1960-07-28 Special MeetingY ^, ?.?\
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Minutes of the Joint Session Meeting July 27, 1960 Continued
WILMINGTON COLORED LIBRARY -
A request for $5,510.50 was made to each the City and County making a total
non-State participating Budget of $11,021. After a discussion of the problems involved-
in thi.s operation, Councilman Burney offered a motion that the City and Cbunty each appro-
priate $3600 for a total of $7200. It was seconded by Commissioner Braak and unanimously
adopted.
WILMINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY -
Chairman Hall informed the assembly that the County had tentatively approved an
appropriation of $13,559.49 for the operation of this Department.City Manager Benson point-
ed out that he thought consideration should be given to more participation by the Countyin this activity because the population of the City was reduced during the last decade and
the County Population increased, with a proportionate decrease and increase in the use of
the Library. The total Budget, he pointed out, amounted to $56,729.50 and in the past the
County has participated in one-third of the local appropriations. Commissioner tiJilliams
remarked that the tendency to equalize the use of the Library was growing and in his
opinion an adjustment should be made in the County appropriation. Commissioner Broadhurst
suggested that the Town of Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach should likewise partici-
pate in the cost of this service. After all the questions had been cleared, Commissioner
Williams offered a motion that the County adopt a Budget of $1L5,?002 instead of $13,559?.49
as tentatively agreed upon. It was seconded by Commissioner rS aak and when the votes were
cast, Commissioners Broadhurst and Hall voted against the motion and Commissioners Braak
and LJilliams voted for the motiom. As the Council was not involved in'this particular dis-
cussion, it resulted in an impasse. After continuing a further discussion by members of
both Boards, Commissioner Williams moved that the County increase its appropriation from
$13,559•49 to $14,500.00. It was seconded by Commissioner Braak and when the votes were
cast Commissioners Hall, Braalc and Williams voted favorably and Commissioner Broadhurst
voted "NO", however, the Chairman ruled the motion carried.
? SOROSIS NUSEUN -
There was no question about the total appropriation of $300 for this service to
be shared equally by the County and City, therefore, Councilman Burney offered a motion to
this effect, which was seconded by Commissioner Braak and unanimously approved.
CIVIL DEFENSE AND NIOBILIZATION -
A11 inember.s of boffi govenning boflie's agreed wifhout any dissen't on a total Budget
of $9,540.00. Councilman J.E.L. Wade then offered a motion that $9>,540.00 for the Budget
of Civil and' Def.ense" Mobilization, to be shared equally by the City;and County, be approved.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Braak and unanimously adopted.
? USO
Upon motion of Councilman Batuyios, seconded by Commissioner Williams, all mem-
bers of both governing bodies unanimously approved a total Budget for the USO in the amount
of $5,000 on an equal participating basis.
ADJOURNMENT -
As this concluded all of the joint items presented
ioner Williams moved the joint session be adjourned. It was
and unanimously approved.
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W. ?G.
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING
for consideration, Commiss-
seconded by Co ncilman Lane
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Houck, Executive Sect tary
Commissioners Room, Court House Wilminqton, N. C. Julv 28. 1960 9:30 A.M.
ASSEMBLY -
Pursuant to the recess at the meeting on July 22, Chairman J. M. Hall Jr. called
a special session of the Board for the purpose of considering the Budget Estimate and adopt-
ing the Budget Resolution as required by law with the foilowing Commissioners present:
Chairman J. M. Hall, Jr., Commissioners, Peter H. Braak, L. E. Broadhurst, J. E. Holton,
Jr. and Berry A. Williams; County Auditor T. D. Love, County Attorney John Bright Hill
and Commissioner-elect J. Van B: Metts. •
INVOCATION -
Chairman Hall called the meeting to order and requested Reverend John M. Irvine,
Pastor of the McClure Memorial Presbyterian Church of Castle Hayne, N. C. to open the meet-
ing with a prayer for guidance.
J N[ENTAL HEALTH -
Mrs. Alice Borden Sisson acted as spokesman for the Board of Mental Health and
explained that since the organizing of this agency in 1957, they had been working toward
the goal of a full-time psychiatric social worker. She pointed out that Halifax County,
like New Hanover County, were both acting as pilot agencies in this field and the eyes of
every Health Department in North Carolina have been fixed on the operation since its incept-
ion. The small appropriation in the past has only been sufficient to allow for an in-fre-
quent visitation by a psychiatrist whose main purpose has been to hold seminars with groups
who come in contact with people frequently such as school teachers, ministers, public health
nurses and welfare workers in an attempt to give them sufficient information to detect and
, counsel with those who seek their help and tiius the service becomes a preventive rather than
a curative one. She further observed that should the suspects be allowed to develop, they
would be incapacitated and therefore it would be necessary for the County to spend many
more dollars than the cost of maintaining the program. To attain this goal will require
, the full appropriation of $4200 which was requested in the Budget Estimate. Wfth it they
hope to expand their service to reach more people such as the Juvenile Courts, et cetera.
After considering the various merits of the problem and clearing up any questions by the
Continued-
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Minutes of the Special Called Meeting July 28, 1960 Continued
MENTAL HFALTH - (Continued)
Board members, Mr. Holton moved that the appropriation for Ment,al.Health be set
at $4200 for the fiscal year. It was seconded by both Messrs. ..:Braak - snd.' Williams.
When the question was called for a vote, Mr. Broadhurst voted "NO", however, the Chairman
ruled the motion prevailed.
COPM7UN I TY HOS P I TAL
Mr. Ai E. Gibson, Chairman of the Finance Committee oF the Community Hospital
Board of Directors, explained that he understood their Budget requests have been materially
reduced and in view of the many improvements which had been made in the hospital operation
in Lhe past year and the fact that they had underspent their Budget by some $7,000 they
were of the opinion that the small increase of $884 requested in this yearts Budget over
last year's Budget request was ainply ,justified. Mr. Gibson said their request from County
Funds amounted to $174,000. He pointed out that some of their employees were woefully
underpaid and even some of them were workirig for Iess than $100 per month. He again ca11=
ed attention to the necessity for air conditioning the operating.room, obstetrical room
and laboratory. The Chairman informed him that the Board had already approved a Budget of
$188,000 County funds for Community Hospital during trie annum. Mr. Gibson then thanked
the Commissioners for their consideration and pledged a close supervision by the Board of
Directors over all of the expenditures in an effort to ho2d Lhe costs down to a minimum
as well as employ every means at their disposal to increase the.outside income and assure
them that every effort would be made to insure an efficient operation and at the same time
improve Lhe faci2ities.
ALCOHOLIC REHABILITATION - ?
. The ?-hairman reported that he had contacted the ABC Board and explained to them
the request of Ben MacDonald for an allocation of ASC Funds for Educational and Rehabi2ita-
Lion work as provided by law. He read a letter from the ABC Board promising thaL they would
be glad to set up such a program providing it was approved by all of the governing bodies
concerned. Mr. Braak offered a motion that the ABC Board use its discretion in spending
ABC money for this purpose before any distribution of any of the profits were made. The
entire Board concurred in this arrangement and the Chairman was authorized to iriform the
ABC Board to that effect.
SCHOOL FUND
Mr. Williams observed that he had noted two people on the School Pension Fund
were drawing morein pensions than they drew in sa2ary from the SuFplementary Budget. The
County Auditor explained that the pensions were set by an actuary in New York and therefore
they determined the amount to be drawn.
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COUNTY 'MAIVAGER-
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- Mr. Williams remarked that he was of the opinion that the County affairs cou d
be better administered under a County Manager form of government as he thought they would be
able td save money for the County by appropriating and spending moneyfor a County Manager.
Ite suggested the appointment of a County Manager at this time and that an appropriation be
included in this year's Budget. Chairman Hall expYained that since all of the County depart-
ments were elective except a very few, a County Manager would have little to manage. No --
further action was taken on this subject.
St2ERIFFtS DEPARTMENT
Mr. Braak again reminded the Board that in his opinion there were some men in
the Sheriff's Department who definitely should have a raise in pay and suggested that if the
Board did not feei inclined -to raise their salaries they should furnish their equipment
such as shoes, boots, raincogts and guns. W. Williams remarked that he thought there
were some other departments that should have ad,justments in salaries. Since no unanimity
of opinion was received, the sub,ject was abandoned.
COUNTY HOME In - 1 ?_?
a quick review of the items in this Budget, Mr. Broadhurst discovered that C.'???7'-(-
Lhe salary of the yard man of $1170.00 had been overiooked in the County Home Budget. This
matter had been overlooked by the County Auditor but since all of the Board members con-
curred in keeping it in, no formal motion was necessary.
BUDGET APPROVAL
Mr. Holton moved the adoption of the Budget as it is now approved. It was second-
ed by Mr. Williams and when the votes were cast, Mr. Broadhurst voted "NO" however, as the
other Commissioners votett "YES", the.Chairman ruled the motion carried and instructed the
Auditor to figure the Tax Rate on that basis.
THE TAX SOOKS
Mr. Holton observed that since the other munic3palities in the County used the
County's tax books, he thovght that they should be charged with their pro rata share of
the cost in the preparation and moved that the Auditor study the proportionate cost of pre-
paring the tax books for the other municipa2ities in the County and bill them accordingly
for it. It was seconded by Mr. Braak and unanimously passed.
TAX RATE - -? 6y
Mr. Williams then moved that the Tax Rate be set at $1.26 and that the tax base
be a;justed io b"r-ing in .revenue, saf'f3c3ent to meet t}ie• appr:opr=ia2ims. Mr. Braak seconded
;, .. the mot3on for .the purpose. of. ddscussinn. Mr. Ho12on then o1'fer'ed a• subStitut'e-inotion that
the, ;Tax'Rate. be.se,t':at $1:25 and,the valuation-base be set at.$142,000,000-and=that $6,000
' be_,cut out of. ,the Drainage and Erosion PTOgfam for'.the ape'ration of tht d'ragltin'e;f and.thus
cease:the DragLine ope'P'at:ion, The Execuit3ve Secreta•ry e-xpladn'ea that t3ie +Dra(fitage Comm'itiee
had cofimi.ttkd ,Lhshise:lves• to another ?dnagl=ine pr:oject_ and recommended that, suff<i:cient, :funds
be; lefl in' this 3epartment tb, cd.mp:ire:be bh"e present:-.commitments. Th'ere was no -second .t'a:this
substitute ino,tibn :and t•he Chai'r.man ruted it _dead: A uot;e, was c-alled_ :on the original mo£ioii
and-^Messrs. Braak and Wiiliams doted forrthe.moC'ion attd Messrs: Hall;'Holton.and.B"roadhur'st
VALUATION BASE AND TAX RATE - "votedagainst the motion attQ, the Chairman ruled it failed:
The County Auditor informed the Board that the present total valuations in the
County amounted to $151,000,000 and that in the past it had been customary to use 93% of '
the valuation as a base, since the tax co2lection experience over a period of years had
proved this to be the right percentage and on that basis the proper valuation to use would
be $140,000,000, however, the Commissioners could use their discretfon in deLermining this
continued-
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Minutes of the Special Called Meeting July 28, 1960 Continued
VALUATION AND TAX RATE BASE -(continued)
figure. After some discussion, Mr. Ho2ton moved that for the fiscal year
1960-1961 the valuatian base of $142,000,000 be used and that the tax rate be set at $1425
per $100 valuation and that$:6;000 be eliminated from the dragline account. Mr. Braak second-
ed this motion and when the votes were cast, all of the Commissioners voted £n favor of
the motion except Mr. Broadhurst, who voted against it. The Chairman ruled the motion
/ prevailed and asked the Auditor to prepare the Budget Resolution accordingly.
BU?GET RESOLUTION -
After the County Auditor reported his computations on the figures which had
been agreed upon, Mr. Holton offered the following Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1960 and ending June
30, 1961 the following appropriations are made to the various funds for the pvrpose
of carrying out that which we deem to be sufficient for financing the necessary
operations of the ATew Hanover County government:
Aunropriations
General Fund 602.0237.01
Agriculture & Economic5 `20,463:00 '
Aid to Blind Fund 12,772•56
Aid to Dependent Children 649,964.00
Afd to Permanent d Totally Disabled
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343,200.00
Old Age Assistance ' 470,223•00
County Home Fund 107,663•99
Health Fund 131,767.10
Hospitalization Fund 455,784•28
Welfare Fund 128,567.50
Revaluation Fund 7,000.00
Workmen's Compensation Fund 2,508•47
School Sonded Indebtedness Fund 376,825.00.
School Pensions 36,650.10
School Regular 493,880.00
School 5upplement 483,580.00
School Books Fund 23,000.00
School Buflding 167,674•37
" Capital Outlay Fund 20,000.00
" Lunchroom Program 60,000.00
" Driver Training Program 26,922•97
" Industrial Education Center 35,838•35
" Trainable.CYiildren Program 20,000.00
National'Defense Act 18,000.00
Wilmington College Fund . ' $g,539.3?
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" " Build3ng Fund 21 ,
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;gE..IT'F.URTHER-..RESOLVED that the Budget be adopted in detail with the exception of
of the fact that the Board of Directors of Community Hospital are allowed to make
adjustments in the salaries as long as this is done within the salary appropriations
and they are to air condition the operating room and the obstetrical room wi,thin
the approved,Budget. :The kJelfare Depar'tment is to live within their appropriation
Assistance P.rograms and if necessary grants must be reduced to accomplish this.
BE IT.FURTHER'RESOLVED.-that':tfie.New.-Hanoves'Coiirity'Boacd"of Cominissioners adopt a
Tax Rate of $1.25 per $100 valuation•lev3ed on all taxab2e properties in County for
the fiscal year 3960-1961 which shall be necessary of carrying on the business of
the County or as much as may be necessary for each of the schedules listed below:
is hereby.appropriated:
Tax Rate
Gerieral Fund• . .
1 1839
Agriculture,8 Economics
-, - , ,0114
Aid to the Blind
? 0066
Aid to Depend
ent Chfldren ' .
.0469
Aid to Permanently 8 Totally Disabled .0277
Old Age Assistance ,0351
County, Home .0509
Health Fund ,0757
Hospitalization Fund ,061?.2
Welfare Fund .0398
Revaluation Fund .0040
Wilmington College- Reyular .0493
5chools
Bond Fund .1938
? Books Fund .0106
Cagital Outlay .01?.8
Pension Fund .0153
Regular Fund ,22l+3
Supplement .1952
1.25
The motion to adopt the Budget Resolution was seconded by Nr. Braak, and when the votes
were cast, Mr. Broadhurst voted "NO", however, sinc;e the other Commissioners voted for
the motion, the Cfiairman rul.ed, it carried. ?
PRI50N BOiLER - `
?' The Chairman reminded the Board that he had discussed the heating situatdon at
`the,County Prison Camp with Mr. Cox, a heating engineer, and recommended-that 3nstead of
spending approximaLe2y $1,000 to repair the.present boiler to pass the State boiler 'inspect-
ion, that the.Executive Secretary he autho,rized Lo advertise for a new automatic oil fired
boiler to repiace the,old one which now is out of order and will not'meet the minimum safety
recommendation"s. After some discussion, the Board,by tommon consent,eoncurred 'in t,his opin-
ion and authorized the Executive Secretary to proceed with the the advertising.,
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Minutes of the Special Called Meeting (Continued) July 28, 1960
,YADJOURNMENT -
Upon motion of Mr.
unanimously voted to adjourn.
Williams, seconded by Mr. Braak, the members of the Board
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Houc?? Executive
tary
Wilmington, N. C. August 1, 1960
ASSEMBLY -
The regular semimonthly meeting of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
was held today at 9:00 A. M. in the County Court,House with the following present: Chair-
man J. M. Hall, Jr., Commissioners Peter H. Braak, L. E. Broadhurst, J. E. Holton, Jr.
and Berry A: Williams; County Auditor T. D. Love, County Attorney John Bright Hill and
Commissioner-Elect J. Van B. Metts.
INVOGATION -
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Hall, who asked Reverend G. W. Saun-
ders, Pastor of the First Advent Christian Church, to give the invocation.
MINUTES APPROVAL -
The minutes of the Special Budget Discussion Meetings held on July 8th, 12th,
1$th, and the regular semimonthly meeting of July 18th, also the Budget Discussions for
July 20 and 22nd were approved with the exception to Dr. Rosemond as being a member of the
Consolidated Board of Education, which reference was deleted upon motion of Mr. Willisms,
seconded by Mr. Braak.
ROAD REQUEST -
Mr. W. T. Devane, who owns a tract of land down on Middle Sound, in Harnett town-
ship, informed the Board that he had tried for the past 30 years to have the Commissioners
cut a road into his property and make it accessible for tenants and use of the public but
so far he had not rec@ived an answer to any of his petitions. He also stated that because
the road was in such terrible condition, he could not even rent the property to anyone. The
Chairman reminded him of the promise of Mr. McKim, the Third Division Engineer of the State
Highway Commission, to go with Mr. Devane and look over the situation, however, he could
not hold out much hope that it would be done because it was not for a public use but the
sole benefit of an individual. Mr. Devane thanked the Board for listening to,him and prom-
ised to await the decision of Mr. McHim.
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COOPERATIVE EROSION CONTROL - (r'??
The Chairman explained that he had recentiy attended a meeting with the Corps
of Engineers reporting on a re-study of the combined Cooperative Beach Erosion and Hurricane
Control Program at which time several plans of protection were presented for consideration.
' After each was considered and explained by the Engineers, he recommended Plan C for the
County portion which includes a 50t wide berm to an elevation of 121 above mean low water
behind which is a dune wfth top elevation of 15' above mean low water. Existing policy re-
quires that cost apportionment is to be made between local interests and the Federal govern-
ment. The total estimated cost for the project wouid amount to $1,239,000 of which'the
Federal government would provide $739,200 and Non-Federal would be $499,800 which would
l have to be provided by local interests. The estimated average annual cost of maintenance
and beach nourishment would amount to $71,300 of which the Federal government would pay
-'? annualiy $6,800 for ten years. During the discussion of this proposed pro,ject, the Chair-
man further understood that it would take approximately 5 years for this proposal to mater-
ialize from the Federal standpoint and that any monies spent in tYie interim perfod bettdeen
now and then might possibly be credited to the Non-Federal e,stimate provided the work was
done within the scope of the plans proposed above. He further observed that unless some
expression of approval was given this project and a willingness to participate, it would be
a long time before a similar opportunity would be given by the Federal government to pro-
tect our shore erosi:on and beach preservation measures. After a brief discussion of the
proposal, Mr. Williams offered a motion that the Board go on record as being in favor of
this project and express our intent to participate in Plan C as proposed.by the Beach Eros-
ion Board and the Board of Engineers for the Rivers 8 Harbors and authorize the Executive
Secretary to write a letter to the Corps of Engineers expressing our willingness to parti-
cipate in the Non-Federai Funds. It was seconded by Mr. Braak and the vote was unanimously
in favor of it except that Mr. Broadhurst made it clear that he was in no way obligating
- this County or himself on the finances for the project.
RESCUE SQUAD - -
A letter was read from James A. Lockamy, Rescue Squad Leader, informing the Board
that the office of Civil and Defense Mobilization had approved matching funds in the amount
of $3,204.12 for a resCUe truck with standard equipment and supplemental tools. They request
an equal amount from the County. They have ,just completed a first aid course in rescue work ??Q,
and purchased land on which they are planning to build a rescue squad station. After dis- C??,?aydL
cussion of the proposed appropriation, the Executive 5ecretary was_authorized to write a ?}`
letter explaining that the Commissioners had seen fit to leave this appropriation out of
this fiscal year's Budget and assure them that it maight be considered in next year's appro-
priations. The action on this matter was by common consent of the Board.
INSURANCE PROGRAM -' ? -
A letter was received from the Wilmington Association of Insurance Agents, Incor-
porated, informing the Board that revision in certain lines of property insurance was anti-
cipated whiCh would result in a saving to the County from 25-40%. They request permission
to analyze the existing contracts, revalue and schedule currently owned property and propose
a new plan with a comparison of present and future costs. The Chairman informed the Board
that he had taken the liberty of giving this permission and the study is now underway.
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