HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_0773IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BRIEFING SESSION MINUTES
JUNE 21, 2005
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in Briefing Session on
Tuesday, June 21, 2005, at 5:00 p.m., in the Iredell County Government Center (South
Wing Conference Room), 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Present were:
Chairman Sara Haire Tice
Vice Chairman Godfrey Williams
Steve D. Johnson
Marvin Norman
Ken Robertson
Staff present: County Manager Joel Mashburn, Finance Director Susan
Blumenstein, Code Enforcement & Planning Director Lynn Niblock, Planning
Supervisor Steve Warren, Subdivision Administrator William Allison, Chief Deputy
Rick Dowdle, Social Services Director Don Wall, Chief Animal Control Officer Robb
Tatham, Solid Waste Director David Lambert, Health Director Donna Campbell,
Environmental Health Supervisor Kelly Sheeks, Allied Health Director Norma Rife,
Emergency Management Director Tracy Jackson, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore.
Call to Order by Chairman Tice.
Introduction of New Employees: Assistant Finance Director Deb Alford and
Richard McHargue, a new county planner, were introduced to the commissioners.
Request from the Clerk of Court for a Discussion/Decision Regarding a
Video Arraignment System Between the County Jail and the Mooresville
Courthouse: Clerk of Court Rena Turner and Chief Deputy Rick Dowdle explained
the need for video arraignment equipment at the Iredell County Government Center -
South (ICGC-S). Turner said the first year's cost would be $60,000 along with the
costs for the Tl telephone line costs. She said court was held on a regular basis in
Mooresville, and the equipment would allow the judges to hear pleas, set bonds, and to
conduct other proceedings using a video system with lines between the county jail and
the ICGC-S. Turner said the Mooresville equipment would have a split screen to allow
more participants (judge, witness, inmate and courtroom area).
County Manager Mashburn asked the complete costs for the system.
Chief Deputy Dowdle said the $60,000 was inclusive. He said extra conduit and
cabling was installed at the Mooresville facility when it was renovated. Dowdle said
the system would save money because the sheriff's department would not have to
transport inmates from the jail to the ICGC-South, plus a security risk would be
eliminated.
The commissioners questioned where the funding could be found to pay for the
system.
County Manager Mashburn said $338,400 remained in federal equity funding,
and this was the same fund that supplied the money for similar equipment at the Hall of
Justice.
Chairman Tice asked if any grants might be available.
Emergency Management Director Tracy Jackson said Homeland Security
funding was mostly being approved on a regional basis.