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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 1, 2018 regular minutes 1 May 1, 2018 IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PRE-AGENDA MINUTES May 1, 2018 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in pre-agenda session on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at 5:00 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 Tommy Bowles Gene Houpe Jeff McNeely Marvin Norman Staff present: Interim County Manager Beth Jones, County Attorney Lisa Valdez, Assistant County Manager Susan Robertson, Finance Director Deb Alford, Strategic Planner Ben Stikeleather, and Clerk to the Board Retha Gaither. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman James Mallory called the meeting to order. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Interim County Manager Beth Jones made the following adjustments: Remove: Administrative Matters – Item VIII.1 Add: New Business – Commissioner Houpe will give updates from the General Government Task Force. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Request from Parks and Recreation for approval of Budget Amendment #38 to appropriate $21,000 additional revenues from Parks and Recreation Adult Programs: Recreation Director Michelle Hepler requested approval of BA #38 appropriating $21,000 in additional revenues which will cover expenses related to adult program trips including Charleston, SC. For FY18, $50,000 was budgeted in Adult Program Revenues and have, to date, collected $73,538 in adult program revenues. For FY18, $43,469 was budgeted for expenses and , to date, have spent $35,687. These projected budgets are based on an average of 26 day trips per year with an average of 32 participants. This year 24 day trips have been taken with four trips remaining on the calendar. Also, one or two overnight trips are budgeted with an average of 24 participants. There were two overnights trips planned this year with a surprising response with 44 registrants. Therefore, the budget amendment is requested to accommodate the additional participants. The requested increase is solely covered by Recreation fees which have already been charged and received. No additional tax payer dollars are needed. This item was placed on the consent agenda. 2 May 1, 2018 Chairman Mallory asked about the meeting concerning the new Jennings Park. Hepler said about 20 citizens attended with the majority being neighbors. There were positive comments about the lay out of the park and were pleased to see the project move forward. There were a number of questions about funding and the timeframe. One of the most notable question was concerning traffic and if there was a plan for a turning lane on Deets Road. This question had not been considered before but Recreation will work with NCDOT and Planning to study this concern. Request from the Finance Department for approval of FY19 Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Funding Plan: Finance Director Deb Alford said the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council met on April 13 to consider proposals from agencies offering services to Iredell County youth who are at risk of delinquency or who have been adjudicated, undisciplined or delinquent. State funding for FY2019 is anticipated to be $286,796 which is the same funding level for this year. County matching funds provide $7,250 for Piedmont Mediation Center’s Restitution Program, $7,250 for Piedmont Mediation Center’s Teen Court Program, and $8,446 for Barium Springs Juvenile Counseling Program. Commissioner Houpe asked about specific changes. Alford said the program DASH did not produce the expected results so therefore money was moved to Piedmont Mediation. This item was placed on the consent agenda. Request from EMS to apply for a grant from the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services for $150,000 to aid in the prevention of opioid overdoses: EMS Director Blair Richey said this grant was just discovered and is due May 4. The intent is to help with funding a community paramedic position and equipment to begin July 1. This is a chance to support goals for the community referral program. It will establish post-overdose reversal response teams to prevent overdose and connect those who have had a non-fatal overdose to harm reduction, and treatment and recovery supports. Commissioner Houpe asked if it is a one-time grant to create a position and what type of equipment is needed. Richey said it is a one-time grant but will request the position in next year’s budget if it can be supported internally. The equipment will assist in post reversal care with a physical assessment and follow-up the next day, such as a cardiac monitor which is $36,000. Additionally, there will be printed educational materials. The funding can also be used to purchase the naloxone. Currently, EMS has naloxone kits that are left with anyone that is suffering from an opioid addiction. BA#38 To allocate additional adult program fees for expenses related to the adult program trip to Charleston 5/1/2018 Account # Current Budget Change Amended Budget 104655 471401 Rec-Adult Programs (50,000) (21,000) (71,000) 105655 544010 Adult Programs 43,469 21,000 64,469 3 May 1, 2018 Commissioner Norman asked if the County had to match funds. Richey said there is no match. Vice Chairman Bowles said there is a history that when grants run out the position runs out. Richey said there is a back-up plan to fund the position through current positions for as long as possible. Chairman Mallory said the equipment purchased with the grant will have an on-going benefit. Commissioner Houpe asked Richey to give a periodic report on the success of this position. Commissioner McNeely asked the price of the kit that is left with people. Richey said it depends on the type. The nasal spray is the easiest and is $50-$75 per kit. Jones said this particular position was requested in the budget but unfortunately it was cut but Richey was encouraged to look for other funding options, which she has done diligently. Chairman Mallory asked if this is being coordinating with the opioid task force. Richey said yes and support letters are being written. Vice Chairman Bowles said the State Health Director has a standing order for naloxone and anyone can purchase it from a drug store. The cost is approximately $60-$70. Bowles asked Richey to explain how naloxone is administered. Richey said that when EMS goes into a home and the naloxone has completely revived the patient and they are conscious and alert but refuse to go to the hospital, then EMS will give an additional dose of naloxone. It has a short, half-life. There are cases where a patient has died 18 hours later because the naloxone wore off and the morphine kicked back in. However, for the patient who refuses to go to the hospital, a kit will be left and time will b e spent educating the patient and family members. Vice Chairman Bowles believes this is a first step to Paramedicine which is the future of EMS. Bowles also asked about the expiration of naloxone. Richey said an expiring drug form is completed every month and that information will be shared with the Board. EMS works with fire departments to exchange items because EMS will use them quicker. This item was placed on the consent agenda. Request from Administration to approve petitions and applications into the Dry- Cleaning Solvent Cleanup Program: Interim County Manager Beth Jones said this is a continuation of the issue with the Library. Iredell County is eligible for the Dry Cleaner Solvent Clean-Up Program through the State. Iredell County qualifies because of owning property where two former dry cleaners were located in years past. In the area of the Library, there were once 4 May 1, 2018 eight-plus different operating dry cleaners at various times in the past. The State will take multiple samples and try to track it back to the source. Once the source is identified the State can determine the extent of contamination. Testing of soil outside and air inside will begin in a few days. Two known businesses, Master Cleaners and Iredell Laundry, are actually named in the petition paperwork for the State. The State is asking for written permission to access the property which should be approved by this Board. Valdez said the access point is actually granting the State a license to access the property. The State was asked to inform the contractors that this is a public building that is in use and that access will be monitored. This agreement is also making a financial commitment if it goes into remediation/mitigation. However, a plus of the program is that the expense is capped at $15,000. Jones said the program will pay for 98.5% and the County will pay 1.5% with a cap of $15,000. Valdez said it is 1.5% of $1 million. If it costs more than $1 million, then the State takes care of it. Commissioner Houpe would like this discussed during the regular meeting and not placed on the consent agenda. Chairman Mallory asked if other property owners in the area could have the State check their property. Jones said yes. Initially the State wants to find the source and then they will follow through to find the length, breadth, and levels of contamination. They will identify and contact other owners that are affected. CLOSED SESSION Chairman Mallory moved the meeting into closed session at 5:35 PM. The Board recessed from closed session at 6:20 until the 7:00 regular meeting. IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MINUTES May 1, 2018 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, 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 Tommy Bowles Gene Houpe Jeff McNeely Marvin Norman 5 May 1, 2018 Staff present: Interim County Manager Beth Jones, County Attorney Lisa Valdez, Assistant County Manager Susan Robertson, Finance Director Deb Alford, Strategic Planner Ben Stikeleather, and Clerk to the Board Retha Gaither. CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Mallory. INVOCATION: Chairman Mallory asked everyone to bow their heads for a moment of silence. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Boy Scout William Clontz from Troop #609. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA Interim County Manager Beth Jones made the following adjustments: Remove: Administrative Matters – Item VIII.1 Add: New Business – Update from the General Governmental Task Force. MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to approve the agenda as adjusted. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS (None) APPOINTMENTS BEFORE THE BOARD (None) PUBLIC HEARINGS (None) ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Interim County Manager Beth Jones summarized the following items for the consent agenda:  Request from Parks and Recreation for approval of BA #38 to appropriate $21,000 in additional revenues from Parks and Recreation Adult Programs.  Request from the Finance Department for approval of FY19 Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Funding Plan in the amount of $286,796.00.  Request from EMS to apply for a grant from the Division of Mental Health Development Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services for $150,000 to aid in the prevention of opioid overdoses. MOTION by Commissioner Norman to approve the consent agenda. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 Request from the Finance Department to approve a Resolution Providing for the Sale and issuance of Not To Exceed $12,000,000 General Obligation Community College Bonds, Series 2018: Finance Director Deb Alford said that on November 4, 2014 a referendum was passed 6 May 1, 2018 by the vote of the majority qualified voters to authorize $12,000,000 in community college bonds. Mitchell Community College is now prepared to construct a 40,000 square foot Allied Health Building on their Statesville Campus and is asking the Board to approve the resolution that will authorize the sale and issuance of these bonds. The bond sale is currently planned for May 30, 2018. MOTION by Commissioner Norman to approve a resolution to provide for the sale and issuance of Not to Exceed $12,000,000 from General Obligation Community College Bonds, Series 2018. Commissioner Houpe commented that bids went out and were received and are under the allocated amount. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 Request from Administration to approve a petition and application into the Dry- Cleaning Solvent Clean-up Program: Interim County Manager Beth Jones said that since the discovery of a chemical in the underground water at the Library, the County is eligible for “The Dry Cleaning Solvent Clean-Up Program” sponsored by the State of North Carolina. In order to officially enter this program, the Board needs to approve a petition and agreement. The County is eligible due to owning property where, at one point in time prior to county ownership, there were two dry cleaners located. Those companies were Master Cleaners and Iredell Laundry. The State will perform the necessary testing, trace it back to the actual source of the contamination, and then follow the source to identify all surrounding areas that are contaminated. The testing will include soil samples and indoor air samples. The County will be responsible for 1.5% of th e expense with a cap of $15,000 and the State will cover the other 98.5% of expenses. There are two petitions, one for each former dry cleaner, and two applications to enter the program with a fee of $1,000 for each application. Part of the application is giving the State permission to access the property for the testing. Commissioner McNeely asked if the cap of $15,000 is for both or for each of the two subsequent cleaners named. Jones believes it is a cap of $15,000 for each petition. Chairman Mallory said that it was only at the last meeting that the Board was informed of the levels and that immediate action was necessary. The public has been advised by a full page ad in the Statesville Record and Landmark and the Mooresville Tribune. Jones said it all began when the County was looking at additional property in the justice quadrant. In performing the due diligence on the potential property underground contamination, PCE, was found. PCE is a known dry cleaning chemical. Several years ago, 1950s & 60s, no one realized how dangerous the chemical could be and it was not properly disposed of which contaminated the underground water. The County decided not to proceed with the property purchase but were advised that current county owned propert y in that area should be tested, as a precaution, which was done. Soil samples and air samples were taken at the Public Library and it was discovered to be contaminated as well. The chemical forms a vapor which can seep through 7 May 1, 2018 the foundation. There are two charts which indicate safe levels of this vapor. The commercial level is 35 which is predicated by adults being in the facility during normal business hours. The residential level is 8.3 which is predicated by occupancy 24 hours/7 days a week for a life time. The levels found at the Library fall between commercial and residential. Therefore, erring on the side of caution, the bottom floor of the Library was closed. Additional air samples were taken on the main level which resulted in levels below the residential level. The HVAC system was modified to produce more air flow. At this point the State program was discovered and contact was made. Representatives were present for the public information meeting. The State will perform additional testing and since this does not fall within the residential level, the results must be entered into a risk assessment model to determine the middle ground between residential and commercial. After those results are obtained then a plan will be created for mitigation. Jones expressed appreciation to the amazing Library staff who relocated everything from the bottom floor within two days. Facility Services were also incredible as they dropped everything to assist with whatever was needed at the Library. Chairman Mallory expressed appreciation to staff as well. He also thanked the Downtown Statesville Development Corporation for making available a building on Center Street to temporarily house the Genealogical Society that was in the basement of the Library. Mallory reiterated to the public that the Library is fully functional and open to the public. Commissioner Houpe reiterated appreciation to staff and reassured the public that the Library is open. Chairman Mallory stated this program is available to anyone who may think their property could possibly be affected. Commissioner McNeely stated there will be testing of other county buildings in that area to ensure safety of staff and the public. Chairman Mallory reiterated that the levels are within generally acceptable ranges and the issue will be mitigated. Vice Chairman Bowles stated that a question was raised at the public information meeting asking why the County built the Library on contaminated soil. Before the Library was built, the County completed the necessary environmental testing on the property and at that time it met all of the requirements. It was not considered contaminated and approved to build. The Dry Cleaning Solvent Program did not happen until around 2004 or 2005 after the Library was built. MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to approve the petition and application into the Dry Cleaning Solvent Clean-Up Program. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES OCCURING ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS (None) APPOINTMENTS TO BOARD AND COMMISSIONS (None) 8 May 1, 2018 UNFINISHED BUSINESS (None) PUBLIC COMMENT (None) NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Houpe said that two years ago during a planning retreat, the Board began a process with county departments to research ways to better serve the citizens. The process is on- going and will be researching more definitive ways with feedback from the public and staff to make the departments more efficient. The General Governmental Task Force and staff are working diligently to better serve the citizens. Commissioner McNeely stated this is a way to help employees feel they have a voice and that this Board is willing to work together to make government work efficiently. The survey/questionnaire will continue to evolve and stay on-top of things. COUNTY MANAGER’S REPORT Interim County Manager Beth Jones shared the following budget message for FY19-20. * * * * * Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Budget Message To the Iredell County Board of Commissioners and Citizens: Each year in February the Board of Commissioners hold a Budget Planning Retreat where staff receives direction regarding priorities for the upcoming year. These priorities, along with the County’s adopted strategic plan and departmental goals, became the framework for what is recommended in the 2019 Fiscal Year budget. Economic Forecasting and Revenue Projections The County’s budgeting process begins in late December, early January and includes the analysis of several factors. In order to estimate anticipated revenues as accurately as possible for the next fiscal year we analyze building trends, population growth, State and Federal policy decisions, unemployment rates and personal income, just to name a few. New construction starts are a key indicator to a growing economic future and show builder confidence in the market. Permitted housing units are continuing to trend up as indicated in Figure 1. 9 May 1, 2018 Most of that growth is seen in the southern portion of the county but is beginning to move north as indicated in Figure 2. Iredell County continues to grow at a relatively high rate. State projections for 2020 show Iredell County with an estimated population of 186,093 residents, which is a 16.7% increase in growth over a 10-year period of time. Our current 2018 estimated population of 179,740 makes us the 15th largest county in the State. More importantly, out of all 100 counties in the State of North Carolina, there are only 15 counties that have a lower 2017-2018 tax rate. This is only possible through strong, conservative fiscal management and diversification of our tax base through economic development. We continue to work hard in supporting our existing business and industry by fostering retention and expansion as well as encouraging new business and industry recruitment. With the partnership of our newly consolidated Economic Development Corporation we strive to foster an environment that creates a premier community to live, work and raise a family. In order to prove successful, we must remain focused on ensuring our commercial growth compliments our community and offers a competitive wage to our residents. Our unemployment rate has continued to decrease since 2013 and was 4.2% as of February 2018 (Figure 3), which is below the State and National levels. This is a leading indicator that our economy is strong and stable and lends great confidence in our anticipated revenue projects. Taking all of these factors into consideration, ad valorem tax revenues are expected to increase by 2%, based on anticipated new growth, and sales tax revenues are estimated to rise by approximately Figure 1 Figure 2 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Figure 3: Iredell County Unemployment Rate Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 10 May 1, 2018 4%. The 2019 Fiscal Year budget recommendation is predicated on an overall growth of a 2%, $3.6 million, increase in revenues. Expenditures I am proposing an overall 4.91% increase over last year’s budget. We made every effort to satisfy the priorities of the Board of Commissioners while working within the confines of our available revenues. To this point, there are over $12.5 million in recommended cuts made from the original requests received. The majority of the requests are needs but must be prioritized, delayed and in some cases eliminated due to limits in revenues. Figure 4 shows the breakdown of expenditures by category. These percentages are very similar to years past, with the top three areas being in education (47%), public safety (21%) and human services (15%). Education Funding for the three education systems comprise 47% of the proposed budget, which is an increase of 2.67% over FY2018. In FY2019, there is a total increase to public education of $2,482,909 (figure 5). This will increase the per pupil amount to $1,625, up from $1,593 in FY2018, and will be uniform between Iredell - Statesville Schools (I-SS) and Mooresville Graded School District (MGSD). I-SS will see an increase of 2.67%, or $963,330, in current expense and 20.97%, or $1,770,587, in capital outlay. Based on our funding formula, debt will be reduced by 5.88%. MGSD will see an increase of 3.32%, or $341,275, in current expense and an increase of 63.46%, or $787,039 in capital outlay. Debt will be reduced by 4.63%, which directly correlates with the increase in capital outlay funding the schools will receive. Mitchell Community College (MCC) will receive 2.56%, or $86,321, more in current expense in the upcoming year, while capital outlay will increase by 6.27%, or $64,792. Debt will decrease by 3.7%. Public Safety 10% 21% 2%15% 2% 47% 1%2% Figure 4: Fiscal Year 2019 Proposed Expenditures General Government Public Safety Development Services Human Services Cultural & Recreation $0 $20,000,000 $40,000,000 $60,000,000 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Figure 5: Education Funding Education: Current Expense Education: Capital Outlay Education: Debt Service (includes Reserves) 11 May 1, 2018 The construction of the Jail addition will be complete in early 2019. In order to adequately prepare for the increase in the operational cost of the new facility we began rolling excess funds at the end of each fiscal year generated in the Sheriff’s Office and Jail budgets into a Jail Operations Fund. That fund currently has accumulated $3.6 million, which will be used to fund 28 new positions requested in the detention center. While excess funds will no longer be rolled into this fund once the jail addition comes on line, we will continue to budget those funds each fiscal year to help minimize the operational expense impact over the next one to two years. In the 2019 fiscal year, we will begin to see a shift in the demographics of our population (Figure 6). We will see our aging population begin to outpace our school age population, which will increase the demand for public safety agencies as a whole. For this reason, we need to strategically plan for the shift in demand. Citizen safety remains foremost on our minds and for this reason, the 2019 Fiscal Year budget includes an additional 17 new public safety positions, aside from the 28 new jail positions. These positions include seven in the Sheriff’s Office ranging from road Deputies to a Drug Detective, five in Emergency Communications, four full time in EMS and one in Animal Services. I have encouraged our departments to explore grant opportunities and partnerships with other agencies when possible to ensure we are being good stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars and providing premier services as efficiently as possible. Human Services This year I am recommending three new positons in the human services area to include a new Veterans Service position and two Income Maintenance Caseworkers in Social Services. It is important to note that both positions in the Social Services Department are 75% funded through the State. It is anticipated that the Social Services renovation at Government Center South will be complete in the 2019 Fiscal Year and will allow us to expand our services to the Mooresville area. General Governmental As a service organization our greatest asset is our employees. The Board has taken great strides over the past several years to ensure that Iredell County is an employer of choice. We have and will continue to focus on turnover reduction, which is currently trending at 3% from January- March, 2018. This is a key factor in any successful and thriving organization because employee retention is more efficient than employee replacement. Staff retention is achieved through creating positive and safe working environments, engaging your staff and letting them know their voice is heard, showing appreciation and support, encouraging positive morale and rewarding exemplary service. For these reasons I am recommending to continue with our newly established practices including the performance-based merit increases up to 5% again this year. I am also recommending to extend the employee health clinic physical therapy hours from 16 to 25 hours per week. In addition, we will begin allowing dependents, ages three and up, as well as retirees 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Figure 6. School Age v. Elderly Population School Age Elderly 3.7% 39.8% 12 May 1, 2018 who are on our health plan to begin utilizing our health clinic. All of the health clinic additions are being covered through savings realized through reduced stop loss premiums and claim reductions. Over the past few years our focus was more on external service delivery departments, which was necessary in order to keep up with the growth of our County. As a result, we have increased the pressure on our internal service departments without additional assistance. I am recommending four new positions in the General Governmental Departments, which include one new position in the Tax Assessor’s Office as well as two new positions in our Information Technology Department. I have also challenged our departments to explore cost savings that can be realized by bringing contracted services in house, where practical, and consolidate efforts. Facilities Services has done exactly that and I am recommending one Day Porter to be housed at Government Center South. ICATS and Solid Waste will both add to their staff, although these are not from county dollars. Development Services In the building and land development area we will continue to see growth. Over the past few years we have made great efforts to accommodate the growth with additional staffing and streamlined solutions where possible. This year I am recommending a new Permitting Specialist in Central Permitting, which serves as the single point of contact for most of our customers. This budget also reflects the utilization of collected technology funds as part of the permit fees to be reinvested in the purchase of new software to further automate the permitting and inspections process while improving our communication and online services to our development community. Capital Projects As the County grows and the demand for services shift, we must ensure we are maintaining our facilities and expanding where necessary. Within this budget, there is $440,886 proposed in facility improvements and $3,388,900 to fund the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). This number does not include the Jail expansion or the Public Safety Complex construction projects, which have their own project ordinances. We have included funds for various existing facility renovations and repairs, which includes phase II repairs to the Government Center to complete necessary structural repairs and restore the historical character of the building. Several renovation projects are planned at Government Center South to better utilize space the County currently owns and expand our presence to the southern portion of our County. With the legislated change in the juvenile age, there is a need for additional space for Juvenile Probations. In order to accommodate that need, we are planning to relocate the Sheriff’s Office, currently on the first floor of Government Center South, to newly renovated space on the second floor. Additional funding is budgeted to complete renovations of space at Government Center South for Social Services as well as initiating the first phase of the Government Center South parking lot extension and repair. Funds are also allocated for necessary repairs at the fairgrounds as well as for drainage and erosion control/flood measures needed at the Vehicle Services Department. EMS has several 2012 and 2013 ambulances that cannot be remounted, as is our policy. This will be the final year for a relatively large expense as we complete the replacement of these ambulances. This does have a positive aspect in that these trucks will move to the “spare” fleet, as it is very 13 May 1, 2018 low. This year is a relatively large vehicle replacement year and for th at reason I am recommending to finance all of our vehicle purchases over a five-year period. This will spread the cost and allow the opportunity to address as many needs as possible with limited resources. In an effort to begin planning ahead for future facility needs there are also funds set aside for a Justice Quadrant Master Plan Study. Economic Development I am proposing to use some economic development funds to help add a part-time liaison position in the Economic Development Corporation to assist existing businesses as well as smaller commercial entities navigate the development process to ensure we are creating a positive environment that encourages development and entrepreneurship. We are also setting aside funds to implement a new workforce development tool to be utilized by the business community and school systems called the Edge Factor. This is a unique tool to assist in bridging the gap between the student, educational entity and work force in creative and relevant videos and stories. Recommendation This message fulfills my obligation under North Carolina General Statue 159-11 to present the recommended Fiscal Year 2019 budget of $204,998,368 utilizing $1,250,000 of fund balance. This will maintain the tax rate at 52.75 cents per $100 valuation, based on a tax base of $23,124,640,000 with a collection rate of 98.85%. The fund balance on June 30, 2018 is estimated to be $37,888,582, which is 18.48% of the recommended budget. CLOSED SESSIONS Closed Session was conducted immediately following pre-agenda and there were no action items to present. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to adjourn at 7:47 PM. The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, May 1, 2018, 5:00 PM, in the South Wing Conference Room, Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 __________________________________ ___________________________________ Date Approved Retha C. Gaither, Clerk