1994-07-14 Work Session
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.MINUTES OF STRATEGIC PLANNING WORK SESSION
JULY 14, 1994
PAGE 190
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Work
Session with the New Hanover County strategic Planning Council on
Thursday, July 14, 1994, at 10:45 A.M. in Room 501 of the New
Hanover County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut Street,
Wilmington, North Carolina.
Chairman Greer called the meeting to order and welcomed
everyone present. He announced the purpose of the Work Session is
to discuss the strategic Plan for New Hanover County with the
members of the Strategic Planning Council before accepting this
plan as an official document. He commented on the valuable
information contained in the plan, but stated, in his opinion, he
feels the' Commissioners will not agree with all of the
recommendations presented.
Mr. Jonathan Alper, Chairman of the strategic Planning
Council, reported the members of the Council are present and will
be glad to answer any questions. All five committees worked
separately and prepared reports with the entire Council reading and
re-reading each report before the final draft was completed.
The following items were discussed:
Solid Waste Disposal: Commissioner sisson commented on the
recommendation of the Council for development of a comprehensive
plan for a mandatory, County managed trash collection system and
requested an explanation of the rationale behind this
recommendation as opposed to other options.
Mr. Fred Retchin, a member of the strategic Planning Council,
reported .after analyzing solid waste disposal, it was concluded
that a mandatory trash collection system would be the most
efficient, effective, and cheapest way to manage trash collection
in New Hanover County.
Mr. Jonathan Alper reported the taxpayers will pay the
additional funds needed to operate the incinerator if trash is
carried out of New Hanover County; therefore, in order to provide
the volume of trash needed, a County managed mandatory system is
needed. This would be accomplished by contracting with one
contractor, selected through the open bid process with the bid
awarded to the contractor offering the best service at the lowest
possible cost.
Chairman Greer commented on the misunderstandings and
complexity of solid waste disposal and reported most people are not
aware that residential collection represents only 30% of the waste
stream. The remaining 70% of the waste stream is commercial
disposal.
A lengthy discussion was held on using revenue generated
through the property tax as the funding source for disposal of both
residential and commercial wastes. commissioner Barone expressed
concern for asking the residential taxpayers to pay for disposal of
commercial waste and stated, in her opinion, she does not feel this
is fair. .
Mr. Retchin reported using the property tax revenue may be the
cheapest method of disposal for the taxpayer. The key issue to
consider is the most efficient manner in which to dispose of solid
waste. If the property tax rate was increased to generate enough
revenue to cover disposal of solid waste, both commercial and
residential, the cost per property owner may not be any more than
what property owners are currently paying. Perhaps, this figure
should be analyzed.
Chairman Greer commented on raising taxes as the easiest
solution to funding shortfalls and strongly objected to resolving
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MINUTES OF STRATEGIC PLANNING WORK, SESSION
JULY 14, 1994
PAGE 19J:
this issue by increasing the tax rate by eight or nine cents.
In summary, it was generally concluded that solid waste
disposal is a major problem that New Hanover County will have to
address by July 1, 1995, if federal legislation is not enacted to
allow the county to implement a flow control ordinance.
Chairman Greer reported the incinerator is operating very
efficiently and revenues have increased. Due to the outstanding
management of the County Manager and the Environmental Management
Staff, the loss of revenue from the reduction of the tip fee from
$60 to $30, which had to be taken from the undesignated fund
balance, has not decreased as much as anticipated. There is a
possibility that this balance has increased.
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Consolidation: commissioner sisson commented on the number of
times that consolidation was mentioned in the plan and asked if
this issue should be re-visited from ground zero, or should the
previous study be used as a beginning point?
Mr. Alper reported consolidation was never discussed as a
separate issue by the strategic Planning Council; however, when
reports were received from the four committees, three of the four
committees recommended some form of consolidation. These
recommendations were received before the City announced the
proposed annexation; therefore, the time could be right to re-visit
this issue.
Mr. Retchin recommended using the previous consolidation study
with a review of the former charter. The charter can be modified
as needed, and the fact that the City may annex 50% of the
remaining unincorporated County will generate more interest and
support from County residents.
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Mr. Frank Conlon reported in 1991, a survey showed that 39.4%
of registered voters were opposed to consolidation. In 1993, 56.6%
agreed with consolidation which is a fairly significant difference.
Also, the 1993 survey was taken before the city announced its
anne~ation plans.
commissioner Caster inquired as to whether consolidation
should include_Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach?
Mr. Retchin reported the former charter did not include the
other municipalities because the beaches did not want to be
included at that time; however, it was assumed these municipalities
would join at a later date. The strategic Planning Council has
recommended that a new committee be formed to re-draft the
legislation. The former charter could be used for the re-drafting
process. A key item pushing consolidation is the merger of law
enforcement, which was not clearly define in the former charter.
commissioner ~aster inquired as to why consolidation of the
Police Department would be so difficult?
Mr. Retchin reported the Sheriff is well respected in New
Hanover County and there is no reason not to consider the Sheriff
as the lead officer. This position would be elected with the
people making the decision. Also, the charter did not include
district representation, which should be studied and considered in
the review process.
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Further discussion was held on district representation in'a
county no larger than New Hanover county. Mr. Retchin reported on
a county-wide basis district representation should be considered.
For example, if the consolidated board was composed of nine elected
officials, four of the members should be elected by districts or
chosen by districts and elected at-large.
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MINUTES' OF STRATEGIC PLANNING WORK SESSION
JULY 14, 1994
PAGE 192
Ms.. Janice Cavenaugh reported district representation was not
the opinion of all the members of the strategic Planning Council.
Chairman Greer inquired as to the recommendation for
increasing the number of County commissioners, regardless of
whether consolidation is considered, and requested an explanation
of this suggestion.
Mr. Retchin reported this recommendation was the result of a
low minority representation on governirig boards which could result
in bad feelings. In his opinion, there will be increasing pressure
for district elections in the future.
Mr. Rippy inquired as to why districts should be established?
In his opinion, due to rapid growth in the County the
representation per person has decreased; therefore, the number of
Commissioners may need to be expanded. When the strategic Planning
Council discussed this recommendation, he felt this was the reason
for increasing the membership of the board. As to districts, it
would not be beneficial for in-fighting to occur among the various
sections of the County. This has been experienced in other
counties with district elections.
Mr. Alper reported
New Hanover County has
annexation by the city.
the next two years may be the last chance
to control its destiny with the proposed
In his opinion, this is a major issue.
After further discussion, it was agreed that consolidation is
a major issue that should be discussed. Chairman Greer reported
the Board may wish to use the members of the strategic Planning
Council t~ study this important issue.
Canon Edwin Smith, a member of the strategic Planning Council,
reported he would be glad to serve on a committee appointed to
study consolidation.
Cooperation Between the New Hanover county Board of Education and
Cape Fear Coliununity college Board of Trustees: Commissioner sisson
commented on this recommendation and inquired as to how the County
Commissioners can assist in this area.
Mr. Buzz Birzenieks, a member of the Strategic Advisory
Council, reported there are some recommendations that cannot be
addressed by the Board of County Commissioners but can be supported
by the Board. The Committee felt it was very important to develop
a cooperative program of vocational education to provide a skilled
work force for local industry.
Mr. Frank Conlon reported in order to recruit industry, a well
trained, educated; and skilled workforce must be provided locally.
During the time that discussion was occurring for development of a
cooperative program of vocational education, the Board of Education
and Cape Fear Community College did not follow.through with this
plan. The Economic Committee felt this should be a recommendation
to provide the quality workforce needed in New Hanover County..
Ms. Janice Cavenaugh, Chairman of the Board of Education and
a member oL the Education Committee, reported there is a
cooperative agreement with Cape Fear Community College; however,
the Education Committee felt this effort should be strengthened.
She expressed concern for hearing there is no cooperative
relationship between the two boards. Presently, both boards. are
working on a stronger cooperative agreement to ensure that the
workforce is well trained and skilled.
Ms. L'inda pea;ce, a member of the strategic Planning Council,.
stressed the importance of the public schools providing trade
courses to children beginning at an early age. Many children will
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MINUTES OF STRATEGIC PLANNIN~ WORK SESSION
JULY 14, 1994
. PAGE 193
not be attending college and need to learn a trade that will
provide good paying jobs.
In summary, it was agreed that a vocational training center
should be established and businesses should be asked to participate
in the training programs through intern training. .
Discussion of Room Occupancy Tax Distribution Formula
Commissioner Barone reported the revenue collected from the 3%
Room Occupancy Tax is currently distributed as follows: (1) 75%
for beach renourishment; and 25% for tourism which is used to
operate the New Hanover County Convention and visitors Bureau
(CVB) . As a Board Member of CVB, an attempt is being made to
change the percentage of distribution as follows:
40% for Tourism
60% for Beach Renourishment
or
50% for Tourism
50% for Beach Renourishment
The county's Finance Director, Bruce Shell, prepared figures
on the additional funds that will be received by CVB if the
distribution, formula is changed. The figures show that if the
additional funds are used for advertising, tourism will increase,
which will increase the overall amount of revenue generated ,by the
Room Occup~ncy Tax and allow for the same amount of money to be
appropriated to the Beach Renourishment Fund. These figures were
presented to the Carolina Beach Town Council and the Council voted
to approve a change in the formula with 60% for beach renourishment
and 40% for tourism. The Town of Kure Beach will probably support
~he same formula change; however, the Wrightsville Beach Mayor is
not supportive of a formula change. The CVB will continue to work
toward changing the distribution formula.
Mr. Alper reported the Strategic Planning council discussed
changing the percentage distribut;,ion as long as a certain fund
balance is maintained in the Beach Renourishment Fund. Any
additional funds would be used py CVB for advertising. If the
Beach Renourishment Fund should have to be used for a project and
the balance of the account fell below a certain level, the formula
would revert back to 75% for beach renourishment and 25% for
tourism until the fund balance was restored.
commissioner Barone reported changing the formula requires
state legislation; therefore, constantly changing the formula would
be rather awkward and inconvenient.
Mr. Frank Conlon stressed the importance of spending more
money for advertising in New Hanover County. wi th the present
competition for tourism, CVB has only $316,000 annually to spend on
advertising. The City of Fayetteville spends $500,000 annually for
advertising; High Point $570,000 annually; Carteret County $650,000
annually; Pinehurst $650,000 annually; Winston-Salem $1,000,000
annually; Raleigh $1,100,000 annually; Greensboro $1,250,000
annually; Durham $1,400,000; Dare County $1,600,000 annually;
Asheville $1,700,000 annually; and Charlotte/Mecklenburg $2,750,000
annually. It is difficult for New Hanover County to compete with
these other areas with the small amount of funds appropriated for
advertising. Large ads placed in leading publications, such as
Southern Living, are expensive. The commissioners were urged to
support a change in the distribution formula.
commissioner Barone reported CVB does not advertise for summer
tourism. All funds are spent to advertise the shoulder season,
which is from March through November. No funds are spent to bring
more people to the beach during the summer.
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MINUTES OF STRATEGIC PLANNING WORK SESSION
JULY 14, 1994
PAGE 194
Other Items of Concern
Ms. Linda Pearce expressed concern for the
and urged the commissione~s to move forward with
items:
following issues
addressing these
(1) The County must begin to fund preventive programs to
reduce the amount of services now being provided by the
Depa~tment of Social Services.
(2) The County must recognize the rapid growth in the elderly
population and the costs involved with providing services for
these individuals.
Discussion of Accepting the strategic Plan
Discussion was held on acceptance of the report by the Board
of County Commissioners. Chairman Greer reported he does nO.t agree
with all of the recommendations in the report, but he would be in
favor of using this plan as a guide for the future.
commissioner Sisson commented on information contained in the
report and urged the Commissioners to use the plan and not let it
sit on a shelf.
Vice-Chairman Mathews MOVED to accept the report. The MOTION
WAS WITHDRAWN because no official actign can be taken at a Work
Session.
Vice-Chairman Mathews reported 'he will move to accept the
document as a guide at the meeting to be held on July ~8, 1994.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greer, on behalf of the Board, expressed appreciation
to the members of the Strategic Planning Council .for the excellent
job performed in the preparing the Strategic Plan for New Hanover
County.
Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 12:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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Clerk to the Board
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