Commissioners discuss budget allocations, county to research housing committee options | Watauga

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Watauga Planning and Inspections Director Joe Furman, who led the ordinance modifications, advised the board they wanted to wait till their subsequent assembly earlier than they may formally vote on the ordinances. This was a requirement from the state, because the state required the county to preserve the choice for future public remark open for an additional 24 hours.

The board voted to transfer the ultimate approval to their subsequent common assembly on April 20.

AppHealthCare Health Director Jennifer Greene up to date the board about continued efforts to get folks in Watauga vaccinated.

She reported that 28 % of Watauga has been partially vaccinated, whereas an additional 24 % has been absolutely vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 — combining for greater than 28,000 folks. Greene stated the objective is to get a minimum of 70 % of the overall county inhabitants absolutely vaccinated, noting that AppHealthCare has been working to present data to the general public in addition to getting vaccines to these experiencing homelessness or going by way of the Watauga County Detention Center.

County IT Director Drew Eggers got here to the board with two requests, each for alternative servers.

The first request was for 2 servers for the county’s digital infrastructure. Eggers introduced to the board a quote from MarketSpace Solutions, out of Lincolnton, for $23,984. The second request was for the acquisition of an upgraded e mail server software program from SHI at a value of $18,213.38. Eggers famous that each purchases have been inside budget; the board accepted each purchases.

Presenting subsequent was Finance Director Misty Watson, who requested approval of the allocation of funds and an audit contract.

First, Watson reported that Crossnore School was not in a position to make the most of funds totaling $10,710 alongside administrative funds of $752. The cash was requested to be allotted to the Western Youth Network Youth Resource Center and Mountain Alliance in a 50/50 break up as a part of a revised Juvenile Crime Prevention Council budget. The reallocation got here with a 30 % match from the county for the executive funds totaling $226. The board accepted the reallocation unanimously.

Watson additionally got here ahead with a proposed audit contract for the tip of the 2020-21 fiscal yr with the West Jefferson-based C. Randolph CPA agency. The audit report could be due on Oct. 31, and would value the county $46,500. Watson famous the cash has already been budgeted to cowl the prices, however the contract nonetheless wanted approval, which the board then handed.

The board additionally revisited an concept that was mentioned throughout their annual budget retreat in February. During the April 6 assembly, County Manager Deron Geouque supplied data concerning minimal housing codes. The board had beforehand voiced assist for the concept of forming a committee to deal with housing wants in Watauga County. Welch identified that a number of different counties in North Carolina have already performed so. The board agreed extra research wants to be performed into the problem whereas a transparent thought is drawn up, significantly trying deeper into how different counties have managed the state of affairs.

During the assembly, Commissioner Billy Kennedy introduced he had discovered an appointment for the Watauga County Planning Board. Kennedy nominated Allison Jennings, who additionally serves because the director for the Watauga Habitat for Humanity. Jennings’ appointment was unanimously accepted by the board.

The assembly went into closed session simply earlier than 7 p.m. The subsequent assembly of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners shall be Tuesday, April 20.