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MINUTES
WILKES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
PUBLIC COMMENTS - None
The Wilkes County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 7:00 P. M. with the following members present: Chairman Zach Henderson, Vice Chairman Keith Elmore, Commissioner Gary Blevins, Commissioner Luther Parks, and Commissioner Charlie Sink.
Also present for the meeting were Tony Triplett, County Attorney; County Manager John Yates; and Alene Faw, Clerk to the Board.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Henderson who welcomed those in attendance.
INVOCATION & 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 Gary Blevins and unanimously adopted to approve the Minutes of the Board Meeting held on November 3, 2009.
BUDGET AMENDMENTS - County Manager John Yates stated Budget Amendment No. 19 reduces the County budget to offset declining revenues by $499,490.
Commissioner Luther Parks made a motion to approve Budget Amendment No. 16 (Social Services), No. 17 (Health – Mesh), No. 18 (Health – Health Care Connection & Programs/Salaries) and No. 19 (General Fund). The motion was seconded by Commissioner Charlie Sink.
Vice Chairman Keith Elmore asked if there are any areas in government that are not affected with these cuts. Mr. Yates stated there are not. Vice Chairman Elmore asked if these cuts are across the board. Mr. Yates stated they are across the board 10% including non-profits and all County departments. He stated the only thing not cut was Wilkes Community College and the School System.
Voting on the motion: Ayes - Unanimous
2008-2009 AUDIT REPORT - Paula Hodges, Audit Director for Martin Starnes & Associates, presented the 2008-2009 Audit Report. She stated with her tonight are J. P. Jones and Bryan Epley who are the auditors in charge for the County so they can answer any questions. She stated she wanted to highlight areas that show the most useful information for the Board of Commissioners. She stated their audit opinion is unqualified which means there were no areas in which they as auditors could not reach an agreement with the County as it relates to the financial statement. She stated that is also known as a clean opinion which is the best opinion the County can get. Ms. Hodges stated their audit process takes place in four different stages. She stated the first stage is planning. She stated during the planning process they assess their risk and design their procedures to address that risk. She stated their procedures change each and every year to address the risk they have. Ms. Hodges stated sometime before year end they come on site and conduct the interim procedures. She stated during the interim field work they test the internal control systems and if they have any recommendations for internal controls they will publish those in a letter that is found with the Compliance Section. She stated during those interim procedures they also test compliance with Federal and State grant awards. She stated during interim this year they had no findings and no questioned costs as it relates to the County’s compliance with the Federal and State grant awards. Ms. Hodges stated after year end they come back on site and that is where they do their final field work procedures where they test the balances that are found in the audited financial statements. She stated once they are finished with that they leave the Finance Officer with a final trial balance and begin to draft the County’s audit report. She stated the audit report is due to the Local Government Commission by October 31st and the County’s audit report was submitted by October 31st and it has already been approved by the Local Government Commission and the final report is before the Board tonight. Ms. Hodges stated the audit process went really smooth and the reason for that is because of the excellent staff here at the County. She stated she wanted to publicly thank Finance Director Jerry Shepherd and the members of the Finance Department. She stated they are always prepared and knowledgeable. She stated when they call and request any information they have it for them. Ms. Hodges stated that is the reason they were able to get the financial reports to the Board and to the Local Government Commission in a timely manner so they can use the information to make management decisions. Ms. Hodges stated property tax revenues increased for 2009 while the collection rate percentage went down. She stated that is consistent with what they are seeing across the State and it is due to the economic climate we are in. She stated the General Fund Summary shows revenues and expenditures as compared to the prior year. Ms. Hodges stated the Fund Balance is not a savings account or a cash account. She stated that is everything that is left over if the County were to liquidate all of its assets including capital assets and pay everything the County owes excluding the debt service. She stated everything left over would be the fund balance. She stated fund balance is divided into three categories. She stated the reserved fund balance is everything that has external restrictions placed upon it. She stated an example is the State does not allow the County to put in unreserved or available fund balance items they do not consider readily available. She stated that is receivables. She stated everything that is owed to the General Fund cannot go into the available fund balance so that unreserved or undesignated amount is contingent upon what is in the reserved fund balance. Ms. Hodges stated the next category is unreserved or designated. She stated that is everything that has internal restrictions. She stated the most popular one being designated for subsequent year’s expenditures which are appropriated for the next year’s budget. She stated that amount is also considered unreserved and available. She stated everything left over is unreserved undesignated fund balance which is also available. Ms. Hodges stated the total fund balance for the General Fund decreased this year by about $3 million. She stated most of that decrease is due to the decrease in sales tax. She stated the decrease in sales tax is consistent with the economy. She stated the total fund balance is $10.8 million. She stated the required reservations which is the amount that is externally restricted is $7.3 million and everything left over is $3.4 million. Ms. Hodges stated there was a decrease in the unreserved balance of $4.7 million and that was due to capital purchases in anticipation of installment financing and grants reimbursements the County had. She stated because the required reservations went up the unreserved fund balance went down. Ms. Hodges stated a good measure of the health of the General Fund is to take the fund balance as a percentage of the General Fund expenditures and that is the unreserved or available fund balance. She stated the Local Government Commission recommends a minimum of 8% which is one month of expenditures in reserve. She stated Wilkes County has a 5% fund balance due to capital expenditures in anticipation of reimbursements and in anticipation of installment financing as well as the loss in the General Fund. Ms. Hodges stated the County’s top three revenues are property taxes, sales taxes, and restricted inter-governmental revenue. She stated compared to the previous year property taxes increased, local option sales tax decreased, and restricted inter-governmental revenue increased. Ms. Hodges stated the County’s top expenditures are human services, education, and public safety which are all services provided for County citizens. She stated human services went down, education increased, public safety increased, and debt service decreased. Ms. Hodges stated in looking at the enterprise funds, they look at several different factors for measuring the health of an enterprise fund. She stated that is somewhat different than looking at a General Fund. She stated in the Landfill fund the first thing they look at is unrestricted net assets as a percentage of fund expenditures. She stated that is similar to what they look at in the General Fund for the fund balance percentage. She stated the Landfill fund does not have anything in reserve. Ms. Hodges stated the next thing they look at is cash flow from operations. She stated that is everything that is left over from operations that can fund capital acquisitions or debt service. She stated the Landfill fund had $20,000. Ms. Hodges stated the Airport also does not have anything in reserve and has a negative cash flow from operations. She stated they audit a lot of airports across the State and most airports are not designed to be profitable. She stated most airports and landfills are not designed to be profitable but are designed to provide a service to the County. She stated in most cases the airports are having to be subsidized by the operating fund. She stated also in looking at an airport you do not want to look at just the unrestricted net assets or the cash flow from operations but consider the tax base that airport is bringing to the County with the planes and buildings that are going to be there that might bring future tax revenue and economic development to the County. She stated there are things to consider that are bringing money into the General Fund that is not reflected. Ms. Hodges stated the last thing to look at is the Landfill fund quick ratio. She stated that is a measure of liquidity. She stated that tells how current obligations of the fund can be met with available resources so the higher the number the better. She stated in this case it is excellent at 500%. She stated the Airport fund is excellent as well at over 40%. Ms. Hodges stated taking a quick snapshot of the County’s position, there is a 5% fund balance and that is a decrease over prior years. She stated the reason for that is in part the loss the General Fund sustained because of lost revenue, sales tax revenue in particular, due to the economy. She stated she has already discussed with management and she knows the County has plans in place for conservative cost savings efforts and that along with continuing conservative budgeting will hopefully rectify the loss and match the expenditures with the loss in revenues. She stated another thing that affected the fund balance percentage was capital expenditures in anticipation of installment financing and anticipation of grant reimbursement. She stated this is a snapshot of June 30, 2009 so if the County were to receive some of that grant reimbursement and she understands from management the County has already received part of that and the General Fund has been reimbursed for that, or receive installment financing and the General Fund reimbursed for the capital expenditures, it is safe to say the County will see the fund balance percentage return to the normal levels the Board is used to seeing. Ms. Hodges stated a lot of this is a snapshot in time and the County has put in place and made efforts to restore that percentage back to what normally is kept in the fund balance policy. She stated the enterprise funds were not designed to be profitable and are very different by nature and do not have reserves so they are dependent on the General Fund. She stated the Board will want to keep that in mind when making management decisions.
Vice Chairman Keith Elmore stated the fund balance is low and asked how that will impact the County’s ability to borrow money on other projects. He asked if the interest rate will still be low. Ms. Hodges stated that is possible. She stated there are a lot of factors that are considered when looking at the interest rate. She stated that depends on what the County is borrowing and the type of financing they are trying to secure. Ms. Hodges stated she really cannot answer that question. She stated she does not know. She stated if the County was going out for bonded debt they would look at it with a completely different set of criteria than if they were going to the bank for installment purchase financing. She stated if the County was trying to secure real property they would have to go to the Local Government Commission for approval. She stated the type of financing depends on what they look at. She stated fund balance percentage is important. She stated it is important to have a strong fund balance and it is equally as important to have a plan in place. She stated it is important for the Board to understand the causes for the fund balance and where the County is and to have a plan in place that can be stressed on how to improve the fund balance. She stated she cannot speak for the lending institutions.
Chairman Zach Henderson thanked Ms. Hodges for the report.
JOHN BROWN ROAD NAMING RESOLUTION - Chairman Zach Henderson stated before the Board is a Resolution in support of naming a road in honor of John Walter Brown. He asked Ms. Ruth Brown and her daughter to come forward. He stated Mr. Brown served for thirteen terms in the North Carolina Legislature. He stated the Board is saddened that Mr. Brown died on November 20, 2008 and it has been approximately one year since his death. He stated according to rules specified by the North Carolina Department of Transportation at least a year has to go by before a road name can be introduced to the Department of Transportation. Chairman Henderson stated it is his understanding that as a result of this resolution which will be forwarded through the proper channels, assuming it is all approved, a portion of NC Highway 268 from Wilkes County Secondary Road 2303 (Clingman Road) to the Surry County line will be named the John Walter Brown Memorial Highway. He stated it is with the intention of putting forth this resolution that the Board asks the North Carolina Department of Transportation to make this designation. Chairman Henderson stated Mr. Brown served with distinction for a number of years and he thinks thirteen terms was the number cited to him and he served as a leader in his community for many many years and served with distinction in many ways. He stated the Board hopes this will be of some recognition to the family that the County values his memory.
Vice Chairman Keith Elmore stated Mr. Brown was a friend to him and he enjoyed knowing Mr. and Mrs. Brown. He stated he thinks Mr. Brown was the longest serving person in the House of Representatives. Ms. Brown stated at that time he was the longest serving Republican. Vice Chairman Elmore stated Mr. Brown was a fine gentleman.
Commissioner Charlie Sink made a motion to approve the resolution. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Keith Elmore and unanimously approved.
Chairman Henderson stated this resolution will be sent on to the appropriate place.
Representative Shirley Randleman stated she was very honored to be involved in April in the passage of the resolution honoring Mr. Brown’s life. She stated the family was there and it was a very emotional time. She stated she does not know that the family remembers everyone that spoke and every word that was said so she has for them a video recording of the Chamber Session for the House and Senate. She stated this will be something they can listen to and a historical thing for the family. Mrs. Brown and her daughter thanked Representative Randleman. They also thanked the Board of Commissioners for passing the Resolution.
Commissioner Charlie Sink stated the Board looks forward to the dedication.
RESOLUTION IN HONOR OF THE MEMORY OF
JOHN WALTER BROWN
FORMER MEMBER OF THE NORTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Whereas, John Walter Brown was born on September 12, 1918, in Wilkes County to James Walter and Nora Blackburn Brown; and
Whereas, John Walter Brown graduated from Traphill High School in Wilkes County and furthered his education by taking classes at Appalachian State University; and
Whereas, John Walter Brown became a farmer, raising cattle and poultry and producing tobacco in Wilkes County; and
Whereas, John Walter Brown also worked for 38 years at Chatham Manufacturing; and
Whereas, John Walter Brown was a member of the North Carolina Cattlemen's Association, Woodmen of the World, and the North Carolina Farm Bureau; and
Whereas, John Walter Brown served with honor and distinction as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for 13 terms between 1971 and ending in 2000; and
Whereas, during his tenure in the General Assembly, John Walter Brown served six years as Chair of the Committee on Agriculture and made significant contributions as a member of several other committees, including Finance, State Government, Transportation, and Wildlife Resources; and
Whereas, John Walter Brown was admired and respected by his peers in the legislature, which enabled him to successfully advance legislation that aided agribusiness in the State; and
Whereas, among his many accomplishments, John Walter Brown was successful in helping to establish the School of Veterinary Science at North Carolina State University, securing funding for a cattle arena in Iredell County and special aircraft to fight forest fires, and getting additional roads built in the western portion of the State; and
Whereas, John Walter Brown helped to enact legislation that changed inheritance laws, reduced taxes, and included provisions for certain farms and lands under the present use tax laws; and
Whereas, John Walter Brown served as a member and delegate of the Republican National Committee, as a member of the North Carolina Republican Committee, and as an inductee in the North Carolina Republican Hall of Fame; and
Whereas, John Walter Brown received numerous awards and honors for his outstanding service, including an honorary degree from North Carolina State University; and
Whereas, John Walter Brown was named Man of the Year in North Carolina Agriculture, Man of the Year in North Carolina Poultry, and received a lifetime achievement award as Friend of Agriculture and Agriculture Business; and
Whereas, John Walter Brown proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army from 1944 to 1946, serving in the Engineer Corps during World War II; and
Whereas, John Walter Brown was a member of Charity United Methodist Church where he served as Chair of the Official Board, Trustee, Church School Superintendent, Teacher of the Young Adult Class, and as a Church Lay Speaker; and
Whereas, John Walter Brown died on November 20, 2008, at the age of 90; and
Whereas, John Walter Brown is survived by his wife, Ruth Hanks Brown; two daughters, Betty Brown Satterlee and Johnsie C. Brown; a sister, Victoria Hollar; two grandchildren; and three great grandchildren;
NOW THEREFORE, on behalf of Wilkes County, the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners do hereby issue this resolution in honor of the memory of John Walter Brown and in support of the naming Highway 268 in Wilkes County from Secondary Road 2303 (Clingman Road) to the Surry County line the John Walter Brown Memorial Highway.
Adopted this 17th day of November, 2009.
WILKES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
/s/ Zach Henderson, Chairman
Attest:
/s/ Alene E. Faw, County Clerk
BLUE RIDGE OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION – AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT FUNDS - Mary Edna Faw, BROC Elderly Nutrition Program Director, stated it is always good to bring more money into the County and that is what she has before the Board tonight. She stated the American Recovery and Reinvestment Funds have finally come to the County. She stated the allocation was based on the same thing the Home & Community Care Block Grant Funds are based on. She stated for Congregate Nutrition they received $19,856 and for Home Delivered Meals $9,775 for a total of $29,631. She stated these funds require a 10% match but she is not asking for the match. Ms. Faw stated it was designated what these funds had to be spent for and they are one time funds and will not be repeated next year. She stated the $19,856 plus the 10% match for Congregate Meals and USDA money received will total $24,200. She stated that will provide 3,535 meals. Ms. Faw stated the Home Delivered money is $9,775 with a $1,086 match with a net service cost of $10,861 with the USDA supplement of $982 making total funding $11,843. She stated this will provide 1,625 meals. Ms. Faw stated the unit rate remained the same as what they have for the Home & Community Care Block Grant funding.
Commissioner Charlie Sink made a motion to approve the ARRA Funding as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Luther Parks and unanimously approved.
SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT – 911 READDRESSING INITIATIVE CONTRACT - Chairman Zach Henderson stated the Board visited the 911 Readdressing Contract at the last meeting and wanted a little time to deliberate and decide how to proceed.
Major Greg Minton stated the contract has been updated and the County Attorney is satisfied with it and the current contract is before the Board.
Vice Chairman Keith Elmore made a motion to approve the 911 Readdressing Initiative Contract as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gary Blevins and unanimously approved.
AIRPORT – GRANT RESOLUTION - County Manager John Yates stated he has a Grant Resolution from the North Carolina Department of Aviation that needs to be adopted. He stated this is a request for $200,000. He stated this grant will be used to pay for the taxiway. He stated there is $300,000 coming this year plus this $200,000. Mr. Yates stated the bids will be awarded for the taxiway work to the low bidder and $500,000 worth of work will be done. He stated that will run the taxiway from the Airport over to the Airpark.
Commissioner Luther Parks asked if that is the fiscal year or the calendar year. Mr. Yates advised the State has withheld some payments and that is one of the problems the County has had and is one of the reasons the fund balance went down. He stated he is hoping to get this by June 30, 2010. He stated the County will probably have to front some of this money and get it back but his hope is to get it back before closing the books next year.
Chairman Zach Henderson asked if this will be to complete a section of the east side of the Airpark that the County has agreed to do contractually for MXR. Mr. Yates stated this is for the Airpark and will serve MXR but it will also serve two other pads that can be used for economic development or whatever the County chooses to use them for in the future that can be marketed.
Commissioner Charlie Sink made a motion to approve the Resolution as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Luther Parks.
Vice Chairman Keith Elmore asked if this is simply a request for the State to give the County this grant money. Mr. Yates stated that is correct. He stated the North Carolina Department of Aviation has committed this money. Vice Chairman Elmore asked if they have given a time. Mr. Yates stated he talked with Jimmy Luther yesterday and they are saying they are going to give it to the County this budget year. He stated he feels like they will. Mr. Yates stated the County is going to get $600,000 for the west side work. He stated Mr. Luther is bringing the paperwork for that this week and hopefully that will be coming in. He stated that is for work that was completed two years ago. He advised the State has said they are going to give the County this $500,000 so it should come in in this fiscal year.
Commissioner Gary Blevins asked if there have been instances in the past where timing issues have been discussed with them in terms of when a grant would be delivered and they failed to deliver those grants on time. Mr. Yates stated he has not had any direct discussions with them. He stated he thinks this has just come about with the current budget and the recession we are in and the State withheld the funds last year. He stated hopefully everyone is getting on track.
County Attorney Tony Triplett stated this procedure has been going on for a number of years where DOT promises funds for work at the Airport and the funding does come in. He stated the County has never had it not come in. He stated it has gotten delayed this year because of reasons everyone understands with the economy and the State’s budget picture but the County has never had the money not come in and there is no reason to think this will not come in. He stated it may be later in the fiscal year when it does.
Commissioner Blevins stated he thinks with the condition the County is in and the fund balance with the Airport in particular the Board needs to proceed with caution when they are not sure the funds are going to be available. Commissioner Blevins stated the audit shows at a given moment when they took a snapshot of our budget and is not necessarily reflective of how well the County is doing at other times during the year. He stated the Board does need to be cautious in terms of how they spend money on these enterprise funds until they see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Commissioner Charlie Sink stated the Board has been somewhat aggressive in obtaining the funds and gotten out there and gotten more money than most normally get and that has helped slow the payment down because the County is getting more than our share. He stated that is a good thing but it has worked against the County because of the economy.
Commissioner Blevins stated as Ms. Hodges said earlier the Board has to look at other revenues and economic possibilities related to getting those grants, using them, and putting them into effect at the Airport and the potential and weighing that in the decision. He stated he thinks the Board has been reasonably prudent in doing that.
Voting on the motion: Ayes - Unanimous
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, a Grant in the amount of $200,000 has been approved by the Department based on total estimated cost of $222,222 and
WHEREAS, an amount equal to or greater than 10 percent of the total estimated project cost has been appropriated by the Sponsor for this Project.
NOW THEREFORE, BE AND IT IS RESOLVED THAT THE County Manager of the Sponsor be and he herby is authorized and empowered to enter into a Grant Agreement with the Department, thereby binding the Sponsor to the fulfillment of its obligation incurred under this Grant Agreement or any mutually agreed upon modification thereof.
AIRPORT - ABANDONMENT & ADDITION OF ROADS AT THE AIRPARK - County Attorney Tony Triplett gave the Board of Commissioners two plats of the Airpark. He stated the documentation he sent to the Board and these plats show basically roads that are either going to be added to or abandoned from the Department of Transportation’s Secondary Road System as part of the work done at the Airport over the last couple of years. He stated this is not just the Airpark but work on the west side of the runway too. Mr. Triplett stated the first matter concerns the new Airpark Access Road. He stated highlighted in yellow on the small map is the new road that has been constructed on the east side of the runway that has been referred to as the new Airpark Access Road. He stated that will be the road that comes off of South Johnson Road and serves as an entrance way not only for MXR but for the remainder of the Airpark. He stated that has been constructed, paved, installed, and is out there and the DOT has basically paid for that road.
County Manager John Yates stated the County has not received the funding for this segment of road. He stated the County is eligible for $500,000 reimbursement on this road and as soon as all this is done, will get that.
Mr. Triplett stated additional DOT funding was specifically made available to the County for that new access road. He stated one of the requirements of that is to add that to the State maintained system which the County will want to do anyway. He stated the County will want to turn over maintenance of that road to the State. Mr. Triplett stated the first item for the Board to consider is a Petition for Road Addition which has the same plat attached and the other is a Request for Addition to State Maintained Secondary Road System. He stated those two documents are necessary to be approved by the Board in order for DOT to add the new Airpark Access Road to the State maintained system. Mr. Triplett stated he and Mr. Yates have talked about doing this as well as Jimmy Luther and Jack Goff. He stated he has met with Doug Tetzlaff at DOT and he has been gracious and very helpful in helping to look over these forms to make sure they are filled out correctly and satisfy DOT’s requirements. He stated the two forms are before the Board for their approval.
Commissioner Charlie Sink made a motion to approve the Petition for Road Addition and the Request for Addition to State Maintained Secondary Road System for the new Airpark Access Road at the Wilkes County Airport and to authorize the County Attorney to sign the Petition for Road Addition on behalf of the County and submit those documents to DOT. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gary Blevins.
Vice Chairman Keith Elmore asked if this is already the County’s property. Mr. Triplett stated that is correct.
Commissioner Blevins asked if this will affect the original road going into the Airport in any way. Mr. Triplett stated it will not close or modify that in any way.
Voting on the motion: Ayes - Unanimous
Mr. Triplett stated the area on the smaller plat highlighted in green is a portion of South Johnson Road. He stated this road will be closed and the asphalt will be taken up because the new Airpark Access Road will be used. He stated he has talked to DOT about this and this area needs to be abandoned from the State maintained Secondary Road System. He stated there are two documents required to accomplish this. He stated one is an Abandonment Petition for South Johnson Road and the other is a Request for Abandonment from the State Maintained Secondary Road System for South Johnson Road. He stated once it is abandoned from the State System it will be taken up and removed and graded over. He stated that portion of roadway will disappear. Mr. Triplett stated currently the Sparks family and the Goss family access their property from the portion of South Johnson Road that is being abandoned and an easement. He stated once this is all closed he will come back with a new set of documents which will be a termination of the right of way they have now and a new right of way for them to use Corporate Aviation Drive and an extension of Corporate Aviation Drive. He stated the extension will be graveled so they can use it for access. He stated all the Board is doing tonight is matters pertaining to the DOT Secondary Road System. He stated there are private rights of way that will be both eliminated and added to afford them new access to their properties and will be in a separate motion he will bring to the Board at their next meeting.
Commissioner Charlie Sink made a motion to approve the Abandonment Petition and the Request for Abandonment from the State Maintained Secondary Road System for the portion of South Johnson Road as shown and to authorize the County Attorney to sign the Abandonment Petition and forward these documents to the Department of Transportation. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Luther Parks and unanimously approved.
Mr. Triplett requested approval of an Abandonment Petition from the State Maintained Secondary Road System for a portion of North Johnson Road. He stated this is on the other side of the runway. He stated when the Airport was built the runway bisected Johnson Road and cut it in half. He stated there is a dead end portion of North Johnson Road now that more or less protrudes into the County property that is no longer necessary. He stated he has talked to DOT about abandoning that portion so the County can eventually make use of the property. He handed out a plat with the portion to be abandoned highlighted. He stated Corporate Aviation Drive has already been added to the State Maintained Road System. He stated the section of road ties into North Johnson Road and what is being abandoned is the portion of North Johnson Road that protrudes past that toward the Airport.
Commissioner Blevins asked when these two merge will this road become Corporate Aviation Drive all the way to Johnson Road. Commissioner Sink stated it will be North Johnson Road.
Mr. Triplett stated the County will now have access all the way around the back side of the hangars and up to North Johnson Road.
Vice Chairman Elmore asked if this is a public road. Mr. Triplett stated it is. Vice Chairman Elmore asked if the public can use this road to travel. Mr. Triplett stated they can as it is part of the State Maintained System. Vice Chairman Elmore asked if this will be a problem with operation of the Airport. Mr. Triplett stated it comes around behind all the hangars and outskirts the developed part of the Airport. Chairman Zach Henderson stated there will be very little traffic on it unless someone has business dealings at the Airport. Vice Chairman Elmore stated it will become a shortcut because the old road is winding. Commissioner Parks stated that might be people on South Ridge Run and North Ridge Run. He stated it is not that much of a short cut. Mr. Triplett stated eventually the idea is to come all the way around Wood Wallace Drive and Johnson Road and continue around the north end of the runway and have an access to the new Airpark on the east side of the runway. He stated now you have to go all the way down Highway 268 to South Johnson Road and come into it.
Commissioner Luther Parks made a motion to approve the Abandonment Petition and the Request for Abandonment from State Maintained Secondary Road System for the portion of North Johnson Road as shown tonight on the plat and authorize the County Attorney to sign the Abandonment Petition and forward these documents to the Department of Transportation. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Charlie Sink and unanimously approved.
PERSONNEL - Commissioner Charlie Sink stated the Board of Commissioners received a letter from Sky Carolina. He stated when you get a letter from a company that is trying to do the type of development they are going to place in our community it is impressive to say that Eddie Barnes and Keith Walsh have been superior ambassadors for the County. He stated the letter says they have told all their colleagues that Wilkes County has a common sense approach to development. He stated the County does not get that very often. Commissioner Sink stated he does not know how many millions of dollars this company is putting in and how many it will attract to this County. He stated when people are being taken care of the way the County does, it will eventually come back to help us. He stated the letter says the hospitality they have found in Wilkes County is unmatched by any other county they have experienced. Commissioner Sink stated the County is trying to do the right things and he appreciates what Mr. Barnes and Mr. Walsh always try to do in working with people and that is a good reflection on the County.
COMMISSIONERS - Commissioner Gary Blevins stated this makes a full year he has been serving as a County Commissioner and he would like to take a moment to thank County Attorney Tony Triplett for his work. He stated he appreciates the difficulty and complexity of the issues he has dealt with. He stated Mr. Triplett is an excellent County Attorney, he appreciates his work, and it is a pleasure to work with him. Mr. Triplett thanked Commissioner Blevins.
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 7:55 P. M.
Alene E. Faw, Clerk Zach Henderson, Chairman
WILKES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Approved:
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