March 8, 2007 (Special Meeting) Page 285
<br />The Board of Commissioners for Cabarrus County held a special meeting
<br />in the Cabarrus Room at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center in Concord,
<br />North Carolina on Thursday, March 8, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. The purpose of the
<br />meeting was to conduct a facilitated retreat with County Commissioners and
<br />County Department Heads to develop a county government mission statement that
<br />includes strategic goals and objectives.
<br />Present - Chairman: Robert W. Carruth
<br />Vice Chairman: Joni D. Juba
<br />Commissioners: Grace M. Mynatt
<br />Coy C. Privette
<br />H. Jay White, Sr.
<br />Also present were John D. Day, County Manager; Mike Downs, Deputy
<br />County Manager; Pam Dubois, Deputy County Manager; and Kay Honeycutt, Clerk
<br />to the Board.
<br />The following Department Heads were also present: Rick Payne, Solid
<br />Waste; Jonathan Marshall, Commerce; Sandy Russell, Department of Social
<br />Services; Tom Dillard, Library; David Baxter, Channel 22; Debbie Brannan,
<br />Information Technology Services; Aimee Hawkins, Communication and Outreach;
<br />Loretta Lee, Finance; David Hampton, Emergency Medical Services; Bobby Smith,
<br />Emergency Management; Paul Hunt, Sheriff's Department; Lewis Williams,
<br />Veterans Services; Frank Lapsley, Cabarrus Arena & Events Center; Mary Ann
<br />Cooper, County Fair; Linda Grist, Board of Elections; Don Cummings, Human
<br />Resources; Steve Little, Parks and Recreation; Brent Weisner, Tax
<br />Administration; Randy Bass, Transportation; and Mike Murphy, Department of
<br />Aging.
<br />Phil Boyle with Leading and Governing Associates, facilitated the
<br />meeting.
<br />Call to Order
<br />Chairman Carruth called the meeting to order at 9:20 a.m.
<br />Welcome and Introductions
<br />Chairman Carruth thanked everyone for coming and turned the meeting
<br />over to Mr. Boyle.
<br />Retreat Goals and Process
<br />Mr. Boyle identified the following goals: (1) identify issues, needs
<br />and challenges facing the county; (2) draft county-wide goals; and (3)
<br />strengthen communication and relationship between elected officials and
<br />department heads. He reported Goal No. 1 was previously completed and
<br />compiled into a report entitled, "Cabarrus County Issues, Actions and
<br />Challenges".
<br />Personal Coat of Arms - Exercise
<br />Seating in groups of six, the assembly completed a personal "coat of
<br />arms" as an exercise to share information and learn more about each other.
<br />Commissioner White arrived at 10:00 a.m. and was present for the
<br />remainder of the meeting.
<br />Identifying Common Themes
<br />The 188 items contained in the "Cabarrus County Issues, Actions and
<br />Challenges" report were divided amongst the groups. The groups were then
<br />asked to identify common themes that emerged from the issues, actions and
<br />challenges submitted. Each group presented their findings. The following
<br />themes were identified:
<br />• Theme 1: Planning for and managing growth, impact of population
<br />changes and growth, immigration, transportation, access, mobility,
<br />expected and needed services, increasing complexity, quality of life,
<br />education facilities and operations, service delivery, environmental
<br />protection and preservation, protecting and maintaining current
<br />services and standards, balancing growth and development
<br />• Theme 2: Public health and safety, disaster response and recovery,
<br />emergency planning and preparedness, people and infrastructure
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