THE ANSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS convened for a recessed meeting Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 6:00 p.m. in Courtroom #1 located in the Anson County Courthouse.
Commissioners present: Michael Livingston, Vice Chair
Blake Hildreth
Steve Lear
Dr. Jim Sims
Harold C. Smith
Ross Streater
Staff members present: Chris Wease, County Manager
Bonnie M. Huntley, CMC, Clerk to the Board
James Bennett, Human Resource/Asst. Co. Mgr.
Rita James, Data Processing
Vice Chair Livingston called the meeting to Order. He announced that Chairman Thacker was spending the evening with his new granddaughter born last night.
Motion by Commissioner Streater, seconded by Commissioner Sims, to approve the Agenda for tonight’s meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Budget Amendments: County Manager Wease noted in the packet were some last minute budget amendments to clear out this FY as required by the auditors. The first amendment is to establish a separate fund for the housing grant we received for urgent repairs through the NC Finance Agency. The county’s match of $5,000 is budgeted for the coming year. The second amendment includes the following: amends the Assessor’s budget to provide for business/personal property audit payments and the final payment of aerial photography; amends the Collector’s budget to provide for a tax refund to Wal-Mart due to an erroneous double billing; increases court facilities due to maintenance items; the Sheriff’s budget is over in the salaries line item; Autopsies are over budget; amends the ACTS budget to provide for the compensation by the insurance company on a wrecked vehicle, amends the Airport budget to pay an insurance bill that was not budgeted this FY and the state school bonds amendment is a wash. Commissioner Sims asked for an explanation on the Sheriff’s issue with County Manager Wease noting that a revision was done in February to cover overtime prior to the memo going out telling all departments to use compensatory time rather than over time. Prior to that they had a number of emergencies and issues that required overtime. Vice Chair Livingston called for a motion to approve the amendment. No motion was made.
Tax Releases: Motion by Commissioner Streater, seconded by Commissioner Sims, to approve the tax releases as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Vehicle Tax Releases: Jun 01
Adams, Willie Patrick 2000 51.97 Value
Alcauter, Artemio 1999 3.33 Proration
Allen, Caroly 1998 148.70 Proration
Allen, Carolyn Burnette 2000 26.73 Proration
Anastas, William Lee 2000 18.36 Proration
Atkinson, Benjamin 1998 13.00 Proration
Brink, Ret Allen 1999 27.34 Proration
Brown, John Edwards 1998 1.68 Proration
Callahan, Stewart Earl 2000 46.08 Value
Capel, Jocelyn 2000 16.96 Situs
Caple, Brian K 1999 3.69 Proration
Carter, Rickey D 2000 26.49 Proration
Chewning, Glenn Hart 2000 6.26 Situs
Chewning, Roland W 2000 5.52 Proration
Clarke, Matthew 2000 41.36 Proration
Cowick Contract Service 2000 1.98 Proration
Dorrah, Henry David 2000 33.84 Situs
Edwards, David Wayne 2000 4.76 Value
Edwards, Thomas S 2000 1.39 Interest
Ellerby, Brian K 2000 26.05 Proration
Evers, Sherry ann 2000 50.06 Proration
Flowers, James Worth JR 1999 19.60 Proration
Ford, Charles 2000 39.94 Proration
Freeland, Lamar 2000 123.93 Proration
Gaddy, Fay Scott 1999 29.97 Proration
Galloway, Alice 2000 74.45 Value
Harrington, Wincy 2000 6.72 Proration
Hasty, Vickie & Carson 1998 51.54 Proration
Hathcock, Edward G 1997 4.78 Proration
Heilman, Thomas 1999 144.18 Proration
Hinson, Kenneth W 2000 13.82 Value
Hinson, Rosa Mae 2000 3.13 Situs
Holmes, Sallie Lilly 1999 78.57 Proration
Honeycutt, Gary Wayne 2000 33.50 Situs
Horne, Phillip A 1999 26.64 Proration
Howard, Wesley W 1998 3.00 Proration
Huntley, David Neal 2000 94.61 Situs
Joyner, Bobby Leonard 2000 126.22 Value
Joyner, Bobby Leonard 2000 186.29 Proration
Leckell, Melvin Eugene 2000 47.10 Value
Lee, Arnold Jefferson 2000 86.13 Proration
Little, Cathelean 2000 64.57 Proration
Little, Henry Wall III 2000 29.48 Situs
Little, Oscarlee Waddell 2000 18.20 Situs
Little, Tammy Pratt 2000 2.70 Situs
Little, Tammy Pratt 2000 64.91 Situs
Lowery, Joyce Williams 2000 32.33 Value
Maner, Rita 2000 64.89 Proration
Martin, Joseph Howard 2000 30.73 Situs
McElroy, Deana M 1999 10.64 Proration
Mitchell, Bernetta McRae 2000 7.04 Situs
Moore, Curtis Wayne 2000 60.91 Situs
Morris, Cora Lynn 2000 33.66 Proration
Nancy, Leroy 2000 56.20 Proration
Northcutt, Med C JR 2000 163.90 Proration
Parks, Lloyd 2000 39.32 Proration
Ricketts, Dennis James 1997 76.40 Proration
Ricketts, Jacqueline 1997 17.57 Proration
Smith, David 1998 14.60 Proration
Sossamon, Donna 2000 35.70 Proration
Spencer, Deric A 2000 56.94 Proration
Tarlton, John Wesley 1998 89.56 Proration
Thomas, Charles Edward 2000 57.14 Situs
Thomas, James Steven 2000 15.45 Value
Thomas, John Gilbert 1998 9.48 Proration
Tucker, Patrick Alexander JR 1999 154.00 Situs
Vaughn, Gary 1999 44.49 Proration
Vernon, Jack S 2000 19.54 Situs
Wall, Betty Ingram 1997 32.60 Proration
Walters, Cheryl Meachum 2000 2.70 Situs
Total $ 3,065.32
Vehicle Tax Adjustments: Jun-01
Capel, Jocelyn 2000 1.57 Situs
Chewning, Glenn Hart 2000 0.58 Situs
Dorrah, Henry David 2000 54.14 Situs
Hinson, Rosa Mae 2000 3.75 Situs
Honeycutt, Gary Wayne 2000 6.70 Situs
Huntley, David Neal 2000 9.64 Situs
Little, Henry Wall III 2000 3.00 Situs
Little, Oscarlee Waddell 2000 1.69 Situs
Little, Tammy Pratt 2000 2.40 Situs
Little, Tammy Pratt 2000 57.70 Situs
Martin, Joseph Howard 2000 3.13 Situs
Mitchell, Bernetta McRae 2000 7.46 Situs
Moore, Curtis Wayne 2000 3.38 Situs
Vernon, Jack S 2000 1.80 Situs
Walters, Cheryl Meachum 2000 0.28 Situs
Total $ 157.22
Vehicle Tax Refunds: Jun-01
Capel, Edward D 2000 22.96 Proration
Cowick Contract Service 2000 15.32 Proration
Delp, Roger Dale 2000 76.44 Proration
Diggs, Deorah L 2000 3.02 Proration
Ford, Charles Sr 2000 6.47 Proration
Ford, Charles Sr 2000 16.74 Proration
Hagin, Leroy 2000 53.60 Proration
Hutton, Norman James 2000 14.46 Proration
Lee, Arnold Jefferson 2000 54.04 Proration
Martin, Joe C 1999 9.27 Proration
Martin, Varana 2000 6.20 Proration
Meachum, Cecil Thomas JR 2000 18.97 Proration
Rollins, Donald B 2000 13.44 Proration
Total $ 310.93
Property Tax Releases: Jun-01
Bell, Samuel 1998 61.82 Listing Error
Bell, Samuel 1999 67.46 Listing Error
Bell, Samuel 2000 59.33 Listing Error
Clark, James 1997 3.02 Listing Error
Clark, James 1998 186.42 Listing Error
Clark, James 1999 179.02 Listing Error
Clark, James 2000 154.89 Listing Error
Crowder, Otis Lee 1991 213.82 Listing Error
Crowder, Otis Lee 1992 97.61 Listing Error
Crowder, Otis Lee 1993 78.43 Listing Error
Crowder, Otis Lee 1994 178.71 Listing Error
Crowder, Otis Lee 1995 166.68 Listing Error
Crowder, Otis Lee 1996 143.86 Listing Error
Crowder, Otis Lee 1997 92.19 Listing Error
Crowder, Otis Lee 1998 87.24 Listing Error
Crowder, Otis Lee 1999 89.89 Listing Error
Crowder, Otis Lee 2000 76.77 Listing Error
Gearon Comm Tower 2000 2,058.85 Listing Error
Graham, Arnold 1998 117.94 Listing Error
Graham, Arnold 1999 117.94 Listing Error
Graham, Arnold 2000 470.86 Listing Error
Graham, Arnold 2000 101.04 Listing Error
Rorie, Charlie Thomas 1993 265.61 Listing Error
Rorie, Charlie Thomas 1994 302.56 Listing Error
Rorie, Charlie Thomas 1995 271.47 Listing Error
Rorie, Charlie Thomas 1996 248.83 Listing Error
Rorie, Charlie Thomas 1997 183.68 Listing Error
Rorie, Charlie Thomas 1998 169.15 Listing Error
Rorie, Charlie Thomas 1999 163.87 Listing Error
Rorie, Charlie Thomas 2000 141.60 Listing Error
Thompson, Wilelmina 1997 220.80 Listing Error
Thompson, Wilelmina 1998 217.12 Listing Error
Thompson, Wilelmina 1999 207.43 Listing Error
Thompson, Wilelmina 2000 179.66 Listing Error
Total $ 7,375.17
Vice Chair Livingston stated that the Board would be discussing the budget and at some point in time he may open the floor for comments from those present. He noted it was rare to have so many people together to discuss the process and welcomed those present.
County Manager Wease noted that included in each packet was a spreadsheet outlining adjustments to the budget proposal, which does not reflect a tax increase. A zero tax increase eliminates three positions and calls for a reduction to the Community College. The second spreadsheet is based on discussions from previous meetings that shows a 3.5 cent increase which does not provide for the elimination of any positions. Medicaid, an area where we have no control, is increasing an estimated $350,000. Another change from last year is the increase in the level of service provided by EMS, which increases our cost. The Hospital has a collection rate of 35-40%, which is better than when handled by the county. County Manager Wease noted that Union County’s collection rate is only 25%.
Commissioner Sims asked to address those present. He wanted to address three items: taxes, economic development and South Piedmont Community College. He stated taxes are fairly high in Anson County and we have a lot of poor and elderly that paying higher taxes could put them in a financial crisis. He feels it is the responsibility of this Board to do everything they can to control taxes and keep the rate as low as possible. This year has brought some very unusual situations and most of them have occurred in Raleigh. They have withheld several hundred thousand dollars of reimbursements due the County. Medicaid, which is a good program, is growing so fast that next year it may be the largest single item in our budget. He reminded those present that those counties that are the poorest will be required to pay the most. The Federal Government should fund this program and almost all states operate that way except for nine. Commissioner Sims stated that when looking at taxes and problems this year, we are looking mainly at what happened in Raleigh. He has tried in every way to find ways to cut costs and save to reduce taxes. Commissioner Sims feels that if we are to grow and reduce taxes and increase services, it is obvious we need industry, businesses and new jobs. He feels it would be foolish to omit economic development and would not support cutting this position. He stated he has two concerns with the Community College. He wants to be sure that the Anson County taxpayer is being treated equal with the Union County taxpayer. He stated that several Trustees have assured him that with the merger, everyone is paying their fair share. The second issue is this is a tight budget year and if they are not going to use the West Knitting building we could save maintenance and custodial cost. Commissioner Sims noted he does not favor any of the decreases suggested for the college.
Commissioner Streater voiced a concern for the public school renovating Central School at a cost of $500,000. He feels this money would be better spent at the Peachland/Polkton school to eliminate the mobile classrooms rather than renovating office space. County Manager Wease noted their proposal is to draw down some of the ADM money to the public school capital outlay fund and then supplant some of the sales tax accrued in that fund to provide for the renovations. Commissioner Streater asked could not that same money be used for building at Peachland. Dr. George Truman, School Superintendent, noted they are studying the conditions at Peachland. There are mobile units there but they do not house students on a regular basis. One is used for an art room, one for music, one is purely storage and several teachers use one for administrative space. Dr. Truman noted that the Peachland/Polkton school houses several programs that serve the entire county and they are looking to move these programs into other areas less crowded. They have projected building a building for this school at a cost of 3.2 million dollars. They are aware of the needs of all schools and are trying to determine what is best for the entire system. Dr. Truman noted that ADM money could only be used for capital improvements or to pay down debt service. Commissioner Streater had a concern for spending this amount of money for renovations and then next year they ask the taxpayers to pass a bond to build more schools. Commissioner Streater noted that the county is looking for office space and wondered if the county and schools could occupy the same building. Dr. Truman noted that had they not leased part of the Central School building to Head Start that certainly would have been a possibility. Commissioner Streater voiced that he thought $500,000 was too much to spend on an old building.
Commissioner Lear voiced confidence in the school board and the school administration’s ability to make long range plans and he wants to do what is best for the children. He sees this as a necessary move as the present office is very inadequate and even dangerous. The move will also keep a school building from becoming vacant and because the county owns the present building, we could either move some county offices in or sell the property. He also wants to continue meeting with the school board to discuss long range planning. Dr. Truman noted they have plans for a specialist to come in and look at the demographics and needs and advise the direction they need to take.
Vice Chair Livingston asked with the renovation and the cost to be incurred, could they not take the cost over a several year period rather than one year with Dr. Truman answering they have to work within their annual budget.
Commissioner Hildreth noted he was provided an excellent two-hour tour of the Community College by the President and noticed a low utilization of classrooms during that period. He visited the campus between 12:30 and about 2:30 p.m. He realizes that morning and evening classrooms have better utilization and voiced a concern that the school has so many sites of operation when they have the facility to probably schedule all classes at the Polkton campus. Commissioner Hildreth feels this is an obvious under utilization of this facility and one of his concerns about the overall-operating budget of the Community College. Commissioner Sims offered that the Chairman of the Trustees has said that upon completion of the renovations, all classes would be consolidated to the Lockhart-Taylor building. Punky Morton stated that the classes currently being held at the Community Services Division uptown, will go to the Lockhart/Taylor Center. Classes that are currently in the Charles Craft facility, which are rent free, will go into the Lockhart/Taylor Center. They will be consolidated and then there will be classes only at Lockhart/Taylor and at the Polkton site, except for those at the prison. Commissioner Hildreth stated that promises to realize to some degree the economy he is looking for. Punky also noted that their function is to serve the students and the advantage of being able to go to school in the evening and work during the day is what makes it possible for some to attend who otherwise could not. They have to serve them when they can come and yes, during those hours you might say it goes into neutral until the evening hours when the students come back again. There is not really a way to force the student to come during those hours if they are employed. Punky also asked to address the concern about Union County. Commissioner Sims stated he never said anything about decreasing the money for the college but he did have an interest in making sure our taxpayers were being treated equal with Union County taxpayers. Punky said there is really not a whole lot equal about Anson and Union counties, population and those sorts of things. The point is the dollars in our budget in Anson County do not cross the border, they serve only the physical plant of keeping education delivered in Anson County. There is absolutely no sharing and we have nothing to do with what goes on over there. That is their own responsibility to maintain, insure and repair those facilities. Punky stated it is as if we were once again, Anson Community College, stand-alone by ourselves. It is the very same situation. We have to keep the lights and insurance on in our building so there is really no sharing. Punky also pointed out that in comparison, for example in Montgomery County the per capita is significantly higher in the Community College there. He stated that South Piedmont Community College is getting by on a shoestring.