Michael Bobbitt: Notes From The Peanut Gallery (VC BOC April 8th, 2013)


Commissioner and their new laptops

Monday night was the first time the commissioners could use their new laptop during a public meeting. Alas, I saw only Commissioner Brummitt using the county issued laptop. All the others I observed were shuffling papers instead of using their new laptop. Maybe next month all the commissioners will be using just their laptop.

Public Hearing on Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance

This topic was first introduced at the regular March board meeting. The quick summary: prior to April 16, 2013Vance County must adopt a revised County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (FDPO) that incorporates the newly revised Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). For more details refer to pages 3 – 9 of the Board packet. The floor was opened for public comment favoring then opposing the change to the ordinance. No public comment so commissioners were asked for their comments. Commissioner Taylor asked if everyone in the county had been made aware of this change. Mr. McMillen said only the 43 property owners directly affected were notified. Once the Commissioners approved the ordinance two attendees of the meeting got up and walked out. One guy walked past the Peanut Gallery muttering this was a waste of time. Makes one wonder what he expected; he made no effort to make his voice heard when given the opportunity.

State of the County Health Report

Lisa Harrison presented the bi-annual State of the County Health (SOTCH) report highlighting the health department’s major accomplishments and some improvement and declines in the health of the county. One major achievement of the Health Department is that 75 (88%) of the staff of 85 is certified in one or more of 149 different criteria. She added that all 85 staff member will be certified by year end. A major improvement in our county’s health is the drop in teenage pregnancy. For all the facts look at pages 10 – 19 of the Board packet.

Farmers market

Pete Burgess announced that a bid was in for building the farmers market. The winning bid was $729,750, a mere $279,750 or 62% more than budgeted amount of $450,000. Mr. Burgess then said he has pared $179,750 off the bid by reducing the building size by 28%, eliminated the brick façade, eliminated paved drives and parking lot, and my favorite he is leaving off the “look good” features such as canopies, signs, and roof cupolas. He added “As you can see, [there] is a $100,000 funding gap.” Instead of further reducing the size of the building or re-thinking the whole project Mr. Burgess pressed ahead saying Farm Bureau would cover half of the over spending if the county would pay the other half. And one more thing Farm Bureau intends to put a sign inside the building as they did at the library. Commissioner Brummitt was first to speak asking if City’s zoning ordinance for that site required brick façades. Chairman Hester was quick to say these are small problems; we should move on this quickly. This is the same Board who less than a month ago drastically reduced the cost of houses the County had authorized to be built with taxpayers’ money that have remained vacant for a year and more in some cases. The business planning for the farmers market is just another in the long string of our county governments business planning, Fire, Ready, Aim. Commissioner Wilder moved to approve the spending of 50,000 unbudgeted taxpayers’ dollars to build a farmers market. Could the County have hired one more code enforcement officer or deputy sheriff, or jailer, or road maintenance person with that $50,000? As Chairman Hester himself said at the called March Board meeting our own county’s pay scale makes sheriff deputies eligible to buy one of those Neighborhood Stabilization homes. The roll call vote was four ayes and three nays. Commissioners Brown and Garrison both favor the concept of the farmers market and vehemently opposed spending 50,000 unbudgeted taxpayers’ dollars with so many issues facing them on the 2013 – 2014 budget year. Commissioner Brummitt opposed the spending for budgetary and other reasons. Chairman Hester spoke plainly saying as a businessman he is willing to spend 50,000 unbudgeted taxpayers’ dollars on this project.

Enforcement of Zoning Ordinance and Building Codes

“Authorizing “In Personam” Civil Action in the matter of General Properties, LLC and Steven Danils, and “In Rem” Civil Action against Tax Map 0598B-01-023, 254 Irene Bullock Lane, Henderson NC, pursuant to the Zoning Ordinance of Vance County and violation of the Building Code.” (refer to page 30 of Board packet) In simple English the property owner, General Properties LLC, and its assumed tenant, Steven Danils, are going to battle the County in court over a single-wide mobile home placed on property without the approval by the Planning Department. The written replies from the manager of General Properties LLC, indicate he has zero intention of complying to the ordinance and codes and has basically burned the bridge of congeniality. Now the matter will move up the ladder to legal action, while a $100 per day civil penalty meter is runing.

National Association of Counties (NACo) Dental Discount Program

Included in the Committee Reports and Recommendations is Argretta Johen, Director of Human Resources, request to all Vance County to become member of NACo’s Dental Discount Program. Refer to pages 35 – 41 of the Board packet for all the details. This is new dental discount program for counties to offer their uninsured residents to help them save money on some dental services through participating dentists. The ensuing discussion on this request began with Commissioner Taylor voicing objection to the program. Commissioner Wilder worried about the users of the program needing to call California when they have a problem with a claim. Commissioner Brown asked one question and made a suggestion. Her question who else in NC is doing this. Answer currently Gilford and Persons counties. Her suggestion to have the contract reviewed by the County’s attorney especially the word ‘recommend’ in the first sentence of paragraph four of Schedule 4 Dental Discount Program Acknowledgement. Commissioner Garrison asked that the program be reviewed by the attorney and brought back next month for consideration. On the surface this program has some positive appeal.

Water District Board

Lately several issues have bubbled up with this project. One is specific to five Warren County property owners who want to be part of the Vance County water project. Mr. Asycue stressed that one of those property owner’s “in particular within this area has been very instrumental in assisting the County with getting nearly all of the signups along the entire portion of Tower Road.” Mr. Asycue said the Henderson City Council and the Warren County Commissioners must agree to allow those five to connect to the water project . Mr. Care pointed out those property owners must pay the whole cost for the pipe from Vance County to their property in Warren County. Chairman Hester was quick to say “we can help with that”. Is this payback just another spending of unbudgeted taxpayers’ money? Commissioner Brummitt and Wilder then discussed another fine point about delivering water to a part of Vance County were it is not cost beneficial to run the pipe. Commissioner Brummitt pointed out this issue was brought to the attention of the engineer in November and the engineer has not responded to multiple inquiries since. Commissioner Brummitt then reminded everyone that in March the Board approved the monthly fee for the operation and billing of the water and that Envirolink was tobe  meeting with the Environmental Committee to agree on the cost of the water. So far that meeting has not happened. Commissioner Brummitt asked again for the meeting with Envirolink. I see a pattern here do you? Finally, the last of the Water District Board’s task for the evening was to approve $5,000 cost for painting the County’s name and logo on the water tank located near Warrenton Road. After much discussion the Board approved Commissioner Brummitt’s recommendation that the County’s logo and name should be 12 feet high on the side facing Warren County; apparently the tank is not visible from I85 or number 1. Maybe they should have sold naming rights to the water tank at least cell phone tower rights.