HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary_7_2014_Regular_MinutesJanuan 7, 2014
IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MINUTES
January 7, 2014
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, January 7, 2014, at 7:00
PM, in the Iredell County Government Center (Commissioners' Meeting Room), 200 South Center
Street, Statesville, NC.
Board Members Present
Chairman Steve Johnson
Renee Griffith
David Boone
Ken Robertson
Absent: Marvin Norman
Staff present: County Manager Ron Smith, County Attorney Bill Pope, Deputy County
Manager Beth Dirks, Finance Director Susan G. Robertson, ECOM/Emergency Management
Director David Martin, Solid Waste Director David Lambert, Emergency Services Coordinator
David Saleeby and Clerk to the Board Retha Gaither.
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Johnson and stated Vice Chairman Marvin Norman was
absent due to the death of his mother-in-law.
INVOCATION by Chairman Johnson
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ADJUSTMENTS OF THE AGENDA: MOTTO by Chairman Johnson to approve the
agenda with the following adjustment:
Deletion: Closed Session Pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11 (a) (4) Economic Development
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
APPOINTMENT BEFORE THE BOARD
(None)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Chairman Johnson declared the meeting to be in a Public Hearing.
Public Hearing in Regard to Installment Financing with Energy United Electric
Membership Corporation for Iredell Statesville Schools: Finance Director Susan Robertson
mentioned this item had been before the Board several times beginning in October 2012, for the
Board to consider critical HVAC improvements for West Iredell High School. This will be a $1.3
million interest free loan from USDA to Energy United. Energy United will loan the funds to the
County for improvements at WINS. Dr. Kenny Miller, Iredell Statesville Schools, gave Robertson
Januan 7, 2014
an estimate of utility cost savings at $40,000 per year. Those numbers were provided by Energy
United. The closing cost, application fee, title insurance and legal fees will be approximately
$8,000.
Chairman Johnson stated Dr. Miller had planned to be present but was called away to an
emergency water issue at Harmony Elementary School.
Robertson stated if the Board wishes to continue with this process, she will file the
application before the end of the week. All of the financing documents will be ready for approval
at the next meeting.
No one from the public was present to comment and Chairman Johnson declared the Public
Hearing closed.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Request by Iredell-Statesville Schools to Approve Three ISS Lottery Applications and
Budget Amendment #16 to Pass the Funds Through to ISS: Finance Director Susan Robertson
stated the school board has three additional projects that have been approved for lottery funding.
The lottery proceeds are available in the County's account at the State Treasurer's office and
Robertson is requesting approval to draw from those funds.
OTIO by Commissioner Robertson to approve budget amendment # 16.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0
BA#16
1/7/2014
Account#
104700 4571.01
105700 5600.04
Budget Amendment
Fiscal Year 2013-14
To recognize Lottery Proceeds and appropriate the funds to reimburse Iredell-
Statesville Schools for projects completed at West Iredell High School
(restrooms), Statesville Middle School (entrance), and Cool Springs Elementary
(wastewater/septic system upgrade)
Current Change
feral Fund
ISS -Lottery Proceeds - (696,320)
ISS - Lottery
Projects *** 407,248 696,320
Amended
(696,320)
1,103,568
Request by Emergency Management for Approval to Sign a Memo of Agreement with
NC State Highway Patrol Through NC Emergency Management to Retain $224,000 for
VIPER P25 Upgrades and Approve Budget Amendment #17: ECOM/Emergency Management
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Januan 7, 2014
Director David Martin addressed the Board to ask approval for a grant. The NC Highway Patrol,
working with the NC Emergency Management Homeland Security Branch, was able to secure a
grant through the Department of Homeland Security to upgrade VIPER sites. The only stipulation
was it had to be a pass-through grant with local jurisdictional participation. Martin stated there are
now three VIPER sites in Iredell County which will be upgraded to the new digital technology.
Chairman Johnson asked for clarification there would be no local match, it would be 100%
pass-through.
Martin said yes.
OTIO by Commissioner Boone to approve budget amendment #17.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0
Budget Amendment
Fiscal Year 2013.14
To appropriate a Homeland Security Grant in the Office of Emergency
BA#17 Management for VIPER equipment. This is a pass-through grant to the NC
1/7/2014 State Highway Patrol.
Account # Current I Chane I Amended
General Fund
104546 438404 14549 Homeland Security (224,000) (224,000)
105546 577301 14549 1 Grant Purchase Other Agency ( - 1224,000 1224,000
Request by Emergency Management for Approval to Accept a 45K W Mobile
Generator from Domestic Preparedness Region 7 and Approval of Budget Amendment #18:
ECOM/Emergency Director David Martin addressed the Board and stated Domestic Preparedness
Region 7, made up of several counties around Iredell, was awarded $132,768 to purchase 5
mounted generators on trailers and place them strategically around the region. Iredell County was
chosen to receive one of the generators. Martin asked the Board to approve acceptance of the
generator and budget amendment #18.
Commissioner Ken Robertson asked if the generator was already mounted on a trailer and
if the intent was for use in Mecklenburg County and/or the whole region. Robertson also asked
where it would be stored.
Martin said it was already mounted and could be used anywhere. He stated tentative storage
would be at Facility Services but if that doesn't work it could be stored at one of the fire
departments.
Robertson asked about maintenance.
Jarman 7, 2014
Martin said he feels Facility Services would probably put it on a monthly schedule with
other equipment.
Chairman Johnson asked who would be responsible for taking the generator to a disaster
area.
Martin said it would probably depend on the situation. For instance, in a disaster situation
in another county, they may ask Iredell County staff to deliver.
#18.
MOT1ON by Chairman Johnson to approve this request and approve Budget Amendment
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
Budget Amendment
Fiscal Year 2013-14
To appropriate a Homeland Security Grant in the Office of
BA#18 Emergency Management for a trailer mounted generator.
1/7/2014
104546 438404 14549 1 Homeland Security ( - 1 (22,805) 1 (22,805)
105546 610000 14549 1 Depreciable Assets I - 122,805 122,805
Request by Solid Waste to Approve a Three Year Renewal of Property Lease for
Harmony Convenience Site: Solid Waste Director David Lambert addressed the Board and
stated Solid Waste had been leasing the property where the Harmony Convenience Site is located
from Kathleen Martin. The lease is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2014. He is requesting a
renewal for an addition three year period. It is a regular budgeted item for Solid Waste.
Commissioner David Boone asked the status of previous talks of purchasing a site for that
station.
Lambert said Ms. Martin does not want to sell this particular site but they are still looking
at other possibilities.
County Manager Ron Smith asked for clarification. He stated that even if a site was found
right away it would take some time to prepare. Therefore, this lease is needed during the interim.
Lambert said typically it would take about 2 years to purchase, design and construct land
for use as a convenience site.
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Jaauan 7, 2014
MOTION by Commissioner Griffith to approve.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
Request for Approval of the December 17, 2013 Minutes: MOTION by Commissioner
Boone to approve the minutes as presented.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
ANNOUNCEMENTS OF VACANCIES OCCURRING ON BOARD & COMMISSIONS
(None)
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
(None)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
(None)
PUBLIC COMMENT
(None)
NEW BUSINESS
Chairman Johnson made a statement to set a few parameters concerning the upcoming
budget season and the economy in 2014. He stated, in his opinion, 2014 will show growth and
revenue to be lower than historical averages, however better than 2013. He continued to say the
US has the highest corporate tax rate in the world which is a barrier to investments. He said that
most attention has been given to the open market operation which is the buying and selling of
bonds by the central bank. The Federal Reserve is the largest holder of US Treasury bonds. He
continued to say if interest rates were not artificially low the interest payments alone would have
increased the deficit by an estimated $700 billion annually over the last several years. Additionally
the artificial low rates distort the flow of capital which leads investors to seek other areas with
higher rates of return. This leads to asset bubbles, i.e. tech bubble, housing bubble, etc. and some
estimate an equity bubble. This negative impact will continue to affect our local economy
everywhere. Johnson continued to say, in his opinion, the best way to determine if our local
economy is growing is to watch the valuation and resulting revenue from commercial personal
property. When they are increasing at a healthy rate, businesses will invest in capital which means
an increase in jobs, property value and sales taxes. However, capital investment has been flat and
are likely to remain below historical averages. Thus, Johnson continued, this demands the budget
process to proceed cautiously. Modest property valuation increases and sales tax revenues have
improved but should be handled carefully. Iredell County will improve at a modest rate but still
below historical averages. Therefore, Johnson stated, we should be careful not to substantially
increase our base cost of operation and should not incur sizable debt which is to be serviced only
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Jaauan 7, 2014
through sales tax revenues. Debt should be incurred only when necessary based more solid revenue
sources. Johnson commended his fellow commissioners and staff who have consistently shown
sound judgment. He instructed the staff to be cautious while approaching the upcoming budget
and not to substantially increase the base cost of operation by either internal or external requests.
COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT: County Manager Ron Smith gave an informational
handout to the Board from Stan Thompson. Mr. Thompson only ask for the Board's review and,
if inclined, to offer favorable comments to the NCDOT concerning the height of the NC 150
Bridge.
Smith said the application process has been opened for the Citizen's Academy. Last year's
academy was a success and staff was looking forward to this year's.
Smith asked if the Board would consider a change in the budget review sessions. He
suggested instead of several night meetings, a day -long meeting might work better. An immediate
decision did not have to be made.
Commissioner Boone stated he realized the difficulty in trying to work around everyone's
schedule, but commented he thought the shorter meetings were better than day -long meetings.
Shorter meetings offered more processing time about the subjects.
Chairman Johnson stated he is not opposed to day meetings but would need advanced
notice in order to schedule around his business.
Johnson asked Commissioner Robertson to work with the County Manager to set a
tentative schedule.
CLOSED SESSION: MOTION by Chairman Johnson at 7:34 PM, to enter into closed
session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11 (a) (5) — Property Acquisition.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
(RETURN TO OPEN SESSION AT 8:07 PM)
ADJOURNMENT: MOTION by Chairman Johnson to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
(NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Iredell County Government
Center, 300 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.)
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
Approval:
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Clerk to the Board