County will fund

Green Business Plan
By Scott Nicholson
nicholson@wataugademocrat.com

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners executed a halfpipe for skating safety Tuesday, agreeing to hire a helmet checker at the local skate park.

The commissioners agreed to require skaters and skateboarders using the county skate park in Boone sign a waiver form, wear pads and helmets, and obey conditions and behavior standards. The site will have an attendant, primarily during non-school hours. The contracted position will cost about $40,000 a year, and skaters must sign up and appear on the attendant’s list in order to skate.

In other business, AppalCART director Chris Turner presented a request to accept a Rural Operating Assistance Program grant from the state, receiving $154,745 for the current fiscal year’s operations. Turner said more funds are likely to be added to extend transportation to people who might not have had services or routes before.

The commissioners approved a change to the county’s solid-waste operations ordinance to allow non-county residents to use the county’s sanitation facilities such as green-box convenience sites and the tipping station at the former landfill. Non-residents must get a permit and pay $125, as well as any tipping fees.

The county will contract with Carolina Cleaning Service for the library’s custodial work, saving the county $14,000 over the cost of hiring an employee. Maintenance director Robert Marsh said there was an open position in the department so no jobs would be lost. The company will clean the library six days a week at a cost of $20,280 per year.

The commissioners agreed to provide stream crossings near Brookshire Park to be incorporated into a future greenway or trail system and aid maintenance. The commissioners also approved a change order for retaining walls, additional blocks, and gravel and concrete for parking lots.

The county will provide funding to the Appalachian State University to operate the Green Business Plan, a certification designed to promote the environmental awareness of the region. The county will provide $25,000 a year for the service.

Architectural firm SfL+A requested additional engineering funds for property originally considered for tennis courts at the new high school, but a project permit was denied by the town of Boone. The request outlined work conducted by the engineering firm to explain the $39,000 charge. The commissioners tabled the request until August.

The commissioners received $238,000 in reduced costs for work at the new high school, with additional work for water and sewer pipes costing $28,000. The change orders were approved, and the commissioners also changed the change-order process to allow on-site approval of changes by the county manager.

Mike Kesterson of Barnhill/Vannoy said the change would allow for rapid approval that would save the county money and also speed up construction progress.

Kesterson said structural steel was being erected, and foundations should be complete by the middle of August. He said concrete has been poured for several areas, and metal-roof installation will begin next week. Steel framework should be in place by September, Kesterson said, placing it a couple of weeks ahead of schedule.

The commissioners also amended the county’s ambulance-service contract with Watauga Medics to reflect previously approved changes in subsidy rates for an additional weekend crew. The contract subsidy is based on the Consumer Price Index.

John Brubaker was appointed to the High Country Work Force Development Board. Cynthia Ball, Joseph Bathanti, Jean Czermak and Tish Rokoske were appointed to the public library board. The commissioners meet next on Aug. 4 at 9 a.m.