June 22, 1999 

PRESENT: 

Joel Harbinson, Chairman
John Watts, Vice Chairman
Darrell Robertson
David Odom
Wesley Bolick

STAFF: 

Rick French, County Manager
Charles McGinnis, Management Consultant
Ken White, Finance Officer
Helen Anthony, Clerk to the Board

Chairman Joel Harbinson called the Special meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Commissioner David Odom gave the Invocation. Mr. Ben Hines led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Chairman Harbinson asked if there were any corrections or changes on the Agenda from the Commissioners. No changes were noted. Motion by Commissioner Watts, seconded by Commissioner Odom, and a unanimous vote of the Board to accept the Agenda as presented.

AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM BUDGET WORK SESSIONS JUNE 9, 1999

   Commissioner Odom made a motion to adopt the minutes as prepared by the Clerk to the Board. Commissioner Watts seconded the motion and the Board voted unanimous in favor of the motion.

2. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT – CDBG BELLEVIEW RESTHOME / LITTLE RIVER AREA

   County Manager, Rick French, announced that Alexander County had been awarded $720,625.00 for the Community Development Block Grant on June 15, 1999. The County matching funds for this grant is $150,000.00, $75,000.00 which is included in the proposed 1999 – 2000 Budget. This grant is to improve homes on Little River Church Rd, Glass Road, Parsonsville Road, McDuffey Court, part of he Kirby Lackey Road in the Little River Community and along Wood Road, which will provide water service to the Belleview Rest Home. Six-inch water lines will be installed throughout the project area. A 100,000-gallon storage tank and pump station was also funded to stabilize water pressure in the area. The Western Piedmont Council of Government prepared the grant and will also administer this project.

3. PUBLIC HEARING 1999 – 2000 BUDGET

   Chairman Harbinson opened the Public Hearing to the citizens of Alexander County for comments on the proposed 1999-2000 budget. No citizens appeared to make comments at the Public Hearing. Commissioner Watts made the motion to close the Public Hearing that was seconded by Commissioner Odom. The Board voted unanimous in favor of the motion.

4. CONSIDERATION OF BUDGET AMENDMENT #57 SCHOOL FUNDING (Reference Budget Amendment #21)

   Chairman Harbinson read statements from the November and December, 1998 minutes. Commissioner Watts acknowledged the Board’s release of the $1.25 million previously appropriated to the Board of Education in 1998 for capital outlay purposes.

   County Manager, Rick French, stated that this Budget Amendment Ordinance amends Budget Amendment #21. Commissioner Watts stated that, as liaison for the Board to the Board of Education, an agreement had been reached to convert the $1.25 million allocation from capital outlay to current expenses which would be allocated by the Board to the Board of Education as general allocations during the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 budget years.

   Commissioner Watts made a motion to adopt Ordinance Budget Amendment #57 and Commissioner Odom seconded the motion. The Board proceeded to vote with three Commissioners, (Watts, Harbinson, and Odom) in favor of the motion and three Commissioners (Robertson and Bolick) opposing the Budget Amendment. Motion carried.

5. CONSIDERATION FEES & CHARGES FOR THE 1999 –2000 BUDGET

   County Manager Rick French reported on fees and charges. The County Commissioners had agreed to increase certain fees and charges by the Health, Fire, Inspections, and EMS departments during the budget work session. These fees would be more in line with surrounding counties and counties of similar size.

   Commissioner Odom made a motion to adopt the fees as presented that was seconded by Commissioner Watts. The Board voted unanimous in favor of the motion.

6. CONSIDERATION OF THE 1999 – 2000 BUDGET

   Each Commissioner was given the opportunity to make comments on the 1999 –2000 Budget. The General Fund Budget for 1999 – 2000 totaled $20,617,343.00. The proposed General Fund includes a $.06 tax increase.

   Commissioner Odom made a motion to adopt the 1999 – 2000 Budget Ordinance that was seconded by Commissioner Watts. The Board voted with three Commissioners (Odom, Watts, and Harbinson) in favor of the motion and two Commissioners (Bolick and Robertson) opposing the motion. Motion carried.

7. OTHER BUSINESS

CONSENT AGENDA

1. Minutes June 15, 1999, Special Commissioner’s Meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

The next Commissioners' Meeting is July 6, 1999 at 7:00 PM.

_____________________ ______________________________

Joel Harbinson, Chairman Helen P. Anthony, Clerk to the Board