NEWBERRY COUNTY COUNCIL
MINUTES
JUNE 18, 2007
Newberry County Council met on Monday, June 18, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Courthouse Annex for a budget work session.
Present were: Henry B. Summer, Chairman
William D. Waldrop, Vice-Chairman
John David Dawkins, Councilman
Mike Hawkins, Councilman (arrived 6:25 p.m.)
Edgar Baker, Councilman
Henry H. Livingston, III, Councilman (arrived 6:20 p.m.)
Wayne Adams, County Administrator
Susan C. Fellers, Clerk to Council
Debbie S. Cromer, Finance Director
Absent: John E. Caldwell, Councilman
Media: Heather Hawkins, WKDK
Cindy Pitts, Newberry Observer
Notice of the meeting was duly advertised as required by law.
Mr. Summer called the meeting to order and determined a quorum to be present.
Mr. Adams had the invocation.
The following matters were discussed and actions taken:
1. Funding of Clemson Extension 4-H Position at a cost of $35,000, or 0.34 mills. Mr. Waldrop moved to fund this position; second by Mr. Livingston. Voting for the motion: Councilmen Waldrop and Livingston. Voting against the motion: Councilmen Hawkins, Baker, Dawkins and Summer. Motion failed.
2. Funding of Health Department Personnel at a cost of $72,803 or 0.71 mills. Mr. Hawkins moved to fund half of the amount requested for personnel; second by Mr. Waldrop. Voting for the motion: Councilman Hawkins. Voting against the motion: Councilmen Waldrop, Dawkins, Baker, Livingston and Summer. Motion failed.
3. Funding of C&D Tonnage from Convenience Centers/Households at a cost of $40,560 or 0.40 mills. Mr. Dawkins moved to fund this item; second by Mr. Waldrop. Vote was unanimous. (Councilman Caldwell absent.)
4. Newberry Opera House request for roof repairs at a cost of $10,000 or .125 mills. Mr. Hawkins moved to fund this with a General Obligation debt over ten years; second by Mr. Dawkins. Voting for the motion: Councilmen Summer, Hawkins, Dawkins and Baker. Voting against the motion: Councilmen Waldrop and Livingston. Motion passed by majority vote.
5. The following language reserving the County’s right to raise millage to maintain a reserve fund was proposed:
“In accordance with Code Section 6-1-320(D) of the South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, as amended, Newberry County Council instructs the County Auditor to levy a separate Reserve Fund Maintenance Millage for purposes of maintaining financial reserves to meet unforeseen budgetary needs of the County, and to ensure the timely expenditure of budgeted appropriations. Such millage shall be levied for ad valorem purposes subsequent to the adoption of this and all future annual operating budgets, together with any amendments thereto, with such levy producing the funding necessary, as specifically budgeted, to maintain the Reserve Fund. For any year(s) in which County Council does not specifically budget revenue needs for this purpose, the millage levy shall nonetheless be nominally printed on the tax bills as “Reserve Fund Levy,” expressing the need for no mills (0.00 mills) in such year(s).”
Mr. Hawkins moved adopt the amendment as proposed; second by Mr. Baker. Vote was unanimous. (Councilman Caldwell absent.)
6. Mr. Hawkins moved to fund the state retirement increase in the amount of $38,336 with millage and not from the contingency fund; second by Mr. Waldrop. Voting for the motion: Councilmen Summer, Waldrop, Hawkins, Dawkins and Baker. Voting against the motion: Councilman Livingston. Motion passed by majority vote.
7. Mr. Dawkins moved that the County continue funding health insurance premiums for employees and that this be paid out of contingency; second by Mr. Baker. Voting for the motion: Councilmen Dawkins, Waldrop, Hawkins, Baker and Livingston. Voting against the motion: Councilman Summer. Motion passed by majority vote.
8. Mr. Hawkins recommended that all of the proposed amendments relating to the contingency fund balance be voted on at the June 20 Council meeting.
9. Retail Conversion Space for County Services. Mr. Hawkins moved to fund by installment/purchase retail conversion space for county services at a cost of $5,150,000; second by Mr. Waldrop. Vote was unanimous. (Councilman Caldwell absent.)
10. Mr. Waldrop moved to fund the Helena Community Center through a General Obligation Bond; second by Mr. Hawkins. Voting for the motion: Councilmen Waldrop, Hawkins, Baker and Dawkins. Voting against the motion: Councilmen Summer and Livingston. Motion passed by majority vote.
11. Mr. Livingston moved to fund the Maybinton Ball Field through a General Obligation Bond; second by Mr. Hawkins. After discussion no one voted for the motion. All Councilmen voted against the motion. Motion failed. (Councilman Caldwell absent.)
12. Mr. Waldrop moved to fund the Rescue Squad 14 building and go forward with the project; second by Mr. Baker. Voting for the motion: Councilmen Waldrop, Hawkins, Baker and Dawkins. Voting against the motion: Councilmen Summer and Livingston. Motion passed by majority vote.
13. Mr. Hawkins moved to obtain a Special Source Revenue Bond to fund the shortfall costs associated with Phase I development of the Mid-Carolina Commerce Park, deferring a decision on whether to use General Obligation debt or a Special Source Revenue Bond for up to two years; second by Mr. Dawkins. Vote was unanimous. (Councilman Caldwell absent.)
There being no further discussion, Mr. Baker moved to adjourn. Vote was unanimous. (Councilman Caldwell absent.)
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
NEWBERRY COUNTY COUNCIL
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Henry B. Summer, Chairman
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Susan C. Fellers, Clerk to Council
APPROVED: July 11, 2007