HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Regular Meeting
May 4, 2015
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, May 4, 2015, in
the Commissioners Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 102 East Front Street,
Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present:
Jim Burgin, Chairman
Gordon Springle, Vice Chairman
Abe Elmore, Commissioner
Barbara McKoy, Commissioner
Joe Miller, Commissioner
Staff present:
Joseph Jeffries, Interim County Manager
Paula Stewart, Interim Deputy County Manager
Monica Jackson, Senior Staff Attorney
Kimberly Honeycutt, Finance Officer
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk
Chairman Burgin called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Commissioner Miller led the pledge of
allegiance and invocation.
Chairman Burgin called for additions and deletions to the published agenda. Commissioner
Miller moved to approve the agenda as presented. Commissioner Elmore seconded the motion
which passed unanimously.
Vice Chairman Springle moved to approve the following items listed on the consent agenda.
Commissioner McKoy seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
1. Minutes: April 20, 2015 Regular Meeting
2. Budget Amendments:
370 Health Department
Code 110-7600-441.11-00
110-7600-441.21-00
110-7600-441.22-00
110-7600-441.23-00
110-7600-441.32-26
110-7600-441.33-45
110-7600-441.44-21
110-7600-441.58-01
110-7600-441.58-14
110-7600-441.60-46
Salaries & Wages
Group Insurance
FICA
Retirement
Incentives
Contracted Services
Rent
Training
Travel – Employee
Medical Supplies
757 increase
100 increase
50 increase
50 increase
12 decrease
650 decrease
307 decrease
110 decrease
283 increase
161 decrease
May 4, 2015 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 1 of 7
372 Public Buildings
Code 110-4700-410.74-74 Capital Outlay – Equipment
5,000 increase
110-4700-410.43-24 Operating – Repair/Maintenance Bone Trail 5,000 decrease
373 Solid Waste
Code 580-6600-461.74-74 Capital Outlay Equipment
580-6000-461.11-05 Overtime
580-6600-461.44-21 Building & Equipment Rent
60,000 increase
35,000 decrease
25,000 decrease
374 Public Buildings
Code 110-4700-410.74-74 Capital Outlay
110-4700-410.41-29 Operating Utilities – Courthouse
31,500 increase
31,500 decrease
375 Airport Capital Reserve CP1302
Code 301-8300-406.90-03 Other Financing Use – Capital Project
301-0000-389.10-00 Interfund Transfer – General Fund
26,667 increase
26,667 increase
382 Public Buildings SW1301
Code 583-8300-461.45-20 Legal & Administrative
583-8300-461.45-80 Contingency
10,000 increase
10,000 decrease
385 Airport – Runway 5 Approach Clearance CP1405
Code 333-8300-406.45-30 Runway 5 Approach Clearing Engineering 40,112 increase
333-8300-406.45-01 Runway 5 Approach Construction
204,888 increase
333-0000-334.83-10 NCDOT 3624435.6.1
220,500 increase
333-0000-389.71-00 Capital Reserve
24,500 increase
386 General Fund
Code 110-8701-490.90-86 Airport Capital Reserve
110-0000-399.00-00 Fund Balance Appropriated
22,605 increase
22,605 increase
391 Planning Department
Code 110-7200-465.74-74
110-7200-465.11-00
110-7200-465.12-00
110-7200-465.60-31
110-7200-465.22-00
110-7200-465.23-00
110-7200-465.21-00
47,500 increase
25,500 decrease
2,500 decrease
5,000 decrease
3,000 decrease
2,000 decrease
10,000 decrease
Capital Outlay – Equipment
Salaries & Wages
Salaries & Wages – Part Time
Gas, Oil, Auto Supplies
FICA
Retirement
Group Insurance
394 Sheriff – Execution Fund
Code 252-5100-420.35-98 NC Department of Revenue
252-5100-420.35-97 Execution Sale
252-0000-336.24-03 NC Department of Revenue
252-0000-336.35-02 Execution Sale
60,000 increase
43,765 increase
60,000 increase
43,765 increase
May 4, 2015 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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399 Airport Capital Reserve CP1302
Code 301-8300-406.90-03 Capital Project
301-0000-378.00-00 Residual Equity
4 decrease
4 decrease
405 School Project CP1501
Code 308-8300-480.47-06
308-8300-480.47-03
308-0000-389.43-25
308-0000-314.50-00
Construction – Triton
Dunn Middle
Interfund Transfer Article 46 Sales Tax
Sales Tax Refunds – Projects
409 Board of Elections
Code 110-4300-410.11-00
110-4300-410.22-00
110-4300-410.23-00
110-4300-410.23-01
110-4155-410.11-00
Salaries & Wages
FICA
Retirement
401K
Legal Services Salaries & Wages
10,000 increase
77,515 increase
85,751 increase
1,764 increase
563 increase
44 increase
40 increase
12 increase
659 decrease
3. Tax refunds, rebates and release (Attachment 1)
4. Harnett County Sheriff’s Office requested approval to accept the award of two Watch
Guard in-car camera system, valued at $5,000, through the N.C. Governor’s Highway
Traffic Safety Grant Point system.
5. Harnett County Sheriff’s Office requested approval to waive the current fingerprint fees
of $10.00 for in-county residents and $15.00 for out of County residents for current
Harnett County employees who are being fingerprinted as a requirement of their
employment duties and for volunteers of Harnett County Fire Departments.
6. Harnett County Emergency Services requested approval of the revised Fire Protection
Services Agreement between County of Harnett and the fire protection providers of
Harnett County.
7. Harnett County Emergency Services requested approval of the revised Agreement for
Emergency Medical Services between County of Harnett and the EMS providers for
Harnett County.
8. Harnett County JCPC requested permission to submit program agreements to the N.C.
Department of Public Safety JCPC for the following programs:
- Harnett County Restitution Program (10% local cash match required)
- 4-H Teen Court and At-Risk Youth Development (no match)
- ReEntry Psychological Services (pass through)
- ReEntry Healthy Choices (pass through)
- JCPC ADM (no match)
May 4, 2015 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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9. Harnett County I.T. Department requested approval to amend the MOU between
Johnston County and Harnett County. This amendment will allow Harnett County to
install equipment on the communications tower at the 911 Backup Center in Clayton at
no additional cost.
10. Harnett County Finance Office requested approval of write-offs for EMS Billing in the
amount of $1,308,672.
11. Harnett County Public Library requested that an addition be made to the current Harnett
County Library hours of operation to include Friday from 9 am to 5 pm effective July 1,
2015. The addition would provide a benefit to the public in delivering more
comprehensive coverage throughout the week and raise the total service hours from 48 to
56 as well as allow more effective work with the affiliate town libraries.
Chairman Burgin opened the floor for informal comments by the public, allowing up to 3
minutes for each presentation up to 30 minutes.
 Kris Nystrom of 391 Center Lane in Bunnlevel said he is happy and relieved that there
are a lot of thoughtful discussion about the budget issues that we have in Harnett County.
Mr. Nystrom talked about issues with using mobile classrooms and said that while money
is cheap we need to go ahead and get rid of the huts at the middle schools and look at
doing real expansions.
 Jerry Revas of 364 Twin Ponds Road in Sanford offered condolences to Commissioner
Miller who recently lost his father.
 Yolanda Massey of 510 E Townsend Street in Erwin, speaking as the Chair of the Harnett
County Library Board of Trustees, thanked the Board for approving reopening the
Harnett County Library on Fridays. Mrs. Massey said the library provides a hub of
services that our citizens can and need to use on a daily basis. Citizens now have access
to over 5 million books through the Harnett County Library.
Chairman Burgin recognized Marty Clayton with Progress Energy and thanked him for Progress
Energy’s responsiveness and service to the County; noting the County appreciates their
partnership with them. Mr. Clayton addressed the group.
There were no appointments.
Buren Fulmer, Harnett County Forest Ranger, presented N.C. Forest Service 2014 Summary of
Accomplishments in Harnett County. First, Mr. Fulmer announced that N.C. Forest Service is
celebrating its 100th birthday. Mr. Fulmer reported due to N.C. House Bill 740, which went into
effective July 1, 2014, they are charging citizens to do Forestry Management Plans. The fees are
$45 per site visit, $3 per acres of woodland and $2 per acres Forest Regeneration Plans. He said
he has really been impressed with the way landowners have reacted to the fees. Mr. Fulmer said
benefits to landowners for having a Forestry Management Plan includes receiving professional
forestry guidance, income generation, cost-share program eligibility, provides guidance towards
wildlife habitat improvement, how to protect your woods and its resources, makes it easier to
pass your woods onto future generations as well as being able to qualify for the Forestry Present
Use Value tax break.
May 4, 2015 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Mr. Fulmer reported that in 2014, 187 landowners were assisted by the N.C. Forest Service and
160 Forest Management Plans were prepared, placing an additional 7,584 acres under active
forest management. Based on Forest Service recommendations, 1,049 acres were planted with
trees and 1,360 acres of timber were harvested on NCFS projects. Mr. Fulmer reported forest
management and reforestation activities added nearly $2.4 million dollars to the Harnett County
economy during 2014. He said these efforts also provided seasonal work for site preparation
contractors, logging crews, planting crews and pre-commercial thinning crews. Mr. Fulmer
stated continued management of reforested areas should result in estimated future economic
benefits of over $3.1 million dollars. He noted increased logging activity in the County, the
increase in stumpage prices and a lot of this is being driven by the pulp market. Forty-six
logging inspections where done in the County during 2014.
Mr. Fulmer talked about the Emerald Ash Borer which has recently been seen in Wayne County.
N.C. Forest Services is asking people to use local firewood as it is believed that invasive species
are being transported by moving firewood.
Mr. Fulmer also reported in 2014 the NCFS in Harnett County responded to 177 wildfires that
burned 254 acres. Fifty-eight warning tickets were issued to burning offenders along with four
court case. He also reported that 106 Harnett County landowners have planted 1373 acres of
longleaf pine trees through the Conservation Reserve Program and the 2014 annual rental
payment is $73,783.
Mr. Fulmer updated the Board on the 8th Environmental Field Day held for over 375 fifth graders
at the Anderson Creek County Park. He also talked about activity and controlled burning at the
park. Mr. Fulmer reported Forest Services assisted Orange, Alamance and Buncombe Counties
during the 2014 in addition to assisting in California, Washington and Oregon. Forest Services
also participated in Fire Department Training Programs in Angier, Lillington, Flat Branch, Spout
Springs, Boone Trail and Coats.
Mr. Fulmer stated the N.C. Forest Service’s 2015 budget request from Harnett County is
$111,799, which is a decrease of $3027 from 2014. Mr. Fulmer thanked the Board and staff for
getting them in their new facility. He also noted the total cost-share payments for Harnett
County landowners was $148,405 in 2014. The 2015 budget request reflects $2,000 for a new
FM Office Assistant, $2,060 in proposed 3% pay increases and $2,911 in general line items. Mr.
Fulmer explained the Forest Service County Budget is 40% County funded, 60% State funded
and the County is billed monthly based on previous month’s expenses. Last, he reported N.C.
Forest Services took a $761,000 cut in the budget and the money generated through the
management plans should help fill that gap.
Victoria Whitt, CEO of Sandhills Center, first thanked the Board for the appointment of
Commissioner McKoy to serve on the Sandhills Centers Board. Mrs. Whitt presented a program
update and FY 2015/2016 County general budget request for Harnett County in the amount of
$199,679. Mrs. Whitt noted Sandhills Center has not requested an increase in county general
funding during the past eleven years. She reminded the group that all of that funding stays in
Harnett County as the Sandhills Center directs all county funding to support the local County
May 4, 2015 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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Behavioral Health Urgent Access/Crisis Clinics. Mrs. Whitt noted Daymark Recovery Services,
Inc. is the private company who operates these crisis centers in each county and the county
general funding is critical to sustaining the current level of crisis/psychiatric services for the
consumers and families in Harnett County. Any reduction in that funding will result in a
reduction in the services offered locally. Mrs. Whitt provided information regarding the number
of people that were served in Harnett County last year broken down by Medicaid and indigent
funding.
Mrs. Whitt shared the Sandhills Center’s Quarterly Community Report January 2015
highlighting some of the new initiatives at Sandhills Center and activities in the counties. She
reported that Sandhills Center is heading into their third year of management of Medicaid
dollars. Mrs. Whitt said they are realizing not only savings for the State but are also seeing that
their numbers are increasing and they are able to serve more people.
Mrs. Whitt said the big talk in Raleigh now is Medicaid Reform which is basically trying to do
the same thing with physical health that they have already done with behavioral health which is
cap the dollars. She noted the NC House is wanting to build on the successes that are already
happening in the community with the LMECOs and with the local hospitals and physicians
groups. She also said talk in Raleigh continues regarding the potential reduction from eight to
four LMECOs which does concern Sandhills Center. Currently Sandhills Center represents nine
counties and is the second largest LMECO in the State in regards to population.
Mrs. Whitt responded that Good Hope’s statistics look really good. She said she has been told
by the State that Good Hope, through their three way contracting, are the best hospital to work
with as far as providing the information for the reimbursements. Mrs. Whitt said when Sandhills
Center took over Medicaid they also got the ability to set rates for their 850 providers.
Previously the State set these rates. She said Good Hope is now doing a cost analysis which she
felt sure would result in a Medicaid rate increase. Mrs. Whitt also said she hears from other
providers that Good Hope is seen as very consumer and provider friendly.
Mr. Jeffries presented the following report:
- Sandhills Center Fiscal Report for the period ending March 31, 2015
Mr. Jeffries noted that staff, along with the County’s insurance broker, recently meet with
BC/BS to discuss the stop loss and pharmacy components. He said they will further analyze the
proposal provided.
There was no new business.
Commissioner Elmore moved that the Board go into closed session to discuss (1) matters relating
to economic development in Harnett County; and (2) certain personnel matters. This motion is
made pursuant to N.C. General Statute Section 143-318.11(a)(4)&(6). Commissioner Miller
seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Commissioner Miller moved that the Board come out of closed session. Vice Chairman Springle
seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
May 4, 2015 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
Page 6 of 7
Vice Chairman Springle moved that the Board hire Joseph Jeffries as the County Manager at the
present salary effective immediately. Commissioner Elmore seconded the motion which passed
unanimously.
The Board recessed briefly before beginning 2015/2016 budget discussions. Mr. Jeffries focused
on the enterprise funds, their expenses and revenues, and reviewed the major capital outlay and
other new requests for Public Utilities and Solid Waste as well as providing a budget summary
report for Public Utilities and Solid Waste Enterprise Funds. Public Utilities Director Steve
Ward and County Engineer Amanda Bader were present to answer questions regarding their
proposed budgets. Mr. Jeffries stated Solid Waste’s current budget request would require an
additional $254,000 from the general fund. Mr. Jeffries said overall Public Utilities budget
decreased.
Mrs. Bader updated the Board on the ongoing issues with the Dunn-Erwin landfill transfer
station floor improvements. Mr. Jeffries said staff is looking at changing the $400,000 transfer
Public Utilities currently contributes to the general fund. Mr. Ward noted a proposed fee
increase in the bulk sewer rate ($1.75 to $1.90) in addition to starting to charge for plan review.
Mr. Ward responded that Harnett County’s residential rates are pretty much in line with
surrounding counties. Mr. Ward will share with the Board, at an upcoming special session, UNC
Environmental Finance Center’s on-line rate dash board which he said is a learning tool that
compares utilities rates throughout North Carolina. Mr. Ward said it also lets you know if your
rates cover your cost of service as well as much more detailed information.
Mr. Jeffries said they hope to discuss the general fund again and fire districts at the upcoming
special session along with the introduction of proposed fees. Commissioners discussed fire
districts. Chairman Burgin said a lot of counties have gone to flat rates county-wide. He also
noted that Buies Creek Fire Department is trying to figure out how to purchase a $1 Million
ladder truck and Campbell University only contributes $20,000 to them annually. Staff was
asked to determine how much Campbell University would be paying if they were a tax paying
entity. Mr. Jeffries said the development ordinance allows you to exceed the standard 35 foot
height if you have a ladder truck available to you. Commissioners agreed, with 17 fire
departments in the County, there needs to be some standardization with equipment, management
and other areas. Chairman Burgin also noted if something happens to any of these fire
department then all of their equipment reverts to the County.
Chairman Burgin reported on a meeting recently with CCCC and the Harnett County Board of
Education at the old Boone Trail School site. They discussed different programs they could offer
at the site. Chairman Burgin said the building has a lot of character and the media center and
gym are in really good shape.
Vice Chairman Springle moved to adjourn the meeting at 12:00 pm. Commissioner Elmore
seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
____________________________________
Margaret Regina Wheeler, Clerk
____________________________________
Jim Burgin, Chairman
May 4, 2015 Regular Meeting Minutes
Harnett County Board of Commissioners
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