BC 2015 03 13 Meeting in a Box - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 13, 2015 (Meeting in a Box) Page 2311 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met for a meeting with the local legislative representatives in the Multipurpose Room at the Cabarrus County Governmental Center in Concord, North Carolina on Friday, March 13, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. Present - Chairman: Stephen M. Morris Vice Chairman: Elizabeth F. Poole Commissioners: Diane R. Honeycutt Grace M. Mynatt Lynn W. Shue Also present were Mike Downs, County Manager; Pam Dubois, Senior Deputy County Manager; Jonathan Marshall, Deputy County Manager; and Megan Smit, Clerk to the Board. Senator Fletcher Hartsell and Representatives Carl Ford, Linda Johnson and Larry Pittman were also present. Representative Linda Johnson arrived at 9:06 a.m. and was present for the remainder of the meeting. Call to Order Chairman Morris called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and welcomed attendees to the meeting. Conduct the Meeting in a Box with the Local Legislative Delegation The following legislative goals were generally discussed: • Seek legislation to repeal the statutory authority under NC G.S 115C- 431(c) that allows local school boards to file suit against a county board of commissioners over county appropriations for education. • Seek legislation to restore the statutory requirement that 40 percent of the net lottery proceeds be allocated to counties for school capital needs and increase the annual appropriation of lottery funds until the 40 percent is restored. • Support the current model of public mental health administration, ensure adequate state funding for services and facilities at the local level, and structure appropriate county participation in governance. • Support continued state funding of Medicaid and support efforts by the state to provide healthcare access for all citizens. • Support legislation, regulations and funding that would preserve local option authority where needed to deploy community broadband systems to ensure community access to critical broadband services. • Oppose unfunded mandates and shifts of state responsibilities to counties. • Seek legislation for greater flexibility in county governments' use of 911 funds and protect current funding streams. Seek legislation to repeal the statutory authority under NC G.S 115C- 431(c) that allows local school boards to file suit against a county board of commissioners over county appropriations for education Representatives Ford and Pittman indicated support for the goal. Commissioner Shue expressed support for the goal, but added under extenuating circumstances there must be a way to resolve issues. Representative Linda Johnson arrived at 9:06 a.m. and was present for the remainder of the meeting. Representative Johnson and Senator Hartsell indicated they support change but suggested alternative options. Senator Hartsell commented the way to solve the problem would be to either give school boards taxing authority or to give boards of county commissioners the authority to appoint school boards. Representative Johnson suggested a study should be conducted on the state level. Chairman Morris briefly commented on the recent mediation between Cabarrus County and the Cabarrus County Schools Board of Education, added and that such situations are costly for everyone involved.