May 4, 1998

PRESENT:      W. Darrell Robertson, Chairman

                        Wesley E. Bolick, Jr., Vice Chairman

                        W. Guy Kerley,

                        Timothy A. Glass

                        K. Craig Mayberry

STAFF:           Charles S. Mashburn, Clerk to the Board

                        Jerry Campbell, Attorney

Chairman Robertson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Commissioner’s Meeting Room of the Alexander County Courthouse. The Reverend Dennis Spivey gave the invocation and Chairman Robertson led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

SCHOOLS-MOBILE CLASSROOMS

Dr. Warren Hollar, Interim Superintendent of Schools, presented a short report on how the recent allocation of $186,000 was spent, and requested the Board of Commissioners approve the transfer of $144,089 in fund balance in order for the Board of Education to purchase mobile classrooms, and to remove lead paint from Stony Point Elementary School. The classrooms are needed because there is not time to construct permanent classrooms for the next school year. The General Assembly has mandated a decrease in class size for grades 1-3, and there has also been an increase in student population. Dr. Hollar indicated there is in excess of $1,000,000 in the fund balance at this time. However, some of that will be budgeted in next fiscal year.

Upon motion by Commissioner Mayberry and second by Commissioner Glass the Board voted unanimously to authorize the Board of Education to transfer funds from current expense fund balance to capital outlay in order to purchase mobile classrooms at a cost of $123,122, and $20,657 in lead abatement at Stony Point Elementary School.

TAYLOR KING-LOAN SUBORDINATION

Mr. Ron Downs, Secretary/Treasurer of Taylor King, asked the Board to approve Alexander County taking a subordination of its CDBG loan from the County, which would in effect move the $45,500 balance of the loan from the third position to the fourth position. This process will allow Taylor King to borrow funds to finance a 49,000 square foot addition to its existing facility. This is the same project for which a new water line is proposed along County Home Road. Mr. Downs reported the real estate has been valued at $2,355,000. There will be a debt of $1,884.000 after the restructuring, which will leave sufficient security for the County debt.

Upon motion by Commissioner Bolick and second by Commissioner Mayberry the Board voted unanimously to accept the subordination arrangement as proposed by Taylor King Furniture Company.

OLD JAIL LEASE

County Attorney Jerry Campbell presented for consideration a draft of lease agreement between the County and the Alexander County Ancestry Society, Inc., as revised at the last meeting. Mr. Campbell indicated he had changed the lease to reflect the renewal clause, a review clause, and a termination clause. The lease, as written, requires the lessor to insure the building. However, the Board asked whether the Society could pay for the insurance. Ms. Miller indicated she will need to present the insurance cost to the officers of the Association.

Commissioner Mayberry made a motion that Alexander County will pay the premium on the Old Jail up to $475.00 per year, with the stipulation that the Ancestry Association pay any increase in premium above $475.00 per year. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Kerley and passed unanimously.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT FEES-TATTOO PARLORS

Health Director Shelley Carraway asked the Board to reaffirm the $300 tattoo parlor inspection and permit fee as approved by the Board of Health in 1995. Ms. Carraway presented a schedule showing other counties charge from zero to $300.

Upon motion by Commissioner Glass and second by Commissioner Kerley the Board voted unanimously to authorize the Health Department to charge a registration and permit fee of $300 for each tattoo parlor performing business in Alexander County, as adopted by the Board of Health in 1995.

BOARD OF ELECTIONS-COMPUTER PURCHASE

The Board was asked to approve a $10,000 budget amendment and authorize the Board of Elections to purchase new computer equipment as being required by the North Carolina Board of Elections. The State Board is trying to implement a statewide data elections management system that requires each county to use the same software. Running the new software requires additional equipment for which the State Board will reimburse the local board for a portion of the cost. Local systems must be installed and running by August 31, 1998.

Upon motion by Commissioner Mayberry and second by Commissioner Kerley the Board voted unanimously to authorize the Board of Elections to proceed with purchase of new computer equipment as mandated by the North Carolina Board of Elections, and to approve Budget Amendment #55 (Attachment #1).

TAX ADMINISTRATION-MAPPING & GIS

Tax Administrator Luther Stocks recommended the Board authorize staff to begin the process of contracting for new property tax maps and a geographic information system, and to reserve funds for the project. New tax maps are needed in preparation for the next mass reappraisal that is scheduled to begin in the year 2000, and be completed by the year 2002. The current tax maps use aerial photographs that were flown in 1973. Most counties are now using computerized systems. GIS will be very valuable to other departments including planning and zoning, E-911, Soil and Water, utilities, etc. The mapping and GIS will cost between $500,000 and $700,000, depending on the final scope.

No action was taken pending budget evaluation.

SALES TAX RESOLUTION

Chairman Robertson reported that many counties in North Carolina are requesting the General Assembly approve or authorize counties to levy an addition one-cent sales tax. He indicated the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners is supporting legislation that will allow counties the option upon approval by the voters in a referendum. Mr. Robertson asked the Board to approve a resolution of support for this legislation. Commissioner Mayberry indicated the sales tax would be levied based on an equal reduction in the property tax collections. Commissioner Glass requested the tax be levied state wide and distributed per capita rather than point of sale.

Upon motion by Commissioner Mayberry and second by Commissioner Glass the Board voted unanimously to ask the North Carolina General Assembly to pass legislation to levy a one cent sales tax statewide, to be distributed per capita.

PAUL PAYNE ROAD INTERSECTION – CAUTION LIGHT

Upon motion by Commissioner Mayberry and second by Commissioner Glass the Board voted unanimously to ask the North Carolina Department of Transportation to evaluate the intersection of Paul Payne Road and Millersville to determine safety measures that may be taken because of several accidents, including a recent fatality.

WATER & SEWER STUDY CONTRACT

Chairman Robertson tabled this matter pending receipt of additional information.

ROADS-MORETZ COURT ABANDONMENT

The Board was advised that the North Carolina Board of Transportation has asked the Board of Commissioners to approve the abandonment of a portion of Moretz Court (SR1190). A cul-de-sac was planned but never constructed for Moretz Court.

Upon motion by Commissioner Mayberry and second by Commissioner Kerley the Board voted unanimously to approve the abandonment of the cul-de-sac on Moretz Court road, because the cul-de-sac was planned but never constructed, and is not now needed.

SOLID WASTE-PAVING ADDITION

The Board was asked to approve an estimated $10,000 change order for the solid waste transfer station. A new hauler has been contracted that has much longer trailers than the former contractor. The trailers are being driven off the pavement in several areas due to the narrow road. The estimated cost to widen the turns and improve the road is another $10,000 above the amount approved at the last meeting. The Board was advised the new hauler is doing an excellent job.

Upon motion by Commissioner Mayberry and second by Commissioner Kerley the Board voted unanimously to approve a change order for Hickory Construction Company to construct additional paving at the transfer station, and to approve a budget amendment to appropriate monies per the final contract amount of an estimated $615,000 (Budget Amendment #57, Attachment #2).

JURY COMMISSION

Upon motion by Commissioner Glass and second by Commissioner Bolick the Board voted unanimously to establish jury commission compensation at $6.50 per hour, plus travel and meals.

BOARD AND COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

Upon motion by Commissioner Kerley and second by Commissioner Bolick the Board voted unanimously to make board and committee appointments as follows:

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Mr. Perry Austin was appointed to the Economic Development Council.

TOWN OF TAYLORSVILLE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Mr. Keith Meadows was appointed to the Town of Taylorsville Board of Adjustment.

FOOTHILLS MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

Commissioner Craig Mayberry was appointed to replace Mr. Jack Frazier on the Foothills Mental Health Authority.

WATER EXTENSION-BIBLE CAMP ROAD

This item was postponed pending further information.

INSPECTION CONTRACT

This item was postponed pending more details.

BUDGET INSTRUCTIONS-SALARIES AND TAX RATE

Commissioner Mayberry indicated that preliminary information indicates that property tax valuation and sales tax collections continue to increase beyond prior expectations. The fund balance has gotten to a very strong level because of growth in revenue and because of careful spending by departments. The property valuation has increased by more than $80m, and sales tax collections will increase by about 7%, as opposed to the usual budgeted amount of 4%. He proposed that the pay plan be increased by 2.5%, which will in effect give each existing employee at least a 5% increase. This is to reward county employees for keeping their spending within budget and to bring the pay more into line. He further suggested the county manager be instructed to prepare a budget based on a least a three cent reduction in the property tax rate.

Upon motion by Commissioner Mayberry and second by Commissioner Glass the Board voted unanimously to instruct the county manager to prepare a budget based on a least a three cent property tax reduction, and with a 5% increase in pay for county employees, with the final adjustment subject to budget review.

CONSENT AGENDA

Upon motion by Commissioner Bolick and second by Commissioner Mayberry the Board voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda as follows:

MINUTES

The minutes of April 20, and April 21, 1998, were approved as presented by the Clerk to the Board.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT-BUDGET AMENDMENT #54

Budget Amendment #54 was approved to appropriate an additional $5,040.00 in Health Department Revenue. (Attachment #3)

EDC – BUDGET AMENDMENT #58

Budget Amendment #58 was approved to appropriate a $2,000 contribution from Wal-Mart to be used for advertising the Rail Park. (Attachment #4)

ADJOURNMENT

Upon motion by Commissioner Mayberry and second by Commissioner Kerley the Board voted unanimously to adjourn until 6:00 p.m., May 12, 1998, in order to conduct a budget workshop.

____________________________ __________________________

Charles S. Mashburn                          W. Darrell Robertson, Chairman
Clerk to the Board