The Avery County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Monday, May 15, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. in their offices, Avery County Administrative Complex, Newland, NC.

Members Present: Kenny Poteat, Chairman; Susan Pittman, Vice-Chair; Joe Strickland; Phyllis Forbes and Bill Beuttell

Members Absent: None

Call to Order
Chairman Poteat called the meeting to order at 3:08 p.m.
Joe Strickland offered prayer.

Proclamations & Awards
Ms. Julia Rowland with High Country Council of Governments, requested that the Board adopt a Resolution proclaiming the month of May as Workforce Development Professionals Month in Avery County. Chairman Poteat read the Resolution aloud.
Motion by Joe Strickland and second by Susan Pittman to adopt the Resolution as presented and proclaim the month of May as Workforce Development Professionals Month in Avery County. Motion unanimously approved.

Discussion on unemployment rate in the area. Julia Rowland said she didn’t have an exact figure, but that she was in Yancey County yesterday and theirs was 5.7. Avery’s unemployment rate usually runs parallel to Yancey, she said. Bill said he thought ours was closer to 4.7.

Immigration Reform
Bill Beuttell commented on immigration reform and the effect it would have one the construction and agriculture industries in this area. Depending on how immigration reform is done, how would all these industries meet the workforce necessary, Bill said. Ms. Rowland said her department will be exploring those topics. She said we spend a lot of time studying trends and the impact of issues such as this. Chairman Poteat asked Julia to bring this topic before her board for discussion and to start looking into some possible scenarios dealing with the loss of migrant workers, etc. Bill Beuttell said he has spoken with the offices of Senator Dole and Senator McHenry and that they have nothing on the burner right now in this regard.

Amend Agenda
Commissioner Strickland requested an amendment to today’s agenda to discuss the potential liability to the County for some property we are going to obtain in Land Harbor.
Motion by Joe Strickland to amend today’s agenda to discuss the above referenced topic. Motion seconded by Bill Beuttell and unanimously approved.
This item will be discussed under Section 3.4A (3).

Chairman Poteat requested an amendment to today’s agenda to discuss the possibility of a new dialysis center coming to this area, as well as the placement of this center. There is some controversy that it be located in Yancey vs. Mitchell County, Poteat said.

Motion by Joe Strickland to amend today’s agenda to include discussion regarding Dialysis Center placement. Motion seconded by Phyllis Forbes and unanimously approved.
This item will also be discussed under Section 3.4A (3).

Public Comments
There were no comments from the public.

Commissioner Strickland commented that he will be attending a budget hearing with the NCACC and as I have expressed before, they have subscribed to a position on the Medicaid reimbursement formula that takes ½ cent away from the counties and gives it to the state. That places the counties in the position of having to put ½ cent back on the tax books, and we have become the bad guys in having to raise taxes. I feel this is a state function and it should not be resolved on the backs of the counties. I intend to express my objection to what has been proposed and re-emphasize the fact that it is something for the General Assembly to resolve but not at the expense of the counties, Strickland said.
Chairman Poteat asked if the Board is in agreement with what Commissioner Strickland has proposed. The Board approved by unanimous consensus.

Phyllis Forbes commented that she received an e-mail about a rally for support of counties receiving Medicaid relief. They are asking County Managers and Commissioners to come to Raleigh to let their voices be heard. Joe Strickland said he feels it is impossible for us to go down there right now due to our budget hearings; however, we can still express our support via the Internet. Susan Pittman said that this Board expressed its opinion regarding Medicaid relief to our Senator and Representative who were here at our last meeting. They know how we feel about this matter. Bill said we have pleaded with the State Legislature to give Avery County and all the other counties some revenue options so we can better support ourselves, but we have been denied those request. I think it is abhorrent for them to arbitrarily put another burden on top of us and deny our requests on top of that.
Bill asked that the Manager send out an e-mail to our legislators letting them know how the Board feels about this Medicaid matter.
Bill also commented that the hurricane season is upon us and that he felt we should ask the Lord to give us a mild hurricane season and to spare people from all the losses and travesty they have experienced in the past year.

Petition – Sugar Mountain ETJ – Jenny Harpold
Ms. Jenny Harpold represented Mr. Jimmy Heaton, who was unable to attend today due to a prior commitment. Ms. Harpold advised that she is a resident of Ski Country Condominiums in Banner Elk, NC. She read aloud a letter signed by Mr. James Heaton, III, who is representing the Citizens Against Sugar Mountain Annexation, Inc. This group has filed a lawsuit against the Sugar Mountain ETJ Annexation Plan. They would like to rescind Sugar Mountain back to 1985 to their original charter which agreed never to annex or ETJ any properties. Ms. Harpold stated that a petition is currently being circulated by this group in opposition to ETJ by the Village of Sugar Mountain. A public hearing will be held tomorrow night at Sugar Mountain regarding this matter. We think they will vote on the ETJ portion of the annexation she said. She added that their group has been working for the past few months to fight this annexation.
Susan Pittman said she attended a meeting last fall at Sugar Mountain about this matter but she didn’t know the outcome. Ms. Harpold said the intent was to have our legislators look into this matter and present a bill to the legislature in Short Session to rescind the annexation.
Discussion on the matter of the Charter which states that there will be no annexation. Ms. Harpold advised that their attorneys are looking into that issue at present and are trying to have this whole issue rescinded.
Ms. Harpold advised that their purpose for being here today is to have this matter entered into the public record.
Mr. Poteat asked if they have a deadline. Ms. Harpold advised that the annexation was to take place in January 2007. The ETJ has been looked at separately she said. There have been votes on the annexation and there is to be another vote for the ETJ area. The Board thanked Ms. Harpold for meeting with them today.

County Manager Report – Robert Wiseman

Resolution – Dedicate Highway 184 in Banner Elk to the Memory of Grover C. Robbins, Jr.
Robert Wiseman advised that this road issue was discussed at the previous Regular Meeting of the Board. As we looked at this issue, it appears there was some breakdown in communication as to whether Beech Mountain Parkway was to be dedicated or renamed. I spoke with Mr. Spencer Robbins who made the request and he advised that his intent was not to change the name of the road but rather to dedicate it to the memory of his brother, Grover C. Robbins, Jr. He would like to have a sign at the city limits of Beech Mountain and also a sign at the bottom of the mountain somewhere around the Sunrise
Shop. This name will have no effect on 911 addressing or mapping. He added that a dedication of the road would not be offensive to anyone involved. There are options such as an “Adopt a Highway” sign with a 4-yr. contract or a Memorial Highway sign, which is to dedicate a road to a certain individual. It must go through the State Road Naming Committee and the Resolution must state the exact name for the sign. Chairman Poteat read the proposed Resolution aloud.

Motion was made by Joe Strickland to adopt this Resolution to Dedicate Highway 184 in Banner Elk to the Memory of Grover C. Robbins, Jr., barring unforeseen objections, and to authorize the Chairman to sign the Resolution. Motion seconded by Phyllis Forbes and unanimously approved.

Resolution – Dedicate a Portion of Highway 194 in Memory of Lulu Belle & Scotty Wiseman
Robert Wiseman advised that the Board previously discussed this request for a road dedication as well. Chairman Poteat recommended changing the word “name” to “dedicate” in the Resolution.

Motion by Joe Strickland that with the recommended revision of using the word “dedicate” instead of “name” in this Resolution, that it be adopted and further, to authorize the Chairman to sign the Resolution. Motion seconded by Susan Pittman and unanimously approved.

Personnel Issues
Robert Wiseman advised that at the last meeting he had brought up two personnel issues that involved the security of personnel records and the distribution of information from those records and the Board tabled that until today’s meeting. However, due to the activities of the last two weeks he and Ms. Poore have not been able to discuss these matters. He asked to defer the personnel issues until the June 5, 2006 Regular Meeting.
Motion by Joe Strickland and second by Phyllis Forbes to defer these personnel matters until the June 5 Regular Meeting. Motion unanimously approved.

Water Supply Grant – Robert Wiseman
For the record, Robert advised that he has the Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the Water Supply Grant in amount of $987,653.00 for the building of the extension and the new storage capacity for the Elk Park Water System. Avery County agreed to serve as the Lead Agent for Elk Park in this agreement. Kenny signed it, per authority of the Board. This project has now been approved. Next week I will be meeting with the engineering firm, the planners from Region D and also Elk Park representatives, to get this project started, Wiseman said.

Without the assurance that the water supply would be there, certain efforts on behalf of the EDC would have been to no avail because the new health care facility at Elk Park could not have located there without the assurance that this water would be available to them, Robert said. He then congratulated this Board as well as the Elk Park Town Council on this project. This is $1 million in free money.
Chairman Poteat thanked Mr. Bill Close and the EDC Committee for all their hard work to help bring about this project.

Avery Health Department Project
Robert Wiseman gave a brief Progress Report on the Health Department project. Things are pretty much on schedule he said. The drywall is up and the masons start work next week. By the end of this week or the first of next week we should be painting the interior. We are still hoping for the August opening date. I meet on May 16 with members from the Toe River Health Dept. and representatives from the Kate B. Reynolds Foundation who are coming to look at what we have done in anticipation of a sizeable furniture and fixture grant for this facility.

Amendments to Agenda
Land Harbor Properties – Pending Possible Litigation
Joe Strickland commented that this will be a discussion which may involve some action on the part of the Board concerning Land Harbor. I am a resident there, so I would ask to be recused from voting.
Motion by Joe Strickland that the Board recuse him from any vote if the Board chooses to take action on this subject. Motion seconded by Susan Pittman and unanimously approved.
The Chairman advised that while Joe is recused from voting on this subject that he may still discuss it with the Board.

Joe Strickland said he was advised, via the Internet, that the Property Owner’s Association Board of Directors, has had a discussion over the property that Avery County is going to obtain with the flood situation. There were 3 or 4 lots. The POA have concluded that if the County obtains this property that the County would still be liable for the dues that are associated with this property. I cannot in clear conscience let tax dollars or dues go toward a resort area, Joe said. It seems to me that the question was referred to our attorney who contacted their attorney and asked for a waiver. Their attorney indicated that the POA does not have to give a waiver. The POA has since referred this to an attorney in Asheville. Michaelle Poore advised that she was not aware of any of this. Joe said that their attorney is saying they don’t have to waive the dues and that they can charge the county for the fee structure, which is substantial. If I were able to vote on it, I wouldn’t allow that to happen, Joe said. Since I cannot vote on it, I would recommend several things for the Board to consider. They can do nothing, which means if the dues are not paid, they would put a lien on the property and the lien stays out there forever and ever. Or, we could Quick Deed this property over to Land Harbor and that way it becomes their responsibility. However, it would have to have a strong covenant with it. Since this land is in a flood zone they could not build in it, rent it, sell it, etc. but they could maintain it for a picnic area, etc. Or, they could also leave the deed with the Federal government and the POA could collect it from the Federal Government. It is a question of what this Board would like to do in this matter. You could delay it if there are additional concerns.

Joe suggested that once the Attorney is comfortable with this that we Quick Deed the property because it puts it back onto the tax books. Michaelle Poore said she is not sure if that can happen under the terms of this program. There are very restrictive requirements on who can own that property she said. She said she thought it could only be owned by a governmental entity or a non-profit organization.
Joe suggested that we do not want to accept the deed to this property and then they can negotiate with the Federal Government.

Robert Wiseman said that as representatives of Avery County, we could pay the appropriate dues and fees on this property and then it would appear that would entitle every citizen and taxpayer in Avery County to use the golf course, the pool, tennis court, etc. at Land Harbor. Joe agreed that is a possibility, but if he were allowed to vote, he would not vote to spend tax dollars on dues and fees for resort property.

Michaelle Poore stated that she has some of the documents pertaining to the FEMA buyouts on this property. She referred the Board to materials provided them; namely, Form II-11, Exhibit A. This document is included with each of these deeds and made a part of the deed. It says that each transfer is subject to the Stafford Act. Paragraphs 1A and 1B list what the property can be used for and what types of structures can be placed on the property after FEMA funds are used to buy the property. This is a voluntary program which the County agreed to administer; however, the County is not obligated to buy any of these properties, Michaelle said. Joe Strickland commented that the property owner then becomes the victim. Michaelle added that the property owner may then have a claim against Land Harbor. This is an interesting dilemma, Joe said. He said that the General Manager and Frances Banner plan to meet with the County Manager at some later date on this matter, and that the crux of the entire matter is the fee structure. The Board may wish to defer any action on this until the next meeting, Joe said. If you defer it, my excuse for voting should still remain intact, Joe said. Discussion. Robert Wiseman said he plans to try to meet with these people before our first Regular Meeting in June.

Motion by Bill Beuttell and second by Susan Pittman to defer this matter until our June 2006 Regular Meeting. Discussion on how much property is involved. Michaelle said there are 3 contiguous lots, and it is all small acreage. Motion unanimously approved with 4 members voting. Joe Strickland did not vote.

New Dialysis Center Location
Chairman Poteat advised that the Board briefly discussed this issue on a previous occasion. This matter originated when there was an obvious need for a dialysis center to be located fairly close to us. Boone and Asheville are the closest dialysis centers. This is an attempt by our 3 counties to have a dialysis center to represent Avery, Mitchell & Yancey Counties. The Chairman said that all of the conversation he had heard until recently was that the dialysis center would be centrally located, which in my opinion is the only thing that makes sense for the people of all 3 counties. In the interim, there has been some type of coup or struggle between Yancey and Mitchell concerning the placement of the center. Yancey is very adamant that it be placed in Yancey County. Robert and I will attend a meeting this coming Thursday on this matter. I would like to get some input from our Board prior to that meeting regarding taking a stand, one way or the other. I propose that we represent Avery County and that we stick with the original discussion that this center be centrally located, Kenny said. The main reason is that dialysis patients will always vary. Yancey may have twice as many this year and 5 years later Avery may have twice as many. However, the geographical location does not change. I think that as a board we need to endorse the original agreement that we are for a dialysis center and that it be placed in a central location to all 3 counties, Poteat said. Joe Strickland said that we reached an accord with the other two counties that Mayland Community College be centrally located. He said that centrally locating a program that has such gravity for the people of all 3 counties associated with it is the only reasonable conclusion anyone could draw.

Chairman Poteat said that from Newland to the vicinity of Spruce Pine Hospital is about 20 miles, and from Newland to the location proposed in Yancey County is about 45 miles. Poteat advised that the original plan was to locate the dialysis center in the vicinity of Spruce Pine Hospital. Discussion continued regarding reasons why Yancey County feels the center should be located in their county. Following discussion, the Board came to a unanimous consensus that Avery County will only endorse the location of the new dialysis center being centrally located in the Spruce Pine area.

Finance Office Report - Tim Greene
Budget Amendment #___________
EMS Department has received various contributions in honor of EMS Week in amount of $270. They would like for these funds to be added to their Training Line Item.
Motion Joe Strickland to recognize revenue into the EMS Dept. budget in the Training line item in amount of $270.00. Motion seconded by Susan Pittman and unanimously approved.

Budget Amendment #___________
The Emergency Management Department received an Emergency Mgmt. Performance Grant in amount of $18,395.00. This is an annual grant but the dollar amount varies. It is at the discretion of the EM Dept. as to what they purchase with these funds. David Charles requested that these funds be placed in his capital outlay line item but I don’t know if he has decided how he wishes to use the funds at this time, Tim said.

Motion by Bill Beuttell and second by Joe Strickland to recognize revenue into the Emergency Management Department in the capital outlay line item in amount of $18,395 from an EM Performance Grant. Motion unanimously approved.

Budget Amendment #_____________
Tim Greene advised that the Social Services Dept. has received additional Day Care Allocations. This is 100% reimbursed by the State of N.C. We would like to recognize an additional $125,000 in the expenses line item and also in the corresponding revenue line item in the Social Services Dept., Tim said.
Motion by Phyllis Forbes and second by Joe Strickland to approve a Budget Amendment in amount of $125,000 in the DSS Budget for additional Day Care Allocations. Motion unanimously approved.

Budget Amendment #____________
Tim Greene advised that the medical expenses at the Jail have exceeded the budgeted amount of $20,000 by around $4,000.Tim requested that the Board increase the budgeted amount from $20,000 to $25,000.
Joe Strickland commented that we are mandated by law to take care of these expenses.
Motion by Bill Beuttell and second by Joe Strickland to approve a Budget Amendment in the Jail in amount of $5,000 for the Medical Expenses line item. Discussion. The Chairman commented that this line item is a moving target that can fluctuate according to the Jail population. Bill said if someone were incarcerated and required open heart surgery, the County would be responsible for that. Joe said there is only one problem, where we are placed in a position where we have to constantly evaluate where we are with our health insurance for our employees, the state is not in that position when it comes to inmates. I think some consideration needs to be given in that area where this issue is subject to the same process that we are subject to, Joe said. We have to make tough decisions affecting our employees when it comes to health insurance, Joe said. Bill Beuttell said I’m sure our Chairman, who is a financial planner and an accountant, would say that this is the cost of doing business in Avery County.
Vote: Motion unanimously approved.

High School Renovation Project
Tim Greene advised that our High School Renovation Project is budgeted at $3,046,250.00. We are planning on funding $2 million of that amount with QZAB loan, which is still not forthcoming, and the additional $1,046,250.00 to be funded however we choose to fund it. There is a delay in the QZAB Financing; the latest we heard this morning is that the timing is going to be possibly May and possibly June. The key word being “possibly”. As far as that goes, it may not even happen, Tim said. We know that we are going to have to do either a separate installment financing or do “pay as you go” on the $1,046,250 Tim said. To that end, we need to make plans on that million dollars because we are paying bills even as we speak, with the expectation that we were going to reimburse ourselves with the QZAB money, but the QZAB money is still not coming in. However, we do have a Reimbursement Resolution in place on the QZAB. Tim suggested that we could either start the process for borrowing the million dollars or we could transfer from the Courthouse Project Fund by resolution, or we could take it out of Fund Balance---$750,000, and then budget the remainder in this upcoming budget year. I am suggesting we take that $750,000 out of Fund Balance, bearing in mind that we will probably have an excess of revenues over expenditures for this FY, Tim said. As we have been doing over the past two or three years, anything over the 20% amount we have been transferring over into the Courthouse Project Fund.. I have no idea what amount in excess of our 20% we will have at this time, but with the expectation that we will have something to move, this is just taking it out of that money, Tim said. Joe Strickland said that as Tim is proposing to take this money out of Fund Balance, that before any motion is entertained, I have some questions related to that. Last year we transferred $3 million to that fund. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, given our growth and given our conservative projections and revenues, we should be able to transfer a goodly sum the next FY and every FY thereafter, given our current Ordinance. Tim said that is a somewhat correct assumption. It is going to be a moving target, Tim said. It all depends upon the revenue coming in. Joe said it depends on the collection, on how conservative you were, etc. I recognize that, but the fact is that last year we were in a comfortable enough position that we could transfer $3 million in order to continue to subscribe to a “pay as we go’ philosophy, Joe said.

Bill Beuttell asked how much is in the Courthouse Project Fund. Tim said there is around $7.5 million in that fund at present. Bill asked how much more we anticipate that we will need to finish this project. Tim said that based upon the Jail building addition, the old jail renovation and the original renovation, we are about $1.5 million short.
Bill Beuttell then stated that Mark Aldridge from the High School recently dropped off some information to the Manager which they want the Commissioners to consider regarding Astroturf and the track at the High School. Bill asked if that information would be considered by the Board in June or if it is too late to discuss it. He said he would like to look at it and decide if it is worth continuing to look at or not. It was agreed to discuss this request at the budget meeting on Thursday.

The Chairman said that the recommendation of this Board, in order to help us with the $1 million, beyond the $2 million for High School renovation, is that we take $750,000 from the General Fund. Tim said that assuming there was no surplus at the end of the year, which I fully expect there will be, then that would reduce our Undesignated Fund Balance from 20% to about 16.5%. He added that even though it is discouraging that the QZAB keeps getting put off and even though we may have to do pay as you go or take out an installment loan, we still want to hold out for the QZAB as long as we can because we are actually going to be paying back less money than we borrowed if we get a QZAB. We have actually been awarded the allocation, but it is not signed into law; that’s what is holding it up, Tim said. The budget has to be adopted by the Federal Government before we can get it. Robert said this has been going on since last year; we have no more guarantee right now than we did this time last year. Discussion on the fact that we are still committed to paying these bills on the High School project, regardless.

Budget Amendment #_______________
Motion by Joe Strickland to transfer $750,000 out of Fund Balance to accommodate Debt Services for the Avery High School renovation project to pay the bills. Motion seconded by Susan Pittman.
Discussion. For the record, Bill Beuttell commented that with this withdrawal, he would like for everyone to realize that we still have about 16.5% in our Fund Balance, which is well above the 8% that the state requires that we have on hand, and even though we are transferring this amount, the County is still in excellent financial shape. Joe Strickland said that regardless of the circumstances, the needs at the High School were so great that this Board recognized the commitment that it made and we intend to honor that commitment.
Vote: Motion unanimously approved.

New Dialysis Center Location
Robert Wiseman advised that just a few minutes ago he received a call from Michelle Lawhern, Yancey County Manager, regarding the dialysis center. She has some problems that don’t include problem with Avery County, Robert said. There was some misunderstanding between her and the Dialysis Company and also Mitchell County as to where the center would be located, etc. At this point in time, there is still a lot of dialog that needs to take place on this matter. Robert said he explained to Ms. Lawhern that the Avery County Commissioners, and rightly so, are devoted and obligated to the people of Avery County on this issue, not to Spruce Pine, Mitchell County or Yancey County, and that from the beginning we were under the impression that the facility would be located at a central point. Not being central between Appalachian Health Care in Boone and Asheville, but rather central to our 3 counties. I think that is where some of their argument will fall, that it would be central between the two hospitals if it were in Yancey. That is not where we were headed. If the facility were located at a place in Yancey County so that it would be further for our residents to go there than to Boone, that Yancey won’t get the traffic from Avery County; the patients would go to Boone, Robert said.
The Commissioners again agreed that they would not endorse anything other than that the facility be centrally located between these three counties.

County Attorney Report – Michaelle Poore
Michaelle Poore advised that other than the Land Harbor matter, she is not aware of any other pending litigation which has developed since the last meeting.

Resolution – FEMA Buyouts
Michaelle Poore presented the Board with a proposed Resolution regarding FEMA buyouts. The Resolution authorizes the County to take title to these properties and execute certain documents in relation to the closing. In light of conversation earlier about property located in Land Harbor, Michaelle suggested a change to this Resolution; namely, the last paragraph of the Resolution. She suggested placing a comma after the word “funds” instead of a period and add the following language, “subject to approval of the same by the County Manager”. That will ensure that the County will not be taking title to any property until it is approved by the County Manager.
Michaelle then referred to Exhibit B in the Board Packet regarding owners who are eligible to participate in this program with these funds. Properties 4, 6, and 8 are located in Land Harbor.
Joe Strickland said that the Land Harbor Board should be aware of the predicament they are putting their property owners in, because if the County does not accept title to this property, which is a possibility, then the property owners are not going to receive any FEMA funds for property which has not value to them. We could redirect the energy effort from the Board of Commissioners to the property owners and the Board of Directors for the Association. Michaelle advised that if the County chooses not to participate in this particular property due to legal issues, then Land Harbor is going to have to address the property with the property owners. Joe said if we do accept title to it, can we put it in the covenant to avoid the question of dues. Michaelle said she has proposed that issue to Mr. McKinney to be a part of the lot waiver requirement. She has suggested that we add in the requirement that these lots not be subject to the assessments.

Motion by Joe Strickland to adopt the Resolution Authorizing Execution of Documentation for Stafford Act Funds, with the noted amendments as suggested by the County Attorney. Further, to authorize the Chairman to sign said Resolution. Motion seconded by Susan Pittman and unanimously approved.

Property Deeds – Flood Relief Funds
Michaelle Poore advised that the Clerk just gave her a Deed to the County which the Clerk just received today for other properties, which were evidently flood properties. Michaelle said she was not aware of this. It looks as though the County is taking title to some property. I do not know if there has ever been a Resolution passed authorizing execution of these documents on behalf of the County. I thought I should mention this to the Board right now so the County Manager can research it. If nothing has been done legally in this regard, then we need to address this issue. Michaelle advised that she and the Manager can work on this matter.

Rescind Previous Motion
Joe Strickland then asked if it was legal for him to vote on the Motion he just made regarding Stafford Act Funds. The Attorney said that Joe’s earlier Motion recused him from the vote on those 3 lots. Joe said he wants to make sure there is no technicality with his voting on this. Joe asked if it would be safer for him to withdraw his previous motion and allow another member to make the Motion. The Attorney agreed that he should rescind his motion.

Motion by Joe Strickland to rescind his previous Motion on Stafford Act Funds. Motion seconded by Susan Pittman and unanimously approved.

Resolution – FEMA Buyouts
Motion by Susan Pittman to adopt a Resolution Authorizing Execution of Documentation for Stafford Act Funds, with noted amendments as suggested by the County Attorney. Also, to authorize the Chairman to sign said Resolution on behalf of the Board. Motion seconded by Phyllis Forbes and unanimously approved by those eligible to vote on the Motion.

Approval of Minutes
Motion by Susan Pittman and second by Bill Beuttell to approve the Minutes of the May 1, 2006 Regular Meeting and may 4, 2006 Joint Mtg. with Board of Education. Motion seconded by Bill Beuttell and unanimously approved.

Agenda Consent Items
Following brief discussion, the Board approved the Agenda Consent Items by consensus.

Upcoming Meetings
The Chairman announced that the next budget meeting will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 3:30 p.m.

Adjourn
Motion by Joe Strickland and second by Phyllis Forbes to adjourn at 4:30 p.m.

_____________________________
Kenny Poteat, Chairman
Avery County Board of Commissioners

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Nancy H. Cook, Clerk to the Board