HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune_2_2009_Regular_MinutesIREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MINUTES
JUNE 2, 2009
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Tuesday,
June 2, 2009, at 7:00 P.M., in the Iredell County Government Center (Commissioners' Meeting
Room), 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Board Members Present
Vice Chairman Marvin Norman
Steve Johnson
Ken Robertson
Scott Keadle
Absent: Chairman Godfrey Williams
Staff present: County Manager Joel Mashburn, County Attorney Bill Pope, Deputy
County Manager Tracy Jackson, Finance Director Susan Blumenstein, Code Enforcement and
Special Projects Director Lynn Niblock, Assistant Planning Director Steve Warren, Health
Director Donna Campbell, Purchasing Agent Dean Lail, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore.
CALL TO ORDER by Vice Chairman Norman.
INVOCATION by Commissioner Johnson.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ADJUSTMENTS OF THE AGENDA: Commissioner Johnson requested to add an
item under New Business. He requested a discussion pertaining to the Consideration of an
Ordinance for Unmowed Lawns.
There being no further adjustments to the agenda, Commissioner Johnson made a motion
to approve the agenda with the noted amendment.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
PUBLIC HEARING
Acting Chairman Norman declared the meeting to be in a public hearing.
Consideration of the Iredell County Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Budget: County Manager
Mashburn said the proposed $153,448,600 General Fund budget was almost a ten percent
reduction over the current fiscal year. He said the budget included only three new positions with
all of them in social services and being paid in large part by non -county dollars. He said five
positions had been eliminated, and it was anticipated that 20 more jobs would be deleted from
the payroll. Mashburn said the new year would bring no salary increases for county employees
either across the board or in merits. He said there was only $690,985 in the budget for capital
purchases, and this was about 29% of last year's expenditures. Continuing, he said no vehicles
would be purchased, and most of the capital items were technical upgrades for computer
programs, software/hardware. He said the educational expenditures, as a percentage of the
budget, had increased from 43.93% to 44.181%, but because of a decrease in the number of
students, along with a loss of revenue, expenditures for education were down. Mashburn said the
ADM appropriation was reduced from $1,466 per pupil to $1,375.
Finance Director Blumenstein said the ad valorem taxes provided 60% of the general
fund operating budget, and about $88 million was estimated for next year. She said this was
based on a $20.4 billion valuation, and this was only a 3.22% increase over fiscal year 09.
Blumenstein said total ad valorem tax collections, including those delinquent from prior years,
were estimated at $2.4 million over fiscal year 09. She said another major revenue source was
sales taxes, and these would provide about 17% of next year's budget with estimated collections
at 26.4 million. Blumenstein said this was almost $7.7 million less than what was available to
budget for FY 09. She said the county had a 12.6% unemployment rate, and retail sales were
"drastically" down. She said grants and other restricted revenues were about 12% of total
revenues, or $18.4 million, which was a million less than what was budgeted for FY 09. Mrs.
Blumenstein said these revenues accounted for about 50% of the funds for social services. She
said about 1% of the budget was derived from other taxes and licenses such as Register of Deeds
revenue stamps, cable television, and Schedule B licenses. Blumenstein said this revenue would
be about $735,000 less than what was available for 09. She said permits and fees accounted for
about 2% of the revenues or $3.7 million, and these would down about $2.1 million over what
was budgeted for FY 09. Pertaining to sales and services fees, Blumenstein said they provided
about 6% of the total general fund revenues, and it was estimated these would come in at $9.2
million, being about $580,000 more than the prior fiscal year. Mrs. Blumenstein said the fund
balance was about 1%, and this was budgeted at $2 million for FY 10 which was $2.6 million
less than for FY 09. She said that after this fiscal year, if the entire $2 million were used, a
12.71% fund balance would exist as compared to the total budget for next year.
Mashburn said that if the budget was approved, as presented, the tax rate would remain
at 44.5 cents based on a $100 valuation. He said the budget had a total valuation of
$20,287,000,000.
Dr. Ralph Bentlev, alone with Beth Hill, spoke on behalf of the Friends of Fort
Dobbs Organization. Hill said Fort Dobbs served 20,000 visitors last year, and 9,000 of these
were school children. She said this year a 10.7% visitation increase had occurred due primarily
to the directional signage located on the interstates. Hill said 175 educational programs were
offered in 08, compared to over 400 for FY 09. She said new programs were constantly being
created, but one of significance that had existed for many years was the Cub Scout Day Camp.
Hill said that for the past 20 years, during the summer, cub scouts attended the camp which had
grown to become the largest in North Carolina.
Julia Wilson, speakine on behalf of the Iredell Museums, said it would be "painful"
to not receive funding from the county during the FY 10. She said the Iredell Museums operated
in three sites (Children's Museum at Signal Hill Mall, Court Street Gallery, and the cabins on
Museum Road), and 20,000 people visited each year. Wilson said the visitors, who came from
other counties and states, brought money into the county. Wilson said one event held this year
was the Max Tharpe exhibit, and it brought 2000 visitors from all over the USA. She requested
that if any flexibility occurred in the county budget for funding to be given to the Museums.
King Carty, a private citizen, voiced support for the commissioners. He said "times
were not great," and the board members had to make difficult decisions. Carty said there were
many needs, and prioritization had to occur. Mr. Carty gave the board members a vote of
confidence and said they were of high moral character, high intelligence, and they knew how to
balance a checkbook.
Joyce O'Neal, representing the Iredell Arts Council, was unable to attend; however,
she left a note thanking the board members for past support.
Brenda Speece, representing the Children's Homes of Iredell County, thanked the
board members for the 35 years of support for the county's children. She said her agency was in
the process of opening six more spaces for children in crisis and in social services care. Speece
said funding was important for the children's proper care and to provide safe environments. She
said the agency's children would someday either be "sitting here or sitting in jail." Speece said
that when the six spaces were finished, the agency would be capable of housing 25 children.
No one else spoke, and Commissioner Keadle made a notion to adjourn the hearing.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Request for Adoption of the Animal Services Administrative and Shelter Facility
Capital Project Ordinance & Approval of Budget Amendment #55: Finance Director
Blumenstein said a project ordinance, as well as a budget amendment, had been drafted to
recognize a $249,000 fund transfer to be used for the design of the new Animal Services facility.
2
She said a $200,000 contract had been awarded to the architectural firm, and $49,000 was
included for other services that might be needed.
OTIO by Commissioner Robertson to approve Budget Amendment #55 as presented.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
B #55
To Transfer funds from Animal Services & Control to Transfers to Other Funds and establish
Artingl Services Administrative & Shelter Facility Capital Project Crdinance
Account #
Current change Amended
General Fund
Social Services Adr in Revenue
105532 605000
249,000
(249,000)
-
105780 576041
Transfer to Capital Project Fund
-
249,000
249,000
Capital Project Fund
Transfer In - General Fund
4124880 495010 10412
-
(249,000)
(249,000)
4125532 520000 10412
Professiord Services -Architect
-
200,000
200,000
4125532 52000510412
ProfessiordServoes -Cther
-
49,000
49,000
Project Ordirerce
Be it Ordained by the Board of County Corrmssionas of Iredell County, North Carolina:
Section 1. Funds for this Capital Project Fund will be provided from the follumng sorrces:
Transfer from General Fund
Section 2. The follo%ing costs for the design, constRdion and equipping
of the Iredell County Arrrral Shelter shall be paid by this fmd:
RdessionalServioes - Design $ 200,000
Professional Sa-v oes - Other 49,000
Section 3. This Capital Project Fund shall continue until the project is conplete.
Section 4. The County Wager is authorized to transfer funds from Caitinxgenwy to other openditure line iters with a
report to the board of corrmssioners at its red ming.
Request from the Health Department for Approval of Budget Amendment #56 to
Allocate Medicaid Max Revenue and Expenditures: Health Director Donna Campbell said
that in February, over $700,000 had been cut from the Human Services Building budget. She
said the department was undergoing several small renovation projects, and a $23,265 budget
amendment was requested to use Medicaid Max dollars, not county funds, to have an electronic
access control system installed. Campbell said the system was a part of original renovation
planning, but the work had been stopped due to budget cuts.
Campbell said Medicaid Max funding was money earned through the Medicaid program
where the state assessed the actual cost for the health department to provide the services. She
said once the cost was identified, the state provided funding to cover the gap. Campbell said that
to provide the service, it cost more than what was received from Medicaid, and this was how the
county was reimbursed.
OTION by Commissioner Keadle to approve Budget Amendment #56.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
3
Cty BA# 56 Purpose: To allocate Medicaid Max revenue and expenditures
09-
ICHD BA# 0602
REVENUE
Appropriate Placement Options
EXISTING
$ 7,500.00
AMENDED
LINE(S)
DESC.
BUDGET
CHANGE
BUDGET
Piedmont Mediation
Med Max Bldg
$ 32,500.00
DON -LIN
Counseling
$ 18,500.00
Costs
Project Challenge
$ 65,640.00
Avalon Farm Retreat Center
104610 444000
Reimbursement
$0.00
-$23,265.00
$23,265.00
EXPENSE
Total
EXISTING
AMENDED
LINE(S)
DESC.
BUDGET
CHANGE
BUDGET
Maint &
Repair -Health
105610 532528
Department
$51,882.00
$23,265.00
$75,147.00
Request from the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) for Approval of the
FY 2009-10 Funding Recommendations: County Manager Mashburn said JCPC funds were
passed from the state to the county.
JCPC Chairman Vickie Dame requested approval of the funding program for 2009-10.
Finance Director Blumenstein said approximately $270,000 would be included in the
budget ordinance for JCPC funds, and if the state decreased the funding, then the program
agreements would be amended.
MOTTO by Commissioner Johnson to approve the JCPC funding recommendation for
FY 2009-10.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
The council recommended funding for the following programs.
Juvenile Crime Prevention Program
FY 2009-2010 Program Funding
Agency
Name of Program
Amount
Appropriate Placement Options
Youth Incentive Program
$ 7,500.00
Barium Springs Home for Children
Temporary Shelter, Counseling &
Psychological Assessments
$ 89,500.00
Exchange/SCAN
At Risk Kids (ARK)
$ 58,500.00
Piedmont Mediation
Juvenile Mediation Program
$ 32,500.00
DON -LIN
Counseling
$ 18,500.00
Project Challenge
Project Challenge
$ 65,640.00
Avalon Farm Retreat Center
Equine Facilitated Experiential Learnin
$ 6,500.00
Administration
$ 15,500.00
Total
$301,890.00
Request for Approval to Apply for an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block
Grant Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Assistant Planning
Director Steve Warren said that in accordance with the county's grant process, permission was
requested to apply for grant funds from the U.S. Department of Energy and being funded by the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. He said Iredell County had been allocated
$645,100.00, and this was based on a population formula. Warren said the grant did not have
any "strings attached," but the funding had to be used to promote energy efficiency and
conservation. He said it was recommended for the funds to be used for (1) a geothermal heating
and air system for the new animal shelter (2) energy efficient lighting upgrades in county
buildings (3) the replacement of aging utility systems with solar water heaters in some county
buildings, and (4) for the rest of the funding to be used for technical costs. Warren said some
"shifting of the fund amounts" would be allowed in case the projects came in lower than
estimated.
Commissioner Robertson asked how the staff decided on the projects. He asked if the
decisions were based on the biggest payback in energy dollar savings, or if there was an attempt
to "spread the wealth" and try different technologies.
4
Special Projects Director Lynn Niblock said the staff looked at the best return on the
investment. He said the stimulus grants had criteria related to renewable energy sources,
reducing carbon footprints, alternate energy, and so forth. He said ideas were obtained from
other county departments for potential projects and much research had occurred. Niblock said
getting the most "bang for the buck" was studied as well as identifying areas that fit the criteria
while giving long-term savings once the money was spent and the projects were finished.
Robertson asked if a certain percentage was required to be spent on lighting initiatives.
Niblock said no, and there was flexibility in shuffling funds between one project and
another as long as they were acceptable for the grant criteria. He said the staff would try not to
"nail themselves down to tightly" in an effort to allow changes.
Robertson said he understood that finalized plans were not ready. He mentioned,
however, that when the money was being spent, he wanted to know the county was not installing
a solar light, or cell, to provide lighting that had a 50 -year payback, if there was another energy
saving technology that had a four-year payback. He said this was an opportunity for the county
to get some recurring savings, and this should be maximized even if the county did not save the
$640,000. Robertson said he wanted to insure the county received the most annualized savings,
and the driving factor should be energy dollar savings, or energy cost reductions for the county.
Niblock said he felt the same way and the money should be spent on projects that would
work and have a payback on a number of years.
Warren said the county would have to base its decisions on an energy strategy that would
take care of some of the concerns.
Commissioner Keadle asked if there was any chance the projects might go over budget.
He also asked if proven technologies were being used.
Niblock said geothermal had been around for many years. He said it was more expensive
upfront, but generally on average, it operated 40 to 50% more efficient than a heat pump or
conventional gas and air conditioning system. Niblock said solar had been around many years,
and it had improved. He said windmills had been researched, but this area was not the best for
this type of energy source. Niblock said that as the projects moved forward, the board would
have to approve bids and construction documents. He said it wasn't envisioned that the projects
would be over budget, or over the amount allocated by the federal government. He said there
was no intent to spend county money to implement any of the grant projects.
Commissioner Johnson said the staff probably shared the board's concerns that some of
the technologies were not big money savers as some would pretend them to be, but in order to fit
the grant parameters, a little had to be given here and there. He encouraged the staff to push the
projects towards getting the "best bang for the buck."
MOTION by Commissioner Johnson to allow the staff to submit the application.
VOTNG: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
Request for Approval of a Three -Year Rental Contract for Uniforms with CINTAS
for the Sheriff's Department and Solid Waste: Purchasing Agent Dean Lail said the Sheriffs
Department (jail) and Solid Waste rented uniforms to prevent the necessity of purchasing,
repairing, and replacing them. He said some employees had to deal with hazardous waste, and
when this occurred, their uniforms had to be eliminated. Lail said uniform rentals alleviated the
need to replace the apparel, plus it had other advantages. He requested a three-year contract to
rent uniforms from CINTAS, and he said the company had provided a substantial savings over
the current vendor.
MOTTO by Commissioner Keadle to approve the CINTAS contract.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
5
Request for (1) Establishment of a Planning Committee to Review Fire Department
Operations (2) Announcement of Vacancies & (3) Appointment of Members at the June 16
Meeting: County Manager Mashburn said that at the Winter Planning Session, Commissioner
Johnson made a motion to (1) establish a planning committee to review fire department
operations, locations, insurance ratings, and funding issues (2) for the Fire Chiefs to compile a
list of nominees to serve; and (3) for two members of the Board of Commissioners to serve on
the committee. Mashburn said the motion passed, and since that time, additional information
about the committee had been developed as follows:
Proposed Organization, Purpose and Authority
Organization:
VOTING MEMBERS:
2 Commissioners
2 Fire Chiefs (selected by the fire chiefs association)
1 Water Company Representative
1 Fire Tax Board Member
1 VFD Board Member
2 Taxpayers (non fire service connection)
NON-VOTING MEMBERS:
Director of Planning and Development
Fire Marshal
Other staff resources (i.e. mapping, finance, IT) will be called upon when necessary.
Purpose:
The committee's purpose is to review fire insurance ratings countywide, determine where
potential shortcomings exist, assess available revenues, determine needs and develop
priorities for improving ratings. Departments with low ratings and low funding should get top
priority. The committee should develop a five year plan for improving ratings.
Authority:
This committee has no authority and will make its recommendations directly to the Board of
Commissioners.
Commissioner Johnson requested an amendment to the committee's stated purpose. He
suggested for the following sentence to be deleted and replaced: "Departments with low ratings
and low funding should get top priority." Johnson then offered a replacement sentence as
follows: "Departments with a potential to improve insurance ratings at a lower cost should
get top priority."
Commissioner Robertson agreed. He said the board was anticipating that another
department might possibly leave the county -wide service. Robertson asked if the committee's
purpose included provisions for this type of occurrence. He asked if this was under the
committee's umbrella or five-year plan.
Johnson said that because of annexations and some departments being almost surrounded
by city boundaries now, a merger of two departments might need to be considered. He said
some department's substations might have to become primary stations.
Commissioner Keadle asked Commissioner Johnson if he would delete the entire
sentence.
Commissioner Robertson requested for the sentence, as suggested by Commissioner
Johnson to remain. He said the downfall of most government was due to being more concerned
with fairness then effectiveness. Robertson said stating the committee's purpose to come up
with an effective plan removed the issue of fairness off the table. He said the most effective fire
protection fighting service should be the aim.
6
Commissioner Keadle said he didn't disagree with the sentence. He said his only
thoughts were that it might limit the committee members' ability to use their own judgment.
Robertson said the mission would be to provide the most cost effective fire fighting
service in the county as opposed to spreading the money as defined by what some people might
say was fair.
Johnson said recently the Union Grove VFD was rated, and the department's scores
improved dramatically at low expense. Mr. Johnson said the others needed to look at what this
department did to accomplish the improved ratings and to use the chiefs (Nolan Shumaker)
expertise.
MOTIO by Commissioner Johnson to establish the committee to review the fire
department operations and with the committee's purpose to be amended as suggested.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
Mashburn said the motion established the committee, announced the vacancies, and that
the appointments would be on the June 16 agenda.
Request for Approval of the May 19, 2009 Minutes: MOTION by Commissioner
Keadle to approve the minutes.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES OCCURRING ON BOARDS &
COMMISSIONS
Carolinas Partnership (1 announcement)
Centralina Workforce Development Board (2 announcements)
Farmland Preservation Board (2 announcements)
Fire Tax District Board (1 announcement))
Jury Commission (1 announcement)
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (15 announcements)
Statesville Planning Board/ETJ (2 announcements)
Troutman Planning & Zoning Board/ETJ (1 announcement)
Mooresville Planning Board/ETJ (3 announcements)
Iredell County Planning Board (4 announcements)
Region F Aging Advisory Board (3 announcements)
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
Statesville Board of Adiustment/ETJ 0 appointment) Commissioner Johnson made
a motion to table this appointment; however, Commissioner Keadle said most of the agenda's
committee vacancies were previously tabled. Dr. Keadle said that unless a member brought up a
motion to pick an item up from the table, then it remained tabled indefinitely. He said according
to the board's Rules of Procedure, when something was tabled, it didn't get picked back up
unless a board member brought it back up.
Commissioner Johnson mentioned that a reminder on the vacancies would be helpful.
Mashburn said he understood, then, that unless someone brought some of the
appointments back up at a future meeting, they would continue to be tabled; however, it was also
being requested that at each meeting, a list of the vacancies be available.
OTION by Commissioner Keadle to announce the vacancies each time and entertain a
motion for any of them.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
7
Nursing Home Advisory Committee: MOTTO by Commissioner Johnson to appoint
Karen Clodfelter to the Nursing Home Advisory Committee.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
NEW BUSINESS
Consideration of an Ordinance for Unmowed Lawns: Commissioner Johnson said
that over the last two weeks, five phone calls had been received from individuals concerned
about neighboring repossessed homes with unkempt lawns, and the banks not mowing them. He
said that he drove by two of the homes, and one had grass two -feet tall while the other had three
to four feet tall grass. Johnson inquired about instructing the staff to give consideration to an
ordinance where if the grass was over a certain height, the property owner would be sent a letter
telling them they needed to mow the grass, and if they didn't, they would be charged for
someone else to mow it through a property assessment. Mr. Johnson said that in one
neighborhood, an individual was going to mow the grass himself, but the property owner ran him
off. Johnson said the ordinance might be drafted for properties in approved subdivisions or
within certain distances, similar to the dilapidated housing ordinance.
OTIO by Commissioner Johnson to have the staff look at the feasibility of crafting an
ordinance related to unmowed lawns.
Mashburn said the staff was to interpret the motion by not only looking at the feasibility
but to also develop a recommended ordinance.
Johnson said (1) ordinances from other jurisdictions could be reviewed (2) the staff could
draft an ordinance and (3) the board could review the document.
Commissioner Robertson asked who would enforce the ordinance.
Mashburn said a couple of departments could handle this. He said the planning and
zoning department could review the feasibility and draft the ordinance. Mashburn said it was
possible the solid waste enforcement officer might provide the enforcement. He said this
individual made these types of inspections.
Commissioner Keadle said he had an open mind; however, he was initially in opposition
to the motion. He said the county was short of money and staff, and the ordinance might be
difficult to enforce, plus most of the homes that fitted the description were within municipal
boundaries and subject to that jurisdiction's restrictions. Keadle said the other ones fitting the
description were probably in developments that had homeowner associations that decided what
the grass should look like and so forth. Additionally, Keadle said there was a fairness issue.
Commissioner Norman said the staff could draft an ordinance, but it would be up to the
board to either approve, disapprove, or revise it.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT
Request from David Sherrill for Road Assistance: County Manager Mashburn said
Mr. Sherrill had requested paving assistance for Rustic Way Lane at the May 19, 2009 meeting.
He said the staff had determined that Rustic Way Lane was built during the gap zone between
the time the state stipulated it would take over roadways and when the county started requiring
roads to be built to state standards. Mashburn said there were no provisions to assist the
residents in bringing the road up to state standards. He said, however, the residents could use
their own funds to pave the road and petition the state for maintenance. Mashburn said the
residents were encouraged to discuss voluntary annexation with the Town of Mooresville, but the
municipality had a policy stating roads needed to be up to state standards before the town
assumed them as well. He said this information had been shared with Mr. Sherrill.
Appreciation Expressed by Chairman Williams: Mashburn noted that Chairman
Williams had been recuperating at home, and a thank you card had been received for the many
9
prayers and well wishes on his behalf. Mr. Mashburn said Chair Williams was steadily
improving, and he even attended a recent Rotary Club meeting. Mashburn said that at the club
meeting, Mr. Williams was presented with a Paul Harris Award.
CLOSED SESSION: MOTION by Commissioner Johnson to enter into closed session at
8:20 P.M., pursuant to property acquisition — G.S. 143-318.11 (a) (5).
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
(RETURN TO OPEN SESSION AT 9:29 P.M.)
ADJOURNMENT: MOTIO by Commissioner Keadle to adjourn the meeting.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
Approved:
9
Clerk to the Board