October 15PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS October 15, 2007
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Johnny Myrl Lunsford, Chairman Steve Carpenter, County Manager
Jimmy B. Clayton, Vice-Chairman , County Attorney
Kyle W. Puryear Faye T. Fuller, Clerk to the Board
Larry H. Bowes Brenda Reaves, Deputy Clerk to the Board
Larry E. Yarborough, Jr.
************************************************************************
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in
regular session on Monday, October 15, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Room
of the Person County Office Building.
Chairman Lunsford called the meeting to order. Commissioner Clayton led in
prayer and Commissioner Bowes led the Pledge of Allegiance.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Clayton, seconded by Commissioner
Yarborough and carried to add a Proclamation for Red Cross Week to the agenda.
A motion was made by Commissioner Yarborough, seconded by Commissioner
Puryear and carried to add discussion of the Gag Order concerning landfill issues to the
agenda.
INFORMAL COMMENTS:
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A motion was made by Commissioner Bowes, seconded by Commissioner
Puryear, and carried to approve the minutes of October 1, 2007.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
The following Administrative Reports were received and accepted by the Board
by motion of Commissioner Puryear and second of Commissioner Bowes - Detention
Center, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Marshal, Inspections.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT ORDER OF THE PROPERTY TAX COMMISSION
– 2006 PRIMARY ENERGY APPEAL:
Tax Administrator Russell Jones appeared before the Board to request approval
of Consent Order of the Property Tax Commission-2006 Primary Energy Appeal. Mr.
Jones stated that on September 18, 2006 Primary Energy appealed the business personal
tax value of their property to the Person County Board of Equalization and Review. The
County’s tax value was $14,878,175 for the business personal plus $4,729,835 for the
real property. The total tax value was $19,608,010.
October 15, 2007 1
Primary Energy requested that the value of the business property be lowered to
$5,004,968. The real property value was not appealed in a timely manner, so the real
property value remained at $4,729,835. The Person County Board of E&R upheld the
county’s tax value. The value was appealed to the Property Tax Commission on October
24, 2006. Primary Energy paid the entire tax bill on January 5, 2007. The County, the
North Carolina Department of Revenue and the taxpayer’s representative met on June 21,
2007 and discussed the values. It was agreed that since Primary Energy had lost its
“steam host”, a different depreciation table should be used with a shorter useful life. The
depreciation table changed the useful life from a 28-year life to an 18-year life, with a
residual value of 25%. This change represented a taxable value of $8,957,214, or a
decrease of $5,920,961. This figure was agreed upon by all parties.
Under G.S. 105-325 the County must authorize the change in value “to give
effect to decisions of the Property Tax Commission on appeals taken under G.S. 105-290.
Tax Administrator Jones asked the Board to authorize the Tax Office to refund
$40,795.43 ($38,486.25 taxes, plus $2,309.18 interest) to Primary Energy.
A motion was made by Commissioner Clayton, seconded by Commissioner
Puryear and carried to adopt the Consent Order of the Property Tax Commission and
authorized the Tax Administrator to refund $40,795.43 to Primary Energy.
October 15, 2007 2
PROCLAMATION: RED CROSS MONTH
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear, seconded by Commissioner
Clayton and carried to approve the Proclamation for Red Cross Month.
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the American Red Cross has served our community by providing lifesaving
information, training, and disaster relief to individuals and families for the past 90
years; and
WHEREAS, the Red Cross is a leading voluntary agency meeting the needs to individuals
and families affected by personal emergencies and disaster; and
WHEREAS, the Red Cross is designated by the Congress of the United States in the Act
approved January 5, 1905, as amended, 36 U.S.C. Sections 1-9, as the lead
voluntary agency responsible for national and international relief in time of peace
and to apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine,
fire, floods, and other great national calamities, and to devise and carry on
measures for preventing the same; and
WHEREAS, the Red Cross has trained thousands in our community in essential skills such
as: first aid and CPR, providing HIV/AIDS prevention education and disaster
preparedness information; thereby, saving untold numbers of lives; and
WHEREAS, Red Cross is recognized as the leading voluntary agency to help families prepare
for a disaster and meet the immediate needs of individuals affected by disaster,
leading voluntary agency training families in first aid, CPR, HIV/AIDS prevention
education and providing other needed services.
NOW, THEREFORE, I do hereby proclaim October 2007 as
“American Red Cross of Central North Carolina’s 90th Anniversary Month”
in PERSON COUNTY, and hereby urge all citizens to take special note of this observance by
acknowledging and supporting the ongoing contribution of the Red Cross in helping our families
prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies and disasters during this month and throughout
the year.
(Signed)
Johnny Myrl Lunsford, Chairman
Person County Board of Commissioners
DISCUSSION OF INFORMAL GAG ORDER ON LANDFILL ISSUES:
Commissioner Yarborough stated that some citizens have asked why the Board of
Commissioners cannot talk about the landfill. He said it was his feeling that there should
be open discussion in the community.
County Manager Carpenter explained that a Special Use Permit public hearing
has to be quasi judicial and only things which are presented at the hearing can be
considered. He said it is difficult to separate opinions the Board hears in the community
from those comments presented at the public hearing. While there is the possibility of a
October 15, 2007 3
scheduled public hearing, it is best not to conduct any dialog. He agreed that once the
public hearing has taken place, there should be much discussion and dialog with the
citizens.
Commissioner Yarborough stated his opinion that the Board should be able to
speak and enter the Public Hearing with open minds. He said the more discussion, the
better and that he would continue to discuss the issue with citizens.
Chairman Lunsford stated he was ready to move forward with scheduling a
Public Hearing.
Commissioner Puryear agreed and made a motion to schedule a Landfill
Expansion Public Hearing date of Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the
auditorium of the County Office Building. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Yarborough and carried unanimously.
BUDGET AMENDMENT:
Upon a motion by Commissioner Yarborough, and a second by Commissioner Puryear and
majority vote, the Board of Commissioners of Person County does hereby amend the
Budget of the General Fund(s) on this, the 15th day of October 2007, as follows:
Dept./Acct No.Department Name $Amount
Incr/Decr(-)
EXPENDITURES General
Human Services 49,646
REVENUES General
Intergovernmental Revenues 49,646
Explanation:
Appropriate: New Partnership for Children Grant, $49,646.
October 15, 2007 4
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
¾ Reminded the Board that it should act as a team and should anyone step
out to do anything regarding any matter, all other members and the
County Manager should be informed. All Board members should work
together.
Commissioner Yarborough informed the Board that he received a call
from Johnston Ambulance Service to discuss private ambulance service.
He indicated that he advised the Service to present such a proposal to the
County Manager.
¾ Asked the Manager to arrange a joint meeting with the Board of
Education in order to begin dialog for Spring meeting.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
> Thursday – October 18, 2207 - Flu shots at FEMA through CIGNA
> Friday October 19th - 9-1-1 committee meeting at EMS - 9:00 a.m.
> Regionalized Emergency Management presentation – Tuesday October
23, 2007 – 12:30 p.m.
> Appointment for pilot position on Airport Commission – asked if Board
wanted to invite applicant early at November meeting. Board consensus:
NO interview process for this position vacancy.
> Strategic Planning Committee – October 25, 2007 in Auditorium
COMMISSIONER REPORTS/COMMENTS:
> Commissioner Clayton requested that the Manager ask Superintendent
Cartner to make the same presentation at the joint BOE/BOC meeting that
is being given to PTA’s
October 15, 2007 5
October 15, 2007 6
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear, seconded by Commissioner
Puryear to adjourn the meeting at 9:39 a.m. until Monday, November 5, 2007. The
motion carried unanimously.
_________________________________ ______________________________
Faye T. Fuller, CMC Johnny Myrl Lunsford
Clerk to the Board Chairman