[0:00] for the Alageney County Board of Commissioners. At this time, please

[0:04] stand and join us in the pledge of >> allegiance

[0:10] to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it

[0:15] stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice

[0:21] for all. Thank you.

[0:30] All right. On the agenda tonight, we do have a couple of changes under general

[0:35] business. Um, we're going to drop item five

[0:40] for information under the for action section.

[0:44] We're going to be dropping item three and adding an item 11 for Melissa

[0:53] Recctor Alagany motion. So with those changes, I'll entertain a motion to

[0:59] approve the agenda. >> I'll make a motion to approve.

[1:04] » Second. >> Got a motion, a second. Any discussion?

[1:09] All right. All in favor? Show hands. 40. Agenda is approved.

[1:15] All right. In your packets, you have minutes from the 8:17 meeting. That's

[1:22] pages three through nine. Trust that everyone's had a chance to review those.

[1:27] And at this time, we'll take a motion to approve the minutes from the 8:17

[1:31] meeting. >> I make a motion to approve minutes from

[1:34] 8:17 meeting.

[1:37] » Second. >> Got a motion and a second. Any

[1:39] discussion? All right. All in favor? Show of hands.

[1:44] 4. Okay.

[1:49] [clears throat] At this time, we're going to open the floor up for public

[1:52] comments. Anybody in the public that would like to

[1:56] make comments, please come forward at this time. State your name for the

[2:00] audience.

[2:05] Seeing no movement, we'll move ahead to presentations to the board. Uh, Jennifer

[2:11] Green, App Healthcare Communicable Disease Report.

[2:20] [clears throat] [cough]

[2:23] » Good evening. Thank you for

[2:30] » Red is on. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you.

[2:34] » Good. Um, thank you all for having us. Um, I'm here

[2:40] Gonzalez is here to do our uh report on diseases. It's not always the most fun

[2:48] topic, but it's one we try to update you on um every so often so that you can see

[2:54] what's happening in Alageney County and um remind you the work that we do um for

[2:59] [clears throat] public health. So um I'm going to pass her the microphone and and

[3:03] stand aside here. Hi everyone, my name is Karina Martinez

[3:08] Gonzalez. I'm the director of epidemiology communical disease and

[3:11] preparedness throughout healthcare. Next slide.

[3:15] Um so today I'm going to be going over the communical disease burden incidence

[3:18] rate. So how much of a disease is in the community relative to the population,

[3:23] what the local disease landscape looks like here, including diseases that are

[3:27] spread by food and water to diseases and increased outbreaks of preventable

[3:32] diseases. And then we'll talk about emerging trends and what we've been up

[3:35] to with partner collaboration. Next slide. So this is the communicable

[3:39] disease burden by county. So these are the total number of cases

[3:43] [clears throat and cough] that we see across our district that we serve with

[3:46] Alagany in the the blue right there. So in Alagany in 2025 there were 59

[3:52] confirmed communical disease cases for the year. Next slide.

[3:58] So for each of these cases that we see we [clears throat] investigate seven

[4:02] more cases. So we have quite a few number of cases that come in front of us

[4:05] to be investigated. And this number here, the 51.8 is the incidence rate of

[4:12] communicable diseases in Alageney County per 10,000 residents. So that's um

[4:17] adjusted to the size of the population. So for every 10,000 residents, there are

[4:22] 40 or 51.8 communicable disease cases, which is a pretty standard communicable

[4:28] disease rate across the state as compared [clears throat and cough] to

[4:30] other counties. Next slide. So [snorts] this here is the data

[4:35] specific to Alageney County by quarter. Um so you can see here that some of the

[4:40] diseases that we look at areas. So things like tickborn diseases are in the

[4:45] the green colors and you can see that those increase in summer months of

[4:48] course. And then you have entic diseases which are diseases that are spread

[4:52] through food and water. Those are in the the shades of red at the bottom there on

[4:56] the graph. And then sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gorrhea

[5:01] are in the shades of purple at the top. Um as you can see this year we've had a

[5:06] pretty significant tick tick year with Lyme disease rates being pretty high. Um

[5:10] and we've also had a really high interic disease year. So those are diseases that

[5:15] are spread by food and water. So things like campleacter and salmonila and those

[5:19] kind of things which are in the red color. Um but you can see the history of

[5:23] how Lyme disease has increased over the years here. Um and as the tick landscape

[5:28] has changed um so has the interic disease landscape. Next slide.

[5:35] So recently there have been some things that have been um developing in the

[5:40] global landscape that do have local impacts. So um I'm sure you all have

[5:44] heard of Ebola virus. There's a strain of it called bundio virus which is

[5:49] currently having an outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo. and um

[5:54] it's become the most deadly outbreak that they have seen of Ebola virus. Um

[5:58] it's relevant because a couple counties over we have the home of Samaritan's

[6:03] Purse which is one of the the aid organizations that's working at the

[6:08] Ebola treatment units. So we see folks come back from volunteering abroad who

[6:14] have come into contact with people Ebola with Ebola. And so one of the things

[6:18] that we do is monitoring those folks and seeing if they develop symptoms and

[6:22] making sure that they know the proper channels to go through so that we're not

[6:26] um putting other first responders and folks at risk in that process. Um and

[6:31] then in the the last slide that we looked at there were the the bread cases

[6:36] the entic disease cases. So those that spread through food and water and this

[6:40] summer across the state we saw an increase in those of cycllosporasis

[6:44] which was linked to a big outbreak of things like lettuce and parsley and

[6:48] cilantro and all of those um those things that aren't cooked before being

[6:52] served. And so um we did hear see an increase in cycllosporasis cases similar

[6:59] to what we saw at the whole broader state level. Next slide.

[7:09] Oh, the other direction. Oh, the

[7:16] there we go. Um so in terms of what we've been doing

[7:20] about communicable diseases and to on the prevention side of things, we've

[7:24] been doing outreach on um Ebola virus and other viral hemorrhagic fevers with

[7:31] partners just to make sure that everybody is aware of their role, making

[7:34] sure that we all have our policies up to date and all of that. We've been doing a

[7:37] lot of tickorn disease education at health fair. So our community health

[7:40] team has been going out and teaching kids about tick prevention and all of

[7:44] that. And then in our other counties, we've seen an increase in a lechiosis,

[7:48] which is another tickborn disease. Um, and so we've been doing work

[7:51] [clears throat] with providers to make sure that they're aware of that and are

[7:54] testing for that in their tick panels. And then, um, so with communicable

[8:00] diseases that are reportable, it does take a lift on local healthcare

[8:03] providers. And so in order to lessen that lift, we've been working to get

[8:08] access to electronic medical records so that reporting to us is easier. so that

[8:12] folks just need to tell us and not send us over all the records [snorts]

[8:15] and then we can use the electronic medical record to get all the

[8:18] information that we need to decrease the lift on those provers's offices. And

[8:22] then um we've been doing outbreak mitigation collaboration. So that looks

[8:26] a lot of different ways, but um with an increase in measles [clears throat] in

[8:31] the state over the past couple of years, um we we border South Carolina of course

[8:37] and they had a pretty significant measles outbreak that we saw um spread

[8:41] out into North Carolina. And um in order to make sure that we are prepared

[8:46] locally, one of the things that we did was fit test the local school nurses

[8:49] here to make sure that they're prepared and they're not putting themselves at

[8:52] risk if they were to come into contact with somebody who hadn't been vaccinated

[8:57] or um who was symptomatic and potentially infectious with measles. Um

[9:03] so that's everything I have, but that's kind of the the summary of what we've

[9:07] been working on up. Talk about goats. Oh yes. Um,

[9:12] [clears throat] the other thing that has been even more recent than all of this

[9:15] is, um, over a couple weeks ago, there came to light that there was a farm that

[9:21] had, um, some baby goats, kids that they were taking around in a mobile petting

[9:26] zoo that had developed symptoms of rabies. They tested them and they did

[9:30] come back positive for rabies. And so, um, what we have been doing is

[9:36] identifying the families of folks that have been exposed and doing the the risk

[9:40] assessment to see if they need to receive rabies postexposure prophylaxis

[9:44] because, as I'm sure you know, rabies is almost always fatal, but it's also

[9:48] preventable. And so, we've been identifying who needs the postexposure

[9:51] prophylaxis and administering that vaccine. you know, we had four folks in

[9:55] Ash County um who were exposed and then um around 47 in Wata County who were

[10:02] exposed who ended up needing that postexposure prophylaxis which we've

[10:05] been administering at the health department in order to decrease costs

[10:08] for individuals um so they don't have to pay for ER visits every time that they

[10:12] need one of those vaccines in the series. [cough and clears throat]

[10:20] » Any questions? >> Yeah. Um, when you encounter an animal,

[10:26] a wild animal out not acting the way that he should be

[10:31] acting, you know, especially like the skunk, uh, [clears throat]

[10:35] raccoons nowadays and coyotes. If you kill one of these animals, what

[10:41] should you [clears throat] contact the health department, the local vet? How do

[10:46] you, if you suspect something that's wrong? I would contact animal control.

[10:52] They're the ones who do the the processing for testing for us. They're

[10:56] uh most likely to test if it's if it influences whether somebody needs to get

[11:02] the postexposure prophylaxis because if you [snorts] have like a skunk like you

[11:06] said that has [clears throat and cough] someone then if you can determine that

[11:10] that skunk wasn't rapid then the person doesn't need to get all the the rabies

[11:14] shots in the series for postexposure prophylaxis. Um, so in those situations,

[11:19] they're more likely to test, but um, it is always a good idea to [clears throat]

[11:22] call because sometimes they'll want to test even if there isn't human

[11:26] involvement um, [clears throat] if they are seeing a trend in in suspicious

[11:30] activity in animals. >> Yeah. And I'll just add a local vet is a

[11:35] good um, a veterinarian is a is a good resource. Unfortunately, I think that's

[11:40] one of the things that broke down in this mobile petting zoo, you know, um,

[11:44] that did not happen soon enough. Um, consulting a local vet if you have pets

[11:49] that may have been exposed to um, a potentially rabid animal or wild animal

[11:54] is always a good idea. They may need a book of physical

[11:57] [clears throat and cough] disting to consult with the vet to see if they need

[12:00] evaluation. Um, because if they start, you know, um, showing symptoms or even

[12:05] before they do, um, sometimes you you want to monitor for symptoms really

[12:10] carefully if they've been exposed like what happened with the the goats in this

[12:14] case. So, you said we should contact [clears throat] our local animal

[12:20] control.

[12:23] I'm I'm not sure that that's in our policy. It may be. Uh we're going to

[12:29] review our animal control policy, but we need to be sure that that's your

[12:36] recommendation that it's in there.

[12:39] » We'd be happy to work with you all on how we how we've been managing that. Um

[12:45] what we want to do is have the right level of response that doesn't um I

[12:50] think Karina mentioned um we know that the typical species that carry a lot of

[12:56] rabies but what we want to do is focus on where we have risk right if there's

[13:02] someone who's been exposed or someone that might have a farm that's had their

[13:06] animals exposed that's when you want to do a test um for for rabies which um you

[13:13] requires euthanizing an animal um to test because their brain has to be

[13:18] tested. So um it's something you want to take on carefully and I think um David

[13:23] may want to comment more when I cut you off. I just wanted to add

[13:27] [cough and clears throat] willing to continue working with you all

[13:30] as needed to try to coordinate that. >> Yes. So, so animal control will come out

[13:36] and and take care of the um suspected animals who have the possibility of uh

[13:43] rabies, especially if it is bitten someone. Now, if it has bitten someone,

[13:49] the state will normally pay for having that test done. Now, just because an

[13:55] animal is acting strange doesn't necessarily mean that they have rabies,

[14:00] but it's like Jennifer said that if there has been [clears throat] a

[14:04] succession of several different animals and they want to try to do a trend, the

[14:08] state may pay for that um testing to be done, but not always. So

[14:15] just because you think that an animal's not acting right and just want it tested

[14:18] just because um they won't always the state won't always pay for that testing

[14:24] that that falls back on the person who is requesting that to be done. So the

[14:29] public needs to understand that that the state will not pay for every single one.

[14:33] And if you do um euthanize an animal that has bitten someone make sure that

[14:39] you do not shoot them in the head. Uh if you shoot them in the head, then that

[14:42] does away with the possibility of us being able to have them tested because

[14:46] as Jennifer said, the brain is the part that needs to be tested to see if that

[14:51] animal is raid. So, um animal control does do that. We do go and and we will

[14:57] kill the animal. We will dispatch the animal, euthanize it in a humane way,

[15:02] and then we'll we'll send it off. We take it to the local vet. The vet

[15:06] prepares the the the head for uh testing. it's done and and put into a

[15:12] coal storage and then it's sent to the lab. So, um that is part of animal

[15:17] control part that if it is if it is rabid or possibly rabid and it has

[15:22] bitten someone. >> Thank you.

[15:26] » Yeah, good questions. >> Best not to pet something that you just

[15:30] leave it alone. You know, mama's advice still holds true.

[15:36] » Anybody else? Thank you for your time. [clears throat]

[15:40] » We appreciate it. >> Thanks.

[15:44] [snorts]

[15:46] » All right, moving down to general business for information.

[15:51] Rachel Refe and DSS request for approval to establish a statuary case review.

[16:01] » How you doing? >> Good. How are you all

[16:02] » doing? [snorts] My name is Rachel Brown and I

[16:05] am the adult protective services supervisor at AligsSS. Um we are coming

[16:10] before you today in regards to our adult multi-disiplinary cases.

[16:14] [clears throat and cough] This is a team that we have within our

[16:17] agency that consists of a group of professionals that are involved with the

[16:21] adult population together with a commitment of working towards a common

[16:25] goal of protecting the adults within our community. This team typically meets

[16:30] quarterly [clears throat] to identify ways to respond to and prevent abuse,

[16:34] neglect, and exploitation um for the disabled adults within our

[16:39] county. Members are able to share information, resources, identify gaps

[16:45] and deficiencies, and problem solve in order to best serve the adults within

[16:50] our county. At this time, there are three different types of teams that

[16:55] meet. Um there's systematic and limited case review which is currently what we

[17:02] are what our team operates under. Um the systematic review addresses gaps in in

[17:08] services or deficiencies within our county. Um and the limited case review

[17:13] is just limited information that we are able to share about some cases but again

[17:19] it's very limited due to confidentiality reasons and things like that. Um so we

[17:25] are actually coming before you today [clears throat] to request permission to

[17:29] do the statutory case reviews within our team. Um and this is so that members can

[17:35] discuss very specific information on open cases that we have and enable in

[17:41] being able to do such the different community members that we have will be

[17:45] able to share specific information or adults that they might be serving or um

[17:51] other resources that they have so that we can talk more openly and better

[17:57] identify the gaps and deficiencies and the needs of the specific adults that we

[18:02] are working. Um, this is also something that we're requested in part

[18:07] [clears throat and cough] with School of Government as this um, system or the

[18:12] statutory case review was something that was just approved um, back in October of

[18:17] 2025. I think that this would be super helpful for our small county because we

[18:21] are so small and so many of our agencies all work together, but that way that we

[18:26] can share all of this information um and just really better best serve the adults

[18:31] within our community.

[18:36] » Anybody have any questions? Who who all is on that team? Just just

[18:40] [clears throat] social service employees or people in the community?

[18:43] » Yes, sir. It's different agencies within our community who are involved with

[18:47] adults. So it might be like law enforcement um specifically you know the

[18:51] ED and the sheriff's office um is the council on aging. We invite different um

[18:57] branches of banks. Um we also have invited people like the clerk of court

[19:02] um different attorneys who were involved with the adults that we serve. Um it's

[19:07] also people like Alagany in Motion, um the different facilities that are here,

[19:12] the landings, Lotus Village, um just anybody like any agencies that are

[19:17] specifically involved, the health department, the hospital that are

[19:21] involved with the adults that we serve or and it's also a really good

[19:24] opportunity for people to say, "Hey, I have a concern about an adult." And we

[19:29] can kind of talk that through and what that looks like that the different

[19:32] agencies in the community can specifically help with as well. So, so

[19:36] it's not just individuals from the community on it.

[19:38] » No, it's it's representation from different agencies.

[19:42] » Do you have representation from ADAP or the group homes?

[19:46] » Um, I believe so, but we do send out like an

[19:51] email thread of of people that we do invite.

[19:54] » Okay. >> Um, and we can always add to that list

[19:56] too as they are people that we work with as well.

[20:02] » Okay. So, we have uh your request under for information. We'll take this up at

[20:08] our next meeting later this month. >> Thank you. We appreciate it.

[20:13] [clears throat]

[20:18] » All right. Lisa Ashley, Octo [snorts] October 19th board meeting.

[20:22] » So, the meeting for October 19th needs to be moved because of early voting. So,

[20:28] we can have that at 90 South Main.

[20:35] I think that's what we did in the past. We moved back up there.

[20:39] » Yes.

[20:43] » So, that's just an FYI. >> Yeah. That's just for information that

[20:47] that's where we'll move. >> That's where we'll move. Yes.

[20:52] » All right. We'll take that up for action at the next meeting. Um, moving right

[20:57] along to law enforcement surplus vehicle sales.

[21:01] » So, they have two vehicles that they um confiscated years ago, and they're going

[21:07] to be putting those up on gov deals for sale.

[21:11] It's a 2004 GMC pickup and a 2006 Dodge Ram truck with the flatbed.

[21:19] And they've chosen Gov deals.

[21:24] That's just so you know, the first one was a 2004 GMC pickup.

[21:40] [snorts] [clears throat]

[21:44] And so we'll just need a resolution to declare it surplus property at our next

[21:49] meeting. >> I think it already has been

[21:54] Is that how it works? I'm not sure. >> Yeah, I guess we just put it out for bid

[21:58] at the next meeting. >> Well, they're going to put it on the

[22:02] auction site. >> They're going to put it on the auction

[22:04] site and they wanted Yeah. >> Okay.

[22:07] » So, so we we'll take that up. >> It's just for your information.

[22:11] » Yeah. No. Where's this auction site at? You're just

[22:13] » It's gov deals. >> GoDeals.com through the state.

[22:16] » Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah.

[22:19] » Okay. I think [clears throat] I think there's no issue with that as long as we

[22:22] have like a like a working link on our uh social media so folks can see that.

[22:28] Um all right, Aaron Ray Thompkins for the

[22:32] fairgrounds. >> Let me ask one more question.

[22:35] » Oh, sorry. Why don't we take all our county vehicles and put on that?

[22:38] » I mean, we can >> I mean,

[22:41] » we can there's a fee associated with that, I'm pretty sure.

[22:44] » I mean, we're going to reach out a lot further anyway.

[22:46] » Exactly. Yes, we can certainly look into

[22:48] » I mean this could be our test program. >> Yeah, this I mean it be something to

[22:52] look into still to just >> Yeah, definitely.

[22:55] » Everybody ain't going to see the sign out front when they drive by.

[22:57] » Exactly. Or the website. >> Yeah.

[23:03] » How you doing? >> I'm good. How are you?

[23:04] » Doing good, man. Thanks. >> Um so this is for information and

[23:08] actually I had visited with Mr. Sheffley and David Spicer in regards to this. Um

[23:13] but we wanted to make you all aware. um of some conditions and things that are

[23:18] actually impacting the fair grounds. Um and I don't know that I'm necessarily

[23:24] have a specific request that I'm asking tonight. Um it's more offormational so

[23:29] that way you all know um the condition and some things that we've had to work

[23:33] with and going to be working through. Um so if you look this is pictures of the

[23:38] fairgrounds back [snorts] um which would be in May um which is

[23:43] before the first event there. Um there's two main pictures so you can at least

[23:47] see the condition that that the track was left in um after our first event.

[23:52] Then due to mother nature and some other events um I will credit that because it

[23:58] was a rainy season throughout the summer. Um here are pictures from the

[24:03] first event before the second event actually happened going into

[24:10] the second event. Um, and this actually caused a drain to be clogged and it's

[24:14] can still clog that we're trying to get unclogged. Um, and then moving into the

[24:20] third event. Um, so the condition that was left um, after the three events

[24:26] three weeks in a row. Um, however, we've had to have one of our fairgrounds board

[24:30] members go in and drain [snorts] this um, to where it was bad enough. at one

[24:36] point he just about got the bulldozer stuck that was out there um and has had

[24:40] to bring in an excavator. Um and this was after um the a board had spent

[24:47] almost $10,000 last year making improvements to that. Um part of the

[24:52] issues is over time there was a tractor trailer load and a half of sawdust

[24:57] brought in and dumped in that area to absorb some of the water but wasn't

[25:01] removed. Um and so he has now got it to where it's draining better. Um hopefully

[25:08] we'll have the drain cleared out this week um after meeting with him again

[25:11] this morning. Um but more or less just wanted to let you all aware that this is

[25:16] something that the fairgrounds board has been discussing and visiting weekly with

[25:20] the rec department. Um and there's some recommendations that's going to be

[25:24] coming forward to to hopefully try to correct that um to prevent this in the

[25:28] future. Um but the thing is is we can't have people think that this is okay the

[25:32] way to to leave that at the end is the biggest thing. So it's it's not that I

[25:37] have a specific request today other than just providing you all information.

[25:41] » So the people's having an events are not leaving it the way they found it in

[25:44] other words. >> Right.

[25:47] » Do you have a set contractor that's supposed to

[25:50] resurface that area or are they allowed to use whoever they want or what's your

[25:54] what's your framework? they can use whoever they want as far as a

[25:58] contractor. And that's one of the things that that I think we wanted to look at

[26:01] very heavily. Um is you can use whoever you want to build your your track, your

[26:06] pit, whatever you want, [clears throat] but we have one set person that's

[26:10] contracted to clean it up afterwards and it's going to cost they more or less

[26:14] have to pay that at the beginning of the event um to have that established and

[26:18] then that way we have it properly drained which would have prevented some

[26:22] of this here. I'm not say it's all because there was a lot of rain over

[26:25] that period of time and when there was three events back to back to back you

[26:30] couldn't get the event fixed from the first one to get everything straightened

[26:34] up to the second one to then the third >> th this is going to continue to happen

[26:40] when you have an outside event. I mean, you know, we were dry in the s in the

[26:47] early spring, but thank goodness we had those rains to help, but I mean, this is

[26:53] something every time it's used, you know, there's going to be an issue about

[26:58] getting it back the way that it was. And I think part of it is just them

[27:03] understanding that even if it takes them a week, two weeks, three weeks, whatever

[27:08] it takes, that some of that expense may be split of among multiple event

[27:13] holders. >> What are you

[27:18] th >> What are you looking at getting this

[27:20] back to normal? How much money? >> 8 to $10,000.

[27:25] » And you gonna have to have it done before the fair?

[27:28] » It will have to be before the next event. It's just We're fortunate that we

[27:32] have a board member that's has been willing to do this work at this point to

[27:36] to try to correct it. >> So that's that's why.

[27:40] » So it's just for information but awareness, but you know trying to figure

[27:44] out I know that I had visited with with both of y'all and um that way you had a

[27:48] better understanding of what we were working with. So

[27:51] » do you plan to assess the the users an equal share of that fee? So that's what

[28:00] we had proposed initially and sort of brought to the table with them and um

[28:04] and had because the recreation department is the department that

[28:07] handles that um we had let them sort of discuss that at this point but that's

[28:13] something that we'll have to have some further conversations even though we had

[28:18] approached that to begin with. >> Okay. Well, it it's our largest outdoor

[28:25] uh facility and if you notice the crowds that you've

[28:29] drawn this year Oh, yeah. >> They've been unbelievable.

[28:33] » So, we need to do whatever we need to do to keep that facility open, some more

[28:40] more people will start using it. >> Exactly. And that's what we're trying to

[28:43] prevent because what we don't want to have happen is somebody that rented the

[28:46] facility come in and stop using it because of getting it in this shape. You

[28:53] know what I'm saying? Because if somebody would have been in the shape of

[28:55] having to fix it from from this last one other than the a board itself. Um so

[29:01] that's where we are on that. It's it's trying to create it the usability for as

[29:06] many individuals as possible. >> Yeah. and good when when somebody talks

[29:11] about they had a good experience here then another people may start using it

[29:17] but if they go back and say it was nothing but a mud hole they're not going

[29:21] to be that anxious to come back. >> No. And I think if we have one person as

[29:27] you would ask um Harrison fix it every time I think that will help especially

[29:32] with some of the drainage because as you see here this is not going to drain is

[29:36] the biggest issue that we're trying to correct.

[29:38] » Are we hauling that sawdust off somewhere or just piling it up out

[29:41] there? >> Um so the last event last two events

[29:45] didn't do anything with it and left it in the track.

[29:47] » Um so they've had to pile it up. They've had to pile it up to be able to start

[29:51] working on it. Um, and that's one thing that I think is going to have to be

[29:55] required. Um, is if that's brought in, it's got to be removed. Um, because when

[30:00] you're looking at two tractor trailer loads of sawdust brought in this year,

[30:04] um, part of it was dumped in other places, but that doesn't necessarily

[30:07] help us long term. >> Mr. Shley,

[30:11] » yes, Erin Ray, we appreciate all you do with the with in all the fields,

[30:15] different fields that you're involved. Um, is there a a set fee that these

[30:21] users of the park have to have to pay if they don't um do what needs to be done

[30:27] when they when they leave? >> Um, there is a deposit, but there's

[30:30] nothing there's some rewarding that needs to happen in that contract. Okay.

[30:35] um a after we have reviewed that um and feel like we need to to explore that

[30:39] some more and have that in place for the next season because at this point we're

[30:43] already too far in this season to change anything unfortunately um and this is

[30:47] something that we will have to work towards and have it in place to to work

[30:51] for next year. The other question I have is uh in your in the planning between

[30:57] the uh the fairgrounds and the recreation department

[31:01] when you get in these situations, what was the plan on how to remedy it? What

[31:06] would be the way that it got got fixed? >> If nobody if if one of the vendors came

[31:11] in and just didn't do anything when they were done,

[31:14] » right? And that's one of the things that [clears throat] we want to try to to

[31:16] improve and have that if we had one person that that more or less cleans

[31:20] that up at the end and that's already those funds are already secured before

[31:23] the event. >> I think that will be much easier.

[31:26] » Okay. So you're suggesting as part of the

[31:30] application process or or built you build it into the fee structure to where

[31:35] there's already a cleanup fee or deposit involved right off the bat. Okay.

[31:40] Is there a specific action that you need from the board before the a fair?

[31:45] » No. To get this done >> at this point? No, because we have to

[31:48] It's more of a I hate to say it, but it's more of afterthought because we had

[31:52] already signed a $20,000 contract um just with the pull. So, some of those

[31:57] things have to be in place no matter what, even the the time frame. And we

[32:02] just wanted to make you all more aware at this point than anything else. Um and

[32:07] there will be some follow-up discussions. Um but we also have time to

[32:11] work towards. >> Anybody else?

[32:15] » Thank you, sir.

[32:23] » All right, we've dropped item five. We'll move to Heather Klein, our county

[32:28] attorney. Okay. So, I recently had a conversation with uh Trey Fusher who's

[32:35] with the state and we've worked with him for several years now um in regards to

[32:42] grants that we have against our properties. Um there are multiple grants

[32:46] that we have and we worked with him in regards to the pool um trying to get the

[32:55] pool declared um basically unusable and that we can't

[33:00] do anything with it. It's a lot more complicated than we thought it was going

[33:04] to be in order to make that happen. Um it's called obsolete uh in regards to

[33:10] the the grants that we have. But we have state grants and we have federal grants.

[33:15] Um a lot of our grants are on Sam Brown Mountain um property, but we have other

[33:20] ones, Veterans Park. Um and then I think we have one on um Davis Field um which

[33:27] is part of Sam Brown. Um, so in our conversations, um, we we've discussed

[33:35] trading out properties with the school system, uh, for some of our ball fields

[33:39] and some other things so we can get additional grants. And we've done some

[33:43] surveying. We've, um, talked to the school about what potentially we could

[33:48] do um, also in regards to their barn that is on the Sam Brown property. And

[33:55] so I went back to uh Trey and said, "Hey, this is what we were thinking

[34:00] about doing." And Trey said, "Well, it's a little more

[34:04] complicated than we just thought about trading out where we would have to have

[34:08] a survey and we would have to have an appraisal of the properties that we were

[34:11] going to trade to make it even so that we [snorts] could take a grant off of a

[34:17] property and then add it to one that we might obtain so that the school might be

[34:21] able to have property that didn't have a grant on it." Um, I think that's in

[34:25] violation of our grants to the county. So, um, unfortunately, Trey said, "Well,

[34:31] it's not as easy as, um, as we might think." He said, "Because a couple of

[34:36] the properties that we're asking to swap out have a federal component to them,

[34:43] not just a state component." And because they have the federal um he said that we

[34:50] would have to get approval from the state to begin with, but then we would

[34:53] have to go through the federal process. And he said the federal process is very

[34:57] long. Um, so it's something that we we probably should get together and maybe

[35:04] even do a work session on or something um to talk about all the properties that

[35:09] we have grants on, what portions of those properties we might be thinking

[35:13] about trading out and get a handle on what do we have surveys on and what do

[35:19] we have appraisals on, what might we need to do in order to, you know, get a

[35:24] proposal together to send to Trey. Um he did send me an application

[35:31] um and some requirements in a sheet that said what we needed to do. It it's going

[35:37] to be complicated. Um we thought that it wasn't going to be as as hard to

[35:43] accomplish and all that we had to do was some surveying and some appraisals. Um,

[35:49] but that was I don't know maybe the explanation coming from the state was a

[35:53] little bit inadequate and Trey is correcting us letting us know it's going

[35:58] to be much more lengthy and difficult. He said the state approval is pretty

[36:02] easy. That's not really the big issue. Um, it's dealing with the federal

[36:06] government to get a release of property that might be under one of the grants

[36:11] that was approved through uh the federal government. That is the hard part. Um,

[36:17] so one of the other things that I wanted to mention that I did get a copy of um,

[36:23] a while back from him, uh, one of the grants that we have, uh, it's called the

[36:28] Sam Brown, um, park ball field. That one does expire December 25th of 2027.

[36:37] And we have the Duncan Recreation Center renovations grant. Um, that one expires

[36:43] 2034. And we have the Sparta Parkway Park and

[36:48] that expires in March of 2040. So the federal grants are permanent. Um

[36:56] I don't know of any of them that expire. So the state grants are the ones that

[36:59] might expire. Um federals are permanent. So which is why we have to go through

[37:04] the state to get a release and then go to the federal government to get a

[37:08] release. So those were just three, but those were state ones that we have. and

[37:13] some portions of our property might include some of those grants and then a

[37:18] part of the federal. So, so not as easy as we think and it's maybe a multi-year

[37:23] process, unfortunately.

[37:27] » Certainly not what we wanted to hear. >> No.

[37:31] » Would you be open to to doing a work session around the the first of Octo the

[37:35] first week of October? Yeah, depending on everybody's schedule,

[37:39] I think we need to look at the properties and the grants.

[37:43] » I think we have a a preliminary work schedule for the animal control.

[37:51] This would be, you know, used to we could do two things at one time. and uh

[37:59] the Duncan Recreation, the swimming pool is the main one, but also the barn that

[38:06] is on the county property. And like you said before, the county is liable if

[38:14] somebody gets hurt at that barn. And you know, those are the ones we've been

[38:19] trying to work on for four, five, six years now.

[38:24] » Yeah. We have more than that too because the tennis courts are also um an issue

[38:29] for us because they were transferred to the school system in 2019 and that's not

[38:35] allowable under the grants. So we have a lot of issues to work through

[38:40] and and Trey did say that that we're not under any scrutiny at this point because

[38:45] we're trying to work towards a solution for several of our grants and the issues

[38:50] we have with the properties. So, we're not under any timeline. We're not under

[38:55] a crunch. Um, we recognize there's some issues that we have to take care of.

[38:59] It's just going to take a while. >> Well, you mentioned about the swimming

[39:05] pool being somebody has to say it's not usable or is that our our inspection

[39:12] department? Is that a who who does that? >> So, we've already been through that

[39:17] process. Um, we declared it obsolete. Uh, we had a public hearing. Uh, we did

[39:25] ran a notice in the paper. Um, we did send that to the state, send it to Trey.

[39:30] Um, but the state rejected it and we need to work with Trey in order to go

[39:37] either potentially back through that process. It's just another one on our

[39:42] list because they understood what the problem was, but I don't know if they

[39:48] want us to present it differently. I don't know if they want to trade

[39:52] property. I I'm I wasn't really clear on why they rejected it. Um, but that's

[39:58] something we're going to have to work with Trey on again to go through that

[40:01] process and maybe do it slightly differently in order to get it declared

[40:06] obsolete. Well, there was something in the grant about an earthquake.

[40:12] You know, that was one of the reasons that it couldn't be used and that was

[40:17] highly affected by the earthquake. >> I know. But they rejected

[40:23] our request to declare it obsolete. And it's just something we're going to have

[40:27] to work on and maybe maybe have more in our in our request. Um I wasn't very um

[40:34] clear on why they rejected it. Like they didn't send a letter saying we're not

[40:38] going to give it. It just was Trey calling me to say they've they've

[40:42] rejected it and then we're going to have to work on it.

[40:46] » That That's the government [laughter] >> question.

[40:52] Chairman, um so do we know how many federal grants we have that's tied to

[40:57] that? Trey has told me um I these are the state one two three four

[41:06] there's five five state I think there were two or three federal

[41:14] and I have copies of all of them they're they're lengthy um and a lot of them are

[41:19] old they're not new uh grants that we've received from the federal government the

[41:25] the state grants are the newer ones um Hardiff and um LWCF, but the the federal

[41:32] grants are the older ones that were received

[41:36] probably 40 maybe even 50 years ago. So they're the ones that once they were

[41:41] attached to the property, they it made it permanent.

[41:44] » And one of those grants, if I may, one of those grants was just for $68,000

[41:53] that we got from the feds that we had to match. So that's $68,000 [laughter]

[42:00] stretched out over 30 or 40 years >> permanent.

[42:04] » Yeah. >> Yeah. You're [snorts]

[42:07] » and now to change the use of that property, you have to go through the

[42:11] state to recognize that you need to change based on the state grant that we

[42:15] have, but then you have to then go to the federal government to get a release

[42:20] even for an acre of property that you're talking about potentially switching or a

[42:25] couple acres. it the size doesn't matter. It's the fact that it's under a

[42:29] grant and that's that's the issue. >> So, I mean, this is a good lesson that

[42:34] people always say, well, apply for a grant, get a grant,

[42:38] » you've got to read the fine print in that grant. It may look good on the

[42:44] surface, but just like you've got five or six or seven problems here,

[42:51] » not all of them are a problem, but because we want to do some maneuvering

[42:55] with the property in order to get a better recreational use for the

[42:59] community um and the public, that's where we've run into the complication

[43:04] because it's not easy to make that change. Definitely it's not easy to

[43:08] switch the property out of our names and we've done that one time and we weren't

[43:13] legally allowed to do that. So, and I think it probably is because there's no

[43:20] until recently within the last five years, we didn't know all of the grants

[43:24] that we had. We didn't have a centralized place that we could look to

[43:28] say, oh, we have these grants on these properties. And I I think that that is a

[43:32] bit of a problem and we probably need to put something on public record to

[43:36] recognize the properties and the grants that are associated with each of them so

[43:41] that we don't have to worry where's that paperwork.

[43:45] It's on public record that we have a grant on a specific property or

[43:49] multiples. And then that way anybody that would come after us, it's on public

[43:54] record. You could just do a search for the county and you could find that

[43:57] information. Any

[44:02] other questions? >> Do we have a preliminary date set for a

[44:07] work session at this point in time? Okay. Um maybe we can get everybody on

[44:14] the same page at some point this week or next and start looking at everybody's

[44:18] availability for the first or second week of October. Um hopefully 30 days

[44:22] will be enough time to give every give everybody time to do the research they

[44:26] need to have a productive work session. Um, all right. Uh, last on the list for

[44:34] general business information is our tax administrator, Rita Miller.

[44:42] [cough and clears throat] [snorts]

[44:44] » Good evening. >> Candace is going to hand out to each of

[44:47] you. Um, thank you for listening to our update.

[44:52] » Thank you. Mr. Shley had asked me to provide the board with a legislative

[44:57] update. Um, so tonight I'm presenting this brief on major property tax bills

[45:03] that were introduced during the 2026 session of the North Carolina General

[45:08] Assembly. As you know, rising property values across the state have driven some

[45:14] intense legislative interest in property tax reform, more than I've ever seen in

[45:19] my career. Um the handout she gave you outlines just a few of those bills, but

[45:24] tonight I'm going to focus on three of those bills. After talking with u my

[45:29] counterparts with the assessors association, we have we have a

[45:33] legislative committee that's part of the North Carolina Assessors Association.

[45:38] And so I've talked with them and they agree that these three are the most

[45:43] prominent at this time. So session law 2026-5

[45:49] is the proposed constitutional amendment and this will appear on the November

[45:54] 2026 ballot. If approved by the voters, it will grant the general assembly

[45:59] authority to enact laws limiting the amount of which the levy on property tax

[46:05] may increase which may include exceptions.

[46:10] and the current language, the way it's was written is not specific on how those

[46:15] future tax caps can be implemented. Um, it does signal a profound shift in the

[46:21] authority, shifting the authority from the local boards to the state level on

[46:27] how your property taxes can be spent. Um, as on a fiscal outlook, [snorts] of

[46:33] course, property tax in Alagany is our primary source of revenue.

[46:38] um and state imposed limits could result in um local budget stability and flex

[46:44] flexibility. And

[46:48] interestingly enough, late this afternoon, Chris Mclofflin with the

[46:52] School of Government sent out um a a blog and it's the the law blogs. I don't

[46:57] know if you saw it yet or not, but I just I'll read you just a little bit of

[47:01] what he had put in his um publication today. So he says the proposed amendment

[47:08] grants the general assembly discretion to decide what type of limit on property

[47:13] tax increases it wishes to adopt. Presumably the general assembly could

[47:18] satisfy the proposed amendment by adopting a limit on appraised values.

[47:24] For an example, Florida limits the increase in tax appraisals for primary

[47:29] residents to 3%. Or they could adopt something on

[47:33] [snorts] tax rates. Um the example he gave that was South Carolina limits the

[47:39] increase in local tax rates to the percentage increase in population plus

[47:44] inflation. That sounds easy to do that or the total tax levy for example New

[47:51] York limits the increase in [snorts] local property tax levies to 2%.

[47:57] Overall, the general assembly would attain retain the discretion as to the

[48:02] timing of any prop property tax limitations. It could do it immediately

[48:07] or it could do it not not at all. It would be up to them. So, and then this

[48:13] is actually something I I did not realize until the this came today. said,

[48:18] he says, "Remember that a constitutional amendment is not required for the

[48:22] general assembly to enact limits on local property taxes. It already has the

[48:28] authority to enact tax limits because our state constitution contains no

[48:34] language which prohibits such legislation.

[48:39] So that's that. basically um if it's on the ballot for the state to enact

[48:46] something and we just don't know what that thing is yet.

[48:50] So the next one is Senate Bill 349. It's the elderly or disabled property tax

[48:56] exclusion. Um this is one bill that is fully endorsed by the North Carolina

[49:02] Association of Assessing Officers. This bill seeks to increase the income

[49:07] eligibility thresholds for elderly and disabled property owners. It also does

[49:13] away with a deferred tax um caveat in the circuit breaker [snorts] exclusion.

[49:20] Circuit breaker exclusion has not been very popular through the state. There

[49:24] are very few counties who have residents who have taken advantage of that. We

[49:28] don't have any in Alageney [snorts] that have done that because of that

[49:33] deferred tax. it basically defers the tax to your parents. So, we've not had

[49:38] any property owners that that wanted to um do that. Um just for the board and

[49:44] for the citizens information, and this is a program that Candace is over, the

[49:50] elderly and disabled income limit for 2027 is 39,900.

[49:56] The circuit breaker [laughter] is 59,850.

[49:59] So, as you can see, in today's time, 399 is is pretty low for a household. So, I

[50:06] I fully agree that those limits need to be raised so that we can get more of our

[50:11] vulnerable demographic enrolled in some of these programs.

[50:15] So, what this bill would do, it would expand tax relief to our vulnerable

[50:20] demographics. It would require additional public outreach on the tax

[50:25] office's part, on the board's part, and it would increase some of the processing

[50:30] within the tax office. Um, but if it gives relief to some of our more

[50:35] vulnerable citizens, then, you know, we're we're all willing to do that.

[50:41] The last one I wanted to point out that's getting a lot of discussion is

[50:45] Senate Bill 992 called Truth and Taxation. This bill mandates strict

[50:51] transparency protocols whenever a local governing body intends to adopt a tax

[50:56] rate exceeding the revenue neutral tax rate in a reappraisal year, which you

[51:02] know 2027 next year is our reappraisal year. Local governments would be legally

[51:08] required to publish their intent to exceed the revenue neutral tax rate by

[51:14] local newspapers or government websites and individual direct mail notifications

[51:20] to all county property owners. So while this bill is [snorts] designed to

[51:25] increase public transparency, the I guess the one opposition us as tax

[51:31] folks have is that mandatory direct mail notification. Postage is one of my

[51:38] biggest line items. It's very expensive. Um, so this bill the way it's written

[51:44] now, the county would be responsible for notifying all the county property

[51:49] owners, but we are also the way it's written responsible for also notifying

[51:54] all the municipal property owners. So it's kind of a double whammy for the

[51:59] county, but for those listening that don't know what a revenue neutral tax

[52:03] rate is, I wanted to explain that. So that is the tax rate that we estimate to

[52:10] produce the same revenue for the next fiscal year as the current fiscal year

[52:15] adjusted for growth as if no reappraisal had occurred. So basically that's saying

[52:21] when we start the budget process next year we're going to know hopefully what

[52:25] our new values are. Hopefully we're done with board of VNR and all the hearings

[52:29] and all that. So we know the value we're looking at. So we've got to estimate

[52:34] what the tax rate would be using those known values to come up with the same

[52:39] levy we had this year. So it's kind of a difficult process. Um but that that is

[52:46] what revenue neutral means and that's only in the year you do a re a reappra.

[52:50] [snorts] So, in closing, I I just want to let you

[52:56] know that as your tax collector, I fully understand the financial burden that

[53:00] rising property taxes places on our citizens. [snorts] I support any measure

[53:05] to promote fair and equitable taxes. I fully support an increase in thresholds

[53:11] for the elderly and disabled property tax exclusion and expansion of the

[53:16] disabled veterans property tax exclusion. I didn't cover any of those

[53:20] tonight. There are several of those out there. There's not any one that's kind

[53:24] of in the lead, so to speak, right now for [clears throat] for veterans.

[53:30] But as a member of the county budget committee, I have to kind of put on

[53:33] another hat because I also have to look at the reality of these changes. If the

[53:38] constitutional amendment passes in November, the resulting limits could

[53:42] constrain our local budget, [snorts] potentially impacting our ability to

[53:47] fund county services. So, they're two different hats. I have to put on with

[53:51] with this this particular amendment. But my office will continue to closely

[53:57] monitor these legislative developments and keep this board informed as policies

[54:01] take taken force and take shape. Mr. Sheffley forwards me things he gets um

[54:07] through the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners. I know y'all

[54:11] watch here that website. It's full of good information on all of these bills.

[54:15] And then um every Monday at 3 o'clock I have an assessor's um Zoom call where we

[54:22] discuss all of this, what's happening in the legislation this week. What do they

[54:26] think's gaining ground? What's not? So we will try our best to keep everybody

[54:31] informed. Like I said, property tax has got the most attention right now that

[54:36] I've ever seen. I'd be glad to answer any questions that I can't answer. And

[54:41] if you have questions later, just contact me.

[54:45] All right, Mr. Owen has a question, please.

[54:48] » In I guess state bill 128 143,

[54:54] it mentions that disabled veteran, but then [snorts] you go down to 228

[55:00] and it says veterans disability rating. >> But the first two, 128, 143 doesn't give

[55:09] a rating. So if you're 10% or 90%. >> So none of those bills have passed.

[55:18] They've all been introduced. There are many bills. This is just a few

[55:22] of the ones that [snorts] are introduced, but there are a lot um about

[55:27] veterans and providing property tax relief for veterans. That's just a few

[55:31] of the the language in different bills. Now, which one gains momentum and gets

[55:36] passed, you know, that's not for me to say, but that's just language and some

[55:40] of the different bills that have been um put before the

[55:44] » So, not all of them depend on your rating of your disability.

[55:50] » That's just that. Okay. That's just language and that one bill. And for you

[55:56] to verify it, do you go through the veteran service officer or how do you

[56:02] verify a veteran gets a a rating or gets a discount? So right now the only the

[56:10] only law on the books about veterans is the veterans exemption and it states

[56:16] they have to be 100% totally service related disabled and that is a a form or

[56:24] application that the veteran service officer has to sign. They're the one who

[56:28] has to verify that information and [snorts] then he signs off on it and we

[56:33] process that application. >> Okay. Thank you.

[56:36] » You're very welcome. Anybody [clears throat]

[56:38] else? >> Thanks.

[56:40] » Um, yes. Uh, Mr. Chairman, um, this county is very lucky to have Rita in the

[56:46] role that she's in and she's extremely knowledgeable and I would, you know, I

[56:51] would put her up against any any person that has her role in the state of North

[56:56] Carolina that I've interacted with. She's proactive, you know, thinking

[57:00] ahead. um she's absorbed the information that they're sending to me at from

[57:06] [snorts] NCAACC and has looked into it and and

[57:11] participates in activities that bond together her with

[57:16] the other people that have the same role that she has so that we can be as

[57:21] prepared as possible for the future. The worst thing that could happen,

[57:25] I guess it depends on how you look at at government. So it might be, you know,

[57:30] you could argue it on either side, but if you had, let's say that they said uh

[57:35] no increase in your total revenue from one year to the next, then you would

[57:41] every year you would lose at least the inflationary gap. You know, you would

[57:46] lose at least three or 4% of your of your buying power with the same amount

[57:50] of money. So you would have to logically continually cut. Now, if they included

[57:56] like I think you mentioned that uh a couple of the places have like an

[58:00] inflationary increase recommended

[58:05] » 3% or something something along those lines. If you were in that 3 to 4%

[58:10] range, you could stay pretty much even and keep up with the inflationary costs,

[58:15] particularly with things happening with gas and and that sort of thing. is, you

[58:19] know, we do have some elements of what we do that are affected by the use of

[58:24] gas. Um, so it's something that everyone's looking at. And you know,

[58:30] it's hard to argue against to the citizens about saying, listen, we're

[58:34] going to limit the amount that you're taxed. You just have to think about what

[58:38] happens on the other end of that and make sure you're prepared for both sides

[58:43] of that. you know that the fact that you'll you could have to cut services

[58:47] down the line. We're prepared to do whatever the the people want. Uh but

[58:52] it's just important to understand the overall picture.

[58:57] » And I do try to pay very close attention. We're a small county. We're

[59:01] not a wealthy county. We we don't have, you know, dollars to just go here and

[59:07] there. So, I do try to pay very close attention [snorts] the legislature and

[59:11] what's going on. And we get when when they're in session, it's daily that we

[59:16] get requests. Tell us what this would do to your overall tax base. Tell us what

[59:21] this would do. How much money would you lose if this law got passed? So, it's a

[59:25] daily thing that you're you're running reports and sending down to my

[59:30] association's legislative [snorts] group. So, we do I do pay close

[59:34] attention. >> Mr. Did you have some?

[59:38] » No, I don't. I just They don't want to hear from me what I think about the

[59:41] state >> taking our control, but it's all good. I

[59:46] think glass half full tight deal. Um, we did

[59:51] get a have a visit from a representative uh last week I think and

[59:58] he he doesn't have answers like what specifically is going to be in the

[1:00:03] writing even if the constitution [clears throat]

[1:00:05] [snorts] amendment is put in which is I think is so stupid like why you why is

[1:00:11] the they coming up with these why are they coming up with these new ideas of

[1:00:17] laws I do not understand he explained that what the problem is. There is some

[1:00:22] areas that are getting running rampant about how they tax people. So, I get

[1:00:27] that. But he also pointed out that his group of counties all does a great job

[1:00:33] of that. And he was always wondering like why, you know, we're going to put

[1:00:38] this on the backs of the smaller counties that does a good job on our tax

[1:00:42] rates and just so we can get the other stuff which is collateral damage really.

[1:00:48] But my question is the common sense part of it is we deal

[1:00:54] with strung out budget stuff from the state takes them forever to pass a

[1:01:00] budget but they can spin off a hundred different laws that creates problems in

[1:01:05] county. So I I don't have a lot of things but it it is what it is. But I

[1:01:11] really believe that uh when it first they started I actually

[1:01:16] we went down and visited them at the legislature um building on the

[1:01:21] legislature days and did talk to Mr. Picket a little bit about that and he

[1:01:25] really felt like that once they got into this that they would be some um but

[1:01:32] there's no promise of that. There's no guarantee that that there would be some

[1:01:35] great, you know, some things uh for the smaller [snorts] uh lesser tax base

[1:01:40] areas that would have a little bit more playroom than than some of the other

[1:01:45] things. But there's still no writing in there to say that specifically. So,

[1:01:49] we're all just waiting, I guess. But I guess my first thing is

[1:01:57] I mean I'm not campaigning about it, but say no with the with the with the uh the

[1:02:04] uh constitution amendment. I mean you the state does not need any more power

[1:02:10] than they have. I mean, um, you know, I I think they tie our hands a lot from

[1:02:17] counties and it's harder for us, as you say, because we're a to some degree a

[1:02:22] poor county that doesn't have a very large tax base and everything that they

[1:02:27] do really hurts us. So, you know, if they want to go play with all those

[1:02:32] other counties, fine, but leave us alone. That's what I say. Well, there's

[1:02:35] a lot of people in this county here, you know, thinks the county's got too much

[1:02:39] control. Not only the state address some of the taxpayers

[1:02:44] is, you know, barely making it. That's all I got.

[1:02:49] Maybe they need to send Rita to the general legislator, let her straighten

[1:02:54] them out. [snorts] She's a walking encyclopedia on taxes.

[1:02:59] You're welcome to come up any August and there are people who really struggle.

[1:03:05] » Exactly. >> And you know it it weighs heavily on us.

[1:03:09] » So I'm for fair and equitable but

[1:03:15] we want to know what the rules are before we start the game.

[1:03:18] » Yeah.

[1:03:21] Thank you for your time. We appreciate it.

[1:03:26] » All right. That concludes general business for information. Uh at this

[1:03:32] time it's 7:04 p.m. I'm going to call 5m minute recess before we move into full

[1:03:37] action.

[1:03:40] We'll reconvene at 710. >> Text

[1:03:49] said good.

[1:03:56] » [snorts]

[1:04:08] » We was just getting going good.

[1:10:46] All right, we're going to call the meeting back to order

[1:10:50] and [snorts] start on our general business for action section. And we're

[1:10:53] going to start with Miley Delt, admin education coordinator for Alagany Soil

[1:10:58] and Water. >> Now, which one's going to talk? It'll be

[1:11:03] him today. Good evening everybody. Um, last time I was here, I came to you

[1:11:08] asking for approval for an out of state conference. Um, it's the SECDA meeting.

[1:11:13] Educators come from all over the Southeast to go over um their programs

[1:11:18] and things that can make it better. So, in previous years that we've done this,

[1:11:22] we actually got the book barn idea, which is in every school now. Um, and

[1:11:26] then we've put different a books into the book barns. So, I'm just asking for

[1:11:30] approval to go to that this year. >> I'd make a motion to approve. We've done

[1:11:35] this in the past. >> Second.

[1:11:38] » Got a motion in a second. Any discussion?

[1:11:41] » All right. Show of hands in favor. [clears throat]

[1:11:44] » 40. You're good to go.

[1:11:47] » Thank y'all. >> Thank you.

[1:11:53] » All right. [snorts] Aaron Ray, you're up again. board member change for the egg

[1:11:58] board. >> All right. Good afternoon. So, I have a

[1:12:00] different hat on this time at the podium. Um, and this is coming as far as

[1:12:04] uh from the extension office and the Alagany egg board. Um, so this request

[1:12:08] will actually be >> [snorts]

[1:12:10] » um something that we had brought to you last time as far as Stacy Barker to

[1:12:15] finish out the term of Maggie Osborne. So,

[1:12:18] » I'll make a motion to approve. >> Second.

[1:12:21] » A motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Show hands. 40.

[1:12:27] » Thank you very much. >> Thank you, sir.

[1:12:33] We have dropped item three. Next, we'll move to Lisa Ashley for

[1:12:40] approval of the fuel contract. So you have in front of you the uh

[1:12:45] contracts that were not contracts but the the bids that were submitted

[1:12:52] and you can see on those uh one vendor did

[1:12:58] not submit a bid for certain items and one vendor submitted for everything.

[1:13:09] So, I just ask uh you guys to approve who you want the contract to go to.

[1:13:19] [clears throat]

[1:13:21] [cough] >> Any discussion from admin?

[1:13:25] » I'm going to make a motion go with every one the one vendor is going to do it

[1:13:29] all. Less headaches. >> We have a motion on the floor.

[1:13:34] » Second. >> And a second. Any discussion?

[1:13:38] All right. All in favor show I hand. 4 Z for Hometown Oil.

[1:13:46] [cough]

[1:13:50] All right, David Spicer, fire contracts. So, as you all know, um we've been

[1:13:57] working on this fire contract for quite some time now. Um we have met with the

[1:14:03] fire chiefs and some of the board members uh to get some insight on things

[1:14:10] that they wanted to change. So we have come up with the correct wording as of

[1:14:16] uh now um with the fire contract. They have all come forward and I think

[1:14:22] they're all good with that then now. So then that went back to Heather and uh

[1:14:27] Heather reviewed that and we had to change just a couple of things, but

[1:14:32] there were some things that we absolutely had to leave in there. So we

[1:14:37] had to do those things. U but right now this is the finished product. So this is

[1:14:42] ready for you all's approval tonight and then we'll send it out and start getting

[1:14:47] them signed. >> So the chiefs have reviewed this

[1:14:51] version. >> Yes.

[1:14:52] » Okay. All right. At this time, we'll entertain a motion.

[1:14:56] » I make a motion that we u approve the CO fair approval for the fair contract.

[1:15:07] » Second. >> All right. Got a motion, a second. Any

[1:15:09] discussion? >> And I'm assuming that Heather's been

[1:15:13] through it front to back, back to front. All right. All in favor, show hands. 4.

[1:15:22] » Thank you. April H

[1:15:27] fire tax funds. >> Okay, just have a couple of things from

[1:15:32] finance. The first one is a budget amendment to pay out the fire tax funds,

[1:15:35] the additional funds received and that should be for fiscal year 2526.

[1:15:42] Um I used a template so under revenues it says fiscal year 23 24 but it is

[1:15:47] 2526.

[1:15:52] So this is from last year. >> Yes. This is additional revenue that

[1:15:57] came in last year for the fire departments. We wait on all the

[1:16:01] collections to be done upstairs and reconciliation. Then it comes downstairs

[1:16:06] and these will actually be paid out this week.

[1:16:09] » I got another question about the fire. How's Glade Creek doing on coming up

[1:16:13] here making us look at their books? >> Uh they're actually emailing them to me

[1:16:18] and I have them tonight if you want to see them. There's there's everything's

[1:16:21] fine. I mean, no dollar lease month on the house or here.

[1:16:27] » It's been insurance, fuel, and propane. >> That's all I got.

[1:16:34] » I make a motion to approve the budget amendment, a fair tax fund 2526

[1:16:41] year. >> Second.

[1:16:43] » All right. Got a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? A show of

[1:16:48] hands 4. All right, moving along to DSS.

[1:16:54] » Okay, the next one is a line item transfer for DSS just for $200 and this

[1:16:58] is for last year also. >> I'll make a motion to approve. Second

[1:17:05] motion and a second. Any [clears throat] discussion?

[1:17:08] All in favor show hands. 4. That's approved.

[1:17:14] And the final line item transfer for recreation.

[1:17:18] » Yeah. And it's actually a budget amendment for recreation. They received

[1:17:22] uh some sponsorship money to help with uniform cost. So we just need to receive

[1:17:27] that revenue and budget that so they can spend that on the uniforms.

[1:17:33] » Motion to approve. Second. Motion a second. Any discussion? All in favor

[1:17:39] show hands. 4. [clears throat]

[1:17:43] » Thank you. All right. Thank you. That'll wrap that part up. Miss Ber for human

[1:17:48] resources. Okay. DSS. >> Good evening. My first request this

[1:17:54] afternoon is for a one time approval for a service credit enhancement. And that

[1:17:59] would be for $1,300 per five years of service for a sole

[1:18:04] for a social worker applicant with almost 13 years of experience. DSS is

[1:18:10] currently down onethird of their social workers. So, this would benefit the

[1:18:14] department. Um, it would allow them to bring somebody that in that's already

[1:18:18] trained and ready to go. And they do have the funding availability in their

[1:18:23] project.

[1:18:26] » Make a motion to approve. [clears throat]

[1:18:28] » Second. >> Any discussion?

[1:18:32] All in favor? Show hands. 4.

[1:18:38] » All right. You're up again. All right. Next, I'm requesting approval for an

[1:18:43] income maintenance administrator 1. This is a new position for DSS and the

[1:18:48] starting salary be 53,465

[1:18:53] dollars. They're not requesting any additional staff. They're just wanting

[1:18:56] to restructure their income maintenance unit. And the job description is in your

[1:19:02] packets and it has been approved by the state.

[1:19:06] » Make a motion to approve. >> Second. I got a motion in a second. Um,

[1:19:10] one bit of discussion is is there a minimum and maximum set for this

[1:19:16] position yet? >> Yes, it would fall under the pay grade

[1:19:19] of 72. >> 72. Can you remind me what that what the

[1:19:24] max is on that one? >> Um, I will have to I don't have it right

[1:19:27] here. Okay. >> That's all right.

[1:19:31] All in favor show hands for it.

[1:19:36] » Thank you.

[1:19:41] And our last item 11, Melissa recctor for Alagany and motion. Oh, Mr. Shepley.

[1:19:49] » One second. Um, I just wanted to say that, um, I wanted to, uh, tell Stacy

[1:19:54] that we appreciate the work that she did together with Tiffany and a little bit

[1:19:59] of my myself in included, uh, in order to work out some of these things are

[1:20:04] much more complex than they appear on the surface. And the key is to be able

[1:20:09] to get the resources to these folks that are some of the heroes in the county.

[1:20:13] And I I appreciate the way that you dealt with this

[1:20:18] » [snorts]

[1:20:24] » Come on. How you doing? >> I'm fine.

[1:20:27] » Good. >> So, I'm here for a public hearing and to

[1:20:34] take action on this FY28 grants, the 5311, 5310.

[1:20:48] Do we need to do a public hearing? >> We did everything.

[1:20:52] » Yeah, it's just >> All right. So, we'll entertain a motion

[1:20:56] to approve. >> Second.

[1:20:59] » Motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Show hands, please. Four.

[1:21:08] » All right. Thank you, Conley. >> Thank you.

[1:21:13] » We appreciate it. That wraps up our four action portion.

[1:21:17] We'll move along to county manager comments.

[1:21:21] » Yes, Mr. Chairman, and I'd like to make a statement here. Um, the Alageney

[1:21:26] County greatly appreciates the dedication [clears throat]

[1:21:29] and service provided by the Alageney County Rescue Squad and our county's

[1:21:34] volunteer fire departments. The men and women who serve our communities in times

[1:21:38] of emergency are true heroes and the county recognizes the critical role they

[1:21:44] play in protecting the lives and property of our citizens.

[1:21:49] Recently, a fundraising letter distributed by the Alageney County

[1:21:52] Rescue Squad stated that in quotes, Alageney County has reduced their

[1:21:58] funding but by $75,000 for the rescue squad. End of quote.

[1:22:04] We want to provide our citizens with accurate information regarding the

[1:22:08] county's funding of the rescue squad. The actual county funding provided to

[1:22:13] the rescue squad has been 20 24 25 90,000

[1:22:19] 2025 26 140,000 and in 2026 27 125,000.

[1:22:27] [clears throat] Therefore, the reduction in county

[1:22:29] funding for the current fiscal year is $15,000,

[1:22:33] not $75,000. In fact, over the past two fiscal years,

[1:22:39] Alageney County increased its annual funding to the rescue squad by $35,000

[1:22:44] from $90,000 to $125,000 currently.

[1:22:49] While the county recognizes that any reduction in funding can present

[1:22:53] challenges for an organization, it is important that our citizens have an

[1:22:58] accurate understanding of the county's financial support.

[1:23:02] The county's budget decisions this year were particularly difficult. Requests

[1:23:07] for funding from county departments and outside organizations

[1:23:11] exceeded projected revenues by more than $4.6 million.

[1:23:16] The county commissioners therefore faced difficult choices including the option

[1:23:20] of increasing taxes or reducing expenditures.

[1:23:24] The decision was made to avoid a tax increase and instead make measured

[1:23:29] reductions in funding and spending across the county's budget. This deci

[1:23:35] decision should not be interpreted as a lack of support for the rescue squad or

[1:23:40] for our fire departments. Alageney County understands the importance of

[1:23:44] adequately funding emergency services and remains committed to supporting the

[1:23:50] organizations that provide these essential services to our communities.

[1:23:55] Alageney County is in a strong financial position. However, it is important to

[1:24:00] recognize that a significant portion of the county's general fund is currently

[1:24:06] restricted because of the county's financial responsibilities

[1:24:10] related to building and infrastructure projects for the Alageney County school

[1:24:15] system in the town of Sparta. These obligations limit the amount of

[1:24:20] unrestricted funding available for other purposes and must be considered when

[1:24:25] making responsible budget decisions. We believe our citizens deserve

[1:24:30] transparent and accurate information regarding how their tax dollars are be

[1:24:35] are being used. At the same time, we want to make clear that the county

[1:24:40] deeply values its relationship with the rescue squad and our volunteer fire

[1:24:44] departments. We are grateful for the countless hours these volunteers

[1:24:48] dedicate to serving our residents, often under extremely difficult and dangerous

[1:24:54] circumstances. The county looks forward to continuing

[1:24:58] to work cooperatively with the rescue squad, our fire departments, and all of

[1:25:02] our emergency service providers to ensure that Alageney County remains a

[1:25:07] safe and vibrant place to live. Thank you.

[1:25:12] Thanks, sir. Anybody else have any comments from

[1:25:17] admin staff? Okay. All right. We'll move the county commissioner comments. We'll

[1:25:21] start off with Mr. Walker. I ain't got no comment. I got a question

[1:25:27] or two. Is a new loader at the landfill broke?

[1:25:33] » It uh it was out of commission. Yes, >> it's back over now.

[1:25:37] » Yeah. >> What happened? Is it under warranty? Out

[1:25:40] of >> No, it's out. It's out of warranty now.

[1:25:44] » How old How old is that now? >> It's three and a half years old.

[1:25:48] » So, it's already been that long. >> Mhm. And the other question I got, did

[1:25:53] the ambulance service purchase a new pickup?

[1:25:56] » Yes. The >> campground where do we have that

[1:25:59] budgeted in there? >> It's a grant. It came from a grant for

[1:26:02] the community paramedic program >> as a grant. Had we did we know about it

[1:26:08] before today? Did the commissioner know about the grant?

[1:26:12] » Yeah, the commissioners knew about the grant.

[1:26:14] » We know about the grant, but we didn't know what we were buying with the grant.

[1:26:17] » I'm not sure if I think so. I mean, we had to we had to present the

[1:26:23] budget. [clears throat] >> It's in the budget.

[1:26:26] » Okay. I just wondered. I didn't know if we need to pick up over ambulance or

[1:26:29] what what the deal was. >> Sure.

[1:26:31] » And I did get a call today on it said am service got a new four-wheel drive

[1:26:35] pickup with a camper on it. >> I didn't know how many people we could

[1:26:38] haul in the back of it like an ambulance. I

[1:26:41] » got you. >> So, what are we using it for? I mean,

[1:26:44] » it'll be used for the community paramedic program and will be certified

[1:26:48] as a quick response vehicle. >> What's a little car we got up there? We

[1:26:53] use >> Well, it it will also it's it's used for

[1:26:56] the a MAP program and it's also qualifies as a QRV. So, we had to have

[1:27:03] one for the MAP program and one for the community paramedic program because they

[1:27:07] won't be going to the same places. So they can't transport nobody in this

[1:27:14] pickup or anything. >> Okay.

[1:27:17] » I just I just wondered I thought we might need ambulance over a pickup. But

[1:27:21] » there was a budget amendment that came to the board probably about six weeks

[1:27:26] ago that budgeted 100,000 for the initial amount of the MIH grant

[1:27:34] that he's talking about the community paramedic program. The actual total

[1:27:38] grant is 300,000. Um, and there'll be you'll be seeing

[1:27:42] some more budget amendments, but the vehicle portion of that and I believe

[1:27:48] well the vehicle portion of it I believe was about 70,000. I'm doing it by

[1:27:53] memory, >> but 70,000 for the vehicle, 10,000 for

[1:27:57] equipment, and I believe uh portion of the salary was already budgeted.

[1:28:03] » Yes. So, what are we going to use the other 200,000 for? Well, that'll be used

[1:28:08] for equipment and medications and supplies and salary

[1:28:14] » benefits. >> Benefits. Yeah.

[1:28:16] » Yeah. It's a whole additional program for EMS.

[1:28:21] [clears throat] >> And we're going to hire somebody to

[1:28:22] drive this truck or we moving somebody up or

[1:28:26] » Yes, we've been we've been through the process of uh applications and we've

[1:28:31] also been through the interview process. We have not gotten someone hired as of

[1:28:37] today, but we are in the process of that.

[1:28:42] » So, we're having any luck filling any positions we got open.

[1:28:45] » Yes. >> Yes. And we've been getting a lot of

[1:28:49] good applicants to come forward to put in applications for uh these jobs that

[1:28:56] we have open right now. >> All right. That's all I got for today.

[1:29:02] » All right. Thank you, Mr. Evans. >> Um, yes, I couple things. Um,

[1:29:10] I think the Heritage Festival will be uh happening before we come back to our ne

[1:29:15] next meeting because it's on the 19th, correct?

[1:29:17] » Yeah. >> Yeah. So, we have that going on and also

[1:29:20] that big weekend. I think we're having the county fair also. It's

[1:29:25] » going to be a lot of stuff going on. [clears throat] I hope we have less rain

[1:29:28] that few days. Um, also there's something that they've been doing for

[1:29:33] the last few, I guess, two or three years. The Alageney County Partnership

[1:29:38] for Children does a little fundraising thing at the

[1:29:43] Alagany Partnership building. Uh, they actually go out like a Friday, I think

[1:29:49] it's the 25th, and they start making apple butter and they sell it on

[1:29:55] Saturday. So, it's always been a good fundraiser. So, that's happening. Um,

[1:30:03] also I wanted to go um circle back to the revenue neutral explanation that

[1:30:08] Rita is talking about. Revenue neutral, which you explained it

[1:30:13] very well, is if you hold the line on that, that's pretty much all you can do.

[1:30:18] In other words, if the state asks you to do more than that, then you're going to

[1:30:22] have to axe employees and you act services. So, and I think Alageney

[1:30:29] County over the last four years has done a good job with the revenue neutral, not

[1:30:34] trying to take in which our tax rate set. You know, you can't change it for

[1:30:39] those many years. But I think they've done a, you know, a good job with what

[1:30:43] we've had coming in that we, you know, it's took care of our services. So I,

[1:30:51] you know, the revenue neutral, if you're trying to do that, there's not much more

[1:30:55] that you can do. Um, and that's where I have a problem with the state. If it

[1:31:00] asks you to do more than that, you know, because you have services and from 2000

[1:31:08] from the last time we had a tax valuation 2019

[1:31:13] to now,

[1:31:16] nothing's held costwise. It's went up and actually extremely went

[1:31:22] up. So, so it's just the common sense figure of math. But, um, anyway, I think

[1:31:30] Alageney County has done a great job and within her leadership of some of the

[1:31:36] things that we've I think the um picture this the I can't remember the name of

[1:31:44] it. Pictometry. um that stuff has brought in a lot of

[1:31:49] things that's not been um permitted or whatever. So, it's actually brought in a

[1:31:55] lot of um revenue. Actually, it's been worth the money on that that people

[1:32:00] didn't know about, you know. Um but thing is if you have services, you have

[1:32:06] cost. But look forward to the fall and hopefully all the, you know, we get some

[1:32:13] good weather and we don't, our fairgrounds don't look like it has been

[1:32:16] lately. Um, and it turn they have a good turnout because they have, like you

[1:32:22] said, there's been a lot of really good events and everything. It's been a good

[1:32:27] year for Alagany. So that's all I wanted to say.

[1:32:30] » Thank you, sir. >> Mr.

[1:32:34] Just a few things. Uh I think you know we've got several upcoming events at the

[1:32:39] fairgrounds and uh those are some of our biggest events of the year. So I hope a

[1:32:45] lot of people will turn out for those. I think it was mentioned that uh on the

[1:32:51] Glade Creek uh checkbook was that a twow weekek test period or a month and have

[1:32:59] we passed that and how's it going? Um, I have two reports from them. The

[1:33:05] [clears throat] first one was, you know, a full check that was dispersed to them

[1:33:10] and the three things that I pointed out to Commissioner Walker, that's what they

[1:33:15] paid. Um, they hadn't received their other check in the end of the twoe

[1:33:20] period. So, he just sent me a report that second check had not been received

[1:33:25] and nothing paid out. >> Are you satisfied with the way it's

[1:33:29] going? >> Yeah. Yes. and that Mr. Sheepard keeps

[1:33:33] in touch with me, you know, if he's got any questions, he calls me to make sure

[1:33:39] it's allowable under the fire tax funds. >> Okay. Thank you. That's all.

[1:33:44] » Okay. >> Um [clears throat] I don't have a whole

[1:33:48] lot to add to that, but I will echo kind of what Tammy said. Um,

[1:33:53] I don't agree at all with the state trying to take over the the ability for

[1:33:59] local governments to make their own decisions as to, you know, any increases

[1:34:04] on property tax. You know, I think that the people in the county uh elect local

[1:34:11] officials to seats of office to make those decisions and represent their

[1:34:15] interests. And I don't think it has any business being decided at the state

[1:34:20] level as to what should be capped and what shouldn't. You know, when we look

[1:34:25] at decisions down the road, like how much we're going to increase funding for

[1:34:29] the rescue squad or how much we're going to increase funding for the recreation

[1:34:33] department, if we're going to increase the level of service that our citizens

[1:34:37] are going to receive, and we're capped by the state on how much we can levy a

[1:34:43] tax or increase our revenues to to meet those demands,

[1:34:48] you know, we're going to be faced with some very uh serious choices. So, um,

[1:34:54] that's something I would encourage you to think about,

[1:34:57] um, as you're making your decision, you know, for the ballot coming up in

[1:35:01] November. Um, I read a study on this and it would really only [gasps]

[1:35:09] across the board for the average citizen in North Carolina, I think it's would

[1:35:12] only save the average household between 84 and $100.

[1:35:18] But the impact that it's going to have on your local, municipal, and county

[1:35:22] governments is going to be to the tune of millions. So, I I would just

[1:35:28] encourage you to think about that when when you're making that vote. I know

[1:35:31] nobody likes to hear the the term tax increase or even, you know,

[1:35:36] discuss that. and it's always got negative connotations, but it's really

[1:35:40] going to impact the ability that we have to to shape the future here if we're

[1:35:46] restricted by our state government. So, that's that's all I've got. And thank

[1:35:52] everybody for their time today. And at this time, we'll look for a motion to

[1:35:56] adjurnn. Some move. >> Second. All right.

[1:35:59] » All in favor, show hands. We're ajourned. Thank you.

Alleghany County Commissioners Meeting 09/08/2026 6:00pm

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