Board Minutes

July 26, 2005
Special Session

The Bladen County Board of Commissioners met in Special Session at 6:30 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Room of the Courthouse with the following members present:

Chairman Taylor called the meeting to order.

County Manager Greg Martin advised that Sheriff Bunn would have an item on the August 1 agenda regarding a $500,000 grant for the Viper Program. He indicated that Bladen County’s portion would go to upgrade all emergency services.

Chairman Greg Taylor advised that he has been asked to serve on the Executive Committee of the Cape Fear River Assembly. He indicated that he is considering accepting the position, but would have to relinquish his seat on the Cape Fear RC& D. He advised that he would recommend the appointment of Commissioner Peterson to the seat on the Cape Fear RC&D at the August 1 meeting.

A motion was made by James G. Smith, seconded by Larry Smith and approved to enter Closed Session in accordance with N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) Matters Protected by the Attorney-Client Privilege.

No Action Taken in Closed Session.

A motion was made by Lewis Tatum, seconded by W. D. Neill, Jr. and approved to reenter Regular Session.

A motion was made by Billy Ray Pait, seconded by W. D. Neill, Jr. and approved for the County Attorney to investigate the acts of the Board of Education and determine if the Open Meetings Law has been violated by the Board of Education and report the findings to the Board of Commissioners.

A motion was made by W. D. Neill, Jr., seconded by Lewis Tatum and approved to extend an invitation to the Board of Education to meet with the Board of Commissioners on Thursday, July 28, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. or Friday, July 29, 2005 at 6:00 p.m.

A motion was made by Delilah B. Blanks, seconded by Larry Smith and approved by a vote of 8 AYES (Greg Taylor, Margaret Lewis-Moore, Delilah B. Blanks, Lewis Tatum, W. D. Neill, Jr., Billy Ray Pait, Larry Smith, James G. Smith) to 1 NO (Charles Ray Peterson) to authorize the County Manager to bring former Finance Director Ann Weeks back to work on a temporary basis in the Finance Office for as long as necessary.

Chairman Greg Taylor closed the meeting with the following remarks:

The Chairman of the Bladen County Board of Education in an article in today’s Bladen Journal says that county funding for the school system has declined as a percentage of the county budget over the last ten years. I have heard this argument from school board members for several years now. And, in point of fact, he is correct. However, that fact has nothing to do with whether or not the schools are being adequately funded. Consider this:

According to Mr. Edge’s logic, each of these events is a reason to increase school funding. There is no direct mathematical correlation between school system needs and the county’s overall budget. The school administration seems to feel that the only justification they need to get increased local funding is to cite some perceived historical under funding.

Further, I very much disagree with the Board of Education’s assertion that the amount of money “appropriated is not sufficient to support a system of free public schools in Bladen County.” When Bladen County’s 2005/2006 current expense appropriation per student is compared to the counties around us, we are right in the middle. Of course Cumberland, Pender, and Brunswick with their tremendous tax bases are higher. But when compared to our neighboring counties with similar circumstances, like Sampson, Columbus, and Robeson, we compare very favorably. Our local current expense funding this year ranges from 19% to 54% higher than these neighboring counties. These county’s tax rates range from 73 to 80 cents. Our tax rate is already at 86 cents. (By the way, our local contribution of $341 per student to school capital funding far exceeds that of many counties.)

In conclusion, the taxpayers of Bladen County have every reason to be proud of the level of effort they are making to educate our children. The amount of funding the Board of Education has requested would necessitate a tax increase of over 12 cents. At that level we would have the second highest tax rate in the state. Our tax rate is already too high.