MINUTES  REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING OFTHE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS  OF EDGECOMBE COUNTY JUNE5 5, 2023 AT7:00 P.M. INTHEJONATHAN. FELTON COMMISSIONERS ROOM COUNTY ADMINSTRATVERULDING TARBORO, NORTH CAROLINA  MEETINGCALLEDTO: ORDER BY CHAIRMAN LEONARD WIGGINS AT7:00P P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Leonard Wiggins, Chairman, Rev. Wayne Hines, Vice- Chairman, Mr. George Thorne, Mr. Donald Boswell, Mrs. Viola Harris, Mrs. Evelyn OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Eric Evans, County Manager, Mrs. Natalie Bess, Deputy County Manager, Mr. Michael Peters, County Attorney, Mr. Michael Matthews, Assistant County Manager, Mrs. Linda Barfield, CFO and Ms. Frangie Mungo, Clerk to thel Board.  Powell, and Mr. Ralph Webb. MEMBERS ABSENT: None.  2. 3. 4. 5.  SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS. Mrs. Bess provided safety instructions. Mrs. Harris provided prayer.  PRAYER.  MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. proposed fiscal vear 2023-2024 Edgecombe County budget. Mr. Evans provided aj presentation of the proposed budget:  Mr. Boswell moved to approve the minutes of thel May 1, 2023 meeting as presented. Mrs. 1. Mr. Wiggins called a public hearing to order to receive citizen comments relative to the  PUBLICI HEARING:  Mr. Peters read the notice as published.  Budget Objectives:  * Balanced thel budget with no taxi increase Make room toi implement the comp. plan Minimize fund balance appropriation Find operational efficiencies Address critical capital needs Follow our fiscal policies Budget priorities: & Employee salaries Public safety Education and workforce Economic growth Where do we want to go?  Align agency funding to our vision, mission, and priorities Allow the budget to reflect your priorities  * Vision for our County: Edgecombe County is al historic place that values its citizens and natural resources and creates opportunities where people are proud tol live, work and play for generations to come. Vision for the Organization: Edgecombe County values its employees so that it can be an organization committed to providing exceptional services to our citizens through and innovative, passionate and creative team    devoted to excellence, integrity and transparency, for the continued growth "T'm sick and tired ofl being at the top and bottom of every bad list."Lorenzo  of our County and staff. Carmon, Former County Manager * High Unemployment Poor health indicators Low educational attainment % Declining population How can our budget reflect our vision? --Budget Overview * Ad valorem tac revenue) projections * Sales tax revenue. * Other revenue: notes. Expenditures. * Personnel. * New positions.  * Our call to: action: GET OFFTHELIST!  The list:  Revenues.  * Outside agencies. Mr. Evans invited three outside agencies to come forth  and explain their program. Ms. Linda Brinson, United Christian Ministries. Pam Gould, STEP. James Mercer, Mercer Foundation. Capital Improvements. Enterprise funds. Building Security. Fleet maintenance Edgecombe Works.  Dr. McLeod, President - Edgecombe Community College, came forward to talk about the following Programs: Earn As You) Learn, Promise Program  and Edgecombe Works Academy.  Mr. Wiggins called for public comments.  Mr.John Walker, 13031 N. Main Street, Tarboro, stated that hei is a constituent of Mrs. Harris. He stated that hel has covered public meetings since 1991 and this is thel best hour hel has ever spent in aj public meeting, because of the wayi it was presented, the way peoplei in the room were able tos see the numbers. He commended the Board. He stated that hel has sat through so many of these in three different states. This was a transparent process. A very open process. He thanked thel Board. Mr. Bronson Williams, 1230 Cokey Road, Rocky Mount, stated that he shared the same sentiments asl Mr. Walker as regards to the budget. He stated that it was great the way thel budget was presented. We always wish we could pay more towards education, but reality is that iti is whati itis. He stated that he was excited to see our County grow. He commended Mr. Evans on the video] presentation that he made available through social media to ensure that people engaged in thej process and his willingness to respond. He  also commended thel Board for their work Thej public hearing was adjourned.  PUBLIC: PETITIONS.  Mr. William Ellis, 1959 Webbs Lake] Road, Macclesfield, thanked the Board and Mr. Evans for thel hard work with the: sign at Handy Corner crossroad. It was erected about three weeks ago. Its shows the Board's willingness to help small communities. Itisa fixture  of proud in theirs small community.  2    Bronson Williams, 1230 Cokey Road, Rocky Mount, stated that someone called in tol his television show this morning with an idea to have a tax payment center in  Mount Rocky for  convenience. UFFIEMENTALAGENDA:  I.  OTHER BUSINESS.  A. Consideration of approval of Resolutions to] Request Approval of] Revenue Bonds Mr. Evans stated that we have funds committed from USDA-Rural Development to renovate. andi improve thes sewer system in District #6. The project includes $2,619,000 in revenue bonds which must be approved by the Local Government Commission. At the. May meeting thel Board approved a resolution to submit an application to annear before the Local Government Commission at their. June meeting. Now, we need Board approval toi issue these revenue bonds for the Mrs. Powell moved to recess the regular meeting and convene as  for Water and Sewer District! #6.  purpose of this project. unanimous vote.  Water and Sewer District #6. Mrs. Harris seconded the motion, which Governing carried Body of Mr. Boswell moved to approve the Resolution Providing for the Issuance ofa $2,619,000 Water and Sewer System Revenue Bond Anticipation Note for Water and Sewer District #6. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried Mrs. Powell moved to approve thel Resolution Declaring thel Intent of Water and Sewer District #6 tol Reimburse itself for Capital Expenditures from the Proceeds of Certain Tax-Exempt Obligations. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried Mr. Boswell moved to approve thel Bond Order Authorizing the Issuance of Water and Sewer System! Revenue. Bonds for Water and Sewer District #6. Rev. Hines Mrs. Powell moved to adjourn as Governing Body of Water and Sewer District #6 and resume the regular meeting. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried  by  unanimous vote.  by  by unanimous vote.  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  unanimous vote.  by  7. OTHER BUSINESS:  A. Approval of budget amendments.  Mr. Boswell moved to approve budget amendments #1-5 as presented. Mr. Webb Mr. Evans stated that tol better suit the needs of thel Health Department, Michelle Etheridge, Health Director, has recommended the revision of thel Public Health II- Family Planning Coordinator position. The recommendation is to change the position toal PHNI III-Family Planning and Maternity Coordinator, moving it from grade 19to Rev. Hines moved to approve the revised job description as presented. Mr.Thorne Approval off funding recommendation for Home and Community Care Block Grant Mrs. Bess stated that the Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG)is composed of funding for in-home and community-based services for older adults. The County is charged with developing andi implementing ai funding plan) locally that meets  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. B. Approval of revision of Family Planning Coordinator position.  20.  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  FY-24.  for  3    the needs of older adults in our County with funds provided through the HCCBG. This proposed funding plan iss submitted based off of the recommendations from the Edgecombe County HCCBGT Committee. The Committee met in  to review April  submitted funding proposals.  the  Mrs. Powell moved to approve the funding recommendations as presented. Rev. Hines Mr. Evans stated that the Towns of Tarboro and Macclesfield haves submitted applications for their. July 4th fireworks displays. NC General Statute 14-4 requires authorization of thel Board of Commissioners before issuance oft the required permit. The applicants have furnished the required documents including and insurance. Mr. Evans recommended that thel Board authorize property Antwan Brown, Emergency Services Director, toi issue the required permits as requested. Mrs. Harris moved to authorize thel Emergency Services Director toi issues thej to the' Towns ofTarboro and Macclesfield. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which permits  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. D. Approval of applications for fireworks displays.  certification  carried by unanimous vote.  E. Approval of designating County property as surplus.  Mr. Evans stated thati in thel last twelve months, wel havel been able to outdated computers in several departments. Staffi in our IT Department replace have old and hard drives clean andj prepared them for decommissioning. There is in these units. Mr. Evans recommended that thel Board approve thel list likely of devices value for Mr. Thorne moved to approve designating County property as surplus and to authorize their sales on GovDeals. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried unanimous F. Approval of voting delegate for the upcoming NACO and NCACC Annual Conferences. Mr. Wiggins moved to approve designating Mrs. Harris as the voting delegate for 20231 NACo Annual Conference. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried the Rev. Hines moved to approve designating Mrs. Powell as the voting delegate for 20231 NCACC. Annual Conference. Mrs. Harris seconded the motion, which carried the  resale wiped the  surplus and authorize theirs sales on GovDeals.  vote.  by  unanimous vote. unanimous vote. 8. APPOINTMENTS. A. Human Services Board.  by  by  Rev. Hines moved to reappoint Mr. Ernest Taylor and Ms. Marsha Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Cooper. Mrs. Rev. Hines moved to appoint Ms. Elizabeth Newcomb. Mr. Boswell seconded the Rev. Hines moved to reappoint Mrs. Barbara Davis-Campbell. Mrs. Harris seconded  B. Turning) Point Workforce Development Board. motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Edgecombe Community College Board of Trustees. the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  9. AFTERLISTS AND RELEASES FORI RMIEWANDATFROVAL Mr. Boswell moved to approve the afterlists and releases as presented. Mrs. seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 10. CONTRACTS FOR REVIEW AND/OR APPROVAL. motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Harris  Mr. Boswell moved the: approve the contracts as presented. Rev. Hines seconded the  4    11. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS FOR REVIFW.-Reeied-:  A. Water and Sewer update. B.M Monthly Financial Summary. C.DSS-Community Impact Program update.  Mr. Evans commended Betty Battle, DSS Director, and staff on how they carried out this  program.  12. MANAGER'S! REPORI-"Rechved-: A. Workforce Development) Indicators. B. TDA financial report. C. Update on Countyline merger.  Mr. Ronnie Sharpe came: forth and presented on the Rocky Mount Demerger Design Team meeting Review and answered questions from thel Board. D. Recess meeting until. June 26, 2023 at 7:00 pm to adopt the FY-24 budget and E. Reminder of. June 21, 2023 Work Session at 10:00 a.m. to discuss the Compensation  approve budget amendments. Plan: and Broadband. F. Updated list of upcoming meetings. G.NCI Megasite Readiness grant. H. Handy Corner sign. 13. COMMISSIONERS REPORT.  Inj regards to the Countyline merger, Mr. Boswell stated that he finds himself confused about whati is going on. He stated that we need tol know where students are many will be transferring, how many will stay and how many will remain in going. thel Nash County system. He stated that we do not know anything and did not think we willl have Mr. Wiggins stated that iti is as school board decision and issue and felt asi if willl lead the timeline. They are over there doing their job. He stated that until wej pass they this budget, they are doing things that we don't know and we cannot micromanage them in terms of how they do their job. It's thes school boards job to do, our jobi is toi fund. He stated he did not think we can sit here and say that they are not because the timeframe is not here that  How  those answers.  yet.  Mr. Boswell asked whati is the timeframe.  Mr. Wiggins stated that the timeframe is outlined in the statute. When we send that letter tol LGC then we can be dealing with timelines. Itl has not been triggered. Thel Board engaged in further discussion regarding the countyline merger. Mr. Thorne stated that he would liket to see updated leasing numbers verses Mr. Wiggins asked Mr. Evans to bring thati information to thel Board.  cars owning  for the Sheriff's Officel before we vote on thel budget.  14. ATTORNEYSREPORT 15. CLOSEDSESSION.  None.  Rev.] Hines moved to go into closed session to discuss: A. Economic Development. [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(4)] Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mrs. Powell moved to go out of closed session and resume the regular seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Rev. Hines  meeting.  16. REV.HINES MOVED TO RECESS THE MEETING UNTILJUNE 26. 2023. MRS.  5    HARRIS SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICHCARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. ******The. June 26, 2023 recessed meeting was cancelled due to the threat ofs severe  weather. A Special Calll Meeting was held on. June 28, 2023.  ApprovedJ July 3,2 2023. Frangiel Mungo, Clerkt tot the Board miAlut  6