Michael Bobbitt: Notes From The Peanut Gallery (VC BOC March 11th, 2013)

Maria Parham’s appeal of 2012 business Personal Property Appeal

Basically, the Commissioners agreed to support the Tax Managers efforts to follow the law and encourage Maria Parham (now Duke Life Point) to do the same.  At issue is a little disagreement of $9,012,556.  The Tax Manager says Maria Parham owes $21,326,662 and Maria Parham says they owe $12,314.106.  As things now stand, the ball in Maria Parham’s hands to pay the bill or follow the rules.  

Water Board

Two items were on the Water Board’s agenda; approval of Evirolink Inc’s contract with the County and approval of some additional construction expenditures.  Commissioner Brummitt aggressively sought at least an estimated cost for water before approving the contract, four other commissioners voted to approve the contract to hire Evirolink Inc to operate, maintain, and manage the future county wide water system.  From my view the approval was based more on emotion than a desire to have an estimate or range for the cost of the water to the consumer.  If readers recall, back in January 2008, everyone was told the price for water was expected to be $35 – $45 per month for 5,000 gallons.  (In a good month I used between 625 – 750 gallons of water.  Wonder if I can sell my excess?)  Based on the data in the packet currently a total 1,590 customers have signed up for water.  If all were magically connected and using the water then Envirolink would be adding a $9.87 per customer per month to the water bill.  Since magic only happens in the minds of some commissioners the first 849 customers will get to pay $14.75 to Envirolink plus the cost of the water used. (Refer to Exhibit D in the Envirolink contact pg 39 of the scanned version of the packet).  Either way the water is going to cost more than the low ball of $35 a month.  The monthly cost for water may be closer to the $65 – $70 a month, a rate that Commissioner Brummitt last estimated.  Instead of trying to dispel any speculation on the cost of water once the contract was approved the Evirolink representative fled the room leaving the engineer from Hobbs and Church to dance around the question.  Envirolink exited without addressing the meaning of Exhibit E of their contract.  Is monthly testing for asbestos, lead, copper, and coliform minimal for adequacy or normal?  How much asbestos, lead, or copper in the water is safe? 

CDBG Scattered Site housing

This is an example of how good governance of the taxpayers’ money by our County’s leadership can still cost the taxpayers money.  Back in October 2011, the County awarded a contract to Mel’s Plumbing to demolish and construct a house on Stagecoach Road.  In part the awarding was based on the Council of Governments’ recommendation, that Mel’s Plumbing is a licensed builder, electrician, and plumber thus avoiding any subbing out of costs and achieving the lowest bid.  Good governance is not clairvoyant thus unable to foresee Mel’s failure to uphold their end of the contact.  That failure has resulted in construction delays and the expenditure of an additional $19,350 of taxpayers’ money.  The County has legal recourse to recover some or all of the money paid to Mel’s; the reality of that recovery may be less full.  

Update on Computers for the Commissioners

Mr. Asycue informed the Commissioners that their laptops are on hand and will be issued to each before the next Commissioners’ meeting (April 7, 2013).  He added that the Board packet will be available electronically on the County’s own website.  Commissioner Brown suggested a dry run using the laptop and the electronic packet.  I did try to get the Commissioners to autograph this month agenda because it should be the last printed version; alas they hedged their excitement of moving into the 21^st century.

Animal Shelter

This is a hot button topic.  Any caring person does not want to see people or animals suffer or to be mistreated.  We hear that our current animal shelter is woefully inadequate on many levels.  We also know the County has limited resources for our human needs.  The county’s citizens are faced with the conundrum of how to meet the needs of the people and their animals with our limited funds.  Mr. Rudy Abate, spoke during the public comment period about a kennel he is offering to sell the County.  The County has been offered land for building a new animal shelter.  The land offer does not include a building and Mr. Abate’s kennel is not centrally situated within the county.  The Commissioners’ authorized the spending of $3,500 of (un)budgeted funds to apply to the city for a special land use permit.  If granted that permit would be valid for one year.   

An ad hock issue

This ad hock issue surfaced at the conclusion of the Commissioners’ vote on the animal shelter issue.  Commissioner Garrison took the floor saying the public needs some kind of a response to the recent spate of criminal issues.  Commissioner Garrison proposed a meeting(s?) of County and City official and anyone who wants to solve this problem.  Commissioner Brown added this Board needs to spearhead something setting the tone for whatever corrective action that fits into our budget.  Commissioner Garrison added we need more police; we need more man power to protect the citizens.  Chairman Hester attempted to placate the concern and move the meeting on.  Commissioner Garrison was unrelenting and requested the County Manager set a meeting with the city to address this issue, and hold a strategy meeting.  Mr. Asycue agreed to make arrangements for such a meeting.  The Commissioners voted for such a meeting restoring the meeting to its scripted agenda.

Amendment to Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance

This was the leading topic of the meeting and will return next month for public comment.  If you live near an area flooded during hurricane Floyd (1999) you may want to give this amendment your attention.