MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SPECIAL MEETING
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020, & FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2020
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on Thursday, February 13, 2020, and Friday, February 14, 2020, in order to conduct a budget retreat to review goals and objectives for the County. The meetings were held in the Commissioners’ Board Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
PRESENT: John Welch, Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Larry Turnbow, Commissioner
Charlie Wallin, Commissioner
Perry Yates, Commissioner
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Misty Watson, Finance Director
Lunch was provided at 12:00 P.M. Chairman Welch called the meeting to order on Thursday, February 13, 2020, at 12:30 P.M. welcoming those in attendance.
The following topics were discussed:
Opening Remarks
Mr. Deron Geouque
FY 2020 Review and Discussion of 2021 Budget
Ms. Misty Watson
1. Revenues
2. Expenditures
3. Debt Service Report
4. Budget Calendar
5. Future Appropriations
Review of Current Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Mr. Deron Geouque & Mr. Robert Marsh
1. Current CIP Status Report
2. Courtroom # 2 Renovations
3. East Annex Building Program
4. Courthouse and Administration Roof Replacements
5. County Facilities Assessment Update
6. Turner Building
7. Recreation Fields
a. Tennis Courts
b. Basketball Courts
c. Pickleball Courts
d. Anne-Marie Paving
8. Library
9. School Facilities
Break from 2:45 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.
Sanitation Matters
Mr. Rex Buck
1. Organics Recycling Market Study
2. Facility Upgrades
Appalachian District Health
Ms. Jennifer Greene
Tourism Development Authority (TDA)
Mr. Matt Vincent and Mr. Wright Tilley
Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
Dr. Mark Poarch
Break from 4:45 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.
School Board Funding Issues
Superintendent Dr. Scott Elliott, School Board Members Mr. Ron Henries, Ms. Brenda Reese, Dr. Jay Fenwick, and Staff members Ms. Ly Marze, Mr. Danny Clark
1. FY 2021 Funding Needs
2. Schools’ Capital Improvement Plan
Public Safety and Emergency Communications Systems Study Update
Mr. Will Holt
County Manager’s Summary
Mr. Deron Geouque
A recess was declared at 7:00 P.M. The meeting reconvened on Friday, February 14, 2020, at 9:00 A.M.
Pritzker Children’s Initiative (PCI) Presentation
Ms. Crystal Kelly
Update on Recreational Projects
Mr. Joe Furman & Ms. Wendy Patoprsty
1. Guy Ford Paddle Access
2. Middle Fork Greenway
Census
Mr. Joe Furman
Broadband Update
Mr. Joe Furman
Watauga Medics
Mr. Craig Sullivan
1. Annual Report
2. Future Needs
Miscellaneous & Commissioner Matters
Mr. Deron Geouque
Budget work sessions were set for May 14, 2020, from 12:00 to 8:00 P.M. and May 15, 2020, from 9:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.
Board Discussion and Directives
The County Manager concluded the retreat by reviewing the issues discussed and seeking direction from the Board for Fiscal Year 2020-2021.
The meeting adjourned at 11:25 P.M.
John Welch
Chairman, Watauga County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
Deron Geouque
County Manager