MINUTES

WILKES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MAY 3, 2010

The Wilkes County Board of Commissioners met on Monday, May 3, 2010 at 12:00 P. M. with the following members present: Chairman Zach Henderson, Vice Chairman Gary Blevins, Commissioner Keith Elmore, Commissioner Luther Parks, and Commissioner Charlie Sink. 

Also present for the meeting were Tony Triplett, County Attorney; John Yates, County Manager; and Alene Faw, Clerk to the Board.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Zach Henderson who welcomed those in attendance.   

INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance were led by Commissioner Luther Parks.

MINUTES - Motion was made by Commissioner Charlie Sink seconded by Commissioner Luther Parks and unanimously adopted to approve the Minutes of the Board Meeting held on April 20, 2009.

BUDGET AMENDMENTS & BUDGET TRANSFERS - Motion was made by Commissioner Luther Parks seconded by Commissioner Charlie Sink and unanimously adopted to approve Budget Amendment No. 48 (Health – General), No. 49 (Health – Diabetes), No. 50 (General Fund), No. 51 (Social Services), and No. 52 (General Fund); and Budget Transfers No. 19 (Emergency Communications), No. 20 (Jail), No. 21 (Landfill), No. 22 (Elections), and No. 23 (CJPP).

MOUNTAIN VIEW RURITAN CLUB - FLY-IN - County Manager John Yates stated he has received a letter from the Mountain View Ruritan Club requesting they be allowed to hold a Fly-In at the Wilkes County Airport on Saturday, June 26, 2010.

Chairman Zach Henderson stated this is something the Board does every year. He stated for flying enthusiasts that are interested in flying and interested in our Airport this is a big deal and he thinks everyone has a lot of fun and enjoys this.

Commissioner Charlie Sink made a motion to approve the request. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Luther Parks.

Commissioner Keith Elmore stated this event is free to the public and is very enjoyable.

Commissioner Luther Parks asked if this has been going on for ten years. Commissioner Charlie Sink stated it has been longer than that.

            Voting on the motion:             Ayes - Unanimous

SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD APPOINTMENT - Donnie Bumgarner, Social Services Director, stated on April 22, 2010 the Social Services Board unanimously agreed to nominate Blake D. Lovette for a three year term on the Social Services Board for the period July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2013. He stated the Social Services Board’s nomination of Mr. Lovette is being presented to the Board of Commissioners for their final approval. 

Vice Chairman Gary Blevins asked who Mr. Lovette will be replacing on the Social Services Board. Mr. Bumgarner stated the Social Services Board appointed Lynn Day on June 15, 2004 for a three year term beginning July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2007 and the Board of Commissioners reappointed her for a second three year term on June 5, 2007 for the term July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2010. Vice Chairman Blevins asked if Ms. Day will be serving on the Board until June 30^th. Mr. Bumgarner stated that is correct. He stated Social Services Board members are allowed to serve up to two three year consecutive terms or six years unless the Board member is a County Commissioner and they are eligible to serve beyond that. Vice Chairman Blevins asked if there are any other pending reappointments or new appointments. Mr. Bumgarner stated the Social Services Commission will also be appointing a new member. He stated David Pendry has also served two three year terms and he was appointed by the Social Services Commission and his term ends June 30, 2010. Vice Chairman Blevins asked if the Social Services Commission selected an individual to take his place. Mr. Bumgarner stated the Social Services Commission will meet on June 2^nd and make appointments at that time. Vice Chairman Blevins asked if they are given recommendations by the Social Services Board. Mr. Bumgarner stated they receive nominations from anyone and certainly the Social Services Board has forwarded a nomination. Vice Chairman Blevins asked if the Social Services Board has made a nomination and who that individual is. Mr. Bumgarner stated they are nominating Larry J. Pendry. Vice Chairman Blevins asked during this process of determining who would take Ms. Day’s place if any female members of the community were brought up as possible nominees. Mr. Bumgarner stated a couple of the Social Services Board members are here and it was up to them to make that nomination.

Commissioner Keith Elmore stated he is Chairman of the Social Services Board and the process was the position was open for nominations or recommendations and Blake Lovette’s name was the only one recommended to come to the Board of Commissioners. He stated all of the five member Board had an opportunity to place a name in nomination and they would have been brought over but this was the only nomination and it was the same with the State. Commissioner Elmore stated he put Mr. Lovette’s name up and recommended him and the Board voted 5-0. He stated he is not certain who brought Larry Pendry’s name up but there was only one name brought up to submit to the State and that was voted on 5-0. He stated this is how the process went on the Social Services Board and now it is to this point for approval or disapproval. He asked if it is appropriate to nominate anybody else. 

Vice Chairman Blevins stated he does not have anyone to nominate. He asked what percentage of people that work at Social Services are women approximately. Mr. Bumgarner stated the majority of employees are women. Vice Chairman Blevins asked if that would be 70% or 80%. Mr. Bumgarner stated Social Services has a little over 100 employees. Commissioner Elmore stated he would guess 80%. Vice Chairman Blevins stated his only concern is Ms. Day, the only female member of the Board, is now being replaced by another man so that makes a five member male Board. He stated there certainly needs to be more women from the community serving. He stated this is a very important position on the Social Services Board. He stated there are going to be some significant decisions that are made and his only request would be that perhaps the Board go back and revisit this issue as the appointment does not have to be made before July. Mr. Bumgarner stated the term is July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2013. Vice Chairman Blevins stated he is sure there is a way to facilitate getting that person in that position by the end of Ms. Day’s term. 

Vice Chairman Gary Blevins made a motion that in fairness to equality of service on these Boards to table this nomination and at least take an opportunity to look at some other candidates from the community and perhaps have some female representation on the Social Services Board. Chairman Zach Henderson declared the motion dies for lack of a second.

Chairman Henderson stated the recommendation is from the Social Services for Mr. Lovette and that was the only recommendation made by that Board and it was unanimous. Commissioner Elmore stated that is correct.

Commissioner Keith Elmore made a motion to appoint Blake D. Lovette to the Social Services Board for a three year term. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Charlie Sink.

Commissioner Elmore stated he appreciates what Commissioner Blevins is saying but Social Services is having to replace the Director, and the Board made a decision to select the best qualified person regardless of sex, race, etc. and he feels like Mr. Lovette is. He stated that is the soul reason for his selection and for him putting his name into nomination and he thinks the Social Services Board would agree. 

Vice Chairman Blevins stated he just asked this be looked at and he is fine and he just made the request. He stated the will of the Board prevails.

Commissioner Luther Parks stated it should certainly be taken into consideration since the vote was unanimous he would hate to go back and renege on that. He stated he thinks that is being fair to the name put out. He stated that name should have been brought in advance and considered. He stated he thinks the Board should stick with what they have.

            Voting on the motion:             Ayes    -           Chairman Zach Henderson

                                                                                    Commissioner Keith Elmore

                                                                                    Commissioner Luther Parks

                                                                                    Commissioner Charlie Sink

                                                            Nays    -           Vice Chairman Gary Blevins

MCGRADY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT CONTRACT - County Attorney Tony Triplett stated the Board has before them a contract for fire protection and basic medical services for McGrady Volunteer Fire Department. He stated this has been approved by them. Mr. Triplett stated the County has been in the process for several years of gradually having all of the fire departments sign a new contract. He stated this is the new contract. He stated approximately one half of the fire departments have signed a new contract and this is the latest. Mr. Triplett stated this has already been before their Board of Directors and they have approved it, signed it and it is now ready for action by the Board of Commissioners if they wish to approve it. Mr. Triplett stated Fire Marshal Kevin Bounds is usually here to present these matters but he is recovering from some serious surgery he had about a week ago. He stated Mr. Bounds is doing well but will not be back to work for some period of time so he is presenting this in his absence today. 

Commissioner Luther Parks made a motion to approve the McGrady Volunteer Fire Department Contract as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Keith Elmore and unanimously approved.

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION AND REVIEW - Alex Hamilton, Tax Administrator, stated when he requested the Board of Commissioners approve the Board of Equalization and Review he should have requested an alternate also. He asked the Board’s permission to name an alternate. He stated Andrew Casey has agreed to serve as an alternate. He stated Mr. Casey is a local realtor, a forestry consultant, and a local businessman. 

Chairman Zach Henderson stated he knows Mr. Casey and he seems to be very qualified and competent in the areas discussed.

Commissioner Keith Elmore stated he would suggest having two alternates. He asked if that can be done. Mr. Hamilton stated it can. He stated he is advertising a meeting on Thursday and only has two members that can attend. He stated he is open to anything. Commissioner Elmore stated Joe Greene was excellent on the Board of E & R and was very good with automobiles, etc. and he would love to have him back as an alternate but he has not discussed that with him. He stated the reason he left was medically related and he might consider coming back. Mr. Hamilton stated Mr. Greene was a great E & R Board member and served for years. Commissioner Elmore stated Mr. Greene is very experienced. 

Commissioner Keith Elmore made a motion to appoint Andrew Casey as an alternate to the Board of Equalization and Review and to appoint Joe Greene as an alternate contingent upon his agreement to serve. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Gary Blevins and unanimously approved.

2010-2011 WILKES COUNTY BUDGET - County Manger John Yates stated he is going to present the 2010-2011 Wilkes County Budget to the Board of Commissioners on May 18, 2010 and he would like to hold a budget work session on May 20, 2010.

Commissioner Keith Elmore made a motion to set a budget work session on May 20, 2010 at 12 noon. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Luther Parks and unanimously approved.

COUNTY ASSEMBLY DAY - County Manager John Yates stated he and the Board of Commissioners will attend the North Carolina Association of Commissioners County Assembly Day in Raleigh.

CLOSED SESSION - Commissioner Charlie Sink made a motion to go into Closed Session to instruct the staff or agent concerning negotiation of the price and terms of a contract for the acquisition of real property and to consult with the County Attorney to protect the attorney-client privilege. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Luther Parks and unanimously approved. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Luther Parks seconded by Commissioner Charlie Sink and by unanimous vote adopted to adjourn back into regular session. No action was taken.

ADJOURN - Motion was made by Commissioner Charlie Sink seconded by Commissioner Luther Parks and by unanimous vote adopted to adjourn the meeting of the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners at 12:45 P. M.

Alene E. Faw, Clerk                                                                  Zach Henderson, Chairman

WILKES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Approved: