The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, October 16, 2006, at 10:00am in the Conference Room of the County Office Building, 90 South Main Street, Sparta, North Carolina.

 

            Present:  Chair Eldon Edwards, Vice-Chair Warren Taylor, Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon, Commissioner Ken Richardson, County Manager Don Adams and Clerk to the Board Karen Evans.  County Attorney Donna Shumate was present but arrived late.  Commissioner Graylen Blevins was absent.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards called the meeting to order and opened with a prayer.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the agenda for this October 16, 2006, meeting.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.   Vote 4:0.

 

AGENDA

Monday, October 16, 2006

6:30 PM

 

6:30                Meeting Called To Order

                        Motion on Agenda for October 16, 2006, meeting

Motion on Minutes for October 2, 2006, minutes

6:35                Mary Walker

                        RE:  Tax Releases and Refunds

6:45                Senior Services Annual Report

6:55                Planning/Recreation Annual Report

7:05                Library Annual Report

7:15                Martin Starnes and Associates

                        RE:  FY 05/06 Audit

                        County Business

1.      Work First Plan

2.      Budget Amendments—Social Services

3.      Budget Amendment—School Capital (ADM)

4.      Budget Amendment—ROD Capital Enhancement Fund

5.      Budget Amendment—Revaluation Fund

6.      Health Insurance

7.      Other Business

8.      Public Comments—30 minutes

9.      Closed Session—NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (3)—legal

NCGS 143-3188.11 (a) (6)—personnel

10. Adjourn

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the minutes for the October 2, 2006, meeting.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

Mary Walker, Tax Administrator, presented the September 2006 real property requests in the amount of $6,616.88 for refunds and $8,790.46 for releases.

 

County Attorney Donna Shumate arrived at 6:35pm.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards made a motion to approve the September 2006 real property requests in the amount of $6,616.88 for refunds and $8,790.46 for releases.  Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

            Mary Walker presented the September 2006 vehicle requests in the amount of $529.73 for refunds and $1,021.33 for releases.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the September 2006 vehicle requests in the amount of $529.73 for refunds and $1,021.33 for releases.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

            Mary Walker talked to the Board about tax office personnel.  She reminded the Board about when she came and asked for additional temporary personnel to help with revaluation and during the budget meetings when she asked to make this position permanent.  She gave the Board information regarding the actions in the Tax Office.  She asked the Board to reconsider making the position permanent.  She stated that they are working on procedures to start collecting Town’s taxes and new construction is increasing, which will require more of Rita Miller’s time.  She explained that revaluation notices will be going out later this week and the appeal process regarding the notices.  She talked about the excellent job that Missy Smith does and how she fits in with the Tax Office.  She explained that $13,509 is the amount of money needed for the remainder of the budget year.  She talked about selling property because of delinquent taxes and the upset bid process.

 

            County Manager Don Adams and Mary Walker talked about cross training Missy Smith in collections.  County Manager Don Adams asked Mary Walker if she is going to ask for another person to help in collections when the County starts collecting Town taxes.  Mary Walker stated no. 

 

            County Manager Don Adams updated the Board on the status of collecting Town taxes.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor stated that he recommends the County Manager to review this and bring it back in November.

 

            Rita Miller talked about the time and money spent on training Missy Smith and her background in accounting.

 

            County Manager Don Adams stated that the last time this conversation took place the employee hadn’t received any training and cross training in areas of need wasn’t going to take place so it was hard for him to recommend adding the position.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards asked Mary Walker to get with Don Adams before the November 6 meeting.

 

            Agnes Joines and Debbie Welborn came before the Board to present the annual report for Senior Services.  Debbie Welborn thanked the Board for their support.  She talked about their programs help keep seniors active and feel involved in the community.  Agnes Joines presented information about the Foster Grandparent Program including the number of participants and hours volunteered.  Debbie Welborn presented information regarding the Senior Companion Program including the number of participants and hours volunteered.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards thanked them for their actions helping the seniors.

 

            Amy Pardue, Planning/Recreation Director, came before the Board to present their annual report.  She reviewed the activities of the Planning Department including the number of new ordinances, permits issued, minor and major subdivisions.  She further reviewed the trainings she has attended and plans to attend.  She presented the Recreation Department activities including the number of participants for each sport.  She reviewed the workshops and conferences she has attended.  She talked about the PARTF grant for the renovations of Duncan Recreation Center.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor and Amy Pardue talked about working with Kathy White and plans to attend an accounting workshop about the project.

 

            County Manager Don Adams talked about he is trying to get Amy some assistance to oversee the actual project.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards thanked Amy Pardue for her report.

 

            Debbie Brewer presented the annual library report.  She explained handouts describing the statistics regarding library usage. She reviewed their fundraising activities.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards thanked her for her report.

 

            County Manager Don Adams presented the proposed Work First Plan as approved by the Social Services Board.  He stated that Alleghany County is remaining a standard county.

           

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the Work First Plan.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

            County Manager Don Adams presented budget amendment General Fund #7 in the amount of $122,388 for Medicaid transportation and budget amendment General Fund #8 in the amount $98,620 for child care funds. 

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #7 in the amount of $122,388 for Medicaid transportation and budget amendment General Fund #8 in the amount $98,620 for child care funds.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

            County Manager Don Adams presented budget amendment School Capital Reserve Fund #1 in the amount of $163,609.  He explained a spreadsheet showing the current budget versus a new budget including this budget amendment.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve budget amendment School Capital Reserve Fund #1 in the amount of $163,609.  Chair Eldon Edwards seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

            Chris Cosner with Martin Starnes and Associates presented the fiscal year 2005/2006 audit.  He reviewed the highlights of the audit. 

 

            County Manager Don Adams talked about fund balance numbers for each fund.

 

            Chris Cosner thanked the Board, Joy Hines and Don Adams for their hard work.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards thanked Chris Cosner for his efforts.

 

            County Manager Don Adams stated that the two recommendations in audit are concerns about the tax software package and increasing the capital amount from $500 to $5,000.

 

            County Manager Don Adams presented budget amendment Register of Deeds Enhancement Capital Reserve Fund #1 in the amount of ($874).  He stated that this reduction accurately budgets the amount of money in that fund according to the audited figures.    

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve budget amendment Register of Deeds Enhancement Capital Reserve Fund #1 in the amount of ($874).  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

            County Manager Don Adams presented budget amendment Revaluation Fund #1 in the amount of ($29,270).  He stated that this reduction accurately budgets the amount of money in that fund according to the audited figures.   

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve budget amendment Revaluation Fund #1 in the amount of ($29,270).   Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

            County Manager Don Adams presented a proposed change in the insurance retirement benefit.  He read the current language for the insurance retirement benefit.  He discussed the proposed version.  He stated that department heads agreed that changes should only apply to new hires and retirees should have at least 20 years of service for insurance.  He talked about issues with naming Medicare as primary insurer.  He read the proposed changes.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor and County Manager Don Adams talked about how this benefit compares to other counties.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor stated that it is fair as long as employees are notified when hired, and it is fair to existing employees.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon and County Manager Don Adams talked about years of service and meeting the Local Government Employees Retirement System (LGERS) requirements.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon, Chair Eldon Edwards and County Manager Don Adams talked about using October 16, 2006, as the effective date of this change.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the new section of employee benefits, Article IX, effective today.  Commissioner Ken Richardson seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson stated he had asked Karen Evans to make copies for the Board regarding his first NCACC Board of Directors meeting for everyone to have as a reference.

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson stated that he just came from the Ashe County Board of Commissioners’ meeting and will be going to Wilkes County tomorrow.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards asked for public comments.  None were received.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to enter into closed session at 8:04pm under NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (3)—legal and (a) (6)—personnel.  Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards called a 5-minute recess at 8:04pm.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to adjourn the closed session at 8:50pm and reconvene the regular meeting.  Chair Eldon Edwards seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards stated that no decisions were made during closed session.

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson made a motion to allow one month of salary overlap for the Social Services Director’s position.  Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

            Being no further business, Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:51pm.  Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Karen Evans

Clerk to the Board

 

 

Attest:

 

 

 

Eldon Edwards

Chairman