10-3-22 BOC Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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V. NEW BUSINESS V.A Davenport Debt Presentation Ted Cole of Davenport appeared before the Board to discuss debt capacity and the debt funding model, as well as the proposed change in Moody's rating methodology and Moody's Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG') methodology. A copy of the presentation given is attached and incorporated into these minutes. Lee County, NC Discussion Materials 9.21 .22.pdf V.B Hiring 2 Additional Staff for Board of Elections Elections Director Jane Rae Fawcett came before the Board on behalf of the Board of Elections to ask for authority and funding to hire two additional staff members, a full- time attorney, or adequate funds to hire outside counsel, and a public records request coordinator/administrative assistant. At the Board of Election's September 14th meeting, a motion was passed unanimously to hire an attorney and a second permanent full-time employee with their primary focus to address public records requests and serve as backup to the current Elections technician. These hiring requests were discussed by the Board of Elections after the department received multiple public information requests for extensive information that must be provided in compliance with NC General Statutes and also received a notice of prospective litigation and demand for records retention. We have an obligation to fulfill these requests, without impeding our elections preparations. Both job descriptions for the attorney and coordinator were approved by the Board of Elections and the Lee County Human Resources Director. Commissioner Sharpe recommended providing Elections what they need. Elections has been using the State Board of Elections and the County Attorney thus far. Commissioner Reives, while not present, asked that the following be read for the record: "I fully support the manager's recommendation for the Board of Elections. Each one of the appropriations for the attorney and the new hire." Dr. Crumpton recommended to approve up to $50,000 to hire outside counsel and to fund the coordinator position. The Elections Department was reviewed back in March and every position was analyzed. Elections are taking longer to prepare and review, and there's only one person doing it currently. We felt like we need to have backup for that person. I fully support that position and putting money in their professional services for outside counsel. It was originally budgeted $12,000 and to get started, they need $20,000. Commissioner Knecht made a motion to approve the coordinator position and $20,000 to hire outside counsel, and also noted that Ms. Fawcett can come back for more if needed. Motion: Motion to fund the public records request coordinator position and allocate $20,000 for the Board of Elections to hire outside counsel. Mover: Dr. Andre Knecht For: 5 - Dr. Andre Knecht, Cameron Sharpe, Kirk Smith, Bill Carver, Mark Lovick Absent: 2 - Arianna Lavallee, Robert Reives Motion Result: Passed V.0 Recommendation award, project # 4843-01-22 Historic Lee County Courthouse Design to Hobbs Architects 4