‘I solemnly swear’
Commissioners take oath of office

By Scott Nicholson

Tuesday morning marked a changing of the guard on the Watauga County Board of Commissioners, with newly elected commissioner Tim Futrelle officially taking office.

Futrelle and returning commissioners Jim Deal and Winston Kinsey were sworn in by District Court Judge Greg Horn for upcoming terms before the commissioners began their regular meeting.

The board also formally reappointed Rocky Nelson as county manager and Anita Fogle as clerk to the board. The law firm of di Santi Watson Capua Wilson will continue as the county’s legal counsel.

Deal was reappointed as board chairman and Billy Ralph Winkler was reappointed as vice-chairman. The commissioners voted to draft a resolution thanking outgoing commissioner Mary Moretz for her service to the county.

The commissioners also divided up their positions on local boards and agencies. Kinsey will serve as the commission representative on the Appalachian District Health Department, EMS Advisory Committee, Watauga County Cooperative Extension’s Advisory Leadership Council, Watauga County Energy Park Working Group and Watauga County Fire Commission.

Winkler will serve on the High Country Council of Governments, Northwest Advisory Council of AdvantageWest, Rural Transportation Advisory Council, Library Board, Motor Vehicle Valuation Review Committee, Watauga County Department of Social Services, Educational Planning Committee and New River Service Authority Board.

Commissioner John Cooper will serve on Blue Ridge Resource Conservation and Development Area, Committee of 100, Community-Based Affordable Housing Steering Committee, Community Council, Economic Development Commission, Future Forward Advisory Council and Watauga Opportunities.

Deal will serve on the Work Force Development Consortium, Western North Carolina Local Government Caucus, Watauga County Recreation Commission, Watauga County Personnel Advisory Committee, Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees, Educational Planning Committee and Community Council.

Futrelle will serve on the Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute Watauga Advisory Board, Children’s Council Child Protection Team, Criminal Justice Partnership, AppalCART Authority, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Smoky Mountain Center Local Management Entity, Project on Aging Advisory Committee, Volunteer Resource Center and

Audit
Accountant Bryce Holder delivered results of the annual county audit. Holder delivered a “clean opinion,” which he said meant there were no problems discovered during the audit. The county maintained its growth and strong percentage of fund balance, at 26 percent of the total budget, which Holder said were signs of healthy finance.

“The county expanded its tax base by a huge amount–over $900 million,” Holder said. He said with the uncertain economy, it would be difficult for the county to continue that growth this year. He also warned that the tax-collection rate of 98 percent would be hard to match.

The commissioners accepted a grant of $13,090 for the Lois E. Harrill Senior Center and $4,363 for the Western Watauga Community Center. A 25 percent match will come from existing departmental funds.

Project on Aging director Angie Boitnotte said the additional money would be used to offer health screenings and classes at both community centers, in addition to equipment and operating costs.

Nelson introduced scheduling discussions for the annual pre-budget retreat, typically taking place in February or March. Nelson said it would be a challenging budget year because of the economy.

Nelson recommended the commissioners write a letter to N.C. Department of Transportation to support the widening of King Street despite budget cuts to state departments.

The commissioners cancelled their second regular December meeting, with the next meeting on Jan. 5, 2009.