1990-03-13 Special Meeting
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MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, MARCH 13, 1990
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met with the
local Legislative Delegation on Tuesday, March 13, 1990, at 7:30
o'clock P.M. in Room 501 of the New Hanover County Administration
Building, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioners Nolan 0' Neal; E. L.
Mathews, Jr.; Chairman Fred Retchin; Acting County Manager, Mary
M. Gornto; County Attorney, Robert W. Pope; and Clerk to the
Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Members absent were: Vice-Chairman W. Albert Corbett, Jr.;
and Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Sr.
Legislators present were:
Senator Franklin Block
Representative Harry Payne
Representative Alex Hall
Chairman Retchin called the meeting to order stating due to
another commitment, Representative David Redwine was unable to
attend. He welcomed everyone present and expressed appreciation
to the legislators for attending the Work Session.
DISCUSSION OF REIMBURSEMENT TO COUNTIES FOR REPEAL OF THE
INVENTORY TAX
Chairman Retchin expressed concern for the projected
shortfall in the State's budget and urged the legislators to
protect the reimbursement to counties for repeal of the inventory
tax. He requested the legislators to hear from the subcommittees
appointed by the General Assembly for the purpose of seeking
additional revenues for local governments and studying the
relationship between local governments and state governments
before changing the present reimbursement schedule.
Representative Alex Hall stated he strongly feels the
reimbursement to counties will not be arbitrarily cut-off by the
State nor will the effort to increase the sales tax be passed.
He stated the possibility of raising the sales tax as a trade-off
for the reimbursement was discussed during the last session;
however, he does not feel this issue will be pursued, and if this
recommendation should develop, it would require at least a year
for implementation.
DISCUSSION OF RELIEF FOR THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED FOR ESCALATING
PROPERTY TAXES
Chairman Retchin commented on the 1991 Property Revaluation
and stated it is strongly felt by the Board of Commissioners that
some form of relief should be provided to the elderly and
handicapped in order to enable them to cope with escalating
property taxes.
Discussion was held on both bills, the one supported by the
N. C. County Commissioners Association based on the indexing
system, and the bill introduced by Senator Block postponing the
tax until a later date. The local delegation was requested to
support and pass a bill in the Short Session that will provide
relief to the elderly and handicapped population during the
upcoming revaluation.
DISCUSSION OF JAILS
Chairman Retchin stated funding assistance
construction of jails. A lengthy discussion
present overcrowding and innovative ways to
population.
is needed for the
was held on the
reduce the jail
Sheriff
action taken
misdemeanants.
prisons.
Joe McQueen requested the legislators to oppose any
by the State that will require housing all
He stated if this occurs, the jails will become
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After further discussion of fully utilizing the Jail Annex,
it was agreed by all that local governments desperately need
funding assistance to construct and expand j ails in order to
comply with state and federal regulations with the increasing
jail population.
DISCUSSION OF UNPAID PROPERTY TAXES ON MOTOR VEHICLES
Chairman Retchin commented on problems experienced with
collection of unpaid property taxes on motor vehicles stating
methods have been recommended to allow local governments to
recover this revenue. He urged the legislators to develop some
method of collections.
Representative Hall stated many bills have been introduced;
however, due to various options being attached to the various
bills, no bill has received enough votes to go through the House.
He stated Representative David Redwine's bill is excellent and
has some support; therefore, it is hopeful that this bill will be
discussed in the Short Session.
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DISCUSSION OF ALLOWING COUNTIES TO IMPLEMENT THE 911 TELEPHONE
SERVICE CHARGE WITHOUT APPROVAL FROM OTHER GOVERNING BODIES
Chairman Retchin commented on the recently enacted
telephone service charge stating the present bill does not
counties to select this option without approval of other
governments within the county.
"911"
allow
local
County Attorney Pope stated when preparing the bill the
draftsman overlooked the statute governing counties which does
not allow counties to pass an ordinance affecting municipalities
wi thout the municipalities agreeing to passage of the ordinance
through resolution.
After further discussion, the local delegation was requested
to amend the bill to allow counties to select the 911 telephone
service charge without having to acquire approval from the
municipalities.
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DISCUSSION OF LOCAL BILL TO ALLOW THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY AIRPORT
AUTHORITY TO PURCHASE AND FINANCE REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY BY
INSTALLMENT CONTRACTS
Chairman Retchin, on behalf of the Board, requested the
local legislators to support the local bill authorizing the New
Hanover County Airport Authority to finance real or personal
property by installment contracts.
DISCUSSION OF HOUSE BILL 364 AND SENATE BILL 269 TO OVERCOME THE
GAP FOR PER CAPITA FUNDING AMONG MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS
Acting County Manager Gornto commented on House Bill 364 and
Senate Bill 269 stating these bills address the gap in per capita
funding among mental health programs stating New Hanover County
is 37 out of 41 counties, yet 12th in population.
Senator Block stated this matter has been discussed with the
local Mental Health Director, William D. Sudduth, and that he
will monitor these bills closely.
Chairman Retchin commented on the $400,000 loss of State
funding for the New Hanover County Detox Center and requested the
legislators to fund the Eastern Region's detoxification services
in this year's budget. ,He stressed the importance of this [
facility to our region and the immediate need for funds.
DISCUSSION OF STATE LOTTERY
Chairman Retchin commented on the projected shortfall in the
State's budget and the revenue that could be generated from a
state-wide lottery. He recommended allowing the voters of the
State to decide by referendum if North Carolina should have a
state lottery.
Representative Hall stated this is a very controversial
issue and no one has been able to gather enough votes to allow
this matter to be decided by referendum.
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MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, MARCH 13, 1990 (CONTINUED)
859 .,
DISCUSSION OF LAND TRANSFER TAX
Commissioner Mathews inquired about the possibility of
imposing a land transfer tax to complete the county-wide sewer
system.
Representative Payne stated Dare County has been quite
successful with the land transfer tax; however, they had no
alternative but to impose the tax due to growth and public health
problems being experienced with water and sewer.
Representative Hall recommended seeking some other form of
generating revenue.
DISCUSSION OF INCINERATOR
Senator Block inquired as to the completion date of the
Steam Plant expansion and asked if there is enough capacity to
contract with Pender County for burning of waste.
Acting County Manager Gornto stated the expansion should be
completed by mid-1991 and that representatives of Pender,
Brunswick, Columbus, and Horry County, South Carolina are
participating in discussion of solid waste disposal. At the
present time, it is felt that burning or utilization of landfills
among the counties is not practical due to the distance involved.
held on state solid waste disposal and
Representative Payne stated New Hanover
in this area compared to other counties;
will not receive a high priority when
Discussion was
funding assistance.
County is far advanced
therefore, the county
allocating funds.
DISCUSSION OF PRE-FILING LOCAL BILLS
Representative Harry Payne stated the House has established
a system whereby bills will be pre-filed. The pre-filed bills
will be forwarded to the Local Government Committee who will
review and prepare the bills for hearings. Representative Payne
stated this method should reduce the amount of time involved, and
encouraged all local governments to forward their local bills as
soon as possible.
Chairman Retchin, on behalf of the Board, expressed
appreciation to the local delegation for attending the meeting
and discussing items of concern to the County.
AGENDA FOR RETREAT
Commissioner Mathews inquired as to when the backup for the
retreat agenda will be received.
Acting County Manager Gornto stated the agenda and backup
material will be completed on Friday, March 23, 1990.
APPROVAL OF BONUS FOR ACTING COUNTY MANAGER MARY GORNTO
Chairman Retchin requested a motion to discuss an additional
item involving compensation for the Acting County Manager. He
stated since Commissioner Barfield and Vice-Chairman Corbett were
unable to attend, they have written letters waiving their right
to be present and have voted to discuss this issue.
Motion: Commissioner O'Neal MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner
Mathews to discuss compensating the Acting County Manager for
services performed during the past eight, (8) months. Upon vote,
the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Copies of the letters are hereby incorporated as a part of
the minutes and are contained in Exhibit Book XVIII, Page 8.
Chairman Retchin commented on the outstanding job performed
by Mary Gornto as Acting County Manager and proposed a bonus of
$8,000 ($1,000 per month).
Motion: Chairman Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by commissioner Mathews
to approve an $8,000 bonus for Mary Gornto as additional
compensation for duties performed while serving as the Acting
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County Manager for a period of eight (8) months. Upon vote, the
MOTION CARRIED AS FOLLOWS:
Voting Aye: Commissioner Mathews
Commissioner O'Neal
Chairman Retchin
Absent: Commissioner Barfield
Vice-Chairman Corbett
Acting County Manager Gornto expressed appreciation to the CJ
Commissioners for the bonus and complimented the County staff and
employees for their assistance and cooperation.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Mathews MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner O'Neal
to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED AS FOLLOWS:
Voting Aye: Commissioner Mathews
Commissioner O'Neal
Chairman Retchin
Absent: Commissioner Barfield
Vice-Chairman Corbett
Chairman Retchin adjourned the meeting at 9:35 o'clock P.M.
~es ectfully submitted,
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Lu ie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board
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