HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 19, 2018 regular minutes
1
June 19, 2018
IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PRE-AGENDA MINUTES
June 19, 2018
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in pre-agenda session on Tuesday, June
19, 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, Assistant County Manager Susan
Robertson, County Attorney Lisa Valdez, Finance Director Deb Alford, 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 asked if the
Board had an opportunity to read through the minutes from May 10 & 14 that were emailed. If so,
they can be approved tonight or they can wait until July 17.
Commissioner Houpe said he had not seen them.
Jones said they will be on the next agenda and therefore there are no adjustments.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Request from the Finance Department for adoption of a policy regarding the
expenditure of federal funds, an all-inclusive Conflicts of Interest and Gifts and Favors
policy, and policy regarding a dispute resolution process for contracts: Purchasing and
Contracts Manager Dean Lail said this request pertains to grants, how funds are received and how
they are spent. In 2014, the federal government passed a new Uniform Guidance that includes all
requirements for procurement, related to federal grants, under one group of common rules.
However, the State did not adopt it until 2017 and made it effective for every fiscal year after
December 31, 2017, but the State’s guidance was not sent until March 2018. There are several
requirements that local governments must have in place by July 1 or risk losing or jeopardizing
the funding from grants. These changes are in policies rather than procedures. The first requirement
is a policy that simply states we will adhere to all federal requirements when expending federal
funds. The second policy is Conflicts of Interest and Gifts and Favors Act. The Gifts and Favors
Act is in our policy but we do not have a comprehensive Conflict of Interest Policy with the Gifts
and Favor Act. The policy presented covers all requirements by the State and federal law. The final
policy is a set of rules implementing settlement conferences in construction projects. Currently
there is no mediation requirement or dispute resolution processes in place for the County. They
are now required in all construction documents. The dispute resolution requirements presented for
consideration are actually the State Building Commission’s adopted policies which makes it easier
when applying the necessary requirements to County projects. Anytime there is grant funding these
procedures/policies will have to be applied every time a grant is expended. Federal grants require
2
June 19, 2018
a lot of documentation but it has always been that way. If an audit ever discovers missing
documents, then the grant dollars will have to be refunded.
This item was placed on the consent agenda.
Request from the Finance Department for adoption of a Project Ordinance for the
Mitchell Community College Health Science Building: Finance Director Deb Alford said bids
have been received for the GO Bonds Series 2018 to fund the Mitchell College Health Building.
The lowest bid was from FTN Financial Capital Markets with an interest rate of 2.937%. The par
amount of the bonds is $11,460,000 with a secured premium of $743,549, that produces proceeds
of $12,203,549 with $12 million going to MCC. The closing costs are $203,549. The request is for
approval of the project ordinance.
Commissioner McNeely inquired about the changes to include items that had been
previously cut.
Alford said the LGC approved and all those were added back in which brought it back to
$12 million.
This item was placed on the consent agenda.
Iredell County, North Carolina
Capital Project Ordinance
Mitchell Community College Health Science Building
Be it Ordained by the Board of County Commissioners of Iredell County, North Carolina:
Original
Section 1. Funds for this Capital Project Fund will be provided from the following sources: Ordinance
Sales Tax Refund 4584705 439300 -
Interest on Financing Proceeds 4584705 480000 -
2018 MCC GO Bond 4584705 490056 11,460,000
Finance Proceeds - Premium on Bonds 4584705 491500 743,549
$12,203,549
Section 2. The following costs for school projects shall be paid by this fund:
Professional Fees - Architect 4585705 520000 $ 914,000
Testing/Permits/Other 4585705 520020 $ 175,000
Contingency 4585705 530200 351,048
Financing Costs 4585705 561000 203,549
Transfer to General Fund 4585705 576010 520,000
General Construction 4585705 580200 8,326,250
Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment 4585705 630000 1,713,702
$12,203,549
Section 3. This Capital Project Fund shall continue until the projects are complete.
Section 4. Transfers between line items shall only be made upon formal action by the Mitchell Community
College Board of Trustees and such action shall be reported to the Iredell County Board of
Commissioners at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
Section 5. Payments from this Capital Project Fund shall be authorized by the County Manager or his
designee.
This Capital Project Ordinance is effective upon adoption this the 19th day of June 2018.
Request from the Finance Department to approve an Amended Cool Spring
Elementary School Capital Project Fund to close the fund and approve Budget Amendment
#43 to appropriate additional investment earnings to the North Iredell High School/South
Iredell High School Project Fund: Finance Director Deb Alford said this was brought before the
3
June 19, 2018
Board in April but there have been more interest earnings than anticipated. The request is to adopt
an amended project ordinance in order to close out Cool Springs Elementary. Any residual funds
will be transferred to North and South Iredell High School projects. The amount of residual is
$355.00.
This item was placed on the consent agenda.
BA#43 Transfer budget authority from the General Fund to the NIHS/SIHS Capital Project Fund to
reimburse additional interest earnings on the first sinking fund payment on the Qualified
School Construction Bond 6/19/2018
Account # Current Budget Change Amended Budget
105700 560020 ISS GO Bond Principal 4,143,012 (9,799) 4,133,213
105780 576457 Transfer to NIHS/SIHS Project Fund 483,841 3,347 487,188
105700 560022 ISS GO Interest 1,942,650 6,452 1,949,102
Amended Capital Project Ordinance
Cool Spring Elementary School
Be it Ordained by the Board of County Commissioners of Iredell County, North Carolina:
4/17/2018
Original
Ordinance
6/19/2018
Amended
Ordinance
Section 1. Funds for this Capital Project Fund will be provided
from the following sources: Amendment
Qualified School Construction Bond $ 12,700,000 $12,700,000
General Obligation Bond 800,000 800,000
Premium on Bonds 75,900 75,900
Interest on Financing Proceeds 21,723 355 22,078
Sales Tax Refunds 198,936 - 198,936
Iredell-Statesville Schools -
$ 13,796,559 $ 355 $13,796,914
Section 2. The following costs for school projects shall be paid by this fund:
Professional Fees - Architect, Management $ 284,848 $ 284,848
Other Fiscal Costs - -
Testing, Permits, and Other Fees 40,859 40,859
Closing Costs 78,079 78,079
Right of Way Acquisition 185,954 185,954
General Construction
Contract 11,355,062
Unencumbered - 11,222,455 (500) 11,221,955
Water Line Improvements 417,495 417,495
Transitional Costs (mobiles) 516,751 516,751
Contingency - -
Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment 345,414 500 345,914
QSCB Bond Principal 483,841 3,347 487,188
Transfer to NIHS/SIHS Project 220,863 (2,992) 217,871
$ 13,796,559 $ 355 $13,796,914
Section 3. This Capital Project Fund shall continue until the projects are complete.
Section 4. Transfers between line items shall only be made upon formal action by the Iredell-Statesville Board of
Education and such action shall be reported to the Iredell County Board of Commissioners at its next
regularly scheduled meeting.
Section 5. Payments from this Capital Project Fund shall be authorized by the County Manager or his designee.
This Capital Project Ordinance effective upon adoption this the ________ day of June, 2018.
4
June 19, 2018
Request from the Finance Department for approval of Budget Amendment #44 to
appropriate fund balance to purchase land on Westminster Drive: Finance Director Deb
Alford this request is for the purchase of land on Westminster Drive. An arrangement has been
made for $80,000 to come from this year and the remaining $20,000 in next year’s budget which
has already been approved.
This item was placed on the consent agenda.
BA#44 Appropriate fund balance to purchase property on Westminster Drive
6/19/2018
Account # Current Budget Change Amended Budget
104880 499500 Appropriated Fund Balance (4,469,970) (80,000) (4,549,970)
105480 601000 Land and Land Improvements 131,490 80,000 211,490
Request from the Department of Social Services for approval of a Memorandum of
Understanding with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services : DSS
Director Yvette Smith said this is a MOU that has been created because of HB630. It is an
agreement that the County will enter into with DHHS. It has some very high unrealistic
performance measures for the Department of Social Services. Failure to meet some of these
performance measures would mean a potential cost to the County and funded could be withheld.
DHHS could also take over the agency. At this point there is no choice but to sign this agreement.
The Chairman is required to sign with no obligation for the Director to sign.
Jones said this agreement was sent to DSS Directors and County Managers for feedback.
Comments were frank and honest. In attempting to meet the measures DSS is dependent upon
other agencies that they have no control over. DSS will be held accountable for other uncontrolled
agencies. However, this MOU must be signed by July 1 or all state and federal funding ceases. A
very small amount of modifications has been made, but the intent still remains the same.
Smith said all 100 counties have reached out to their legislators but it is past that.
Commissioner McNeely said it is too late. The entire action will have to implode and then
congress will see the mess they have created before actually making corrections.
Smith said DSS has been working hard to modify operations to try to accomplish the
mandates. The outside agencies that DSS is dependent upon have not been mandated with the same
requirements.
Chairman Mallory said this is an agenda driven political process. Iredell County DSS is
heads and shoulders above the vast majority in the State. This is focused on a regionalization of
service providers which is probably end up with something privatized. It is unimaginable that
services could be any better under any other system in Iredell County. Some other counties may
be having problems and not meeting their mark but not here. Iredell County DSS has reviewed
their processes, refined with significant changes, along with simultaneous actions for efficiencies
and quality of assurances.
Commissioner Houpe asked if the agreement could be signed in protest along with a
resolution.
Smith said the agreement states it doesn’t matter what is attached, it must be signed.
5
June 19, 2018
Commissioner McNeely said one-third of NC Departments of Social Services are rated as
poor and another third is rated as average and then one-third is above. Iredell County falls in the
above category but is being brought down by the other two-thirds.
Commissioner Houpe understands it may be symbolic but still believes it should be signed
in protest and a resolution sent with it.
This item was placed on the consent agenda but under protest.
Smith said staff will internalize the anger and work to prove the State wrong. Although this
agreement is unrealistic, staff will work hard to meet it.
Chairman Mallory said they will document each and every action.
Request from Administration to designate a voting delegate to the North Carolina
Association of County Commissioners Annual Conference scheduled in August, 2018: Interim
County Manager Beth Jones said the annual conference is scheduled for August 2018.
Commissioner Jeff McNeely has registered to attend.
Vice Chairman Bowles nominated Jeff McNeely as the voting delegate.
This item was placed on the consent agenda for Jeff McNeely to be the voting delegate.
Consideration of a request from Twin Oaks Golf Club LLC to extend a lease of
County property: Assistant County Manager Susan Robertson said the golf course was purchased
in 2008 for the sole purpose of a future expansion area for Solid Waste. Since that time a lease
agreement was signed with Twin Oaks Golf Club, LLC to operate as a golf course. The original
LLC was Patricia Keith who sold an interest to Chad Odom and the lease was extended. Along the
way, Odom bought Keith’s share. During the fall of 2017 Chad Odom sold it to James and Justin
Wilds. The Wilds have made many improvements and would like to make further investments in
equipment and property. Therefore, the request is to extend the lease for nine years which is all
that is allowed without treating it as a sale. Any lease over a year must be noticed to the public 30
days in advance of Board approval and that notice was published on Friday, June 15. The lease
agreement rent payments are as follows:
Year 1 $ 2,585.00
Year 2 $ 2,690.00
Year 3 $ 2,800.00
Year 4 $ 2,915.00
Year 5 $ 3,030.00
Year 6 $ 3,150.00
Year 7 $ 3,275.00
Year 8 $ 3,405.00
Year 9 $ 3,545.00
Robertson said this agreement also pays to the County a 3.5% of gross sales. The revenue
over the term of the agreement will be $328,740 with an estimated share of gross profits at $81,455.
Solid Waste Director David Lambert stated this land will not be needed for expansion during the
term of this lease.
Vice Chairman Bowles asked if the revenue will be put in a CIP for Solid Waste.
6
June 19, 2018
Robertson said it all goes in Solid Waste as retained earnin gs. Construction is beginning
on a new landfill expansion, at the current site, with those retained earnings. The plan was not to
issue any debt after 2004 for Solid Waste. There is no specific request at this time, it is just for
information only. On July 17, 2018, the Board will be asked to approve the lease retroactive to
July 1, 2018. On a side note, NCDOT cleaned the culverts and installed a structure needed for a
small bridge.
Chairman Mallory suggested to send DOT a letter of appreciation.
Request from Tax Administration for approval of May Refunds and Releases: Intern
County Manager Beth Jones said everything was in order.
This item was placed on the consent agenda.
Releases for the month of May 2018 Monthly Total $ 573.78
Breakdown of Releases:
County $ 227.30
Solid Waste Fees $ -
Statesville Solid Waste Fees $ -
Mooresville Solid Waste Fees $ -
Davidson Solid Waste Fees $ -
E. Alex. Co. Fire #1 $ -
Shepherd's Fire #2 $ -
Mt. Mourne Fire #3 $ -
All County Fire #4 $ 31.92
B&F Fire #5 $ -
Statesville City $ -
Statesville Downtown $ -
Mooresville City $ -
Mooresville Downtown $ -
Mooresville School $ 314.56
Love Valley $ -
Harmony $ -
Troutman $ -
Davidson $ -
Refunds for the month of May 2018 Monthly Total $3.36
Breakdown of Refunds:
County $ -
Solid Waste Fees $ -
Statesville Solid Waste Fees $ -
Mooresville Solid Waste Fees $ -
Davidson Solid Waste Fees $ -
E. Alex. Co. Fire #1 $ -
Shepherd's Fire #2 $ -
Mt. Mourne Fire #3 $ -
All County Fire #4 $ 3.36
B&F Fire #5 $ -
Statesville City $ -
Statesville Downtown $ -
Mooresville City $ -
Mooresville Downtown $ -
Mooresville School $ -
Love Valley $ -
7
June 19, 2018
Harmony $ -
Troutman $ -
Davidson $ -
Breakdown of NCVTS Refunds:
County $ (310.11)
E. Alex. Co. Fire #1 $ -
Shepherd's Fire #2 $ 5.82
Mt. Mourne Fire #3 $ 6.81
All County Fire #4 $ (3.20)
B&F Fire #5 $ (1.08)
Statesville City $ (24.34)
Statesville Downtown $ -
Mooresville City $ (388.91)
Mooresville Downtown $ -
Mooresville School $ (43.75)
Love Valley $ -
Harmony $ -
Troutman $ -
Davidson $ -
Monthly Total $ (758.76)
Request from the Clerk to the Board for approval of minutes from meetings on May
29 and June 5, 2018: There were no corrections or comments.
This item was placed on the consent agenda.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES OCCURING ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
The Board agreed to suspend the rules to announce and appoint one person simultaneously.
CLOSED SESSION
Chairman Mallory moved the Board into Closed Session at 5:45 PM.
The Board recessed from Closed Session at 6:50 PM until the regular meeting at 7:00 PM
IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MINUTES
June 19, 2018
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, June 19,
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
8
June 19, 2018
Staff present: Interim County Manager Beth Jones, County Attorney Lisa Valdez,
Assistant County Manager Susan Robertson, Finance Director Debra Alford, and Clerk to the
Board Retha Gaither.
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Mallory.
INVOCATION: Chairman James Mallory asked everyone to bow their heads for a
moment of silence.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Chairman Mallory.
ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA
Interim County Manager Beth Jones said there were no adjustments to the agenda.
MOTION by Commissioner Norman to adopt the agenda as presented.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS
(None)
APPOINTMENTS BEFORE THE BOARD
Request from Anna Rice, Executive Director of Iredell County Council on Aging, Inc.
to present the annual Home and Community Care Block Grant funding plan : Director Anna
Rice gave a snapshot of the aging population, programs and services needed for that group. In the
next five years it is predicted that those aged 60+ will outnumber those aged 17 and below. As a
reminder the grant requires a minimum 10% local match which Iredell County has done for many
years.
MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to accept and approve the Home and Community Care
Block Grant funding plan for 2019.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public hearing to consider placing a ¼ cent sales tax referendum on the ballot in
November: Chairman Mallory said, “Before we move to the actual public hearing, I’d like to put
this evening into a little bit of a context. The Iredell Statesville School Board requested that we
place … that the County Commission consider placing a ¼ cent sales tax on the ballot for
November for the purposes of safety, security, and student assistance and health, as well as,
unforeseen contingencies. This board met and discussed that matter, and the request was for 100%
of that ¼ cent sales tax to go for those purposes, to be divided based on the ADM divisions among
the three participating school systems which would be Iredell-Statesville, Mooresville Graded, and
Mitchell Community College. We recognize that we live in a day where some of things th at we
are now having to react to in terms of security for our children, as well as dealing with the general
population, as well as children impacted by the Opioid crisis, but none of these things were really
on the radar or were planned out to resource and to be able to deal with until they just materialized
and presented themselves. So as communities, we are all having to deal with these issues, like it
or not. It would be nice if we could just focus on education and not have to be spending an awful
9
June 19, 2018
lot of time worrying about people breaking in, assaulting students and staff and bring mass
mayhem in the community but unfortunately we have to think about that. We have to plan for it.
We are currently taking measures to provide a safe and secure environment for our educational
staff and students. But that’s one of those things where, as the threat evolves, we have to meet that
threat and it takes resources to do that. We can never achieve a 100% secure environment, we’re
not given those guarantees in life, but we can get as close as we can, as efficiently and effectively
as we can, using the limited resources that we have available to us. And that’s our responsibility,
is to fund and to apply those resources. It is the school board’s responsibilities, by statute, to
provide a safe environment for the education of our young people and their staff. So exactly how
that looks is in the school board’s lane. We, however, want to have a warm and fuzzy about what
that looks like so that we can ensure that we are applying the right resources and the right amount
for the right kind of strategies to achieve that desired effect. After deliberating we returned with a
resolution that basically said that, out of that ¼ cent sales tax we wanted to commit to ‘up to 75%’
going for those stated purposes that the schools requested, not including the unforeseen,
unforecasted, unbudgeted requirements. Those will come along and we will deal with them, but it
was focused on safety, security, and student assistance. The 25% we were going to retain for
general county purposes. The fact is, we live on a quadrennial budget cycle and it’s really based
on a quadrennial revaluation that determines our ad valorem property taxes, our tax rate based on
the value of homes and businesses and real estate that’s been set for that year. So it’s essentially,
once it’s set it stays the same except for additional development that comes on the line, on the
books. So invariably what happens is, because the demand for services across the board , whether
its education, whether its EMS, whether its public safety, public health, social services, parks and
recreation, all of those items that make up what the county does for our citizens and the services
we provide. They continue to go up because of population growth. We are projected to be one of
the highest growth counties in the state. We are in the top ten as far as growth and we are north of
170,000 souls in this county. As late as the mid-1990s, when I was on the Planning Board, before
Commissioner McNeely came on-line, we were shy of 100,000 talking about how fast are we
going to grow. So just in that short 20 years we have added almost double our population. With
the increase in population goes an increase in demand for services that people expect. You expect
when you dial 911 to get an operator, you expect that call to be transferred to EMS or to the fire
departments or to the police department or the Sheriff’s department and then you expect them to
have the ability to respond appropriately and in a timely fashion. As Anna Rice was just discussing,
we have a population that is aging faster and growing in numbers which puts a whole new different
slant on the paradigm of the services we provide. In other words, EMS services now become a
greater and greater slice of the expected budget to be able to meet the demands and needs of people.
And because of increased density of population we can no longer just say, well we’re within 6
miles of a location we can get to that within the right period of time. In certain areas of the county,
six miles, that could be an hour. We have to look at traffic patterns so that whole paradigm is
shifting. So what we find in this four-year budget cycle is that the first two to three years of the
budget cycle we’re able to meet all these demands and we’ve been able to do that by having that
increased annual additional economic development. There’s a lot of counties in this state that are
flat lined as far as economic development. So the money they’ve got coming in just doesn’t change
from year to year. We’re in a fortunate position to have a strong economic development program
that’s driving that train. None the less, that incremental increase is not enough to be able to take
care of this service demand increases by the time you get to that third and fourth year. We have to
have the ability to put money back so that we can spend those funds in that third and fourth year
when the demand for services is exceeding our revenue projections. So as a county commission,
10
June 19, 2018
we are looking at the big picture which is not just our schools, which is 55% of our budget roughly,
but all these other areas that we are having to work on. So that’s why we said we need to have an
additional revenue stream coming in to support county services writ large and came back with an
‘up to 75%’ guidepost or roadmap. The reaction to that… and we had a series of two meetings
with the Iredell Statesville School Board, the Mooresville Graded School Board, and
representatives from the Board of Mitchell Community College to discuss the way ahead and what
our position was. What we learned in those meetings was that the ‘up to 75%’ caused a great deal
of consternation because it could have been zero and been up to 75. The word that we got was for
them to be able to come up with a budget to be able to meet a number of these security and safety
issues that involves, by in large, additional personnel, SROs, student assistance professionals, and
those individuals don’t come in and work on year to year contract. If you’re going to have a
professional come and work for an extended period of time, they want to know that they are going
to have a job for more than just one year. The message we received was the ‘up to 75%’ language
was of great concern. After two of these board meetings we have looked at the language that we
passed in our first resolution and we have a modification of that which, we believe, addresses the
concerns that were articulated by the school boards and a number of folks that shared their
opinions. Our focus here, once again, is on the children of this county and the staff in our schools
and the parents that frequent our schools so that they can have the best, safest, and most secured
environment that they can possibly have, given what we have, a resource constrained environment.
But we have to keep the main thing the main thing and that’s education, that’s to educate kid s.
With that, we do have a motion that Commissioner McNeely is going to tender for the commission
to vote on that will address, I believe, those issues.”
Commissioner McNeely said, “Mr. Chairman, first let me say before I get into the motion.
This has not been easy for me or any of us on this board. Where one side , we realize they need
more funds and one side, we realize, wants to not be taxed because every tax is a freedom. Believe
me, I know that. I’ve prayed and prayed and prayed on this and begged the Lord to give me clarity.
I actually thought my first motion was pretty good because it made everybody mad and they
usually say that’s pretty good government. But in retrospect, looking at it, I though t there were
some things we could work with and we could come to an agreement. I do want ya’ll to realize
that sales tax, this ¼ cent, or any sales tax for that manner, does not apply to gasoline, it has its
own set of taxes. It does not apply to groceries; it has its own tax level. And if you own a bonafide
farm, then you have a tax exempt card and so it will not apply to farm supplies either. So know
that, that happens with any sales tax. With that being said, Mr. Chairman I’d like to make …
MOTION to resend the previous resolution motion and substituting a motion to direct the
Iredell County Board of Elections to conduct an advisory referendum on the November 2018 local
ballot pursuant to Article 46 of Chapter 105 of the General Statutes of the question of whether to
levy a local sales and use tax at the rate of a ¼ cent in the County. And further that should such
referendum be approved by the majority of the voters it is the intent of this Board to adopt a
resolution which will include the following:
a. From the proceeds of the one-quarter cent local sales and use tax, the County will receive
a minimum of $1.5 million or 25%, whichever is greater.
b. The balance of the proceeds after the allocation of the greater of $1.5 million or 25% will
be allocated to the Iredell-Statesville Schools, Mooresville Graded School District, and
Mitchell Community College using the County’s Current Expense Average Daily
Membership formula. The maximum allocation to the schools shall be 75%;
11
June 19, 2018
c. Any portion of the proceeds spent directly or indirectly by the County on the educational,
safety or security needs, whatever those may be, of the three school systems shall be
credited towards the maximum 75% allocation of one-quarter cent sales tax proceeds; to
the extent proceeds are allocated to one school system and not the other(s), such allocation
shall be attributed to the requesting school system’s portion of their proceeds;
d. Allocations will be distributed to the school systems annually upon request by each system
and such request shall include the proposed use of the proceeds by the school system. If
the scope of the use proposed by the school system changes after the funding is approved
and allocated, prior to any use of the proceeds the school system shall make a revised
request to the Board of Commissioners outlining the proposed change in the use.
e. The allocation of the proceeds shall be subject to change in the event of any unforeseen
circumstances or major economic changes negatively impacting the County’s financial
status, its bond rating, or fund balance.
f. The County will work with the three school systems to form a committee to review and
make recommendations regarding school safety and security.”
Commissioner McNeely continued, “That is the end of my motion. Once again I do not
like attacks of any kind but I do realize that we have to protect our children. As I have told Dr.
Johnson, if little Johnny can’t read they will probably come to see him, the school board, the
teachers and principal. But if little Johnny gets killed or hurt in any way at the school they are
going to come look for me and these other four men that happen to be sitting up here. And because
of that I feel like we have some fiduciary responsibility to protect our children with the security of
our schools.”
Chairman Mallory said, “Just a note, your motion I believe has to do with our resolution
but not the ultimate issue of placing it on the ballot.”
Commissioner McNeely said, “This is just the resolution.”
Chairman Mallory stated, “The actual vote on whether to place this on the ballot will be
conducted after the public hearing. We are just setting the table here as far as the perimeters we’re
looking at. I will note that after the meetings we had with both school boards, that we did have an
opportunity for each commissioner to meet with Dr. Johnson and be able to answer any questions
about the school budget and how this all works and also get a sense of what they would be looking
at, rough cut at this point, as far as safety and security needs and the costs associated with that. We
did review that. At this point, I’ll ask if there are any other comments related to the motion.”
Chairman Mallory said, “I’ll consider the motion on the table.”
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
Chairman Mallory explained how the public hearing will be conducted. Because a large
number of people have signed up to speak the time limit has been reduced to three minutes and
will be adhered to.
Chairman Mallory added, “This board does not take raising taxes as a light matter. We
have held the tax rate at the same levels since it was raised to meet specific bond construction
requirements. The 52.75% ad valorem property tax is the lowest of nine contiguous counties that
touch us. By far, Catawba county is about a nickel or so higher but there are others that are north
12
June 19, 2018
of 70 cents on the dollar. The fact of the matter is, that is a tax that is borne solely by property
owners or business owners who have taxed personal property. The sales tax is a different income
stream, its borne by all the citizens of this county and folks that come through this county that
work here and live somewhere else or that are just coming through and stop off at one of our eating
establishments or retail stores or just to see what’s going on. That sales tax fluctuates based on
economic activity but what we have seen is that it has gone up for the last nine years, every year,
on a pretty steady growth pattern. The resolution that was mentioned said $1.5 million or 25%
whichever is greater to be retained by the County. That figure comes from the current sales tax
projections for this next year would be a ¼ cent generates $6 million in revenue, $1.5 million is
25%. Over time, so we think the down side risk to the schools on that regard is minimal, if none.
We did see a reduction in sales tax revenues in 2008 and they’v e been on the upward glide slope
ever since. With that being said, I would inquire if there’s any comments that any Board members
would like to make prior to opening the public hearing.”
Commissioner Houpe said, “Mr. Chairman I would just like to remind everyone briefl y,
we appreciate you coming. We respect all of your points of view. I want to just state, Marvin and
I serve on the Education Task Force and we see first-hand, along with our colleagues, that the
economic impact, the positive economic impact that our schools have on all citizens of Iredell
County. Our trained work forces, for our future work forces, right now we can’t fill the jobs that
are available in Iredell County because we don’t have the work forces. We’ve lost more Americans
this year in school related shootings, as far as the safety and security side, than we have in active
war zones around the world. In perspective, with all due respect to everyone a ¼ cent of sales tax
is equal to approximately just under 6% of your property ad valorem taxes. The sales tax revenues
are spread amongst all citizens of Iredell County and even people traveling through Iredell County
if you the voters decide to approve this, if it is placed on the ballot. So I just wanted you to keep
that in perspective. We all respect your points of view, we will ask you to be frank as citizens, hold
your insults to one or another, be respective to one another. We are all Iredell County citizens; we
are in this together. We are trying to figure a way forward working together to pay for things that
we need to pay for as an investment in the fairest manner that the voters approve of.”
Commissioner McNeely said, “Real quick I’d like to do a little math lesson to sort of
explain because some people are saying, ‘Why does the County even need any of this money?’
We just passed a budget that was $205 million and we did that without raising any taxes. But our
fund balance is down to the point where if we go below 18% it will negatively impact our bond
rating. As it stands currently we have two AA and one triple A rating which allows us still have
possibly the best interest rate that you can get, when we actually put our bonds out or borrow any
money for that sake for the county. With where our fund balance is, we have about $600,000. A
little bit more than that, but not much. So if you think about $205 million budget and your
contingency is $600,000 that is extremely, extremely close. For that we are spending $1.4 million
out of our fund balance in this $205 million budget. So if you’re wondering where the math is, it’s
not real hard, that’s why we are looking at the $1.5 million hopefully to put back in our fund
balance to give us this cushion that we need. If we drop below the 18% level and we lose our last
triple A bond rating, it probably cost us approximately $1 million to $1.2 million a year in extra
interest and that’s just not satisfactory to me. We can do a better job of managing than that. So
that’s where we are at; trying to do that better job of managing. But know we have two huge
construction projects going on plus we have an unbelievable increase in demand for our services.
So all of this has come at a perfect storm, may we say, at one time. Therefore, that is why, it is not
13
June 19, 2018
real hard while we are doing this math to see that we need an extra bit of money in our fund balance
for whatever may come out, for whatever unforeseen circumstance may happen.”
Chairman Mallory opened the public hearing.
The following citizen spoke against putting the ¼ cent sales tax on the ballot: Diane
Umbarger of Mooresville.
The following citizens spoke in favor of putting the ¼ cent sales tax on the ballot: Beth
Kendal of Davidson, Kelley James of Olin, Brady Johnson of Statesville, Regina Yount of
Statesville, Terry Wall of Statesville, Sandy McAuley of Statesville, Nicole Carroll of
Mooresville, Karen Kerley of Mooresville, Bill Howell of Statesville (will not support if paragraph
F is left in the agreement).
Commissioner McNeely said, “Let me read what F says for those who can’t remember
because it a lengthy motion, I’m not gonna lie to you. It says, ‘The County will work with the three
school systems to form a committee to review and make recommendations regarding school safet y
and security.’ To make recommendations.”
Chairman Mallory said, “The responsibility lies with the school board to approve a plan
and to execute the plan in conjunction with supporting agencies like law enforcement, this board,
and Partners Behavioral Health, Department of Social Services, all the other agencies and non-
profits that touch all of these problems. I hope that addresses, Mr. Howell, your concern that this
is not to be dictating to the school board what to do, but simply provide perspectives and
information and to give us a warm and fuzzy that these actions are being considered by your
board.”
Commissioner Houpe said, “I just wanted let Mr. Howell know he may have looked at,
thinking back on a previous situation. But what our intent on this, Mr. Howell and ladies and
gentlemen, are to create a safety assessment team working with the schools including school
personnel, county staff, the experts, the Sheriff’s Office, the other law enforcement agencies, their
task in their various jurisdictions in providing safety and security that you would request or be
willing to implement. So all number F says is that we’re going to assist you in bringing forth
expertise and assessing the needs of the systems and make recommendations to you guys and the
various elected boards by the taxpayers of Iredell County which are you guys will make those final
decisions. It’s nothing nefarious in it. It just says we will help you with a committee with the
relevant experts in that field to make recommendations.”
Doug Knight of Statesville spoke in favor of the ¼ cent sales tax but against the way this
has been handled with unprofessional politics.
The following citizens spoke in favor of: Allison Whitaker of Statesville, Trena Williams
of Mooresville, Allen Edwards of Statesville, Katie Patterson of Statesville,
Bobbie Youngblood of Statesville spoke in favor of the ¼ cent on the ballot but feels the
money should go to the Sheriff’s Office and not to the public school. She also asked that
Commissioner Houpe recuse himself due to his wife being a principal for ISS which is a conflict
of interest.
Chairman Mallory said, “I would interject that the conflict of interest rules in North
Carolina require a direct financial interest in the matter. We have two members on the board who
14
June 19, 2018
have members of their family that are employed by the school systems in som e capacity, Mr.
Houpe and Mr. Norman. Early on, about three years ago, we asked this very question of the School
of Government as to whether there was any kind of conflict of interest in any respect and they said
no, that there were layers of other decision making bodies that were between us as county
commissioners and their relatives’ supervision and decisions about income or anything like that.
We re-visited that issue and asked again recently because some people had raised that as an issue.
And we received the same response, that there is no conflict of interest. In fact, as commissioners,
we are required by statute to vote on all issues. We cannot recuse ourselves even if we feel there
is an appearance of a conflict which in some cases people do on different types of boards. We are
required by law to go on record and to vote, up or down, and not get on the side lines. I hope that
answers your question.”
Citizens continued to speak in favor of: Megan Skouby of Statesville, Gene Millsaps of
Mooresville, Natalie Kelly of Troutman, Judy Britton of Statesville.
Brian Shoemaker of Statesville spoke opposing tax increases but supports public schools.
He is also against using federal or grant money.
Eddie Guy of Troutman spoke against a tax increase. Grandchildren are home schooled
and attend charter schools.
Tim Roseman spoke in concern of security after he entered WIHS where no one, not one
person, questioned his reasons for being on campus or in the school building.
Chairman Mallory said, “I want to thank everyone that shared their perspectives this
evening. They were respectful, they were insightful, informative and they reflect the broad
approaches and belief sets that exist within Iredell County. All of those different ideas and different
perspectives make us who we are. At the end of the day, we are all neighbors. We are all focused
on Iredell County being the best place to live, to work, and to raise a family. We may have different
ideas about the path to get us there but we are all focused on the same ultima te objective. At this
time, there is one question before us, and that is whether to place this on the ballot, a ¼ cent sales
tax referendum on the ballot in 2018. If it goes on the ballot, it is up to the individuals in this room
to articulate and to advocate for your position as you share that position with your neighbors and
everybody else that will hopefully get out in November and vote.”
Vice Chairman Bowles said, “I’d like to make a couple of comments. There are four
schools in our county that the PTO or parents, not sure who, but they have come up with the money
to put locking devices in the schools, independent of what this board does and what the County
school board has done. Those are Central, Union Grove, Celeste, and Coddle Creek Elementary,
maybe, I believe are the four schools that the parents have raised the money to buy locking devices
to go into the schools. That tells us that they are very concerned about school safety. I’d like to
talk to you about a sit-down that I had with Dr. Johnson. It was a small group setting, we were
sitting there and I asked a specific question. I said, on a scale from one to ten what do you think
the likelihood is that we’re going to suffer a tragic incident. He said I believe it is a ten, indicating
to me that it is overdue in our community in which we live in. I would like to ask a question, there
was a lady that stood toward the beginning of the public hearing and she said they were dealing
with a lot of different medications in the class. How many medications are you dealing with?”
Kelly James said, “Thirty-four are the most commonly administered. There are some that
are not as common. Of the 34 most common, 12 are controlled substances.”
15
June 19, 2018
Vice Chairman Bowles asked, “When you say controlled substance, you mean like you’ve
got to have a prescription to get it.”
James said, “Yes, but you can’t just get a refill. The doctor has to ok each and every refill.”
Vice Chairman Bowles said, “I just wanted to make that clear. I do want to address Mr.
Shoemaker. He asked a question as to why is this just coming up now? Why have we just come
up with a ¼ cent sales tax after the schools came and asked for a ¼ cent. I’d like to address that.
The County Board of Commissioners, not collectively during an open meeting, but between
ourselves have been discussing. We looked at the revaluation numbers, we realized it is probably
not going to get us where we need to be and we realize that there was gonna be a need for an
additional funding stream. This is not a knee-jerk reaction. We have been discussing it. We have
known this is coming that we were on a collision course. Like Commissioner McNeely said, we
are in two very large building projects, the jail and the 911 Center. Those are desperately needed
in this county. Those are the facts and I don’t believe they can be disputed on those. It’s not
something that just came up overnight. It’s not something that this board if reacting to just because
the school system has come and asked for. Yes, the school system and their circles and the task
force have been discussion a ¼ cent sales tax for a number of years, I believe. Is that correct Mr.
Houpe? This is not a knee jerk reaction. We knew that 2019 was going to be a very hard budget
year and we are trying to take steps to react to this very hard budget year. Not necessarily in this
year but in years to come. There are a lot of things that are facing our county right now that three
years really weren’t at the forefront. Yes, we’ve had school shootings for a long time but it has
come to the forefront because of so many here recently that we need to be proactive on it. Also
this opioid addiction, we don’t know yet what that is going to cost this county. Unfunded mandates,
we don’t know yet what these are going to cost this county. So there are a lot of unknowns out
there. We are trying to react to these unknowns as best we can. And I’d like to speak to Mr. Tim
Roseman. You said do something, you’re exactly right. We’ve got to do something and we’ve got
to do it now. I appreciate you.”
Commissioner Norman said, “I want to address Ms. Umbarger. You said this is on our
heads, so to speak, you said it on a nicer term, but what I want to tell you is, if you’ll go back and
read our minutes in March of 2013. There was a gentleman that was very conservative to this
county, I bet everybody knows him, he was on the Board of Commissioners, Mr. David Boone. At
that time Mr. David Boone, Mr. Steve Johnson, Mr. Ken Robertson, Ms. Renee Griffith and myself
who were on that Board. That particular day he wanted to address us about how we fund the
schools. That time we used something called COPS, Certificate of Deposit. The concern was, from
his store, people came to his store to complain that they did not have a chance to vote on the money
we spent on schools. He wanted us to change our course of actions because he said that as a five-
member board and we’re elected by the people, but were not elected to make your decision for
you. I agree with him 100%. From that time on, we switched from COPS to putting the bonds on
the ballot. From that time on, from 2013, go back and look at it if you want to read what it said,
I’ve never strayed from that. I’m not going to stray from it today. I’m gonna tell you today. I’m
going to put it on the ballot and let you make the decision. Now if you want to get out and work
against it you can, and these other folks can work for it. That’s not my decision.”
Commissioner Houpe said, “I want to reiterate and address some of you guy’s concerns.
It’s not just your right, it’s your responsibility to question us. I appreciate comments from various
people in the audience. I can assure you we’ve checked and balanced and we appreciate your check
and balance. You know sometimes in the seat we are in; we have to make decisions we don’t want
16
June 19, 2018
to make. But one of the decisions that I never have a problem with is allowing the citizens of
Iredell County as a democracy to make a final decision. You know, I’ll butcher this, but one of my
favorite quotes is … Dwight Eisenhower got more legislation passed in Washington as President
because he said something on the lines of, ‘The essence of politics is compromise.’ To go back to
our motion, Commissioner McNeely read, A tells you we took the ‘up to’ out as a compromise.
We told you the cut the county would take to use for services as we talked about, aging populations,
emergency services to fund the Sheriff’s office, EMS and other services that you as citizens require
and in some cases demand. B, you can get a copy and look at it, it allows the school system, if you
the voters pass this, it allows them to set budgets and make budgetary decision as any business
needs to do on an annual basis. C tells you as voters that this money will be used for educational
and safety and security needs for the school system if it passes. D it assures the accountability and
transparency some of you desire. Some of our meetings and things that we have had recently have
been to sit down as board members with our other board members and staff of our school systems
to look at what they’ve done. They’ve had 12 years specifically for Iredell Statesville of perfect
accounting practices. The money, as I’ve said in the past meetings, has been spent on what the y
say has been spent on. They’ve got two very good accountants. Now, you guys need to hold the
elected boards of the school system accountable for the priorities they choose to spend the money
once it is allocated. That is your job to hold them accountable for that. E covers unforeseen
mandates as Commissioner Bowles talked about. The school systems are willing, and they
understand, each school system needs different types of funding. Some school systems need
current expense which is salaries and those type of expenditures. I talked with legislators in Raleigh
today. There are all kinds of studies out there that say we need a balanced approach and multi -
prong attack as Ms. James has said to deal with the problems in our schools. We need mental
health counselors, we need safety and security, our Sheriff and all the people in F. The final
decisions will be to the elected school boards if this passes. If it doesn’t we will have to address
some other safety issues. All F says is that we are going to work on a safety team, along with
experts and law enforcement personnel. The Sheriff, he has more proactive programs in our county
training churches and other things you’ve heard someone mention here tonight. We as a local board
do a better job than our local counterparts in various counties on funding our systems. But as I’ve
said before the John Locke Foundation says you’re getting a bang for your buck. Education,
training work forces, it’s an investment. It benefits every citizen in Iredell County directly or
indirectly. It’s not a rumor, it’s a fact. We have ground breakings every month in Iredell County
because of the investment and impacts of economic development, so just keep that in mind. But I
wanted all of you to know, we do respect your opinions. We have tried to, in the essence of politics,
compromise. We’ve looked at your points of view, your needs, and we’ve tried to ensure there’s
accountability. I just wanted to make some comments, additional comments. I want to thank
everyone involved in helping to get us to this point. Your constant engagement and dedication
through this process got us here. However, this is only the first step. We must now be accountable
and transparent as we carry this plan forward, how this money will be spent if approved by the
voters our open and transparent process will verify annually accountability and transparency
needed to cultivate trust between the school boards and any and all other elected bodies on your
behalf. Most importantly, it will ensure accountability will earn and maintain the trust of you the
taxpaying public for investing in schools if this passes. I pledge along with my fellow board
members for openness and I believe this process and commitment exist in everyone involved. I
look forward to working towards a success program that will be a benefit to all citizens of Iredell
County. I want to thank you all for your coming and we respect all of your points of view. Now I
just want to read Abraham Lincoln quote. The people here in this room, I have great respect for all
17
June 19, 2018
of you. We all have different points of view as Chairman Mallory said. You know we can enter an
address in a GPS that gives us three routes, none of them are wrong, they are different. Respect
one another’s views as Mr. Norman said. But Abraham Lincoln said, ‘Government of the people
by the people for the people shall not perish from the earth.’ In that light, Chairman, I would like
to make a motion.”
MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to direct the Iredell County Board of Elections to
conduct an advisory referendum on the November 2018 local ballot pursuant to Article 46 of
Chapter 105 of the General Statutes on the question of whether to levy a ¼ cent local sales tax in
Iredell County.
Chairman Mallory asked to hold that motion until the closing of the public hearing. The
question is whether to place the ¼ cent sales tax on the ballot. Mallory asked all supporters of that
proposition to stand (2/3 of the audience stood). Mallory asked all in opposition to stand
(approximately 1/3 of the audience stood).
Chairman Mallory closed the public hearing and the motion has been made and asked for
any further discussion.
Commissioner McNeely said, “I would like to reiterate. I haven’t been on the board long.
I haven’t. I feel like I’m drinking sometimes from a fire hose. I have been involved in two budgets
and in those two budgets we’ve raise the actual, this may hurt some people but we’ve had a heck
of a demand from the first one to where we are at now, about $17 million. In that $17 million more
of services that we’re given, 54% of that is in schools, we haven’t raised your taxes. We’ve been
able to figure out ways to do it. To be able to give you more for the same money. And I’m, really
proud of that, I really am. Because that’s been hard work by this whole board. We cut almost $13
million worth of requests and I ain’t talking about necessarily from schools, I’m talking about from
all different services that we have, that the county provides for you. We cut $13 million out to get
to $205 million and that was not an easy job. And I commend my staff, who I thought did an
excellent job. Mrs. Jones, I thought you and your staff lead us incredibly in that and we are so
appreciative of that. We did not have to raise your taxes. But, I think, it’s got to a point, and I don’t
like this point, and I don’t like where it’s got, but it has. Do you want to keep our children safe or
not? As much as I don’t like attacks, as much as I’d love to keep my money in my pocket and
spend it how I please, because that’s what I want you to do, because I wake up every morning and
I don’t really trust my government, whether it be my federal, my state, or even my local that I’m
part of. I think they are out to get the tax payers. I think it’s my job to protect you. I think that’s
what I’m supposed to do. I’m supposed to show up every day to make sure that you get your
rightful share of what your tax dollars do. But once again, I think we’re to a point where we’re
gonna have to say, ‘Are we willing to spend the money to protect our children.’ Now, its gonna
happen one way or the other, because we’ve got no choice in my opinion. So we can either do it
through the sales tax or we can do it through a property tax, after revaluation. How many people
in here pay sales tax? Raise your hand (everyone raised their hand). Then look around at your
neighbor because they need to keep buying in Iredell County and they’ll help you and this won’t
be too bad. You know if you really don’t like this tax you don’t have to participate. Save your
money, put it in the bank, it won’t make much interest but it is better than nothing. So that’s where
we’re at, and that’s where I’m at. As much as I hate a tax, I’ve had to come to this conclusion. It
ain’t been easy, let me tell you. It ain’t been easy. ‘And that’s all I’ve got to say on that,’ as Forest
Gump would say.”
18
June 19, 2018
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
The Board took a recess at 9:05 PM. The Board resumed the regular session at 9:20 PM
Chairman Mallory asked for a summary of the consent agenda.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Interim County Manager Beth Jones summarized the consent agenda as follows:
Request from the Department of Social Services for approval of a Memorandum of
Understanding with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. It was
agreed to have the Chairman sign under protest, because the conditions are unrealistic but
there is no choice in the matter.
Request from the Finance Department for adoption of a policy regarding the expenditure
of federal funds, an all-inclusive Conflict of Interest and Gifts and Favors policy, and a
policy regarding a dispute resolution process for contracts.
A request from the Finance Department for adoption of a project ordinance for the Mitchell
Community College Health Science Building with an interest rate of 2.937%.
Request from the Finance Department to approve an Amended Cool Spring Elementary
School Capital Project Fund to close the fund and approve Budget Amendment #43 to
appropriate additional investment earnings to the North Iredell High School/South Iredell
High School Project Fund.
Request from the Finance Department for approval of Budget Amendment #44 to
appropriate fund balance to purchase land on Westminster Drive.
Request from Administration to designate a voting delegate to the North Carolina
Association of County Commissioners annual conference scheduled for August 2018 in
Hickory. That delegate will be Commissioner Jeff McNeely.
Consideration of a request from Twin Oaks Golf Club LLC to extend the lease of County
property. This was for informational purposes only and will be considered at the meeting
on July 17.
Request from Tax Administration for approval of the May refunds and releases.
Request from the Clerk to the Board for approval of minutes from meetings on May 29 and
June 5, 2018.
MOTION by Commissioner Norman to approve the consent agenda.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES OCCURING ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
I-CARE Board of Directors – 1 announcement. Heather Griffin has volunteered to serve
again.
MOTION by Vice Chairman Bowles to suspend the rules and vote on this matter this
evening to be able to have this appointment in sync with our bi-annual appointments.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
MOTION by Commissioner Norman to appoint Heather Griffin to the I-CARE Board of
Directors.
19
June 19, 2018
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARD AND COMMISSIONS
Centralina Workforce Development Board – 1 appointment. Mark Brady will be
reappointed.
Troutman Planning Board ETJ Alternate – 2 appointments. The first appointment is for
Mark Taylor to move to the full position. The second appointment is to fill the alternate’s position
and Barry General is the recommendation.
Mitchell Community College Board of Trustees – 1 appointment. Jonathan Byers will be
reappointed.
JCPC – 5 appointments. Retha Gaither, Vicki Dane, Leigh Byers, Justin Longino, and Pam
Navey will be reappointed.
Iredell County Planning Board – 3 appointments. This will be tabled until July 17.
Statesville Planning Board ETJ – 1 appointment. Bo Walker will be reappointed.
Mooresville Planning Board ETJ – 2 appointments. Mark Brady and Danny Martin will be
reappointed.
Partners Behavioral Health – 1 appointment. Debra Alford will be appointed.
Commissioner Houpe stated that applicant Grace Beasley, for the Troutman Planning
Board ETJ, has withdrawn her name from consideration.
MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to appoint all the people mentioned to the respective
boards.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Chairman Mallory said several had signed up to speak on the Troutman ETJ appointment.
However, Barry General has already been appointed.
Dennis Newman expressed appreciation for the appointment of Barry General.
Scott Clontz said all the people that came just for the public hearing has already left. These
are the same people that will not show up for a meeting of the Committee of the Whole, they will
not show up at a school board meeting, and they will not question their administration for the
monies that is spent. Clontz objects to the tax referendum. He also expressed disappointment in
that the Board of Education does not live stream their meetings similar to the Board of
Commissioners. It is a lack of transparency and it is a disgrace not to use the available equipment
paid for by taxpayers.
Commissioner Houpe said the recording of the meeting with the school Board is being
prepared to be available to the public. Iredell-Statesville Schools was asked (by Houpe) to live
stream tonight’s meeting due to Board members being out of state and/or in China.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
(None)
20
June 19, 2018
NEW BUSINESS
(None)
COUNTY MANAGER’S REPORT
Interim County Manager Beth Jones gave updates on the following items:
Government Center renovations and repairs (Phase 1) will begin July 9. Some Court Street
parking will be closed for the contractors. There will be some temporary inconvenience
but the main entrance will remain open.
Reminder there is only one regular meeting next month on July 17.
The annual Report to the People by Cooperative Extension is scheduled for July 24.
CLOSED SESSIONS
Chairman Mallory reported there was a closed session immediately following pre-agenda
for Economic Development.
MOTION by Commissioner McNeely to call for a public hearing on July 17, 2018 at 7:00
PM regarding an economic development incentive of up to $300,000 over a three-year period for
Project G based on a $25 million investment in Iredell County.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
Chairman Mallory moved the board into closed session at 10:15 PM for matters of
Personnel and Property Acquisition.
The Board resumed open session at 10:45 PM.
Interim County Manager Beth Jones said the Personnel item was the salary review of the
Register of Deeds and the Sheriff. The recommendation is a 5% merit increase for the Sheriff and
a 5% merit increase plus a 7.5% salary adjustment increase for the Register of Deeds.
MOTION by Vice Chairman Bowles to approve the increases outline by the County
Manager.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
ADJOURN
MOTION by Commissioner McNeely to adjourn at 10:50 PM.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
__________________________________ ___________________________________
Date Approved Retha C. Gaither, Clerk