MINUTES  REGULAR: SCHEDULED MEETING OF THEI BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS  OF EDGECOMBE COUNTY JUNE: 1,2 2020 AT7:00 P.M. INTHE CARMON AUDITORIUM TARBORO, NORTH CAROLINA  1.  MEETING CALLEDTO ORDER BY CHAIRMANLEONARD WIGGINSAT MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Leonard Wiggins, Chairman, Rev. E. Wayne Hines, Vice-Chairman, Mrs. Evelyn Powell, Mr. Ralph Webb, Mrs. Viola Harris, Mr. OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Eric Evans, County Manager, Mr. Michael Peters, County Attorney and Ms. Frangie Mungo, Clerk to the Board. With the consensus oft the Board the agenda was revised toi include the convening of thel Board of Equalization and Review following thej public hearings. Mr. William Johnson, Assistant County Manager, provided safetyi instructions.  7:00] P.M.  Donald Boswell and Mr. William Wooten. MEMBERS ABSENT: None.  2. 3. 4. 5.  SAFETY] INSTRUCTIONS.  PRAYER.  Rev.] Hines provided thej prayer.  MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL. Mr. Wooten moved to approve the minutes of thel May 4,2020 meeting. Rev. Hines  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 1.M Mr. Wiggins called a public hearing to order to receive citizen comments and questions relative to the proposed fiscal year 2020-2021  PUBLICHEARINGS.  Edgecombe County budget.  Mr. Peters read the public notice as published. Mr. Evans read the following budget message:  Submitted herein is the Edgecombe County recommended Budget for Fiscal Kear (FI) 2020-2021. The. Budget isi balanced in its entirety, as required by the North Carolina. Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act. In drafting this budget William Johnson, Assistant County Manager, Katherine Walters, Finance Director, and I worked with all of our department heads and met with our major, outside agencies. We approached the  preparation oft this budget with thej following goals in mind: balancing the budget without ai taxi increase; addressing critical capital needs; providing a reasonable cost of living increase;  making cuts where possible without compromising operations and services; addressing critical needs ofk key outside agencies as much as possible; preparing for the possible impact oft the COVID-19) pandemic; and avoiding budget decisions that will violate our financial policies.  Budget Overview  The proposed ad valorem tax rate for the FY20-21 is 95 cents per $100 value, which is no change from the current) year. One cent generates approximately $350,000. The County's proposed budget for FY20-21 totals $78,536,190, including enterprise. funds (Water/Sewer and Solid Waste); $60,636,262 General Operation Budget. The proposed budget is an  1    increase of $1,705,314 or 2.2%J from the original budget oft the current year. The proposed budgeti includes aj fund balance appropriation of88,461,287 from general fund. The current The main contributors to the budget increase are: the Nash-Rocky. Mount Schools "gap" fund for current expense (S407,000) we are taking over) from the City of Rocky Mount per the state legislation; an increase in our share of capital for Nash-Rocky Mount Schools which includes proposed projects and debt service ($302,628); increased appropriation to Edgecombe. Rescue. Squad ($300,000); the proposed cost ofi living increase (S680,000); and  year's original fund balance appropriation was $6,915,371.  the proposedi increase to the health insurance reserve ($225,000).  AEYBUDGETHIGHLIGHTS  Revenues  Weanticipates some negative impact on two ofourp primary revenue streams, property tax and sales tax, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We expect our tax collection rate to end this year below the collection rate from last fiscal year (94% compared to 95.82%). Though sales tax revenues have been trending upward fort thel last threey years, and well above our conservative budget estimates, we do anticipate some contraction due to the limitations imposed by the pandemic response. Sales taxi receipts) for April and May will prove more usefuli in estimating the impact once those are received.. However, what we have collected soj far this fiscal year ($7,859,316) is well above the $6,405,000 we budgeted. The proposed budget for FF-21is slightly above the current year, but will bes still below what we will likely receive, even with A Cost of Living Adjustment of 2% is included in this budget. The cost of this COLA is approximately $680,000, including benefits. Iam pleased to share that we do not have an increase in our premium costs for health insurance. This proposed budget does include a 3%, increase in allocation for healthi insurance premiums in order to build up our reserve in 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 alli individuals covered by our plan. However, our screenings will be delayed due to COVID-19.. As we can safely complete the health screenings, they will be scheduled. Individuals who choose not to participate in the screening will pay $50 per month towards In addition to medical, dental, and life insurance, employees have a number of cafeteria the Health Mapi RX program. for staff with chronic diseases who choose to participate; thel Employee Assistance. Program (EAP) which offers counseling and other "work-life" ay wellness incentive of $250 for those meeting the waist circumference standards or This budget includes capital outlay expenditures for County operations of $534,000 which is down by $446,201 from this year's original capital outlay budget. However, there are a number ofitems needed which total $451,000, that Irecommend wei reconsider in July once we have gotten al better picture oft the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our budget. We received notice that thej feej for our contract tol haul municipal solid waste (MSW) to the regional landfill, which includes the tipping fee, is going upJ from $41.98 per ton to $43.26. With that in mind, and in an effort to keep up with this cost of operating our solid waste enterprise, Irecommend increases in our rates ass shown in the attached document.  decreases due to the pandemic.  Personnel  the health insurance fund ($225,000).  the cost oftheiri insurance.  plans tos selectf from. We will also continue to offer:  services through both telephonic andj face-to-face sessions; and  making 5% improvement in weight or waist.  Capital Outlay  Solid) Waste  Water & Sewer  2    Att this time, we have not received notification ofa rate increase from our suppliers, Rocky Mount and Tarboro. However, we do need to keep up with the increasing costs to operate and maintain our water and sewer system. Therefore, I recommend to increase the availability fee by $0.50 and the water usage rates by $0.50 as shown in the attached The total requested by outside agencies is $17,568,845, which is $3,019,118 above what is allocated this current. year. We received a request for one new outside agency this year. However, with our own budget constraints, and the uncertainty of the impact of the pandemic, Ido not recommend, funding any new agencies this coming fiscal year. The total Irecommend, for outside agency funding is $15,612,967. This is an increase of $1,063,200 My recommendation is that most ofthea agencies receive no increase from the current year's budget. The changes Ido propose are based on ongoing agreements, formula calculations, Edgecombe Community College requested $50,000 in capital funding for critical repairs to. HVAC units. As a note, we did not appropriate any capital funds for the Int the current) year, wej funded the Town of Tarboro $2,500 for Special Olympics. for six months of funding. In the proposed budget, I have included $5,000 for a full There is one volunteer fire department requesting an increase in their. fire tax. Heartsease Fire Department is requesting to increase thej fire tax rate for their district from $0.08 to $0.10. Ido not see sufficient justification toi increase their fire tax at this point, so Ido not recommend: thei increase. However, members ofthe fire department willl have the opportunity tomake their appeal directly toj you at this budget hearing ifthey chose to. Inpreparing this budget, Ifeel that wel have met our aforementioned, goals. We will continue to monitor the budget closely throughout the year, save where we can and spend only when necessary. Ia appreciate the hard work of all of our staff who were involved in this long process, and Ithank the Budget Committee fory your guidance and support. Irespectfully submit this! proposed budget for Fiscal Kear 20-21. Irecommend thatj you) hear comments submitted. by the public and table this matter until you reconvene on June 22,  document. Outside. Agencies  four outside agencies.  and statutory requirements. The only exception is with the following. Community College in the current) year's budget. year's.funding tos support the Special Olympics.  Conclusion  2020a atl 10:00AM.  Mr. Wiggins called for public comments.  Inl light of the State of Emergency and in consideration of the recommendations government and public health officials tol limit public gatherings, Edgecombe County's Board of Commissioners meeting was closed to the public and the public was encouraged to submit any public comments via email toj oublicommentseddgecombeco.com or submitted by mail addressed tol Eric Evans, County Manager. Thej public was notified that all public comments submitted would be read at the meeting. Thej public was also encouraged tol listen to the meeting by calling the published number. Mr. Evans stated that because this meeting is officially closed to the public for public safety, only allowing Board of Commissioners, press, select staff and others who are on the agenda, the Governor's executive order does include: a waiver for local governments that we can exceed the ten people gathering. He stated that in the notice regarding thel budget tonight wei included the opportunity for anyone who had comments specific to thel budget could have submitted that in writing by Sunday at 5:00 p.m. and we did not receive any.  No public comments were submitted.  3    Mr. Wiggins asked for any discussion from thel Board.  Mr. Wooten stated that he felti iti imperative that wel look to raise thes salaries of detention center officers. Thei information provided is that there are! 56 positions in the detention center, plus an additional six positions in detention support staff forat total of $366,000. He asked thel Board to consider an additional $275,000 increase above what thel budget calls for that willl be earmarked just for the detention center staff ands support staff, which will affect 63 people. Mrs. Harris stated that if we are goingt to do that for the detention center, she recommends that we also doi it for the deputies. They are on the frontline and Mr. Wooten stated that he was trying not to dilute the amount of money. Hei is trying to make the biggest impact in the: area of the Sheriff's department that has thel highest turnover withs some of the lowest starting wages. He stated that hes agrees with) Mrs. Harris but wel have to takei its step by step. Mr. Wiggins asked for feedback from other Commissioners, because the County Manager will need some direction inj preparation of the final document. Mr. Boswell stated that since there are different feelings about thei issue and we have until. June 22nd. He stated that he would hate to see the Board make: a decision tonight on anything without having the budget committee meet to After discussion is was the consensus of thel Board to consider a $350,000 increase in addition tot the 2% to be earmarked for the salary increases for the Sheriff's department to be divided between the: six classifications and to give that direction tol Mr. Evans tol havei iti in the budget at the next meeting. Mr. Boswell moved to adjourn thej public hearing and set the date of. June 22, 2020 at 10:00: a.m. to approve thel budget. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, 2. Mr. Wiggins called aj public hearing to order to citizen comments and questions relative to a rezoning request from] Brandon Deal to change the zoning classification of property located at 42971 NC1 122 South in Township No. 10. The property isz zoned AR-30 (Rural Residential -3 30,000sq. ft.) and isr requested to change to M-2 (General Industrial District).  essential.  discuss it prior tot that.  which carried by unanimous vote.  Mr. Peters read the notice as published.  Mr. Evans stated that this does come with ai favorable recommendation from the Planning Board. He stated that no public comments were received for this. He noted that the Planning Board did received one letter from an adjoining property owner who did oppose this and thel letter expressed concerns about al business Inl light of the State of Emergency andi in consideration of thei recommendations government and public health officials tol limit public gatherings, Edgecombe County's] Board of Commissioners meeting was closed to the public and the public was encouraged tos submit any public comments via email to publicommentsedgecombeco.com, or submitted by mail addressed tol Eric Evans, County Manager. Thej public was notified that all public comments submitted would be read at the meeting. The public was also encouraged to listen to the meeting by calling the published number.  being developed in a residential area. Mr. Wiggins called for public comments.  4    Noj public comments were submitted. The public hearing was adjourned.  Mr. Boswell moved to approve the rezoning request as recommended by the Planning Board. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous  vote.  MR. WOOTEN. MOVED TOI RECESS THEI REGULAR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING AND CONVENE AS BOARDOF  EQUALIZATION, ANDI REVIEW. MR. BOSWELLSECONDED THEI MOTION,  WHICH CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. Mr. Wiggins called the meeting to order. Mrs. Tarasa Lewis, Tax Administrator, came forth: Scheduled. Appointments: Ms. Martha Johnson  2019 Value $124,899  2020 Value $145,821  Property Description 951 Rollinwood Drive  Appellant's basis for appeal was prior errors in tax assessments, property values are noti in line with surrounding properties, SSA income isi insufficient to pay this amount of taxes, the county and fire rate assessment process is dissimilatory. Assessment staff had examined this property and determined it was valued in accordance to our schedule of values but we: also noticed that wei incorrectly removed the unfinished attic backi in 2013 so this correction willl be made which will cause ani increase of value by $6,142. The main reason for the increase for 2020 was due to the appellant adding a 280 sq fts sunroom with a 440 sq ft carport attached at: an estimated cost of $26,740. Appellant also provided not certified opinion of value. Comps ofs surrounding property that were provided, were Recommendation: Accept the new value of $151,963 as the 2020 Taxable Real Ms. Martha Johnson addressed thel Board stating that property value has changed by $44,725. Prior errorsi in tax assessments property values are not in line with surrounding properties. She stated that her SSA income cannot support the $1600 yearly payment. She stated that the rate assessment process is discriminatory and thei fire tax rate discriminatory. She presented tax assessment Mr. Boswell moved to approve the recommendation of the Assessor's Office to accept the new value of $151,963 as the 2020 Taxable Real Value. Mr. Wooten Mrs. Harris moved to adopt the Finalize Final Values resolution as presented. Mr. Wooten seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. MR. WOOTEN. MOVED' TO ADJOURN THE MEETING OFTHE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION ANDI REVIEW. REV. HINES SECONDED THE MOTION,  reviewed but none were equitable to the subject property.  Value  comparisons of several commissioners.  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  WHICH CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.  SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT.  A. Carol Allen-White, Clerk of Court, Judge Walter Godwin, and Judge Wayne  5    Boyette, Judge John Britt and. Judge Lamont Wiggins regarding a request for Judge Wiggins stated that he along with the Honorable Carol Allen-White addressed thel Board at their budget retreat and indicated that they would be coming back and would be asking thel Board to address some specific concerns and would be: asking for as specific budget request. Pre-pandemic they were looking to come to the Board with a request in excess of $250,000 plus. They had gone through thej process of getting estimates for worki in which they desired to have been done. Post pandemic, they understand that there is going tol be unforeseen and un-forecasted budgetary impacts and they have adjusted their budget request accordingly. Aj presented a series of priorities and al budget After discussion from thel Board Mr. Evans responded to and answered questions regarding potential COVID-19 CARES Act funding eligible uses for Thej judges and Mrs. Allen-White came forth to speak on thei importance of the B. Ginell] Rogers. Executive Director/CEO of NEED, Inc. to present application Mr. Evans stated that NEED, Incl has the opportunity to receive federal funding through the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. He presented their application for funding including thel budget. NEED, Inc. is required to distribute a copy of thej plan to the Board prior toi its submission. Mr. Evans stated that Ms. Rogers was available via phone to answer questions. Mrs. Harris moved to accept the: application and funding as presented. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Sheriff. Atkinson stated that iti is time to move forward, baby steps are not enough. He stated that last night he called all 57 ofl his deputies in, those on vacation, those who had the day off, toj protect the citizens. He stated that with the state of America right now hel has toj protect the citizens of Edgecombe County and every building in the County. Hes stated that the only thing his deputies had were 19651 helmets. He stated that hel had this conversation three years ago regarding riot gear. He knew this day would come, they are not equipped. Sheriff Atkinson stated that if they cannot get what they need they After discussion from thel Board Mr. Wooten moved to approve adding $20,000 tot the Sheriff's budget for riot equipment. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, Inl light of the State of] Emergency and in consideration of the recommendations government: and public health officials tol limit public gatherings, Edgecombe County'sl Board of Commissioners meeting was closed to the public and the public to publicomments@edgecombeco.com ors submitted by mail addressed to Eric Evans, County Manager. Thej public was notified that all public comments submitted would be read at the meeting. The public was also encouraged tol listen to  improvements at the courthouse.  request of$100,000.  some of thei items listed for the Courthouse.  budget request. for CARES Act funding.  Sheriff Clee Atkinson addressed the Board.  cannot protect all thel buildings. which carried by unanimous vote.  7.  PUBLICI PETITIONS.  was encouraged to submit any public petitions via email the meeting by calling the published number.  6    Thef following public petition was submitted via email and read by Mr. Evans: TO: Edgecombe County Manager, School Boarda and County Commissioners FROM:C.. B. Daughtridge (Former Edgecombe County Commissioner Republican) SUBJECT: Gap Funding, Capital Expenditurei in Nash County and! problems with thei routei itappears the commissioners. have chosen by budgeting Four Hundred Thousand ($400,000) fort the Edgecombe - Rocky) Mounts school Senate Bill 382 was passed in. July 2016 and now budgeting $400,000 is the first tangible action Ihaves seen related tos Senate Bill3 382, which has mandated action byt the Fallof2020. 1) Pay Nash County, School System $256 for. 1670 Edgecombe County students to 2) As commissioners) you) probably will notwould: not! pay the $256 fort the Edgecombe County student going tol Nash-Rocky Mount School System without! paying thes same amount on the 6200 Edgecombe Countys students tol bee educated herei in thel Edgecombe County School System. Also addt the 600 Edgecombe County schools students being educated in charter schools. Therefore, multiply 6800 Edgecombe County school students by thes same $256t0 yourt budget andi thei number is an additional. $1,740,850. IfStep #2i is noti included inj your budget then Ifear you might be calling me tol help prevent lawsuits likey you didi in 1999, when the Planning Board wasi in trouble at) whicht timel Iwasa askedt to: serve on that board. Ifyou don'tfund all Edgecombe County school students "equally" theny you are asking for trouble. 3) Capital expenditures are not ase easy to defend the annual cost; however, Edgecombe County will have to payi its 11%s sharet tol Nash County on capital maintenance and capital improvements ande even oni the $20,000,000 (Twenty Million) Nash County schools scheduled: to be constructedinl Red Oak nextj year. Let'sputa a conservative dollar amount on annual capital improvements ande estimate the mean average will be $2,000,000 (Twol Million). THEREFORETHEACCIMULATVEOUTOUTOFRUDGETANNLALCOSTISOVER  DATE:May. 29,2020  students.  Mathi involvedi in commissioners'? route (close estimate) attend Nash-Rocky. Mount School, System - $427,500;  Cany we afford the cost?  SAPOAQOPOURMILIONDOLLARS. LEISLOKATSOMEALTERM4ITES  a) Have ai referendum and allow the residents of Edgecombe County livingi ini the Ciyof Rocky Mount to vote on' "placing all ofl Edgecombe County currently located within Rocky Mount city limits into Nash County". Therefore, alls schools students in the "new" Nash County would bee educated and! paid for byl Nash County. Personally, Idor not know what the votel would be; however, ifity was affirmative, ity would solvel lots oft political problems. b) Edgecombe County, School Districtl be att the county lines and Edgecombe County provide schools andj funding fort their! publics schools students. Mathematically, you add up the "Gap Funding". $427,500, "the not tol bes sued umdng"S,740354"h. annual capital funding to Nash County "$2,000,000 (Two Million) along) with the additional annual state and Federal funding for the 1670: students now attending schooli in Nash County- This amounts to over $10,500,000 (Ten Million Dollars) in savings or new Irecommend we do nothing about the "Gap Funding", therefore, goi in default of fState Bill 382, savet the $2,000,000 (Twol Million Dollars) itis really going to cost tol level up on Edgecombe County. School Students, save thej future $2,000,000 (Twol Million. Dollars) next year's capital payment tol Nash County, take our students back in Fall of 2021 along with the $6,500,000 (Sixl Million Fivel Hundred Thousandi Dollars) ofs state and federal funding.  Butp perhaps, wer needt toi look atl Plank b.  $6,500,000 (Six Million Five Hundred! Thousand). funds tol Edgecombe County annually.    Thank) youj fory your listening/reading time andi through everyone'sinput, may thei right  routel bei taken ont this veryi importanti issuej for Edgecombe County.  8.  OTHER BUSINESS:  A. Approval of budget amendments.  Mr. Wooten moved to approve thel budget amendments as presented. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. B. Approval of revision to) FY-20J JCPC Funding Plan. Mrs. Harris moved to approve thei funding plan as presented. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. . Approval of update to ADA Grievance Procedure. Mr. Webb moved to approve the update to the ADA Grievance Procedure as presented. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. D. Approval of application from Edgecombe Schools for Public Schools Capital Mrs. Harris moved to approve the application as presented. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. E. Approval of contract to collect taxes for the" Town of] Pinetops. Mrs. Powell moved to approve the contract as presented. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. F.A Approval contract amendment for H. G. Reynolds. Mrs. Harris moved to approve the contract amendment as presented. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. G. Approval ofa permit for fireworks display in the' Town of Tarboro. Mr. Boswell moved to approve the fireworks display as presented. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. H. Approval of an amendment to the Coronavirus Relief Fund. seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. I. Approval of Utility Payment Plan' Terms and Agreement.  Fund.  Mr. Boswell moved to approve the amendment as presented. Mrs. Powell Mr. Evans stated that because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 104 on March 31, 2020. Among other things, it prohibits utility shut-offs, late fees and reconnection fees for a period ofs sixty days. It also requires that customers be provided the opportunity to make reasonable payment arrangements over at] least a 6-month period. After discussion on the agreement Mrs. Powell moved to approve the contract with the addition of wording stating that if the full amount of the debt covered by Executive Order 124 is not satisfied ont the final day of the six month period, services willl be subject to disconnect on the next business day. Rev. Hines  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  9. AFTERLISTS AND RELEASES FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Mrs. Harris moved to approve the afterlists and releases as presented. Mrs. Powell  10. CONTRACTS FOR REVIEWIAPPROVAL.  8    Mr. Webb move to approve the contracts as presented. Mr. Boswell seconded the  motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  11. DEPARTMENTALI REPORTS FOR REVIEW.-"Reched":  A. Water Services. B.Financial Summary report. C.Hurricane recovery update. 12. MANAGER'S! REPORT. ***Received*** B. 2020 Census update. C.Workforcel Development Indicators. D.COVID-19 update.  A. Update on grant application from CloudWyze forl broadband expansion.  E.I Letter froml NC Conference of the United Methodist Church.  13. COMMISSIONERS REPORT. 14. ATTORNEYSREPORT 15. CLOSED SESSION.  None. None.  Mr. Wooten moved to goi into closed session to discuss economic development, [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(4)] and personnel. N.C.G.S.143-318.11 (a)(6)]. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Boswell moved to go out of closed session. Mr. Wooten seconded the motion, 16. MR. BOSWELLMOVEDTOAD/OURNTIEI MEETING. MRS. POWELL SECONDEDTHE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.  which carried by unanimous vote.  Approved July 6, 2020. baiu Frangie Mungo,  Clerk to thel Ms  9