Dec 07, 2020 County Council Special Meeting

[1. CALL TO ORDER – Chairman Joseph Passiment ]

[4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA ]

[00:04:49]

THIS IS TEST NUMBER: 2 4 F1

[5. A RESOLUTION REQUESTING AND AUTHORIZING THE TREASURER TO ACCEPT PREPAYMENTS OF AD VALOREM TAXES AND FEES FOR TAX YEAR 2020, DUE TO THE AUDITOR’S ANTICIPATED DELAY IN THE COMPLETION OF AMENDING THE ANNUAL TAX ROLL TO REFLECT THE CORRECT MILLAGE FOR RURAL & CRITICAL DEBT SERVICE.]

[00:08:48]

AS THE TREASURER OFFICE WAS PREPARING TO SEND OUT THE 2020 ANNUAL TAX BILLS, THE AUDITOR WAS ASKED TO LOWER THE TAX RATE FOR RURAL AND CRITICAL LAND DEBT LAND DEBT TO THE RATE

APPROVED BY COUNCIL AND HE REFUSED. >> THE MATTER WAS DISCUSSED THROUGH THE MONTH OF OCTOBER IN A SERIES OF FIVE PUBLIC MEETINGS THAT DURING THOSE MEETINGS THE AUDITOR NEVER PRESENTED ARITHMETIC OR DOCUMENTS WHICH SUPPORTED HIS DECISION TO USE THE HIGHER TAX RATE THAN THAT APPROVED BY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 25TH.

ON OCTOBER 5TH 2020 AND ESPECIALLY CALL WHOLESALE MEETING AT THE NINE MINUTE TWENTY SECOND MARK THE EXPLANATION GIVEN IS THAT THE AUDITOR MISTAKENLY THOUGHT A RECENT BOND WHICH THE COUNTY ISSUED WAS ENTIRELY FOR RURAL AND CRITICAL LANDS ON

[00:10:03]

THE EXPLANATION GIVEN IS THAT HE INCLUDED A 20 PERCENT PROJECTED DECLINE DECLINE IN TAX REVENUE ALLEGING THAT THIS NUMBER WAS OBTAINED FROM THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.

HOWEVER, NO SUCH NUMBER WAS USED TO DETERMINE THE COUNTY'S BUDGET AND COLLECTIONS.

AS OF THAT DATE HAD NEVER BEEN HIGHER. ON OCTOBER 19TH 2020 IN A SPECIAL CALLED COUNCIL MEETING 81 ON OUR 30 SECOND MINUTE 35 30 SECOND MINUTE THIRTY FIFTH SECOND MARK. THE EXPLANATION GIVEN BY THE AUDITOR IS THAT HE WAS UNAWARE OF A BOND PREMIUM THAT WAS DUE TO THE COUNTY ON OCTOBER 26, 2020 AND A COUNCIL MEETING.

THE AUDITOR JOINS A PUBLIC MEETING. THE EXPLANATION GIVEN IS THAT THE FLUCTUATING VALUE OF A MILL SUCH AS THE CHANGING OF PROPERTY VALUES CAUSED HIS EXCESSIVE TAX RATE. I ENCOURAGE OUR VIEWERS AND CITIZENS TO GO BACK AND WATCH THE DISCUSSION WHICH OCCURRED ON EACH OF THESE DATES. THE WEAK FLUCTUATING EXPLANATIONS AND INCONSISTENT JUSTIFICATIONS WHETHER DELIVERED BY THE AUTHOR TO HIMSELF OR HIS REPRESENTATIVES ARE OBVIOUS. WHETHER IT IS INCORRECT READING OF BOND DOCUMENTS UNFOUNDED FEARS OF REVENUE DECLINES OR CLAIMS OF FLUCTUATING PROPERTY VALUES. THE STORY WAS EVER CHANGING AND UNCONVINCING AND AT THE END OF THE DAY WHICHEVER EXPLANATION ONE CHOOSES TO BELIEVE IT INDICATES A FAILURE BY THE AUDITOR TO FOLLOW COUNTY'S ORDINANCE WHICH IS A LAW AND THE AUDITORS FAILURE TO CORRECTLY TAKE ACTION TO ACCOUNT EVERYTHING HE MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT IN ORDER TO PERFORM THE MINISTERIAL FUNCTIONS OF HIS JOB PROPERLY. HIS FAILURE TO DO SO RESULTED IN AN EFFORT TO OVERTAX THE CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES OF BEAUFORT COUNTY AS A RESULT OF THE AUDITORS REFUSAL TO APPROPRIATELY TAX, THE CITIZENS COUNCIL TOOK LEGAL ACTION.

IT FILED AN ACTION WHICH REQUIRED THE AUDITOR TO ENTER AND ENTER THE PROPER RURAL AND CRITICAL DEBT SERVICE MILLAGE FOUR POINT EIGHT. ON NOVEMBER 12 20 20TH CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE RULED FROM THE BENCH IN FAVOR OF THE COUNTY'S POSITION AND ORDERED THE AUDITOR TO CORRECT THE RURAL AND CRITICAL LAND MILLAGE TO THE LOWER TAX RATE WHICH COUNCIL COUNTY PASSED TWICE. IT APPEARS THE AUDITOR DID NOT BEGIN TO COMPLY WITH THE COURT'S ORDER UNTIL EIGHT DAYS LATER ON NOVEMBER 20TH. 2020 FURTHER IT APPEARS THAT WHATEVER PREPARATION THE AUDITOR ENGAGED IN IT DID NOT INCLUDE SEEKING THE OUTSIDE EXPERTS SUCH AS THE MANUFACTURER OF THE SOFTWARE WHICH THE COUNTY USES FOR THE PURPOSE OF PREPARING TAX BILLS AND WITH WHOM THE COUNTY HAS A SUPPORT CONTRACT NEVER ONCE AS HEAD AS THE COUNTY SOUGHT TO CORRECT THE TAX ROLE WHICH THE AUDITOR PREPARED DID THE AUDITOR COMMUNICATE WITH COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION OR THE COURT THAT THE PROCESS TO CORRECT THE TAX BILLS WOULD TAKE WEEKS AND POSSIBLY OVER A MONTH TO ACCOMPLISH.

IN FACT THE COURT GAVE THE AUDITOR THE AMOUNT OF TIME HE TOLD THE COURT IT WOULD TAKE HIS OFFICE TO PREPARE THE AMENDED TAX ROLL. NOW THE COUNTY IS IN THE UNFORTUNATE POSITION OF BEING OPERATIONALLY HELD HOSTAGE BY THE WORK OF THE AUDITOR DUE TO THE UNEXPECTEDLY LONG TIME AMOUNT IT HAS TAKEN THE AUDITOR TO PREPARE AN AMENDED TAX ROLE WHICH CONTAINS THE CORRECTED DEBT SERVICE MILLAGE FOR RURAL AND CRITICAL AND PROGRAM AND THE DEMAND IT HAS PLACED ON OUR SOFT WHERE SYSTEM. THE AUDITOR HAS DEMANDED THAT ALL OTHER COUNTY OFFICES REFRAIN FROM USING THE COUNTY'S TAX SOFTWARE MAKING VITAL PROCESSES PROHIBITIVE LIKE THAT OF UPDATING OUR ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEMS AND PROCESSING OF LEGAL RESIDENTS EXEMPTIONS EVEN WORSE. OUR TAXPAYERS ARE NOW AT LOSING THEIR ABILITY TO CLAIM A SIGNIFICANT INCOME TAX DEDUCTION BECAUSE IT APPEARS HE WILL NOT PROVIDE THE TREASURER WITH AN AMENDED TAX ROLL BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

OR IF HE DOES PROVIDE IT BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR THERE WILL THERE BE ENOUGH TIME FOR THE TREASURER TO PERFORM THE TASK? HER OFFICE MUST PERFORM BEFORE ISSUING THE TAX BILLS TO THE

[00:15:05]

THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTY SHOULD AND DO DEMAND BETTER OF THEIR COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

IT'S TIME FOR COUNCIL TO DELIVER ON THAT DEMAND. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION THAT IS NEEDED BEFORE WE TAKE ACTION ON THIS RESOLUTION? QUESTION MR. CHAIRMAN, MR MCKELLEN REGARDING YOUR RESOLUTION LANGUAGE. ARE WE SEEKING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT OR IN A DIFFERENT TIMEFRAME HERE THAN WHAT WE NORMALLY DO? I UNDERSTAND THIS A DELAY BUT WHAT AUTHORIZING THE TREASURER TO DO TO RECEIVE THOSE PAYMENTS BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR? CORRECT. WE ARE BECAUSE THE THE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE IS NOT WORKING. THE AUDITOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PRODUCE ACCURATE TAX BILLS BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR. AND AS SUCH WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ACTION BY RESOLUTION ALLOWING THE TREASURER TO PRODUCE BILLS ALBEIT NOT NECESSARILY THE CORRECT BILLS BUT BE ABLE TO COLLECT THE MONEYS SO THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT NEED TO APPLY FOR THE CURRENT YEAR 2020 WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT IN A TIMELY FASHION.

THIS HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND THEREFORE WE CAN EXPEDITE THIS.

AND THAT'S WHAT THIS RESOLUTION DOES. WOMEN HAVE A SHOT AT GETTING AWAY. WAIT A WEEK. HOW ARE WE GETTING THIS INFORMATION TO THE TAXPAYERS THAT WILL BE ANSWERED BY MARIA WALSH.

>> SHE HAS A PRESENTATION THAT WILL ALLOW HER TO TELL YOU EXACTLY HOW THAT'S GOING TO BE DONE. SO NONE OF THAT LANGUAGE NEEDS TO BE IN THIS RESOLUTION, CORRECT? OK. COUNCILMAN HERVE SEAN, YOU HAD YOUR HAND UP NEXT TO MR GLOVER THAT MR. LAWSON. THANKS, MR. CHAIRMAN.

>> I THINK YOU MAY HAVE ANSWERED MY QUESTION THERE AT THE END OF THIS STATEMENT THAT YOU JUST MADE. BUT WHAT I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THERE'S GOT TO BE SOME SORT OF A RECONCILIATION PROCESS ON THE TAXPAYER SIDE. YOUR PRESENTATION GOING TO COVER THAT? I'M GUESSING THAT'S GUESS IT WILL BE I'LL STOP TALKING NOW.

THANK YOU. >> OK. COUNCILMAN GLOVER, DO I WANT TO

HIM AS WELL ALSO? >> I'LL JUST WAIT. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN LAWSON, YOU HAD YOUR HAND UP.

>> YOU SAID HE'D BE HERE. WAIT FOR MARIA. SHE'LL PROBABLY ANSWER AS SHE

ALWAYS DOES. HOMEWORK OR QUESTIONS. >> OKATIE AND WE'RE MARIA WALLS TO MAKE HER PRESENTATION. SEEING NO OBJECTION. MARIA, WOULD YOU GO FORWARD TO

PRESENT WHAT YOU NEED TO DO? >> YOU'RE ON STILL ON MUTE. OKAY.

YOU'RE OKAY NOW. OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH ONE FOR HOLDING THIS MEETING SO QUICKLY . THIS IS GONNA BE A SIGNIFICANT UNDERTAKER FOR MY TEAM AND FOR THE OTHER OFFICES IN THE COUNTY AND ANY DAY DELAYING THE PLANNING IN DETAIL AND EXECUTION OF THIS IS LESS AND LESS TIME OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE TO PAY. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR URGENCY. SO LET LET ME START BY SHARING MY SCREEN AND THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR PATIENCE BECAUSE SARA VERY GRACIOUSLY HELPED ME TEST EARLIER NOT JUST THE SLIDES BUT A LITTLE VIDEO WE HAD ACTUALLY PREPARED MONTHS TO GO ON MY VIEW FOR COUNTY. SO FIRST I WANT TO MAKE SURE OF ONE THING IS CLEAR.

I HAD A VERBAL DISCUSSION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE OUTLINING EVERYTHING IN MY PRESENTATION TODAY AND I DID RECEIVE THEIR VERBAL APPROVAL AND CONFIRMATION THAT THEY FELT THIS WAS LEGAL AND APPROPRIATE. I DID ASK DID SUBSEQUENTLY SEND THEM AN EMAIL JUST ASKING FOR CONFIRMATION IN WRITING AND I'M STILL WAITING ON THAT. SO I JUST WANT YOU TO BE AWARE OF VERBAL CONFRONTATION YET WAITING ON ON THE WRITTEN AND I'M SURE THEY THOUGHT WILL BE COMING. SO LET'S PUT STARTED. THE FIRST THING IS WHAT I NEED YOU ALL AND OUR CUSTOMERS TO KNOW THIS IS A FREE PAYMENT IS WHAT WE'RE CALLING IT A

[00:20:01]

OUR CUSTOMERS NEED TO KNOW THAT WHATEVER THAT DATE IS IT WILL BE EQUITABLE TO THE TIME PERIOD THEY HAVE NOW AND IT WILL BE REFLECTED ON THEIR BILLS. SO THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT PENALTY IS GOING TO BE APPLIED. THE CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE ALREADY TRIED TO MAIL A STATEMENT WE HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF PAYMENTS SECURED THAT HAVE NOT BEEN PROCESSED YET COUNCIL MEN PARKMAN HAS ALREADY INDICATED WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO MANY OF OUR USUAL TASKS IN MENTIONED THE COUNTY TAX SOFTWARE THE TREASURER'S OFFICE NOT PROCESS OF PAYMENTS BECAUSE WE CAN'T HOWEVER WE WILL DO WHEN WE CAN WHEN WE CAN PROCESS .

WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WITHIN OUR POWER TO ENSURE THAT THERE IN TENDED PAY DATE IS CONSIDERED THE EFFECTIVE BUSINESS DATE OF THAT PAYMENT. SO IF THEY MAILED US A CHECK TWO WEEKS GO AND IT'S NOT PROCESSED UNTIL THE AUDITORS FINISHED POTENTIALLY IN JANUARY, THEIR RECEIPT WILL SAY THAT POSTMARK DATE ON THERE ON THE WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT THEIR INTENDED DATE IS ON THEIR DOCUMENTS INCLUDING THEIR RECEIPT SO THAT THEY CAN TAKE WHATEVER APPROPRIATE INCOME TAX DEDUCTION OR ACTIONS THEY WOULD LIKE TO TAKE.

IT'S NOT THE CUSTOMER'S FAULT THAT THIS IS HAPPENING. OK, SO WHAT IS A BENEFIT AND BECAUSE THERE'S GONNA BE CHALLENGES SO LET'S FOCUS ON THE BENEFITS FIRST.

THE REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX BILLS WE'LL BE ABLE TO BE PAID IN CALENDAR YEAR 2020.

COUNCILMAN HOFFMAN ALREADY INDICATED IT WILL NOT BE REFLECTING THE RURAL AND CRITICAL LAND MILITARY TO FOUR POINT EIGHT AND IT MAIN ALSO NOT REFLECT ANY VALUATION FEELS IN THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE OR LEGAL RESIDENTS EXEMPTIONS DUE TO THE FACT THAT AGAIN THE VA DEPARTMENTS WERE ASKED TO NOT UTILIZE THE COUNTY SOFTWARE OR ONLINE CUSTOMERS.

SO IF YOU PAY YOU WILL RECEIVE A RECEIPT IMMEDIATELY SHOW EXACTLY FOR WHAT YOU PAID AND IF YOU PAY WITH ANY CHECK THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO FEE FOR DOING THAT.

SO IF A CUSTOMER WANTS TO PAY IN THIS CALENDAR YEAR THEY NEED TO USE MY DAYS FOR COUNTY REVENUES WILL BE COLLECTED FOR AND DISBURSED TO THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

I HAD A BRIEF DISCUSSION WITH ONE OF OUR MUNICIPALITIES TODAY WHO SO GRACIOUSLY COMMUNICATE DID OUR DRAFT PLAN TO THE OTHER MUNICIPALITIES. WE'RE WORKING VERY QUICKLY TO BRING THEM UP TO SPEED AND CRAFT THE PLAN FORWARD WHERE REVENUES ARE COLLECTED AND DISPERSED TO AGENCIES SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO FUNCTION NOT JUST THE COUNTY BUT THEM AS WELL AS WE ARE ALL APPROACHING VERY LOW CASH LEVELS. AND LASTLY, DESPITE ALL OF THIS EFFORT, OUR CUSTOMERS WILL STILL HAVE EXTENDED TIME TO PAY AND THAT PENALTY DATE WILL BE PUSHED BACK SHOULD THEY CHOOSE NOT TO EXERCISE THE OPTION TO PAY NOW THE CHALLENGE IT.

>> I NEED TO BE VERY REALISTIC WITH ALL OF YOU AND EVERYONE WATCHING THAT I AM ASKING MY TEAM TO REVERT BACK AND REPLACE ALL OF THE EFFICIENT THINGS WE HAVE IN PLACE AND REPLACE THEM WITH A WHITE GLOVED MANUAL PROCESS AND THAT IS LITERALLY WHAT WILL BE REQUIRED FOR THIS TO BE SUCCESSFUL. IT WILL BE EXTREMELY MANUAL. ALL OF THE DATA REPORTING THAT WE TYPICALLY PROVIDE TO OUTSIDE ENTITIES TO COUNSEL WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL A MOMENTUM CAN BE UPDATED. REFUNDS WHICH ARE GENERATED OUT OF ON THAT WILL BE LIMITED AND DELAYED. SO OUR CUSTOMERS CHOOSING TO PREPAY ON MY DAYS FOR COUNTY PLEASE ONLY DO SO IF YOU ARE PREPARED FOR YOUR REFUND TO NOT BE SENT IN A TIMELY MANNER TIMELY MANNER TO ME IS WITHIN OUR 14 DAY WINDOW WHICH IS OUR POLICY TO TYPICALLY REFUNDS DISTRIBUTED INSTALLMENT PAYMENT OR INSTALLMENT PAYMENT PARTICIPANT.

YOUR PAYMENT WILL NOT BE REFLECTED IN MY VIEW COUNTY UNTIL THE AUDITOR IS DONE HIS

[00:25:03]

THE THE EVERYTHING WE USE DAY IN AND DAY OUT AND SO THE LACK OF UTILIZATION OF THAT SOFTWARE IS GOING TO CREATE SOME ROADBLOCKS THAT WE CAN GET AROUND BUT IT WILL CREATE SOME CHALLENGES. SO GIVE ME A MOMENT TO DO SOME MANEUVERING BECAUSE I WANT OUR CUSTOMERS AND OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS TO KNOW HOW TO USE MY B FOR COUNTY.

IT IS STILL VERY EASY IF YOU SHOP ON AMAZON YOU CAN MANAGE TO PAY YOUR TAXES ON MY BEEPER COUNTY SO PLEASE INDULGE ME ONE MOMENT WHILE I SET UP THIS VIDEO.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN HEAR IT. WHY ARE YOU DOING THAT?

>> I'M OLD FASHIONED PAPER CHECK WHAT'S MY PRADO? >> IT'S NOT A PROBLEM.

IT IS OKAY TO PAY BY A CHECK. COUNCILMAN GLOVER THE THE UNFORTUNATE ASPECT OF THAT WILL BE THAT YOU'LL NEED TO WAIT FOR A RECEIPT. I HAVE NOWHERE TO APPLY THAT PAYMENT IF I CANNOT UTILIZE ALL MENTUM. AND IF YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH WAITING FOR A RECEIPT, WE'LL HONOR THE POSTMARK DATE AS YOUR EFFECTIVE BUSINESS DATE OF YOUR PAYMENT AND WE'LL MAIL YOU A RECEIPT WHEN THE PAYMENT HAS BEEN APPLIED.

WHAT I DO NEED AND I'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT AT THE END BUT WHAT I REALLY DO NEED IS IF CUSTOMERS ARE GOING TO DO THIS AND YOU NEED TO PAY EARLY PLEASE USE MY DE FOR COUNTY BECAUSE IT WILL GIVE YOU THE RECEIPT YOU NEED IT WILL BE INSTANTANEOUS.

AND AS FAR AS THE CUSTOMERS CONCERNED KIND OF SETTLE YOUR MIND THAT YOU'VE DONE WHAT YOU NEED TO WITH A MAILED CHECK. THERE'S ALWAYS THE CHANCE THAT THE POST OFFICE DOESN'T SUCCESSFULLY DELIVER IT AND YOU'RE SITTING THERE THINKING THAT WE'RE JUST WAITING TO PROCESS IT. I'D REALLY LIKE TO MINIMIZE HOW MANY CUSTOMERS EXPERIENCE BACK TO THE DOES HAPPEN AND TO THE NUMBER OF PHONE CALLS AND INCREASE.

MY TEAM GETTING WHERE'S MY RECEIPT? DID YOU GET MY PAYMENT IS HOW MUCH LONGER IS IT GOING TO TAKE? WE ARE GETTING IN EXCESS OF 500 PHONE CALLS A DAY. THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH WE CAN HANDLE AND I KNOW PEOPLE ARE GETTING FRUSTRATED ON THE PHONES BECAUSE THEY'RE HAVING A WAIT AND IT'S JUST THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH WE CAN HUMANLY POSSIBLE POSSIBLY DO. SO IF YOU WERE TO PAY BY CHECK AND GLOVER THEN PLEASE GO AHEAD AND DO SO AS LONG AS YOU'RE OKAY THAT YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE

A RECEIPT UNTIL AFTER THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE IS COMPLETED. >> ALL RIGHT.

PLEASE STOP ME IF ANYONE CAN NOT HEAR. HI EVERYONE.

I'M SORRY YOU LOST YOUR BEAUFORT COUNTY TREASURE IF YOU'VE EVER WONDERED WHAT S E BILLING OR MY VIEW FOR COUNTY I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU A SNEAK PEEK.

>> BECAUSE MY VIEW FOR COUNTY IS YOUR ONE STOP LOCATION ON MINE TO MANAGE AND PAY YOUR BEAUFORT COUNTY PROPERTY TAX BILLS SIMPLY TYPE IN MY BEFORE COUNTY DOT COM OR DOWNLOAD THE APP IN THE APP STORE AND YOU'LL CONTINUE TO LOG IN. SO HERE YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE AS A GUEST. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT OR IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN IT FOR A BILLING STORE YOUR PAYMENT INFORMATION AND MANAGE ALL OF YOUR TAX BILLS FROM A SIMPLE DASHBOARD SCREEN.

TO MANAGE YOUR PROPERTY ACCOUNTS IN YOUR DASHBOARD SIMPLY CLICK LINK ACCOUNT AND

TALK TO TAX BOT WHO IS HAPPY TO ASSIST YOU IN SIGNING YOU UP. >> YOU CAN SEARCH FOR A PROPERTY BY YOUR PIN WHICH IS YOUR PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

YOU'RE A I N YOUR ALTERNATE ID NUMBER OR SIMPLY USING AN OWNER'S LAST NAME AND MAILING

ZIP CODE ONCE YOU'VE SEARCHED. >> GO AHEAD AND SELECT THE PROPERTIES THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASSOCIATE WITH YOUR PROFILE. YOU CAN EITHER CHOOSE TO KEEP GOING OR LET TAX FONT KNOW THAT YOU'RE FINISHED BY PAYING YOUR TAXES. FINDING ANOTHER PROPERTY OR SIMPLY GOING BACK TO THE DASHBOARD IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ALSO SIGN UP FOR A BILLING YOU

[00:30:08]

EACH RECEIPT YOU'VE PAID ONLINE IS AVAILABLE FOR OBSERVATION DOWNLOAD AND PRINTING RIGHT HERE. NEED TO UPDATE YOUR PROFILE. NO PROBLEM.

SIMPLY CLICK THE ICON THE TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER AND YOU CAN UPDATE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION AND MANAGE YOUR PAYMENT METHODS AN ADDED BONUS WHEN YOU USE AN E CHECK TO PAY.

>> I MIGHT BE COUNTING THERE'S NO ADDITIONAL COSTS. YOU HAVE YOUR BILL AND YOUR

ELECTRONIC RECEIPT. >> ALL IN ONE LOCATION AND AT YOUR FINGERTIPS WHATEVER YOU NEED IT. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT USING MY VIEW FOR COUNTY OR TAXES IN GENERAL PLEASE CALL MY FRIENDLY STAFF AND I AT 8 4 3 2 5 5 2 6 0 0 OR YOU CAN VISIT US

AT BEAUFORT COUNTY TREASURE. >> COM ALL RIGHT LET ME REMOVE THAT NOW.

OH AND GO BACK TO THE SLI AND GLOVER I HOPE I CONVERTED YOU. I'M NOT TOO SURE.

>> BUT I DO HAVE A WIFE WHO IS VERY EFFICIENT SO I RELY ON HER.

THANKS. RIGHT. WELL YOU GOT THAT RIGHT AND I'M

GOING TO SAY THAT RIGHT. >> YOU CAN BUY A PAY BY CHECK ONLINE AND THERE IS NO SERVICE CHARGE. THAT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT POINT BECAUSE IF YOU DO CHOOSE ONE OR THE OTHER METHODS BY PAYING BY CREDIT CARD THERE IS A SERVICE FEE BUT PAYING BY CHECK. THERE IS THE ABSOLUTE RECORD AND IT'S ALL SECURE.

>> CORRECT. AND THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO ADD JUST FOR VIEWERS IS THAT THIS IS A SYSTEM BASED. THEY ARE CONVENIENT SO YOU CAN DO IT AS A GUEST AND HAVE NO ACCOUNT INFORMATION SAVED. YOU CAN CREATE AN ACCOUNT AND STILL GET A PAPER BILL AND THEN WHENEVER YOU'D LIKE TO OR YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR A BILLING. IT'S ENTIRELY WHATEVER THE CUSTOMER FEELS COMFORTABLE WITH . SO TO SUMMARIZE THE STEPS YOU'RE GOING TO GO TO MY FOR COUNTY IF YOU WANT TO PAY PREPAY YOUR 20 20 TAX BILLS YOU'RE GOING TO GO TO MY DEEPER COUNTY, LOOK UP YOUR BILL, PAY THE AMOUNT TO YOU'RE GOING TO GET A RECEIPT AND THEN WAIT FOR A REFUND OR A FOLLOW UP BILL. IF YOU HAVE ANY IF WE HAVE ANY VIEWERS WHO HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT WHAT THEIR ACCOUNT NUMBER IS IF THEY NEED THAT.

THIS IS A SHORT VIDEO ON HOW DO YOU LOOK UP THEIR TAX BILL ON V FOR COUNTY TREASURER DOT COM.

ALL OF OUR ORIGINAL BILL FOR REAL PROPERTY VEHICLES AND DELINQUENTS ARE ALL SAVED HERE.

SO IF SOMEONE NEEDS A COPY FROM THE PRIOR YEAR THEY DIDN'T HAVE IT.

IT'S RIGHT HERE. AND I'M JUST GOING TO LET THAT PLAY THROUGH.

THEY CAN DOWNLOAD IT. IT IS THE ORIGINAL COPY OF THE PAPER BILL AND BILL RIGHT HERE THE PROPERTY I.D. OR A I N I NOTE WITH A WASTE OUR TRASH COLLECTION.

THAT WAS A QUESTION THAT CAME UP IN THE PAST TWO COUNCIL MEETINGS.

WHERE IS THIS? WELL MEMBERS THAT'S RIGHT THERE.

THE OTHER THING I JUST WANTED TO MENTION SINCE IT IS VISIBLE HERE ON THE SCREEN IS THIS STAMP SUPPRESS ANY CUSTOMER WHO ELECTS TO RECEIVE ELECTRONIC SALES SO AN E MAIL IS NOT GOING TO GET A PAPER BILL. BUT FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF OUR CUSTOMERS THIS LOOKUP FEATURE THEY WILL STILL BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT THEIR PAPER BILLED WOULD HAPPEN.

>> THEY'LL SUPPRESS THE PERSON GOT A COPY OF THE EMAIL THEY WEREN'T DELIVERED PURCHASING A COPY OF A BILL JUST SO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT WHAT THAT SUPPRESS MEANS AND THAT RIGHT HERE IS

THEIR PROPERTY I.D. AND RIGHT HERE IS THE IRON. >> SO WAITING FOR A REFUND OR A FOLLOW UP BILL. WE KNOW THAT THE AMOUNT THAT WE'LL BE SHOWING MIGHT BE FOR COUNTY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ULTIMATELY THE DOLLAR AMOUNT COMPLETED BY THE AUDITORS OFFICE. WHEN THAT IS FINISHED THERE WILL NEED TO COUNCILMAN HOWEVER SHAWN'S POINT THERE WILL NEED TO BE A RECONCILIATION OF WHAT IS TRANSPIRED TO ENSURE THAT ANY RESIDUAL AMOUNT THAT MAY NEED TO BE BILLED TO A CUSTOMER IS DONE OR A REFUND IS HANDLED.

THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE WAS VERY CLEAR IN R. R. RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE THE CUSTOMER WHOLE ESPECIALLY KNOWING THAT THEY ARE PAYING A HIGHER MILLAGE RATE THAN WE

[00:35:01]

I WANT TO TOUCH ON OUR TOWNS IN OUR OTHER AGENCIES BECAUSE I HAVE A FEELING MANY OF THEM ARE WATCHING TODAY THAT THE REVENUES THAT WE'LL BE COLLECTING RIGHT NOW, THE PREPAYMENTS WE WANT TO CALL THEM. THE WHOLE POINT OF DOING THIS IS NOT IS TO ACCOMMODATE OUR CUSTOMERS. ABSOLUTELY.

AND GIVE THAT INCOME TAX DEDUCTION IF THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

BUT ON THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM AND THE GROUP WE SERVE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING MONEY TO THE AGENCIES THAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO FOR A LITTLE WHILE NOW AND BECAUSE WE'RE NOT USING ALL MENTIONED OUR USUAL DISTRIBUTION METHOD IS NOT GOING TO WORK.

WHAT WE HAVE COME UP WITH IS A PLAN VERY SIMILAR TO HOW WE HANDLE THE COUNTY AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNDING A WARRANT IS SENT. IT IS A SIMPLY A FUNDING REQUEST TO THE TREASURER'S OFFICE FOR FULFILLMENT. IT'S SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED PERSON. IT'S A SPECIFIED DOLLAR AMOUNT FOR SPECIFIED REASONS.

WE DISTRIBUTE THOSE FUNDS AND WE REPORT THEM TO THE GENERAL LEDGER.

OUR PROPOSAL TO COUNTY ADMINISTRATION LAST WEEK WAS THAT WE PERFORM THE SAME FUNCTION FOR THE AGENCIES UNTIL THE AUDITORS OFFICE IS FINISHED AND WE CAN RESUME OUR NORMAL PROCEDURES WHICH IS DISTRIBUTED ALL OF THE AGENCY'S FUNDS TO THEM IMMEDIATELY RATHER DISTRIBUTING IT PIECEMEAL THAT IT THAT GOES TO SAY ALL OF THAT WITH US AGAIN AT THE END OF THIS PROCESS. THE COUNTY WOULD NEED TO SETTLE UP SO TO SPEAK WITH EACH OF THESE AGENCIES AS NEEDED BECAUSE IT'S UNREALISTIC TO THINK THAT THE REVENUES COLLECTED ARE GOING TO EQUAL THE DISTRIBUTIONS WE'LL MAKE OVER THE COMING WEEKS.

OUR BELIEF IS THAT REVENUES WILL EXCEED THE AMOUNTS THAT ARE DISTRIBUTED BUT WE CAN'T I CAN'T SAY THAT FOR CERTAIN AT THIS JUNCTURE. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY COUNCIL HAS TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH BECAUSE WE'RE DOING THIS TO HELP OUR CUSTOMERS BUT WE'RE ALSO DOING THIS TO ENSURE OUR FULL GOVERNANCE WITHIN COUNTY CAN FUNCTION. AND LAST SO REQUIREMENT WHAT DO WE NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL? ONE OBVIOUSLY I APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THE RESOLUTION THAT YOU ARE PASSING BECAUSE WE DO NOT WANT TO PROCEED WITH ANYTHING THAT COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND THE COUNTY COUNCIL COLLECTIVELY IS NOT IN SUPPORT US BECAUSE THE SECOND ONE IT TAKES TEAMWORK.

THIS IS GOING TO TAKE TEAMWORK WITHIN OUR OFFICE WITH FINANCE WITH THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE WITH YOU ALL AND MAINLY WITH OUR CUSTOMERS. THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY OF US AND THIS IS GOING TO TAKE GRACE AND PATIENCE. A LOT OF THE FAIL SAFES AND CHECK POINTS WE'VE PUT INTO PLACE TO ENSURE A QUALITY CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE WILL BE ALTERED OR REMOVED IN ORDER TO MAKE THIS WORK. AND I MENTIONED HERE WE NEED WE NEED ONE EGO EXTRA. WE NEED TO TOUCH ON MENTUM TO DO AT LEAST ONE UPDATE OF OUR ONLINE SOFTWARE WHICH IS THE EXTRACTION OF DATA FROM MOMENTUM AND PUSHING IT OUT TO ONLINE. I'M SURE SOME OF YOU HAVE RECEIVED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSTITUENTS WHO HAVE A VEHICLE BILL THAT THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY.

THAT IS BECAUSE THE UPDATE OF OUR ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM WAS SUSPENDED WHEN THE AUDITOR BEGAN HIS WORK. SO THE AUDITORS OFFICE IS CREATING BILLS BUT WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY OR ACCESS TO PUSH THAT DATA TO THE ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM SO PEOPLE CAN PAY. THAT'S BEEN A FRUSTRATION FOR OUR CUSTOMERS FOR SURE.

AND LASTLY THERE POTENTIALLY I DO NOT HAVE A NUMBER FOR YOU RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE MAKE THIS WORK. AND THERE'S NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS NECESSARY BUT THERE MAY BE ADDITIONAL COSTS. FIRST THING ABOUT FOR CONSIDER YOU KNOW I KNOW IT'S GOING TO TOP IN WHEN I SAY A PAYMENT OF PREPAYMENTS THAT IS ANY KIND FREE PAYMENT. IT COULD BE A CUSTOMER GOING ON MY B FOR COUNTY.

IT COULD BE A CLOSING ATTORNEY WHICH WE'RE WORKING CLOSELY WITH TO DEVISE A PLAN FOR SPECIFICALLY FOR PROPERTY CLOSINGS THAT WILL BE ACCEPTABLE AND WORK FOR ALL OF OUR ATTORNEYS AND BE FOR COUNTY. THIRD, WE ARE MORTGAGE COMPANY 25 PERCENT APPROXIMATELY OF ALL OF OUR REAL PROPERTY HAS A MORTGAGE.

OUR FIRST PAYMENT WE ANTICIPATE TO BE OVER ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE MORTGAGE COMPANIES AND THEY WILL BE IF THEY'RE NOT ALREADY THEY WILL BE READY TO SUBMIT THAT

[00:40:04]

THIRTY TWO THOUSAND REFUND. >> WE ARE WORKING ON A PROCESS THAT WILL NOT BURDEN THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT WITH THE PROCESSING OF THOSE REFUND CHECKS AND WE'LL BE WORKING WITH WHITNEY TO GO OVER OUR IDEAS ON THAT. THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS.

EVEN AS OF THIS VERY MOMENT. BUT MY COMMITMENT TO YOU IS THAT I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN MAKE THIS WORK. AND WORK WITH THE LEVEL OF SUCCESS AND STANDARDS THAT I HAVE FOR MY TEAM AND MYSELF. I'M HAPPY TO TAKE QUESTIONS. THIS WILL BE A LIVING AND BREATHING PLAN THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T WORK FOR FINANCE WE NEED TO ADJUST. IF IT'S SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE FOR OUR AGENCIES.

WE NEED TO ADJUST. AND I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT COMMITMENT TO COUNCILS TO KNOW THAT MY TEAM AND I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE NECESSARY AND WE'RE MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO OKAY WITH OUR LIMITED TIME THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MARIA THAT ARE PRESSING AT THIS TIME OR CAN WE MOVE ON TO MR.

MCCLELLAN? >> WHEN WILL THESE AMOUNTS BE POSTED ONLINE?

MIKE BEAUFORT, THANK YOU. >> I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT MENTIONING THAT WE HAVE NOT YET RUN A SUCCESSFUL EXTRACT. MY. OUR TARGET START DATE WOULD BE DECEMBER 18TH NOT BECAUSE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO UPDATE E GOV OR UPDATE MY SYSTEM BEFORE THEN BUT BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THESE PARTIES THAT ARE GOING TO WORK THAT ARE GOING TO NEED TO WORK TOGETHER HAVE A PLAN. I DON'T WANT TO JUST START SOMETHING THAT I BELIEVE OUR CUSTOMERS TOO WEAK TO PAY. THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? JOSUE? YES, STEVE? YEAH. JUST A COUPLE OF COMMENTS. IT'S REALLY UNTENABLE THE POSITION THAT WE'VE BEEN PUT IN AND THE DISASTER THAT THIS COULD HAVE OTHERWISE BEEN.

BUT A GREAT BIG THANKS TO MARIA. TOM KEVIN YOU WORKED ON PATRICK AND I T THAT WORKED ON CLEARLY THE TIMELINE IT WAS THERE'S NO WAY TO GET THE TAX BILLS OUT GIVEN WHERE WE ARE THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT PEOPLE NEED. AND THEN ALSO THE PEOPLE THAT GET THEM TO REACT NOW FROM A CASH STANDPOINT WILL BE FINE BECAUSE BASICALLY MAJORITY OF OUR MONEY COMES IN IN THE DECEMBER JANUARY TIMEFRAME BUT TED CARRIES US THROUGH THE REST OF THE YEAR. SO I'M TOTALLY SATISFIED WE DON'T NEED TO DO ANY EXTRA BORROWING TO KEEP EVERYBODY AFLOAT. AND SO FOR THE FOR PROBABLY THE VAST MAJORITY THE PEOPLE THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY IF THEY WANT TO.

THEY WOULD NORMALLY PAY IN JANUARY TO GET AN EXTRA 30 OR 60 DAY REPRIEVE ON THAT.

AND FOR THE PEOPLE WHO REALLY NEED THE TAX DEDUCTION, THEY FIGURED OUT A WAY TO ACCOMMODATE THAT FROM A CUSTOMER SERVICE STANDPOINT. MARIA.

>> I THINK YOU NEED MORE. ERIC AND OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE ACROSS OUR ORGANIZATION YOU NEED TEMPORARY PEOPLE. WE'RE WE SHOULD STAND BY AND DO THAT BECAUSE WE'VE REALLY GOT TO SERVICE THE PEOPLE AND THIS WILL CONFUSING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

BUT THANKS FOR YOUR HARD WORK ON THIS. I'M THINKING ANY OTHER MARKET.

YES, MA'AM. JUST REAL QUICK. SO WHENEVER.

IF AND WHEN MR. BECKER. UPDATES EVERYTHING IN THE MOMENTUM SYSTEM UPDATES.

DOES THAT MEAN ALL THIS GOES AWAY? HE'S GO BACK TO NORMAL OR OKAY . YEAH. YEAH.

FOR ANYONE WHO'S PAID WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT INSIDE THEIR BALES WILL NOTICE THERE'S THE ZERO. WELL WE'RE PLANNING ON HAVING AN INSERT WITH THE BILL THAT SAYS HEY THANK YOU FOR PREPAYING. WE JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOU'VE GOTTEN A BILL AND GO THERE AT EVERY STEP. WE'RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE

CAN TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CUSTOMERS. >> MARIA THIS COUNCILMAN DAWSON . CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES I CAN'T.

ALL RIGHT. JUST SO THAT I'M CLEAR. THE AUDITOR IS NOT SENDING OUT THE BILLS AS OF YET. SO IN ORDER FOR THE CITIZENS TO PAY THEIR BILLS, ARE THEY RECEIVING SOMETHING FROM YOU OR ARE THEY JUST ESTIMATING WHAT THEIR CURRENT FORM OF DEBT MANAGEMENT IS ABOUT PROTECTING THE TREASURER'S OFFICE SENDS OUT TAX BILLS, NOT THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE. WE'RE JUST NOT ABLE TO SEND A BILL BECAUSE IF WE SEND IT NOW IT'LL HAVE BAD INFORMATION AND WILL INCUR A LOT OF MONEY, A LOT OF COURT WITH INCORRECT INFORMATION AND WE'LL JUST NEED TO REPEAT IT WHEN HE'S FINISHED.

WHAT WE ARE SUGGESTING IS WE UPDATE OUR ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM AND ALLOW ANYONE WHO

[00:45:04]

MEANTIME IT WILL BE AT THAT FIVE POINT EIGHT MILLAGE RATE FOR RURAL AND CRITICAL LANDS BUT AT LEAST THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO PAY. WHEREAS RIGHT NOW THEY DO NOT.

SO NO CUSTOMERS WILL BE RECEIVING ANY MAIL FROM OUR OFFICE.

I SPOKE IN THE FORM OF A BILL ANY WAY UNTIL THE AUDITORS HAVE COMPLETED THIS PROCESS.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. GO AHEAD, MR. SEAN.

>> THANK YOU. HEY, MARIA. JUST SO I'M CLEAR AND SO TAXPAYERS ARE CLEAR WHAT FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO PAY VIA ESCROW ,SHOULD THEY BE CUTTING A SEPARATE CHECK TO THE TREASURER'S OFFICE? SHOULD THEY BE REACHING OUT TO THEIR COMPANY OR DO YOU JUST EXPECT THAT THE MORTGAGE COMPANIES AREN'T GOING TO HANDLE IT SO THE MORTGAGE COMPANIES ALREADY HAVE HANDLED IT AND MANY OF OUR VIEWERS IF NOT ALL OF THEM WILL HAVE NOTED THAT THEIR ESCROW ACCOUNT WAS ALREADY DRAFTED BEFORE WE WE UPDATE OUR MORTGAGE COMPANIES DAILY ACTUALLY WHICH PEOPLE WOULDN'T KNOW.

>> BUT THIS TRANSFER IS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME. SO THAT UPDATE WAS OCCURRING AND CONTAINED AT THAT UPDATE WAS OCCURRING BEFORE WE REALIZED THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FOUR POINT EIGHT AND THE FIVE POINT EIGHT TO THE MORTGAGE COMPANIES HAD THAT DATA AND THEY WERE WEIGHING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DO WE NOT PROCESS ANYTHING AND WAIT OR DO WE PROCESS WITH THE DATA WE HAVE THE MAJORITY ESPECIALLY OUR LARGE ONE PROCESS WITH THE DATA THEY HAD IT WILL RESULT IN US HAVING TO DO REFUND BUT THE BENEFIT IS THE COUNTY AND OUR AGENCIES WILL GET THAT REFUND MONEY. WE'LL GET THAT THOSE PAYMENTS.

I'M SORRY REFUND. WE'LL GET THOSE PAYMENTS NEARLY RIGHT AWAY.

THANK YOU. >> NOTHING A CUSTOMER NEEDS TO DO AT THIS TIME IF THEY'RE IF THEY'VE PAID THEIR MORTGAGE OFF THEY NEED TO CALL OUR OFFICE. BUT IF THEY THOUGHT IT WAS DRAFTED FROM THEIR ESCROW, THERE IS NOTHING FOR THEM TO DO AT THIS TIME.

ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE SEEING NONE.

IT HAS BEEN DULY MOTION AND SECONDED BY MR. SOMERVILLE AND MR. GLOVER.

THIS WILL BE APPROVED WITH OUT OBJECTION UNANIMOUSLY. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD OBJECT TO HAVING THIS DONE UNANIMOUSLY SEEING NO OBJECTION? UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM NUMBER FIVE HAS BEEN APPROVED.

>> CONGRATULATIONS, MARIA. NOW THE WORK BEGINS. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> OK. THE NEXT ITEM IS AN UPDATE ON

[6. AN UPDATE ON THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND SHERIFF USER FEE LITIGATION AND SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS ]

AGAIN, THERE IS A STATEMENT TO BE MADE. WE WILL GO INTO CLOSED SESSION AFTERWORDS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION. AFTER ITEM NUMBER SEVEN HAS BEEN DONE. BUT THIS STATEMENT IS AS FOLLOWS.

ON DECEMBER 3RD 2020 THE TOWN OF HEALTH DEAD MAYOR JOHN MCCANN SENT A MESSAGE TO ALL RESIDENTS OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND INFORMING RESIDENTS THAT BEAUFORT COUNTY WOULD BE COLLECTING A LAW ENFORCEMENT CHARGE AND UNIFORM USER FEE. THAT IS A TRUE STATEMENT BUT THE STATEMENT WAS INCOMPLETE AND MISLEADING. THE PURPOSE OF THIS STATEMENT IS TO FILL IN THE GAPS AND TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT. BEAUFORT COUNTY ADOPTED AN ORDINANCE IMPOSING A LAW ENFORCEMENT USER FEE ON THE PROPERTY IN HILTON HEAD ON AUGUST 24TH 2020. BUT WHAT THE RESIDENTS MAY NOT KNOW IS THAT THIS AUDIENCE ORDINANCE WAS ADOPTED RELUCTANTLY AND IS A RESULT OF A LETTER THE COUNTY RECEIVED FROM MAYOR MCCANN INDICATING AFTER 37 YEARS OF PAYING THE COUNTY AN AGREED AMOUNT FOR MUNICIPAL POLICE SERVICES, THE SHERIFF PROVIDED TO THE TOWN THE TOWN INSTEAD INTENDED TO START REDUCING THOSE PAYMENTS UNILATERALLY WITHOUT ANY REDUCTION IN SERVICES.

I WILL DISCUSS THAT MORE IN DETAIL IN A MOMENT. IT ALSO FAILS TO MENTION THAT NUMEROUS FAILED NEGOTIATOR MEETINGS MEETINGS BETWEEN THE MEMBERS OF COUNTY COUNCIL AND THE MEMBERS OF HILTON HEAD TOWN COUNCIL THE SOLE PURPOSE OF WHICH WAS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES REGARDING THE PAYMENT OF SHERIFF SERVICES SO THAT IT WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY FOR COUNTY TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE WHICH REQUIRES PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE TOWN TO PAY A USER FEE TO REIMBURSE THE COUNTY FOR SHERIFF SERVICES. MR. MCCANN STATED IN HIS MESSAGE THAT WE ARE IMPOSING THIS FEE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC AND THAT WE SHOULD BE HELPING PEOPLE, NOT HARMING OTHERS.

[00:50:05]

THE SECRETARY OF STATE ISSUED A CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND IN OCTOBER OF THAT YEAR 1983. THE TOWN PASSED THREE SPECIFIC RESOLUTIONS THAT ESTABLISHED HOW THE SHERIFF WOULD PROVIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES THROUGH AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL SERVICE CONTRACT AND THE TOWN WOULD ALSO PAY FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND FURTHER.

THE THIRD ONE SAID THE TOWN WOULD ALSO USE OTHER STATE AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FORCE AND AGENCIES. THIS RELATIONSHIP HAS ASKED HAS LASTED FOR 37 YEARS.

THE SHERIFF PROVIDED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES TO HILTON HEAD ISLAND AND THE TOWN PAID THE COUNTY ON AN AGREED UPON FEE TO COVER THOSE COSTS. THIS ARRANGEMENT ALLOWED THE TOWN TO AVOID CREATING AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE MANY TIMES GREATER THAN THE ANNUAL FEE PAID TO THE COUNTY BY CREATING ITS OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT LIKE THAT OF THE CITY OF BEAUFORT.

THE TOWN PORT ROYAL THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON IN THE TOWN OF THE MSE.

WHAT CHANGED THIS YEAR? ON MAY 18TH OF 2020 MAYOR MCCANN SENT A LETTER TO THE COUNTY COUNCIL CHAIR WHICH IS ME THAT HE WOULD HAVE HELD IN HAD REDUCED THE AMOUNT IT WOULD PAY FOR COUNTY POLICE SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF A MILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS AFTER WHICH IT WOULD PAY THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR WHAT THE TOWN BELIEVES SHOULD COVER THE COSTS FOR BEACH PATROL SERVICES ,ENFORCEMENT OF TOWN ORDINANCES AND OTHER MUNICIPAL POLICE SERVICES. MEETINGS WERE HELD ON JUNE 17TH 20 20 JUNE 24TH 2020 TO TRY AND RESOLVE THE ISSUES AND AGAIN TO AVOID ADOPTING THE USER FEE ORDINANCE. UNFORTUNATELY NO AGREEMENT WAS REACHED.

THE COUNTY BUDGET WAS ADOPTED ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30TH AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW.

IT WAS ADOPTED WITHOUT THREE MILLION FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS THAT HILTON HEAD ISLAND BUDGETED AND TAXED ITS PROPERTY OWNERS FOR THE SHERIFF'S SERVICES BUT WHICH IT REFUSED TO PROVIDE TO THE COUNTY. THOSE FUNDS REMAINED IN THE TOWN'S BUDGET.

IN JUNE OF 2012, GUILFORD COUNTY HIRED AN INDEPENDENT FIRM TO ANALYZE THE DATA AND DEVELOP A UNIFORM SERVICE FEE THAT COULD BE USED TO HAVE HILTON HEAD REIMBURSE THE COUNTY FOR THE VALUE OF THE SERVICES RENDERED BY THE SHERIFF TO THE TOWN.

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THERE WAS A THREE YEAR CONTRACT FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 18TH 2015 TO JANUARY 31, 2000 18. THAT CONTRACT SPECIFIED THE TOWN OF TILT HEAD WOULD PAY FOR SHERIFF SERVICE. IT WAS SIGNED BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, THE SHERIFF AND THE HEAD TOWN MANAGER. AFTER THAT CONTRACT EXPIRED AN M. NO.

U WAS DRAFTED IN JANUARY OF 2018 WHICH SPELLED OUT SERVICES BUT WAS NEVER SIGNED BY ANYONE. CURRENTLY THERE IS AN M O U IN PLACE DATED JULY 3RD 2009 TEEN SIGNED BY ONLY THE TOWN MANAGER AND THE SHERIFF. IT PROVIDES FOR QUARTERLY PAYMENTS TO BE MADE FOR TWO BEAUFORT COUNTY FOR SHERIFF SERVICES.

THIS AND THIS M O U IS FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME. THE COUNTY WAS NOT PARTY TO THE CONTRACT. THE COUNTY HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY PAYMENTS FROM THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES SINCE JUNE OF 2020. THE QUESTION THAT HILTON HEAD RESIDENTS SHOULD BE ASKING IS WHAT IS THE TOWN COUNCIL DONE WITH THE MONEY THE TAXPAYER'S PAID FOR SHERIFF SERVICE BEAUFORT COUNTY STANDS READY TO ESTABLISH AN AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR SHERIFF SERVICES THAT MAY ELIMINATE THE NEED OF A USER FEE.

WE AWAIT A RESPONSE FROM THE HILTON HEAD TOWN COUNCIL REGARDING ANOTHER MEETING TO TRY AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. SO THAT'S AN UPDATE WHERE WE STAND WITH THAT.

[7. DISCUSSION REGARDING AN AGREEMENT WITH HILTON HEAD ISLAND FOR LAND USE PLANNER FOR US 278 PROJECT ]

IT'S GONNA BE GERARD AND KURT TAYLOR TO GET IT AND I'D NEED TO MAKE COUNCIL AWARE ONE

THING. >> GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF THIS CONTRACT, I DO BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PURCHASING PROCUREMENT POLICY ISSUE HERE. I HAVE TO ACTUALLY BID THIS OUT SO WE CAN DISCUSS THAT IN MORE DETAIL. GERARD, ARE YOU PREPARED TO

BEGIN DISCUSSING THIS? >> I CAN DISCUSS CAN'T. YOU READ? I THINK IT IS QUITE NO, I DON'T HAVE A ROLE IN THE MECHANICS OF IT.

I JUST LOOKED AT THE CONTRACT DOCUMENT. YEAH.

[00:55:03]

>> THIS IS A CONTRACT THAT WOULD BE FOR LAND PLAN IN ADDITION TO INDEPENDENT STATE.

SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED AND WAS LEFT PART OF THE PURPOSE LEFT OUT OF THE INDEPENDENT. THIS WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO AT LAND PLANNING TECHNIQUES AND

OPPORTUNITIES SURROUNDING THE PROJECT. >> GREAT.

THANK YOU. MR REDMAN, YOU WANTED TO MAKE A STATEMENT.

>> YEAH. LET ME GIVE A LITTLE BACKGROUND THAT MAY BE HELPFUL, MR. CHAIRMAN. AS YOU MAY REMEMBER IN EARLY SEPTEMBER.

SENATOR DAVIS APPEARED BEFORE US AND SPOKE ABOUT THE NEED FOR THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW WHICH HAS NOW BEEN DONE. AND HE ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A BROADER LOOK AT WHAT WOULD BE GOOD FOR THE NATIVE ISLANDER COMMUNITY INCLUDING THAT AREA IN IN STONY AS THAT DEVELOPED. CLEARLY THE REVIEW IS UNDER WAY.

THERE'S BEEN TALK ABOUT THAT THIS MIGHT MAKE SENSE TO DO IT. AND IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE CORRIDOR PROJECT, THERE'S A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MITIGATION THAT TAKES PLACE REGARDING THE TRAFFIC THAT IS IMPACTED BY WHATEVER THE FINAL DESIGN IS. BUT THERE'S ALSO A COMMUNITY FURTHER TO THE NORTH AND SOUTH THAT POTENTIALLY COULD BE BE LOOKED AT AND THAT'S MORE OR LESS THE CONCEPT THAT IS THAT IS HERE. THE THOUGHT ALSO WAS THAT TO THE EXTENT THAT IT CAN BE DONE IN PARALLEL WITH THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW THERE'S CERTAINLY SOME OVERLAP AND TO THE EXTENT THAT IT PROVIDES MITIGATION TO THE CORRIDOR PROJECT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO DONE BE DONE.

IT COULD ALSO BE DONE IN THE COURSE OF DISCRETION. THERE WAS MENTION OF WHAT MIGHT BE THE TYPE OF FIRM THAT WOULD BE USEFUL AND THE FIRM THAT DID THE MASTER PLAN FOR MITCHELL BILL WAS SUGGESTED AS A POSSIBILITY AND YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THE COUNTY STOOD UP TO TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND TO DO THE MITCHELL BILL MASTERPLAN THAT WAS IT'S BEEN COMPLETED THAT'S BEEN PRESENTED TO US. YOU KNOW IT'S A LARGE NUMBER AND IT'S ON THE ORDER 20 MILLION DOLLARS AND THEY'RE STARTING TO EMBARK ON ON A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN. AND I THINK IT'S A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE THAT THAT WILL BE TO BE SUCCESSFUL. SO IN ANY EVENT WHERE WE ARE TODAY IS SENATOR DAVIS NOT ONLY SUGGESTED IN SEPTEMBER BUT ALSO SUGGESTED COMMUNICATIONS TO THE CHAIRMAN AND THE MAYOR VERY RECENTLY. THIS MIGHT BE AN ACTIVITY THAT THE TWO OUGHT TO JOINTLY TAKE ON. I HAVE NOT HEARD OR HEARD ANYTHING THAT HAS DISAGREED WITH THAT. SO AND CERTAINLY WHETHER WE COULD DO IT IN SOME ACCELERATED FORM FROM AS AN EMERGENCY OR WHETHER WE CAN USE THAT FIRM WHATEVER WE WOULD OBVIOUSLY WANT TO FOLLOW THAT AND WHATEVER DAVE THOMAS SAID WE NEED TO DO.

BUT I THINK ALL WE NEED TODAY WOULD BE AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM COUNCIL THAT YES, THAT THIS IS A GOOD PROJECT THAT WE WOULD GENERALLY BE WILLING TO SPLIT IT WITH THE WITH THE TOWN AND THAT WE COULD LEAVE IT TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO WORK OUT THE DETAILS BECAUSE IT WOULD BE WITHIN HIS WITH HIS AUTHORITY. SO I KIND OF VIEW THIS AS SOMETHING FOR INFORMATION. MR. CHAIRMAN, UNLESS THERE'S SOME OBJECTION FROM MEMBERS THAT THAT WE SHOULD JUST DO THIS. BUT I THINK IT'S A WORTHWHILE PROJECT AND I THINK IT HONORS WHAT TOM. SENATOR DAVIS HAS SUGGESTED ON

MULTIPLE OCCASIONS TO US. >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS REGARDING THIS? DOES ANYBODY WANT TO PUT FORTH A MOTION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS AND OF A FURTHER QUESTION WOULD BE? IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD IS MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS LAND PLANNER ON THEIR OWN AND THAT WE WOULD JUST BECOMING AND TO SHARE THE

COST OF THAT LAND PLANNER. IS THAT NOT THE CASE? >> I DO BELIEVE YOU'RE RIGHT, MR. CHAIRMAN. AND I IF WE DO EMOTION, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE NEED A MOTION I THINK OR WHETHER WE WOULD OBJECT TO WHETHER OUR ADMINISTRATOR CAN DO IT WITHIN HIS AUTHORITY BUT EITHER WAY WOULD BE FINE WITH ME. BUT HOPEFULLY WE'LL DO IT IN

SOME FORM. OK. >> I WOULD ASK CURT TAYLOR TO WEIGH IN. IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE AN ACTION ON IF IT IS A SHARED COST AND THE COST WAS TO BE SEVENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS. IS THIS SOMETHING THAT THEN

[01:00:04]

BUT AS OPPOSED TO A PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE FOR A SERVICE THAT THE COUNTY IS ACQUIRING WHICH I TEND TO AGREE WITH MR. THOMAS THAT WE NEED TO FOLLOW OUR OWN PROCEDURES.

IF IT'S MORE OF A CONTRIBUTING FUNDS TOWARDS CONTRACTED HILTON HEAD IS ENTERING INTO AND THEY HAVE FOLLOWED THEIR OWN PROCUREMENT PROCESSES THEN I THINK MERELY YOU'D BE VOTING HAPPY TO CONTRIBUTE FUNDS RATHER THAN TO HIRE CAR THE FIRM YOU'D BE MOVING TO IN TRIBUTE FUNDS TOWARDS THIS EFFORT. I WOULD ASK DAVE THOMAS TO

CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. DAVE THOMAS YOU'RE CORRECT. >> OK.

AND THAT WOULD BE THE TACT I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE WITH WITH REGARDS TO THIS.

I THINK THIS WOULD MOVE THIS ALONG EFFICIENTLY IN EFFECTIVELY JANUARY DAY.

I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE AN INFRINGEMENT UPON WHAT YOU ARE DOING WITH THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW. I THINK IT JUST GOES PARALLEL. SO WITHOUT OBJECTION I WOULD SAY THAT WE WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HILTON HEAD ISLAND IS MOVING FORWARD WITH THE LAND USE PLANNER AND THAT WE WOULD BE WILLING TO BE A CONTRIBUTOR TO THE EFFORTS REGARDING THAT.

WOULD THAT BE THE APPROPRIATE WAY OF PHRASING THIS? >> AND I WOULD SAY UP TO 50 PERCENT OR NOT TO EXCEED THE SEVENTY FIVE THOUSAND THAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT SUGGESTION THAT YOU BE PRECISE ABOUT THAT AND YOU ALSO PROBABLY SHOULD MENTION THE

SOURCE FUNDS. >> OK. ALL RIGHT.

SO DO WE NEED UNOFFICIAL MOTION FOR THIS THEN TO BE STATED THAT WAY? YES, SIR, I BELIEVE SO. OK. SO CAN I HAVE A MOTION FROM A MEMBER OF COUNCIL THAT WILL AUTHORIZE THE COUNCIL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PAYMENT OF THE LAND USE PLANNER THAT THAT HAS BEEN HIRED BY HILTON HEAD ISLAND UP TO AN AMOUNT NOT

TO EXCEED 30 FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS. >> SO MR. CHAIRMAN, MR. HERVEY SEAN MAKES THAT MOTION THAT COULD AND MR. MCKELLEN MAITLAND'S SECOND OK.

IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ? MR. CHAIRMAN, I THOUGHT I HEARD THE NUMBER SEVENTY FIVE THOUSAND IN WHICH CASE IT WOULD BE THIRTY SEVEN FIVE THIRTY

FIVE. >> NO IT'S IT'S THIRTY FIVE THOUSAND.

THE M.O. YOU INDICATES THAT IT'S A SEVENTY THOUSAND DOLLAR FEE.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU. OK.

MR. GLOVER. >> YES GERARD. HAVE HAVE SENATOR DAVIS WEIGH

IN ON THIS AT ALL? >> THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING HE HAD PUSHED FOR AND IT WAS SOMETHING THAT A REQUEST WAS OUT OF THE STUDY IN THE INTERVIEW.

HOWEVER, PER WHAT WE HAVE WITHIN THE REVIEW IT WAS LEFT TO THE STATES AND KNOWING THAT THERE WAS POTENTIAL PRIOR AND I HELP YOU HAD RUN THIS SEPARATELY WITH THE FACT THAT

HE HAD THAT ON A VOICE THAT IS SOMETHING. >> THANK YOU.

ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? MR. CHAIRMAN, THE ONLY OTHER THING I SUGGEST IS THAT YOU IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF FUNDS FOR THIS CONTRIBUTION. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE FUNDS IN THE 278 PROJECT THAT COULD GO TOWARDS IT OR I WOULD THEORETICALLY SAY I WOULD THINK THERE ARE MONEYS STILL AVAILABLE IN THAT AREA. THE USE FOR THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW IS THE FUNDING THAT SET ASIDE AS PART OF THE DEAL FUNDING FOR THE JEANS AND SAFETY PROJECT. MOST LIKELY THE SAME. SO.

OK. ALL RIGHT. SO WE DO HAVE A SOURCE OF FUNDS FOR IT AS WELL. OK. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS SEEING NO DISCUSSION. I WILL MOVE THAT THIS BE DONE UNANIMOUSLY.

ARE THERE ANY IS THERE ANY ONE OPPOSED TO THIS BEING APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY SEEING NO OPPOSITION? THIS IS APPROVED. ERICA AND GERARD, YOU WILL PUT TOGETHER WHATEVER DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO FORWARD DALE, THAT ISLAND INDICATING THAT WE WILL BE A PARTICIPANT TO THE AMOUNT UP TO THIRTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND THAT THE FUNDS WILL BE AVAILABLE. OK, THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

MOVING ON, WE ARE NOW AT ITEM NUMBER EIGHT WHICH IS A NEW ITEM AND YOU KNOW, IF I MAKE

[01:05:11]

IT WAS NOT PLANNED FOR TODAY. SO I'M NOT PREPARED TO DISCUSS IT TODAY.

>> OK, SO WE'RE JUST GOING TO SUBSTITUTE WHAT WE WANT TO DISCUSS FOR HILTON HEAD IN

PLACE THEN. OK, ALL RIGHT. >> ITEM NUMBER EIGHT IS THE

[Additional Item ]

MASTER CHAIRMAN? >> OK. >> MR. GREENWAY, GO AHEAD.

>> I'M NOT. WE RECEIVED A CALL I RECEIVED A COUPLE E-MAILS OVER THE WEEKEND FROM COUNCIL MEMBER HARVEY SHAWN AND ONE FROM COUNCIL MEMBER COVID WITH QUESTIONS SAYING THAT THEY HAD HAD RECEIVED SOME CONCERNS FROM CITIZENS REGARDING THE PROPOSED CASH OUT SITUATION TO IF IT'S OK, I WILL TRY TO RESPOND TO THOSE QUESTIONS INDIVIDUALLY AND THEN IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS WE WILL GO FROM THERE.

BUT THE FIRST QUESTION IS HAS THE CASH OUT BEEN OFFERED EVERY YEAR? IT WAS NOT IN MY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT ON FRIDAY.

YOU ARE AND THAT WAS A MISTAKE ON MY PART. IT WAS JUST AN OVERSIGHT DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF EFFORT THAT WE'VE BEEN HAVING TO UNDERGO TO PUT TOGETHER THIS MEETING TODAY.

THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS AS I UNDERSTAND THE PROGRAM HAS NOT BEEN OFFERED EVERY YEAR AND IS SIMPLY UP TO THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. THE FOLLOW UP QUESTION THAT WAS ASKED IF IT ISN'T OFFERED EVERY YEAR WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME IT WAS OFFERED? AND AFTER LOOKING INTO THAT IT WAS OFFERED AFTER THE EVACUATION PERIODS FOR EMPLOYEES AFTER HURRICANE MATTHEW IN 2016, IRMA IN 2017 AND THEN AGAIN IN TWENTY EIGHTEEN WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF FUNDS IS THE THIRD QUESTION AND THAT WOULD BE THE GENERAL FUND. WAS THIS BUDGETED? TECHNICALLY, YES.

THIS IS A LIABILITY THAT THE COUNTY MAY HAVE TO PAY EACH YEAR TO THE EMPLOYEE SHOULD THEY ELECT TO USE PERSONAL LEAVE OR SEPARATE FROM COUNTY EMPLOYMENT.

BUT THIS PROGRAM WOULD CONCENTRATE THE PAYMENT AT AND TO A SMALL AREA OF IT PAID PAN OF INSTEAD OF IT BEING PAID OUT OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME A BONE HAVING AN INQUIRY AS TO THE NEED FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL AND CHECKING THAT ISSUE I WAS TOLD THAT COUNCIL APPROVAL WAS NOT NECESSARY AND I HAVE CONFIRMED THAT SUCH HAS NOT BEEN SOUGHT IN THE PAST.

HAVING THAT BEEN A REQUIREMENT IS ONE THING. ME TAKEN THE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO COMMUNICATE TO COUNCIL THAT THIS IS WHAT I WAS THINKING IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT SITUATION.

I SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT TO YOU ALL. BEEN WORKING ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. THERE ARE GONNA BE TIMES AS I'M IN THIS ROLE OF COURSE THAT THINGS ARE NOT GOING TO GO ABSOLUTELY 100 PERCENT ACCORDING TO MY PLAN OR THOUGHTS OR IDEAS AND I DO APOLOGIZE TO COUNCIL FOR NOT SHARING OUR THOUGHTS WITH YOU IN THIS AND FOR YOU ALL HAVING THAT HEAR ABOUT IT FROM A CONCERN CITIZEN FROM OUTSIDE THE ORGANIZATION. FINALLY, WHO IS SPEARHEADING THIS EFFORT IN H.R. KATHERINE MEET IN OUR H.R. DEPARTMENT AND THE FINANCE TEAM HAVE ASSISTED ME.

WE'VE PUT IN THE DETAILS OF THIS PROGRAM TOGETHER AND COMMUNICATING THOSE DETAILS TO THE EMPLOYEES. AND THEN A FINAL QUESTION IS DO WE HAVE A NEW H.R. DIRECTOR SINCE A MANNEQUIN CADE'S CONTRACT EXPIRED? AND THE ANSWER IS NO.

THE SEARCH IS ONGOING. SO THAT'S PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING THAT I'M AWARE OF AS QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS. I'LL BE GLAD TO ENTERTAIN ANY COMMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL

QUESTIONS. >> ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

>> I'VE GOING TO KEEP MY GO AHEAD. WHAT IS THE ESTIMATED COST

OF THIS PROGRAM, NUMBER ONE? >> AND I TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF CONCERN WITH THE ASSERTION THAT THIS IS A BUDGET ITEM. I THINK THAT ACCELERATING LIABILITIES IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN BUDGETING AND OPERATING EXPENSE FOR THE COUNTY.

SO THIS THIS IS CONCERNING TO ME. IF IT FEELS AS IF IT FEELS AS THOUGH THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD IT COME BEFORE COUNCIL THE COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE APPROVED THE COUNCIL SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF AND I QUESTION YOU KNOW WHO.

[01:10:04]

YEAH. >> AGAIN, I DON'T THINK I CAN TELL YOU IS I'VE ASK THE APPROPRIATE TEAM MEMBERS WHENEVER THAT ISSUE CAME UP IS WHETHER OR NOT IT WOULD REQUIRE COUNCIL ACTION. AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT DID NOT REQUIRE COUNCIL ACTION.

THAT AND COUNCIL ACTION WAS NEVER SOUGHT IN THE PAST. BUT AGAIN, HAVING A REQUIREMENT THAT COUNCIL APPROVE SOMETHING AND ACTUALLY SHARING AND COMMUNICATE MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH COUNCIL ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE OR TWO DIFFERENT THINGS AND WE WILL DO BETTER.

REGARDING THAT IN THE FUTURE WITH YOU ALL AND THE ESTIMATED COST.

>> I MEAN I HAVE TO DEFER TO WHITNEY RICH ON THAT. AGAIN, SHE HELPED ME PUT THOSE

NUMBERS TOGETHER. >> SHE'S AVAILABLE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION FOR IS.

GOOD AFTERNOON. AS MR. GREENWAY STATED PREVIOUSLY, KATHERINE MEADE IN NATURE HAS HELPED PUT TOGETHER SOME DATA FOR THE ESTIMATE THAT I PROPOSED AND BASED UPON THE CURRENT VALUE OF EMPLOYEE HOURS IN THEIR LEAVE ACCOUNTS. I THINK THIS COST TO THE COUNTY COULD BE IN THE RANGE OF ONE POINT FIVE TO ONE POINT SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS.

THAT INCLUDES ALL WAGES AND ASSOCIATED PAYROLL TAX. THE COUNTY'S CONTRIBUTION INTO RETIREMENT AS WELL AS A FEW PERCENT. ESTIMATE FOR PURPOSES COMPENSATION ON THIS FUND. TO ANSWER ANY OTHER QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE JUST SEEMS TO ME LIKE ACCELERATING A COST OF ONE POINT FORTY NINE DOLLARS TO THE COUNTY SHOULD'VE BEEN FOR

COUNCIL. >> THAT'S A LARGE NUMBER. THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS.

>> THANK YOU. CHARLIE RIGHT TO MR. HER VERSION OF IT.

AS YOU HEARD, THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN DONE IN THE PAST WITH PRIOR COUNCILS.

THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT THIS COUNCIL OR ANY COUNCIL GOING FORWARD MAY NOT WISH TO CHANGE THAT BUT ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT WELL WAS DONE IN THE PAST WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE ON BECAUSE NO ONE HAS QUESTIONED IT. WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THAT IN

THE FUTURE. >> I MEAN THIS COUNCIL HASN'T HASN'T DONE THAT.

I MEAN WE'VE GOT YOU KNOW, SINCE THE 2013 ELECTION THE LAST TIME WE DID THIS WAS MATTHEW WHICH IS WELL BEFORE THAT. SO I WOULD TAKE OUR COUNCIL HAS

NEVER UNDERTAKEN THAT EFFORT. UNDERSTOOD. >> YEAH.

AND JUST ONE ADDITIONAL POINT ON THAT. I SHARE THAT CONCERN NOW THAT THAT'S BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION ABOUT THIS, I SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE COGNIZANT TO IT MOVING FORWARD AGAIN. I DO APOLOGIZE FOR THAT. I HAVE ASKED OUR H.R.

DEPARTMENT TO WORK ON A FORMAL CASH OUT POLICY. WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS IN THE FUTURE SO THAT WE CAN BRING THAT COUNCIL AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR AND ASK THAT YOU ALL WEIGH IN ON IT AND ACTUALLY ADOPT THAT POLICY AS AN ANNUAL BENEFIT TO THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES . ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION BY ANYONE, MR. CHAIRMAN? LET ME JUST WEIGH IN ON THIS MYSELF. AGREE WITH CHRIS.

I THINK SOMETHING LIKE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO COUNCIL LEASE INFORM AND THERE PRINCE SEVERAL ISSUES THAT COUNCIL HAVE NOT EVEN ADDRESSED THAT WE TALKED ABOUT.

ONE OF THEM BEING THE THE RETIREES HEALTH BENEFITS WHICH ALSO HAS TO BE ADDRESSED AT SOME FUTURE POINT IN TIME AND I'M HOPING THAT THIS COUNCIL WILL WEIGH IN ON THAT AS WELL.

BUT IT DOES SEEM THAT WE ARE ARBITRARILY DOING SOMETHING IN COUNCIL IS NOT AWARE OF IT AND IT DOESN'T LOOK REAL GOOD AT ALL IN THE EYES THE PUBLIC. THANKS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT COMMENT. ANY OTHERS? SEEING NO OTHER COMMENTS.

MR. HERVEY, SEAN, THIS IS CERTAINLY A FINANCIAL MATTER THAT IS ON YOUR RADAR AS WE GO FORWARD IN PREPARING OUR NEXT BUDGET. CERTAINLY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WILL HAVE TO WEIGH INTO. CERTAINLY POLICIES WILL HAVE TO BE REVIEWED AS TO WHAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST AND WHAT WE WANT TO DO IN THE FUTURE AND THE COSTS THEREOF. SO OBVIOUSLY WE'LL HAVE TO BE SOMETHING THAT WE DISCUSS AT OUR UPCOMING RETREAT AND GOING FORWARD FROM THERE. OK.

MOVING ON TO THE NEXT ITEM. >> BEFORE YOU MOVE ON TO THAT, YOU JUST MADE A STATEMENT THAT

[01:15:07]

WHAT DISCUSSION WILL ACTUALLY HAPPEN? BEFORE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EVER

HAPPENED AGAIN? >> I THINK WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN AND I'LL JUST POSE TO COUNCIL I THINK THAT THIS SHOULD COME UP ON THE FINANCE AGENDA NEXT MONDAY WHICH IS FULL BUT I'M HAPPY TO ADD IT THERE. IT SEEMS TO ME FOR SUCH A LARGE DOLLAR AMOUNT I THINK LEGAL SHOULD LOOK AND SEE WHETHER OR NOT THE ADMINISTRATOR IS THE INTERIM ADMINISTRATOR HAS THE AUTHORITY TO EXPEND THESE FUNDS. AND I THINK THAT WE SHOULD HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT IT ON MONDAY. THAT'S MY OPINION.

I'M CERTAINLY OKAY IF I CAN'T. >> SO WE'D ADD IT AS AN ITEM I'VE ASKED MY STAFF THIS MORNING AND THE FOLKS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THIS WITH ME TO REEVALUATE WHAT OPTIONS WE SHOULD TAKE INCLUDING MAYBE EVEN DELAYING THE PAYMENT GIVEN THE SITUATION THAT WE'RE RAN

AGAIN WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. >> WE'RE IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION RIGHT NOW WITH THE TAX BILLS AND THE REVENUE THAN WE WERE WHEN I STARTED.

YES. AGAIN, WE WERE TRYING TO GET THESE PAYMENTS BEFORE CHRISTMAS BUT WE'RE HAPPY TO DO WHATEVER COUNCIL WOULD LIKE FOR US TO DO IN THE SPIRIT OF PROPERLY COMMUNICATING WITH COUNSEL AND ANSWERING THEIR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.

AGAIN, I GUESS THIS IS SOME HISTORIC BACKGROUND HERE THAT I'M NOT TOTALLY UP TO SPEED ON

AND IT MIGHT BE ADVISABLE TO DO THAT. >> I ABSOLUTELY AGREE THAT THIS SHOULD BE AN ITEM FOR FINANCE THAT NEEDS TO BE THOROUGHLY VETTED AS TO ALL OF THE FACTS THAT WE HAVE AND HOW WE GO AHEAD TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS BECAUSE THERE ARE MORE

QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS RIGHT NOW. >> I GOT ONE MORE QUESTION NOW.

NOW BASED WHAT I JUST HEARD BUT IF THERE'S NO IF THERE IS NOT MUCH HISTORICAL CONTEXT FOR THIS, WHERE DID THIS IDEA COME FROM? THERE THERE IS HISTORICAL

CONTEXT. >> BUT AS FAR AS MY HISTORICAL CONTEXT THAT'S LIMITED.

SO I'VE BEEN RELYING ON OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TEAM THAT ARE FAMILIAR WITH WHAT'S BEEN DONE IN THE PAST TO TELL ME HOW IT'S BEEN HANDLED IN THE PAST. BUT AGAIN THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT CANNOT THE WAY WE HANDLE THE PROCEDURES AND WHAT'S BEEN DONE IN THE PAST IS 100 PERCENT ACCURATE AND THAT THOSE PROCEDURES CAN BE IMPROVED UPON.

SO AGAIN, I'M HAPPY TO DISCUSS IT AS A PART OF FINDING SOUND ALLOW COUNSEL TO CALL FOR INPUT ON HOW THEY WOULD BE MOST COMFORTABLE WITH US CARRYING OUT THIS PROGRAM THIS YEAR AND INTO THE FUTURE. I DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THAT, MR. CHAIRMAN.

>> QUICK QUESTION TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ISN'T THERE A SALARY STUDY THAT'S BEING BROUGHT BEFORE US SOON? AND HOW DOES THIS IMPACT FUNDING GOING OUT AS HAS RELEASED A SALARY STUDY? THE TWO ARE NOT RELATED BECAUSE AGAIN THIS WILL BE A ONE TIME

DISTRIBUTION TO THE EMPLOYEES. >> AND KEEP IN MIND, YOU KNOW, THE ONE THING I WOULD TELL YOU IS THAT AGAIN, THIS IS AN EXISTING LIABILITY THAT WE HAVE ON THE BOOKS AS FAR AS PERSONAL TIME OFF AND THIS IS A WAY FOR US TO ALLOW FOLKS WHO ARE POSSIBLY SUFFERING FROM THE EFFECTS OF COVERED 19 LOSS OF INCOME TO OUR FINANCIALS SITUATION BEING DAMAGED AS A RESULT THAT TO USE SOME OF THEIR PERSONAL TIME TO CASH OUT IN OUR HOPES WAS THAT THIS WOULD BE A BENEFIT FOR THEM OF JUST PRIOR TO CHRISTMAS. SO IT'S AGAIN WE CAN DISCUSS IT AND MOVE ON FORWARD AT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON ON NEXT MONDAY.

>> I'M SURE WE'LL DEVELOP SOME ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR YOU AS WE PUT THIS TOGETHER.

OK. ANY LAST MINUTE MR. SOMERVILLE ? YEAH, I'M TRYING TO RECALL THE TIMES WE'VE DONE THIS IN THE PAST AND IT SEEMS TO ME I'M I'M NOT SURE IT SEEMS LIKE WE'VE DONE IT LIKE THREE OF THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

>> MAYBE WE DIDN'T DO IT IN 2018. WE HAD THREE HURRICANES PRIOR TO THAT. I KNOW COUNSEL WAS WAS NOTIFIED BUT WE COUNCIL NEVER TOOK IT UP. I DON'T THINK AS AS EARLY AS AN AGENDA ITEM OR ANYTHING THAT WE

VOTED ON. >> I THINK THE HISTORY IS THAT WE WERE JUST INFORMED BY THE

[01:20:03]

HANDLE THIS IF WE MOVED TO FINANCE. >> WHEN WE SAY THE 14TH AND THEN WE I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT BUT IT'S IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT WITHIN THE CERTAINLY PRIOR TO CHRISTMAS IF WE DO IT THAT WAY.

NO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'D LIKE TO HAVE SOME QUICK CONVERSATION ON IS HOW MUCH OF A OF AN IMPOSITION PROBLEMS IS GOING TO CREATE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.

I MEAN WE HAVE THEY HAVE THREE OUT OF THE FOUR LET A THREE OUT OF THE LAST FOUR YEARS WHERE THEY WHERE THERE WAS I GUESS YOU'D CALL IT AN EVENT AND AND THEY THEY KIND OF CAME TO EXPECT THAT THEY COULD CASH IN THEIR PTO BEFORE CHRISTMAS. AND I DON'T KNOW I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THERE'S THAT ANTICIPATION OUT THERE NOW WITH VERY WELL MIGHT BE.

I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE THE THE FEELINGS AND THE CONCERNS OF OUR EMPLOYEE ACCOUNT WHEN WE HAVE THIS DISCUSSION. IT'S NOT JUST A FINANCIAL DISCUSSION.

THIS IS AN EMPLOYEE DISCUSSION. I DON'T KNOW WHETHER WHITNEY DO YOU HAVE ANY SENSE OF THAT OF HOW THE EMPLOYEES ARE LOOKING AT THIS, HOW BIG OF A DEAL IT IS?

>> ARE THEY REALLY EXPECTING THIS OR THEY NEEDING THIS OR THEY ARE THEY ■HAVEN'T FINANCIAE

[01:25:53]

ABOUT THAT RIGHT NOW. ONLY MOVE ON FORWARD. >> OKAY SO WE WE OBVIOUSLY WILL NEED MORE DISCUSSION. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO HAVE YOU TAKE A LOOK AT AND OUR LEGAL TEAM TAKE A LOOK AT IS IF THIS IS A COVID 19 EVENT .

ARE THERE ANY STATE OR FEDERAL FUNDS THAT WOULD BE APPLICABLE TO THIS? YOU DON'T NEED TO ANSWER NOW BUT THAT MAY BE SOMETHING THAT YOU'LL NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT TO SEE IF THE CARERS ACT PDP MIGHT BE INVOLVED IN THAT. MR. RUDMAN, YOU HAD YOUR HAND UP. YEAH, IT DOES SEEM TO ME I HEARD DECEMBER 10TH AS A CUT

DATE. >> SOUNDS TO ME LIKE YOU'VE DONE THIS FOR A COUPLE

OF YEARS, RIGHT? >> THEY'VE GOT COURT EMPLOYEES FIRST.

DO WE NEED AN APPROVAL? >> WE PROBABLY OUGHT TO HAVE A MOTION IN AND DO IT TODAY.

I ALSO SUSPECT THIS IS MORE OF A BALANCE SHEET THAN IT IS AN INCOME STATEMENT THING BECAUSE WE'RE BASICALLY REDUCING A LIABILITY THAT WE WOULDN'T HAVE ON THE BALANCE SHEET THAT WE'RE PAYING THE EMPLOYEE. SO I WOULD I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF US COMING OUT AND AUTHORIZING US TO GO AHEAD BECAUSE WE'VE DONE PRIOR YEARS

AND LET THE DUST SETTLE AND SEE IF WE DID IT RIGHT OR WRONG. >> BUT AT THIS POINT I HEARD DECEMBER 10TH AS THE CUTOFF DATE WHICH IS LIKE THURSDAY OR FRIDAY.

>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I THINK I THINK WHAT I SAID EARLIER MR. HIRSCHHORN CHALLENGE WAS

THROUGH THE LAST FOUR YEARS. >> I THINK THAT'S CORRECT. I THINK WE DID IN 67, 17, 18 AND NOT IN 19. SO THAT'S THREE OF THE LAST FOUR.

SO THERE'S A THAT THAT ALONE CREATES EXPECTATION ON THE PART OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT WHEN THERE'S AN EVENT AND GOD HELP US IF KOGA 19 IS NOT AN EVENT I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS THAT THEY WERE GOING TO GET WHERE THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. SO I WOULD ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT GIVEN THE GIVEN THE WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO TO AUTHORIZE WOULDN'T IT WHICH WE'VE NOT DONE IN THE PAST AND ADMINISTRATIVELY THREE OUT OF THE FOUR LAST FOUR YEARS.

BUT IF WE WANT TO DO IT THROUGH COUNSEL WHICH I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH WHATSOEVER, THEN LET'S GET IT DONE. BUT BECAUSE IF WE KICK THIS CAN DOWN THE ROAD IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN AND WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF UNHAPPY EMPLOYEES, A LOT OF NOT JUST UNDER A LOT OF EMPLOYEES ARE GONNA BE INCONVENIENCED TO SAY THE LEAST IF THEY'RE COUNTING ON THIS

MONEY FOR THEIR CHRISTMAS TO GO BACK TO MR. RODMAN. >> MR. RODMAN, DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO THAT EFFECT? WELL, WE'RE EXACTLY I'D BE HAPPY TO COME.

WE'RE NOT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION . I MEAN WE'RE NOT IN EXECUTIVE

SESSION. >> OH, WELL, WE'RE NOT. NO, WE ARE NOT.

>> I APOLOGIZE. I THOUGHT WE WERE I APOLOGIZE, SIR.

OH MY I DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS OF IT BUT I WOULD MAKE A MOTION THAT WE PROCEED WITH WHAT THE

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR HAS HAS SUGGESTED. >> OKAY.

IF I MAY MANIPULATE YOUR MOTION IT WOULD BE TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO CARRY OUT THE P T O OBLIGATION FOR THIS YEAR UTILIZING THE PROCEDURES THAT HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED IN THE PAST. THAT EXACTLY WHAT YOU WERE SAYING.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I MEANT TO SAY, MR. I KNEW EXACTLY WHAT YOU WERE SAYING.

>> MAY I HAVE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION PLEASE? I'LL SECOND THAT MR. MCCOLLUM MAKES THE SECOND IT'S BEEN DUE TO A MOTION TO END SECOND TO ALLOW THE ADMINISTRATION TO CARRY OUT THE PTO OBLIGATIONS USING THE THE METHODOLOGY THAT WE HAVE TAKEN UP IN THE PAST.

[01:30:01]

>> IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION BEFORE WE TAKE ACTION WHICH I ASSUME WE'RE

GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A ROLL CALL ON THIS ONE? >> THE QUESTION IS THIS NEED TO BE IN THE FORM ORDINANCE IT I DON'T THINK SO CONFIRM THAT MR. TAYLOR DOES.

IS THIS IN THE FORM OF AN ORDINANCE? I DON'T THINK IT'S BEEN IN THE

PAST SO I DON'T KNOW WHY IT WOULD BE NOW. >> IT'S BIT AWKWARD IN THAT THERE IS A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER THE ADMINISTRATOR COULD DO THIS UNDER HIS OWN

DISCRETION AS THE ADMINISTRATOR OUR FORM OF GOVERNMENT. >> THIS MOTION AGAIN WE DIDN'T MAKE AN EMERGENCY FINDING TO SAY THAT SHOULD TAKE FINAL ACTION ON THIS ADDED AGENDA ITEM. SO THAT'S A BIT OF AN AWKWARD THING.

AND THIRD, SHOULD IT BE AN ORDER THAT'S I THINK BY RESOLUTION COUNCIL CAN EXPEND FUNDS THAT ARE ALREADY BUDGETED. SO THERE'S THREE ISSUES KIND OF ROLLING AROUND TOGETHER THERE. OKAY.

SO THEN I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE WILL WITHDRAW THE MOTION AND SECONDLY MAKE THIS AN AGENDA ITEM FOR COUNCIL TO TAKE UP ON THE 14TH. WELL, LET ME BACK UP.

I SAID THERE WASN'T AN ACTUAL FINDING OF AN EMERGENCY BUT THERE WAS A BIT OF A DISCUSSION ABOUT BEING EMERGENT SINCE THE DEADLINE IS THE 10TH WHICH IS BEFORE OUR NEXT MEETING ON THE 14TH. SO COUNCIL COULD CONSIDER THAT THIS IS MERCHANT AND THAT THIS IS THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. OKAY.

SO IT WOULD REQUIRE A TWO THIRDS VOTE FOR THIS PARTICULAR MOTION THEN?

I WOULD THINK SO THAT WE COULD CERTAINLY BE KEEPING IT SAFE. >> YEAH.

OKAY. SO WE HAVE A DOOLEY MOTION AND SECONDS ON THE FLOOR THAT WILL REQUIRE A TWO THIRDS VOTE TO ALLOW ADMINISTRATION TO CARRY OUT THE PTO OBLIGATIONS AS HAS BEEN DONE IN THE PAST. UTILIZING THE METHODOLOGY THAT THEY HAVE ADOPTED.

OKAY. >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? I'M JUST GONNA SAY THAT I WOULD QUESTION AS I WOULD QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS ACTUALLY BEEN BUDGETED.

I UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE BALANCE SHEET THING I GET THAT BUT FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE MY QUESTION

THAT CONCERNS ME. >> WELL, WE YOU KNOW, IT'S DIFFICULT TO YOUR QUESTION IS ON TARGET ON POINT WITHOUT AN EXPLICIT ANSWER ONLY BECAUSE WHAT WHITNEY SAID THERE IS A POTENTIAL OF X NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE TO NOTIFY US BY A CERTAIN DATE.

ONCE THAT DATE IS PASSED, WE WILL KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE VALUE IS.

SO AND IT'S GOING TO COME OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND. NOW WHERE IN THE GENERAL FUND IT'S GOING TO COME OUT OF I THINK THAT TO THE WIZARDRY OF OUR ADMINISTRATION.

IF I MAY. IF I MIGHT RECOMMEND A SOLUTION.

I DO NOT KNOW WHEN WE WOULD HAVE TO COMMUNICATE TO OUR H.R. DEPARTMENT OR OUR PAYROLL AS TO WHAT THIS WOULD ENTAIL FROM LIABILITY IN ORDER FOR IT TO MAKE IT INTO THE CHECKS FOR THE OR THE DIRECT DEPOSITS FOR THE DECEMBER 18. FOR THOSE THAT ARE SELECTED THIS BUT IF WE COULD JUST HOLD OFF ON TAKING ANY ACTION CURRENTLY WE WILL ADD TO THE ITEM OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND POTENTIALLY TO THE COUNCIL AGENDA FOR DECEMBER 14TH.

AND IF IT CANNOT BE DONE THEN THEN WE WILL JUST HAVE TO COMMUNICATE TO THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES THAT OUR DESIRE TO DO THIS THIS TIME AROUND WITH REGARDS TO FULFILLING THE PAYMENT OF THIS PROGRAM NEEDS TO BE PLACED ON HOLD UNTIL AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR SO THAT WE CAN GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS APPROPRIATELY IN ORDER TO GET COUNCIL COMFORTABLE WITH

WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE. >> OKAY. >> NOW IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, THE MEETINGS THAT WE HAVE ON THE 14 THE CAUCUS EXECUTIVE SESSION AT COUNCILMAN I BELIEVE THAT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING IS NOT UNTIL THE 25TH FIRST. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.

NO SIR. >> WE HAVEN'T MET THE 14 15 FINANCE COMMITTEE FINANCE OK.

>> IN ADDITION TO THE OTHERS THAT WE'RE HAVING. OK.

ALL RIGHT. SO THEN IF WE COULD TAKE IT UP THEN MR. RODMAN YEAH.

>> WE'D SEEN THE MEETING THAT IS DONE. THIS IS A VERY, VERY GRAY AREA.

BUT GIVEN THAT WE'VE DONE IT IN THE PAST AND WE'RE GOING TO DO IT WHERE IT REQUIRES TWO THIRDS VOTE, I THINK WE CAN EACH MAKE OUR OWN DECISIONS AND TWO THIRDS OF US VOTE FOR IT WHICH WOULD BE SEVEN OUT OF NINE I BELIEVE MAYBE AT SIX I DON'T KNOW WE'D BE OK BUT I CSA JUST

[01:35:04]

>> I'D LIKE YOU TO TAKE A MOMENT. >> WELL, IT'S DULY MOTIONED IN SECOND. SO UNLESS YOU WITHDRAW YOUR MOTION AND SECOND WE ARE GOING

TO VOTE MR. SOMERVILLE. YEAH. >> I MEAN THIS IS A THIS IS A PERSONAL MATTER AS MUCH AS IT IS ANYTHING ELSE. AND WE'VE ASKED A LOT OF OUR EMPLOYEES THIS YEAR WE'RE CONTINUING TO ASK A LOT OF OUR EMPLOYEES THESE ARE DIFFICULT TIMES AND I JUST CAN'T SEE SLAPPING THEM IN THE FACE ON SOME TECHNICALITY OF ACT THAT

WE WE'VE WE'VE DONE SOMETHING FOR THREE YEARS. >> WE ARE FOR FOUR YEAR.

NOW WE ALWAYS SAID WE WANT TO DO IT DIFFERENTLY AND THEY'RE GONNA BE PENALIZED FOR THAT.

I THINK THAT'S WRONG. I THINK IT'S ALL WRONG. I THINK IT'S BAD FOR EMPLOYEE RELATIONS AND I THINK I THINK WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD ON THIS AND WE CAN WE CAN CROSS OUR T'S

AND DOT THE I'S LATER ON IF THAT'S NECESSARY. >> BUT THE PROBLEM IS IF THE 10TH IS THE CUTOFF DATE FOR THE LAST PAYROLL BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND I THINK WE OUGHT TO GET IT

DONE NOW. >> NOT A NOT I DON'T WANT TO BE THE GOING TO HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO

THE EMPLOYEES. >> OH WELL YOU KNOW, WE DIDN'T LIKE THE WAY IT WAS BEING DONE SO WE OWE WE DRAGGED OUR FEET ON IT. WE WOULD KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD. I DON'T LIKE THAT AT ALL. I DON'T THINK THAT'S I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR OUR EMPLOYEES. I WANT TO SEE IF THE PEOPLE THAT FEEL AND WANT TO VOTE FOR IT, THAT'S FINE. BUT I'M CERTAINLY GRATEFUL FOR

IT. >> QUESTION MR. CHAIRMAN. >> YES, MR RUDD THEN YOU MADE THE MOTION AND MR SOMERVILLE MADE THE SECOND TO DO THIS. SO THE QUESTION HAS NOW BEEN CALLED THE MCCALLION MADE THE SECOND HOUR DELAY. THAT'S CORRECT.

I DID HAVE THAT DOWN THAT WAY AND I THINK IT WAS MR SOMERVILLE.

WE LOOK ALIKE. OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

>> I MEAN I'M NOT I'M READY FOR THE QUESTION BUT I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THIS MOTION BECAUSE OF THE MORALE OF THE EMPLOYEES. I THINK IN THIS DAY AND TIME PROBABLY WE NEED TO UPLIFT THEM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. BUT I WAS SURE APPRECIATE MR. GREENWAY GIVING ME ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBER WHO DESIRE A HISTORY OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED FOR THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS AND HOW THAT DECISION WAS ACTUALLY MADE. MR SOMERVILLE TALKED ABOUT COUNCIL KNOWING THIS IS MY REALLY FIRST TIME KNOWING THIS BUT THE INFORMATION COULD HAVE BEEN SENT TO ME. I JUST DIDN'T GET. SO I APPRECIATE IF YOU WOULD JUST GIVE ME A SUMMARY OF THE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED. I APPRECIATE IT.

THANKS. YEAH. >> YEAH SURE.

WE'RE WORKING ON A COMPREHENSIVE E-MAIL WITH ALL THE BACKUP DOCUMENTS TO SUBSTANTIATE WHAT I'VE TOLD YOU HERE TODAY AND I WILL SEND THAT OUT EITHER LATER TODAY OR TOMORROW AND THAT WILL BE DONE TO ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS BECAUSE ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS NEED TO

KNOW THIS. >> AND AS WE MOVE FORWARD WE'RE GOING TO ASK ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ASKED. OKAY.

I I'M GOING TO MISS YOU. >> I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT. I'M HAVING DIFFICULTY.

CAN YOU HEAR ME ON ON THE PHONE NOW INSTEAD OF ON THE A-LIST? WE COULDN'T WE COULDN'T HEAR

YOU. >> OKAY. >> I AM GOING TO CALL THE ROLL ON THIS ONE TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE TWO THIRDS VOTES. WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN WITH MR.

RODMAN. >> YES. AND I BELIEVE OR TWO THIRDS WOULD BE SIX VOTES. MR. CHAIRMAN, YES FOR ME BECAUSE WE ONLY HAVE NINE

PEOPLE NINE PEOPLE TWO THIRDS OF NINE IS SIX. >> MR. MCKELLEN, YOU WILL BE NEXT. YES, MR. DAWSON BY ALL MEANS. YES, MR. GLOVER.

YES. MR. PURVIS. JOHN.

NO, MISS HOWARD? >> YES. >> DID YOU GET THAT?

>> I DID. MR. LAWSON. THANK YOU.

>> MARK LOSS OF THE S.. >> MR. SOMERVILLE. YES, AND THE CHAIR VOTES YES.

SO WE HAVE ONE TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX, SEVEN. YES.

I'M SORRY. ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT.

YES. AND ONE NO. SO THAT MOTION IS APPROVED.

[EXECUTIVE SESSION ]

MAY I HAVE SUCH MOTION PLEASE? SO SOME MR. CHAIRMAN MR. DAWSON MAKES THE MOTION A SECOND

[01:40:04]

>> IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION WITHOUT ANY DISCUSSION? >> THIS WILL BE APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. I DO NOT SEE ANY OBJECTIONS. THEREFORE WE ARE GOING TO BE INTO CLOSED SESSION. IT IS 242. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LATENESS OF THIS. WE WILL TRYING NOT TO BE IN CLOSED SESSION FOR

MATTERS RISING OUT OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION? >> THERE WILL BE NO ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN AS A RESULT OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE ARE NOW AT ITEM NUMBER 10 WHICH OUR CITIZEN COMMENTS. I DO NOT HAVE CITIZEN COMMENTS. I DO HAVE A COMMENT THAT WAS MADE BY ONE OF OUR COUNCIL PEOPLE THAT I HAVE FORWARDED TO ALL MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.

I DON'T THINK IT'S NECESSARY TO READ THAT YOU HAVE THAT WE DID RECEIVE OR I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM BILL PRO COUGH THE CITY MANAGER OF BEAUFORT WHO SAID THAT THEY WERE WOULD TAKE ACTION TODAY AND THAT THEY WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH US IN THE SHORT TERM ON THESE ISSUES. ANY OTHER COMMENTS THAT ARE OUT THERE BEFORE WE ADJOURN? THIS SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING THAT WE DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY OF OUR SHAREPOINT FORUM OTHER

THAN THE ONES THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TOOK. >> ALL RIGHT.

>> SEEING NO OTHER ACTION TO BE TAKEN. ANY COMMENTS BEFORE WE CLOSE OUT THIS MEETING? WE WILL. WE WILL CLOSE OUT THIS MEETING.

WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF THIS WEBEX MEETING TO GO ON TO THE NEXT MEETING WHICH IS THE COMMUNITY SERVICES MEETING. MR MCKELLEN, I'M SORRY THAT WE WERE A COUPLE MINUTES LATE FOR A MEETING. WHEN WOULD YOU LIKE TO START YOUR MEETING? 315 WOULD BE PERFECT. 315. OK, I THINK THE COUNCIL NEEDS TO BE AWARE THAT THEY WILL SHOW ON YOUR CALENDAR IF YOU USE THAT AS AT THE 2 O'CLOCK

MEETING. SO YEAH. >> SO OK.

ALL RIGHT. SEEING NO FURTHER ACTION, THIS MEETING IS NOW ADJOURNED AND WE WILL SEE YOU AT THE NEXT WEBEX MEETING. PLEASE SIGN INTO THAT ONE

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.