The US Department of Agriculture [USDA] has given Moore County “specific marching orders,” Public Works Director Dennis Brobst reported during the Board of Commissioners Tuesday, April 5 regular meeting, with the first job being to establish boundary areas for the North West Moore Water District [NWMWD].
Brobst was reporting on a series of recent meetings between the USDA and the County about the NWMWD, which could borrow up to $16 million from the federal agency, based on a successful bond referendum in 2004.
Since the referendum passed, the Water District has been trying to attract enough potential water customers to be viable, but too few sign-ups has left the project at a standstill. One solution that could expand the customer base is to incorporate Seven Lakes into the District -- which also has the virtue of providing Seven Lakes with more water, from a second source. The area currently receives almost all of its water through a single water main that runs up NC Highway 211 from Pinehurst.
Although the Board of Commissioners on its own authority could incorporate Seven Lakes into the District, Chairman Nick Picerno has promised that it will not be incorporated into the NWMWD without a vote by its residents. The Town of Robbins is also not currently included in the NWMWD, but could join it through a resolution approved by the town council.
Four Options for Seven Lakes Water
On Tuesday night, Brobst presented four options for using the NWMWD to bring additional water to Seven Lakes:
• The first option is to construct a 1.5 million gallon per day treatment plant near the reservoir in Robbins, at an estimated cost of $8,510,000, with a booster system and water lines large enough to bring water into Seven Lakes, which would cost an additional $3.6 million, for a grand total of a little more than $12.1 million.
• The second solution is to purchase water from the City of Asheboro, pumping up to one million gallons per day of water through a 16-inch water line from the NC Zoo down Highway 705, at a cost of over $14 million.
• The third option is to bring Asheboro water from the NC Zoo down NC Highway 220, in order to serve the proposed industrial megasite near Star as well as Seven Lakes and possibly Robbins, at a cost of $15 million.
• The fourth option Brobst described is to "wheel" 600,000 gallons per day of Asheboro water through Seagrove using a 12-inch water line at a cost of over $5.5 million.
Robbins' Participation Uncertain
The first of the four options would require the participation of Robbins, because it owns the reservoir that would be used in that scenario. Robbins has been anxious to provide water to Southern Moore County through a partnership with the county, but has generally leaned toward trying to reactivate it's own water plant, which is currently not in service.
Though Brobst's presentation at the meeting didn't provide any detail on the impact of the four options of water rates for Seven Lakers, information included in the meeting packet suggested that Option 1 could increase the base water rates of Seven Lakes customers by $11, taking them from $6 to $17. Residents of Robbins could potentially see a slight decrease in their current water rates.
During Tuesday night’s public comment period, Doug Middaugh of Pinehurst said, “A viable plan should, at a minimum, be rate neutral,” to current and future customers.
The USDA has authorized $16 million in general obligation bonds to fund the project. The next step, according to Brobst, is to meet with all the “various players” especially the Town of Robbins, to establish some district boundaries as recommended by the USDA.
A public hearing on renewing the USDA bonds is set for April 19 at 6 pm in the Historic Carthage Courthouse.
Short-term Goals Revisited
Creating an alternate water solution for Seven Lakes was at the top of the Commissioners' short term goals at their annual retreat in January and was revisited by the Board, Public Works Director Brobst, and County Manager Cary McSwain during Tuesday night’s meeting.
The primary thrust at the moment is to explore the feasibility of incorporating Seven Lakes into the Northwest Moore Water District [NMWD].
Other short term goals set in January for the 2011-2012 year are to:
• Complete the Vass Waste Water Treatment Plant project. Brobst said he anticipates bidding to begin in June with a bid opening scheduled for July.
• Put the Addor Water Pollution Control Plant expansion project out to bid. The County is awaiting an approval from the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources [NCDENR], which Brobst anticipated should be done by the end of month.
• Avoid any increase in property taxes, while reducing the Advanced Life Support (ALS) tax a minimum of one-half cent and continue to evaluate and reduce annual operational expenses. The budget process is underway, with a public hearing expected in May.
• Research the effect of reinstating longevity pay for County Employees on a grandfathered basis and develop a plan for adjusting the County's employee performance evaluation system. During Tuesday night’s meeting Human Resources Director Denise Brook told the Board that grandfathering in longevity pay at one hundred percent for all eligible employees hired before July 1, 2010 would cost $549,256 annually. Chairman Picerno asked for the performance evaluation system to be reviewed. The Board will review the FY 2011-2012 budget before making any decisions about longevity pay.
• Utilize a competitive bidding process within legal limits. County Attorney Misty Leland anticipates a report to the Board by August.
• Determine who will review Emergency Services and the process by which the review will be completed.
• Endorse and support the Planning and Community Development Department's timeline with regard to a Moore County Long Range Plan.
Public Comment Creates Sparks
During the public comment period of Tuesday’s meeting, Carthage resident Bert Patrick called the Pine Forest rezoning decision a “done deal.” Just like the $50 million spent on the new county jail “using tax payer dollars” without a “vote” by residents it too was a “done deal,” Patrick said.
County Attorney Misty Leland warned Patrick, a persistent opponent of the new jail, that the County is doing everything to make sure all legal standards are filed when it comes to the Pine Forest issue and to be careful that her words were not “misconstrued.”
Chairman Nick Picerno revisited remarks by Patrick at the close of Tuesday night’s meeting saying he is, “sick of hearing” about a $50 million project for a six hundred bed jail. He said the jail, which will hold an additional 192 beds, is part of a bigger project to build a sheriff’s office and a public safety complex for a little more than $41 million.
In September of 2010 the Board approved a $27.2 million construction contract to begin building the new facilities.
Moore County Will Not Balance the State’s Budget
The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved Tuesday night a resolution opposing the loss of county school construction dollars with copies being sent to Representatives Jamie Boles and Joe Hackney and to Senator Harris Blake to be presented at the General Assembly. County Attorney Misty Leland penned the resolution and presented it to the Board at their Tuesday, April 5 meeting.
Under Governor Beverly Purdue’s budget plan, unveiled on February 17, the state would shift school funding responsibilities to the counties, including replacement of school buses at a price tag of $56.9 million and more than $36 million in worker’s compensation costs for state-paid public schools and community college employees, and community college employees.
The overall proposal would force counties to come up with $345 million in FY 2011-2012 alone, which, according to Leland, could force counties to raise property taxes. Currently, the county relies on local sales taxes, property taxes, the county share of lottery funds, and the county share of the corporate income tax to help fund public schools' capital needs.
Counties have issued public debt based on these revenue streams, Leland noted. Governor Purdue’s budget proposal would eliminate the county’s share of the corporate income tax and reduce the county lottery share by seventy five percent.
Revisions Approved for the Water Response Ordinance
The Board approved during Tuesday's meeting a request by Public Works Director Brobst to change the County’s Water Shortage Response Plan, revising the indicators that trigger conservation measures.
The changes essentially delay the triggers, so that there is a smaller chance that mandatory water restrictions will be implemented.
Five parameters are used to trigger water conservation in the County:
• Static water levels in the Middendorf Aquifer
• NC Drought Monitor classification
• US Seasonal Drought Outlook classification
• Drowning Creek Stream flow conditions
• Amounts of local precipitation
Currently, there are five levels of water shortage response in the County’s Plan: voluntary conservation, moderate and severe mandatory conservation, emergency mandatory conservation and water rationing.
Changes to the County’s Response Plan include static water level increase for stages one, two, four and five with stage three remaining the same. Brobst explained that the higher the static level is, the lower the water levels in the aquifer are.
US Geological Survey stream flow conditions of Drowning Creek will also change for levels one through four.
Local precipitation amounts have been scaled up for stage one though five to now read that low levels of precipitation must be recorded for “consecutive” months. Stage five under local precipitation will only go into effect if drought conditions persist for fifteen consecutive months.
Every five years the plan will be reviewed and revised to adapt to new circumstances affecting water demand and supply.
EMWD Gets Interim Funding
The Board adopted a resolution for interim financing of the East Moore Water District [EMWD] Phase 3 at an interest rate of two percent at the request of Public Works Director Dennis Brobst.
The county is providing interim construction funding for the EMWD and the district is expected to repay the loan on or before August 5. The USDA has agreed to finance $5.1 million for the project once substantial completion has been achieved, thus requiring interim financing from the County.
The total budget for the EMWD is $5.4 million with two contracts being awarded in March. Brobst said Public Works has received a dozen new sign ups per day for the new area covered by the water district expansion.
Public Safety
The Board approved Public Safety Director Bryan Phillips' request to upgrade the County's E-Series Zoll Monitors/Defibrillators at a cost of $33,700, extending the life of the monitors for another three years. To replace the nine monitors/defibrillators would cost $200,000 to $300,000, Phillips explained, so sending the current equipment in for upgrades will not only extend the life of the equipment for three more years, but also save the County money.
The Board awarded a service contract to Carolina Recording Systems, Inc for $74,300 to upgrade the 911 recording system and to renew a maintenance agreement. Phillips told the Board the current system, which is known to fail on occasion, has been in place for five years and poses a potential liability to the County since it is the only voice log records of callers and responders.
The Board approved County recognition of the week of April 10-16 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators week honoring the thousands of men and women who respond to emergency calls, dispatch, and emergency professionals and render life saving assistance to the citizens of the US.
Moore County Residents Recognized for Volunteerism
The Governor's Volunteer Service Award 2011 was presented to six Moore County residents for outstanding volunteerism. Director of the Moore County RSVP Shiela Klein and Advisory Council Chairman Bob Sasser presented the awards during Tuesday, April 5 Board of Commissioner meeting to the following:
• The Senior Volunteer award was given to John Mattoon for his work at the Moore County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
• The Group Award was given to Meals on Wheels.
• The Perseverance Award was given to Britt Mecherman for his work with Habitat for Humanity.
• The Faith Based and Medallion Award was given to John Calhoun for his work at Family Promise.
• The Individual Award was given to Donna Staunton for her help with the Department of Aging.
• The Award for Director of Volunteers was given to Dr. Robin Moore.
• The Board of Commissioner approved National Volunteer Week from April 10-16 as requested by Shiela Klein Director Moore County RSVP.
Call to Public Hearings
The Board approved the following public hearings:
• County Manager McSwain asked for a public hearing to be called on May 17, 2011 at 6 pm to discuss the proposed County Budget for the year 2012.
• Public Works Director, Brobst requested a public hearing be held on Tuesday, April 19 at 6 pm to discuss the extension of time to issue $16 million in general obligation water bonds for the North West Moore Water District. The current bonds expire in May 2011.
Other Business
In other business on Tuesday, April 5 the Board of Commissioners:
• Awarded a construction contract to Frank Horne Construction of Fair Bluff, NC for $499,590 to extend the public sewer line to ATEX Technologies, a manufacturer of medical supplies, to expand their business. Brobst who presented the information said this will also allow for greater sewer capabilities in the Town of Pinebluff’s business district.
• Approved an amended contract between the County’s Health Department and Michael J. Maness M.D., reducing the cost of services rendered to the Health Department from $1,436 per week to $1,300 per week and eliminating all reference to increased compensation in future fiscal years. Health Director Robert R. Wittmann said, with a decrease in revenue, the Department is trying to find ways to continue to provide the same amount of much needed services to Moore County citizens.
• Entered in to a Regional Partnership Workforce Development consortium with Alamance, Montgomery, Orange and Randolph Counties for job training purposes. Workforce Development Director Linda B. Parker told the Board without a collaboration with the other counties than the workforce development in Moore County could not exist.
• Designated April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Social workers will participate in the a variety of events to build awareness.
• Approved the Annual Secondary Road Construction Program for Moore County as presented by NC Department of Transportation's Chuck Dumas
• Received the Quarterly Report from the Sandhills Center for Mental Health, Development Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services.
• Approved removal of less than a quarter of a mile of Oliver Road from the North Carolina State Secondary Road maintenance system, as requested by the Department of Transportation and approved by the Board.
• Tabled considerations to dissolve the government center committee until Commissioner Tim Lea is present for discussion.
• Recognized Carrie Neil, the County's new Chief Financial Officer.
Appointments
The Board appointed the following individuals during Tuesday's meeting:
• Les Bailey was appointed to a three year term on the Recreation Advisory Board.
• Scott Bullard was appointed to another three year term on the Board of Health.
• Phyllis Magnuson was appointed to a three year term on the Board of Health as an at-large member.
• Carol Nash to replace Richard Fortman on the Aging Advisory Council.
