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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 fall retreat 11 15 2019 1 November 15, 2019 IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES November 15, 2019 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met on Friday, November 15, 2019, at the Iredell County Public Library, 201 N. Tradd Street, Statesville, NC. Board Members Present Chairman James B. Mallory III Vice Chairman Tommy Bowles Gene Houpe Marvin Norman Ken Robertson Staff present: County Manager Beth Jones, Deputy County Manager Susan Robertson, Assistant County Manager Joe Pierce, Finance Director Deb Cheek, Assistant Finance Director Susan Cornell, Budget Analysist Caroline Taylor, and Clerk to the Board Amy Anderson. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman James Mallory called the meeting to order. Fire Funding County Manager Beth Jones said staff is wrapping up the Fire Funding plan. Emergency Management Director Kent Greene said the model has been discussed for several years and provided a summary of staff’s recommendation on how to move forward. There are 14 in-county fire departments and 5 out-of-county fire departments, well-distributed throughout the County. The growth in the southern end of the County may need to be addresses with additional facilities in the future. The current Countywide Service District was created under NCGA 153A, Article 6. Mount Mourne, Shepherd, Troutman, and Stony Point are included in the Voted Tax District. Greene said there have been questions regarding creating a new All County Fire Tax District. NCGS Chapter 69 gives the Board authority to set, establish, or change districts. The Board serves as the board for the Service District and the Voted Tax District. Greene explained the steps of creating the All County Fire Tax District. The County has an obligation to provide fire service or fire protection and it is up to the Board on how to provide that service. Greene estimated that it would cost $25 million per year for the County to provide fire service in -house. Greene added that the four components necessary to establish a fire district have been met. Greene went through the following requirements: Publish a report, including a map of the district. This report must be available in the Clerk to the Board’s office a minimum of four weeks prior to the public hearing. A public hearing must be held. A notice will be mailed to all property owners within the proposed district. Tax office has to certify the notice has been mailed to all property owners. 2 November 15, 2019 Resolutions from all municipalities must be received. A resolution has been received from Harmony. Staff has contacted Love Valley. The Town of Troutman is discussing the resolution as there is some hesitance on the Town’s part. Staff recently met with the Town and will have a follow up meeting next Tuesday. Greene noted that the effective date of the district must coincide with the new physical year. The existing service district and tax districts would remain in place in the event the All County Fire District was not able to generate sufficient revenue at an agreeable tax rate those separate districts could request the Board to levy a rate for the tax district, over and above what the All County District would provide. In the meantime, those rates would remain at zero. Those districts will be held aside for future use, if needed. The recommended tax rate would be 9¢, as it is today, and would apply to all property owners within the service district. To date, the County has supplied $386,000 in equipment (hose, cylinders, air packs) to the fire departments. That was money set aside by the Board for this fiscal year. The county provided $341,000 in apparatus debt payments as well as replaced an engine and tanker (currently in process) without acquiring new debt in the fire departments. Greene said the process works. This year was considered a gap year to see if the apparatus and equipment replacement could be done. The departments have been very easy to work with as far as replacements. The only outstanding item is communications. Last year, $300,000 was allocated in the communications line for the current service district. If awarded the AFG grant that money was going to be used to pay the County’s required match. The County did not receive the $2.3 million grant. The $300,000 remains and staff is working with the vendor to determine what can be purchased and fall within the budgetary limits. Greene plans to allocate money in the communication line over the next two years. There is a proposal from Motorola to finance that $2.3 million over a five-year period. This would allow the purchase 364 portable radios and 130 mobile radio 800 mhz. This would bring 98% of the county to 800 mhz. Greene plans to allocate the funds each year for communications. If approved by the Board, use the $300,000 to make the down payment on the financing plan. If the purchase is made and the lease agreement is signed prior to December 13 the County will be able to save over $400,000 because of discounts and promotions. Commissioner Houpe has not heard any negative feedback since the misconceptions were cleared up. Greene said no one in the current county-wide service district has complained about funding. All of the equipment requests turned in have been fulfilled. Chairman Mallory said this is the culminating event for a four-year process where there were some disconnects between the ability of different districts and departments to fund equipment and personnel. There was some unnecessary duplications of purchases. There is not a need to duplicate some of the more specialized apparatus. Mallory said having some accountability in the system and mutually understood expectations on communication is important. Greene said the schools are implementing a safety plan that will install an internal repeater inside the schools and will address the majority of the schools within the system. They also have the capability of going to a digital vehicle reading system or direct channels that fire departments can use now. This takes them off the towers and makes it a radio to radio communication. 3 November 15, 2019 Vice Chairman Bowles asked if the money for hoses, air packs, and radios is coming from the 9¢. Greene said yes. There may be some competition in the future as needs come up, but Greene will work the fire departments to ensure there is a prioritized list. Greene aims to have an apparatus committee. Cool Spring Volunteer Fire Department Chief Andy Webster said some chiefs are working with vendors on turnout gear so that items can be interchangeable. Greene said there are some departments that have stock rooms full of gear that do not fit anyone in the department. Chairman Mallory said that is a huge benefit and seeing it played out in reality is good to hear. Not only is it a matter of interchangeability and inoperability when there a re so many responses that include multiple departments with different air packs. Moving to standardization not only has an impact where rubber meets the road in terms of operation but also getting better deals with suppliers. Mallory commended the fire departments for working together to establish standards. Commissioner Houpe asked if the new model strengthen or weaken the ability for grant funding. Greene said the fire departments, as private 501(c)(3) corporations, are allowed to apply for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, safer grants, and rescue grants. Commissioner Houpe asked if funds from grants become a part of the department’s revenue. Greene said yes. Vice Chairman Bowles asked if the municipalities of Statesville, Troutman, Davidson, and Mooresville would have the tax levied inside their municipal district. Greene said they would not. Jones said they have municipal departments. Chairman Mallory said a single district makes it easier to absorb and reallocate resources as the municipalities annex properties. Greene said the only department that will see a change is the East Alexander district. They would go from a rural fire protection (voted tax district) to the new all-county service district. The department looks at it as a benefit because of the funding increase. Jones said there is a misconception that the all-county district is going to eliminate the fire districts, but they are staying in place. This is an all-county funding mechanism. In the beginning, it was misunderstood that it is a couple different pots of money instead of just one funding stream. Once that was clarified, most of the fire departments were on board. Jones explained Troutman’s concerns. They are a voted in tax district and the area is growing quickly. Troutman is concerned they will get less funding by being a part of the all -county district then they would if they remain 4 November 15, 2019 in the voted in tax district. This is a concern because of the anticipated growth and the funding they will need to keep up with the growth. Troutman Chief Morris agreed. Jones said Troutman is different because many of the other departments don’t have a voted in tax district. They were a part of the service district or not experiencing the magnitude of growth that Troutman is seeing. Greene said the Chiefs of Mt. Mourne and Shepherd are hesitant but are on board. They see the benefits of what may be on the horizon for them. Commissioner Norman asked when Greene will address Troutman’s concerns. Greene said staff will meet with them Tuesday. Commissioner Robertson said the only difference between the proposed plan and the way it was organized 14 years ago is Mt. Mourne was separate. The Board allowed some departments to split. It was considered broken. When the government tries to be more fair than effective it can’t be afforded. Robertson said the problem was the volunteer departments that had the highest amount of growth had an increase in call volume and volunteers decreased. Chairman Mallory said the equipment and apparatus replacement is based on need. As call volume goes up and the need increases, the funding should flow appropriately. Where it is not increasing, the department receives the basics. Everyone will have the same level of service. The individual voted in fire districts can choose to add a penny or two in order to afford more wants. The departments need to get away from the duplication of equipment and replacing apparatus before it should be. This is being mindful of taxpayer dollars. Greene said it was suggested to allow the other departments to create their own voted tax district. This would give every department, years from now, the capability to tap additional revenue, if the service district would support it. In theory, it is a great, but reality is most departments do not have the availability of the volunteers to go out and gather the necessary public petitions to get a voted tax district in place. Commissioner Robertson asked if the County is going to set a tax rate higher to pay for staff, who will staff report to. Commissioner Houpe said the plan looks promising. The rate for districts that may have the call volumes and need for growth have been set at zero. The departments have the ability to ask and justify the case for additional funding. When the Board gets to the point of paying fulltime firemen in all the districts, they will be under the County, because the Board is accountable for the taxpayers. Vice Chairman Bowles added the County still contracts with the departments. The departments hire the employees. Bowles asked what happens if a department is no longer to provide fire protection. Greene said the Board has the authority to not contract with any provider in the County. If a scenario presents itself, the Board will have to look at data and evidence to determine if services can be provided by someone else. 5 November 15, 2019 Commissioner Robertson the reason Troutman separated years ago has to be understood and addressed because growth is coming. Robertson added there will be some tough issues along the way that will not be easy to answer. Chairman Mallory said things will continually change. The plan will not suddenly solve the problem. Ten years from now, chiefs may not be able to find any volunteers or paid staff. Paid staff are going to want benefits. Form has to follow function. The Board has a county-wide responsibility and the plan gives some flexibility so things can be adjusted incrementally. Greene said the public hearing for all-county district will be in January 2020. Jones added there will be more discussion at the Winter Retreat regarding the fire department buildings. Elected Official Salary Study Jones said the Board agreed to conduct a salary and classification study every four years and the Commissioners have not been included in previous studies. Staff feels they should now be included. During the last study, the Sheriff and Register of Deeds were new to the positions and it was decided those positions would be revisited once there was a re-election. Jones explained typically the elected officials are elected in November with terms beginning in December. It has been discussed to get on that same cycle. Typically, those salaries were reviewed in June, which correlates with the fiscal year. It needs to be moved toward an election cycle. Jones explained that David Hill conducted a modified study for elected officials. Commissioner Robertson asked if the salary study is on a rotating cycle. Jones said the most recent study included all positions then implemented the following fiscal year, which was a reappraisal year. Chairman Mallory said this puts the elected officials on the same schedule except the study starts for the bulk of the County in June and elected officials after the election then they are added to the final pot so, everyone will coincide with an election and reappraisal year. Jones said one of the important factors for doing this during an election year is the Board has the option of changing the salary for a newly elected Sheriff or Register of Deeds. Commissioner Robertson said up until the great recession the Board always gave to employees. During the recession, there was no money to adjust wages. The economy can recover from the recession but the County’s revenue stream is tied to property values. Salaries lagged because the Board chose not to raise taxes to make up the difference and the net result was salary compression. Hill gave an update on the study conducted on Commissioners, Sheriff, and Register of Deeds. The study was done in the same methodology used to look at any other classification. Hill developed two different questionnaires, one designed to capture pay information as well as employment length. The other was designed to focus on benefits. Hill noted the benefits questionnaire was a little different for the Commissioners. The questionnaire was distributed to other counties geographically closed to Iredell or who were similar in size, staffing, and provision of services. Hill noted that Lincoln County did not provide any information in response to the Commissioners’ questionnaire. 6 November 15, 2019 Register of Deeds Hill went through the study for the Register of Deeds. The Register of Deeds’ salary is .05% below the market. The average market is $81,412. Hill recommended moving the Register of Deeds’ salary from grade 37 to 40 at the start of next fiscal year, knowing on and after July 1, 2020 the average may go up 1 ½ - 2%. Hill does not recommend changing the salary because there is almost a five-year differential market average to current average. There is a 1/2% difference in the salary right now. Hill recommended administering the Register of Deeds position as any other employee. Register of Deeds Salary Comparisons County Minimum Midpt Maximum Actual Yrs. Elected Alamance 59,210 76,974 94,739 72,025 9 Alexander 45,669 55,099 64,530 45,670 0.83 Cabarrus 69,326 88,712 108,076 80,142 6 Catawba 65,513 86,804 108,096 96,208 14.83 Davidson 63,303 79,129 94,955 71,785 0.83 Davie 57,971 73,935 89,899 77,456 18.83 Forsyth 80,388 108,523 136,659 85,363 2.8 Gaston 66,587 86,563 106,539 106,389 14.83 Johnston 59,473 77,615 100,952 93,988 18 Lincoln 65,478 82,507 99,537 77,001 8.83 Mecklenburg 124,000 170,500 217,000 132,525 2.83 Onslow 60,142 78,185 96,228 67,774 10.83 Orange 75,967 100,223 132,099 95,673 5 Pitt 70,381 10 Randolph 67,083 85,200 103,942 86,905 8.83 Rowan 63,609 82,691 101,775 78,693 7 Union 69,338 90,139 110,941 100,000 15 Wilkes 47,719 60,842 73,964 57,760 3 Yadkin 47,846 59,808 71,770 50,074 5 Average 65,985 85,683 106,127 81,359 8.54 Iredell 59,291 71,307 91,961 80,995 3.08 Iredell County Register of Deeds Comparison to the Market Average. Minimum Midpoint Maximum Salary Years in Position Market $66,035 $85,747 $106,206 $81,412 8.5 Iredell $59,291 $71,307 $91,961 $80,995 3.1 Recommendation $67,855 $86,550 $105,244 $80,995 7 November 15, 2019 Sheriff Hill noted that Onslow County does not administer Sheriff on their pay plan. Commissioner Robertson said there may not be a big difference between the Register of Deeds’ duties from county to county. However, Sheriff’s duties may differ from county to county. Iredell County Sheriff manages the jail and has law enforcement responsibilities. Robertson asked if those factors were differentiated. Hill said yes, but that is no difference than any other position. The primary goal is to gather enough data so that a salary does not carry so much weight, so it offsets some of the small counties. The focus to gather the data to make a determination on the average geographic salary without regard to the size of the County or any other factor. Commissioner Robertson asked if population of the County and number of employees were considered in the study. Hill said no and the same would be true if the study was for county manager, human resources director, or any other position. Commissioner Houpe said when an employee is hired; relative experience is considered and the salary is adjusted accordingly. Houpe asked how often the Board is required to review the salaries of elected officials. County Attorney Lisa Valdez did not know of a requirement, but there are provisions as far as when the office is open and when someone new may be coming in. Chairman Mallory said someone running for office could find out what the salary range. It is appropriate for the person to be validated by the voters. It will never be all equal. The Register of Deeds is one of few in the State that has two offices. Commissioner Houpe asked if the results would differ if the counties studied were Tier III counties. Commissioner Robertson said it is a geographical blend. Hill said the Counties used are the same used for all other employees. Jones said municipalities were included in the study for all other employees but could not be included for this study because they not have a Sheriff or Register of Deeds. Hill added more counties to the list by taking the estimated 2019 census population and adding the five counties immediately above and below the County and included them in the study. Commissioner Norman asked how Yadkin County can be compared to Mecklenburg as they are two very different counties. Hill said they can’t be compared if only comparing those two. Comparing all of the counties gives an idea of the geographic salary for a particular classification. Hill recommended assigning the Sheriff’s salary to grade 47 by FY20. The Sheriff’s actual salary is about 1.3% below average. 8 November 15, 2019 Sheriff's Salary Comparisons County Minimum Midpt Maximum Actual Yrs. Elected Alamance 80,580 104,752 128,926 119,322 17.00 Alexander 67,797 81,796 95,796 76,706 10.00 Cabarrus 92,913 118,851 144,830 119,794 0.83 Catawba 96,797 128,256 159,716 140,000 0.83 Davidson 88,225 110,875 133,524 101,488 0.83 Davie 77,687 99,082 120,476 89,129 2.83 Forsyth 99,174 133,885 168,596 138,673 0.84 Gaston 93,391 121,409 149,426 128,802 14.83 Johnston 84,578 110,375 143,562 134,588 20.00 Lincoln 94,336 118,865 143,393 128,301 0.83 Mecklenburg 136,000 187,000 238,000 191,626 0.83 Onslow 101,324 4.83 Orange 83,853 110,628 145,813 142,954 5.00 Pitt 146,000 0.83 Randolph 86,469 109,787 133,978 98,408 0.83 Rowan 98,679 128,282 157,886 121,840 9.50 Union 113,068 146,989 180,909 137,917 17.00 Wilkes 69,102 83,909 102,007 106,051 9.00 Yadkin 63,401 79,342 95,283 93,034 7.50 Average 89,768 116,123 143,654 121,892 6.53 Iredell 88,874 106,886 137,845 120,170 4.83 Iredell County Sheriff Comparison to the Market Average. Minimum Midpoint Maximum Salary Years in Position Market $89,768 $116,123 $143,654 $121,892 6.5 Iredell $88,874 $106,886 $137,845 $120,170 4.8 Recommendation $88,874 $107,886 $137,845 $120,170 Commissioner Houpe asked if other counties considered years of service when setting the salary range. Hill said half of them did. Commissioner Robertson asked how to decide on yearly increases for staff. Hill suggested to decide which four or five counties are most like Iredell and contact them on a yearly basis to see what they are doing. 9 November 15, 2019 Gregory said the HR department currently does that. Chairman Mallory said it is comparing apples to oranges between elected officials, staff, directors, and above. The County is competing with contiguous counties. Hill said there are no positions within local government that are the same. Commissioner Houpe asked how the average for the Register of Deeds was decided since there are no other counties in the study that has two offices. Hill said there are some differences in the benefits section. As far as the Sheriff, some Sheriff’s manage up to four satellite offices. Commissioner Robertson said the recommendations are minor adjustments. Chairman Mallory said the County is in the middle of the pack, but the County is Tier III and it is appropriate to value those coming in to serve in these positions. Board of Commissioners Hill recommending moving the Chairman’s compensation from $17,800 to the market average of $19,760, leave travel as is, and move the salary from $11,500 to $13,500 to match the average. The same methodology was used for Vice Chair and the other Commissioners. Hill recommended moving all to be equal with the average and make the adjustment in travel and salary so that the total ends up with the same. Hill recommended increasing the Vice Chair to $17,600 and remaining members to $17,300, while leaving the travel where it is and adjust the salary. Vice Chairman Bowles asked if travel reimbursement is for out of county travel. Jones said it is not a reimbursement, but a stipend. Iredell is a large county and Commissioners use their own vehicle. Benefits Hill’s recommendations are based solely on the information received. The Sheriff and Register of Deeds are covered by the same health, dental, and life insurance just like any other employee. Hill explained that questionnaires were sent to the 19 counties listed in the report and went through the responses. While only one other county provided a travel allowance to the Register of Deeds, Hill recommended to continue the Register’s travel allowance based on the travel expectation between Iredell’s two Register of Deeds’ office locations or alternatively, provide a county vehicle for use during periods of travel between the two office locations. Hill also recommended the continuation of the Register of Deeds’ cell phone stipend based on the consideration given to the expected travel between offices and communication requirements and expectations during that travel time. Additional consideration is given to the Register of Deeds need to remain one phone number that citizens and staff may use to contact him rather than maintaining two. Hill said 70.6% of the market counties provided a longevity supplement to the Sheriff and Register of Deeds. Hill recommended consideration of developing a longevity supplement program to recognize employees for years of service. 10 November 15, 2019 Based on the response of 88%, Hill recommended that the Board take a look at whether benefits should or should not be provided to the Commissioners and their eligible dependents. Chairman Mallory feels it is not appropriate to make that distinction. The Commissioners are part-time. There may be some extenuating circumstance where Commissioners could participate in the plan on their own dime. Commissioner Robertson said that has been done in the past. Gregory asked Hill if the Board could be considered full-time. That would fix the distinction between part-time. Hill said most counties consider Commissioners full-time. Vice Chairman Bowles asked how to address part-time employees who don’t receive benefits. Chairman Mallory said the County is leading in the right direction on this topic even though it may be contrary to other counties. Human Resource Policy Updates (Only changes with discussion are outlined) Human Resources Director Sandra Gregory explained proposed changes to the following personnel policies. The changes have been presented to the General Governmental Task Force. Article II. The Pay & Position Classification Plan Gregory said most changes were verbiage changes. Staff recommended elimination of Section 6 Probationary Step Increase. The definition of reclassification and promotion was added to Section 10 to help prevent confusion of the two. Article VI. Employee Benefits Article VII. Separation, Disciplinary & Reinstatement Section 7: Gregory suggested adding if an employee fails to report any pre -disciplinary conferences it is considered a voluntary quit. Gregory said a lot of times employees do not show once they received their pre-dismissal hearing. Chairman Mallory said there may be legal implications of the term “voluntary quit” based on case law. Valdez suggested changing voluntary quit to voluntary resignation. Section 2, 17: Addition of Failure to report civil or criminal charges. Chairman Mallory recommended removing civil because there are no such thing as civil charges. Valdez asked if employees have to report a traffic ticket. 11 November 15, 2019 Gregory said yes, if they drive on county time. Chairman Mallory suggested making a distinction between criminal charges and infractions. Traffic tickets are typically considered infractions. Mallory suggested the wording to be “criminal charges to include infractions.” This would allow HR to determine whether the motor vehicle infractions are relevant to the employees job. Section 3, B: Gregory recommended a suspension can be given in conjunction with a final written warning and there would be a disciplinary conference with the employee during the final written warning meeting. Commissioner Robertson asked how to prevent under-performing employees from switching from department to department without losing the option of employees transferring to a different department because they feel they would excel there. Gregory said that topic could be addressed in the section of promotions, transfers, and classifications. Section 6, B: Chairman Mallory suggested clarifying that it is the “proposed” compensation. Section 6, C: Gregory said Pat Flannigan does recommend adding that t he pre-dismissal hearing is videotaped. The State’s personnel policy states recording devices are not allowed. Recording opens everything for discovery and brings up a retention issue. Chairman Mallory said it is shifting the mistake on the employee as opposed to the County. Jones said in a pre-dismissal conference county staff are not normally the ones doing the talking. The County establishes their case in the notification letter to the employee. The conference is the employee’s opportunity to defend, justify, and explain why they should remain an employee of the County. Chairman Mallory suggested allowing the option of recording. Gregory asked if recording was limited to pre-dismissal or any disciplinary action meetings. The General Governmental Task Force’s intent was just for pre-dismissal. Jones agreed. Commissioner Houpe’s focus is to verify that the County followed its’ own policy and allowed the employee due process. There have been complaints on the time frame. It would be nice to be able to verify that the policy was provided and explained. Houpe said if the employee doesn’t want it recorded then don’t record it. The conference is the employee’s opportunity to defend their case. 12 November 15, 2019 Commissioner Robertson asked if all employees receive a copy of the handbook. Gregory said yes and it is noted in the letter they have a right to file a grievance, and where to find the information on the grievance. Commissioner Robertson understands the concerns but the supervisor should have a chance to turn things around before it escalates. Commissioner Houpe said this is the employee’s opportunity to tell HR and Administration where they are wrong. It protects the County’s position to be able to verify what they are defending. If the employee identifies problems, that is the County’s opportunity to dispel those and justify the actions. Chairman Mallory said people may relay different recollections of what was said and there is an account of a conference that does not bare any resemblance of what was actually said. Mallory said recording goes both ways. It protects the County but if there is a mistake made in the process then it protects the employee. Distinctions between counseling and career development need to be made. Mallory feels it is appropriate to video tape those things, but it should be noted if the employee declines it. If there is a dispute over what happened the employee has waived the opportunity to argue otherwise. Chairman Mallory suggested drilling the policy down to outline what the employee needs to do and the timeline in which they need to be done. Valdez said the way the policy reads is the employee cannot record the pre-dismissal. Valdez said if recording is not going to be allowed or non-biased documentation of the meeting, the HR director or designee should be required to be in the pre-dismissal hearing. Currently, the policy states they may be in the meeting. Valdez said it should not matter that it is recorded if everything is done that it should be. Commissioner Houpe agreed. The hearing is the final step. Valdez said the employee should have the option that it not be recorded, but it should be noted if the employee does not. Valdez suggested adding that the meeting “may be recorded unless the employee opts out.” Commissioner Robertson asked who records the meeting. Valdez said only audio recording should be allowed. Commissioner Houpe agreed. Commissioner Robertson shared concerns over retention of the recordings. Valdez said it could be added that the recording be transcribed and put into written form. The written record could be retained. Recordings should be reserved if they are kept. 13 November 15, 2019 Chairman Mallory asked staff to look at the technical issues and report back to the Board. Section 7, C: Gregory noted the addition of Non-Disciplinary Suspension without Pay. Currently, if someone receives a criminal charge and it is directly connected to their essential function of their jobs they are placed on suspension with pay until they go to court. Gregory would like to add this section so those who receive a charge that is directly connected to the function of their job are placed on Non-Disciplinary Suspension without Pay. Management staff feels that is inappropriate for them to get paid while waiting to go to court. Gregory added that Flannigan is not thrilled with this section, because it can be perceived as a disciplinary suspension. Chairman Mallory said the judicial process can take much longer than expected. Some cannot go without a check for a week and this is putting their livelihoods at risk over something they have no control over. Gregory said the employee would be able to use accrued time before time without pay would start. Currently, the person is paid without using any accrued time first. Chairman Mallory asked why not allow the person to work, unless they refused a breathalyzer and they lose their license. Gregory said there have been some lose their license on the spot and are allowed to come back to work once they receive driving privileges. Gregory gave several examples. Chairman Mallory cautioned against including civil actions. Gregory will delete civil actions. Commissioner Houpe asked Valdez about the section. It appears to be judging before they go before the appropriate judge. Valdez said there is risk for allowing a person charged with child abuse to continue working in certain departments. Commissioner Houpe shared concerns over not paying staff because of accusations. Valdez said the issue is if the charge is directly related to their job duties. Chairman Mallory suggested adding “any criminal charge brought by law enforcement or indictment.” Commissioner Robertson agreed. Section 9, C: Chairman Mallory asked about the term rift. Gregory will spell out reduction in force. 14 November 15, 2019 Chairman Mallory suggested allowing the Personnel Advisory Committee to review cases throughout the year to ensure the policy is being executed. Commissioner Robertson noted those are confidential files. County Ordinance Update Jones said Deputy County Manager Susan Robertson found a provision in the County Code of Ordinances regarding smoking. The changes would allow the code to mirror the Smoke-Free Policy. Deputy County Manager Susan Robertson said the Smoke Free policy was adopted in 2015. There are some changes to the definitions to provide more clarity. Chapter 7: Smoking is no longer allowed in any county vehicle. Chairman Mallory shared concern over the misdemeanor charge as a penalty. Assistant County Manager Joe Pierce suggested changing the wording to “may be charged.” EMS EMS Director Blair Richey gave a report on the Peer Support Specialist Program in conjunction with the Community Response Team. Peer Support Specialist Sandy Tabor Gray works with two hospitals in the County. The response team assist patients with appropriate treatment, minimize opportunity of fatal overdose, and educate patient and their family. Gray said it is important to build relationships with the patients. From Januar y 1 – October 9, 2019 there were 423 overdose and substance use encounters in the County. In that same time, there were 65 opioid specific overdose encounters. Gray makes initial contact with the patients. Since April 1, Gray has reached out to 109 individuals within 24-72 hours of a non-fatal overdose. With this, 38 individuals have been linked to care resources within the community. Three were entered into 30- day treatment and two of those were able to enter through scholarships. Gray works to build partnerships with resources in the community. Four patients were admitted to medically assisted treatment programs. Twenty two naloxone kits have been distributed, five have been used to save a life. Gray added that the program also teams individuals with parenting classes (for DSS cases), substance abuse counseling, food pantries, and ICATS vouchers. Richey said a research team came in and was very happy with the program’s process. Commissioner Robertson asked how long the program can be funded with grant money. Gray said the first grant ended in October and the department received another grant for two and half years starting in December. Richey said the grant will allow the department to hire a part-time position in June because there is such an increase on demand. The part-time position will review cases. Richey presented the Iredell County Community Paramedic Plan. The plan would truly meet the County’s healthcare needs. It is a preventive program, meeting people where they are, 15 November 15, 2019 and linking them to recourses already established in the community. Hospitals are identified as safety net providers, EMS is not. Commissioner Robertson complimented Richey on her approach. Richey said the State studied community paramedic programs in other counties. On an average, transports decreased 27.9%. For the calendar year, a total billed EMS encounters are 16,859 and 542 patients called EMS at least four times. Those patients created 2,691 transports. Richey said 214 patients in 2018 created 1,120. Applying the plan to the number for 2018, there could be a reduction in transports up to 726 – 1000. Average cost of per transport is $710. If the department performs the lowest of the program, there is a potential savings. Richey said United Way is willing to commit the start-up costs of the equipment at $50,000. The first year cost would be $127,734. If transports decrease by 360 the program will pay for itself. Commissioner Robertson said there are still fixed costs, it may delay adding another EMS unit. Richey said the Community Paramedic would work 7am – 7pm because most appointments are preventative in nature. They provide treatment and link patients to primary care within the community. Jones said the program allows the community paramedic to check on frequent transports to see if they’ve checked their blood sugar, blood pressure, and etc. Commissioner Robertson asked if those visits can be charged. Jones said not currently, it is being looked into by legislation. There are transport fees that the County is unable to collect. Chairman Mallory said this is an approach to deliver services but also the best effort to try to quantify a value driven proposition. Jones said the program will have positive impacts on other agencies that work with the County. Staff is anticipating an all-around positive impact. Commissioner Robertson suggested giving the City of Statesville a heads up on shouldering the program, if the City receives a lion’s share of the benefit. Planning & Development Jones said this an opportunity for the Board to give Planning Director Matthew Todd guidance and parameters for the Transportation Master Plan and the 2030 Horizon Plan Update. There is a possibility of having the same company do both because they need to work in conjunction with each other. Todd went through different Request for Proposals. The 2030 Horizon Plan from 2009 has been updated several times, but there is need for a more comprehensive update. Todd said the Transportation Plan can be a chapter in the Horizon Plan. Todd has applied for an 80/20 grant with the CRTPO for the Transportation Plan. Staff will hear the results from the application in February and will not be able to start on the plan until July 2020. 16 November 15, 2019 Chairman Mallory said if the County receives the grant, discussions and input can start before July. Vice Chairman Bowles asked about transportation districts to help mitigate traffic in areas of the County that rub against municipalities. Coming alike with requirements would alleviate some pressure of the ETJ request. Todd said overlays could be put in place in identified areas that have different requirements. Commissioner Robertson said land use planning and transportation planning have to intersect. Chairman Mallory said there needs to be an overall broad avenues. If the County wants an alternate mode to get from Statesville passed Mooresville, a new four-lane road is not likely. Secondary roads are going to be most easily expanded and changes to intersections will make those an easier and safer path for trucks to take. The first step is to identify those. The first step is to look at roads to see what would be the most appropriate to be able to get on an incremental improvement process. Mallory said Mooresville, Statesville, and Troutman should join at the hip with the County. Todd said staff is looking for a high-level plan that will look at all recently adopted plans and figure out what connections are needed. Land-use should be considered while working on the plan. Freight mobility, local delivery, and provisions for autonomous vehicles will also be a point of focus. Commissioner Robertson suggested the plans be added as an item for the budget for HY20. Jones noted there is a small cushion in the Capital Improvement Plan, if it needs to be taken care of before FY20. Chairman Mallory said it needs to be a joint team approach. Solar Farms Todd went through the current requirements for Solar Farms. Recently, staff compared the County’s ordinance to other counties. Some counties require a conditional zoning. Some have assigned the quasi-judicial process to the Commissioners. Todd noted this takes away the Board’s option to talk with constituents. The current setbacks are align with other jurisdictions. Staff looked to see if any counties are treating facilities different based on size, but for the most part most are not. Commissioner Houpe suggested having two thresholds; 50 acres or less or 50 acres or more. Houpe also suggested staff look into screening requirements. Chairman Mallory said the process is very important. Unlike a rezoning request, the solar farms do not come before the Board. The Board of Adjustment is evidentiary and involve attorneys more often than not. The last solar farm that went through the Board of Adjustment was appealed to Superior Court. It is so costly it removes effectively for many people the ability to influence the process because they cannot afford an attorney. Mallory feels it is incumbent on the Board to make these type calls. Mallory shared concern over solar farms being allowed in the residential agricultural (RA) zoning district. It has more to do with energy production or manufacturing than 17 November 15, 2019 farming. Certain activities are expected in RA, but a solar farm i s not one of those. Solar farms may be a better fit in its own zoning designation. Vice Chairman Bowles asked if stipulations can be added to eliminate the out of county owners that are trying to make money and to protect bon-a-fide farm owners. Todd said staff can develop thresholds for size requirements. The tax office would determine the tax deferment. Todd is hesitant to create a new zoning district but solar farms could be a conditional zoning, RA Conditional. The property would keep all the regular RA uses. Valdez said doing it by a conditional zoning does not completely keep the issue out of court. There is a presumption that the Board’s legislative authority and doing a conditional zoning is going to rule, but if it is arbitrary and capricious then there will be a problem. Chairman Mallory said the Board needs viable criteria in which to make judgement calls. Todd asked if the Board wants to go forward with changing it from the Board of Adjustment. Commissioner Norman asked if there is a current request. Todd said a request will be heard in December. Jones said this conversation was not sparked by any specific request. Chairman Mallory asked staff to work together. Todd said prior to 2007, a municipality would ask for ETJ and the Board would consider the release without a public hearing. In 2011, a section was added to the code on how to address private and municipal ETJ requests. Todd said there was one municipal request from Mooresville for the Connector Road that went fairly smooth. There have been discussions with Mooresville regarding different areas. Mooresville started identifying areas in the south side of Mooresville, but they have not submitted a request. The code includes things that should be considered during a request from municipalities. They are difficult and there is no standard procedure throughout the State. Wake County has a very similar policy to the County. Todd said water and sewer trip most request. There was a discussion regarding ETJ appointments to municipal Planning Boards and how those specific appointments are to be made by the Board. Chairman Mallory said municipalities are trying to bring some consistency t o the development of that road relative to driveway cuts, right of ways, curb and gutter. Task Force Updates Education Chairman Mallory said Iredell-Statesville School Superintendent Brady Johnson announced his retirement and the Board of Education is initiating a search process for his replacement. The Deputy Superintendent is also retiring. Mallory said the school system has major positions to fill. 18 November 15, 2019 Chairman Mallory said the school system received a $13 million grant to cover different aspects of counseling and well-being issues within the school. Such to deal with kids who may be in distress, among other things. The system is proceeding a pace as far as laying in a CTE Program that is more focused on producing deliverables for business and workforce development. The problem with the CTE academic track is to be able to get out school with a credential or certification with some type of concentration with CTE courses. It is appropriate for them to consider this a very viable option. Because the school academic requirements and how they fit in the calendar, when the CTE courses that someone may be interested in taking will conflict with a required academic course. The student cannot take the CTE course and ends up taking a different elective because it fits in the schedule. The push is to be able to have fewer CTE courses but more of a focus so students can have a career path to take them into work or Mitchell Community College (MCC) to get advanced credentials. In order to do this, the system has looked into rejiggering the calendar. This school year’s start date was pushed back to early August. This allows the opportunity for a summer term for CTE courses. There are CTE teachers on an 11 or 12 month contract so an additional offering will not result in paying more. The calendar change also opens up the opportunity to line up with MCC. Students are able to register for MCC earlier in the year. Students are also able to finish exams before Christmas break. The school system can justify this by being characterized as a year-round school. The system has tried for several years to align the calendar with the Community College calendar. The Board has adopted resolutions for years in support, but it has not come to pass. The system had to adhere to the letter of the law. This year they are doing things differently not to just say they are a year-round to school just to qualify. It is really driven by the CTE piece. The side benefit it is the calendar is now aligned. The CTE program will take three to five years to build out. The missing piece of the CTE program are the businesses getting their platforms out that interest the students. Chairman Mallory said the County could also benefit from doing that as well. Economic Development Chairman Mallory said the Iredell County Economic Development Corporation CEO Jenn Bosser is now online and brings a wealth of experience on how to relate to businesses. Commissioner Houpe said ISS is moving forward with a social media app. They are working with law enforcement, including the Sherriff’s Office, to give them the ability to monitor the app. Social media seems to be a big problem with the schools and bullying. The Board and Sheriff are in support of a bid to put in door locks in the 27 remaining schools that do not already have them. Iredell-Statesville Board of Education will consider that item of business in December. Commissioner Houpe is hopeful that the community will understand the proposed bond includes specific and most needed projects for each education system. The approved reimbursement money that were allocated on a reimbursement basis addresses other needs throughout the County. Houpe reminded the Board the public hearing for the bond is December 3, 2019. Jones added the task force is working on a school funding model. Commissioner Houpe said the schools have asked the Task Force to address a potential funding change to revamp capital more on the ADM. Staff is working on ways to reconsider that. This is an on-going process. 19 November 15, 2019 Vice Chairman Bowles asked if ISS is hiring full-time employees with the $13 million recently awarded. Commissioner Houpe said yes. Jones explained that the task force proposed a list of questions to ISS regarding the grant. Jones is hopeful the task force is able to build a formula that will be sustainable and eliminates a 12-20% increase when the County is only able to do a 1 or 2% increase. Commissioner Robertson said the Board has had a long-time policy not to be obligated to replace staff members hired with grant funding. If the department/schools would like to replace or keep staff members they should submit a request for new positions. There is not an assumption that the Board keeps reoccurring expenses unless there is a reoccurring revenue stream that goes along with it – unless the Board has approved the headcount. Vice Chairman Bowles said the Board was working towards building SROs for coming years. Commissioner Robertson said the voters turned down the funding stream. Commissioner Houpe said the school system is going to spend one third of the fund balance on reoccurring annual expenses. There is no revenue stream for those expenditures and at some point; the system may come to the Board with a request. Houpe said without a revenue stream the Board is unable to do that. Commissioner Houpe asked if the school system over hired teachers this year. Commissioner Houpe is unsure. Houpe explained that he and Chairman Mallory requested that ISS not make too many radical changes until some things on the table are accomplished. Vice Chairman Bowles asked about raises for unclassified principals. Commissioner Houpe said the State recently approved some of the budget for positions that are state funded. The local board gave a one-time raise to some classified staff and some costs are reoccurring. Principal raises is a part of the State’s mini-budgets. Commissioner Robertson said that only impacts the County if they fund a similar position out of the County. Vice Chairman Bowles wants to avoid three years from now having numerous staff (hired using grant funding) doing a great job of accomplishing goals and not have a funding stream to keep them. Commissioner Robertson said the Board just had the same conversation with EMS Director Blair Richey. When the money goes away, the positions go away. Jones said grant funding is seed money to pilot a program to see if it is actually going to do what it is intended to do. Commissioner Norman said that is how the school system obtained computers. Public Health & Well Being Vice Chairman Bowles said the vaping epidemic may surpass the opioid epidemic. 20 November 15, 2019 Commissioner Robertson the places to put people who need to be institutionalized have evaporated. States and the Federal Government have walked away from people suffering from mental health. Vice Chairman Bowles said there is a 150-person waiting list for pediatric mental health bed. Chairman Mallory gave an update on DSS. NCFAST is unforgiving. The DSS Board implemented a tracking system to look at the different metrics that are required under the contract with the State. The State cannot provide data so the department can compare themselves to the State. Mallory added that DSS went through a top to bottom feedback process because of personnel and perception issues that was brought attention to management. All of the employees were interviewed and it was a healthy sharing of information. Everyone put their shoulder to the wheel and came up with ways to address issues to foster a more team oriented work processes and deal with the tremendous amount of stress. Susan Robertson said the management team was almost becoming dysfunctional but are now working together. The department added an employee led Employee Advocacy Committee that represents a person from each division. Robertson said 14 children have been adopted through DSS since July 1. This is a huge number and the department hopes to hit 20 by the end of the year. One of the adoptees just turned 17 and was in the system for 15 years. Public Safety Commissioner Norman said parents and teachers agree that having SROs in the schools is the best thing and suggested at some point SROs need to be present at one school all day instead of a half day. The students love getting to know the SROs and sometimes tell them things they don’t feel comfortable telling their teacher. Sheriff Darren Campbell said, “I hear constant comments on SROs especially on the overall dividend it pays long-term as far as gang affiliation, criminal aspects, opioid, methamphetamine addiction, domestic violence and other crimes. Being involved in the schools since 2014, just in elementary schools, 47,000 visits by officers. Last week we got our uniform crime reports, I don’t know if it is direct correlation, but it is a huge part, our property crimes has dropped over 52% in four years. I absolutely think a lot of it comes from information we get from the younger people. Be it directly through them or their brothers and sisters or them getting information to us. If I had my one thing in this whole thing that… I hear drug arrests; offender arrest. In fact, the problem we have now is I am thinking of moving one to another position. It has been good, a good investment that ya’ll have made. Commissioner Robertson said, “We put that on the ballot and the voters turned it down.” Sheriff Campbell said, “I don’t think so. You put a sales tax increase. We were never approached about it. The only comment I ever seen was the additional SROs. The question I got asked was how many. One to five. There was a lot of well-being stuff and a lot of other stuff but I don’t ever remember advocating for any SROs on that sales tax increase.” Chairman Mallory said, “I don’t know, I think that is what we agreed to do. It was a combination of SROs.” 21 November 15, 2019 Sheriff Campbell said, “I think it said additional SROs. Because I have a copy of it. I have researched a lot. I think that is the reason we come to ya’ll with the thing. Every time we went somewhere we would see the ballots. At the fair, everybody seen it. It was additional but with everything stacked in there, in my opinion, what I was asked was Sheriff, can you tell me how many…is this going to get someone in an elementary school? I cannot answer that. The only way, Mr. Robertson, (sic) I come to ya’ll unless unforeseen that I see to aspirate, fund position. We have got to be able to justify so if it was to come around from what I heard and we were to be able to say that is what is for. I would absolutely stand right there with you.” Chairman Mallory said, “I tell you what. If you advocate for it we will put it on the ballot. You request it. You say this is what we want. The fact is, you can’t put a SRO is some schools and not others.” Sheriff Campbell said, “Absolutely.” Chairman Mallory said, “Some of these SROs are provided by the municipality. You have to sort through all that. There is also capital requirements. Cameras and communications issues and all of those. Passive security measures. The SROs are reoccurring costs. If we are going to get to a reoccurring…it is just like what Mr. Robertson has been talking about, several different issues. Great programs, but we got to have a funding stream. If no funding stream, then something else has to be cut. So, the only funding streams we have available are sales tax and that got turned down. The only other option is raising the property tax rate. My challenge to you is if you want it ask for it and advocate for a funding stream to pay for it across the board.” Sheriff Campbell said, “We will. Like this year I turned back $1.7 million. That is what we are trying to do, to pay it forward. That is one thing we try. I understand.” Chairman Mallory said, “All of that money was for jail operations that were put aside to be able to accommodate the extra personnel and all that stuff. That has been spent on a lot of jail furnishings.” Bert Connolly said, “On the sales tax thing, if we want to put a sales tax out there, I think the parents want to know…we can say all day long that we are going to do SROs. They want to know how many. You have kids in the school and I have kids in the school. Are your kids going to get them or are my kids? I think that is the biggest thing. If it were sold properly I think…” Commissioner Robertson said, “The charter schools are schools too.” Connolly said, “If it were sold properly and specifically states what is going to be in there I think everything will fly with that.” Vice Chairman Bowles said, “The one thing that opened my eyes…I think the guy was the editor of the Statesville Record & Landmark said if it was that important to have SROs in the schools then why wasn’t it discussed in the previous year’s budget. If that is something we are absolutely committed to then we either need to make the necessary cuts somewhere or advocate for a new funding stream to fund it. We need to do one of those two things, if it is that important.” Sheriff Campbell said, “Tough decision for us. The only thing I can do is bring it to you. But there again you see what happened in California yesterday. We are speaking of the opioid epidemic, opioid is sort of settling now. We are seeing methamphetamine because the opioid side of it…the doctors have gotten a lot tighter on prescriptions. That turns straight into heroin. That 22 November 15, 2019 comes straight across the border into Charlotte. But there is a lot of dividends I see. Remember this, if we have an active shooter situation at a school, what is your response time if you have an SRO on the scene? Zero. That is a strong thing to tell a parent how this school gets it and that one don’t. Even though we have tried to put the two closest geographical schools together with our SROs. It has been a total success. I understand you have to figure out how to fund it. That is where I’m at.” Commissioner Robertson said, “We are not debating whether things are good ideas.” Chairman Mallory said, “We went out on a limb as a County Commission and asked for it. We didn’t get some support and it didn’t pass. At this point, if it is that important, it is that important to advocate for it. I mean lead in terms advocating for the need and we want people to vote for a quarter cent sales tax or increase the ad valorem property tax by ever how much is needed to put SROs in these schools.” Sheriff Campbell said, “I am going to advocate. Like I said, I come to yall and I justify it. I can’t advocate for everything and everybody. I can only advocate what I have a say so in. I believe it also comes through savings. I believe it comes through other things. That is what I am trying to say. I believe in advocating. This past thing…remember, we were never approached.” Commissioner Norman said, “The Statesville Record & Landmark called me directly and said that we had promised the school system 100% of that money from the sales tax. I told them no. I hadn’t promised them nothing. That is where the confusion was. The school system didn’t support it because we were supposed to give them 100% of the money. I didn’t know anything about it. I was not going to do that.” Vice Chairman Bowles said, “We’ve got to get together.” Sheriff Campbell said, “We’ve got to. I understand what the Chairman is saying. That is a whole pie. I am just a small piece. My job is not to advocate for or against or whatever. I agree with what you’re saying.” Chairman Mallory said, “I disagree. One of the things we were taught in the army is any policy objective that you have is like a three legged stool. Your objective is the best way to get security and address a host of other reasons is having an SRO in every school. And, as a county we can’t just say just county schools. We’ve got charter schools, we’ve got charter schools that are in Mooresville. We can’t differentiate between children in Iredell County.” Commissioner Robertson said, “A tax payer sends his kid to Statesville Christian. Why does that kid not get a SRO just because they go to a private school, if it is taxpayer funded?” Sheriff Campbell said, “Some of those deal with Mooresville. I would have to look exactly at the charter schools. They pretty much are off duty assignments with Mooresville as a contract.” Commissioner Robertson said, “Some of our charter schools are filled with kids from Mecklenburg County. It is a messy situation.” Chairman Mallory said, “If your goal or objective is to provide the safest and securest environment that you can within your reason. You can’t guarantee safety. You can’t guarantee that someone isn’t going to walk in and the first person they see they shoot. There is no response time. You are trying to limit casualties best you can. If that is the objective and the means to accomplish 23 November 15, 2019 that objective is the SRO then it is pretty simple math. You just figure up what the cost is for each individual SRO. Does each individual SRO get a patrol car and outfit? You have to train them. You tote that up and whatever that number is will tell you. Does a quarter cent sales tax take care of it, which comes from everybody in the County and about half from folks out of the county staying in hotels and eating in restaurants? Is that the way to fund it or put it in the ad valorem tax rate, which is paid solely by property owners? That is the means. You got the ends and ways, SROs and the means is the money. Three legged stool. All three of those legs have to be the same length to be stable. If you want the result and you have the means but no one advocates for the ways to come up with the dollars, a leg of that stool is too short. It is unstable. It is just going to fall over. Then you have to adjust your objectives and ways to the shortest leg. We don’t have the dollars in our budget to do what you want us to do. There is just not savings that fall from the sky.” Sheriff Campbell said, “And, I totally understand that.” Chairman Mallory said, “We can look at your budget and see if the savings are there.” Sheriff Campbell said, “I challenge you to look in my budget. Remember, this sales tax, when we spoke about that we had been approached. I think the revenue is $12 million, something like that.” Chairman Mallory said, “$6 million.” Sheriff Campbell said, “SROs was a little over $1 million.” Susan Robertson said, “I thought you were on that task force. Were you not? I thought you were one of the chairs on the task force.” Sheriff Campbell said, “Not that I am aware of.” Chairman Mallory said, “You were sitting on the task force.” Sheriff Campbell said, “We were invited and I have yet to hear anything.” Jones said, “No, it was you, me, and Brady that were tri-chairs to determine where that money was going to be spent and the needs for it.” Sheriff Campbell said, “Yes, okay. I was talking about the whole amount. That’s fine. You have to remember we had one meeting. I am just talking about SROs right now.” Jones said, “We had more.” Sheriff Campbell said, “Did we meet some more other than the time at the Mooresville School talking about this and spoke about SRO? Ya’ll had asked me about SRO costs. Correct me if I am wrong.” Jones said, “Yes, the tri-chairs, me, you and Brady Johnson met several times. Then we pulled all the different groups in one full day. We had different groups that came in at the Unity Center to help give input in how this was going to be structured and how the money was going to spent.” Sheriff Campbell said, “Yep, absolutely. Totally agree, but we are just talking SROs. That is what I am saying. When we learned this, we are talking SROs and Gene correct us if we are wrong. When we spoke about just placing SROs...We’ve asked about the camera stuff to the 24 November 15, 2019 schools. They are still working on that. As far as the wellness side we weren’t aware of what all (sic). We were there but that is not our lane is I guess what I am saying. I am talking about just SROs.” Chairman Mallory said, “But when you are looking at safety and security…Look I was an infantry officer. The world revolved around the tip of the spear. The reality is the shaft behind the spear is what defends, arms, got us where we needed to go, applied force where it needed to go because of intel we could call indirect fire. We had lots of force multipliers. The mental health for children is a critical area, which SROs are not necessarily full trained or equipped to deal with. SROs do an awful lot of things and touch on, but there are some things that the school nurse does and that school nurses are told that SROs may not be told. There are multiple different individuals that can be involved in the holistic approach. At the end of the day, we confuse the i ssue by the County wanting a quarter of the proceeds. That cut it down to about $4 million a year. Then a lot of it was capital but after that capital you were going to have some funding available for on going SROs, nurses, mental health, counselors, whatever was going to be appropriate. We don’t have any of that. We had to take it out of hide. We took it out of hide temporarily. So, if we are looking at expanding the SRO program we have to have an additional source of reve nue. That just means we need an advocate for that. It is not enough to say we need it. We need people out there educating folks why it is important to vote for that. If it is that important to do then everybody in the world comes up. Law enforcement in Mooresville, Statesville, Troutman, and County all come up and say we need it bad. If nothing else, just got to raise the property taxes to pay for it. Then we will take that under consideration. Have to vote on that, but we need you all leading from the front. I am not going to be on the front and get the shaft.” Sheriff Campbell said, “That works both ways. I am not going to balance on the back of this just for everything. I am the same as you.” Connolly said, “If we are going to sell something to the public we have to tell them what we are selling. What it is.” Commissioner Houpe said, “All of our goals are the same. We would love to have SROs in every school. We’d love to have counselors in every schools. Nurses, whatever. The problem is the lack of revenue. We have way more asks than we do revenue. We talked before, Marvin and I, when we were on the Education Task Force, the importance of the gate guards. We put the gate guards back when the schools cut it out. Darren and I talked about armed deputies at the gates. There again, you have to pay the difference. I think all of our goals and ambitions are the same. We just have to have revenue to pay for it.” Commissioner Robertson said, “It reminds me when we did a big survey for the parks. We did this. We are going to four or five different areas. People could come in. We gave them all these wonderful things the parks could do. The results of the first survey was 87% of the people said ‘yes, we want ya’ll to do all of these things.’ I said wait a minute, you have to put in there what the cost is. So, in the survey when people came we asked if they would be willing to pay the extra tax to get this. It went down to 20%. I am not saying that would be the case here. But, if you just say would you like a freebie. The answer is always going to be yes. When you say would you like a benefit and you have to pay for it, then it becomes harder. Our jobs are harder because the easiest vote for me to get is if I can promise something for free. It is hard to run to say I can get you more SROs or more fire trucks. We talked today about fire trucks and paying fireman instead of getting fireman to answer calls at 2am for free. To get interchanges built for free. It doesn’t work. They 25 November 15, 2019 have to get paid. To deal with opioid crisis, that isn’t free. All of this stuff coming to us is extra money. You have to frame it. Are you willing? I can give you the more services. It is going to cost more money or I got to cut something you have now. Or I have to cut something you want now. You don’t have that many road deputies. Your SRO force will be the bulk of your force compared road deputies. If people knew how many fewer road deputies you actually have it would scare them to death.” Sheriff Campbell said, “1.4 per 1000.” Commissioner Robertson said, “If you look and go where are we going to cut and go tell the school system we will cut some teachers. That is half our budget. It is almost impossible for us to find big dollars unless we cut the school system. That is tough to do. Almost everything else we do is mandated by the State. We do not have an option. That’s the challenge that we have. In order to build some of the buildings I’ve advocated and stood up and said you know what we got to raise taxes to do this. I’ve done it. I’ve taken the bullets. I’ve been called a rhino. I’ve been called all the names. But you know what when you have 1500 coming, I can’t put them in pup tents like I did my soldiers. I have to put them in school buildings. If we decide we have to protect them it is going to cost more money. As the chief law enforcement officer in the of the County you are the subject matter expert. I can tell people I think for law enforcement we ought to do this or that. It matters minimally. But, if you tell them it matters this amount because you are the security expert, I am not. The same with education, I can’t pretend I know the best way to educate kids, that is why the school boards have to lead on certain things. That is why Blair, on EMS, if we need something she has to say it. It can’t just be commissioners. We can help, but we need the subject matter experts to be advocates for some of these things. It’s tough. It’s not easy. This is not easy. I don’t want to oversimplify any of this. When we do talk SROs, you can’t just do Iredell -Statesville and Mooresville Graded. The charter schools count. That gets messy because kids from other counties. I went to a private school. My parents would say my money is paying for the Sheriff’s Department how come they’re not coming to my school. Of course, some of the private schools are really tiny. Maybe they share the SRO. Then you get back to if you share the SRO for them why can’t you share for others. My point being, this is not easy.” Vice Chairman Bowles said, “Look at Mecklenburg County. One sure way to kill a sales tax referendum is to put in there for arts, parks, schools, and adding all this stuff to it. It becomes so cumbersome. All of that noise, people are allergic to it. It has to be for one thing.” Commissioner Robertson said, “Which is why we did the bond the way we did. Iredell- Statesville gets one, Mooresville Graded got one, and Mitchell got one. Pretty easy to understand the benefit.” Sheriff Campbell said, “Chairman, Beth let me apologize to you because I do (sic). When we had meetings, what I was speaking of was when the fair and a lot of the literature was going around. That is where it sort of got changed. That’s when I was asked publically to go. When we spoke about it in there to the ones, if you want to name specific groups that funded that, it was totally off to what everybody agreed to. Let me apologize to you about the meetings. I didn’t mean it by that. Because we did. I remember the schools. I want to make that clear. It’s just sort of like I think we all agree we just have to tell them what we are selling them.’ Commissioner Robertson said, “You can’t imply that it is free. You can’t imply that it is found money. You can’t imply any of that stuff. In order to fund this, because just to operate the 26 November 15, 2019 jail…We knew the number of jailers needed was going to be higher. Having a larger jail meant having a larger jail staff. That increased our personnel budget.” Jones said, “28 new jailers.” Sheriff Campbell said, “When speaking of road officers. When I say road officers, sworn officers, not just road, our staff is 1.4 deputies per 1000. Compared to Statesville with 2.6, Mooresville is about 3, Troutman is at 5.5.” Commissioner Robertson said, “If people knew how thin you were on patrol, it would scare them to death. The fact of the matter is we are not going to fund that number of people by saving paperclips and photocopy paper.” Connolly said, “If you clearly define it to the people out here, for every dollar this much is going to this and this much will go to that, and they know it will go to true school safety because when this thing first went down it was your board against their board, against the people at Mitchell, and against the people in Mooresville. I sat through some of those meetings. What perception did that give to the public? Nobody could get along. This group is saying this. This group is saying that. Everybody comes together and say 20 cent goes to this, 40 cent goes to that and clearly put it on paper and everybody agrees it will pass.” Sheriff Campbell said, “I’d be the biggest advocate. We just have to say what it is.” Chairman Mallory said, “It needs to be a we not that is your responsibility as a Board of Commissioners. We are joined at the hip if it is going to be successful. That just means educating folks that are chronically allergic to any kind of tax increase. We are going to have to educate folks. We can’t be like a convoy going across the Atlantic in World War II which only went as fast as the slowest ship. You have to move out and take fire. There are some folks that will never be with you.” Commissioner Houpe said, “Everybody advocates together nobody takes hits. You have a school board member that supports the project but he doesn’t want to be a part of the tax increase to pay for an $80 million high school. That is ridiculous. If we all work together and identify the need, and tell the people the need and how to pay for it then they can make an objective decision. Some of these people are ridiculous and don’t want to support their own goals.” Commissioner Norman said, “For the sales tax situation nobody was in charge. That is the way it appeared. The school system did this, that, and the other. It should have been coming for us.” Sheriff Campbell said, “I can’t imagine what its like to be in your seat and never would be as far as the taxes. Some of the things we see, sort of like Commissioner Robertson said we do get asked a lot about active threats, opioids, gang affliations. I get a lot inside the city. Sheriff, I pay taxes in the County why isn’t there a SRO at IB. Some Sheriffs control all the SROs. There is a lot of ways to…I guess all cakes look as good, they just don’t all taste the same.” Connolly said, “To buy a cake you want to know what kind of cake you are going to buy.” Commissioner Robertson said the other part of this is any time you have many different bodies and in unfortunately you have to compromise. You have to say I want to get 100% of what 27 November 15, 2019 I want and need but I am willing to give up so I can get 60 or 70% of what I want or need. Ther e are a lot of entities, whether political groups or governing bodies, if they can’t get 100% they aren’t going to support it at all. The sales tax was a great example of what happens when you take that approach. Either I get everything that I want exactly the way I want or I am not going to play ball. Well guess what. Kids lost. To be honest with you, I wasn’t on this board but this board stepped up and took money out of hide. When I say took money out of hide, lets redefine it. We took money out of what would have been pay raises for county employees. That is where the money came from. Let’s not kid ourselves. He wasn’t in Al Gore’s locked box. It came from count employee raises and we pay for those SROs. I wouldn’t have done it. Or you take it out of capital. The voters said no, we should have given them no. Then, may everyone would have put their big boy pants and sat at the table like adults. What we did was we allowed to people to make a bad decision and not suffer some of the consequences. The SROs that were supposed to be paid for with that shouldn’t have been hired. When people say gosh, I really wanted SROs, okay pull up a chair at the table and lets talk about how we are going to do it. If we fund it, let’s fund it right. Let’s do it right.” Commissioner Norman said, “That sounds good, but still we are punishing kids we aren’t punishing adults.” Commissioner Robertson said, “Adults are responsible for the kids. They can live with the responsibility of not taking care…” Commissioner Norman said, “They aren’t the ones in the school. We have different opinions there.” Chairman Mallory said, “Bottom line, we don’t create the money. We aren’t the Federal Government. We don’t print it.” Connolly said, “We have to let people know what they are buying.” Chairman Mallory said, “That is fine. We need to be selling it together. When I say advocate I mean advocate.” Sheriff Campbell said, “I think the sales tax…correct me if I am wrong I believe there were supplements on it. There was all sorts of stuff wrapped up in that sales tax to start with. It changed a lot times. We never could really keep track of everything. I remember those meetings but once it got in other people’s hands down on the side, it was sort of like what was said. Everybody is looking for their piece of pie. Lets see who can spend more time at the fair booth and sell it this way. That is what got a lot of distractions. Just me, and I’m obviously not advocating, if you put a bond that said for SRO, school safety, active shooter and threats against them I think it will go well. Because right now that is all you hear about are threats in our schools and elementary schools. I do think we got to get together and streamline it, and basically say here is what you’re going to get for your money. That’s just me. Commissioner Robertson said, “Come to us with a proposal. We are getting ready to go into the budget cycle.” Sheriff Campbell said, “There’s a lot of things. We took officers. We’ve invested drug seizure money in dogs trying to make sure…and I do think it has a direct correlation with reduction of crime rates, especially summer crime rates last year. Just having the relationships. The officers 28 November 15, 2019 know the kids and they can contact them. Maybe not, maybe so. Those little kids, middle schoolers, high schoolers are going to college and hopefully come back to be productive members of society. Nurses, paramedics, there are a lot of different sides of stuff that needs to be looked at. We are only the law enforcement side.” Vice Commissioner Bowles said, “I have two questions. When can we get in the jail? When can we sit down and talk about a proposal?” Connolly said, “Hopefully toward the end of next month. That is the hope. We have a lot of inspections with the State.” Sheriff Campbell said, “We’d like to and ya’ll can vote or consent, whatever ya’ll want to do but just to give you an idea what we are thinking. It has gone well in other counties across the State. I think we should open it up to the public for two days in the evening for an open house. Let them come and look at what they paid for. They are going to realize there are only four offices in the whole building. The rest of it is food preparation, property storage, and inmate storage. There are no tvs and no weight room. We have said that numerous times. I think it would be a good idea. But, I do agree with the second question. I think we should sit down and have a good discussion. Let’s get the numbers bounced around and we what we can do with them, what we can manage, what we can move around.” Commissioner Robertson said, “It would be even better if you could include your other police chiefs. That way it is not all on your shoulders politically.” Chairman Mallory said, “Realistically, if you are in downtown Mooresville it makes sense to have a SRO from the Mooresville Police Department because he is tied into all of the response. It is right there. From a tactical perspective. All of the law enforcement agen cies need to be involved and we are happy to respond to the collective advocacy for understanding this is the dollars it is going to cost. This is in addition to what we are spending and the dollars that we are spending is not programmed into our budget. A lot of that was just one off capital expenses and all. We need that work about needing that additional revenue, but if it is not that revenue stream you can perhaps say if it is really that important, if every law enforcement agency say we got to have this then if the quarter-cent sales tax does not pass then we have evaluate do we raise without any kind of referendum. Do we raise property tax rates by whatever amount necessary to do what you want to do and basically have that set aside as a line item that those dollars specifically go for this purpose. But, it has to be an us. This board and all of you standing shoulder to shoulder and we will take some rounds over I don’t care how popular it is with some, it will unpopular with others.” Sheriff Campbell said, “Absolutely, if you look in the paper we are very big advocates for SRO publically. You pointed at the SRO in downtown Mooresville, you have to remember Harmony, Union Grove, Central, are Mt. Mourne a lot more unprotected, good thing is we have SROs. Those rural schools have a lot more response time. When we had a shooter on campus at Central it was in the middle of the day and probably 42 cars out. The response time was quick by our standards at 4 minutes 59 seconds. Where in a city you can possibly send a two patrol unit or three respond in less than 49 seconds on average.” Chairman Mallory said, “The problem we have is the shrinking county. If Mooresville continues to annex and Troutman annexes, that’s taking away obviously. You have concurrent 29 November 15, 2019 jurisdiction, but it becomes their responsibility to provide that service. Eventually, the bulk of your force is going to be far enough away from those areas. It is going to be out of position.” Sheriff Campbell said, “There is a lot of that. We see a lot of growth. Then you go right back into law enforcement. I heard the guy talking this morning. The position of law enforcement right now is so competitive from us and Mooresville. I can have a guy, in fact Troutman took one our guys the other day and they actually put in the headline through the training he received at the Sheriff’s Office prepared him basically to go to Troutman. We’ve done that. Charlotte, Catawba, Statesville, and Highway Patrol. With those agencies, even with Mooresville right now and Statesville, we are seeing their low unemployment rates effect their response times too. We are seeing it. We’ve just sort of been able to move the assets around to help us.” Vice Chairman Bowles said, “To a certain extent, there is always going to be competition.” Sheriff Campbell said, “Especially here. Like the Register sitting here. If you’re going to work for the Register of Deeds office there is only one in the County you choose. There is only one EMS. But, with law enforcement even just here we have Troutman, Mooresville, and Statesville.” Vice Chairman Bowles said, “How about you working with law enforcement with the chiefs. We will work with the elected boards of these jurisdictions and see if we can get some buy in and possibly after we get in the jail we will sit down and have a discussion. Will that work?” Sheriff Campbell said, “Absolutely. Remember, Troutman and Mooresville is going to have a Chief. Statesville Chief…we talk regularly.” Vice Chairman Bowles said, “There is a lot of new blood at the head of a lot of these places. Probably now is an appropriate time to have those conversations. I can’t stress enough as much as I disagree with the editor of just about every newspaper that guy had a point. How important it is? If it is that important we need to prioritize it.” Chairman Mallory thanked Sheriff Campbell for attending. Adjournment: Chairman Mallory thanked everyone for a great fall retreat. MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to adjourn at 5:10 PM. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 __________________________________ ___________________________________ Date Approved Amy B. Anderson, Clerk