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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-12-18 Regular Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 18, 2017 PAGE 917 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Monday, December 18, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present: Chairman Woody White; Vice-Chairman Skip Watkins; Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Jr.; Commissioner Patricia Kusek; and Commissioner Rob Zapple. Staff present: County Manager Chris Coudriet; County Attorney Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the Board Kymberleigh G. Crowell. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Thomas Duren, Pastor, First Baptist Church, provided the invocation and Commissioner Zapple led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN FOR THE ENSUING YEAR Members present were: Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Jr.; Commissioner Patricia Kusek; Commissioner Skip Watkins; Commissioner Woody White; and Commissioner Rob Zapple. County Attorney Copley opened the floor to receive nominations for Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners for the ensuing year. Commissioner Kusek nominated Commissioner White for Chairman and Commissioner Watkins for Vice- Chairman of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Barfield seconded the nomination. There being no further nominations, County Attorney Copley declared the nominations closed and called for a vote on the nominations of Commissioner White and Commissioner Watkins. Vote: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to elect Commissioner White and Commissioner Watkins to serve as Chairman and Vice-Chairman, respectively, of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners for the ensuing year. BOARD SEATED FOR 2017-2018 Members present were: Chairman Woody White; Vice-Chairman Skip Watkins; Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Jr.; Commissioner Patricia Kusek; and Commissioner Rob Zapple. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Chairman White requested a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion : Vice-Chairman Watkins MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Kusek, to approve the items on the Consent Agenda as presented. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Minutes – Governing Body The Commissioners approved the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on November 20, 2017. Adoption of State Road Resolution – Governing Body The Commissioners adopted a North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) State Road Resolution in support of adding the following roads to the State Maintained Secondary Road System: Adams Landing Drive, Yadkin, Brushy Mountain and Forbush Creek Courts located within the Adams Landing Subdivision (Division File No: 1242-N). A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XL, Page 42.1. Appointment of Department of Social Services (DSS) Assistant Director for Economic Services Tonya Jackson to the Eastern Carolina Human Services Agency, Inc. Board – Governing Body The Commissioners appointed DSS Assistant Director for Economic Services Tonya Jackson to the Eastern Carolina Human Services Agency, Inc. Board for a one-year term, to replace DSS Adult Services and Outreach Program Manager Leslie Smiley who served on this board, as DSS works with most of the clients that may be assisted by this agency. Eastern Carolina Human Services Agency, Inc. administers the Community Services Block Grant Program to provide services to low-income families in New Hanover, Onslow, Duplin, and Pender counties and receives funding by the State. Due to the grant requirements, three members from New Hanover County serve on its board. Members are selected to represent the low-income, private, and public sectors. Adoption of Public Officials Bond Resolution – County Attorney The Commissioners, pursuant to General Statute 58-72-70, adopted a resolution approving the Surety Bond for the Chief Finance Officer, Sheriff, Register of Deeds, and Tax Collector. The designation of approval is incorporated within the respective bond in its entirety. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 18, 2017 PAGE 918 A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XL, Page 42.2. Adoption of a Resolution to Dispose of Surplus Property According to Procedures Outlined in North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 160A, Article 12 – Finance Department The Commissioners adopted a resolution to dispose of surplus property according to procedures outlined in North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS) Chapter 160A, Article 12. Following Board approval, non-profit organizations will have the opportunity to inspect and purchase the property prior to being sold by auction. Afterwards, all remaining property will be disposed of according to the procedures prescribed in Chapter 160A-270(c) which authorizes the disposal of personal property electronically using an existing private or public electronic auction service. A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XL, Page 42.3. Approval of Seven Donations for Accession into the Museum’s Permanent Collection – Museum Department The Commissioners approved a list of seven objects to be accessioned into the Cape Fear Museum’s permanent collection. The objects were approved by the Museum Advisory Board at its meeting on November 15, 2017 and a list of the items is available for review at the Cape Fear Museum. Approval of Five Items to be Deaccessioned from the Museum Collection – Museum Department The Commissioners approved a list of five objects to be deaccessioned from the Cape Fear Museum’s permanent collection. The objects were approved by the Museum Advisory Board at its meeting on November 15, 2017 and a list of the items is available for review at the Cape Fear Museum. Approval of New Hanover County Monthly Collection Reports for October 2017 – Tax Department The Commissioners approved the Tax Collection Reports of New Hanover County, New Hanover County Fire District, and New Hanover County Debt Service as of October 2017. NCGS 105-350 requires the Tax Collector to submit a report showing the amount of taxes collected. Copies of the tax collection reports are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and are contained in Exhibit Book XL, Page 42.4. Adoption of Budget Amendments – Strategy and Budget The Commissioners adopted the following budget amendments amending the annual budget ordinance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018: NCSU Extension Service 18-003 Sheriff's Office 18-019, 18-020, 18-021, 18-022, 18-033, 18-034 Senior Resource Center 18-025 Parks and Gardens 18-026 Library 18-029 Health 18-031, 18-032 Copies of the budget amendments are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and are contained in Exhibit Book XL, Page 42.5. REGULAR ITEMS OF BUSINESS PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS AND INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES County Manager Coudriet requested the following employees to step forward to receive service awards: Five Years: Carolyn Hughley, Register of Deeds Timothy Keegan, Sheriff’s Office Ten Years: Barry Bennett, Sheriff’s Office Fifteen Years: Gary Moore, Environmental Management Alice Smithey, Finance Thirty Years: Leslie Smiley, Social Services Lisa Troth, Social Services Chairman White presented a service award to each person and the Commissioners expressed appreciation and thanked each one for their years of dedicated service. County Manager Coudriet requested the following new employees to stand and be introduced: Jill Cairo, Social Services Marlene Carney, Senior Resource Center John Corpening, Sheriff’s Office Angela Davis, Register of Deeds Alexis Fleming, Elections Chris Horn, Tax David Howard, Health Tonya Jackson, Social Services NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 18, 2017 PAGE 919 The Commissioners welcomed the employees to County Government and wished them success in their new positions. PRESENTATION OF THE AUDIT REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 April Adams, Partner with Cherry Bekaert, LLP, presented the following information of the New Hanover County Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended 6/30/2017:  Role of the External Auditor:  Standards require the external auditor to plan and perform procedures to obtain reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement  Results include four opinions in the form of:  Financial statements opinion  Yellow book opinion, which is a report on the internal controls over financial reporting, as well as compliance with laws and regulations that the County is required to follow  Federal grant funding opinion  State funding opinion  Communication:  Standards require that certain communication by the external auditor is done with the governing body of the entity via presentation and a letter attached to the financial statement.  The audit firm communicates its independence as the entity’s external auditors as well as any significant changes, changes in policies or if there were changes or adjustments as a result of the audit  Key Highlights Results:  Opinions: County received four unmodified opinions, which is also known as a clean opinion. This is the highest level of assurance the County can receive from the external auditor that the financial statements are free from material misstatement and in compliance with the laws and compliance requirements.  Internal controls: No significant deficiencies or weaknesses found as a result of the audit  Single audit: The results were four nonmaterial noncompliance findings with two being related to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and two being related to Special Assistance. They were nonmaterial, noncompliant, and insignificant findings. As a result, correction plans were developed to correct those items in the future and included in the report.  Required communication: Every government in the State of North Carolina that has a Law Enforcement Officers’ Special Separation Allowance (LEOSSA) pension plan was required to implement the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) 73- LEOSSA standard in the current year to pull on the full liability for law enforcement. The new standard resulted in a $7.6 million prior period adjustment to the County’s financial statements. There were no adjusting journal entries as a result of the audit and no passed adjusting journal entries. This means the books and records given to Cherry Bekaert, LLP to audit were indeed the books and records that were in the financial statements themselves.  Internal Controls of Financial Statements:  Significant transaction cycles in payroll, cash receipts, cash disbursements, and financial statement close  Testing of controls is done on a rotational basis of a three-year cycle and was done this year on the cash disbursements cycle  Journal entry testing: Audit standards require testing the active journal entries data to look for certain indicators of fraud or unusual transactions  Information Technology (IT) controls in place for best practices:  IT entity level, backup policy and recovery, access and security, network security, program change management, system development life cycle, and cyber security  Significant Audit Areas of Financial Statements:  Assets and revenues: cash investments, accounts receivable and revenues, and capital assets  Liabilities and expenses: account payable and expenses, payroll and related accruals, long term debt, other post-employment benefits (OPEB), and pensions  Other items: net position, legal, related parties, estimates, commitments, and subsequent events  Significant Audit Areas of Internal Controls and Compliance – Single Audit:  Major federal and state programs for administrative controls, monitoring reports, compliance matrix, and compliance testing:  Federal: Medicaid Cluster, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIPS), Subsidized Child Care, and TANF  State: DSS Crosscutting, State Foster Home, SC/SA Domiciliary Care, Child Welfare Services (CWS) Adoption Subsidy Direct Benefit, and TANF-MOE General Fund Revenues: Taxes $240,675,000 Intergovernmental 43,257,000 Charges for Services 11,254,000 Investments 747,000 Other 1,441,000 Special Assessments 9,000 Total Revenues $297,382,000 Total Revenues exceeded budget of $291,310,000 by $6,070,000 NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 18, 2017 PAGE 920 Property Tax Levy $192,309,000 Property Tax Collected $190,670,000 (99% collection rate) General Fund Expenses: Education $ 85,735,241 Culture and Recreation 12,092,227 Economic Physical Development 1,107,452 Public Safety 57,679,129 Human Services 58,259,230 General Government 38,370,780 Total Expenses $253,244,059 Total Expenditures under budget of $262,029,000 by $8,785,000 General Fund – Fund Balance: Unassigned $ 60,088,000 Committed 2,566,000 Assigned 13,448,000 Restricted 31,579,000 Unexpendable 142,000 Total Fund Balance $107,822,000 Unassigned divided by Current Year Expenditures is 21%; Goal is 21% Environmental Management Fund: Non-Operating $ 1,409,000 Operating Expenses 10,506,000 Operating Revenues 24,852,000 Increase in Net Position of $15,754,000 Long-Term Obligations: Landfill $ 15,485,000 Claims 175,000 OPEB 89,499,000 Pensions 39,071,000 Compensated Absences 7,714,000 Premiums 26,813,000 Installments 74,798,000 Gen. Obligation Bonds 308,870,000 Total Long-Term Debt $562,426,000 In closing, Ms. Adams reported that four clean opinions were issued; no found or proposed adjustment journal entries as a result of the audit; good internal controls were used; no deficiencies or material weaknesses noted; and full cooperation was received from management. She expressed appreciation for the cooperation extended by the Finance Department and management staff during the audit process. Commissioner Barfield expressed appreciation for the report and applauded the efforts made by the Board and County staff. The County is in a great place to have had a tax decrease last year while the fund balance increased and the same level of service has been provided. He further thanked those that implement the polices that the Board put into place and for their hard work. Chairman White expressed appreciation for the good report and thanked County Manager Coudriet, Chief Strategy and Budget Officer Beth Schrader, Chief Finance Officer Lisa Wurtzbacher, and their staff for their hard work. Commissioner Zapple congratulated Ms. Schrader and Ms. Wurtzbacher for another good year. He also expressed appreciation for the good work done at the County landfill, which a few short years ago had a completely different picture. The forward-thinking of spending in that area will help the County in the future. Hearing no further comments, Chairman White thanked Ms. Adams for the report and requested direction from the Board. Motion: Commissioner Kusek MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Zapple, to approve the New Hanover County Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for fiscal year ended June 30, 2017. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PRESENTATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2018 FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS Chief Financial Officer Lisa Wurtzbacher presented a fiscal summary for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2018, which includes financial activity from July 1, 2017 through September 30, 2017:  General Fund – Revenues:  Total general fund revenues at $27.6 million (9%) of budget and $56.8 million (18.5%) of budgeted expenditures have been expended NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 18, 2017 PAGE 921  $17.9 million in property tax received with due date of January 6th  No sales tax received due to lag in state distribution  First quarter comparisons:  2018: Ad Valorem was $17.9 million; Other was $9.7 million  2017: Ad Valorem was $16.2 million; Other was $10.3 million  2016: Ad Valorem was $17.5 million; Other was $11.1 million  Debt Service Fund – Revenues:  Total revenues at 9% of budget  $2.3 million in property tax received with due date of January 6th  Transfers from other funds made in second quarter  First quarter comparisons:  2018: Ad Valorem was $2.3 million; Other was $2.8 million  2017: Ad Valorem was $1.8 million; Other was $3.4 million  General and Debt Fund – Expenditures:  Expenditures through the first quarter represent $72.8 million (21.8%) of budget  Human service expenditures less than prior year due to changes in administering two programs  Other expenditures are in line with expectation  Fire Services:  Total revenues collected represent 7.1% of budget  Property tax revenues collected at 10.8% of budget  First quarter comparisons:  2018: Revenues were $1.1 million; Expenses were $4.1 million  2017: Revenues were $0.8 million; Expenses were $3.7 million  2016: Revenues were $1 million; Expenses were $4.7 million  Environmental Management:  Charges for service at 17.8% of budget  Operational expenses at 16.4% of budget  First quarter comparisons:  2018: Revenues were $2.6 million; Expenses were $7 million  2017: Revenues were $2.5 million; Expenses were $5.2 million  2016: Revenues were $2.4 million; Expenses were $5 million Hearing no further comments, Chairman White thanked Ms. Wurtzbacher for the report. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF FISCAL YEAR 2018 BUDGET AMENDMENT 18-030 DUE TO STATE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGE TO PAYMENT PROCESSING FOR CHILD DAY CARE SUBSIDY, SMART START CHILD DAY CARE SUBSIDY, AND MEDICAID MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION Chief Strategy and Budget Officer Beth Schrader stated that during October 2017 notification was received that the State had successfully transitioned in moving Child Day Care Subsidy and Smart Start Child Day Care Subsidy (all provider payments) to NC FAST, and a portion of the Non-Emergency Medicaid Medical Transportation Program (and some payments) to NC Tracks. Until that time, the State required counties to make payments to providers of child day care and transportation, then the County was reimbursed by the State. The County's adopted budget had to reflect the full expense of the provider payments and an equal amount of Intergovernmental Revenue. As a result of the change, funds originally budgeted in the County's Adopted Budget are no longer required. If adopted, the budget amendment will reduce the overall county budget by $8,080,683. Ms. Schrader stated that there is no change in the level of funding or service to be provided. This is not a case of over-resourcing, as no County dollars are involved in the provider payments for these programs. Rather, this is an administrative action resulting from a State-level policy change in how payments are processed with the State making payments directly to the providers. While New Hanover County will no longer be issuing these checks, County DSS and Finance staff will remain responsible for administration, eligibility assessment, documentation and verification for the programs. The State is considering similar changes later this fiscal year. Foster Care and Adoption Services may be transitioned to NC FAST, also changing the way those payments are made. Staff will keep the Board informed of any new changes and include the information in budget discussions with the Board. In response to Board questions, Ms. Schrader stated that there would not be any cuts in service and no reduction in service levels being provided as a result of this change. Commissioner Barfield stated that he hopes the State makes payments on time so as not to harm local providers here. We do not want to be on a backlog with people getting paid and deciding not to do business with government because they are not receiving their resources in a timely manner. Motion : Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Kusek, to adopt Budget Amendment 18- 030 as presented. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of Budget Amendment 18-030 is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XL, Page 42.6. STRATEGIC PLAN REVISION PRESENTATION County Manager Coudriet stated that New Hanover County operated within the framework of a Board- adopted strategic plan from 2012 through 2017. The positive community and organizational results over that five-year horizon were many and were outlined for the Board on September 18, 2017. At the conclusion of the five-year report- out, the Board reaffirmed its expectation for and commitment to strategic management. The Board directed staff to NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 18, 2017 PAGE 922 revise the strategic plan and recommend a plan from 2018 through 2023 that maintains focus areas of 1) Superior Public Health and Safety, 2) Superior Education and Workforce, 3) Intelligent Growth and Economic Development, and 4) Effective County Management. County staff and several key partner agencies worked collaboratively since October to develop the proposed strategic plan. It is consistent with the Board’s directive but identifies new strategic objectives and measures of success. The Board is not being asked to adopt this plan during today’s meeting unless it is prepared to do so. County Manager Coudriet then presented the proposed New Hanover County Strategic Plan 2018-2023 plan as follows:  Foundational elements that ultimately lead to Effective County Management:  Organizational Capacity:  Hire and retain people committed to public service  Foster a culture of agility and flexibility to create innovative solutions  Build capacity for data-driven decision making  Engage in continuous learning  Internal Business Processes:  Provide better, faster, leaner customer-driven practices  Align services and programs with strategic priorities  Communicate what the county does and why  Build and nurture partnerships to deliver strategic objectives  Effective County Management:  Continuous focus on the customer experience  Increase transparency and awareness about county actions  Deliver quality service at the right time  Strong Financial Performance:  Minimize taxes and fees  Proactively manage the county budget  Plan for the long-term financial health of the county  Intelligent Growth and Economic Development Priority:  Proposed Strategic Objective: Leverage public infrastructure to encourage private investment  Desired Outcome: Current public assets and future investments increase the tax base  Target:  $3 billion increase in tax base  100% return on investment within three miles for new public investments  Proposed Strategic Objective: Increase the diversity and number of higher-wage jobs  Desired Outcome: More advanced manufacturing, knowledge sector, and skilled trade jobs available locally  Target:  Increase jobs that pay > 6.5% above living wage  6,500 new, traded-sector jobs in the advanced manufacturing, knowledge sector, and skilled trades  Proposed Strategic Objective: Encourage development of complete communities* in the unincorporated county  Desired Outcome: Align policies and business practices to support the development of complete communities  Target: Increase elements of complete communities across New Hanover County  *Complete communities provide a range of housing sizes and price points, employment opportunities, convenience needs, community facilities, and support services to provide access and opportunity for all New Hanover County citizens  Superior Education and Workforce Priority:  Proposed Strategic Objective: Promote early learning that ensures life-long resiliency  Desired Outcome: Every child entering kindergarten in New Hanover County has the emotional, social, and physical opportunity to succeed and to, ultimately, perform at grade level  Target:  75% of children are ready for kindergarten on the Kindergarten Entry Assessment  90% of third graders read at least at grade level on the Read to Achieve Test  Proposed Strategic Objective: Support the private sector’s need for talent to fill higher-wage jobs  Desired Outcome: Businesses start, stay, or expand because the talent exists here or is developed quickly  Target: Decrease the amount of time to fill positions in target sectors locally  Superior Public Health and Safety Priority:  Proposed Strategic Objective: Prevent and reduce opioid abuse  Desired Outcome: Fewer people misusing opiates  Target:  Decrease opioid-related deaths by 100%  Decrease opioid-related overdoses by 50%  Proposed Strategic Objective: Increase access to programs to prevent and reduce obesity  Desired Outcome: Community knows risks of obesity and individuals can equitably pursue a life that mitigates risks  Target: Create an active, healthy lifestyle opportunity within a half mile of 100% of populations at risk for obesity NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 18, 2017 PAGE 923  Proposed Strategic Objective: Sustain the community capacity to prepare for, and respond to, public safety demands  Desired Outcome: Preparation that results in the appropriate response and ensures resiliency  Target:  th 100% of emergency response calls at 90 percentile of Fiscal Year 2019  Reduction in calls per capita County Manager Coudriet stated that the information presented is what the outside agencies and the Board’s organization are recommending to be the priorities, as well as where time and energy should be applied over the next five years. Chairman White opened the floor for Board discussion. Vice-Chairman Watkins thanked County Manager Coudriet for the report and stated that he is excited about the new strategic plan. He is proud of the educational approach whereby the New Hanover County Schools and Cape Fear Community College are addressing things in a more vocational/technical approach. He feels that our youth have been misguided for the last several years in thinking they have to have a four-year degree. He is excited about the partnership on this front which will help provide for our private sector needs. Commissioner Barfield stated that under Superior Public Health and Safety, he would like for the County to actively engage in a conversation with Wilmington Downtown, Inc., the City of Wilmington, and others to find ways to bring a grocery store into downtown Wilmington. In looking towards increasing access to programs to prevent and reduce obesity, and at the obesity rates in our community as reported by the Health Department, the highest rates are in areas where there are food deserts. There needs to be more access to resources of quality food. There truly is a lack of these resources in parts of the community, particularly in downtown Wilmington. As a community, if we are serious about this in terms of reducing those rates, we have to engage in a meaningful conversation about how we make this happen. The demographics are changing with the number of people moving into downtown and will provide grocery store companies the information they need to be able to consider servicing the downtown area. Commissioner Barfield further stated that in looking at maximizing taxes and fees, a lot of people are coming in from other counties, such as Brunswick County residents, to utilize our services. An example of this is the County’s public library system. People outside of New Hanover County are utilizing the library system because it is stock full of things their own libraries do not have. He feels the County is doing a lot of things right and is glad there is a strategic plan in place. Commissioner Zapple stated there has been a small step forward with the Farmin’ on Front grocery store downtown. It helps fill, in a small way, the gap for a downtown grocery store, but is nowhere near what is needed to solve the issue of needing a downtown grocery store. He thanked everyone for the new strategic plan layout. Under the Intelligent Growth and Economic Development priority, he would like to see as a goal free accessibility to the internet throughout New Hanover County. It will have a tremendous impact on education opportunities offered here and be a real economic driver for companies moving in and looking at us. We have a small landmass area and this would be a huge opportunity to provide that. He looks forward to that being an aspirational goal moving forward. Chairman White thanked County Manager Coudriet for the presentation. A brief discussion was held about the Board providing guidance to staff on how to proceed on this matter. th The general consensus of the Board is for staff to return by the February 18 Board meeting with the additional modifications discussed and ask the Board to endorse or adopt a strategic plan at that point. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Appointment to the Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority (WAVE Transit Authority) Chairman White reported that one vacancy exists on the Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority (WAVE Transit Authority)with one applicant eligible for reappointment and two additional applications available for consideration. He asked for direction from the Board. Commissioner Barfield nominated Anne Ryan for reappointment. The nomination was seconded by Commissioner Kusek. Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to reappoint Anne Ryan to the Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority (WAVE Transit Authority) to serve a three-year term with the term to expire December 31, 2020. Appointments to the New Hanover County Board of Health Chairman White reported that three vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Board of Health with three applicants eligible for reappointment. Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to reappoint Amy McLane in the Professional Engineer category, Linda “Candy” Robbins in the General Public Category, and Dr. Robert J. Schiffel in the Dentist category to the New Hanover County Board of Health to serve three-year terms with the terms to expire December 31, 2020. Appointment to the New Hanover County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Chairman White reported that one vacancy exists on the New Hanover County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council in the Under Age 18 category with one application available for consideration. Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to appoint Drew Vliet to the New Hanover County Juvenile Crime NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 18, 2017 PAGE 924 Prevention Council in the Under Age 18 category to serve a two-year term with the term to expire September 30, 2019. Appointments to the New Hanover County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee Chairman White reported that five vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee with one application available for consideration. Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to appoint Pamela O’Quinn to the New Hanover County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee to serve an initial one-year term with the term to expire December 31, 2018. Appointments to the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority Chairman White reported that three vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority with three applicants eligible for reappointment. Vote Results: The Board voted UNANIMOUSLY to reappoint Jason S. Bryant in the Vacation Rental Properties category, TeDra George in the Wilmington Hotel (less than 150 rooms) category, and Daniel Perkins in the Wilmington Hotel (more than 150 rooms) category to the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority to serve three-year terms with the terms to expire December 31, 2020. Appointments to the New Hanover County Zoning Board of Adjustment Chairman White reported that three vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Zoning Board of Adjustment with one applicant eligible for reappointment and six additional applications available for consideration. He asked for direction from the Board. Commissioner Kusek nominated Cameron Moore and Mark Nabel for appointment as regular members, and Brett Keeler for appointment as an alternate member. Commissioner Zapple nominated Cameron Moore and Brett Keeler for appointment as regular members, and Heather Haas for appointment as an alternate member. With no other nominations, Chairman White called for a vote on the nominations in order of being received. Vote Results: The Board voted in the majority to appoint Cameron Moore and Mark Nabel as regular members and appoint Brett Keeler as an alternate member to the New Hanover County Zoning Board of Adjustment to serve three- year terms with the terms to expire December 1, 2020. Chairman White, Vice-Chairman Watkins, and Commissioner Kusek voted in favor. Clerk to the Board Crowell stated that Brett Keeler could not be appointed to the alternate member category as he is currently serving as an alternate member. She explained that Mr. Keeler requested to be considered for appointment to the regular category and if he was not appointed, then he would remain serving as an alternate member. His term does not expire until December 1, 2019. As he was not appointed as a regular member, he will remain as an alternate member and the Board needs to appoint another applicant as Colin Tarrant is rotating off. Commissioner Zapple nominated Heather Haas for appointment as an alternate member. Chairman White nominated Richard F. Kern for appointment as an alternate member. With no other nominations, Chairman White called for a vote on the nominations in order of being received. Vote Results: The Board voted 2 TO 3 to appoint Heather Haas as an alternate member to the New Hanover County Zoning Board of Adjustment to serve a three-year term with the term to expire December 1, 2020. Commissioner Barfield and Commissioner Zapple voted in favor. Chairman White called for a vote on the nomination of Richard F. Kern. Vote Results: The Board voted 3 TO 2 to appoint Richard F. Kern as an alternate member to the New Hanover County Zoning Board of Adjustment to serve a three-year term with the term to expire December 1, 2020. Chairman White, Vice-Chairman Watkins, and Commissioner Kusek voted in favor. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chairman White announced that one person had signed up to speak under public comment. He invited Richard Evans to make comments. Richard Evans, a resident of Chalfont Circle, stated that he has been a resident of Wilmington for seven years and expressed concerns about the Tax Department and the New Hanover County Special Board of Equalization and Review (BER). In the years in which he does appeal his property tax value, the reduction is in the range of 15% to 25%. The first year he appealed he received a 25% reduction after being initially denied by the BER. Before he appealed the decision to the state level, he met with Tax Administrator Roger Kelley and Sharon Huffman about the matter and the decision was made that the 25% reduction was fair. This year there is a new Sheriff in town and for whatever reason, the precedent was not recognized. He went through the BER and as he stated in the email he sent to the Commissioners on December 17, 2017, he does not agree with the BER process. To him it is a rigged system that says no. Based on his experience, the County is sending out at least to him, but probably his neighbors and fellow citizens, tax bills that are 15% to 25% high per property. This is unjust. The average citizen will not contest the bill and will pay it. Maybe the County is banking on that and it’s not fair. The 15% to 25% is excessive and there is no appeal at the local level. He asked the Commissioners that if they are not aware of how the Tax Department and BER NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 33 REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 18, 2017 PAGE 925 operates, to become involved. While he loves his life in Wilmington and believes the County is well-run, the Tax Department is an exception and the way the BER works is shameful. Chairman White stated that Mr. Evans’ expressed a strong opinion and is entitled to that. However, he disagrees with it and thinks the Tax Department is one of the best run in the State as evidenced by the collections. He has witnessed the appeals, watched them, and listened to them. He regrets whatever disagreement Mr. Evans may have. There must be a legal basis for Mr. Evans to have his opinion and the Tax Department to have its opinion, but he respectfully disagrees with the categorical painting of the Tax Department in a negative light. It’s a hard job and by definition you do not make everyone happy. He knows there are dedicated individuals trying to apply the policies the Board enacts and the State laws that we follow, in a fair and an impartial way. Most of the time they get it right, though not always; they are human beings. Chairman White further stated that he while he does not know the personal background of Mr. Evans’ case, he’ll look at it. If it needs to be looked at a second time, the County Attorney will instruct the Board to do that. He thanked Mr. Evans for his time. Mr. Evans thanked Chairman White for his comments and stated that he doesn’t understand how the precedent of reduction can be ignored. The acknowledgment by Roger Kelley’s office was that his property was overvalued three separate times. He doesn’t know what the motivation is, but now that precedence is not being recognized. Commissioner Barfield stated that in his opinion, the BER is greatly improved. During his first couple of years on the Board of Commissioners, the Commissioners sat as the BER. For the most part, not many understood the real estate market itself and that Board of Commissioners developed categories in which to appoint citizens to serve. He did read Mr. Evans’ email. What was different this year as opposed to past years is that appraisers for the County did a full measurement of all accessible properties to ensure accurate measurements and accurate values were acquired. Commissioner Barfield further stated that he has been a realtor for twenty years and there is a difference in property values on Chalfont Circle versus Gregory Road. They are different neighborhoods with different amenities. He understands that someone did visit Mr. Evans’ home to acquire the full measurement of his property. To Commissioner Barfield’s knowledge, there was not an automatic 25% reduction. If the numbers Mr. Evans brought to the BER meted out, then that type of reduction could be seen. He feels the County is looking at good, solid numbers. As a realtor, he looks at market and tax values of the homes that he is listing and selling. The two should not be the same, but at the same time he finds there is not a large irregularity. He understands Mr. Evans’ comments and concerns, and thanked him for speaking with the Board. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS OF BUSINESS Vice-Chairman Watkins commented that he and Commissioner Zapple participated in the Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Wilmington National Cemetery on the December 16, 2017 to honor the lives of the men and women buried there. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Commissioner Zapple commented that Amy Wright, founder of Bitty and Beau’s Coffee, was recently named CNN’s 2017 Hero of the Year. It is a wonderful program operated by Amy Wright and her husband, Ben. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holiday season. Chairman White wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman White adjourned the meeting at 10:20 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Kymberleigh G. Crowell Clerk to the Board Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners meeting. The entire proceedings are available for review and checkout at all New Hanover County Libraries and online at www.nhcgov.com.