Draft
May 7, 2002
The Alexander County Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2002 in the Commissioners’ Room of the Alexander County Courthouse, Taylorsville, North Carolina. PEOPLES’ AGENDA No citizens asked to speak at the Peoples’ Agenda. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Watts called the meeting to order at 6:55 PM. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Kenneth Whisnant, Pastor of Taylorsville Church of God, gave the invocation and Shantel Venable, student at East Alexander Middle School, led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT The following items were discussed during the Chairman’s Report:
January – Crimestoppers Month February – Black History Month March – Women’s History Month April – Child Abuse Prevention Month May – Confederate History Month June – Dairy Month July – Patriotism/Veterans Month August – Apple Month September – Chicken Month October – Fire Prevention Month November – Child Safety and Protection Month December – Church Homecoming Month Commissioner Harbinson noted that the adoption of this resolution would not exclude the county’s participation in other national holidays or observances. Commissioner Hammer mentioned that April was Poultry Month and suggested April as Chicken Month instead of September. It was noted that "poultry" included chicken, turkey, and other domesticated birds. After discussion, the Board agreed to leave September as Chicken Month as proposed. Commissioner Harbinson made a motion to adopt the Resolution declaring Monthly Observances to be recognized in Alexander County. Commissioner Hammer seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. Commissioner Hammer felt that the Community Work Programs were a vital resource to communities and noted that the programs saved local tax dollars. Commissioner Hammer also mentioned that Alexander County had used inmate labor from the Caldwell Correction Center Community Work Program for litter pick-up, land clearing, and the construction of Dusty Ridge Park. Commissioner Harbinson made a motion to send the proposed letter to local representatives in support of Community Work Programs. Commissioner Robertson seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Chairman Watts requested that Agenda Item #5 – Community Grant Awards Announcements be moved to Agenda Item #1 since there were several people present to receive the awards. Commissioner Robertson made a motion to adopt the agenda as amended. Commissioner Harbinson seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. COMMUNITY GRANT AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENTS David Icenhour, Human Resources/Public Information Director, stated that on January 22, 2002, the Board voted to approve the Community Grants Project which would include up to a $1,000 match for each community for a total cost of $12,000. Mr. Icenhour stated that applications were received from January 24, 2002 to April 12, 2002 and were advertised in The Taylorsville Times, Statesville Record & Landmark, Hickory Daily Record, Catawba Valley Neighbors, on the county website, and on WACB Radio. Mr. Icenhour noted that 11 organizations had submitted applications and all had been approved to receive the grants. Mr. Icenhour stated that the total estimated cost of materials for all projects was $35,450 and some 1,000 of volunteer labor would be associated with the projects. In addition, the total life span of the projects is estimated at 155 years. Commissioner Watts and Commissioner Robertson presented the Community Grant Awards to the following organizations:
Commissioner Harbinson explained that some communities received more than one grant because applications were not received from every community which allowed additional grants to be awarded to the same community. SPECIAL GUEST RECOGNITION Commissioner Harbinson recognized members of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans that were present at the meeting. Commander Larry Church introduced Kelly Carson and his wife Jane Carson who were in attendance as well. Commander Church thanked the Board for recognizing their organization and approving May as Confederate History Month in Alexander County. PUBLIC HEARING: ARTICLE 44 ONE HALF CENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT SALES AND USE TAX Chairman Watts explained that the General Assembly, when trying to balance the state budget for 2001-2002, had enacted an additional half-cent sales tax to the current 6-cent sales tax that had been enacted since 1986. Chairman Watts stated that the majority of the first and second half-cent sales tax went to public school capital use. Chairman Watts explained that the state’s half-cent sales tax would be in effect until July 1, 2003 and that counties would then have the option to continue the third half-cent sales tax. This will be necessary since the state will be eliminating the inventory tax reimbursements to counties and municipalities. Chairman Watts stated that the NC Association of County Commissioners had encouraged counties to move forward with a resolution to enact the half-cent sales tax to send a message to the state that counties needed these monies before July 2003. Chairman Watts stated that 6 counties had enacted the resolution and 12 had scheduled public hearings. Commissioner Harbinson stated that he wanted it to be clear to citizens that this would not increase local property taxes. Commissioner Harbinson stated that he, the current Board, and past boards had been in favor of increasing sales taxes for some time because all citizens would pay taxes instead of the 40% who pay property taxes. Commissioner Robertson stated that the previous Board had asked the General Assembly at an earlier date for the opportunity to enact the sales tax in order to reduce property taxes, but was only given this option when the state held the county and municipalities revenues. Commissioner Robertson felt that the sales tax was a more equitable way to distribute costs among local citizens. Commissioner Hammer stated that it was a shame that the Governor and the General Assembly mandated counties to have a balance budget while the State was taking away money from the counties to balance their own budget. Commissioner Hammer felt that those actions were the same as stealing and felt that there had been some poor management on the state government level. Commissioner Hammer also felt that an increase in the local sales tax was the best solution. Chairman Watts also noted that the half-cent sales tax would be a favorable thing because Alexander County would gain $139,000 more than received in inventory tax reimbursements. There being no public comment, Commissioner Robertson made a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Hammer seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. Commissioner Robertson made a motion to adopt the Resolution to Enact the Article 44 One-Half Cent Local Government Sales and Use Tax. Commissioner Harbinson seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. PUBLIC HEARING: TEXT AMENDMENT 02-2: SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE Commissioner Robertson made a motion to table the public hearing for Text Amendment 02:2 to the Subdivision Ordinance until the Board has held a joint meeting with the Planning & Zoning Commission. Commissioner Harbinson seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. PUBLIC HEARING: APPROVAL OF ROAD NAMES Sylvia Turnmire, Director of Planning & Development, requested approval of the following road names:
Ms. Turnmire stated that all road names had been advertised and checked for duplication and sound indexing. There being no public comment, Commissioner Hammer made a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Robertson seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. Commissioner Hammer made a motion to approve the road names as presented. Commissioner Harbinson seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. Commissioner Robertson noted that there had been some confusion about which roads were located in the Town and which were located in the County and suggested putting articles in the local paper so that people would know which meeting to attend. SCHEDULE 2002-2003 BUDGET WORK SESSIONS Chairman Watts suggested that the Budget Committee, consisting of himself and Commissioner Robertson, meet with County Manager Rick French and Budget Officer Jennifer Herman before meeting with the full board in order to do some preliminary work on the budget. The Board agreed. Chairman Watts suggested holding a full board budget work session on May 30, 2002 at 6:15 PM in the Cooperative Extension Learning Center. The Board agreed to hold the budget work session on May 30, 2002. BOARD APPOINTMENTS/REAPPOINTMENTS Chairman Watts presented the following appointments and reappointments:
Reappoint Dr. Joel Inman 3-year term
Chairman Watts also noted that Keith Meadows’ term on the Town of Taylorsville Board of Adjustments (ETJ) had expired. Mr. Meadows does not wish to be reappointed. Chairman Watts asked the Board to inform him of any suggestions. Commissioner Harbinson suggested contacting Glenn Deal Jr. in regard to filling this position. OTHER BUSINESS The following items were discussed during other business:
Commissioner Robertson made a motion to adopt the Resolution Requesting that Local Government Revenue Sources be Made Secure. Commissioner Hammer seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. PUBLIC HEARING: ALEXANDER COUNTY AND THE MITCHELL GOLD COMPANY ARC AMENDMENT Nancy Coley, WPCOG Community Development Administrator, explained that Alexander County had applied for CDBG funds in 1996 to provide public water and sewer to the Mitchell Gold Company’s new furniture manufacturing facility located at the intersection of US Highway 64 and Millersville Road. The CDBG Economic Development Grant provided $376,850 and Alexander County committed $125,617. Ms. Coley stated that after the CDBG application was submitted, G.L. Wilson Building Company, the builder of the new facility, informed Alexander County that a 200,000-gallon water tank and an electric fire pump would be needed for expansions. Alexander County applied for and was awarded $183,727 in ARC funds for the water tank and booster pump. Ms. Coley stated that after much evaluation, an engineering solution different from the tank was discovered. Ms. Coley stated that the amendment proposed to enact the new engineering solution to the water flow problem. The design proposes 11,975 linear feet of 12-inch line from the intersection of Millersville Road and Highway 16 South which will provide additional water flow and pressure to the lower end of Millersville Road resulting in more available water to the Mitchell Gold Company. Ms. Coley stated that she had discussed this amendment with Sarah Stuckey with ARC who gave her permission to proceed with the amendment. There being no public comment, Commissioner Robertson made a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Hammer seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. Commissioner Hammer made a motion to approve the Alexander County and Mitchell Gold Company ARC Amendment and move forward with the project. Commissioner Harbinson seconded the motion. Commissioner Robertson noted that according to the estimates, the county would be approximately $54,000 short for the project and requested a friendly amendment to the original motion to authorize Rick French, County Manager, to explore other areas such as cost share options, other than property taxes, to fund the $54,000. Commissioner Robertson made a motion to accept the friendly amendment. Commissioner Harbinson seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. Commissioner Hammer made a motion to approve the Alexander County and Mitchell Gold Company ARC Amendment including Commissioner Robertson’s friendly amendment to authorize Rick French to explore other options for funding. Commissioner Hammer seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner Robertson made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Harbinson seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. CLOSED SESSION – N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(5 & 6) CONTRACTUAL / PERSONNEL Commissioner Harbinson made a motion to enter into Closed Session at 7:54 PM to discuss contractual matters and personnel issues pursuant to N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(5 & 6). Commissioner Robertson seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Commissioner Harbinson made a motion to adjourn at 8:30 PM. Commissioner Hammer seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.
John F. Watts, Chairman Jamie C. Millsaps, Clerk to the Board |