MINUTES  REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS  OFI EDGECOMBE COUNTY JUNE 6, 2022 AT 7:00 P.M. INTHEJONATHAN FELTON COMMISSIONERS ROOM COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING TARBORO, NORTH CAROLINA  1.  MEETING CALLED' TO ORDER CHAIRMANLEONARD WIGGINS AT7:00 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Leonard Wiggins, Chairman, Rev. E. Wayne Hines, Vice-Chairman, Mrs. Evelyn Powell, Mr. Donald Boswell, Mr. William Wooten, Mr. OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Eric Evans, County Manager, Mrs. Nataliel Bess, Deputy County Manager, Mr. Michael Peters, County Attorney and Ms. Frangie Mungo,  P.M.  Ralph Webb and Mrs. Viola Harris. MEMBERS ABSENT: None. Clerk to the Board. SAFETY] INSTRUCTIONS. Mrs. Bess provided thes safety instructions. Rev. Hines provided the prayer.  2.  3. PRAYER.  4.  MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL. Mr. Boswell noted a correction in the May 2, 2022. In: a statement he made under Commissioner's) report, the correct work should bei fiduciary not judiciary. Mrs. Powell moved to approve thei minutes with the correction, Mr. Boswell  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  5.  PUBLIC HEARINGS:  1.Mr. Wiggins called a public hearing to order to receive citizen comments relative  tothel Down) East Home Consortium, Annual Action Plan. Mr. Peters read thej public notice as published.  Mr. Evans introduced Ms. Cornelia McGee, City of Rocky Mount Director of Community Development, whoj provided an overview of the plan.  Ms. McGee provided and update on: HOME: award-$ $455,813 from HUD. HOME eligible activities. 2022 Annual Action Plan. 2022 HOME activities. Public engagement timeline.  Ms. McGee answered questions from the Board.  Mr. Wiggins called for public comments. There being none, the public hearing Mr. Webb moved to approve the Down East] Home Consortium Annual Action Plan as presented. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by  was adjourned. unanimous vote.  1    2. Mr. Wiggins called a public hearing to order to receive citizen comments relative tot the proposed fiscal year 2022-2023 Edgecombe County Budget.  Mr. Peters read the public notice as published. Mr. Evans read his budget message:  Submitted hereini is the Edgecombe County recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2022- 2023. The Budget is balanced in its entirety, as required by the North Carolina Local Govemment Budget and Fiscal Control Act. We have approached the preparation of  this budget withi thei following goals in mind: balancing the budget without at taxi increase; addressing critical capital needs; providing ar reasonable cost of living increase.  making cuts where possible without compromising operations and services; addressing critical needs of key outside agencies as much as possible; and  Budget Overview  The proposed ad valorem tax rate fort the FY 22-23is 95 cents per $100 value, whichisr no change from the current year. One cent generates approximately $342,000. The County's proposed budget for FY 22-23 totals $77,855,842, including enterprise funds (Water/Sewer and Solid Waste). The proposedkb budget is ao decrease of $2.074,150or2.69 from the original budget of the current year. The proposed budget includes a fund balance appropriation of $4,841,975 from general fund. The current year's original fund The State requires that we maintain an amount equal to at least 8% of our general fund expenditures in unassigned fund balance. The proposed general fund budget is $69,986,910, 8% of which is $5,598,953. Therefore, the proposed fund balance appropriation to balance the FY-23budget does not take Us below ther requirement.  balance appropriation was $4,383,245.  KEY BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS Revenues  So far this year, our tax collection rate is 95.1%. Thanks to the hard work of our Tax Administrator and hers staff, we ended FY-21 with a collection rate of 96.2%, whichi is the highest we'y vel hadi in at least the lasti twenty years. Our property tax revenue projections are based on a total valuation of $3,429,810,945, including all real properly, personal property, public utilities, and motor vehicles. Thisi is ani increase of $1,600,518invalve from The devasting fire at QVC did put a dent of just under $1 million in our potential tax revenues for next year. The total tax value of the facility before the fire was $124,591,160. Now the total value is $22,641,506; a decline in value of Our sales tax revenues are holding steady compared to the last two years, and much higher than our revenues in FY-19 and prior. do project that the current year's sales tax collection will fall just under last year's. I am still conservatively budgeting projected A Cost of Living Adjustment of 2% is included in this budget at a cost of approximately $386,000.1 lam pleased to share that we will not have an increase in our healthi insurance  last year.  $101,949,654 (82%).  revenues for sale taxi in FY-23.  Personnel  2    premiums for next year. Being that we have done well in the last three years with insurance apb.datlomrolraldng an increase in Health Insurance asl did the The health plan will continue to include a Health Savings Account (HSA) option that includes a $750 contribution by the County. We will also continue to provide health screenings for all individuals covered by our plan. Individuals who choose not to participate ini the screening will pay $50, per month towards the cost of theiri insurance. In addition tor medical, dental, andl lifei insurance, employees! have anumber of cafeteria the Health Map RX programf fors staff with chronic diseases who choose toj participate; the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which offers counseling and other "work-life" awellness incentive of $250 for those meeting the waist circumference standards or In order to reduce the amount of fund balance appropriated, we are including a vacancy allowance in our budget. Though not used by US before, this is a common budgeting practice. Itc allows Us to leave all current positions budgetedy while factoringi in our expected lapsed salaries due to turnover. We have spread a $2.5 million vacancy allowance over our largest departments: Sheriff, DSS, Health, and Emergency Services. We do need to keepi in mind that we will not be able to move money from those salary lines by way of budget amendments throughout the year. We will monitor that closely. As you will recall, we increased our minimum salaries to a $10 per hour minimum a few years ago. However, at the time, we did not do the same for part-time staff. I recommend, and havei includedi in this draft budget, the additional $90,000 we estimate itv will cost to raise salaries to a minimum of $10 per hour for part-time staff. This primarily effects the 36 Site Attendants that work in Solid Waste. This also factors in a tiered approached: sO thati there is some: separation based on years ofs service. This budget includes capital outlay expenditures for County operations of $1,195,000, which is a $272,290 increase from this year's original capital outlay budget. Of this, $192,120isf for projects that will not be completed or delivered in the current year and rolled forward. Attached is a detailed list of proposed capital expenditures. Capital  last twoy years.  plans to select from. We will also continue to offer:  services through both telephonic andi face-to-face sessions; and  making 5%i improvement in weight or waist.  Capital Outlay  funding includes: Equipment Vehicles EMS Vehicles uldng/gounas465.00 Set Aside for Animal Shelter Reserve  $198,000 $307,000 $175,000 $50,000 $1,195,000  Total  Thoughi itisi includedi in debt service, do wanti to point out here that $250,000is budgetedi for both the final payment on thel loan fort the Sheriff's vehicles purchased in 2019, as well as the first payment on a newl loan to purchase approximately 15 vehicles The costs to operate the landfill continue to exceed the revenues generated. Withouta tipping fee increase, we are projecting a need to transfer $754,000 to Solid Waste. I recommend toi increase tipping fees from $61.51 to $65 for MSW, and from $46 to $50 for C&D. Thaty willh help to close the gap! by about $100,000. This will put US among thel highest inc ourr region, withi the exception of Rocky Mount ($661 for MSW). Though we are very lean  fori the Sheriff's office. Solid Waste  on our operations, we will continue tol look for ways to cut costs.  3    Water & Sewer  We have been notified of at least a 3.5% rate increase from the Town of Tarboro and a possible increase from the City of Rocky Mount. We believe that our current rates are sufficient to cover this increase, and therefore recommend no change at this time. However, ift thei increases are more than expecled.wireconsider my recommendation. The total requésted by outside agencies is $16,315,390, whichi is $2,052,220 above what iso allocated this year. We received a request from two new outside agencies this year. However, with our own budget constraints, I do not recommend funding any new agencies this coming fiscal year. The total recommend for outside agency funding is My recommendation is that most of the agencies receive no increase from the current year's budget. The changes! do propose are based on ongoing agreements, formula Three volunteer fire departments are requesting ani increase ini their fire tax. They are:  Outside Agencies  $14,406,038. Thisi is an increase of $142,868 for outside agencies.  calculations, and statutory requirements.  Heartsease .08to.12 Leggett Fountain .085t0.09  .0851 to. .09  recommend we call for separate public hearings for citizens in those districts to have the opportunity to make their opinions known before acting on these increases. As you know, Edgecombe has been allocated $9,997,833 ini federal ARPA funds, half of which we have already received. The program permits counties to take a standard allowance of upi to $10 million as revenue replacement, which we have elected. This will allow greater flexibility of the use of the funds. In my proposed ARPA budget, we can strategically use funds to give some much-needed relief to our general fund, satisfy upcoming economic development obligations, address big-ticket, critical capital needs, provide a one-time, and much deserved bonus for our employees, and provide some We will continue to monitor the budget closely throughout the year, save where we can and spend only when necessary. appreciate the hard work of all of our staff who were involved int this long process, andI thank the Budget Committee for your guidance and  American Rescue Plan Act(ARPA)  direct assistance to our citizens.  Conclusion  timei invested.  Irespecffully submit this proposed budget for Fiscal Year 22-23.  Mr. Wiggins called for public comment. There being none, the public hearing was Mr. Evans asked the Board to not vote oft thel budget at this meeting, but at a second meeting to be held on June 27, 2022. He asked the Board tot take action on the Mrs. Powell moved to approve the proposed use oft the ARPA funds as presented. Mrs. Harris seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. A. Nyreke Peters. Lead for NC Fellow. presentation of certificates for Citizens Mr. Peters presented certificates to the following graduates that were present: Kathy Williams, Gloria Moseley, Virginia Wade, Katial Peters, Khadijah Peters  adjourned.  proposed use oft the ARPA funds.  SCHEDULED, APPOINTMENTS Academy graduates.    Teresa Stokes and Crystal Wilmes-Anderson Graduate not present: Glenda Knight  B. Michelle Etheridge, Health Director, presented the COVID-19 update. MR. BOSWELL MOVEDTO RECESS THE REGULAR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING ANDI RECONVENE, AS BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, ANDI REVIEW. MRS. HARRIS SECONDED THE MOTION,  7.  BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, AND REVIEW.  WHICH CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. A. Chairman Wiggins called the meeting to order.  B. Scheduled appointments.  Mrs. Lewis provided an update on the appeal ifTarboro PropCo, LLC. After thei information provided Rev. Hines moved to approve the no change in the 2022 value on the appeal of Tarboro Propco., LLC. Mr. Wooten seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Approval of resolution finalizing final values for 2022. Mr.] Boswell moved to approve the resolution as] presented. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. MRS. HARRIS MOVED' TO ADJOURN AS BOARD OF EQUALIZATIONAND REVIEW AND] RECONVENE REGULARI BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING. MR. WEBB SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIEDI BY  UNANIMOUS VOTE. PUBLIC PETITIONS.  8.  Curmilus Dancy, POI Box 139, Pinetops, NC, 1271 Midway Lane, Tarboro. Mr. Dancy thanked the Board for allowing him to serve on the. Animal Control Board. Mr. Dancy stated that, regarding thes school demerger, he has recorded all of the meetings and posted them on YouTube for anyone to see. He stated that the Board of Commissioners should announce where they stand so that people can be more informed. He stated that we need to get to the root of howi it alll began and where we arel headed so that people will not be confused and people willl know what is at stake  before thej public hearing. OTHER BUSINESS: A. Approval of budget amendments.  9.  Mr. Boswell moved to approve thel budget amendments as presented. Mr. Wooten seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. B. Approval oft the Convevance ofa Right of Way by Edgecombe Community College to thel NC] Department of Transportation.  Mr. Evans stated that NCI DOT is planning a road widening project on Wilson Street and has approached: Edgecombe Community College toj purchase and fora right-of-way. The appraiser has completed his work and thel Board of Trustees voted tos sell thej property. Thel Board of Commissioners must approve the Deed Mrs. Harris moved to approve thel Deed forl Right of Way as presented. Mr. Webbs seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Approval of calling for a public hearing regarding the consideration ofa County  for Highway Right of Way.  Line] Merger of Schools.  5    Mr.] Evans stated that though therel havel been three community meetings held in Rocky Mount to gather citizen input on thej possible county line school merger, he suggested that thel Board hold its own public hearing at the. July 5,2 2022 Mr. Boswell moved to call for and hold aj public hearing at the July 5, 2022 meeting. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. D.A Approval of calling for aj public hearing on June 27, 2022 for consideration of Fire Tax increases for Leggett, Heartsease and Fountain Fire Departments. Mr. Evans stated that receivedi requests from three of our fire departments to increase their fire tax. In their request, each one outlined the need for the increase. He stated that the requests havel been reviewed and determined that thej justification tol bei reasonable for the fire protection and response they provide. However, since this will increase the tax to citizens in each of these districts, he recommended that thel Board call for a public hearing for each district tol bel held at a meeting tol be called for. June 27,2022 meeting. Mr. Boswell moved to call for aj public hearing regarding the proposed increase inl Fire' Tax for thel Leggett Fire District from $0.06 to $0.09.1 Mr. Wooten Mr. Bowell moved to call for aj public hearing regarding thej proposed increase in Fire Tax for thel Heartsease Fire District from $0.08 to $0.12. Mr. Wooten Mr. Boswell: moved to call for: aj public hearing regarding the proposed increase inl Fire Tax for the Fountain (Pintain) Firel District from $0.085 to $0.09. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. E. Approval of the Salary Plan fori fiscal year 2023. Mr. Evans stated that iti is the responsibility to annually review the County's Compensation Plan and make recommendations. for modifications. His review of the plani involves consideration of maintaining a competitive compensation structure while being mindful of while being mindful of what our budget can sustain. He stated that though he believes that our salaries need tol be raised to be more competitive with comparable positions in both the public and private sector, our budget cannot withstand that at this time. Therefore, thej proposed Mr. Boswell moved to approve the 2022-2033 Compensation Plan as presented. Mr. Wiggins seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Evans stated that the' Town of Tarboro has submitted an application for their. July 4th fireworks display. NC General Statute 14-4 requires authorization of thel Board of Commissioners before issuance of the required permit by the Fire Marshall. The applicant has burnished the required documents including Mrs. Harris moved to authorize the Fire Marshall toi issue the required permits as requested. Mr. Webb seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. G. Approval of request for the sale of service weapon to retiring Sergeant Brady Mr. Evans stated that NC Statute 20-187.2 allows thel Board of Commissioners to awarda a retiring officer his/her service weapon. Its specifically stated that you may dos so ata price determined by you as the governing body. Sheriff Atkinson has requested that consideration be given for retiring Sergeant Brady Abrams.  meeting.  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  compensation plan incudes no changes.  F. Approval of fireworks permit for Town ofTarboro.  property certification andi insurance.  Abrams.  6    Tos show the County's appreciation for their exemplary service, and toj providea memento tot thats service, Mr. Evans recommended that thel Board approve the transfer of thes service weapon at: a price of$1 upon the retirement of Sergeant Mr. Wooten moved to approve thes sale ofs service weapon to retiring Sergeant Brady Abrams. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous H. Approval of voting delegate for the NACO Annual Conference and the NCACC Mr. Evans stated that thel National Association of Counties will hold its Annual Conference on. July 21,2 24, 2022 and thel North Carolina Association of County Commissioners willl hold its Annual Conference on August 11-13,2022. Commissioner Harris plans to attend both conferences to represent the County. Therefore, he recommended that the Board take action to approve Commissioner Harris as the Voting] Delegate for Edgecombe County for both of Rev. Hines moved to approve Commissioner Harris as the Voting Delegate for both conferences. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by Approval of updated' Water and Sewer Capital Improvement Plan. Mr. Evans presented to thel Board for consideration the Water and Sewer Department's Capital Improvements Plan. This provides a way to plan for the phased build-out of needed infrastructure in the County as well as capital purchases needed to maintain our existing system. This plan lists desired projects, planned capital purchases, estimated costs, and the number of citizens Mr. Boswell moved to approve the Water and Sewer Capital Improvement Plan as presented. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous Mr. Evans presented for thel Board's consideration and approval a list of items that have been declared surplus by the) Information Technology Department. 111 Nortel M3904 analog phones (unopened and stilli in the box) Mr. Evans recommended that thel Board approve thesei items as surplus and authorize the disposal by listing them on GovDeals, ani internet auction servicei in Mr. Boswell moved to declare thei items as surplus and to authorize disposal by listing on GovDeals. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by  Brady Abrams.  vote.  Annual Conference.  the 2022 Annual Conferences.  unanimous vote.  potentially benefitting from the project.  vote.  J. Approval of declaring phones as surplus property.  2951 Nortel M3903 and other various phones.  which the County participates.  unanimous vote.  10. APPOINTMENTS:  A. Town of Princeville Planning Board for] ETJ. which carried by unanimous vote. B. Edgecombe County Planning Board. Edgecombe County Board of Adiustment.  Rev. Hines moved to appoint Antwan Brown. Mrs. Harris seconded the motion,  None.  Mr. Boswell moved to appoint Bonnie Salmon, Michael Edmondson and Cecil Calhoun. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  7    D. Edgecombe Community College Board of" Trustees. motion, which carried by unanimous vote. E. Town of Sharpsburg Planning Board. which carried by unanimous vote.  Mrs. Powell moved to reappoint Gloria Wiggins-Hicks. Rev. Hines seconded the Mr. Webb moved to reappoint Edward Taylor. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, Mrs. Harris moved to approve the afterlists and releases as presented. Rev. Hines Mr. Boswell moved to: approve the contracts as presented. Mr. Wooten seconded  11. AFTERLISTS ANDI RELEASES FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 12. APPROVAL. AND/OR REVIEW OF CONTRACTS. the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. A. Water and Sewer update. B. Monthly Financial Summary. 14. MANAGER'S) REPORI-"Reehed": A. Overview of Community Voicel Initiative. B. Workforce Development indicators. 15. COMMISSIONERS REPORT. 16. ATTORNEY'S) REPORT. 17. CLOSED: SESSION.  13. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS FOR REVIFW,-"-Reehved-:  Nyreke Peters, Lead forl NCI Fellow, provided aj power point presentation.  None.  Rev. Hines moved to go into closed session to discuss: A. Economic Development. [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(4)] B. Personnel. [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(3)] Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Mr. Powell moved to go out of closed session and resume the regular meeting. Rev. Mr. Norris Tolson, Carolinas Gateway, came forth to request additional funding for fiscal 18. REVHINESMOVEDIO) RECESS THE MEETING UNTILJUNE 27.2022AT 7:00 P.M.MR. BOSWELLSECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED BY  year 2023.  UNANIMOUS VOTE. Approved. July 6, 2022.  Frangie  M Muhgo, ClerkiotielBoard  8