Briefs and shorts from the September 2010 CountyLines

Watauga County sales tax referendum fails

Watauga County voters on Aug. 31 rejected a referendum for a quarter-cent sales tax increase that would have generated annual revenues of roughly $1.9 million. Commissioners touted the tax as a way to fund a recreation and aquatics center, general recreation improvements, and a community center.

Nine counties have put the quarter-cent sales tax to a vote this year, and seven have been successful. Since November 2007, voters in 17 counties have passed the referendum.

Eleven others will hold the referendum Nov. 2: Alamance, Alleghany, Bladen, Cherokee, Clay, Columbus, Guilford, Harnett, Montgomery, Orange and Person. Commissioners in Guilford and Person counties decided in August to hold the referendum. Guilford County, which would see an estimated $11.6 million in additional revenue from the sales tax, would use the money to fund debt service on $500 million in bond debt that voters approved in 2008.

Meanwhile, Orange County's board announced that if its referendum passes, it would split 42.5 percent of the estimated $2.3 million in additional revenue between the county's two school systems. Another 42.5 percent would go toward economic development, and the remaining 15 percent would be dedicated to libraries and Emergency Medical Services.

Transylvania County facility earns LEED Silver certification; Rockingham County pursues Gold certification for new jail

Transylvania County's new Public Safety Building has become the first in the Carolinas to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Silver certification.

Transylvania County's Public Safety Building has been LEED Silver certified. (Photo courtesy Moseley Architects)

The 63,000-square-foot facility includes a 120-bed jail with the ability to expand to 300 beds. The building also includes space for the Sheriff's Office, E-911 dispatch and the Emergency Operations Center.

More than 50 percent of the site of the facility has been preserved for open space. The site has also been designed to incorporate a future courthouse and justice center.

Not to be outdone, the new Rockingham County Jail and Law Enforcement Center, which opened for a public tour on Sept. 1, is registered for LEED Gold certification. If awarded, the county will have the first LEED Gold certified justice complex in the Southeast.

Rockingham's 75,970-square-foot facility includes a 19,021-square-foot Law Enforcement Center, and a 60,337-square-foot Detention Wing with 108 inmate cells and 232 inmate beds. Its six housing pods each have state-of-the-art video visitation rooms and outdoor exercise areas.

The jail will become part of a complex that will include a new courthouse and sheriff's office. The courthouse should be completed later this year or in early 2011.

Both the Transylvania and Rockingham buildings include environmentally friendly design elements such as reflective roof membranes to minimize cooling costs, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and use of recycled building materials and natural light. Both buildings were designed by Moseley Architects, an NCACC Associate Member.

Longtime Duplin County commissioner dies

Daniel Jerome "Jiggs" Fussell Sr., who served on the Duplin County Board of Commissioners from 1968-2000, died Aug. 24 at the age of 96. He is the father of current Duplin County Commissioner David Fussell Sr.

In 1975, Daniel Fussell Sr. and his two sons founded Duplin Winery, which has gone on to become the South's largest winery and the world's largest muscadine grape winery.

A champion of mental health issues, Fussell was honored as Outstanding Chairman for Mental Health in North Carolina in 1976.

Burke manager to retire Dec. 31

Burke County Manager Ron Lewis announced in August that he plans to retire at the end of the year. Lewis, who has served as Burke County's manager since 2006, previously served in the same position in Onslow County. He has more than 37 years of combined service between the state and local government systems.

In a letter to Burke County Board of Commissioners Chair Bruce Hawkins, Lewis called the county manager's position "a young man's game," according to The News Herald of Morganton, and cited his desire to do other things.

Weaver to end long career in Hertford County

Hertford County Assistant Manager and Clerk to the Board Patricia Weaver will retire Sept. 25. In a letter to the Board of Commissioners and County Manager Loria D. Williams that was quoted in the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, Weaver thanked county officials "for the opportunities for professional and personal development that you have provided me over the past 35 years.

"I have really enjoyed working for the county and appreciate all of the support provided me during my tenure with Hertford County Local Government.

"While I look forward to enjoying my retirement, I will miss working for the county and all of the friendships that I have made during that time."

Barger to resign from Catawba County Board

Glenn Barger was set to resign his seat on the Catawba County Board of Commissioners in September after being named interim schools superintendent, effective Oct. 1. Barger served as superintendent from 1990-2000.

Barger has served as a commissioner since 2002. He did not seek re-election to the Board of Commissioners however, and his term ends in December.

Seven Tar Heels among NACo presidential appointments

Richmond County Commissioner Pam Dillman (center) was appointed by NACo President Glen Whitley as vice chair of the Transportation Steering Committee's Airports Subcommittee. Also pictured are Transportation Steering Committee Vice Chair Jim Healy of DuPage County, Ill., and Large Urban County Caucus Vice Chair Scott Haggerty of Alameda County, Calif. (Photo contributed by Pam Dillman)

Seven North Carolina county officials have been appointed to NACo leadership positions by 2010-11 President Glen Whitley, a judge from Tarrant County, Texas.

Craven County's Lee Kyle Allen is one of four vice chairs of the Health Steering Committee.

Vance County's Terry Garrison is one of three vice chairs of the Labor & Employment Steering Committee.

Wake County's Joe Bryan is one of five vice chairs for the Transportation Steering Committee. Gaston County's Joe Carpenter is one of two vice chairs of the committee's Highways Subcommittee, and Richmond County's Pam Dillman is vice chair of the committee's Airports Subcommittee.

Guilford County's Kay Cashion is one of two vice chairs of the Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee's Corrections Subcommittee.

Durham County Human Resources Director Marqueta Welton picked up two appointments: vice chair of the Labor & Employment Steering Committee's Pension Subcommittee, and a member of the NACo Deferred Compensation Advisory Committee, an ad hoc committee.

Dear receives top honor

Cleveland County Manager David Dear was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Beverly Perdue on July 19. Dear, who was appointed county manager in 2004 and has served with Cleveland County Government since 1977, has served on numerous boards including the Senior Center, YMCA Board, Adventure House, United Way and Cleveland County Chamber. Economic development successes, a partnership to build the LeGrand Center, implementation of an 800 Mhz emergency responder radio system and a successful bid for the American Legion World Series are among the achievements realized by Dear.

Four counties join 21st Century Communities Program

Cleveland, Jones, Pamlico and Stokes counties were selected for the state's 21st Century Communities Program on Aug. 13. The program fosters economic growth in less prosperous counties by helping them develop innovative economic and community development plans and initiatives.

"This two-year program prepares counties to be more competitive in today's challenging economic times," Crisco said. "Through collaboration and partnership, we are able to leverage local resources, strengthen infrastructure and support ongoing workforce and leadership development, ultimately bringing jobs and investment to these counties."

The 21st Century program was created in 2001 in response to North Carolina business and industry closings that resulted in thousands of job losses in the manufacturing and textile industries. Thirty-one other counties selected in previous years are currently participating: Alexander, Anson, Beaufort, Burke, Caldwell, Camden, Caswell, Clay, Columbus, Cherokee, Duplin, Edgecombe, Gaston, Graham, Halifax, Harnett, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Mitchell, Montgomery, Nash, Northampton, Robeson, Rockingham, Rutherford, Sampson, Scotland, Warren, Washington and Yancey.

Three counties among Parks and Recreation grant winners

Governor Beverly Perdue announced Aug. 13 that 14 local governments would share $2.5 million in grants from the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for parks and recreation projects. Three counties – Alleghany, McDowell and Rowan – were among the winners.

"The Parks and Recreation Trust Fund has reached into hundreds of local communities offering new opportunities for recreation and fitness," Perdue said. "These opportunities for new parks, trails, greenways and recreation facilities go hand-in-hand with North Carolina's commitment to conservation, sound environmental stewardship and economic opportunity."

The matching grants will help fund land acquisition, development and renovation of public park and recreation areas.

Alleghany County will receive $172,479 to fund development of a picnic shelter, multi-purpose field, walking trail and bridge at Sparta Parkway Park.

McDowell County will receive $365,285 for a greenway extension project that entails development of a 1.6-mile trail with bridge crossings.

Rowan County will receive $38,780 for recreational improvements at Ellis Park, including development of a disc golf course, garden, tot lot and fitness stations.

The Parks and Recreation Trust Fund was established in 1994 when the General Assembly dedicated 75 percent of the state's share of the excise tax on real estate deed transfers to the fund. The revenue is distributed to three programs: 65 percent to the state parks system for repairs, capital improvements and land acquisition; 30 percent for matching grants to local parks and recreation programs for development and land acquisition; and 5 percent to the coastal beach access program.

SHORTS

Catawba: Jeff Carpenter assumed duties as Cooperative Extension director on Sept. 1. A 16-year veteran of the county's Cooperative Extension office, Carpenter succeeds Fred Miller, who retired in 2009. ... Chatham: The historic county courthouse, which suffered severe damage during a March 25 fire, was treated to a temporary roof in August. County commissioners announced plans to rebuild the 1881 building shortly after the blaze. ... Cherokee: Commissioners gave approval Aug. 16 to an architectural and construction team that will lead a renovation and expansion project at the 1920s county courthouse. … Cumberland: Commissioner Jimmy Keefe raised the possibility of expanding the county's jail, built in 2003, from 568 to 1,200 beds by 2014. Keefe's suggestion came during an Aug. 10 committee meeting on whether to expand the jail to 824 beds. … Durham: Paul Warren died Aug 4. He served several roles for the county from 1984-97, including assistant county manager and finance director, and two stints as interim county manager. ... Northampton: Commissioners decided Aug. 16 against placing a $24 million bond referendum on the November ballot to fund a new high school. ... Rowan: The Board of Commissioners approved a $12 million bond referendum to appear on the Nov. 2 ballot to fund capital improvements at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. ... Union: The Board of Commissioners named Wes Baker, the county's auditor, as interim county manager on Aug. 11. He succeeds Al Greene, county manager since May 2008. … Warren: The county dedicated its newly renovated tax offices on Aug. 25.