Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting s1

March 6, 2017 Page 1 of 3

POLK COUNTY

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ REGULAR MEETING March 6, 2017 – 7:00 P.M. R. Jay Foster Hall of Justice Womack Building Columbus, NC MINUTES

PRESENT: Chairman Melton, Vice-Chairman Johnson, Commissioner Bradley, Commissioner Gasperson and Commissioner Yoder. Also in attendance were County Manager Pittman, County Attorney Berg, Clerk to the Board High, media and citizens.

1. Call to Order – Chairman Melton called the meeting to order.

2. Invocation – Chairman Melton gave the invocation.

3. Pledge of Allegiance – Vice-Chairman Johnson led the pledge.

4. Approval of Agenda – Commissioner Bradley moved to approve the agenda as written, seconded by Commissioner Yoder and the motion carried unanimously.

5. Consent Agenda A) February 20, 2017, regular meeting minutes. B) Approval of Tax Department written refund requests totaling $204.51.

Commissioner Bradley moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Vice- Chairman Johnson and the motion carried unanimously.

6. Citizen Comments on Agenda Items Kenny Cochran, Marc James, Rhonda O’Connor, Tom O’Connor, Sylvia Frazier, David Bowyer, and Mary Dill each spoke about their property tax increase due to the 2017 reevaluation. Otis Livingston, Darrell Moore, and Bevin Corbin each spoke on the need for Veteran Services in the County and asked the Commissioners to consider a full time Director.

7. Polk County Property Revaluation Update – Melissa Bowlin, Tax Administrator, explained the revaluation process and how the values were assessed. She stated any homeowner in the County that disagrees with their revaluation is encouraged to discuss the value with a staff member in the tax office and begin the appeal March 6, 2017 Page 2 of 3

process. If the informal appeal process does not prove satisfactory, homeowners may continue with a formal appeal to the Board of Equalization and Review and further to the North Carolina Property Tax Commission if they choose. Ms. Bowlin discussed the various methods available to reduce property taxes, such as land use, veterans, disability, or elderly exemptions. These exemptions do have eligibility requirements, but anyone interested may inquire to the tax office.

Brandon Highsmith, Polk County Property Appraiser, showed a map containing the over 300 neighborhood codes in Polk County. He explained that values are determined by several factors including property sales, neighborhood, views, location etc. Mr. Highsmith said they are still in the revaluation process and are still reviewing properties, and anyone questioning their valuation should make an appointment with the tax office to have their property reviewed. Chairman Melton called a five minute recess; Chairman Melton called the meeting back to order. 8. Veteran’s Services Director – Chairman Melton asked for this item to be placed on the agenda to consider making the Veteran Services Director (VSD) position full time. He said Polk County and its 2,000 veterans, their spouses and children would benefit from a full time director. Chairman Melton moved to make the Veteran Services Director position full time and to direct the County Manager to advertise and recruit for the position, seconded by Vice-Chairman Johnson. The Commissioners discussed waiting until the 2017/18 Budget is presented before deciding to change the position to full time, and include training with the current VSD. Chairman Melton amended his motion to keeping the VSD position part-time (29 hours), to include funding for two weeks of training with the current VSD, and to advertise and recruit for the position immediately, seconded by Vice-Chairman Johnson and the motion carried unanimously.

9. Fire & Rescue Advisory Committee (FRAC) – Bobby Arledge, Fire Marshal, presented the FRAC resolution and by-laws. Commissioner Gasperson moved to approve the resolution creating the Fire & Rescue Advisory Committee and to adopt the by-laws, seconded by Commissioner Bradley and the motion carried unanimously.

10.Manager’s Report – Paul Luzier of Mosely Architects gave an update on construction for the Polk County Law Enforcement Facility. He said they are currently working on footings and infrastructure and are actively looking for value engineering to help with the overall budget. He presented the Board with a room layout for the interior of the building, and the exterior will be brick with a neutral color scheme.

11.Volunteer Boards for Vote – Joanna Cahill was appointed to the Recycling Board by unanimous vote. Kathleen McMillian was reappointed to the Isothermal Planning and Development Commission by unanimous vote. March 6, 2017 Page 3 of 3

12.Volunteer Boards for Review – One application for the Board of Adjustment, one application for the Mental Health Advisory Board, and 2 applications for the Planning Board were reviewed.

13.Citizen Comments on Non-Agenda Items Delvin Adams discussed his foster dogs and conflict with one neighbor. Frank Lilly is concerned with the explosive growth in Green Creek and it’s affect on the County.

14.Commissioner Comments The Commissioners thanked the veterans for their service and everyone for coming to the meeting. They encouraged citizens to go to the tax office with any revaluation questions or if they would like to begin the appeal process.

15.Closed Session – Commissioner Bradley moved to go into closed session for attorney-client privilege, G.S. 143-318.11(a) (3), seconded by Commissioner Yoder and the motion carried unanimously.

16.Return to Open Session – Vice-Chairman Johnson moved to return to open session, seconded by Commissioner Yoder and the motion carried unanimously.

17.Adjournment – Vice-Chairman Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Yoder and the motion carried unanimously.

ATTEST: POLK COUNTY BOARD

OF COMMISSIONERS

______Angé High Tommy W. Melton Clerk to the Board Chairman