COU  LEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS LEE COUNTY GOVERMMENT CENTER GORDON WICKER ROOM 106 HILLCREST DRIVE SANFORD, NC 27330  May 31, 2024 MINUTES  Roll Call Lovick  Present: Taylor Vorbeck, Robert Reives, Cameron Sharpe, Kirk Smith, Bill Carver, Mark  Absent: Dr. Andre Knecht CALL TO ORDER- 8:30 AM  Chairman Kirk Smith called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.  JAIL FEASIBILITY STUDY-8 8:30 AM Jail Feasibility. Study Presentation  Development Services Director Brandon Key provided a brief explanation of the process leading up to the results of the Jail Feasibility Study, and introduced the Moseley Architects team that conducted the study. A copy of the presentation is attached and  incorporated into these minutes.  Commissioner Bill Carver arrived at 8:33 a.m. Commissioner Robert Reives arrived at 8:34a.m.  Todd Davis with Moseley Architects reviewed the study with the Board. The current jail has a 126-person capacity, but operational capacity is 75% of that and there are numerous issues given the age and layout of the jail. The estimated need, based upon current usage, is a 318-person facility. Mosely prepared 3 options for the Board's consideration. With Option 1, the outdoor recreation yards and necessary evacuation areas are not fully addressed. With Option 2, the mental health facilities and recidivism areas are not fully addressed, but Option 3 addresses all these areas. Mr. Davis said both Option 2 and 3 will require 15-20 acres for the site. Lee County Sheriff's Office    Chief Deputy William Sturkie said his office does have remote mental health treatment for inmates. Chief Sturkie said NC Central Prison is full andi if the Sheriff sends an inmate there for monitoring, medical treatment or safety accommodations, Lee County receives a" "switch" inmate from the prison. Mr. Davis said the length of stay for an inmate, especially for serious cases, has increased. A four-year stay is average, but the longest Lee County has had is seven. Moseley received cost estimates per acre in Lee County to determine the estimated cost included in each option. The County does not currently own ap parcel of that size needed for Option 2 or 3. Mr. Davis said there are now only a few instances where inmates must physically appear in court and that there are more remote video options available if the jail is moved away from the Courthouse. Assistant County Manager of Operational Services Jennifer Gamble and the GIS department have been looking for sites; however, there are many parameters that restrict eligibility of sites and chances are slim of finding a parcel close to the existing facility. Mr. Davis said it is possible to build multiple stories to decrease the acreage footprint. Chief Sturkie said Sheriff Brian Estes supports Option 3 but is open to feedback. He requests that it be an adequate facility. There have been some conversations about the use of the existing facility ifi it were to be vacated. County Manager Lisa Minter said staff are already aware of existing issues in the facility, such as utilities. The County could renovate the building and build new office space or sell it; however, the historic courthouse cannot be abandoned. Renovating the existing building would obviously be another cost. Mr. Davis said it's difficult to convert jail space to anything else, but it would be great for evidence storage. Other County departments are currently renting storage space as well, and this could be considered ift the County renovates the building. Chief. Sturkie said the Sheriff could participate in inmate housing programs to offset costs if he had the capacity. County Attorney Whitney Parrish said staff should seek the superior court judges' opinion  once the Board decides on a direction moving forward. Chairman Smith called for a ten-minute break at 9:59 a.m. Jail Feasibility Study Report Distributed 5-6-24 to BOC_Redacted.pdr  scan.Destes_2024.05-24-16-15-30pdh GENERAL SERVICES - 10:00 AM  General Services FY24-25 Budget Presentation The Board resumed the meeting at 10:11 a.m.  General Services Director Ryan Faulk and former director Russell Spivey presented their budget to the Board. The presentation was updated to include new information from vendors for projections. A copy of which is attached and incorporated into these minutes. Mr. Spivey noted that the dive well at O.T. Sloan Park, pool has new plumbing, but the main pool still has original piping, which will need to be addressed. Mr. Spivery believes the cost was around $60,000 to update the dive well in 2015. Mr. Faulk said the County will need to repair certain things to continue occupying the current courthouse building for at least the next five to seven years, including waterproofing. General Services is recommending waterproofing and related repairs at the Buggy Factory that would cost $500,000, rather than a more expensive option that would involve tearing up the concrete    and moving utility lines. In the recommended budget, $250,000 of the total $500,000 will be used for engineering guidance due to structural and water issues and the age and material oft the building and for a portion of the renovation. General Services would need time to assess the current jail and courthouse facility to see what needs renovating. County Manager Lisa Minter said the County is statutorily mandated to provide courthouse and jail facilities,. just like school facilities. General Services cautions making major updates to the current library building without knowing if the County will keep it. If the plan is to keep it, the County will need to determine how the offices will be laid out within the footprint sO improvements and a more adequate HVAC system can be  installed.  2024_ Budget_ Dsusson.Ma/.2024pdt  General Services & Buggy Factory FY2024-25 Recommended & Requested Budgets.pdf  LIBRARY - 10:30 AM  Lee County BOC Budget Work Session - Library FY 24-25 Budget  Library Services Director Beth List and Assistant Director Christopher Luettger presented the Library's budget. A copy of the presentation is attached and incorporated into these minutes. The presentation attached to the agenda includes additional information for the Commissioners to consider. Mr. Luettger said the homeless population has not been as prevalent as before COVID-19, and they are more respectful of staff and the space. Staff have also been taking more trainings on de-escalation and how to navigate patrons. The  Library currently has 16 staff members. Library Presentation.pdf  Lee County Libraries FY2024-25 Recommended & Requested Budgets.pdf  PARKS AND RECREATION- 11:00 AM  Parks and Recreation Budget Presentation  Parks and Recreation Director Joseph Keel presented his department's budget. A A copy of the presentation is attached and incorporated into these minutes. Kiwanis Children's Park Phase II updates began this week and concrete is being poured. The project is estimated to be completed within 90 to 120 days. Temple Park has a new playground structure for ages 2-12. The new budget eliminates the Fitness Grant project at Kiwanis Park as it became cost prohibitive. The Lee County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recommended that the County not allow a coaches' credit and use that money for additional coaches training. The new. maintenance workers added to the Parks and Recreation department that are dedicated to ball fields will also maintain the disc golf course during the winter. The Parks and Recreation Department won't ever break even on programming, but will still bring in revenue, as well as make an economic impact on the community as teams use its facilities. Mr. Keel said there were no tournaments booked at Tramway Road Park this year due to the condition of the ball fields. Staff plan to bring this park back to standard this summer. Tramway Road Park was built with PARTF grant funding, sO the County can't give it to another entity or sell it because that would require paying that grant back. Coaches and volunteers undergo a background check before they can work with Parks and Recreations. Coaches are also required to wear their coaches': shirts while on the fields sO they are easily identifiable.    Pans.am.Reeaton.Preman.s312LBwdgeLPesentationpal Parks & Recreation FY2024-25 Recommended & Requested Budgets.pdf  INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY- 11:30 AM  Information Technology (IT) Budget - Key Item Requests  Finance Director Candace Iceman introduced the new Grants Administrator, Johanna Information Technology Director Kyle Edwards presented his department's budget. A copy of the presentation is attached and incorporated into these minutes. Mr. Edwards has budgeted funding to assist Broadway in paying for a generator at the Broadway Town Hall that the County uses. Broadway will pay for upkeep of the generator after its purchase. A major cost increase has occurred from one of our IT vendors, but Mr. Edwards recommends keeping this vendor as it will be more cost prohibitive to change Lee_Coumty.ImtomatioTehmagy_BudgetlemsFTBGramnieus (2).pdf information Technology (IT) FY2024-25 Recommended & Requested Budgets.pdf  Beachy, to the Board.  the entire infrastructure to a new vendor.  LUNCH-1 12:00 PM BUDGET DISCUSSIONS  Resolution in Support of Increased Funding Allotments to Local Education Agencies Ata recent Board meeting, Commissioner Robert Reives asked for a resolution to be drafted to send to legislators regarding increased funding allotments to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to ease the financial burden on counties. Chairman Smith read the resolution aloud. Lee County Board of Education Member Jamey Laudate asked to speak and noted that the funding the Commissioners allocate to the Lee County Schools district also funds the charter schools. The money follows the student, which decreases funding that is meant for the rest oft the school district. County Manager Lisa Minter said we are asking the State to not only fund opportunity scholarships, but to also increase funding to the public school system. The district has fixed costs and mandated services they are required to provide, which do not decrease as Average Daily Membership (ADM), or enrollment, decreases. Commissioner Reives believes the Senate is considering allocating $500 million additional dollars to school vouchers, and he' 's asking them to split Motion: Motion to approve the Resolution in Support of Increased Funding Allotments to Local Education Agencies so as to Ease Burdens on Counties For: 6- Robert Reives, Cameron Sharpe, Kirk Smith, Bill Carver, Mark Lovick, Taylor  sO as to Ease Burdens on Counties and Their Taxpayers  that money between that program and public schools. SCHOOL VOUCHER RESOLUTION.pdf:  and Their Taxpayers. Mover: Robert Reives Vorbeck  Absent: 1-[ Dr. Andre Knecht    Motion Result: Passed FY 24-25 Budget Discussion  Commissioner Bill Carver introduced a motion directing the County Manager to allocate additional funds to Lee County Schools beyond what is listed in the recommended budget for FY 2024-2025. He understands that this would be a recurring allocation but feels the County should provide additional funding to the. school district to fund their classified staff pay plan, especially since the Commissioner funded the County's plan. Commissioner Carver met with the County Manager regarding this and provided suggestions for potential cuts to fund this potential increase and the manager explained why the identified cuts were not advisable. Commissioner Mark Lovick asked to modify the motion for the manager to look into a larger allocation to the schools. One of the suggestions provided by Commissioner Carver was to take the additional funding out of the County's fund balance. Commissioner Reives noted that if the County were to allocate more funding, it would become a reoccurring expense and takes away from the Slate'sresponsibilty to fund public schools. Commissioner Carver also looked at reducing the CostolwngAdusiment (COLA) allocated to the County's employees to fund the schools' request. Commissioner Cameron Sharpe asked if the school district could fund the request from their fund balance. County Manager Lisa Minter said that as of. June 2023, Lee County Schools had over $5.7 million in their fund balance. Lee County Board of Education Member Alan Rummel said the district does not want to pay for reoccurring items from its fund balance or give out one-time bonuses. Lee County Board of Education Member Jamey Laudate said the school district will likely dip into fund balance once the federal ESSR funds run out. The County's policy adopted by the Board is to keep 32% of current expense in fund balance. Commissioner Taylor Vorbeck. noted that the school district can come to the Commissioners at any time for needed expense. Ms. Minter said the Local Government Council (LGC) sets funding policies for counties, but not for school districts, as the LGC considers the counties to be the schools' emergency fund or savings account. The County gives a monthly appropriation to the district. Commissioner Vorbeck recently attending a training on school funding and noted that there seems to be more discussion happening with municipalities providing funding to school districts, as well as putting an educational tax on the ballot for voters to consider. Ms. Minter said that under Articles 40 and 42, a certain percentage of the County's funds must be used for either debt service or capital outlay. The Commissioners decided to use it for debt service for education, either for K-12 or the community college. Lee County Board of Education Chairman Eric Davidson noted that his board is wanting to have a conversation with the Commissioners on the path forward and suggests the two agencies do that. The Commissioners gave Motion: Motion to direct the County Manager to look into the recommended 2024-2025 budget by increasing the Lee County Schools current operating expense by $980,000 and make other changes as necessary to avoid increasing the tax rate.  consensus on directing staff to set up a joint meeting.  6._Exhibit_ 1.pdf  Mover: Bill Carver  For: 3- Bill Carver, Mark Lovick, Taylor Vorbeck Against: 3- Robert Reives, Cameron Sharpe, Kirk Smith  Absent: 1-D Dr. Andre Knecht Motion Result: Failed    CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM (CIP) DISCUSSION Capital improvements Program (CIP) Discussion Commissioner Cameron Sharpe left at 1:30 p.m.  County Manager Lisa Minter provided updated debt outlook numbers for the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) projects, a copy of which is attached and incorporated into these minutes. Staff wants to make the CIP a true planning tool based on the length of time the Lee County Athletic Park and new Library are taking but said projects could be moved around. Commissioner Bill Carver felt Option 3 for a new jail is best and would be amenable to a small tax increase to prepare for it but wants staff to do more research and revisit the project next year. Commissioner Mark Lovick would like to revisit the project next year, but start looking for land now, and feels Option 2 or 3 would be in the County's in best interest. Commissioner Taylor Vorbeck was also in favor of Option 3 but would like to see more vertical space used and have less beds. Commissioner Robert Reives wants to hear from General Services on Option 1. The Board gave consensus to direct staff to find land for a new jail. Commissioner Vorbeck asked about the school districts' projects being pushed back. Ms. Minter listed the district's bus garage first and then other projects due to the state of the current bus garage, but that order can be modified. Commissioner Carver would like to poll residents to see if certain projects could go fora a bond referendum. Ms. Minter noted that the VIPER, project is moving forward without the City of Sanford's participation. Some modifications to the existing 911 center will need to be made to accommodate the VIPER system, but the County will not need a second 911 center for all agencies (911, EMS, Fire, Sheriff's Office, and mutual aid agencies) to be .RANRAREONN. Projects.REQUESTED.FY25-FY30pdr c.Requested.V_Recommended_PloeciRECOMMENDED_FY25-FY30pdf  able to communicate.  ADJOURNMENT Mover: Robert Reives Motion Result: Passed  Motion: Motion to adjourn. The Board adjourned at 1:55 p.m. For: 5- Robert Reives, Kirk Smith, Bill Carver, Mark Lovick, Taylor Vorbeck  Absent: 2- Dr. Andre Knecht, Cameron Sharpe  Kirk Smith, Chair  UNLee County Board of Commissioners  ATTEST:  BE BEPEE FEE BE  iley Hall, Clerk  HuL  CARO %    R E E E - S L L N   H S S  I    - a 5  a - -  a E L 3 A U L N o E E 3 a E O L E e H E X - N    s m S A a a G w A - e a N o C  - U  3 E 1    s N 9 S E a A R E C a M 0 L o Om  M  LL O - - U N E E  A A  E 05  0O  1  Y    4 a LZ zo< Ovo UZw vOm Eao U our <m    S s E N N 3 a. 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RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED FUNDING ALLOTMENTS TO LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCIES sO AST TO EASE BURDENS ON COUNTIES AND THEIR TAXPAYERS WHEREAS, Article IX, Section 2 of The Constitution of the State of North Carolina states, "The General Assembly shall provide by taxation and otherwise for a general and uniform system off free public schools and wherein equal opportunities shall be provided for all students" and, "The General Assembly may assign to units of local government such responsibility for the financial support of the free public schools WHEREAS, G.S. 115C-426 states, "the local current expense fund shall include appropriations sufficient, when added to appropriations from the State Public School Fund, for the current operating expense of the public school system in conformity with the educational goals and policies of the State and the local board of education, within the financial resources and consistent with the fiscal policies of WHEREAS, the General Assembly has increased school choice in North Carolina and significantly expanded the Opportunity Scholarship program that affords parents the opportunity to explore private and other schooling options outside of the traditional public and charter schools and is currently WHEREAS, Lee County is seeing a steady drop in the local Average Daily Membership (ADM), partially due to a greatly increasing private school enrollment, and is facing significant increases in current expense funding requests due to many state funding opportunities being directly calculated according to WHEREAS, Lee County strives to provide funding that is "sufficient. .. fort the current operating expenses of the public school system," but is not able to continue to increase school current expense funding at the requested rate without it negatively impacting the County's ability to carry out mandated programs NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Lee County Board of Commissioners urges the North Carolina General Assembly to decrease counties' "responsibility for the financial support of the free public schools" and continue to aggressively invest in all educational opportunities in North Carolina, prioritizing increases in current expense funding for LEAS alongside increases in opportunity scholarship funding, ensuring that public schools are still able to offer world-class educations throughout North Carolina.  as it may deem appropriate"; and  the board of county commissioners"; and  considering (HB 823) appropriating additional funding to eliminate wait lists; and  ADM; and  and invest in needed capital projects, such as court/jail and school facilities; and  Presented this 31st day of May, 2024.  FRCOUN  BAT  Kirk D, Smith, Chair  Lee County Board of Commissioners  ATTEST: ah Hailey Hall, Clerk  ICAROI  ILL    5 6  0  o  0  0  0.  2 & 2  0  0  A N  - -    5  0 0  -  0  @  C  -  0  00  0  A N  - f    0  00  A f  S  9    0 -  0  0  0  0  D  €