HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 21 2015 Regular Minutes�...� IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMNIISSIONERS
PRE -AGENDA MINUTES
April 21, 2015
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in pre -agenda session on Tuesday, April
21, 2015, at 5:30 PM, in the Iredell County Government Center (South Wing Conference Room),
200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Board Members Present
Chairman James B. Mallory III
Vice Chairman Marvin Norman
Tommy Bowles
Steve Johnson
Ken Robertson
Staff present: County Manager Ron Smith, County Attorney Bill Pope, Deputy County
Manager Beth Dirks, Finance Director Susan G. Robertson, Public Safety Coordinator David
Saleeby, Attorney Lisa Valdez, and Clerk to the Board Retha Gaither.
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Mallory.
ADJUSTMENTS OF THE AGENDA: County Manager Ron Smith made the following
adjustments:
Add: Closed Session —Property Acquisition G.S. 143-318.11 (a) (5)
New Business — Board Meeting Calendar
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Request from the Finance Department for Approval of FY16 Juvenile Crime
Prevention Council Funding Plan: Finance Director Susan Robertson said the County receives
an annual appropriation that is allocated by the local Juvenile Crime Prevention Council. They met
in March to decide on allocations for this year. They anticipate receiving $286,796 but there could
be a funding cut of up to 2%, therefore the council chose not to allocate $5,700 in the event of the
2% cut. If there is no cut the council will reconvene and determine the best place for that money
next year. Barium Springs Home for Children offers a variety of services including foster care, if
needed, for at -risk children. Appropriate Placement Options is for the restitution program where
children must perform community service under supervision and earn restitution to pay back to
those they have offended. A new program is the After School Academy. The JCPC administrative
person is a 90% employee at Cooperative Extension and the balance of her salary is funded by
JCPC. As of April, there were 110 participants in JCPC programs. These programs help keep
children from entering the "system." The County has paid a total of $43,432 for 356 days on 21
children (5 females, 16 males) that are actually in juvenile detention. The County pays $122 per
day per child in the system.
/•h Commissioner Ken Robertson asked if any of the 21 children had gone through JCPC.
April 21, 2015
Finance Director Robertson said she could not answer that question but feels some have.
In Iredell County 8% of the children are listed as high risk which was 18 children as of June 30,
2014. In Iredell County programs, 79% of the children are considered low risk but they have been
referred to the programs for specific reasons. Medium risk is 13.2%. If comparing to the State
percentages, 78.6% are low risk and the State is 69.4%. Iredell County has a better average in most
categories. The age when the first delinquent offense is alleged, 91.4% is over age 12 and the State
averages 84%.
Chairman Mallory asked the process that determines which program and what measures of
effectiveness are in place.
Finance Director Robertson said the Juvenile Court Counselors actually have a set of
criteria that they review when they refer a child to a particular program and it depends on the
offense.
Chairman Mallory asked about the local funding.
Finance Director Robertson said it could be other grants. The County provides cash to
Barium Springs for its local match and also to APO for a local match for community restitution
and teen court. Several years ago the County actually operated the Youth Home on Twin Oaks
Road and received JCPC funds for it. Barium Springs agreed to operate or provide space for
children that were referred by juvenile court if the County would provide the County match for the
JCPC which has been a good cooperative relationship. The JCPC members include a district court
judge, ADA, reps from the school system, clergy, DSS, Health Department, Sheriff s Office, City
Police, Commissioners, and County Finance.
This item was placed on the consent agenda.
April 21, 2015
Iredell County
NC Department of Public Safety - JCPC - County Funding Allocation
Available Funds: $286.796 Local Match: 138 901 Rate: 30%
LOCAL
FUNDING
OTHER OTHER
Program Provider
JCPC County Other Local
Funds Cash Local In -Kind
I
State/
Federal Funds
TOTAL
#
Cash
1
JCPC Administration
$15,190
$15,190
2
Bar um S do s Home For Children
$73,624 $22,087
$95,711
3
Piedmont Mediation, Inc.
$51,450 $15,500
$66,950
4
APO-ResfituUon/Community Service
1 $41,160 $4,442 $19,000
$64,602
5
APO -Teen Court Program
$49,192 $7,768 $31,000
$87,960
6
YDI-LIFT Afterschool Academy$50,480
$39,104
$89,584
TOTALS:
$281,096 $34,297 $65,500 $39,104
$0 $0
$419,997
Unallocated JCPC Funds: $5,700
The funding allocations as listed above were derived through Iredell County
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council's planning process and represent the
County's plan for use of these funds in Fiscal Year 2015-2016
April 21, 2015
Request from Development Services, Planning Division to Review and Give Direction
on the Naming of the New Connector Road: Planning Director Matthew Todd said there is an
addressing ordinance that states a continuous public road, primarily in one direction, should have
only one name. This connector will connect Cornelius and Mazeppa which means there will be
one road running in one direction. There are roads in Iredell that do not follow this rule but it does
not mean it is the best way. Staff feels strongly that it needs to be a continuous name with the
preference being Cornelius, split into West and East at the intersection of Highway 21. The homes
along Cornelius would change to West Cornelius. The new properties along the connector would
have East Cornelius and the existing properties off Mazeppa would change to East Cornelius. The
preference of splitting it East and West is directly stemming from the ordinance.
County Manager Ron Smith said there are two issues — mailing/physical addresses and the
implications that both have. The mailing addresses are an issue of convenience and identity. The
physical address is for emergency services and the data for GPS.
Barry Whitesides said the north/south axis for addressing is US Highway 21. The numbers
would not change on Cornelius Road except for adding. West. However, on Mazeppa, the point of
origin is changing which means numbers would change.
Chairman Mallory asked the time frame for alerting the mapping services, such as Google
Maps.
`l�\ Whitesides said it would be just three or four emails which is normal procedure.
Commissioner Bowles said that Mazeppa is a community and they have tagged everything
as Mazeppa.
Commissioner Johnson feels the decision should be weighted toward public safety. The
responsibility is to expedite emergency services as quickly as possible.
Commissioner Bowles said the area will be identified by the interchange if/when it is built.
Todd said they have listened to all of the concerns over Mazeppa Road but if the
interchange is built it be will easier to have the road all the same name.
Whitesides said a letter will be sent to all property owners.
Todd said they would have a public meeting to inform the citizens.
The Board agreed with the staff recommendation and to place it on the consent agenda.
Request from Tax Administration for Approval of March's Refunds and Releases:
County Manager Ron Smith stated these were in order.
This item was placed on the consent agenda.
April 21, 2015
Request for Approval of the Pre -Agenda Minutes from March 17 and April 7, 2015:
There were no corrections to the minutes.
This item was placed on the consent agenda.
Cornerstone Church Lease: Deputy County Manager Beth Dirks gave an update on the
lease request by Cornerstone Church. She distributed a list of action items if there is a decision to
move forward with a lease of the property next to Cornerstone Church and the Department of
Social Services. This property is in the City's planning jurisdiction which means certain
requirements must be met. There must be a survey of the property which would be Cornerstone's
responsibility. It was previously discussed if the property was going to be constructed into playing
fields that it should be a dual use in order for the County's Park and Recreation to use the facility.
However, if there is a dual use the City requires on-site paved parking which is 30% of the
maximum field capacity.
Commissioner Robertson asked the cost.
Smith said they had not considered cost estimates because he doesn't feel it is feasible.
Dirks said the City requires sidewalks, curb and guttering on the street side for the proposed
improvements. However, she recommends that to be Cornerstone's responsibility. The fields are
not required to be lit. Cornerstone is still interested in moving forward, but they will need to have
some fundraisers. If they fail in raising the necessary funds then they will not proceed. There is
also a requirement for signage, unlit, monument style, 30 square foot max, and would be the
responsibility of Cornerstone. Preparation of the lease would be the responsibility of the County
once the survey is conducted. All field construction, buffer, maintenance, insurance would be for
Cornerstone. The last action of the board was to investigate the possibility of multi -use fields which
requires on-site parking.
Commissioner Bowles clarified the dual use is the reason for the required parking lot, but
if the dual use is removed and it is leased just to Cornerstone they can use their existing parking.
He suggested scrapping the dual use idea because it is not cost effective.
Chairman Mallory suggested to explore the reduction of the foot print by mapping out the
field next to Cornerstone but maintain county property on three sides.
Commissioner Johnson feels the parking lot requirement is a deal breaker.
Dirks will investigate reducing the size of the property for the potential lease.
e`1
April 21, 2015 4
NEW BUSINESS
House Bill 589: County Manager Ron Smith mentioned House Bill 589. Scotland County
Board of Commissioners has adopted a resolution against this bill and forwarded copies to all
counties.
Board of Elections Director Becky Galliher said the extra primaries would cost
approximately $200,000. A new House Bill 457 would move the presidential primary to March
instead of February. From October of 2015 through June of 2016, there will be five elections, three
county -wide plus the bond referendum. Money for these extra elections was not budgeted.
Chairman Mallory asked the impact of available poll workers.
Galliher said it will be difficult. Most poll workers have regular jobs and take vacation days
to assist at the polls. Early voting will continue as well. She said voters are confused enough and
feels this will only compound misunderstandings.
Chairman Mallory asked if there were local options relative to the number of polling sites
that are required.
Galliher said no. She shared an email she just received stating that same-day registration
and out -of -precinct voting may be reinstated. This is frustrating because of the extra staff needed
and the amount of work.
Chairman Mallory believes it isn't enough just to disagree but that an alternative could be
offered along with a price tag concerning savings and the likelihood of a better turn -out of voters.
Vice Chairman Marvin Norman feels the Board should send a letter stating all the points
talked about. He feels there should be one primary instead of multiples.
Commissioner Ken. Robertson said he agrees with a letter stating Iredell County is against
five elections in one year which defies logic. In addition the cost of $100,000 plus asking
volunteers to take more than a week from their regular job is problematic.
Galliher said it would be easier to educate voters with one primary instead of two or three.
Chairman Mallory asked Galliher to gather facts of the cost and the impact on volunteers
in order to craft a letter.
Senate Bill 369: Chairman Mallory said the Board has had some concerns about the
legislation to change the allocation of sales tax.
Commissioner Johnson said he is very concerned about changing the formula for how sales
tax is distributed. The bill considered could cost the County approximately $500,000 and the total
P� to municipalities could be close to $4 million. However, he feels that redistribution is not the
greatest danger. He feels ultimately there could be no more local sales tax. Sales tax is statutorily
April 21, 2015
given and is mandated to be returned. However, if there is no more local sales tax that money will
become state revenue which they will give back. When the economy falters and revenues slump,
the State keeps what they need and the County gets by on what is left. He suggested adopting a
resolution that expresses those concerns. The short term concerns are losing money for the County
and municipalities and the long term concerns are losing the statutory entitlement to the funds. He
suggested County Attorney Bill Pope and Attorney Lisa Valdez to craft the resolution and would
like this added to the next meeting agenda.
County Manager Ron Smith said there should be a vote in regular session for House Bill
589 and the sales tax distribution concern.
Chairman Mallory recessed the meeting until 7:00 PM.
REGULAR MINUTES
April 21, 2015
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, April 21,
2015, at 7:00 PM, in the Iredell County Government Center (Commissioners' Meeting Room),
200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Board Members Present
Chairman James B. Mallory III
Vice Chairman Marvin Norman
Tommy Bowles
Steve Johnson
Ken Robertson
�1
Staff present: County Manager Ron Smith, County Attorney Bill Pope, Deputy County
Manager Beth Dirks, Finance Director Susan G. Robertson, Public Safety Coordinator David
Saleeby, Attorney Lisa Valdez, and Clerk to the Board Retha Gaither.
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Mallory.
INVOCATION by Commissioner Tommy Bowles.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Chairman Mallory.
ADJUSTMENTS OF THE AGENDA: County Manager Ron Smith made the following
adjustment to the agenda:
Add: New Business — Senate Bill 369 discussion
Closed Session — Property Acquisition G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(5)
April 21, 2015
OTIO by Commissioner Steve Johnson to adopt the agenda with the adjustments.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0
PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS
(None)
�lraA 14111%14 7
Request from the Town of Troutman Planning Department for Approval of South
Iredell High School Easement: Troutman Planner Erika Martin said the Town of Troutman is
requesting the donation of .005 acre of permanent easement and .004 for temporary construction
easement to connect a sidewalk on the campus of South Iredell High School to multi -use sidewalks
slated to be constructed this summer. The multi -use sidewalk will be a nine foot wide asphalt path
within a twenty foot easement similar to the segment completed in the fall connecting the Iredell
County Fairgrounds to the Barium YMCA. It will include a signed cross walk at April Showers
Lane and signalize crossing at the intersection of Many Street, Murdock, and Old Mountain Roads.
If will benefit bicyclists, walkers, runners and residents enjoying a stroll with a friend. It is vital to
providing a safe connection for the high school students who are already walking to SIRS. The
ISS Board of Education recognizes this need because a student walking was hit by a student driving
to school in May of 2014. They have signed a MOU with the Town of Troutman to assist with the
funding gap. The majority of funds are coming from the State and federal government.
/0"IN
OTIO by Commissioner Ken Robertson to approve.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0
PUBLIC HEARINGS
(None)
The following items that were placed on the consent agenda at the 5:30 PM pre -agenda
meeting:
• Request from the Finance Department for approval of FYI Juvenile Crime Prevention
Council Funding Plan.
• Request from Development Services, Planning Division to review and give direction on
the naming of the new connector road as the new name being West and East Cornelius
Road. There will be a neighborhood meeting with residents.
• Request from Tax Administration to approve March Refunds and Releases.
• Request for approval of the March 17 and April 7, 2015 minutes.
OTIO by Vice Chairman Marvin Norman to approve the consent agenda.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0
April 21, 2015 7
ANNOUNCEMENTS OF VACANCIES OCCURRING ON BOARD & COMMISSIONS
I -CARE, Inc. Board of Directors (1 Announcement)
OTIO by Commissioner Tommy Bowles to approve this announcement.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMbIISSIONS
(None)
Cil►Ali 1►1�.�i�17.�iF.�1-►I9i.�.`
Cornerstone Church Lease: Chairman Mallory said this item was discussed at pre -agenda
and staff will further investigate different options in order to work through some issues related to
requirements by the City of Statesville.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Michael Kelly, member of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners,
stated he was en route to a Board meeting on Thursday in Macon County. He is the Director over eoo\
the Risk Management Pools. While traveling through he just wanted to stop in and say hello. The
new Executive Director Kevin Carr sent his regards. He commented on the good risk management
Iredell County has and said he is available at any time if needed.
NEW BUSINESS
House Bill 589: Chairman James Mallory stated during the pre -agenda there was a
discussion about House Bill 589. He stated this bill is proposing additional primaries which would
be costly and burdensome on the time of volunteers. The Board is crafting a letter to send to the
legislative delegation to ask them to combine, at least, two of the primaries. The cost of an election
is approximately $100,000 which is not budgeted and is essentially unfunded mandates. Elections
are not just the Election Day. It would be more cost effective and efficient to combine the
primaries.
Senate Bill 369: Chairman Mallory stated Senate Bill 369 was also discussed at the pre -
agenda and asked Commissioner Steve Johnson to summarize.
Commissioner Johnson stated concerns of the proposed allocation of sales tax. He
understands there will be a phased -in transformation of how the sales taxes are allocated. There is
a disparity in Iredell County between the amount of sales tax based on the point of origin as
compared to the amount of sales tax based on population. From that perspective Iredell County is
already a contributing county based on the point of origin. Substantial revenues already leave this
county. In the short term, this bill will further burden Iredell County in regards to being a
April 21, 2015
contribution county as it would gradually be phased to all of the sales taxes being allocated based
on population. Over time there would be a considerable loss of revenue as compared to the existing
formula for distribution. However, he feels this is not the greatest danger for all counties in North
Carolina. He feels sales taxes will no longer be in the possession of counties. The State will collect
and then they are obligated statutorily to refund back to counties. The sales taxes would become
state revenue. There will be no more local sales tax revenues. Historically, the State kept lottery
funds and the Highway Trust Fund when the economy faltered. The State created a formula where
school funding revenues are redistributed based on someone else's sense of equity. The State does
the same with community colleges and economic development. He feels the State will withhold
sales tax revenues that rightly belong to the County to use to pay their own bills which will leave
a serious financial burden on counties to make up the difference. The County could potentially
lose $500,000 but collectively the municipalities could lose be over $4 million.
OTIO by Commissioner Johnson to ask County Attorney Bill Pope and Attorney Lisa
Valdez to study this issue and craft a resolution in opposition stating our concerns about the short
term loss of revenues and also the major concerns that local sales tax revenue will disappear and
become all state sales tax revenue solely under their discretion. This resolution should be adopted
and sent to all county municipalities and chambers of commerce to ask them to adopt as well. All
of which should be sent to the local legislative delegation.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0
/0"ti OTIO by Vice Chairman Marvin Norman to craft a letter concerning House Bill 589.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0
Commissioner Ken Robertson stated basically there would be a redistribution of sales tax
to try to help the poorer counties. It is easier for those poorer counties to get state support for
economic incentives. When the state funds education, they do not allocate every child the same
amount of money. Iredell County receives less money per student than most other counties. All of
this is done under the umbrella of fairness. Continuously being near last place with "fairness"
brings the thought of how much is enough! Every time the government becomes more concerned
with being fair than effective it will cost a lot of money and it will still not be effective.
COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT
County Manager Ron Smith distributed a 2015 calendar and stated it had been the practice
of this Board to cancel the first meeting in July for two reasons. First because it is usually around
Independence Day and second because the Board is usually ready for a break after several budget
meetings.
Commissioner Steve Johnson said the summer months are fairly slow. The budget will
have been adopted and the staff will adjusting. He is open to not meeting the first Tuesday in July.
OTIO by Commissioner Ken Robertson to cancel the first meeting in July of 2015.
April 21, 2015 9
VOTING Ayes - 5; Nays - 0
cia
Smith reminded the Board of the budget deliberations will begin on Wednesday, May 6
and Thursday, May 7. The Board will receive their budget books on May 5.
Smith distributed a quarterly April 2015 Financial Report. Sales Taxes have increased 13%
over last year. All development departments have increased over 2014. Expenditures are expected
to finish well within budget.
Revenue
March 31, 2015
FY12
3131112
IREDELL COUNTY
WITH SALES TAXES
FYI
3131113
GENERAL
FY14
3131114
FUND
April, 2015 (January
FY15
1 3131115
Sales)
FY14-15
Inc Dec
Corrected
FY15 Revised
Budget
412212015
u/00 FY15
Budget
Ad Valorem Taxes
95,013,522
97,253,037
99,463,982
1 100,091,240
0.63%
102,212,275
98%
Other Taxes & Licenses
539,099
908,319
534,549
1,308,656
144.811%1.
718,625
182°
Sales Taxes 1
14,892,583
14,967,561
16,031,557
18,061,129
12.66%
29,951,670
60%
Bldg & Land Dev 2
Register of Deeds
524,581
703,220
755,934
888,190
17.50%
970,000
92%
Building Standards
1,443,296
2,041,298
2,000,315
2,873,836
43.67%
2,704,300
106%
Planning161,508
170,093
200.969
238,414
18.63%
238,315
100%
On-site Water Protection
221,035
313,315
390,047
440,840
13.02%
596,085
74%
EMS
2,709,864
3,008,484
2,706,694
2,959,100
9.33%
4,055,250
73%
Health Dept
-all other
2,916,837
2,501,935
2,544,584
2,507,500
•1.46%
4,112,902
61%
Social Services
10,238,569
9,826,108
8,633,172
10,000,543
15.84%
15,945,213
63%
Sheriffs Departunent
1,171,291
959,496
951,049
760,683
-20.02%
864,434
88%
Crime Lab
47,298
62,461
78,498
101,924
29.84%
219,286
46%
Jail
291,814
382,020
180,338
262,285
12.17%
215,100
94%
Debt Refundin 3
18,545,000
100.00%
0%
All Other Revenue
4,263,096
4,402,453
4,746,689
4,002,156
-15.69%
24,760,845
16%
134,434,393 137,499,800 1 157,763,377
(1) Includes Sales Taxes for January Received in April
(2) Building & Land Development revenues 33% increase over FY14
3 Backingout the FY14 Refunding results in a 3.7% FY14 to
144,436,496
FY15 increase
-8.45%
(3)
187,564,300
77.01 %
_
Ex enditures
FY12
3131112
FY13
3131113
FY14
3131114
FY15
3131115
FY14-15
Inc Dec
FY15 Revised
Budget
% of FY15
Bud et
General Governmental9,309,247
10,118,819
10,836,209
10,787,940
•0.45%
16,930,664
64°/
Public Safe
21,670,744
21,874,237
23,137,253
23,723,691
2.53%
35,389,281
67%
Bldg & Land Development
R ister of Deeds 65%
301,346
290,731
300,791
267,528
•11.06%
394,142
68%
Central Permitting
8,987
209,519
214,231
250,420
16.89%
384,324
65%
Buildin Standards
1,420,505
1,267,332
1,217,510
1,235,688
1.49%
1,716,581
72%
Planning
504,874
570,548
499,963
496,790
-0.63%
670,344
74°/
On-site Wastewater
514,862
448,755
515,745
1 562,148
9.00%
751,355
75%
Building Standards Center
42,975
48,301
43,334
1 40,813
-5.82%
67,093
61%
Cooperative Extension
198,434
_
219,167
208,385
217,674
4.46%
394,036
55%
Human Services
23,798,878
22,928,511
22,316,636
22,304,963
-0.05%
34,327,561
65%
Education
44,904,660
45,596,945
45,903,769
50,430,510
9.86%
76,300,440
66%
Debt Service 1
667,469
725,725
19,285,694
1,060,128
-94.501/6
1,022,710
104%
Cultural & Recreational
3,719,577
3,883,799
3,723,370
3,747,789
0.66%
4,773,214
79%
Other Financing Uses
4,000,000
507,917
569,330
12.09%
14,442,555
4%
107,062,558
112,182,389
128,710,808
115,695,412
-10.11%
187,564,300
61.68%
(1) FY14 $18,545,042 payoff 2003 COPS & Rescue Squad Financing (refunding)
2 Backing out the FY14 Refunding results in approximately 6% FY14 to FY15 increase.
(2)
April 21, 2015 t0
n
CLOSED SESSION
OTIO by Chairman Mallory to enter into a Closed Session at 7:30 PM pursuant to G.S.
143-318.11 (a) (4) Economic Development and G.S. 143-318.11 (a) (5) Property Acquisition.
VOTING: None taken.
The Board returned to open session 8:21 PM.
OTIO by Commissioner Ken Robertson to call for a public hearing on May 5, 2015, at
7:00 PM regarding an economic development incentive ranging between $116,000 and $139,200
over a five-year period, for Project Decker based on an investment ranging between $3 million
and $6 million in Iredell County. (Note: The day after the meeting, it was discovered that the range
of incentives was wrong. The advertisement for the public hearing stated the correct range to be
between $58,200 and $116,400.)
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0
OTIO by Commissioner Ken Robertson to nominate Chairman James Mallory to be
the alternate for the Charlotte Regional Transportation Organization because Commissioner
i" � Johnson is unable to fulfill his role as the alternate.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0
OTIO by Vice Chairman Marvin Norman to adjourn at 8:25 PM. (The next meeting
will be Tuesday, May 5, 2015, 7:00 PM, in the Commissioners' Meeting Room, Pre -Agenda
Discussion at 5:30 PM in the South Wing Conference Room, Government Center, 200 South
Center Street, Statesville, NC)
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0
Approval:
Clerk to the Board
April 21, 2015 11