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Heat.

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Heat.

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All right. Good evening and welcome to
the board of commissioners regular

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meeting for August 17th, 2026. I will
call this meeting to order. If you all

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will please stand with me for the pledge
of allegiance and remain standing for

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invocation.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

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United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation

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under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. And I would like to

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welcome up Dan Marshall who will give us
our invocation for the evening. Good

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evening.

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» Would you bow with me in prayer? Our
gracious heavenly father, we come before

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you this evening in the name of your son
Jesus Christ. We come to thank you for

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those you have called into public
service and their willingness to invest

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their time and talent in service to you
and to this community. We humbly ask

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that you grant them the wisdom that they
need to provide prudent decisions for

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this county. We ask that you keep them
aware of their accountability to you for

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their actions and attitudes. We also ask
that you remind the citizens of this

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community of their responsibility to
uphold these public servants in prayer,

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interceding for them with sincere hearts
and informed minds. Lord, we are

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privileged to live in a remarkable
nation that have served its people well

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for 250 years. You have blessed this
country with abundant resources, not

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just in a material way, but also in
those you've called to serve.

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No nation can long endure without godly
leaders. As King Solomon was preparing

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his son to take the throne, he
instructed him in Proverbs 29:2,

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"When the godly are in authority, the
people rejoice, but when the wicked are

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in power, they groan." King Solomon
instructed his son further in Proverbs

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29:4,
"A just king gives stability to his

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nation, but one who demands bribes
destroys it."

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And again in Proverbs 29:14, he told his
son, "If a king judges the poor fairly,

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his throne will last forever." Lord, if
you terry, we want this nation to last

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another 250 years. Therefore, we ask
that you grant these leaders a desire to

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govern with a godly spirit and a
selfless heart. May they hear and heed

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the wisdom of King Solomon. Proverbs
14:34, "Godliness makes a nation great,

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but sin is a disgrace to any people. May
they serve you with a pure heart, a

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humble spirit, and a discerning mind."
We make these requests in the name of

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your son, Jesus Christ. Amen. Thank you
all.

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» All right.
I do need a motion to approve the

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minutes as presented.
All in favor, please say I.

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» Any opposed? That carries. 5-0. And then
I need a a motion to approve the agenda,

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including the pages, the changes on page
42. So move.

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» All in favor, please say I. I.
>> Any opposed? All right, that carries as

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well. 5. So we will move on to item
number two, which is the geo bond video.

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Um, and this is going to be presented by
our new county manager, John Eller.

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welcome him to the dis. We're so glad to
have you up here. [applause]

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» Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you,
everyone. Uh it's great to be before you

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today. Uh and I'm so excited about the
work that we're doing in Cabaris County

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and uh so many great people that I've
been able to meet here and spend time

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with. Uh before we uh show you a quick
video on the upcoming GO bonds uh

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referendum that will be occurring, just
so everyone knows what it really means,

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we want to make sure that our residents
are fully educated um on this topic. So

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we'll be doing some media outreach over
the next several months to make sure

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that everyone who votes understands what
they're voting for. We think that's our

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responsibility for sure. Uh before I do
that, um I just want to take a quick

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opportunity as we're talking about
schools in general to uh give a shout

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out to um my high school principal, Sam
Shoemate, who u has has been struggling

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the past few months with some health
related issues. I spent most of my life

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um working on the farm, getting my feet
and my hands dirty and going to school

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and uh trying to figure out how I was to
make it through the educational system

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in particular. Uh he saw something in
many of us uh me included. Uh he he

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mentored so many of us and I don't think
I'd be sitting here today um and and

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doing the things I do in life without
someone like him in my life. So, uh, as

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we go back to school this month, I want
to give a shout out to all of our

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teachers, uh, and all of our, uh, staff
at our schools and and, uh, the

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community and and everyone who supports
our partners in education. For sure,

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it's not the easiest week as all of you
know, if you have family members who are

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are working in our school systems. But
with that, we do have an important

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decision coming up uh in November, and
we want to make sure uh we start our

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kickoff tonight uh to let our residents
know exactly what this means for us. So,

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tonight is the beginning of many things.
If you have questions, we hope all of

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you will reach out to us. So, with that,
we'll tee this up, Madam Chair.

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[music]
>> This November, you'll be asked whether

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Cabaris County should borrow money to
fund public school building projects.

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That's called a general obligation or go
bond referendum and you'll see it later

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this year on your ballot. [music] What
does all that mean? Let's get into it.

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[music] In North Carolina, county
governments are required by law to fund

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the building and maintenance of public
schools. And locally, that need is

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estimated to be $1 billion over the next
decade. Which brings us back to that GO

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bond. When you get your ballot, you'll
have two school bond questions. One

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totals $340 million [music] and would be
used for Cabaris County Schools and

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Canapapolis City Schools. The other is
$60 million for Rowan Cabaris Community

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College. And one [music] note, that
money can only pay for building

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projects. It can't be used for
day-to-day operations. The bonds would

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fund projects like new school
construction along with renovations and

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upgrades to existing facilities, things
like roof and HVAC replacement, parking

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lot repair and security upgrades, and
campus additions and updates. Now,

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that's just an overview. Leading up to
the election, our goal is simple. We

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want you to have all the facts you need
to make an informed decision. Here are

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some additional resources. Go to
www.cabariscount. [music]

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us/go bond FAQ to get full details about
the bond including [music]

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all the identified projects. Cabaris
County Schools information can [music]

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be found at engage with ccs.com/bond26

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and you can check your [music] tax
impact at gobond calculator.cabariscount

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us. That total amount [music] will be
phased in over the duration of the

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project, usually a few years at minimum.
Get information about the upcoming

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general election like scheduling, voter
status, and more by visiting

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www.cabariscount.
us/elections.

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And of course, if you have general
questions, [music] you can always send

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them to get info@cabariscount.
us. Get informed, determine your

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priorities, then make your decision.
[music]

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» Thank you for doing that video. And I
just want to say thanks to Dominique and

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and Jonathan Weaver for doing that as
well. You know, our job here is to

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educate you on what a bond is and what
that means for you. And so for the next

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several weeks coming up until November,
we will be putting out videos and

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educational material for everybody to
understand what this bond means for them

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personally in their own households.
Okay. So we will move on to recognitions

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and presentations. Item number one,
consolidated human services agency

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economic services appreciation
proclamation.

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And that is with Stacy Daniels.

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» Good evening.
>> Good evening.

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» Welcome.

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» Thank you for having us. My name is
Heather Alman. I'm the program

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administrator for Medicaid. We are here
tonight to celebrate economic services

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appreciation month for the month of
August. Uh for eligibility staff

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representing Medicaid, food nutrition
services, our training staff, quality

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assurance, program integrity, and our
customer service staff that support

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those efforts. Um we have a video that
we would like to thank communications

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for putting together for us. And Miss
Stacy Daniels will read our proclamation

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after the video. Thank you.

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» Years ago when I was not able to work
any longer, I had to go on to food

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stamps [music] because I didn't have
that much social security at that time.

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And uh I hate to have to do that cuz I'd
never done anything like that before

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[music] in my life. And almost to be
honest with you, at first I was ashamed

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of it [music] because I thought I don't
want people to know I'm having to live

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like this. But you know what? If it
helps you, don't be ashamed. [music]

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Go ahead and be glad that you receive
help.

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[music]

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We have [music] two dedicated farmers
that can do wick. Uh wick people can get

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fresh produce here. And then we have
four that do the senior vouchers.

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[music] That includes the honey and the
micro greens. They're approved for that.

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And now we are starting a [music]
program where people can bring their EBT

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cards and get tokens where they can shop
at any [music] eligible food. And I

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cannot tell you the smiles that break
out when they realize they [music] can

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actually use their whatever their
services is here and they just grin and

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they're so [music] excited about that.
And it's very rewarding to see that. and

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we just felt that it was very important
that you [music] know people have access

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to those things and and it's it's really
doing the right thing. My husband and I

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both taught at Title One schools which
[music] take assistance um and and we

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just felt that it was very very
important that we bring that [music]

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here especially when you know you can
buy local healthy foods and you know we

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just wanted to make sure that that
[music] was something that was available

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to anybody. Well, to me, that's a
wonderful thing to hear and learn

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because I did not know about it. [music]
So, I appreciate you sharing that with

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me, too. That's fresh food. That's local
food. And I have a sign on the back of

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my car that [music] says, "Without
farms, there's no food." So, I like to

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support farms and the farmers and people
in the area. So, that makes me feel good

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that I can [music] go there and get
fresh stuff, fresh eggs, and whatever

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they have. I'm definitely going to take
advantage of it and go check it out.

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» [music]
>> It has been a real blessing to me that

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they've been able to provide and help me
get food and help me have uh different

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things in my life that I needed. And
it's helped [music] me to stay in my

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home, too, cuz I don't know if I could
have stayed here or where I would have

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ended up being. And that's what most of
us want to do is stay in our homes as

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long as we can [music] and not be
dependent on somebody and taking care of

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us and and been able to get help. I've
been able to stay here and love my home

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and not be so upset [music] wondering
what I was going to do. They've relieved

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me in a lot of ways and I appreciate it
and it is a joy. Thank you.

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[music]

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» [music]

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» Good evening. Economic Services
Appreciation Month in Cabaris County. A

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proclamation. Whereas individuals,
families and children are entitled to

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public assistance services and support
that they may support they may be

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eligible for. And whereas food and
nutrition services is a USDA federal

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food assistance program that provides
lowincome families the food that the

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food they need for a nutritional
adequate diet. And whereas Cabaris

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County FNS eligibility staff have
assisted in providing food nutri food

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and nutrition benefit allotments to
address address food insecurity for

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fiscal year 26 in the amount of
46,84,21.

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And whereas Medicaid is dedicated to
providing access to physical and

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behavioral health care and services to
improve the health and well-being of

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over 3.1 million North Carolinians. And
whereas

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Cabaris County Department of Human
Services Medicaid eligibility have

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00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:30,560
assisted in providing medical and
behavioral health care to the citizens

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of Cabaris County for fiscal year 26 in
the amount of $155,350,2134.

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And whereas in fiscal year 26, Cabaris
County Department of Social Services

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00:14:44,560 --> 00:14:56,079
Economic Services eligibility staff
processed over 16,044

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00:14:50,959 --> 00:15:01,920
Medicaid applications and 7,217
food and nutrition service applications

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meeting federal and state time
timeliness

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00:15:03,680 --> 00:15:12,120
requirements in both programs and
whereas

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are currently 57,37

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00:15:12,320 --> 00:15:22,000
active Medicaid recipients and 22,319
active food and nutrition services

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00:15:19,199 --> 00:15:27,199
recipients in Cabaris County. And
whereas during fiscal year 26,

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Department of Social Services staff
demonstrated exceptional dedication to

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program integrity by establishing
$347,686

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00:15:37,519 --> 00:15:49,920
in intentional program violation
claims and recovering $688,078

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in overpayments. reinforcing responsible
stewardship and public funds and

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00:15:52,320 --> 00:16:00,560
safeguarding vital resources for
individuals and families who rely on

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these essential services. And whereas
economic services staff in Cabaris

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00:16:03,920 --> 00:16:12,399
County work tirelessly to ensure
individuals, families, and children

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receive access to medical medical care
and financial support for food and

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nutrition services. And now therefore,
be it resolved that the Cabaris County

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00:16:21,120 --> 00:16:29,199
Board of Commissioners does hereby
proclaim the month of August as Economic

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00:16:26,560 --> 00:16:35,120
Services Appreciation Month in Cabaris
County, adopted this 17th day of August,

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00:16:33,120 --> 00:16:37,759
2026. Thank you.
>> Thank you, sir.

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» Thank you.
>> All right, commissioners.

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[clears throat] I do need a motion and a
second to approve the proclamation as

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00:16:42,240 --> 00:16:49,120
presented.
All in favor, please say I.

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00:16:46,480 --> 00:16:54,639
» Any opposed? That carries 5-0. Thank you
ladies for coming up to present that and

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00:16:51,040 --> 00:16:59,680
we certainly value the work that you do.
All right, we will move on to item

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number two, recognition of Chief Deputy
Burchett on her retirement from Cabaris

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County Sheriff's Office with Sheriff
Banshaw.

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00:17:09,839 --> 00:17:14,160
» Good evening.
>> Good evening. Thank you, commissioners.

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Madam Chair, thank you for having us
tonight. Um [clears throat] truly it's

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00:17:17,120 --> 00:17:25,600
an honor to be able to recognize Chief
Deputy Bert Chad after serving the

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citizens of Cabaris County for 29 years.
Uh her career has included patrol

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00:17:28,559 --> 00:17:36,400
duties, investigative duties, community
advocacy and supervision. She's a

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00:17:33,919 --> 00:17:41,360
natural leader, a team player,
dependable professional, and has

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00:17:39,440 --> 00:17:46,000
outstanding character. All of these
words are constantly mentioned in

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reference to her name. We're very proud
of her. Um, [clears throat] she has

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carried out her duties exceptionally
well on a daily basis. To give you a

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little history, uh, she began her law
enforcement career uh with the Cabaris

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County Sheriff's Office in 1999
and uh was assigned to the patrol

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division. After that, she other assign
assignments included being a DARE

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officer, uh being a school resource
officer, a community policing deputy as

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well as a community policing sergeant
and as well as a community policing

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lieutenant. Uh so you you know where her
heart is oriented and that service to

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the community and she did an outstanding
job there. Um she also served in our

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detective division as an investigator.
Uh as I said later she became promoted

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to sergeant then lieutenant uh and then
in 20 uh 2019 I had the privilege of

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promoting uh chief deputy bett to
captain of field operations division.

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She came qu well qualified to run the
criminal investigations division as well

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as various specialty teams and a number
of administrative programs uh and and

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again excelled there. Uh, it became my
great honor in 2023

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to promote Chief Deputy Burjad to her
current position to become the first

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female Chief Deputy in the history of
the Cabaris County Sheriff's Office.

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Truly great accomplishment, truly
welldeserved based on her experience and

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performance. Uh, [snorts]
there she uh oversees all the operations

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of the sheriff's office to include
personnel, finance, and budget

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development. uh [clears throat] frankly
doing a lot of stuff each and every day.

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Um also during her career she became a
certified law enforcement instructor

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through the state of North Carolina as
well as a specialized physical fitness

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instructor. She also served as a crisis
negotiator and became the lead

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negotiator of that team as well. Uh she
was also instrumental in the development

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00:19:46,880 --> 00:19:54,080
of the sheriff's office DARE summer
camps for children that still continue

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00:19:51,039 --> 00:19:58,880
to this day. and uh are done on a yearly
basis. She served on the state of North

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00:19:56,480 --> 00:20:05,280
Carolina DARE Executive Committee, the
National Safe Kids Coalition, and the

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Cabaris County Safe Schools Task Force.
Chief Burchette has made a lasting

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00:20:07,039 --> 00:20:14,160
impact on the Cabaris County Sheriff's
Office. She has been at the forefront of

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00:20:11,120 --> 00:20:17,919
advancing new programs, technology, and
being an advocate for employee health

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00:20:15,919 --> 00:20:22,720
and wellness. Her leadership and
guidance has impacted all of us in so

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00:20:20,640 --> 00:20:27,840
many ways as well of her as well as her
fellow employees and is only surpassed

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00:20:25,280 --> 00:20:33,039
by her compassion and her kindness to
everyone she works with. It has truly

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00:20:30,159 --> 00:20:39,360
been an honor to work side by side with
my chief deputy, Tessa Burchett. I'm

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00:20:35,600 --> 00:20:43,679
extremely proud of her. Um I hate to see
her go, but I know she's going to be

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00:20:41,440 --> 00:20:47,840
able to enjoy retirement, have a good
time. her husband is here uh with her

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00:20:46,080 --> 00:20:52,480
tonight. David Burchett, I think he's
back in the back of the room smiling

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00:20:50,720 --> 00:20:57,280
because now he's got a full-time boss
coming home. So, I'm excited for him,

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00:20:54,240 --> 00:21:01,840
too. Uh but I I there's I could be here
all night talking about Tessa and just

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what a great person she is. I know she's
worked with virtually all of y'all as

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well as many people in the audience and
always putting the citizens first. And I

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can't think of a more um higher uh you
know accolade than say that you've

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you've served selfishly uh devoted your
life to to public service and she's done

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00:21:19,280 --> 00:21:27,799
it extremely well. So I present to you
Chief Deputy Tessa Burchette.

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[applause]

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00:21:30,364 --> 00:21:32,384
[applause]

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00:21:39,039 --> 00:21:45,039
It's harder being the center of
attention. I don't I don't do as well

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00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:50,640
with this. Um but no, it's it's been a
true honor. Um I've loved every phase of

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00:21:49,039 --> 00:21:55,600
my career. I've been able to raise my
family here

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00:21:52,559 --> 00:21:59,679
alongside my husband. Um serving this
community, building relationships with

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00:21:57,600 --> 00:22:04,799
so many different people, and I and I
feel like we've truly gained the trust

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00:22:02,159 --> 00:22:11,600
of our community and that means so much.
Um, being able to do it with Sheriff

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00:22:06,720 --> 00:22:16,480
Shaw has been such an honor. Um,
I feel truly blessed. It's bittersweet

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00:22:14,400 --> 00:22:21,440
to leave, but it's time. And it's good
to know that there's so many wonderful

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00:22:19,200 --> 00:22:26,720
people that are going to continue doing
the work that we've done, and this

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00:22:23,919 --> 00:22:31,520
agency's in fantastic hands. So,
couldn't be more thankful and grateful

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00:22:28,159 --> 00:22:34,640
for that. So, thank you for um all the
times that I've been able to spend with

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00:22:32,799 --> 00:22:38,880
y'all and of course previous boards,
previous management. Um it's been an

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00:22:37,039 --> 00:22:44,435
honor and I I've truly enjoyed every
minute of it.

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00:22:41,280 --> 00:22:44,435
BEFORE YOU [applause]

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before you go, we do have to give you
your your clock because you can't leave

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without your clock. Um I just want to
say Tessa, I have enjoyed being able to

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00:22:57,280 --> 00:23:05,039
work with you. I appreciate so much um
that you know how important the animals

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00:23:02,640 --> 00:23:11,280
are and you have always been there to
answer any questions um that I've had

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00:23:08,080 --> 00:23:15,440
and um you've just been a great resource
for so many people and I'm I'm truly

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00:23:13,600 --> 00:23:19,039
grateful for your leadership in the in
the sheriff's department and we really

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00:23:17,360 --> 00:23:23,360
are going to miss you. Now, do you want
to tell what you're going to be your

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00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:25,679
next endeavor [laughter] is is going to
be because I I love that you're doing

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00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:30,080
this.
>> Sure. Believe it or not, I'm along with

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00:23:27,919 --> 00:23:34,000
my family and uh some some other
business partners, we're venturing into

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00:23:31,760 --> 00:23:38,320
the event and wedding planning. Uh so,
Tie the Knot event company um in

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00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:41,919
Canapapolis. Come come check us out.
It's kind of an exciting thing to delve

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00:23:40,799 --> 00:23:45,280
into something totally different.
>> I'm never going to need your services.

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00:23:43,840 --> 00:23:49,360
» I understand. I understand.
>> I will recommend everyone to you. So, um

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00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:54,080
Commissioner Patrick, if you would like
to present her her clock

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00:23:52,320 --> 00:23:59,761
» there for you grab it on your way out.
Congratulations. THANK YOU

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00:23:57,741 --> 00:23:59,761
[applause]

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00:24:02,799 --> 00:24:11,679
AGAIN. We are very grateful for you and
thank you very much, Sheriff Shaw.

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00:24:09,280 --> 00:24:16,240
» All right. And we will move on to
informal public comments.

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00:24:14,559 --> 00:24:17,919
Ary, how many do we have this feed,
ma'am?

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00:24:16,799 --> 00:24:23,960
» We have 10.
>> 10. Okay. We will start with Price

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00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:23,960
Crutchfield.

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00:24:26,799 --> 00:24:33,039
Good evening.
>> It's a terrible evening for me.

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00:24:31,520 --> 00:24:38,159
Well,
I was enduring elder abuse at the

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00:24:35,360 --> 00:24:43,039
emergency room. I'm elderly. And my
doctor told me to go over there in an

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00:24:40,559 --> 00:24:48,799
emergency situation. I was in horrible
pain, life-threatening. The records will

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00:24:45,600 --> 00:24:55,520
show. and uh security personnel over
there interrupted my conversation with

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00:24:52,080 --> 00:25:02,880
the receptionist, a medical conversation
protected by HIPPA. He violated that. He

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00:24:59,919 --> 00:25:07,120
came over and gave me an illegal order
to sit down. There are no rules at the

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00:25:05,039 --> 00:25:10,880
hospital that says you have to sit down
when you come to the emergency room. I

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00:25:09,279 --> 00:25:15,440
wasn't there to drink a beer or fight
Mike Tyson or anything like that. I was

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00:25:13,200 --> 00:25:21,919
there for an emergency
and there was no empathy, no caring,

301
00:25:18,880 --> 00:25:28,000
just mandates and directives and threats
to call the police on me and my crime

302
00:25:24,320 --> 00:25:32,320
was that I wouldn't sit down. He never
asked me, "Are you okay? Are you in

303
00:25:29,520 --> 00:25:37,600
pain?" You know, I figured there'd be
some people skills in there, but I was

304
00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:42,240
wrong. So, I went to the customer care
line and got absolutely nowhere. I was

305
00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:46,640
even told that I was making harassing
phone calls. And then I educated him and

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00:25:45,200 --> 00:25:51,279
I said, "Well, gosh, what you need to do
is call the police. Not me. If I'm

307
00:25:49,120 --> 00:25:55,840
making harassing phone calls, just call
the police. They would be more than

308
00:25:53,440 --> 00:26:00,640
happy to arrest me. I've been arrested
17 times for lesser standards of

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00:25:58,559 --> 00:26:07,360
arrest." I might. When I complained
about the police resource officers

310
00:26:04,400 --> 00:26:12,799
molesting children at our schools, I got
arrested. And I couldn't make a plea bar

311
00:26:09,840 --> 00:26:17,919
organ. No, I had to do a community
service, get on a year's probation for

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00:26:15,360 --> 00:26:23,919
complaining about the police molesting
people's children.

313
00:26:20,000 --> 00:26:30,080
Okay? I mean, I'm struggling with that.
So, in essence, I called down to the

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00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:35,200
security manager was as I was instructed
to do at Harrisburg

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00:26:33,120 --> 00:26:40,720
and uh only to be told I was making
harassing phone calls. I made no

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00:26:37,520 --> 00:26:45,279
arresting phone calls and it was just
persistent complaints that I will

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00:26:43,039 --> 00:26:49,919
continue to do and they sent me a
certified letter that cease and desist.

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00:26:47,840 --> 00:26:55,600
Well, I haven't ceased and I haven't
desisted. I've simply existed. Okay. But

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00:26:53,919 --> 00:27:00,400
I want to do more than that. I want to
be able to feel safe in the emergency

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00:26:57,440 --> 00:27:06,000
room when I go in in a life-threatening
situation that's clearly documented. I

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00:27:03,520 --> 00:27:11,360
had to get morphine incidentally. And
this guy with his nefarious actions

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00:27:08,640 --> 00:27:17,440
didn't help me none at all. So in spite
of his uh horrible actions, I got

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00:27:14,799 --> 00:27:22,400
through it. And uh but I have all the
praise for the medical staff and the

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00:27:19,039 --> 00:27:27,840
doctors. I'm all about education but and
professionalism, but these guys, they're

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00:27:24,320 --> 00:27:34,000
Gustapo just Gustapo agents, you know. I
just horrible. And I would I just want

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00:27:31,840 --> 00:27:36,960
to make sure my fellow citizens are
aware of this.

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00:27:40,880 --> 00:27:44,679
Paul Wish.

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00:27:49,039 --> 00:27:55,840
Good afternoon. Um, I think this year
you've done an excellent job in coming

329
00:27:53,279 --> 00:28:00,080
up with an idea of a a general
obligation bond. It's the right thing to

330
00:27:58,080 --> 00:28:05,840
do. And
but beyond that, let me take up John on

331
00:28:03,200 --> 00:28:11,440
his questions about what's going on. I
don't think that uh the commissioners

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00:28:08,559 --> 00:28:17,039
actually did a very good job researching
the bond idea and so chose to only put

333
00:28:14,720 --> 00:28:21,360
this year's CCS capital budget on the
whole amount of the bond. What you

334
00:28:19,440 --> 00:28:26,880
failed to look at was that the public
bond will be funded over 20 years. While

335
00:28:24,080 --> 00:28:30,559
the CCS request was for this year, very
similar to what's been out there for the

336
00:28:28,320 --> 00:28:35,279
last 5 years and never funded. [snorts]
Um, much of this uh was the same stuff

337
00:28:33,200 --> 00:28:39,520
you've seen for years, and failed to
adequately fund. Compounding the CCS

338
00:28:37,840 --> 00:28:44,640
split the budget into medium and large
expenses. things like uh new schools are

339
00:28:42,480 --> 00:28:48,720
only part of the larger budget, 50-year
depreciation, and your bond includes

340
00:28:46,960 --> 00:28:52,320
medium things like roofing, vehicles,
and other building maintenance, which

341
00:28:50,559 --> 00:28:56,799
will seem to occur annually, and we're
28 million this year. This is not an

342
00:28:54,880 --> 00:29:04,720
adequate this is not adequately
addressed in the bond. Um I think it

343
00:29:00,159 --> 00:29:10,000
also included Cabaris um Canapapolis and
uh CCS and it was the same 340 uh

344
00:29:07,760 --> 00:29:13,919
million bond for uh that CCS put
forward. So it's less than actually both

345
00:29:11,440 --> 00:29:18,880
of them. U you also failed to do a
sanity check on the on the proposing. Uh

346
00:29:16,799 --> 00:29:24,799
Meckllinburgg had done several GO bonds
in the past 10 years. Both were passed

347
00:29:21,120 --> 00:29:31,440
resoundingly. 2017 they got 900 million
and uh then in 2023 they got 2.5

348
00:29:28,240 --> 00:29:35,520
billion. Uh this is approximately 3.4
billion for the current population of

349
00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:40,880
140. So they're much bigger than us,
right? Yeah. Except that CCS has 35,000

350
00:29:39,120 --> 00:29:44,640
and the ratio is four times in the
students.

351
00:29:42,399 --> 00:29:48,960
Uh Meckllinmberg has 10 times the amount
of bond money available. If you look at

352
00:29:47,360 --> 00:29:54,399
the last few budget cycles, you failed
to factor in the past um funding for the

353
00:29:51,840 --> 00:29:58,880
district. Our educational experience uh
is behind any of uh any of the

354
00:29:56,640 --> 00:30:02,880
surrounding counties. All CCS school
zones are now at 100% capacity, far

355
00:30:01,039 --> 00:30:06,559
exceeding the annual design the actual
design point for each school. While the

356
00:30:04,880 --> 00:30:10,640
class sizes are not illegal, you find
most schools have four to five lunch

357
00:30:08,480 --> 00:30:14,960
hours, meaning that elementary schools
eat their lunch at 10:30 in the morning.

358
00:30:12,880 --> 00:30:18,640
Um high schools, they got 20 minutes for
lunch. I don't know anybody that goes

359
00:30:16,559 --> 00:30:22,559
for 20 minutes of lunch at 10:30 in the
morning. Um, [snorts] the gymnasiums are

360
00:30:20,880 --> 00:30:26,480
overcrowded as well, especially when
there's events involving families. Uh,

361
00:30:24,880 --> 00:30:29,200
can you imagine having to schedule your
parents attending a lunch with their

362
00:30:27,840 --> 00:30:33,039
children, but limiting it to four times
a year because there's not room in the

363
00:30:30,880 --> 00:30:37,039
cafeterias. [snorts] Some of the lunches
are actually held in the classrooms

364
00:30:34,720 --> 00:30:40,559
because of the room in the cafeteria.
Even worse, the district now has two

365
00:30:39,039 --> 00:30:44,159
capped schools, preventing students
attending the schools closest to their

366
00:30:42,159 --> 00:30:47,760
home. This fall, elementary students
will be bus 30 minutes to get to a

367
00:30:46,000 --> 00:30:54,159
school, elementary school, right?
Kindergarten, first grade through fifth

368
00:30:50,080 --> 00:30:59,360
grade. This is partially caused by
um Vulgar, Coxmill, and Weddington all

369
00:30:57,120 --> 00:31:05,960
about 20% above the design point of the
building. I'd suggest a larger goal

370
00:31:01,840 --> 00:31:05,960
bond. Thank you,

371
00:31:06,640 --> 00:31:10,440
» Kesha Sandage.

372
00:31:19,200 --> 00:31:27,840
How y'all doing? So, two things. Uh the
first one I'll start with is I sent you

373
00:31:24,320 --> 00:31:32,240
all an email in regards to the potential
for youth uh internships. I got a

374
00:31:30,480 --> 00:31:36,960
response back from three of you. I
appreciate that response. I've talked to

375
00:31:34,799 --> 00:31:42,880
uh other municipalities in relation to
this and suggested uh to Concord this uh

376
00:31:40,480 --> 00:31:48,000
past week that it be introduced during
the Cabaris summit so that you all are

377
00:31:45,120 --> 00:31:53,519
able to talk collaboratively about it
and how um you could put things in place

378
00:31:50,799 --> 00:31:58,159
to make sure that it is across the board
in our county. I also suggested that

379
00:31:56,000 --> 00:32:03,360
there be collaboration uh with the
private sector in trying to implement

380
00:32:00,399 --> 00:32:07,840
this as well as the uh DA who currently
also has an internship. I did tell

381
00:32:06,000 --> 00:32:11,120
Concord that uh once I get all the
information back, Kenny, thank you for

382
00:32:09,519 --> 00:32:16,480
connecting me to Kelly to get that
information. Um I will put a report

383
00:32:14,000 --> 00:32:22,559
together of what I found and then offer
some suggestions as I'm able to. Second

384
00:32:19,440 --> 00:32:27,760
thing, um there will be two possibly
three uh constitutional amendments on

385
00:32:25,039 --> 00:32:33,760
our ballot in November. I do know that
several counties have come out against

386
00:32:30,320 --> 00:32:38,000
these bonds and I know uh a candidate
for Cabaris County Commission a few

387
00:32:36,080 --> 00:32:44,480
months ago came in and talked with you
about uh those bonds as well as Senate

388
00:32:40,320 --> 00:32:49,440
Bill 1080 and House Bill 1089. Um I will
be as a citizen voting no on those

389
00:32:47,120 --> 00:32:54,240
amendments. I would love to know where
our county um sees these amendments

390
00:32:51,840 --> 00:32:59,519
helping us out or not. Um what I'm
asking is look to your counterparts in

391
00:32:56,480 --> 00:33:04,480
Union County who have uh since come out
against these two amendments and talked

392
00:33:01,760 --> 00:33:08,960
about how it would uh severely damage
their ability to take care of their

393
00:33:06,159 --> 00:33:14,240
county. Um and and talk with them and
gather what you all feel this will do or

394
00:33:11,760 --> 00:33:17,600
not do for our county. Um, as elected
officials, we truly should know where

395
00:33:15,840 --> 00:33:22,399
you sit on things that are going to be
coming to the public uh to to vote on.

396
00:33:20,240 --> 00:33:26,240
Just like you talked about the go bonds,
I believe you should equally do the same

397
00:33:24,320 --> 00:33:31,360
thing about these amendments so that our
community knows how they may or may not

398
00:33:28,559 --> 00:33:36,880
affect us. I believe that it will really
and truly constrain your ability to take

399
00:33:34,159 --> 00:33:41,600
care of Cabaris County. We are talking
about, you know, privatizing. I think

400
00:33:39,600 --> 00:33:46,480
this is a bait and switch to be honest
with you. We are trying to make our

401
00:33:44,159 --> 00:33:52,000
county or make our state a private
sector. And I'm wondering if that is the

402
00:33:49,600 --> 00:33:56,720
case, where do we pay t what do we pay
taxes for? What are our taxes going to?

403
00:33:54,480 --> 00:34:00,320
I'm okay with paying taxes to make sure
that the fire department can get to me

404
00:33:58,799 --> 00:34:05,120
in the good times that they've been a
able to get to our our community. I'm

405
00:34:02,880 --> 00:34:08,960
also okay with paying taxes to ensure
that the sheriff department can

406
00:34:06,559 --> 00:34:13,679
investigate and can get to crime as fast
as it's be been able to do that.

407
00:34:10,879 --> 00:34:20,800
However, if we cut [clears throat] and
make sure that um our taxes are cut are

408
00:34:17,839 --> 00:34:25,679
specific to a one number, how do we pay
for services and what will we cut? I

409
00:34:23,839 --> 00:34:29,720
think our community should know that and
you all have the information.

410
00:34:32,079 --> 00:34:35,079
Ezra

411
00:34:39,280 --> 00:34:42,280
Ezra.

412
00:34:45,520 --> 00:34:52,240
» You're fine.
>> Um, thank you for having the opportunity

413
00:34:49,200 --> 00:34:57,040
to come up here again. Um, I was here I
think two sessions ago. Um, then

414
00:34:54,800 --> 00:35:02,640
followed up with a couple weeks of
vacation out of town. Um but my question

415
00:35:00,640 --> 00:35:09,599
was to the board, you know, what does
the county offer or have to help and

416
00:35:06,000 --> 00:35:14,960
assist and support uh small businesses?
um may or may not remember that

417
00:35:11,520 --> 00:35:20,320
conversation, but as I left out of the
building, um about 10 minutes later, I

418
00:35:18,400 --> 00:35:24,720
got to the elevator, an elevator door
was about to close and the gentleman

419
00:35:22,160 --> 00:35:30,160
stuck his hand in and stopped the
elevator from closing and asked me um

420
00:35:28,079 --> 00:35:36,720
about my business. He asked me, "What
did I what do I do?" And

421
00:35:33,839 --> 00:35:40,400
he asked me if I had a business card.
So, I told him what I did. had him a

422
00:35:38,720 --> 00:35:46,160
business card and he told me that
someone would be in touch with me from

423
00:35:41,920 --> 00:35:50,480
the Chamber of Commerce um soon. Well,
before I went on vacation, someone from

424
00:35:48,320 --> 00:35:56,400
the Chamber of Commerce did reach out to
me and I am happy to report that I've

425
00:35:54,800 --> 00:36:02,560
had an opportunity to meet all of the
members of the Chamber of Commerce from

426
00:35:57,760 --> 00:36:08,000
Allison and her crew. Um, and I have
attended se a few of the uh networking

427
00:36:05,680 --> 00:36:12,800
events with other business leaders,
business owners from Cabaris County. Um,

428
00:36:11,200 --> 00:36:17,119
and
basically I'm here today just to tell

429
00:36:14,560 --> 00:36:21,119
you thank you. Um, thank you for helping
me. Um, I've made a lot of good

430
00:36:19,119 --> 00:36:25,839
connections. Um, some of them have
already become fruitful uh for helping

431
00:36:23,280 --> 00:36:32,160
my business and uh and that's all
because and I failed to remember who it

432
00:36:30,079 --> 00:36:36,079
was that stuck his hand in the door. Um
I think it was [laughter] you. Was it

433
00:36:34,160 --> 00:36:40,880
you? Okay. I apologize for not
recognizing you off the um but yeah,

434
00:36:38,960 --> 00:36:45,079
thank you very much. I appreciate it.
So, and that's it.

435
00:36:48,720 --> 00:36:52,280
Ingred nurse.

436
00:36:56,240 --> 00:37:03,760
» Good evening, commissioners.
Vote. The title of my topic is voters to

437
00:37:01,119 --> 00:37:09,520
decide when it's time. Yes, we did honor
the $4 million bun that we placed on our

438
00:37:07,119 --> 00:37:14,880
ballots allowing voters to decide the
outcome.

439
00:37:11,599 --> 00:37:20,160
The same effort should be taken into
consideration when the proposed animal

440
00:37:17,119 --> 00:37:25,359
shelter that would cost taxpayers 23
million to $50 million. That same

441
00:37:23,280 --> 00:37:32,560
efforts needs to be proposed when it's
time. voters should decide that

442
00:37:29,040 --> 00:37:39,280
instead of a five member board. We have
multiple facilities that house homeless

443
00:37:35,040 --> 00:37:45,359
animals such as Cabaris County Animal
Shelter, Exotic Pets Rescue, Humane

444
00:37:42,240 --> 00:37:50,880
Society. An investment of any size or
this size deserves transparency

445
00:37:48,400 --> 00:37:54,960
and public discussions
before the county moves forward. Like

446
00:37:53,520 --> 00:38:00,800
stating with a five minimum commissioner
board three to two usually vote.

447
00:37:58,880 --> 00:38:06,320
Residents should have the opportunity to
understand the total cost

448
00:38:03,440 --> 00:38:11,440
have the bond with effects
taxpayers

449
00:38:08,000 --> 00:38:16,079
what alternatives were considered
and what the long-term financial

450
00:38:13,359 --> 00:38:23,119
obligations will be.
Government works better when people have

451
00:38:18,880 --> 00:38:30,280
a voice. Cabaris County residents first.
I am by the people for the people

452
00:38:25,599 --> 00:38:30,280
because I am the people. Thank you.

453
00:38:33,920 --> 00:38:42,880
» Rick Hoforth Hofffor.
>> Thank you.

454
00:38:40,960 --> 00:38:47,280
» Good evening, commissioners. Rick Hoff
with Downome North Carolina. Uh want to

455
00:38:45,680 --> 00:38:54,800
speak to you for just a few minutes
about the proposed uh constitutional

456
00:38:50,960 --> 00:39:00,240
amendment on placing limits on uh the
ability to for counties and

457
00:38:57,599 --> 00:39:04,079
municipalities to generate income
through property tax.

458
00:39:02,320 --> 00:39:12,400
um
the scheduled uh elimination of the

459
00:39:07,680 --> 00:39:19,280
corporate uh tax uh by the year 2030
along with capping the ability for uh

460
00:39:16,640 --> 00:39:26,240
municipalities and counties um to
generate revenue with uh property tax.

461
00:39:22,560 --> 00:39:33,119
uh these would restrict severely uh
local revenue and these two together

462
00:39:29,920 --> 00:39:38,880
these policies would significantly limit
North Carolina's ability to invest in

463
00:39:35,680 --> 00:39:42,640
schools, infrastructure, public safety,
and the workforce that powers the

464
00:39:40,720 --> 00:39:48,960
state's economy.
And so this is not just about taxes in

465
00:39:46,000 --> 00:39:55,119
isolation. It's about whether North
Carolina maintains the tools needed to

466
00:39:51,680 --> 00:39:57,359
support growing communities and a strong
economy.

467
00:39:56,672 --> 00:40:02,160
[gasps]
The property tax amendment does these

468
00:39:59,839 --> 00:40:07,599
things. It caps how much total property
tax revenue local governments can

469
00:40:04,800 --> 00:40:13,599
collect each year. It forces local
governments to lower tax rates as

470
00:40:10,560 --> 00:40:18,480
property values rise.
It ties future budgets to past revenue

471
00:40:16,160 --> 00:40:24,000
levels regardless of current needs and
it limits the ability of communities to

472
00:40:21,040 --> 00:40:29,119
respond to growth, inflation, and
service demands. In practice, this means

473
00:40:26,480 --> 00:40:36,079
local governments would have less
flexibility to fund essential services

474
00:40:32,480 --> 00:40:40,480
even as costs and population
increase.

475
00:40:38,000 --> 00:40:46,000
And property taxes matter. They're the
backbone of local public services in

476
00:40:43,440 --> 00:40:51,040
North Carolina. Public school buildings,
fire and emergency response, libraries,

477
00:40:48,400 --> 00:40:56,720
parks, and infrastructure, social
services, all these things.

478
00:40:54,320 --> 00:41:02,319
Property taxes are the largest single
source of local revenue. Local

479
00:40:59,119 --> 00:41:11,040
governments in North Carolina can't levy
uh their own taxes or uh increase sales

480
00:41:06,640 --> 00:41:17,119
tax. Um, property taxes are stable and
predictable, making them well suited for

481
00:41:13,680 --> 00:41:21,760
funding ongoing services. Strong
schools, safe communities, and

482
00:41:19,040 --> 00:41:27,760
well-maintained infrastructure help
protect property values. When local

483
00:41:24,560 --> 00:41:33,040
services decline, property values often
decline, too.

484
00:41:29,920 --> 00:41:39,119
Local leaders use this revenue to meet
realtime community needs. a statewide

485
00:41:36,720 --> 00:41:43,520
cap would override that local
decisionmaking.

486
00:41:41,680 --> 00:41:48,880
And so
we encourage the Cabaris County Board of

487
00:41:46,480 --> 00:41:53,680
Commissioners to go on record that they
do not support the property tax

488
00:41:51,599 --> 00:41:58,119
amendment that will be on the ballot
November 3rd. Thank you,

489
00:41:59,599 --> 00:42:03,240
» Nancy Hofforth.

490
00:42:08,079 --> 00:42:15,119
Good evening, commissioners, county
manager, and fellow Cabaris County

491
00:42:12,880 --> 00:42:20,160
residents. My name is Nancy Hoff, and
I've been paying Cabaris County taxes

492
00:42:16,880 --> 00:42:24,800
for at least 30 years. Most of us don't
look forward to paying our taxes. After

493
00:42:22,480 --> 00:42:30,960
all, that's our money we worked hard
for. But we understand that tax revenue

494
00:42:28,560 --> 00:42:35,599
is what our communities run on. As Rick
just explained, I'd like to address some

495
00:42:33,440 --> 00:42:39,839
of the common but false claims about
property tax bills.

496
00:42:38,000 --> 00:42:43,359
Property tax bills are driven by
overspending.

497
00:42:41,440 --> 00:42:48,240
When homeowners see a big jump in their
individual bill, it's because of

498
00:42:45,040 --> 00:42:54,240
infrequent valuations and growth in real
estate values driven by low supply or

499
00:42:52,000 --> 00:43:01,040
when big corporations and real estate
investors shelter property from taxes.

500
00:42:58,000 --> 00:43:05,760
This is a housing market issue, not a
local overspending issue.

501
00:43:03,760 --> 00:43:11,680
Claim number two, property tax revenue
is growing too fast. Actually, revenue

502
00:43:09,280 --> 00:43:17,119
growth reflects realworld conditions
like population growth, increased demand

503
00:43:14,720 --> 00:43:24,480
for services, and higher construction
and labor costs. This is not excess. It

504
00:43:20,800 --> 00:43:27,839
is a response to increased need. Claim
number three, local governments are

505
00:43:26,160 --> 00:43:32,240
overcolcting.
In reality, local governments are

506
00:43:29,760 --> 00:43:38,079
managing growing responsibilities with
limited tools, especially in the context

507
00:43:34,960 --> 00:43:44,160
of state tax cuts. They are trying to
maintain essential services, not

508
00:43:40,720 --> 00:43:49,440
accumulating unnecessary revenue.
And finally, property tax caps protect

509
00:43:47,599 --> 00:43:54,160
taxpayers.
Caps are a blunt instrument. Instead of

510
00:43:52,160 --> 00:43:59,920
targeting relief to those who need it
most, caps often create long-term

511
00:43:57,359 --> 00:44:04,720
funding constraints, especially when
when they are in the form of a

512
00:44:01,680 --> 00:44:09,680
constitutional amendment that lead to
service reductions or increased fees

513
00:44:07,680 --> 00:44:14,319
elsewhere.
Fortunately, North Carolina already has

514
00:44:11,760 --> 00:44:19,359
safeguards in place like reappraisal
processes and existing relief programs

515
00:44:16,880 --> 00:44:24,960
that help prevent sudden unchecked
increases in property tax bills. If

516
00:44:22,640 --> 00:44:30,560
affordability is the goal, more
effective options would include

517
00:44:27,040 --> 00:44:36,319
expanding existing property tax relief,
increasing income eligibility thresholds

518
00:44:33,200 --> 00:44:42,240
for tax relief programs, supporting
seniors and lowincome homeowners,

519
00:44:39,839 --> 00:44:48,319
creating a circuit breaker that ties
property taxes to income, or providing

520
00:44:45,680 --> 00:44:53,839
state funding to offset local relief
efforts. The bottom line is that North

521
00:44:51,280 --> 00:45:00,079
Carolina can provide meaningful property
tax relief without weakening the public

522
00:44:56,880 --> 00:45:05,200
systems that that support communities,
families, and economic growth. I hope

523
00:45:03,040 --> 00:45:08,440
the commissioners will take that stand.
Thank you,

524
00:45:10,240 --> 00:45:13,720
Robert Matton.

525
00:45:23,440 --> 00:45:32,400
Hello, Robert Maton of of Concord.
First, uh I'd like to say I'm hoping

526
00:45:30,240 --> 00:45:36,800
that the uh website that was promised
two months ago for transparency and

527
00:45:34,560 --> 00:45:39,920
accountability is coming along nicely.
We're going to be able to see that

528
00:45:37,920 --> 00:45:45,359
sometime soon.
Secondly, um, totally back up, the

529
00:45:43,760 --> 00:45:49,440
people have just been speaking up
against the amendments that are coming

530
00:45:46,960 --> 00:45:53,599
out in November, and I already think
it's going to be a death spiral 10 years

531
00:45:51,440 --> 00:46:00,640
from now for the middle class and
lowerass citizens of North Carolina with

532
00:45:56,160 --> 00:46:07,200
this corporate zero tax. Um, a good way
of putting that is corporate welfare or

533
00:46:03,760 --> 00:46:11,040
corporate socialism. And uh it's it's
the wrong way to have any type of

534
00:46:09,520 --> 00:46:17,520
socialism.
And thirdly, I'm just wondering what you

535
00:46:14,319 --> 00:46:24,319
all are going to have as plans for
January and there on for us uh Cabaris

536
00:46:20,640 --> 00:46:29,440
County residents when we start losing
parts of our Medicaid and and SNAP,

537
00:46:27,680 --> 00:46:36,640
what's going to happen to us? because
like uh the feds are flaking out on us.

538
00:46:35,280 --> 00:46:39,880
And that's all [snorts] I have to say.
Thank you,

539
00:46:41,680 --> 00:46:45,319
» Steven Bryant.

540
00:46:49,760 --> 00:46:58,960
Good evening, commissioners,
county manager, county attorney. Thank

541
00:46:55,599 --> 00:47:05,280
you for your time this evening.
I'd like to first say thank you all for

542
00:47:01,280 --> 00:47:09,680
the um our resolution that got passed
and uh we're looking forward to sitting

543
00:47:07,280 --> 00:47:15,520
down with the county manager and putting
the teeth back in the document. And um

544
00:47:13,359 --> 00:47:20,240
as for what I'm speaking to tonight, the
constitutional amendment,

545
00:47:18,079 --> 00:47:25,599
a strong economy does not happen by
accident. It requires sustained

546
00:47:22,800 --> 00:47:29,839
investment in people, communities, and
the public systems that make growth

547
00:47:28,319 --> 00:47:33,920
possible.
It requires leaders who serve North

548
00:47:32,319 --> 00:47:41,599
Carolinians.
This amendment would make that harder to

549
00:47:37,359 --> 00:47:46,960
do damage. It could damage and make
everything just more difficult to

550
00:47:43,839 --> 00:47:52,240
correct if it's correctable.
This amendment will not make North

551
00:47:48,960 --> 00:47:56,800
Carolina more affordable.
It will make it harder to fund public

552
00:47:54,400 --> 00:48:04,640
investments that lower costs for
families from child care, health care,

553
00:48:00,560 --> 00:48:09,599
schools, housing, infrastructure, and
disaster recovery. And there will be

554
00:48:06,800 --> 00:48:15,760
more disasters to come.
In short,

555
00:48:12,240 --> 00:48:22,000
you can't cut revenue at the state level
and cap it at the local level

556
00:48:19,680 --> 00:48:28,800
and still expect strong schools and
services. That math doesn't work.

557
00:48:25,839 --> 00:48:35,520
Property taxes fund services people rely
on every day. Schools, fire department,

558
00:48:32,480 --> 00:48:41,839
and infrastructure. Capping them means
our ability to meet real needs.

559
00:48:38,800 --> 00:48:47,920
Rising property values don't mean people
can afford higher taxes,

560
00:48:44,640 --> 00:48:53,319
but the solution is targeted relief, not
across the board limits that weaken

561
00:48:50,319 --> 00:48:53,319
communities.

562
00:48:54,079 --> 00:49:02,160
This amendment prioritizes an arbitrary
formula

563
00:48:58,960 --> 00:49:08,200
over what communities actually need to
function, grow, and keep up with rising

564
00:49:05,200 --> 00:49:08,200
costs.

565
00:49:08,640 --> 00:49:17,520
If the goal is affordability,
we should focus on help on helping

566
00:49:14,160 --> 00:49:24,240
people who need it most, not restricting
resources every community depends on.

567
00:49:21,760 --> 00:49:29,520
Strong schools,
safe communities aren't separate from

568
00:49:27,040 --> 00:49:34,079
property values. They're what protect
them.

569
00:49:31,280 --> 00:49:39,200
When property when property tax revenue
is capped,

570
00:49:35,839 --> 00:49:48,280
it doesn't stop costs. It just means
fewer services or higher costs somewhere

571
00:49:43,200 --> 00:49:48,280
else. Thank you all for your time.

572
00:49:49,599 --> 00:49:53,240
» Sabrina Barry.

573
00:49:56,400 --> 00:50:02,880
» Good evening, commissioners. How are you
guys doing tonight? I came here for one

574
00:50:00,559 --> 00:50:09,119
reason and one reason only and that's to
thank you for your leadership, for your

575
00:50:06,000 --> 00:50:12,319
transparency. I go all across the
western region of North Carolina. You

576
00:50:10,960 --> 00:50:16,960
see a lot of commissioners, but in
Cabaris County, our our citizens are not

577
00:50:14,480 --> 00:50:21,119
uninformed. We have the most transparent
county commissioners that anybody could

578
00:50:19,119 --> 00:50:25,520
ever ask for. We know exactly what's
happening in our county. You guys got to

579
00:50:23,440 --> 00:50:28,880
take a lot of slack, even for things
you're not responsible for. We hear a

580
00:50:27,359 --> 00:50:32,720
bunch of people talking about a
constitutional amendment that you didn't

581
00:50:30,720 --> 00:50:36,400
put on the ballot. It seems that they're
in the wrong place and talking to the

582
00:50:34,400 --> 00:50:40,800
wrong people because you guys have no
control over what hits the ballot at a

583
00:50:38,319 --> 00:50:46,319
state level. I want to thank
Commissioner Pitman especially. You and

584
00:50:43,760 --> 00:50:50,960
I don't always see eye to eye. We can go
back and forth, but one thing about it,

585
00:50:48,640 --> 00:50:56,000
we always can have critical, challenging
conversations and leave that space and

586
00:50:53,520 --> 00:51:00,319
have respect for each other, love for
each other. And I thank you for that

587
00:50:58,240 --> 00:51:05,599
level of leadership cuz you guys have
taken a beatd down even after my Junth

588
00:51:03,280 --> 00:51:11,839
proclamation, week after week after
week, but no one person came in here and

589
00:51:08,240 --> 00:51:15,839
said, "Kenny, Laura, Ian, Jeff, thank
you for approving that Junth

590
00:51:14,079 --> 00:51:20,960
proclamation." And that was a huge step
in our county. And tonight, I just thank

591
00:51:18,800 --> 00:51:26,000
you guys for your leadership and just
being you. Don't change that for nobody.

592
00:51:23,839 --> 00:51:30,480
We are proud to live in Cabaris and I
think everybody here is too. There are

593
00:51:28,240 --> 00:51:37,240
other options and if they don't like it,
they can move. Thank you. God bless you

594
00:51:32,960 --> 00:51:37,240
and God bless Cabaris County.

595
00:51:38,319 --> 00:51:46,160
» That is all.
>> Thank you all. All right, commissioners.

596
00:51:43,599 --> 00:51:50,079
I do need a motion to approve the
consent agenda as presented.

597
00:51:48,160 --> 00:51:55,520
» So move.
>> All those in favor, please say I. I.

598
00:51:52,319 --> 00:52:01,200
» Any opposed? That carries. 5 Z. Thank
you. And we will move on to new

599
00:51:58,640 --> 00:52:07,559
business. Item number one is the
proposed animal shelter replacement

600
00:52:03,119 --> 00:52:07,559
discussion with Kyle Bilifer.

601
00:52:09,359 --> 00:52:14,079
» You're going to be up here for a minute.
You got three. So,

602
00:52:12,079 --> 00:52:18,000
» three in a row. Yeah.
>> Um, so I'm sure you all recall the

603
00:52:16,480 --> 00:52:22,559
conversation we had and I was kind of
looking for some guidance on which way.

604
00:52:19,839 --> 00:52:27,119
So, we did add a motion to this. So, um,
what's different in this presentation is

605
00:52:24,240 --> 00:52:32,000
the motion. Um, the motion is to approve
county staff to advertise a request for

606
00:52:29,280 --> 00:52:36,559
qualifications for limited design
services for the proposed new animal

607
00:52:34,160 --> 00:52:40,880
shelter and to request staff to study
alternative funding models that other

608
00:52:38,480 --> 00:52:45,760
counties have used to build and operate
their animal shelter. So, in that

609
00:52:43,040 --> 00:52:49,200
effort, we've already identified um some
county animal shelters that have been

610
00:52:47,359 --> 00:52:53,520
built over the last 5 years, and we kind
of have a list of those and contacts. Um

611
00:52:51,440 --> 00:52:58,400
and if the board so approves tonight,
we'll start reaching out to those groups

612
00:52:55,359 --> 00:53:02,240
to kind of start our our net throw our
net out there to see different types of

613
00:53:00,319 --> 00:53:06,000
funding opportunities. And of course,
we've already written the request for

614
00:53:03,760 --> 00:53:10,000
qualifications for that limited scope of
design. Um, and again, just to reiterate

615
00:53:08,400 --> 00:53:14,400
what was at the meeting for folks that
weren't didn't watch that, um, we're

616
00:53:12,559 --> 00:53:19,119
going to focus on schematic design,
specifically traffic impact analysis,

617
00:53:17,040 --> 00:53:22,960
understanding what our neighboring, uh,
uh, adjacent parcels are going to be

618
00:53:20,960 --> 00:53:26,319
doing, um, which isn't always easy, but
we'll be reaching out to them, and then

619
00:53:24,960 --> 00:53:31,280
obviously doing everything from a
geotech and environmental aspect.

620
00:53:30,000 --> 00:53:36,760
» Commissioners, do you have any
questions?

621
00:53:33,359 --> 00:53:36,760
Commissioner Pitman?

622
00:53:37,397 --> 00:53:44,559
» [clears throat]
>> I was going to say I don't want angry

623
00:53:40,880 --> 00:53:48,800
nurse to faint, but I actually uh
sympathize with some what she said about

624
00:53:46,319 --> 00:53:54,079
this. Um
I I don't say no, let's don't do it

625
00:53:50,960 --> 00:54:00,240
necessarily. Uh I did understand her
point about um consulting the citizens

626
00:53:56,559 --> 00:54:07,680
about it. Um, one thing I do think
between the two positions is maybe um,

627
00:54:05,839 --> 00:54:13,440
we ought to have like a public hearing
on it or, you know, take those kind of

628
00:54:10,480 --> 00:54:21,280
concerns into account before settling on
something. I'm not against it, but I I

629
00:54:17,839 --> 00:54:24,800
think um, you know, we do want a lot of
transparency up here, and I think that

630
00:54:23,040 --> 00:54:30,720
would be a one way of making sure that
we have that. So, I'd appreciate if we

631
00:54:28,400 --> 00:54:33,720
could do it that way, not just decide
without

632
00:54:34,319 --> 00:54:40,960
» I I don't necessarily disagree. I I
think what we talked about in the work

633
00:54:38,319 --> 00:54:46,160
session was that if, for instance, we
find a funding model that is community-

634
00:54:43,440 --> 00:54:50,880
based, right? We go ask for donations.
It's important that we go through step

635
00:54:48,240 --> 00:54:56,400
one and get someone on board who can do
a site plan and a rendering that you can

636
00:54:54,000 --> 00:55:02,559
use to market the project. if we go for
that funding model. So, I'm certainly in

637
00:54:58,400 --> 00:55:07,440
favor of um doing step one here. Um even
though I do agree with you on some of

638
00:55:04,559 --> 00:55:14,319
those items um Commissioner Pitman. So,
um I will certainly be voting for it.

639
00:55:11,359 --> 00:55:20,079
» Any other questions or comment?
Okay. I do need a motion uh to approve

640
00:55:17,520 --> 00:55:24,559
the county staff to advertise a request
for qualifications for limited design

641
00:55:22,319 --> 00:55:28,880
services for the proposed new animal
shelter and request staff to study

642
00:55:26,800 --> 00:55:33,520
alternative funding models that other
counties have used to build and operate

643
00:55:30,800 --> 00:55:38,000
their animal shelter.
>> Okay. All those in favor please say I.

644
00:55:36,000 --> 00:55:42,960
» Any opposed? All right. That carries
5-0. Thank you. We will move on to item

645
00:55:41,359 --> 00:55:47,119
number two which is discussion of
potential permanent stage construction

646
00:55:45,040 --> 00:55:52,160
at Rob Wallace Park with Kyle.
>> Uh thank you. Yes. Again from our work

647
00:55:49,200 --> 00:55:56,640
session where um coming to the board try
to get some guidance. Um, again, this

648
00:55:54,400 --> 00:56:01,440
was was brought to me and I've worked
with the town of Midland, specifically

649
00:55:58,720 --> 00:56:05,920
town manager Doug Paris on this and
added a motion to this agenda item um

650
00:56:03,839 --> 00:56:10,559
for the motion to approve the county to
partner with the town of Midland in a

651
00:56:08,079 --> 00:56:15,200
feasibility and design only for a
proposed permanent entertainment stage

652
00:56:12,960 --> 00:56:19,920
at Rob Wallace Park. Construction
approval would come at a later date and

653
00:56:17,119 --> 00:56:23,599
be associated with several agreements.
Um, and that has been discussed with the

654
00:56:21,760 --> 00:56:28,559
town of Midland even when we met the
first time. So, this is not moving

655
00:56:25,680 --> 00:56:32,880
forward with any type of full-blown
design. It's almost like what we just

656
00:56:30,160 --> 00:56:37,599
talked about in the the last situation.
Um, and again, no construction until

657
00:56:36,000 --> 00:56:41,359
everything comes back in front of this
board with the agreements of who would

658
00:56:39,839 --> 00:56:45,440
handle maintenance, who handles the
cost, the upkeep, and all of those type

659
00:56:43,440 --> 00:56:49,440
of things. similar to what we have in
place with the town of Midland for the

660
00:56:47,599 --> 00:56:53,040
memorial that they have on phase one of
the park.

661
00:56:51,920 --> 00:56:57,440
» Commissioners, do you have any
questions?

662
00:56:55,280 --> 00:57:02,240
Okay, I do need a motion to approve the
county to partner with the town of

663
00:56:58,960 --> 00:57:06,640
Midland and feasibility
and design only for the proposed

664
00:57:04,480 --> 00:57:10,160
permanent entertainment stage at Rob
Wallace Park. Construction approval

665
00:57:08,480 --> 00:57:15,040
would come at a later date and be
associated with several agreements. So,

666
00:57:13,200 --> 00:57:18,799
» all those in favor, please say I.
>> I.

667
00:57:15,359 --> 00:57:24,960
» Any opposed? That carries 5-0.
>> All right. And we will move on to the

668
00:57:21,920 --> 00:57:28,799
third, which is donate law enforcement
vehicles to the town of Midland.

669
00:57:26,559 --> 00:57:32,799
» Yeah. The county has a longstanding
agreement with the town of Midland to

670
00:57:30,400 --> 00:57:36,960
provide law enforcement services, as we
do with also Harrisburg and Mount

671
00:57:34,559 --> 00:57:41,359
Pleasant. Um, two new vehicles were
recently purchased by the county for the

672
00:57:39,040 --> 00:57:46,559
provision of those services. The town
will fully reimburse the county for the

673
00:57:43,839 --> 00:57:50,319
cost of those vehicles. This action will
donate the two vehicles to the town so

674
00:57:48,799 --> 00:57:54,079
they can insure them through the North
Carolina League of Municipalities at

675
00:57:52,400 --> 00:57:59,680
their desired level. The county is
unable to obtain comparable insurance in

676
00:57:57,119 --> 00:58:05,440
the private marketplace. Um, for full
transparency, this agenda item is the

677
00:58:01,599 --> 00:58:10,240
exact agenda item from July 5th, 2022,
where this motion had to be made at a at

678
00:58:08,000 --> 00:58:16,000
a time also to do the same type of
activity so that um the town of Midland

679
00:58:13,119 --> 00:58:20,000
has to have the titles to be able to go
get the insurance. And I legally cannot

680
00:58:18,240 --> 00:58:24,960
give them those titles or should not
give them those titles unless they are

681
00:58:22,079 --> 00:58:30,240
donated. I will say that um County
Attorney Doug Hall and myself have

682
00:58:27,839 --> 00:58:34,559
written together a resolution that will
come in front of the board next month so

683
00:58:32,640 --> 00:58:38,319
that this won't have to be done every
time.

684
00:58:36,960 --> 00:58:42,480
» Commissioners, any comments or
questions? All right. I do need a motion

685
00:58:40,319 --> 00:58:49,760
to approve the donation of county assets
4072 and 4073 to the town of Midland.

686
00:58:47,680 --> 00:58:52,400
» All those in favor, please say I. I.
>> Any opposed? All right, that carries. 5

687
00:58:51,839 --> 00:58:56,480
Z.
>> Thank you so much for your time.

688
00:58:54,799 --> 00:59:02,400
» All right, we will move on to item
number four, boards and committees. Vea

689
00:58:59,599 --> 00:59:04,799
partners governing board appointment.
Ary, would you like to address this,

690
00:59:04,240 --> 00:59:09,359
ma'am?
>> Yes, ma'am. The Vaia partners governing

691
00:59:07,359 --> 00:59:13,680
board has selected a representative for
the seat being reserved for Cabaris

692
00:59:11,200 --> 00:59:17,119
County. John Eller, county manager, is
being recommended for appointment to the

693
00:59:15,359 --> 00:59:21,760
vacant seat as the Cabaris County
representative on the governing board.

694
00:59:19,839 --> 00:59:25,520
Permission is therefore being requested
to advance John Eller's name for

695
00:59:23,680 --> 00:59:30,559
consideration as the Cabaris County
Representative for a three-year term

696
00:59:27,200 --> 00:59:34,000
expiring September 30th, 2029.
Commissioners, do you have any questions

697
00:59:31,839 --> 00:59:37,760
or comments? All right. I do need a
motion to approve John Eller to serve

698
00:59:35,760 --> 00:59:42,559
the Cabaris County Representative on the
Vea Partners Governing Board for a

699
00:59:39,599 --> 00:59:47,680
three-year term expiring September 30th,
2029 and to include any necessary

700
00:59:45,359 --> 00:59:54,160
exemptions to the appointment policy.
>> So move. All those in favor, please say

701
00:59:50,160 --> 01:00:00,640
I. Any opposed? That carries 5 Z. Thank
you. And we will move on to reports. Um,

702
00:59:58,160 --> 01:00:04,400
just so you all know, the reports have
been included in your packet for review.

703
01:00:02,720 --> 01:00:09,280
Do you all have any questions regarding
those? Okay. Just remember that we do

704
01:00:07,040 --> 01:00:12,160
have vacancies still on our boards and
committees. So, please, if you are

705
01:00:10,880 --> 01:00:15,839
interested, please fill out an
application online for any of those

706
01:00:13,760 --> 01:00:20,160
boards and committees.
And I will start with Commissioner

707
01:00:17,440 --> 01:00:20,160
Pitman.

708
01:00:20,881 --> 01:00:26,359
» [clears throat]
>> On August 5th, the Paris

709
01:00:26,799 --> 01:00:29,799
transported

710
01:00:30,480 --> 01:00:40,160
6,420
trips for a year to date, over 7,000 for

711
01:00:36,799 --> 01:00:43,440
Medicare patients. The on-time rate was
98%.

712
01:00:42,000 --> 01:00:50,160
going they've been going through a
period of driver shortages

713
01:00:46,480 --> 01:00:55,839
right at that moment they had 11 drivers
out of the need for 21 total. Um and

714
01:00:54,240 --> 01:01:01,440
they were at that time about to
interview four potential new drivers and

715
01:00:58,319 --> 01:01:06,720
they had two others interested.
Some dispatchers and supervisors are

716
01:01:03,839 --> 01:01:10,880
having to fill in the gaps for that lack
of drivers uh and are doing some of the

717
01:01:09,119 --> 01:01:17,520
driving.
Um unused funding from fiscal year uh 25

718
01:01:14,480 --> 01:01:23,359
through 26 has been reappropriated for
fiscal year 26 through 27. Annual

719
01:01:20,799 --> 01:01:28,240
trainings held on August 1st. They
stressed clocking in on time, having no

720
01:01:25,680 --> 01:01:33,359
conversations on the vehicle radio,
reviewed the uh operations manual and

721
01:01:30,880 --> 01:01:37,599
matters such as uh properly securing
wheelchairs in the buses and other

722
01:01:35,359 --> 01:01:43,520
proper usage of equipment. They
discussed uh Rideco community uh or

723
01:01:41,119 --> 01:01:47,599
communication system rather. They said
it's very helpful and more efficient

724
01:01:45,119 --> 01:01:52,880
than the previous system uh being
automated but with human superi

725
01:01:49,920 --> 01:01:57,119
supervision. It sends texts to riders
when the transportation vehicle is on

726
01:01:54,559 --> 01:02:02,880
the way and has allowed a reduction in
calls uh in call staff and provides

727
01:02:00,400 --> 01:02:06,960
stronger customer service.
After the meeting indoors, we went

728
01:02:04,799 --> 01:02:11,680
outside and the process of securing
wheelchairs and on buses was

729
01:02:09,280 --> 01:02:16,880
demonstrated to us and we were also told
that the transportation vehicles had

730
01:02:14,000 --> 01:02:22,240
been vandalized in the fenced in area at
that location uh where they were parked

731
01:02:19,280 --> 01:02:28,160
at the DHS facility having the catalytic
converters cut out of all or most of

732
01:02:25,200 --> 01:02:31,520
them. Um, in the near future, this
committee, in fact, I think it's going

733
01:02:29,520 --> 01:02:36,640
to happen this coming week or maybe
next, uh, this committee will begin

734
01:02:34,079 --> 01:02:42,240
meeting at the Milestone building and
those vehicles will be moved to that

735
01:02:39,040 --> 01:02:47,280
location over on uh, Canapapolis
Highway. Um, parking spaces have already

736
01:02:45,359 --> 01:02:51,599
been prepared for the buses over there
for when the transportation operations

737
01:02:48,960 --> 01:02:55,839
will be located there.
I had a question about um, okay, how you

738
01:02:54,160 --> 01:02:58,799
going to secure them there? and they
felt like they'd already be more secure

739
01:02:57,280 --> 01:03:03,359
in that location. We'll see how that
goes. Um I'm sure that cost us a bunch

740
01:03:01,760 --> 01:03:09,040
of money replacing those catalytic
converters, but I didn't get that

741
01:03:05,200 --> 01:03:13,599
figure. Um on August 5th, also met with
the local emergency planning committee.

742
01:03:11,760 --> 01:03:19,119
We got reports from participating
organizations, but they were very few

743
01:03:16,319 --> 01:03:23,359
and uh fairly routine.
I spoke on the termination of squad 410

744
01:03:21,440 --> 01:03:29,839
and stated that I was reluctant to take
that action but became convinced by what

745
01:03:25,920 --> 01:03:34,640
I saw uh as we proceeded that it was a
matter of efficiency and efficient use

746
01:03:32,559 --> 01:03:39,760
of resources
and I also pointed out that they were

747
01:03:37,119 --> 01:03:44,319
given five months notice and the county
has been seeking to help those uh

748
01:03:41,839 --> 01:03:48,400
employees find other employment within
Concord or uh committee I mean the

749
01:03:46,720 --> 01:03:52,400
county if possible.
Concord Fire Department hazardous

750
01:03:50,079 --> 01:03:56,240
materials team showed us one of their
vehicles and detailed the equipment and

751
01:03:54,720 --> 01:04:01,200
how they functioned on it. And that was
very revealing, very eye openening. One

752
01:03:58,559 --> 01:04:04,559
thing I did notice um for going to
hazardous material sites, they had a

753
01:04:03,359 --> 01:04:12,079
couple of different instruments that
they use. One I'd say is about that size

754
01:04:09,280 --> 01:04:17,760
that can tell them exactly what kind of
u gas they're dealing with so they know

755
01:04:14,960 --> 01:04:23,920
how to deal with that. that cost I
believe they said $70 million but um

756
01:04:21,520 --> 01:04:31,760
they think it'll pay for it um in the
long term pay for itself. Another piece

757
01:04:26,880 --> 01:04:38,480
of equipment a little smaller was um for
uh determining liquid hazardous

758
01:04:34,799 --> 01:04:43,599
materials and um I'm trying to remember
I think they said that was about 20 or

759
01:04:40,400 --> 01:04:47,440
$25,000 for that one. So I hope those
work out well. So, it it does save them

760
01:04:45,839 --> 01:04:53,039
some trouble trying to deal with that.
Otherwise,

761
01:04:49,119 --> 01:04:59,920
Midland Town Council met on August 11th.
Um the sheriff's report, uh I didn't get

762
01:04:56,720 --> 01:05:06,880
all of it, but it did say 265 calls
during the month, 104 dispatch calls,

763
01:05:04,079 --> 01:05:12,720
seven animal calls, two assault calls,
two breaking and entering calls at a

764
01:05:08,799 --> 01:05:17,839
storage at storage buildings, and uh 261
traffic stops in the Midland area.

765
01:05:15,200 --> 01:05:24,400
Midland Fire Department reported 118
calls, 60 of those being medical calls.

766
01:05:21,440 --> 01:05:30,160
NC DOT representatives came and they
reported on consideration of the

767
01:05:26,640 --> 01:05:34,079
proposed 2427 bypass for Midland. There
are three plans under consideration.

768
01:05:32,319 --> 01:05:40,559
They're leaning toward what they call a
shallow bypass plan with either two or

769
01:05:37,200 --> 01:05:47,440
four lanes with an overpass bridge. Uh
expecting 70% or 76% of traffic will

770
01:05:44,240 --> 01:05:51,119
take the bypass for 2427. The shallow
option would avoid the likelihood of

771
01:05:49,359 --> 01:05:58,480
flooding in the area.
The anticipated cost is 15 to $20

772
01:05:54,319 --> 01:06:05,920
million per mile and uh4 to 50 million
per interchange. So a rough estimate for

773
01:06:01,520 --> 01:06:10,319
the total package is 95 to $120 million.
The need to have a public comment

774
01:06:07,440 --> 01:06:13,760
opportunity was discussed and like a lot
of other road projects these days, it's

775
01:06:12,480 --> 01:06:18,000
going to be down the road a bit before
they get that done.

776
01:06:16,240 --> 01:06:23,280
Then today I met with the home care
community block grant uh advisory

777
01:06:20,480 --> 01:06:28,960
commission or committee rather. Um
they're waiting to learn uh the amount

778
01:06:25,440 --> 01:06:34,960
of reduction of state funds as different
from the pri prior expectation. They've

779
01:06:31,520 --> 01:06:39,680
been told that there was 28 million I
believe that they were going to get from

780
01:06:37,280 --> 01:06:42,480
like last year's leftover and now
there's been some change and they're not

781
01:06:41,200 --> 01:06:45,599
going to get that much. They're waiting
to find out how much they are going to

782
01:06:44,480 --> 01:06:51,280
get.
Um they said that they should know in

783
01:06:48,160 --> 01:06:57,599
September. So they're waiting on that
before uh setting contracts.

784
01:06:54,880 --> 01:07:02,160
Central has requested an expedited
communication on these things. They

785
01:06:59,839 --> 01:07:08,000
spent all allocations uh that they had
by the end of the fiscal year last year

786
01:07:04,319 --> 01:07:13,200
or this you know just ended in uh June.
They were able to cover transportation

787
01:07:10,079 --> 01:07:18,720
needs. uh the meals on wheels over
spent, but some of that was taken care

788
01:07:15,920 --> 01:07:24,640
of by funding that wasn't needed for
some other aspects of the work that they

789
01:07:21,440 --> 01:07:30,880
do. Um
the lunch plus waiting list at present

790
01:07:28,160 --> 01:07:34,720
time is about 25 people waiting to be
served.

791
01:07:32,400 --> 01:07:39,680
There are five sites among the the
several m municipalities in the county.

792
01:07:37,839 --> 01:07:45,359
Um,
Mount Pleasant, the Mount Pleasant site,

793
01:07:42,720 --> 01:07:49,440
uh, contract is nearing its end after 20
years. So, they're looking at what to do

794
01:07:47,680 --> 01:07:54,960
about that.
Housing and home improvement are waiting

795
01:07:51,839 --> 01:08:01,520
on two reimbursements. Two C crew
members got about 52 jobs completed and

796
01:07:58,559 --> 01:08:06,960
uh, I think that was in a month's time.
uh in on the homemade weight list there

797
01:08:04,640 --> 01:08:13,920
are about 450
uh waiting for that kind of service.

798
01:08:10,319 --> 01:08:19,199
There's one vacancy and one expired term
which James Poke is serving that term at

799
01:08:16,400 --> 01:08:26,080
the present time. And so they need
applications people to serve on uh these

800
01:08:22,960 --> 01:08:32,319
uh committees and agencies but not
they're not getting them presently and

801
01:08:29,040 --> 01:08:37,600
uh they put forward a request for James
Pulk to continue. The next meeting is

802
01:08:34,880 --> 01:08:41,520
November 16th. I asked James after
meeting was he any cand to James K. Pulk

803
01:08:39,839 --> 01:08:44,637
and he said yeah he was a distant
cousin. [laughter]

804
01:08:45,040 --> 01:08:52,120
» Thank you Commissioner Pitman.
Commissioner Wartman, you have anything?

805
01:08:48,319 --> 01:08:52,120
All right, Commissioner Jones.

806
01:08:52,239 --> 01:08:57,279
We are we in for some
>> We're in for a little dissertation

807
01:08:55,520 --> 01:09:03,839
» dissertation here.
>> All right. Uh talking about the human

808
01:09:00,239 --> 01:09:09,920
service advisory board update. Again, we
deal with a lot of different things and

809
01:09:06,159 --> 01:09:13,759
usually with the human services,
this is typical. All you hear is a

810
01:09:11,520 --> 01:09:18,799
negative and there's a lot of good that
comes. there's a lot of progress we're

811
01:09:15,440 --> 01:09:21,759
making. Um, and so at this point, we
need to start getting that out there and

812
01:09:20,080 --> 01:09:25,920
let people know how great our workers
are that we do have and what they do do

813
01:09:23,920 --> 01:09:31,600
is very important and they are having
success. So, with that, I'm going to go

814
01:09:28,480 --> 01:09:36,560
with our child welfare program update.
Uh, staffing, staffing's always been an

815
01:09:34,080 --> 01:09:41,199
issue. Uh recruiting and retaining
qualified social workers remains a

816
01:09:38,560 --> 01:09:47,120
priority as staffing levels directly
impact the case load, the timeliness and

817
01:09:45,120 --> 01:09:51,199
service delivery.
While child welfare continues to be an

818
01:09:49,199 --> 01:09:56,320
area of focus for the department, the
department turnover has dropped or

819
01:09:53,120 --> 01:10:02,480
improved by 11% between the calendar
years 2023 and 2025.

820
01:09:59,920 --> 01:10:08,960
Now I think with uh Mr. Eller coming on
board uh his experience in uh human

821
01:10:06,000 --> 01:10:14,640
services as well. Um
and the work that uh Dr. Pew has been

822
01:10:12,080 --> 01:10:19,040
doing with the advisory board, we are
changing the culture. We're getting

823
01:10:16,640 --> 01:10:24,560
better people in. Uh we're getting
people who are really committed to doing

824
01:10:21,199 --> 01:10:28,800
this. It's a tough job. Real tough job.
But, uh, we think we're going to get

825
01:10:26,320 --> 01:10:32,480
some very qualified people from
neighboring counties, uh, with a lot of

826
01:10:30,880 --> 01:10:39,360
experience that can step right in and
and do a lot of work for us. Um, foster

827
01:10:36,560 --> 01:10:47,360
care, foster care, they require us to do
monthly visit with 95% of the children

828
01:10:42,880 --> 01:10:53,600
each each uh, month. Um, Cabaris County
has met that standard in 12 or 12 months

829
01:10:50,960 --> 01:10:58,719
during 2026
fiscal year uh for all cases. This

830
01:10:57,120 --> 01:11:02,320
reflects the department continued
commitment to maintaining regular

831
01:11:00,320 --> 01:11:08,560
contact with children and care and
monitoring their safety and well-being.

832
01:11:05,600 --> 01:11:14,320
An average of 184 children were in
foster care each month. North Carolina

833
01:11:12,400 --> 01:11:17,760
Department of Human Health Services has
consistently indicated that the number

834
01:11:15,920 --> 01:11:21,679
of children in foster care in Cabaris
County aligns with the county's

835
01:11:19,440 --> 01:11:28,800
population, meaning there's not too
many, not too less. We're about where we

836
01:11:25,040 --> 01:11:32,719
should be, unfortunately. Um,
the agency will be looking at processes

837
01:11:30,800 --> 01:11:37,199
and best practices to help improve
prevention and supports for families

838
01:11:35,120 --> 01:11:42,239
involved with child welfare to help
their service plans. the need of

839
01:11:39,600 --> 01:11:49,280
supports for foster families as part of
our continuous improvement and strategy.

840
01:11:45,840 --> 01:11:56,159
During fiscal year 2026, the department
received an average of 126 child welfare

841
01:11:52,400 --> 01:12:00,800
reports each month. Approximately 58% of
the reports met state criteria for

842
01:11:58,640 --> 01:12:05,040
assessment and investigation, which
again aligns with the statewide averages

843
01:12:03,199 --> 01:12:12,080
for counties.
um foster care or foster care permanency

844
01:12:09,600 --> 01:12:16,719
outcomes. The goal is always to find the
kids and get them as quick as possible

845
01:12:14,320 --> 01:12:23,679
into a permanent stable living
situation. Um need them be safe, get

846
01:12:20,560 --> 01:12:28,560
them on so that they can excel in life.
Um

847
01:12:25,520 --> 01:12:35,360
what's interesting here is state average
for un reunification for parents is 24%.

848
01:12:31,920 --> 01:12:40,960
Cabaris County is 16%.
Placement with guardianship

849
01:12:37,840 --> 01:12:45,679
state average is 22%. Cabaris County is
33%.

850
01:12:42,640 --> 01:12:50,560
And adoption state average is 23%.
Cabaris County is 20%. You look at the

851
01:12:48,560 --> 01:12:55,280
numbers in total, we're right at the
state average. State average is 69%

852
01:12:53,120 --> 01:13:00,800
overall in permanency placing. Cabaris
County is 69% permanency placing. The

853
01:12:58,480 --> 01:13:06,400
key observation is Cabaris County relies
more heavily on guardianship which could

854
01:13:03,360 --> 01:13:10,239
be with relatives as a permanent outcome
that both the state average and

855
01:13:08,000 --> 01:13:14,560
neighboring comparison counties. This
plays significant role in helping

856
01:13:12,320 --> 01:13:19,440
Cabaris County children achieve that
permanent homes when you reunification

857
01:13:17,360 --> 01:13:22,960
is not possible. In other words,
children are still receiving the

858
01:13:21,040 --> 01:13:28,560
permanent homes just through a different
path. Um, so we're doing what's best for

859
01:13:26,560 --> 01:13:33,920
the children at the time and getting
them their permanency as quick as

860
01:13:30,640 --> 01:13:39,280
possible. Um, hopefully we can increase
the other numbers as well and we'll be

861
01:13:36,159 --> 01:13:45,360
above state average hopefully within the
next year or two. Uh, which would be

862
01:13:42,400 --> 01:13:49,280
good.
As previously stated, the agency will be

863
01:13:47,440 --> 01:13:55,600
looking at processes and best practices
to help improve prevention and support

864
01:13:51,520 --> 01:13:59,920
for families involved in child welfare
to help with their services, plans,

865
01:13:57,679 --> 01:14:07,679
needed supports, foster families as part
of our continued progress and strategy

866
01:14:04,480 --> 01:14:15,360
permanency within 12 months. Uh
typically in these cases when uh a child

867
01:14:10,400 --> 01:14:21,520
comes into DA comes into the custody um
basically we go through a court process

868
01:14:18,000 --> 01:14:27,520
and the goal is to reunify or find
permanent place within a year. Um you

869
01:14:24,800 --> 01:14:31,600
get case plans that the people work on.
The parents come in, they work through

870
01:14:29,120 --> 01:14:36,239
their case plan, get whatever help they
need uh to do that. They work and we

871
01:14:34,239 --> 01:14:41,520
work with the foster parents as well and
the children and try and reunify. That's

872
01:14:38,480 --> 01:14:44,880
the number one goal. And every case that
walks in the door, the very first goal

873
01:14:43,040 --> 01:14:48,719
is reunification.
Um we try and accomplish that within 12

874
01:14:47,440 --> 01:14:53,679
months. If we can't, we try and find
guardianship or placement within that 12

875
01:14:50,640 --> 01:15:00,320
months because we got to I mean these
kids need something permanent in their

876
01:14:56,320 --> 01:15:05,280
life. Um the state benchmarks requires
that 40.5% of children entering foster

877
01:15:03,360 --> 01:15:09,360
care achieve permanency within 12
months.

878
01:15:07,440 --> 01:15:13,199
This remains a significant challenge not
only for Cabaris County but for the

879
01:15:10,880 --> 01:15:17,199
counties across the region highlighting
broader challenges

880
01:15:15,040 --> 01:15:25,120
counties face in achieving time of
permanency. Cabaris County's progress

881
01:15:20,000 --> 01:15:29,840
fiscal year it was 7.6 six 2025 was
7.16%

882
01:15:27,120 --> 01:15:35,520
was all that we achieved
for fiscal year 2026 we have bumped it

883
01:15:33,040 --> 01:15:42,719
up to 12.87%.
So we have increased with 80% over the

884
01:15:40,080 --> 01:15:47,440
year. That just shows that we are making
progress. Progress is slow but we're

885
01:15:45,280 --> 01:15:53,760
making it. We've made some changes.
we're focusing more um on our processes

886
01:15:51,679 --> 01:15:58,960
and our ability to help the parents and
help the children. Um so 80% increase

887
01:15:56,560 --> 01:16:05,120
over yeartoear if we can keep that up
we'll be way above the state average

888
01:16:00,560 --> 01:16:09,440
before too long. Um as represented I
mean while performance remains below the

889
01:16:07,199 --> 01:16:15,679
state benchmark county cabar showed the
greatest improvement among neighborson

890
01:16:11,840 --> 01:16:19,280
comparison counties during 2026.
The department continues to focus on

891
01:16:17,280 --> 01:16:24,560
reducing barriers to permanency and
improving outcomes for children and

892
01:16:20,880 --> 01:16:27,440
families. State reviews. We continue to
partner with North Carolina Department

893
01:16:25,920 --> 01:16:31,760
of Health and Human Services for
oversight and child child welfare

894
01:16:29,840 --> 01:16:35,920
reviews. These reviews provide
opportunity to evaluate our compliance,

895
01:16:33,679 --> 01:16:40,719
identify our strength, identify our
weaknesses, and support ongoing quality

896
01:16:38,480 --> 01:16:44,800
improvement for us. So, we're always
looking to learn, always looking to

897
01:16:42,320 --> 01:16:49,520
improve.
Our immediate priorities,

898
01:16:47,120 --> 01:16:53,920
uh, we continue reducing vacancies and
turnover with staffing.

899
01:16:52,080 --> 01:16:58,719
We want to review wait times for
services that families who are involved

900
01:16:55,520 --> 01:17:02,800
with child welfare need. That's for to
get treatment like substance abuse,

901
01:17:00,480 --> 01:17:07,679
behavior, health services, housing,
parenting services. We have to

902
01:17:04,880 --> 01:17:12,480
coordinate that with every parent, every
child, every that comes into the system.

903
01:17:10,400 --> 01:17:17,280
Um there's a lot of services that we
offer and that we give to the parent,

904
01:17:14,960 --> 01:17:21,120
especially the parents to try and get
them where they can reunify with their

905
01:17:19,600 --> 01:17:26,000
children because that's the number one
goal. Um

906
01:17:24,159 --> 01:17:31,120
research consistently shows that
reunification is strongly influenced by

907
01:17:28,080 --> 01:17:36,800
parents access to and engagement in
these services particularly substance

908
01:17:32,880 --> 01:17:40,560
abuse treatment and supportive services.
Strengthen collaboration with the courts

909
01:17:38,719 --> 01:17:45,679
and attorneys to support premany for
children and care. Work with our court

910
01:17:43,199 --> 01:17:48,960
partners, child welfare law firm and
community partners to strengthen

911
01:17:47,040 --> 01:17:54,960
supportive services to families involved
in child welfare. It's a team effort. We

912
01:17:52,480 --> 01:18:01,520
don't do it by ourselves.
You know that we when we do get a call

913
01:17:58,560 --> 01:18:06,640
and we do have to intervene, the court
mandates what we have to do as well. Um

914
01:18:04,880 --> 01:18:10,800
and we have to work through that process
as well. And then we need all these

915
01:18:08,800 --> 01:18:15,920
services of all these other departments
and outside agencies um with their case

916
01:18:14,560 --> 01:18:21,040
load and stuff. We've got to work
through all that. So, this is a

917
01:18:18,239 --> 01:18:27,199
communitywide effort from everybody in
Cabaris County. Um, so despite the

918
01:18:25,280 --> 01:18:31,360
ongoing staffing challenges and the
increased service demands, Cabaris

919
01:18:29,440 --> 01:18:35,600
County is working diligently on
strengthening child safety, supporting

920
01:18:33,440 --> 01:18:42,800
families, and achieving timely
permanency for children in care. DSS

921
01:18:38,960 --> 01:18:46,880
leadership recently met with our DHS
regional director who noted that there

922
01:18:45,360 --> 01:18:51,360
is a lot of evidence that our child
welfare division is a well-run agency

923
01:18:49,360 --> 01:18:59,040
based on outcomes and various state
monitor indicators. In fact, in fiscal

924
01:18:54,640 --> 01:19:03,280
year 26, DSS met with met or exceeded
expectations for all statemandated

925
01:19:01,440 --> 01:19:08,159
memorandum of understanding outcomes
required by state statute. The work of

926
01:19:06,000 --> 01:19:15,520
the child welfare social worker is not
easy and we know there are always ways

927
01:19:11,920 --> 01:19:19,840
to improve. As the representative of
from the board, I am proud of the

928
01:19:17,360 --> 01:19:23,840
efforts of the staff and their
leadership for working to implement

929
01:19:22,159 --> 01:19:29,760
needed changes that strengthen our
system. We have made a lot of changes uh

930
01:19:27,679 --> 01:19:34,159
since I came on board and it's not
through me, it's through them. I I just

931
01:19:32,320 --> 01:19:39,840
happen to see what they're doing and see
the work by by going to the meetings.

932
01:19:36,560 --> 01:19:44,239
Um, and these people are working hard to
really improve this department and all

933
01:19:42,320 --> 01:19:50,400
of our services, whether it's veteran
services, uh, you know, Medicaid, any of

934
01:19:48,000 --> 01:19:56,000
those services. They are a dedicated
team and uh, and I I really appreciate

935
01:19:53,360 --> 01:20:02,000
what they have done. Uh, I'm just in awe
watching how hard they work to improve

936
01:19:58,640 --> 01:20:06,320
this department. Um, so this type of
thing we're working to does take time

937
01:20:04,080 --> 01:20:12,080
though and the work staff continues each
and every day to make the most of the

938
01:20:09,360 --> 01:20:19,440
situation and do the best practices and
ways to improve is always the number one

939
01:20:15,040 --> 01:20:23,475
goal is find ways to improve. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Commissioner Jones.

940
01:20:21,120 --> 01:20:26,640
Commissioner,
[clears throat]

941
01:20:24,719 --> 01:20:31,120
» um, pretty light month for me actually.
This will be quick. Harrisburg Town

942
01:20:28,640 --> 01:20:34,960
Council. Um, couple of just kind of
regular contractual items. They did have

943
01:20:33,280 --> 01:20:38,719
three public hearings on new
developments. Two of them were small

944
01:20:37,040 --> 01:20:43,520
single family homes. Those were
approved. The other one on the agenda

945
01:20:40,640 --> 01:20:50,080
was 149 lot residential neighborhood and
it was on 175 acres. Um, that applicant

946
01:20:47,199 --> 01:20:54,080
pulled that last minute. Um, so while it
remained on the agenda, they did not

947
01:20:51,760 --> 01:20:59,040
discuss it. So there will be a public
hearing on that project at some point.

948
01:20:56,719 --> 01:21:03,679
Excuse [clears throat] me. Uh, WASAC, we
meet on Thursday, so nothing to report

949
01:21:01,199 --> 01:21:09,840
there. Cabar's planning and zoning was
cancelled for a lack of agenda items, so

950
01:21:06,400 --> 01:21:14,560
nothing to report. Um, I did finally get
my board training at convention and

951
01:21:12,719 --> 01:21:19,199
visitors bureau, but I think that
they're I think the meeting is next

952
01:21:16,080 --> 01:21:24,400
week, so I'll report back on that one um
at the next meeting. Um, and then active

953
01:21:22,000 --> 01:21:31,280
living advisory council was this
morning. Um, lot going on at the active

954
01:21:28,640 --> 01:21:34,800
living and parks, uh, especially in the
month of September because it's senior

955
01:21:33,040 --> 01:21:40,239
center month celebration. I think I
counted 11 active um, project or, uh,

956
01:21:38,560 --> 01:21:45,920
events that are going to be happening
including an ice cream social, a 35th

957
01:21:43,600 --> 01:21:50,640
anniversary open house, some bingo,
indoor baseball. There's a lot going on.

958
01:21:48,640 --> 01:21:56,000
Um, so check out the website for that
one. I did just want to plug one thing

959
01:21:53,280 --> 01:22:01,840
um that uh is occurring tomorrow
morning. The Council on Aging is doing

960
01:21:59,520 --> 01:22:07,360
uh their first ever book sale to raise
funds. That'll happen from 9:00 a.m. to

961
01:22:04,719 --> 01:22:12,159
400 p.m. at the Concord Active Living
Center. Uh and they have told me uh that

962
01:22:10,159 --> 01:22:19,120
they have books from all age for all
ages. So down from your littlest ones um

963
01:22:15,360 --> 01:22:23,280
up to adult books. So, um, if if you're
interested in the books, it it supports

964
01:22:21,120 --> 01:22:28,000
them 100% on putting on their programs
and events, and they're well priced as

965
01:22:25,520 --> 01:22:31,679
well. So, uh, I hope you'll join them
for that because if they don't sell them

966
01:22:29,600 --> 01:22:36,320
all, they've got to haul them back home.
Um, that's all I had, madam.

967
01:22:34,400 --> 01:22:41,120
» All right. Thank you. All right. Just a
couple of things. Um, at the Canapapolis

968
01:22:38,719 --> 01:22:46,080
City Council meeting, uh, this past
month, I was able to watch four new

969
01:22:43,520 --> 01:22:51,920
police officers sworn into the KPD. So,
congratulations to them. Um, also very

970
01:22:48,960 --> 01:22:55,920
thankful that um, none of the
Canapapolis police officers were hurt in

971
01:22:53,920 --> 01:23:01,600
a recent uh, situation that happened
that I think we have heard of to this

972
01:22:58,239 --> 01:23:06,400
point. Um, I did get the opportunity to
uh, attend the Locust City Council

973
01:23:03,520 --> 01:23:10,480
meeting last week. Um, I just got to
give a shout out to them. They are a

974
01:23:08,639 --> 01:23:17,520
phenomenal group of city council
members. Um, the mayor is hysterical. um

975
01:23:14,480 --> 01:23:22,320
and and their their city manager uh
Caesar is wonderful. So, I just want to

976
01:23:19,840 --> 01:23:27,120
thank them for their hospitality and I
look forward to seeing them in more city

977
01:23:24,719 --> 01:23:31,600
council meetings. They actually had the
NC DOT come and present there too, just

978
01:23:30,000 --> 01:23:36,800
like they did at the town of Midland
because they are right off of 2427 and

979
01:23:34,400 --> 01:23:41,679
so they are doing some studies right now
too to see how traffic is going to be

980
01:23:38,560 --> 01:23:46,480
impacted over the next 10 to 15 years.
Um, we also had the uh Cabara soil and

981
01:23:44,639 --> 01:23:51,600
water meeting. We have creek week coming
up at the end of September. Um, they

982
01:23:48,800 --> 01:23:56,560
just did a video about that as well for
um from on the government page for

983
01:23:54,320 --> 01:23:59,600
Facebook. So, I would encourage you all
to check that out. They do a lot of

984
01:23:58,080 --> 01:24:04,080
great work with our kids in the
community uh during Creek Week as well.

985
01:24:02,080 --> 01:24:10,280
Commissioners, do you have any other
general comments you'd like to make?

986
01:24:06,880 --> 01:24:10,280
Commissioner Pitman?

987
01:24:11,520 --> 01:24:20,239
Um,
someone's mentioned about where we stand

988
01:24:15,920 --> 01:24:22,960
on the GO GO bonds. I have not stated my
personal position on that because I

989
01:24:21,600 --> 01:24:27,520
didn't think it was appropriate as a
county commissioner to do that. Um, I

990
01:24:26,000 --> 01:24:31,920
will repeat though, the only reason I
put voted to put it on the ballot was

991
01:24:29,520 --> 01:24:36,080
because the people need to decide that.
And so that's why I wanted it on the

992
01:24:34,400 --> 01:24:40,719
ballot is let the people decide if we're
going to do that.

993
01:24:38,000 --> 01:24:45,120
Now, I want to say thank you to the
sheriff's office. I've been getting a

994
01:24:42,400 --> 01:24:49,520
lot of death threats. Uh got one
recently where the guy said somebody

995
01:24:47,040 --> 01:24:54,159
should beat me to death. It's been
tried, you know, and was not successful.

996
01:24:52,880 --> 01:25:01,280
Of course, I am getting older. They
might have better luck now. Um

997
01:24:57,840 --> 01:25:05,679
well, a deputy was assigned to look into
that. He found it was somebody in

998
01:25:02,960 --> 01:25:09,600
California. Uh because it was anonymous,
had no idea how to get hold of them.

999
01:25:08,080 --> 01:25:14,800
Let me explain something to you. I don't
have a county phone. So if you call try

1000
01:25:11,920 --> 01:25:22,320
to get me here on the phone, it records
it as um an email. So that's how I get

1001
01:25:19,280 --> 01:25:27,840
those messages. Anyway, they found this
guy in California. The police went and

1002
01:25:24,080 --> 01:25:34,800
talked to him and um Oh, he was very
apologetic. I didn't mean it that way.

1003
01:25:30,719 --> 01:25:39,920
Yeah, right. Um had more recent one and
they're looking into that one now. guy

1004
01:25:37,040 --> 01:25:44,239
claimed to be a Christian, accused me of
a whole bunch of stuff, and said he

1005
01:25:41,600 --> 01:25:48,320
wanted to see a bullet in my head, and
then he threatened my family. So,

1006
01:25:46,880 --> 01:25:53,040
they're looking into that one. I hope
they get up with that one, too.

1007
01:25:50,960 --> 01:25:58,719
Moving on. And this will not make some
of you happy. Um, but I would remind you

1008
01:25:56,800 --> 01:26:02,719
that what I'm about to say was part of
what I campaigned on when I ran for this

1009
01:26:00,800 --> 01:26:09,040
office.
and uh

1010
01:26:05,760 --> 01:26:15,360
I won. Okay, so some of you may not like
it, but here's the facts where I stand

1011
01:26:11,920 --> 01:26:20,239
on this matter of property taxes. I want
to thank Brian Chavaria for his work and

1012
01:26:17,679 --> 01:26:23,600
our other local representatives for the
work they've tried to do to deal with

1013
01:26:21,760 --> 01:26:27,280
this issue.
Um

1014
01:26:25,440 --> 01:26:32,239
I think property tax legislation they
come up with is good, but it doesn't go

1015
01:26:30,000 --> 01:26:36,080
far enough.
what I have said from during the

1016
01:26:34,159 --> 01:26:40,080
campaign and what I told the committee
that was looking at that in Raleigh. You

1017
01:26:38,639 --> 01:26:43,040
know, I was hoping to go speak to them
in person. It never worked out that way

1018
01:26:41,600 --> 01:26:49,199
because they kept not taking public
comment, but uh I sent them a statement

1019
01:26:47,679 --> 01:26:53,920
which was shared with the members of the
committee

1020
01:26:50,960 --> 01:26:58,080
that no valuation of property should be
done by any government entities. It's

1021
01:26:56,159 --> 01:27:04,719
none of our business what your property
is worth. Um, no one should have to pay

1022
01:27:02,080 --> 01:27:09,600
taxes based on more than they actually
paid for their home. You know, when they

1023
01:27:07,520 --> 01:27:13,840
sell it, if it's more than that person
taxes on that amount,

1024
01:27:11,920 --> 01:27:18,320
no taxpayer funding should go to
anything that is not a government entity

1025
01:27:15,840 --> 01:27:23,600
or a government responsibility. That
means no money to EDC, no money to any

1026
01:27:21,120 --> 01:27:27,840
kind of business incentives.
Um, you know, we're we have to do

1027
01:27:25,600 --> 01:27:31,840
regulations to make sure governments
treat each other fairly, treat the

1028
01:27:29,520 --> 01:27:35,679
people fairly, do things legally, that
sort of thing. But beyond that, bringing

1029
01:27:33,920 --> 01:27:39,199
business in is not a government
responsibility.

1030
01:27:37,440 --> 01:27:43,520
As far as the EDC and Chamber of
Commerce, you know, nothing wrong with

1031
01:27:41,520 --> 01:27:50,159
them existing and doing the things that
they do, but he shouldn't get any

1032
01:27:44,800 --> 01:27:53,440
taxpayer money for doing it. Um, so I've
always been against those things. I

1033
01:27:51,360 --> 01:27:56,560
still am. That's why I've not voted for
the budget the last two years because

1034
01:27:54,880 --> 01:28:02,159
they didn't take those things out like I
asked them to do. Um, giving to

1035
01:28:00,159 --> 01:28:06,880
charitable institutions also should be
totally voluntary. If individuals want

1036
01:28:04,800 --> 01:28:11,520
to give, let them give. One thing, if
you don't overt tax them, they might be

1037
01:28:08,560 --> 01:28:15,679
able to afford to give a little better.
Uh, it should be totally voluntary, not

1038
01:28:13,440 --> 01:28:20,719
by taxation.
Cutting out such inappropriate spending,

1039
01:28:18,159 --> 01:28:25,760
I believe, will make paying for actual
government entities and government

1040
01:28:22,320 --> 01:28:29,920
responsibilities more efficient. So,
that's what I told them. I hope we'll

1041
01:28:27,600 --> 01:28:34,960
get there someday, but at least um you
know, I do support the amendment that

1042
01:28:32,080 --> 01:28:39,280
we're asked to vote on and uh I hope
they'll go further than that going

1043
01:28:36,400 --> 01:28:42,760
forward. Thank you,
>> Commissioner Wartman.

1044
01:28:42,880 --> 01:28:51,120
Just wanted to point out that our very
own Ary has completed officially

1045
01:28:48,320 --> 01:28:53,679
completed uh clerk school. So she is
officially officially the clerk.

1046
01:28:53,071 --> 01:28:58,366
[laughter]
>> Officially officially

1047
01:28:54,639 --> 01:28:58,366
» congratulations on completing [applause]

1048
01:29:00,800 --> 01:29:07,360
» Thank you, Commissioner Wartman. And I
just want to say that you are doing a

1049
01:29:04,560 --> 01:29:13,520
fantastic job even though you had not
been officially official until now. Um,

1050
01:29:11,120 --> 01:29:18,199
we are grateful to have you. You're
welcome. Commissioner Jones.

1051
01:29:21,199 --> 01:29:27,440
» I'm opposite of Larry. I'm I'm against
the tax amendment. Just want to let

1052
01:29:25,600 --> 01:29:32,719
y'all know that.
>> All right. And, uh, Commissioner

1053
01:29:30,080 --> 01:29:38,080
Patrick. Um
yeah, I want to thank uh Commissioner

1054
01:29:35,040 --> 01:29:43,120
Pitman and also um Commissioner Jones
for being very careful about the way

1055
01:29:39,840 --> 01:29:46,639
they said that because there are two
things about referenda that are on the

1056
01:29:45,120 --> 01:29:56,239
ballot that I think everybody should
know. We are not allowed as a board by

1057
01:29:51,120 --> 01:30:03,120
state law to use any taxpayer funds to
support or oppose the referenda. That

1058
01:29:59,440 --> 01:30:08,400
goes for the geo bonds and that goes for
the constitutional amendment. Now, if

1059
01:30:06,239 --> 01:30:13,199
you'd like to see me afterwards and know
exactly where I stand on both of those,

1060
01:30:10,480 --> 01:30:18,560
I will tell you as a voter, uh, which is
my right, but this body has to be very

1061
01:30:16,159 --> 01:30:24,960
careful about what we say. We cannot
support or oppose. We may only educate,

1062
01:30:21,920 --> 01:30:29,920
which is why if you watch the the geo
bonds video, you'll see that we were

1063
01:30:26,800 --> 01:30:35,199
very careful not to say yes, support it
or no, don't. All we can give you is the

1064
01:30:32,480 --> 01:30:41,360
information and it's up to the people to
decide whether it passes or not. Um,

1065
01:30:38,320 --> 01:30:47,840
frankly, as it should be. Uh, I can give
you a little bit of education on the

1066
01:30:43,199 --> 01:30:55,440
constitutional amendment. Um,
all it basically says is that the voters

1067
01:30:50,560 --> 01:31:04,880
would approve or deny the ability of the
legislature to make laws regarding tax

1068
01:30:59,600 --> 01:31:10,080
limits. Um, there is no law proposed uh
nor is there any information about what

1069
01:31:07,679 --> 01:31:14,400
that would mean for services or anything
like that. It is simply a question. Do

1070
01:31:12,719 --> 01:31:19,120
you want to give the legislature that
right and enshrine it in the

1071
01:31:16,080 --> 01:31:23,600
constitution? That is it. Um, so I just
thought it was important so people don't

1072
01:31:21,600 --> 01:31:27,920
keep coming up here and saying what are
the board of commissioners going to say

1073
01:31:25,120 --> 01:31:32,560
about this. We cannot. It is going to be
on the ballot.

1074
01:31:30,000 --> 01:31:36,800
Our hands are tied by state law and I
don't want the uh sheriffs in the back

1075
01:31:34,400 --> 01:31:42,480
to say something to me afterwards. So
madam, I just wanted to clear that up.

1076
01:31:38,719 --> 01:31:48,159
» Thank you Patrick. So, um, first I want
to highlight, um, our animal shelter

1077
01:31:45,440 --> 01:31:53,080
video for this month. So, this month I
was able to meet Button, Hunter, and

1078
01:31:50,080 --> 01:31:53,080
Fisher.

1079
01:31:53,199 --> 01:32:00,960
Hey folks, I'm Laura. This is Button.
This is Hunter. This is Fisher. And this

1080
01:31:59,040 --> 01:32:07,280
is your August shelter update. Let's go
meet those friendly faces. Now,

1081
01:32:04,960 --> 01:32:13,600
Button is approximately 6 [music] years
old. And according to a volunteer

1082
01:32:09,840 --> 01:32:20,000
donated DNA test, Button is 33% American
Pitbull Terrier, 29% [music] American

1083
01:32:16,239 --> 01:32:24,560
Staffordshire Terrier, 18% boxer, 8%
Boston Terrier, and 5% American Akita.

1084
01:32:22,674 --> 01:32:30,080
[music] She is cute as a button, and
looking for a family of her own.

1085
01:32:27,360 --> 01:32:34,239
Hunter. Hunter and Fisher were brought
in as strays at [music] approximately 3

1086
01:32:32,159 --> 01:32:40,480
years old, and both boys are looking for
a family to call their own.

1087
01:32:38,320 --> 01:32:45,440
Button, Hunter, and Fisher are just a
few examples of animals that could be

1088
01:32:42,719 --> 01:32:49,600
your next play partner, couch companion,
or snooze sidekick. Whatever you're

1089
01:32:47,600 --> 01:32:54,639
looking for, you can find it right here
at the Cabaris County Animal Shelter.

1090
01:32:53,040 --> 01:32:58,560
And I just want to say thank you to
Julie who is here. She's never here when

1091
01:32:56,800 --> 01:33:03,199
I get to do these videos at the end of
the at the end of the meeting, but she

1092
01:33:00,960 --> 01:33:07,840
is so welcoming and helps me with all of
these videos. And um I just want to

1093
01:33:05,600 --> 01:33:12,320
thank you. so much for your support of
allowing us to do this because I know

1094
01:33:09,679 --> 01:33:18,000
it's a lot of work for you too. Um, and
then so the last thing I have is five

1095
01:33:15,440 --> 01:33:23,760
things that you need to know. So number
one, the ADA survey. First, a reminder

1096
01:33:20,880 --> 01:33:27,920
about our ADA survey. Please take a few
minutes to complete it and help us

1097
01:33:25,600 --> 01:33:33,040
create a more accessible facilities,
programs, and services. Responses are

1098
01:33:30,880 --> 01:33:38,159
confidential. You can find the survey on
our website under the featured tab at

1099
01:33:35,520 --> 01:33:42,960
the bottom of the homepage. Second, the
veterans benefits event. Cabaris County

1100
01:33:41,040 --> 01:33:49,440
Veterans Services is partnering with
Meckllinburgg Union Rowan and Gaston

1101
01:33:45,679 --> 01:33:54,880
counties for a veterans benefits live VA
in my town on August 20th through the

1102
01:33:52,320 --> 01:33:59,360
21st at Friendship Missionary Baptist
Church in Charlotte. Veterans can

1103
01:33:57,520 --> 01:34:04,159
connect directly with local veteran
services officers, VA representatives,

1104
01:34:02,080 --> 01:34:08,880
and community partners to learn about
benefits, programs, and services.

1105
01:34:06,719 --> 01:34:13,280
Pre-registration is encouraged, but
walk-ins are welcome. You can register

1106
01:34:11,280 --> 01:34:19,199
using the link on our Cabaris County
Facebook page. Number three, core event.

1107
01:34:16,719 --> 01:34:24,639
Our collaborative opioid recovery and
education or core team is hosting a free

1108
01:34:22,080 --> 01:34:30,480
public event Wednesday, August the 19th
at Afton Ridge Library and Active Living

1109
01:34:27,199 --> 01:34:35,440
Center. It starts at 5:00 p.m. You'll
learn more about what core team does and

1110
01:34:33,120 --> 01:34:39,600
how Cabaris County is using opioid
settlement funds to support residents.

1111
01:34:37,920 --> 01:34:43,280
There will be complimentary food
resources, entertainment, and

1112
01:34:41,280 --> 01:34:48,560
opportunities con to connect with
partner organizations. Number four,

1113
01:34:46,239 --> 01:34:52,560
powerful tools for caregivers. We know
caring for a loved one can be

1114
01:34:50,159 --> 01:34:58,000
challenging, so we have a virtual class
to help. Powerful tools for caregivers

1115
01:34:55,440 --> 01:35:02,400
is a free six-w weekek virtual series
designed to help family caregivers

1116
01:34:59,920 --> 01:35:06,960
reduce stress, build confidence,
communicate effectively, and find

1117
01:35:04,400 --> 01:35:12,560
helpful resources. Classes are held
virtually Wednesdays from 2 to 4

1118
01:35:09,679 --> 01:35:17,040
beginning August 26th. Participants will
receive a caregiver handbook and

1119
01:35:14,560 --> 01:35:22,000
supporting materials. Class size is
limited and pre-registration is

1120
01:35:19,199 --> 01:35:26,360
required. Call Cabaris County Adult and
Aging Services at 704-9201400

1121
01:35:27,199 --> 01:35:35,360
and choose option seven to register.
Participants will need a computer with

1122
01:35:32,480 --> 01:35:41,040
internet access and a webcam. And number
five, county inspectors earn statewide

1123
01:35:38,239 --> 01:35:45,440
honors. Last, but certainly not least,
congratulations to two of our county

1124
01:35:43,040 --> 01:35:49,600
inspectors. Gary Martin was recently
named district D district 3 building

1125
01:35:47,840 --> 01:35:54,960
inspector of the year by the North
Carolina Building Inspectors Association

1126
01:35:52,560 --> 01:36:00,000
representing Cabaris and 11 surrounding
counties. Mike Cox was named mechanical

1127
01:35:57,920 --> 01:36:03,520
inspector of the year by the North
Carolina Mechanical Inspectors

1128
01:36:01,760 --> 01:36:08,960
Association. These are both
well-deserved honors and we are proud to

1129
01:36:05,520 --> 01:36:12,000
having them serve Cabaris County.
All right, that is all for me.

1130
01:36:10,320 --> 01:36:15,920
Commissioners, do you have any other
comments you'd like to make this

1131
01:36:13,360 --> 01:36:18,639
evening? Okay, with that, I'll take a
motion to adjurnn.

1132
01:36:16,960 --> 01:36:22,960
» So move.
>> All those in favor, please say I. Any

1133
01:36:20,960 --> 01:36:27,239
opposed? All right, we are adjourned.
Thank you all for joining us this

1134
01:36:24,239 --> 01:36:27,239
evening.