06-04-2019 Meeting Minutes BOC
June 4, 2019
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS JUNE 4, 2019
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
David B. Newell, Sr. Heidi York, County Manager
Gordon Powell
Jimmy B. Clayton Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Board
Kyle W. Puryear
B. Ray Jeffers
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in
recessed session on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at 10:00am in the Commissioners’ meeting
room in the Person County Office Building.
Chairman Newell called the recessed meeting to order. Chairman Newell stated
there might not be a need to increase the property tax rate if the Board could prioritize
items in the budget.
Commissioner Puryear stated his priorities were to maintain the current property
tax rate at $.70, to review revenues noting possible new revenues in the future, consider
the state mandated services with a goal to offer his best proposal to offset the proposed tax
increase.
The Board reviewed line items in the FY2019-2020 Recommended Budget to
which staff answered questions. County Manager, Heidi York, Finance Director, Amy
Wehrenberg, Assistant Finance Director and Budget Manager, Laura Jensen along with
Assistant County Manager, Sybil Tate noted the recommended budget was a conservative
proposal, which help to grow Fund Balance with many figures being floating figures.
Following a discussion related to the state reimbursement for inmates, the Board
asked that the Sheriff be available at the next budget work session.
Commissioner Puryear asked for a breakdown for the Economic Development
budget where contracted services increased to fund Target Industry Feasibility Study,
Speculative Building Feasibility Study, website updates, and consulting services.
The Board also desired a breakdown of the Cooperative Extension contracted
services to fund a full time Extension Director and state mandated salary increases.
The Board discussed the Health Department Budget with its Director, Janet
Clayton. Ms. Clayton, Ms. Wehrenberg provided clarification to the Health Department’s
fiscal resources using its Balance Sheet data pulled from Munis and explained how the
Health Department Fund Balance and General Fund support worked. Ms. Wehrenberg
stated the Fund Balance and the year-end 2018 plus revenues minus expenditures provides
a snapshot of its fiscal worth for that point in time.
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The same concept holds true for the Department of Social Services’ Fund Balance
and General Fund support.
Chairman Newell noted the following three priorities: 1) increase working capital
in the Economic Development budget by $250,000 primarily to complete the mega site so
that they could market it, 2) designate $1M in a fund for water/sewer/broadband noting to
connect to Virginia’s broadband system would benefit a prospect’s request for redundant
services, and 3) set aside funds for school system retrofits.
Commissioner Powell stated schools have not historically been funded as a top
priority; his top priorities are education and economic development.
Commissioner Clayton cited his priority was to establish a water/sewer fund noting
a water line to circle the landfill would cost $14.4M. He noted there is a need for a
water/sewer/environment fund to provide solutions for landfill clean up. He noted he was
good with the manager’s recommended budget for the schools’ budget, compression study
for employees but felt like full time positions were needed for a Cooperative Extension
Director, an Environmental Health Inspector, and a Building Inspector.
Commissioner Puryear asked Ms. York to provide information related to the
vehicles request in the budget, i.e. mileage.
Commissioner Puryear asked the costs associated with the cell phone change to
which she said the current cell phone program costs $121,686 and the new program will
cost $144,276, a $22,590 increase.
Vice Chairman Jeffers addressed the volunteer fire departments (VFDs)
recommending to cut $30,000 in the appropriation to the Woodsdale Volunteer Fire
Department, but to keep that funding in the fire tax fund. The Board discussed attaching
conditions to the VFD funding for lower ISO ratings. Vice Chairman Jeffers noted the
VFDs are now working together better and offer countywide ISO trainings. His
recommendation for an individual to lead the group to achieve lower ISO ratings would be
City Employee, Fire Chief Wayne Wrenn, who serves as the President of the Fire Chief’s
Association.
Vice Chairman Jeffers said after listening to the other commissioners’ priorities, he
said the Board provided direction to the Manager following the retreat and that she
delivered a budget reflecting such. He suggested the following:
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Increase Economic Development $250,000,
Establish a water/sewer fund using $500,000 from Fund Balance,
Include the study for the YMCA at $25,000,
Cut Woodsdale appropriation by $30,000,
Fund the Compression Study for one-half implementation for $363,471,
Establish a School Investment Fund for $500,000 (later determined to hold for the debt
consultants strategy)
Vice Chairman Jeffers’ funding to achieve the above noted items was to increase
taxes one additional cent over the proposed increase ($.70 to $.73).
Chairman Newell and Commissioner Puryear stated preference to keep the tax rate
flat and desired the opportunity to offer a proposal for cuts within the budget at the Board’s
next budget work session.
Chairman Newell stated the following were being subsidized by the County’s
General Fund:
Health Dept. $1.3M
Parks & Recreation $900K (could correct with adjustment to fee schedule)
Person Industries $334,000, and up to $600,000 with utilities, etc.
Library $400,000
Senior Center $88,000
Commissioner Puryear suggested for the Board to schedule its next budget work
session for June 11, 2019 at 9:00am.
It was the consensus of the Board to recess the meeting at 11:55am until June 11,
2019 at 9:00am for its next budget work session.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Brenda B. Reaves David B. Newell, Sr.
Clerk to the Board Chairman