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EDUCATION/SCHOOLS
Question: Why are we just now looking for funding of school construction when we have been talking about it for ten years and the Commissioners committed to follow the Evergreen Solutions recommendation, which we have been talking about for two years? Why are we not talking about available resources?
Answer: The Wayne County Public Schools are still detailing the prioritized facilities list. The capital projects must include operational costs including utilities and maintenance costs. Wayne County is in the process of putting together a plan for all Wayne County capital projects, including the schools, detention center, human services and libraries. Operational costs must be included in the tax rate. This policy has been in effect three years.
The county must determine what it can afford. The county is examining all revenue sources, including Certificates of Participation, bonds, sales taxes and educational lottery monies. Wayne County has approximately $2.2 million available in educational lottery monies. The Wayne County Public Schools can also make approximately $2 million in improvements through performance contracting, in which a third party makes utility and energy savings improvements to schools and these savings pay the debt for the improvements. The Board of Commissioners has expressed its desire to fund smaller projects with cash. The county anticipates the Wayne County Public Schools prioritized facilities projects would be funded from a combination of revenue sources.
Question: The county does a good job providing school buildings. It seems the available school capacities are not where citizens want to live. How do you change all the social issues and prepare students for work?
Answer: The Board of Commissioners has asked the Board of Education to examine school redistricting and reassignments. The Board of Commissioners will need to also decide how schools could be better utilized, such as year round schools. The issues are very controversial and need consideration. In response to citizen comments and questions, the Board of Commissioners is proposing building core areas (library, gym, cafeteria and library) large enough to accommodate future expansion. Bonds would require a vote of the citizens and the citizens of Wayne County will ultimately decide how much they are willing to fund for schools.
Question: Has Wayne County received funds from the North Carolina education lottery?
Answer: The schools must request the monies from the North Carolina education lottery. In August, the Board of Commissioners approved the Board of Education requesting $370,000 from the North Carolina education lottery to purchase approximately 46 acres in the Grantham area for a new school. Wayne County has approximately $2.2 million available in lottery monies. The Board of Education and Board of Commissioners must decide on the availability of this revenue source for current school needs and future construction.
Question: Why are the Board of Education and Board of Commissioners at odds with each other?
Answer: The North Carolina General Statues make the Board of Commissioners responsible for funding and the Board of Education responsible for the education of the students. The Board of Commissioners wants to partner with the Board of Education to increase the graduation rate and test scores. Both boards want a quality education for Wayne County’s children. In order to finance a $100 million school construction plan, the tax rate in Wayne County would need to be increased 26 cents. The Board of Commissioners is examining all options to finance school construction, including Certificates of Participation and a bond referendum. The North Carolina Local Government Commission must approve the financing. The building construction costs are only a portion of the costs. The county must also plan to pay for operational costs, which are ongoing. Wayne County must educate its children. Economic development depends on education. The Board of Commissioners and Board of Education must partner together and compromise on issues. The county must also address needs, such as a new detention center.
Question: Will the Wayne County Public Schools continue to have mobile units?
Answer: The Board of Commissioners will request the Board of Education establish a policy on the number of mobile units, which would be acceptable since permanent classrooms cannot be built. School systems can shift mobile classrooms to the areas with the most need for classrooms. The Board of Education will also be asked to set fiscal and construction policies. Operational costs for any additional mobile units must also be determined.
ROADS/HIGHWAYS/TRANSPORTATION
Question: What is the future of US Highway 117?
Answer: US Highway 117 will become a major entrance into the county. The North Carolina Department of Transportation plans to make the highway I-795. The signage and development along the highway must be addressed. Wayne County needs an attractive and safe entrance on US Highway 117.
Question: Can the speed limit on NC 111 (Patetown Road) from Lancaster Road to Tommy’s Road be made a consistent speed limit of 45 mph?
Answer: The county forwarded this question to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, since the Board of Commissioners is not responsible for roads.
Question: Is it too late to get access planned from NC 111 to the new US Highway 70 bypass?
Answer: The access is not included in the plans from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. It is anticipated the section of the US Highway 70 bypass from US Highway 17 to Wayne Memorial Drive will be let in 2008 and from NC 581 to US Highway 117 in 2012-2013. The section of the US Highway 70 bypass from Wayne Memorial Drive to Parkstown is not in the Transportation Improvement Plan. The North Carolina Department of Transportation is having problems funding projects and is examining alternate revenue sources, including bonds and toll authorities.
Question: Can the speed limit on Wayne Memorial Drive be a maximum of 45 mph from Summerdale Subdivision south to Wayne Memorial Hospital?
Answer: This question was forwarded to the North Carolina Department of Transportation and City of Goldsboro, since the Board of Commissioners is not responsible for roads.
Question: Who is responsible for repairing the potholes in Colonial Acres?
Answer: Roads in Colonial Acres are not state maintained roads. Therefore, the pothole repairs in Colonial Acres are the responsibility of the property owners. The property owners can contact the North Carolina Department of Transportation to petition for addition to the state maintenance system. The Board of Commissioners has adopted ordinances requiring subdivision roads be built to the standards of the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Question: Why four-lane NC Highway 55?
Answer: A four-lane NC Highway 55 is not in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The Eastern Carolina RPO is examining the possibility of major trucking corridors in the area and NC Highway 55 could be one of these corridors. We must examine our future transportation needs, which include more truck and vehicle traffic and the potential for accidents. Other major traffic corridors in Wayne County include US Highway 117 and US Highway 13. Wayne County needs good roads for ingress and egress into the county for its labor force from surrounding areas.
Question: When will the US Highway 70 bypass be completed in Wayne County?
Answer: The North Carolina Department of Transportation plans to let the western portion out for bid in spring 2008.
Question: Why is the community pushing the US Highway 70 bypass?
Answer: Many dangerous accidents have happened on US Highway 70. Safety is a very important factor in improving US Highway 70. US Highway 70 is an important route for industries in transporting freight from the port at Morehead City. Industries looking to locate in eastern North Carolina are concerned about a direct route with limited stoplights. Therefore, an improved US Highway 70 is very important for economic development in eastern North Carolina.
Question: Who is responsible for cutting grass and cleaning the roads in Wayne County?
Answer: The responsibility depends on the location of the road. The North Carolina Department of Transportation is responsible for state maintained roads. The North Carolina Department of Transportation contracts the mowing of their roads two times a year. Municipalities are responsible for their roads.
REVENUE OPTIONS/TAXES
Question: Does the Board of Commissioners have any input to scheduled revaluation of real property?
Answer: There is a countywide revaluation every 8 years. Eight years is the longest period the state will allow. The Commissioners have the option to adopt a 4 year revaluation, but have chosen to use the 8 year revaluation plan.
Question: If additional money is needed, why not implement a sales tax, not additional personal property tax, so all can help with the bill?
Answer: The Board of Commissioners is in favor of a sales tax to increase revenue. The legislature authorized two new revenue options for counties. The options are a .25 cent increase in the sales tax or a .4% land transfer tax. A county can only enact one of the two options, and whichever one it enacts must first be approved by the voters in a referendum. The Board of Commissioners has not supported a land transfer tax, which is a regressive tax. The Board of Commissioners is studying the sales tax option, which would be $2.5 million annually for Wayne County. Generally, the citizens of the county have expressed their support for the sales tax option, rather than the land transfer tax option.
Question: How can you find out if your property taxes are correct?
Answer: The taxpayer is responsible for verifying the correctness of their property tax. He explained the process of appealing property value to the Board of Equalization and Review.
Question: Who authorizes grant programs?
Answer: The county utilizes grant funding through the state and federal governments. The county does participate in the Community Development Block Grant program, which rehabilitates housing and/or relocates the grantees. This program helps improve neighborhoods and scattered housing sites. The county must match most grants. Persons interested in housing grants may contact the County Manager’s Office for more information.
Question: After the 2006 budget, what is the county reserve?
Answer: County Manager W. Lee Smith, III stated the county fund balance is $25 million with $6 million being restricted. Unrestricted funds are being built up for the Capital Improvement Plan.
MEDICAID
Question: How much will be saved with the state taking over the Medicaid payment?
Answer: The Board of Commissioners is trying to determine the funding needed for Medicaid for the fiscal year. Medicaid pays for transportation services, health care for children and long-term and short-term nursing home care for those who qualify. The county has budgeted $8.5 million for Medicaid in 2007-2008, which equals 16-17 cents on the county’s tax rate. The county pays 5% of the total Medicaid costs in the county. The Board of Commissioners is appreciative of the Medicaid relief provided by the North Carolina General Assembly, which is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2008. Due to the anticipated monthly increase in Medicaid costs, Wayne County does not anticipate any relief during the 2007-2008 fiscal year. The legislature will be reviewing its budget next year and Medicaid relief could be changed.
MINIMUM HOUSING STANDARDS/JUNKED CARS/WEEDED LOTS
Question: When can we expect minimum housing standards?
Answer: Wayne County does not have a minimum housing code. Approximately one year ago Wayne County began enforcement of the mobile home ordinance, which is improving the appearance of mobile homes in the county. Mobile homes older than 15 years old cannot be moved into Wayne County. Mobile homes must have appropriate skirting and painting. Mobile homes older than 15 years old and currently in Wayne County must have been occupied within 90 days of the move. Mobile home parks are now being inspected regularly. The county continues to address nuisance mobile homes, as well as an ordinance for minimum standards for stick-built structures.
Question: What is the status of the junk car ordinance?
Answer: The junk car ordinance is enforced by the Sheriff’s Office, and has been very effective. It is a rarity to tow vehicles now.
Question: Who do we contact to cut weeds on undeveloped lots in a subdivision?
Answer: The property owner should be contacted. The county does not mow lots or have provisions in the Wayne County Subdivision Ordinance for the mowing of lots.
ANNEXATION
Question: What is the county’s involvement in annexation issues?
Answer: The Board of Commissioners requested the North Carolina General Assembly study involuntary annexation in North Carolina. The county has no legislative authority to vote on annexation. He suggested citizens contact their legislators to voice their opinion on annexation. The county also wants all proposed legislation to have a fiscal impact study prior to becoming legislation.
SOLID WASTE
Question: How are the new solid waste laws affecting Wayne County?
Answer: The legislature passed new requirements for landfills. Wayne County is trying to get a clarification on the rules for construction, which will affect Wayne County. There will be an increase of $2.50 per ton within the next 12 months, which will go to the state. The Solid Waste Committee of the Board of Commissioners will be meeting to discuss the legislative changes.
Question: What is being done about illegal dumping?
Answer: There is a solid waste ordinance and the Sheriff’s Office is responsible for enforcement. Sheriff Carey A. Winders says the solid waste ordinance is difficult to enforce since most littering occurs when there are no witnesses.
NUTRIENT OFFSET PROGRAM
Question: How will the nutrient offset program affect Wayne County?
Answer: The nitrogen runoff from crops, pasture and animal feeding operations was a major contributor to frequent algal blooms and fish kills in the Neuse River. The agricultural community implemented best practices, which included buffers, contour planting and no till planting. The state has increased the nutrient offset fees of from $11 to $28.35 per pound of nitrogen in the Neuse River basin. The legislation requires the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to implement a plan to transition the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program nutrient offset program from fee-based to one based on the actual costs of providing nutrient credits. The provisions are effective September 1, 2007, with the fee schedule to expire on September 1, 2009. There has been to no scientific study to warrant the increase. The nitrogen buy down rate greatly affects the profitability of businesses and economic development in the Neuse River basin. Wayne County believes all counties should have the same nutrient buy down rate, not just counties in certain river basins. There must be a balance between environmental concerns and economic development with those affected involved in making the rules.
MISCELLANEOUS
Question: Has any thought been given to planting trees on the land that was flooded instead of paying to have it mowed?
Answer: Ninety percent of property has been leased, 8% reserved for parks and/or greenways and the county maintains the remaining 2%.
Question: Who is in charge of ditches?
Answer: The responsible party is dependent upon the location of the ditch. If the ditch is along a state maintained road, the North Carolina Department of Transportation is responsible. If the ditch is along a private road, the developer/homeowners association would be responsible. The Wayne County Planning Department will assist in determining ownership of the road, if needed.
Question/Comment: I would like to ask the county to build a park/sports complex in our community. We would like to have it built in the new annexed section near Northwest Elementary School. We would like for Northwest youth sports to manage and run the sports side of the park.
Answer: The county does not fund recreational projects. Municipalities do fund such projects. Wayne County anticipates doing an analysis of recreation in the county later. The Evergreen Solutions report suggested utilizing schools for joint uses, such as sports. Developers can be asked to incorporate parks and greenways within a development; however, the developer would need to charge more for lots and/or houses. The City of Goldsboro would be responsible for parks and recreational complexes within its incorporated area. Recreational proposals can be sent to the County Manager’s Office.
Question: Can the Sheriff’s Office take over law enforcement for the county as well as small towns within the county?
Answer: Sheriff Carey A. Winders is willing to discuss contracting for law enforcement services with any municipality within the county. Towns would lose their charter if they do not provide police protection. The City of Goldsboro does not pay the Sheriff’s Office to provide law enforcement services in all satellite annexation areas. The Goldsboro Police Department will provide services at the new Wal-Mart shopping center at US Highway 70 West and NC Highway 581. The Sheriff’s Office is willing to provide assistance as needed.
Question: Water, sewer and drainage is everyone’s problem. Why are projects started and end up at capacity with no over capacity?
Answer: The Board of Commissioners formed a utilities committee to discuss water, sewer and infrastructure needs throughout the county. Goldsboro and Mount Olive are studying the issues through a master utilities plan. The municipalities are encouraged to build infrastructure with the ability to increase capacity. The county has the Genoa system for Seven Springs, Georgia Pacific and the landfill, but the system does not treat sewer. Pikeville and Fremont have their own plans. | 
