1986-04-28 Special Meeting
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MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, APRIL 28, 1986
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Special
Session on Monday, April 28, 1986, at 7:30 o'clock A.M. in the
Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Administration Building,
320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
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Members present were: Commissioners John Dolan: Nolan
O'Neal: Claud 0' Shields, Jr.: Vice-Chairman Fred Retchin:
Chairman Jonathan Barfield, Sr.: County Manager, G. Felix Cooper:
County Attorney, Robert W. Pope: and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F.
Harrell.
Chairman Barfield called the meeting to order to discuss
issues to be presented to the local legislators at the
Legislative Caucus sponsored by the Cape Fear Council of
Governments.
DISCUSSION OF REGIONAL AIRPORT FUNDING
Airport Manager Shackelford commented on the idea of
requesting all cities and counties in Region 0, which will be
served by the New Hanover County Airport Terminal, to prepare and
adopt resolutions, encouraging the N. C. Department of
Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration to provide
the financial support of the new terminal within the planned time
frame. He commented on the crunch in State funding and stressed
the importance of creating an awareness of this terminal as
regional, not just New Hanover County.
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After discussion, Vice-Chairman Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by
Commissioner O'Neal to authorize the Airport Manager to forward
the proposed resolutions to the cities and counties encouraging
support of the N. C. Department of Transportation and Federal
Aviation Administration. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
DISCUSSION OF ADDITIONAL ONE-HALF CENT SALES TAX
After discussion of the proposed one-half cent sales tax,
Vice-Chairman Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner O'Shields
to endorse the additional one-half cent sales tax with the funds
being used at the discretion of the County Commissioners. Upon
vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
DISCUSSION OF ROOM OCCUPANCY TAX INCREASE FROM 2% TO 3%
After discussion, Commissioner O'Shields MOVED, SECONDED by
Vice-Chairman Retchin to endorse an increase in the room
occupancy tax from 2% to 3% with no change in the formula for
distribution since the County is commmitted to use these funds
for tourism and beach renourishment. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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DISCUSSION OF TAXING. VEHICLES AT TIME OF LICENSE PURCHASE,
EXEMPTION OF HOUSEHOLD PERSONAL PROPERTY, AND STIFFER ENFORCEMENT
PROCEDURES
After discussion of greatly increasing the efficiency of the
tax office in being sure all owners of vehicles have listed and
paid taxes due, County Commissioner Dolan MOVED, SECONDED by
Vice-Chairman Retchin to provide for taxing vehicles at the time
of license acquisition. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
After discussion of the time consummed in the tax operation
involving taxing of personal household property, Commissioner
Dolan MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Retchin to eliminate the
taxing of personal household property.
Discussion was held on builders not paying property taxes
until the sale of the property with the recommendation of stiffer
procedures to collect the tax owed in a shorter period of time.
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MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, APRIL 28, 1986 (CONTINUED)
DISCUSSION OF TAXING OF VEHICLES, EXEMPTION OF HOUSEHOLD PERSONAL
PROPERTY AND STIFFER ENFORCEMENT OF TAX COLLECTIONS (CONTINUED)
Commissioner O'Shields asked for an explanation of the difference
between a builder or property owner expressing concern for one
receiving a longer period of time to use their funds. It was the
consensus of the Board for the current collection procedure to
remain the same.
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Discussion was held on House
Representative Joe Mavretic. County
North Carolina County Commissioners
resolution opposing the bill. After
Chairman Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by
the legislators to vehemently oppose
property taxes with sales taxes.
Bill 1314 introduced by
Manager Cooper stated the
Association had adopted a
further discussion, Vice-
Commisisoner Dolan to urge
HB 1314 for replacement of
DISCUSSION OF CLEAN WATER BONDS
County Manager Cooper commented on the importance of
continuing a grant program to provide Clean Water Bonds.
After discussion, Vice-Chairman Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by
Commissioner O'Neal to endorse the support of a grant for the
provision of Clean Water Bond funding. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
DISCUSSION OF ADDITIONAL FACILITIES FEES TO FUND JAILS
Discussion was held on increasing facilities fees to assist
counties in absorbing the additional jail and court costs.
After discussion, Commissioner O'Neal MOVED, SECONDED by
Vice-Chairman Retchin to request increasing facilities fees or
other revenues to assist counties in absorbing additional jail
and court costs. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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ENDORSEMENT OF GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED INCREASE IN STATE GASOLINE TAX
Vice-Chairman Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner
Dolan to go on record as supporting the Governor's proposed
increase in the gasoline tax.
ENDORSEMENT OF THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES' AND NORTH CAROLINA
ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' RECOMMENDATIONS TO ALLOW
CITIES AND COUNTIES TO RESERVE RIGHTS OF WAY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF
ROADS
A lengthy discussion was held on enabling legislation for
local governments to reserve rights of way for planned
thoroughfares and roads.
Commissioner Dolan expressed concern for reserving rights of
way in advance which could deprive property owners the use of
their property until official thoroughfare and master highway
plans were drawn. He also expressed concern for counties
competing against each other.
Commissioner 0' Shields commented on legislation that was
introduced by the League of Municipalities and N. C. Association
of County Commissioners, recommending endorsement of this
legislation since all counties and cities throughout North
Carolina had agreed to the final proposal which would avoid
competition among counties.
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After a lengthy discussion, Commissioner O'Shields MOVED,
SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Retchin to support the League of
Municipalities' and North Carolina Association of County
Commisisoners' recommendations to allow cities and counties to
reserve rights of way for the construction of roads which are
located on master thoroughfare plans. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED AS FOLLOWS:
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MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING, APRIL 28, 1986 (CONTINUED)
DISCUSSION OF RIGHTS OF WAY (CONTINUED)
. .,
Voting Aye: Commissioner O'Shields
Vice-Chairman Retchin
Chairman Barfield
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Voting Noe: Commissioner Dolan
Commissioner O'Neal
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION REQUESTING ACCELERATION OF THE SMITH CREEK
PARKWAY PROJECT IN THE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Vice-Chairman Retchin presented a resolution requesting the
N. C. Board of Transportation to accelerate the Smith Creek
Parkway project in the Transportation Improvement Program with
the necessary studies at the earliest possible date. He stated
the City of Wilmington had already adopted a similar resolution.
Commissioner O'Neal commented on the need for expert
engineering advice in moving traffic from east to west whether it
is Smith Creek Parkway or some other alternative route.
After a lengthy discussion, Vice-Chairman Retchin MOVED,
SECONDED by Commissioner O'Shields to adopt a resolution urging
acceleration of the Smith Creek Parkway project in the
Transportation Improvement Program with a listing of priority
projects. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A copy of the resolution is contained in Exhibit Book XIV,
Page 22.
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AUTHORIZATION FOR RESOLUTION TO BE PREPARED TO PRESENT TO LOCAL
LEGISLATORS AT LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS ON APRIL 28, 1986
County Manager Cooper was requested to prepare a resolution
stating the previous actions taken at this meeting to present to
the local legislators at the Legislative Caucus to be held that
evening.
A copy of the prepared resolution is contained in Exhibit
Book XIV, Page 22.
DISCUSSION OF SCHOOL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 1986-87
County Manager Cooper gave background information on the
increased School Budget Request for the Fiscal Year 1986-87.
After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Board
to request the school to furnish a personnel budget reflecting
administrative and teachers salaries.
ADJOURNMENT
Vice-Chairman Retchin MOVED,
to adjourn the Special Meeting.
UNANIMOUSLY.
SECONDED by Commissioner Dolan
Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED
Chairman Barfield adjourned the meeting at 9:00 o'clock A.M.
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Respectfully submitted,
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Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk