HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_0613IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BRIEFING MINUTES
DECEMBER 4 2001
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in Briefing Session on Tuesday,
December 4, 2001, at 5:00 p.m., in the Iredell County Government Center, 200 South
Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Present: Chairman Sara Haire Tice
Vice Chairman Steve D. Johnson
Tommy E. Bowles
Karen B. Ray
R. Godfrey Williams
Staff Present: Finance Director Susan Blumenstein, Library Director Steve
Messick, Health Director Ray Rabe, Environmental Health Supervisor Kelly Sheeks,
Social Services Director Don Wall, Planning Supervisor Ron Smith, Inspections/Planning
Director Lynn Niblock and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore. (Note: The county manager
was unable to attend the meeting due to a death in his family.)
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Tice.
REQUEST FOR A DISCUSSION OR APPROVAL OF A PROPOSED
MODEL FOR THE JOINT OPERATION OF PUBLIC LIBRARY FACILITIES
BETWEEN IREDELL COUNTY AND MUNICIPALITIES: Joining Library
Director Steve Messick in the discussion about this item were: Harmony Town Mayor
John Ray Campbell and Harmony Town Council Members Robert Moore and Martha
Johnson. Messick reviewed a proposal/model for the joint operation of a public library
between the county and a municipality. The proposal included information on the
purpose of the joint relationship, the responsibilities of the governing parties, the
operational guidelines, and the initiating and terminating agreements.
Commissioner Williams asked about the utilities. He said the model stipulated
the municipality would pay for all utility services with the exception of the
telecommunications services. Williams questioned whether or not it might be best for the
county to pay the utility charges. He noted the county would be providing the paid staff
that would be based in the building.
It was also mentioned that due to Harmony being near the county line, citizens
from neighboring counties might want to use the facility. Messick was asked about the
guidelines pertaining to out -of -county patrons. He said that at the present, a fee was not
charged, but this policy could be reviewed.
A discussion also occurred about the maintenance of the building. The proposal
stipulated the municipality would pay for the maintenance costs up to $500. Then, the
county would assume the costs. A question was raised about reverting the costs, i.e., the
county paying the maintenance up to $500, and after this amount, the municipality
assuming the costs. It was later mentioned, however, this arrangement might create a
hardship on the county's maintenance staff due to the distance involved in making small
repairs.
Commissioner Johnson asked about the start-up costs.
Messick said a survey revealed there were about 3,000 library patrons in the
Harmony area. He said the Town would need to provide a 2,500 to 3,000 s.f facility, and
the county's start up costs would be approximately $170,000. Messick said the cost for
the books would be spread out over a five-year period.
Commissioner Williams noted the initiating agreement paragraph in the proposal.
He said there was a stipulation indicating a municipality had to "notify the county at least
one year prior to the beginning of the fiscal year during which operations of the branch