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2015-03-20 Special Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 SPECIAL MEETING, MARCH 20, 2015 PAGE 255 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Special Meeting on Friday, March 20, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. in the Oleander Room of the Executive Development Center, 1241 Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington, North Carolina. The purpose of the meeting was to prioritize the County’s strategic objectives for the FY15-16 Budget. Members present: Chairman Jonathan Barfield, Jr; Vice-Chairman Beth Dawson; Commissioner Skip Watkins; Commissioner Woody White; and Commissioner Rob Zapple. Staff present: County Manager Chris Coudriet; County Attorney Wanda Copley; and Clerk to the Board Teresa Elmore. Chairman Barfield welcomed everyone to the meeting and expressed appreciation to members of staff for their attendance and participation with the County’s strategic plan process. County Manager Coudriet reported that the objective of the meeting is for the Commissioners to prioritize the County’s strategic objectives for 2015-2016 in order to give guidance to finalize the budget. Warren Miller, the facilitator of the meeting, gave an overview of the agenda for the meeting and reviewed what success would look like based on the individual interviews conducted with the Commissioners in advance of the scheduled meeting. Review of County History Map Mr. Miller led the discussion of the County’s history starting back in 2006 with the building moratorium and the economic downturn of the recession and continued with the accomplishments and recovery of 2012 to 2015. Some of the key issues were:  Built new jail – will need another alternative/expansion  Mental health became a three-county area board with plans to establish a 24-county governing board  2011 Strategic Plan established  2011 Special Use Permit strengthened for I-1 and I-2 Industrial Zones due to non-attainment classification  WASTEC closed due to losing $500,000 per month  AAA rating with Standard and Poor’s – top 1% in the country February 2013  2014 strategies/policy decisions:  Stated fund balance and debt policies established  Highway 421 Water and Sewer expansion; agreement by April 23, 2015  One-Solution – Improved Development Services  Manager’s sustainable energy program in County buildings  Big take-aways from the history map:  320 Chestnut Street – an opportunity to increase cooperation and collaboration with the City of Wilmington  Perception that special use permit stymied growth – process not changed in 2014  Service-oriented economy and failure of manufacturing employment  Spirit of cooperation between the City of Wilmington and the County  Sustainability – saving energy good policy for County  Challenges of coastal counties  Federal and State delegation – good relationships  Concept of speaking with regional voice – no longer works for single voice  Support fiscal policies effecting citizens  Responsiveness to citizens – provide needs and wants in a fiscal responsible manner  Importance of preserving historical foundations Review of County Strategy Mr. Miller led the discussion in reviewing and reaffirming the County’s Mission, Vision, and Shared Values as follows: Mission: Committed to progressive public policy, superior service, courteous contact, judicious exercise of authority, and sound fiscal management to meet the needs and concerns of our citizens today and tomorrow. Comments:  Defines fiscal management - good stewardship; minimize financial impact on citizens  Good, positive, informative  Keep in touch with citizens today and tomorrow Vision: A vibrant, prosperous, diverse coastal community, committed to building a sustainable future for generations to come. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 SPECIAL MEETING, MARCH 20, 2015 PAGE 256 Comments:  Responsible to citizens  Arm of State government - not a lot of wiggle room, mandates first  Add addressed in a fiscally responsible manner  Broad, flexible  Expectation of citizens – County does not have unlimited resources, need to tell our story  Add respect for our historical foundation Shared Values: Professionalism, Integrity, Innovation, Stewardship and Accountability Review County Enterprise Strategy Map Strategy and Policy Manager Beth Schrader reviewed the County Enterprise Strategy Map with the following comments from the Commissioners:  Overall structure makes sense. Policy priorities may change.  Commissioners have a role, but may not have complete control of circumstances.  Have not achieved all goals.  Helpful to have policy discussions tied to strategy map.  County is doing a great job of increasing public awareness of services; citizens also need to go to the web, NHCTV, etc.  Must maintain flexibility to change. Review Progress on Strategic Measures and Citizens Survey Results Ms. Schrader reviewed the strategic measures and presented a summary of the citizens’ survey conducted in October 2014. Survey results for the community’s top three priorities:  Promote a strong, diverse economy and high quality job growth  Reduce and prevent crime  Prepare students to be successful in a 21st century world Survey results on how to pay for priorities:  58.4% of respondents would pay additional taxes to fund top priority.  Assuming no tax increase, 28.7% would take money from culturally diverse community and 18.8% would reduce funding to planned environment/natural resources. Context Map - Discussion of Trends and Issues Influencing the County and Its Priorities: Mr. Miller asked the Commissioners to identify the broader community trends, governmental factors, economic climate, and other outside factors that would impact the County and the Board’s priorities for the next one to two years. In addition, they were asked to identify five to six critical issues/ideas for the coming year.  Community Trends:  Population growth/aging population/retirees moving here  Growing medical services  More sports/field access/youth activities  Growth in schools  More apartments and multi-family units  Gang violence more visible/increased focus  Expansion of arts/cultural community  Growth in business/economic hub  Political/Governmental Factors:  State support for infrastructure, including inlets, beach, storm damage projects  Cooperation with water and sewer expansion to US Highway 421  New Congressman in D.C. and relatively new State representatives  Expansion of port  Commissioners’ policy emphases on economic development and to small businesses  Community College investment/improvements  22-25% of the County workforce eligible to retire within 5 years  Growth of local government – disproportionate to population growth  Governor’s commitment to road infrastructure throughout the State  Economic Climate:  Does not support middle class wage/not balanced  Becoming more diverse  Consumer confidence up/sales tax and fees - revenues up  More people result in more pressure on infrastructures, need for more jobs, education, etc.  Losing jobs in film industry – many impacts NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 SPECIAL MEETING, MARCH 20, 2015 PAGE 257  Outside Trends:  Decrease Federal/State funding  Emphasis on regional governance  State tax reform (sales tax)  Offshore drilling, windmills  Confusion on education reform (especially University)  Incentives: Film Grants, Job Development Investment Grants (JDIG), etc.  Environmental enforcement (e.g. coal ash, aquifers)  Regulatory environment coastal areas  Assets:  Beaches  Fresh water/aquifers  AAA bond rating  Community College and University  Medical center  Downtown riverwalk  Historic district; history  Airport, port, I-40  People – passionate, smart staff  Parks  Vibrant, growing arts/cultural community  Quality of life, quality of place  Identify Critical Issues:  Coastal storm reduction/beach renourishment  Economic development  Land use planning  Special use permit discussion – clearer revisions to text amendment for a more predictable streamlined process  Property tax rate  Alternatives to raising taxes  Budget within means  Innovate/look at partnerships/debt timing  Voter approved debt  Disproportionate growth of debt with growth of population  Uncertainties:  Film, television  Shift and shaft – Federal/State to local governments  Unfunded mandates  EPA regulations/shifting standards  Hurricanes Prioritizing Strategic Objectives Mr. Miller requested the Commissioners to select their top three priorities in terms of where to allocate additional dollars/resources for the budget and staff resources for the next year. Board members ranked their top three choices across all nine strategies with the top choice = 5 points; second choice = 3 points; third choice = 1 point. The ranking results were as follows: Points Priorities 11 Promote a strong and diverse economy and high quality job growth 7 Increase the safety and security of the community 6 Prepare all students to be successful in a 21st century world 5 Reduce health risks and diseases 5 Support a planned environment that enhances the community and preserves and protects natural resources 3 Reduce and prevent crime 3 Create and support a vibrant and culturally diverse community that encourages private investment 0 Enhance self-sufficiency of individuals and families 0 Improve community literacy and workforce readiness skills The Commissioners reviewed the critical issues from the context map and noted that the priorities aligned with the critical issues. Wrap Up and Adjourn County Manager Coudriet reviewed the next steps in the budget process and reported that the Budget would be presented at the May 4, 2015 Regular Board Meeting, followed by any necessary work sessions. He thanked the Commissioners for their time and contributions to the retreat. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 SPECIAL MEETING, MARCH 20, 2015 PAGE 258 In closing, Chairman Barfield expressed appreciation to the Commissioners for participating in the development of the strategic plan and setting priorities in order to give staff direction in the preparation of the Budget. He thanked management staff, department heads and the facilitators for the hard work and guidance throughout the process. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman Barfield adjourned the meeting at 12:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Teresa P. Elmore Clerk to the Board