlines, to give more
time for studying the plan and getting more input with respect to moving
forward. The NCACC accepted the letter
and said it would be brought up at their next Board Meeting to see if they
would want to make this a priority item, to try to get the dates changed.
Commissioner Messer stressed that people
watching the meeting and anyone present at the meeting should contact their
legislators and encourage them to allow counties to have a half cent sales
tax. He stated that some of the people
he talked to from some of the larger counties are looking at a large tax
increase this year. He also stressed
the concern about the mental health issues.
David Nicholson stated that he is currently
creating a list for the Mental Health Committee and he is meeting with staff
this week. He was open as to how the
Board wanted this set up. Chairman
Moyer felt the Commissioners should be involved. Mr. Nicholson explained that there are groups that will need to
be involved in this process and he will come up with a list and the Board can
add to it if they wish.
There was some discussion concerning Trend
Mental Health and what our relationship will be with them. We have a Commissioner sitting on the Trend
Board. Mr. Nicholson stated that Trend
is cutting back on staff because they are receiving less State monies. It seems that no one on the State level is
working on the mental health issues currently and the deadline is quickly
approaching for counties.
Commissioner Messer stated that as long as
Trend is in Henderson and Transylvania County, we=ve got a job to do to make sure our mentally handicapped people in
Henderson County are taken care of to the best of our capability and as long as
the funds are available.
Angela Beeker distributed copies concerning
the Bills that have been introduced concerning many of the issues the Board has
been discussing. Text was not available
for the Senate Bills. She briefly
discussed the text of the House Bills.
She will keep the Board up to date as Bills are introduced and as text
becomes available, placing copies in
the Commissioner mailboxes.
COUNTY MANNING- Add-on by Commissioner Hawkins
Commissioner Hawkins briefly discussed
population versus how many county employees you have, ratio of county employee
to county citizens. The last analysis
done in Henderson County revealed we have 140 employees per 1,000
citizens. This is very close to
average. Manning is very
expensive. Commissioner Hawkins stated
that by the end of this budget cycle we will have fewer employees serving more
people and likely with less resources.
He made the motion to direct the County Manager to ensure that Henderson
County Employees keep their dental insurance.
He does not feel that county employees should be held hostage to this
budget crisis. It will cost $203,000
to keep that benefit for county employees.
Commissioner Hawkins further stated as part of his motion that if the
funds aren=t available in our normal budget procedures,
to utilize the $200,000 that the Board has set aside to do the demolition on
the old jail.
Much discussion followed with some of the
Commissioners feeling that this was not the time to do this, take one item out
of context and approve it outside of budget deliberations. Budget sessions have
been set throughout the month of June to discuss and decide on budget
issues. Some Commissioners expressed
that if county benefits are cut we will begin to lose county employees.
Following much discussion, Commissioner
Hawkins called the question on the motion.
A vote was taken and the motion carried three to two with Chairman Moyer
and Commissioner Gordon voting nay.
BUDGETING PROCEDURES Add-on by Commissioner Ward
Commissioner Ward suggested to the County
Manager that he go to his Department Heads and ask them AWhat would a 3% decrease do to your
department budget?@ This would help him in his deliberations of
the budget as he would know where the Department Heads felt cuts could be
made. This would be 3% of the
recommended budget. In the recommended
budget many departments have already cut their budgets considerably. If more
cuts are necessary, Mr. Ward wanted to know where the recommended cuts would
be. Mr. Ward has talked with others
that are putting in place a 2% to 5% cut across the board on budgets,
especially some of the eastern counties.
Mr. Nicholson explained that he needed to
look at the budget because there are areas that cannot be cut because of
mandates. DSS and the Health Dept. have
county monies but also have state and/or federal monies. It will take him some time to break the
budget down.
Public Transit
Chairman Moyer announced the kick-off of the
local bus service next Monday at Travel & Tourism with the service
beginning Tuesday, June 11.
IMPORTANT DATES
Mr. Nicholson reminded the Board that at the
last meeting the Board wanted to set up some workshops for the Zoning Ordinance
Rewrite for July. Following discussion
two workshops were set for the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite: July 25 at 9:00 -
11:00 a.m. and July 29 at 4:00 - 6:00
p.m.
Discussion followed about possibly changing
the July 1 meeting date due to the fact that it is a holiday week and many
families spend it with family. Chairman
Moyer made the motion to reschedule the July 1 meeting to 5:30 p.m. on July
8. All voted in favor and the motion
carried.
A workshop was set for July 11 at 3:00 p.m.
to discuss water issues in northern Henderson County.
Mr. Nicholson also asked the Board to set a
public hearing on street names.
Commissioner Hawkins made the motion to set it for June 19th
at 11:00 a.m. All voted in favor and
the motion carried.
Hollabrook Farms
Karen Smith reminded the Board that on
February 4, Bill Alexander, Attorney and Agent for Hollabrook Farms had asked
the Board to cancel the public hearing on a rezoning application for property
off Butler Bridge Road in order to give him and his client time to come up with
some other alternatives. He has
submitted an amendment to his application and asked Ms. Smith to ask the Board
if they would be willing to refer this amended application to the Planning
Board so they could hear it at their meeting in June.
Chairman Moyer made the motion to refer this
matter back to the Planning Board for their recommendation. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Chairman Moyer made the motion to set the
public hearing on Hollabrook Farms for July 8 at 7:00 p.m. All voted in favor and the motion
carried.
RULES OF PROCEDURE - Add-on by Commissioner Gordon
Commissioner Gordon reminded the Board that
they do have Rules of Procedure and part of that is setting the agenda. She
feels it is important to review those rules and try to have the agenda set when
it is published. She feels that the
public should know what will be discussed when they come into the meeting or
when they get a copy of the agenda. The
Commissioners should know what will be discussed prior to coming into the
meeting. A little planning and forethought could prevent so many add-ons.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Messer made the motion to
adjourn the meeting at 8:34 p.m. All
voted in favor and the motion carried.
Attest:
Elizabeth
W. Corn, Clerk to the Board
William L. Moyer, Chairman