Scotland County Board of Commissioners. reconvened meeting March 27, 2024, Edwin  Morgan Center 517 Peden Street, Laurinburg, NC  Scotland County Board of Commissioners reconvened meeting, March 27, 2024, Edwin Commissioners in attendance: Chair Tim Ivey, Vice Chair Darrel "BJ" Gibson, Commissioners John Alford, Whit Gibson, and Darwin Williams (arrived at 9:57 am). Commissioners not in attendance: Commissioners Bo Frizzell, and Clarence McPhatter II. Staffi in attendance: County Manager April Snead, Human Resources Manager Susan Sanders, Public Buildings and Grounds Director Mike McGirt, Emergency Services Director Robert Sampson, 911 Communications Director Samantha Dutch, Clerk to the Board Jason Robinson, Community Relations Specialist/Deputy Clerk Dorothy Tyson, and members of the media and general public. Chairman Ivey called the reconvened meeting to order and asked for ai motion to approve the agenda. Motion was made by Vice Chair Gibson to approve the agenda. Motion was duly seconded by Commissioner Whit Gibson. Vote to approve the agenda: Unanimous.  Morgan Center 517 Peden Street, Laurinburg, NC  Call to Order, Invocation, and Approval of the Agenda  Consent Agenda  There were two items on the consent agenda. The first was the approval of rollover Covid funds for the health department (Attachment. A) and the approval ofa a temporary landfill fee schedule (Attachment B). Motion was made by Commissioner Whit Gibson to approve the consent agenda and it was duly seconded by Commissioner Alford. The vote to  approve was unanimous. Solar Farm Ordinance  The Board next heard from Chad Essick, al land use attorney with Poyner and Spruill. Mr. Essick informed the Board that his firm had' been retained toj prepare an amendment to provide for a revised process and rules for solar farms. According to Mr. Essick, currently solar farms are allowed as a special use permit in zones RA and I-1. In the amendment, looked at a new way of doing things with conditional zoning which is a legislative process in the RA district and not a quasi-judicial process that is used now. According to Mr. Essick, the table ofuses has been changed to reflect this change. Mr. Essick also reported that the changes had received unanimous approval from the planning and zoning board. County Attorney Ed Johnston stated that the Board wanted more control over solar farms and these changes accomplish that directive. Chairman Ivey then opened up the public hearing and asked if anyone was to speak for or against the solar farm amendment. No one came forward SO the public hearing was closed. Discussion then followed about the decommissioning oft the solar farms. Commissioner Alford asked if anything in the solar equipment was toxic. Planning and Zoning Board Chairman Jim McMillan stated that about 99% of the equipment is recyclable and reusable. Mr. McMillan also stated that he felt the amendment would allow the planning and zoning board and the commissioners to weigh the interest of landowners with the wider community. Chairman Ivey asked ifit would be agreeable to delay the vote until Monday night at the regular meeting. Upon hearing from Chairman Ivey, motion was made by Vice Chair Gibson to table the vote until Monday night, April 1st. Motion was duly seconded by Commissioner Alford and the vote to table  was unanimous.  1    Scotland County Board of Commissioners reconvened. meeting March 27, 2024, Edwin  Morgan Center 517 Peden Street, Laurinburg, NC Zoning Board of Adjustment Discussion  The Board next heard from County Attorney Ed Johnston. Mr. Johnston stated that at a meeting earlier ini the year, the commissioners had appointed 5 members to the zoning board of adjustment along with three alternates. According to Mr. Johnston the zoning ordinance only allows for 2 alternates and ift the Board wanted to change that, they would have to amend the ordinance. Mr. Johnston stated that he would recommend keeping the zoning board of adjustments to 5 members because many oft the actions required from that board require a supermajority or a 4/5 vote. In addition, the members and alternates who were appointed should be given staggered terms. Vice Chair Gibson stated that he would get with the clerk to determine the terms for the members. Discussion followed about whether to allow 3 alternates or to keep the 2 as prescribed by the ordinance. Upon conclusion of discussion, motion was made by Commissioner Whit Gibson to keep 5 members and 2 alternates for the zoning board of adjustment and to have one of the alternate members that was appointed removed. Motion was duly seconded by Vice Chair Gibson and the vote to approve was unanimous.  Scotland County Building Use Policy  The Board next heard from County Manager April Snead concerning a draft policy for building use for community centers. According to Ms. Snead, much oft the policy was took from an existing policy that is used at Scotland Place. Parks and Recreation Director Bryan Graham spoke about the concern ofhaving the community centers open at night with aj primarily female staff. Ms. Snead suggested that an officer be charged in the rental rates after certain hours. Commissioner Alford stated that he wanted to see the centers open and available for citizens after dark. Chairman Ivey stated that it was the reason the Board spent the money to build the centers sO they would be available. Discussion followed concerning the fee schedule, policy particulars, coverage, security, adult supervision for children, and allowing alcohol. It was decided that alcohol would be allowed at Scotland Place but not at the community centers. Ms.  Snead stated that she would do a revision oft the policy and bring it back.  Hoke County Water Project  The Board next heard from County Manager April Snead concerning the possibility of selling water to Hoke County from the Cascades Water Plant. The Board then heard from Economic Development Director Mark Ward who stated that Scotland County has a' 71 million gallon permit to pull water from the Lumber River and Hoke County wants to buy 61 million gallons ofwater. There is a question about how toj put the water back into the Lumber River SO wei might have to drill wells. Mr. Ward stated that estimates now have $20 million to get the plant operational. All ofthe Board members seemed tol be in agreement that the County needs to pursue this opportunity. Mr. Ward informed the Board that he needs them to approve a resolution to send himselfand one other person to a class either at Appalachian State University or East Carolina University. After completing that class, Mr. Ward stated that the County could get up to a $50,000 grant for a feasibility study. Upon hearing from Mr. Ward, motion was made by Commissioner Whit Gibson to approve the resolution and the motion was duly seconded by Commissioner Williams and the vote to approve was unanimous (Attachment  A)  Preliminary 2025 Fiscal Year Budget  2    Scotland County Board of Commissioners reconvened meeting March 27, 2024, Edwin  Morgan Center 517 Peden Street, Laurinburg, NC  The Board next heard from Finance Director Beth Hobbs. Ms. Hobbs reviewed the preliminary 2025 budget and the revenues and expenditures. Ms. Snead stated that she and Ms.  Hobbs are still crunching numbers.  Fire Tax  The Board next heard from County Manager April Snead about the fire tax. Ms. Snead stated that the 5 cents generates $771.000 annually for the fire commission. Ms. Snead stated that 3 cents would generate $462,000 per year. Discussion followed about lowering of the fire tax and the concept that Robert Sampson had brought to the Board last month about part time paid firefighters. Chairman Ivey stated that the City ofLaurinburg pays their volunteers per call  and thinks this would be al better solution. 2025 Health Insurance  The Board next heard from Ms. Snead concerning the health insurance options for 2025. According tol Ms. Snead, the grandfathered employees who are still getting the PPO insurance are paying 45% oft the difference oft the cost between the PPO and the high deductible plan (HDP). There are only about 35 of these employees left and the Board needs to decide to continue on with the employees paying a percentage ofthe difference ori ift they should pay 100% ofthe difference. Ms. Snead also mentioned that the amount contributed to the HSA of the other employees could be increased to $100 per month, which would cost $50,000. Right now the County spends $150,000 for the roughly 35 employees. Discussion followed about the plan. Upon conclusion of discussion, motion was made by Commissioner Whit Gibson to adopt the plan by the county manager to pass along 100% of the variance between thel PPO plan and the HDP and to bring the HSA contribution up to $100 per month per employee. The motion was duly seconded by Commissioner Alford and the vote to approve was  unanimous. I.E. Johnson  Ms. Snead informed the Board that the Southeastern Community Action Partnership (SCAP) wants to get into the annex building at I.E. Johnson this summer and asked if the Board had aj problem if SCAP didn't have a deed for the building yet to have the county attorney draw up an agreement for SCAP to use the building. Chairman Ivey stated that he didn'thave a problem with it but SCAP needed toj pay for everything and prorate the utilities. Consensus of the. Board was to have the county attorney draw up an agreement. Chairman Ivey asked about the amount of funds left for the renovation ofI.E. Johnson. Chairman Ivey stated that he felt the number 1 thing should be the parking lot. Ms. Hobbs stated that there was $400,000 left for the renovations. Public Buildings Director, Mike McGirt stated that the storm water drainage was also a priority. Discussion followed about the parking lots and the bathrooms. Consensus ofthe  Board was to do 1 bathroom, the parking lot, and the classrooms.  Part-time Position Costs  Ms. Snead informed the Board that about one million dollars is spent on part-time help  and department heads have been asked to scale back.  3    Scotland County Board of Commissioners reconvened meeting March 27, 2024, Edwin  Morgan Center 517 Peden Street, Laurinburg, NC  County Vehicle Requests sheriff's office. Scotland County Schools  Ms. Snead stated to the Board that she thought that the County should be vehicle neutral this year. Discussion followed about vehicles for all departments oft the County as well as for the  Ms. Snead then informed the Board that the Liaison Committee had met and they had agreed tol leave the school funding where it was. last year at $10 million for current expense and $300,000 for capital. Discussion followed concerning the schools' budget and if there should be a vote to agree to the amount without hearing from the school system first. Upon conclusion of discussion, motion was made by Commissioner Williams to approve the $10 million current expense and $300,000 for capital to the school system. Motion was dulyseconded by Commissioner Whit Gibson. The vote to approve was 4-1 with Commissioner Alford  voting nay.  North Turnpike Water Project  The Board next heard from Ms. Snead concerning the North Turnpike Water Project. Ms. Snead stated that on Ace and Esther Drive there are about 25 parcels and the Board will: need to decide whether to extend the water lines to those two roads. Ifthe project is extended to those two roads the cost of the project increases by $400,000. Right now the total project cost is $2.7  million which includes Ace and Esther Drive.  Maintenance of Effort  The Board next heard from Ms. Snead concerning the maintenance of effort (MOE) funds that are given each year tol Eastpointe (now Trillium). According to Ms. Snead the commissioners can direct where some or all of the funds are spent as long as they are for mental health. Ms. Snead stated that she would recommend $50,000 go to the child advocacy center. Discussion followed about the MOE and the child advocacy center. Upon conclusion of discussion, motion was made by Commissioner Whit Gibson to designate $50,000 of Scotland County's total $72,920 Maintenance of Effort requirement to the Our House Tri-County Child Advocacy Center for fiscal year 2025. The motion was dulys seconded by  Commissioner Williams and the vote to approve was unanimous.  Commissioner Comments  Vice Chair Gibson stated that he had heard concerns that the hiring freeze was a reduction in force (RIF). Ms. Snead stated that the Board was the only ones who could make a decision about a RIF. Ms. Snead stated that a freeze was just getting approval before hiring. Chairman Ivey stated that it might bej possible tol have a discussion oft the quarter cent sales tax as ap possible property tax reduction. Commissioner Whit Gibson stated that he was appreciative of  the county manager's work. Adjournment  Having no further business, Motion was made by Commissioner Whit Gibson to adjourn and it was duly seconded by Commissioner Alford. Vote: Unanimous  4    Scotland County. Board of Commissioners reconvened meeting March 27, 2024, Edwin  Morgan Center 517 Peden Street, Laurinburg, NC  A Tim Ivey Chair  the Board  AA  (County Seal)  5