Name: Surry County Board of Commissioners Meeting June 17, 2024
Uploaded: 2024-06-19T00:00:00Z
Duration: 1 h 43 min 5 s
Description: It's always very positive for Surrey County and as the county manager has told us and we've seen in the revenue numbers that sales tax seems to be in revenue seem to be flattening out.

[0:09] Good evening. And welcome to the Sherry County Board of Commissioners meeting tonight of June the 17th. We're so pleased you're here. We've got a lot of things to cover. We're going to get right down to business and start off. And with that, calling the meeting to order, I'm going to ask Commissioner Eddie Harris to lead us to the implication and pledge of allegiance. Please, sir.

[0:38] Thank you for the opportunity together here tonight to do the people's business.

[0:43] We thank you for our wonderful county, its citizens, its volunteers, the school system,

[0:48] all of the people that make the Surrey County run.

[0:51] We thank you for your grace, your mercy, and your redemption.

[0:55] We thank you for our fathers that were celebrated yesterday, dear Lord.

[0:59] we thank you for our family units in the United States of America and we thank you for the opportunity

[1:07] here to represent all of the people in Surrey County. We ask that you give us grace and guidance

[1:15] and safe travel home. We pray for our country. We pray for our government. We pray for our leaders

[1:21] Dear Lord and most of all, dear Lord, we ask that you forgive us for our sins and you watch and

[1:29] lead and guide us and may we do the people's business pleasing unto thee. We ask these things

[1:35] in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

[1:39] to

[1:44] the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God in the

[1:56] Judgment.

[2:01] Thank you, Commissioner Harris. Okay, gentlemen, you have read your agenda and it's

[2:10] quite an agenda to read. I would like a motion to get tonight's agenda approved. Do I hear a motion?

[2:17] Motion to approve, Mr. Chairman.

[2:19] Motion from Commissioner Bill going to approve the agenda to hear a second.

[2:23] Second.

[2:24] Second.

[2:25] Commissioner Mark Marion in a discussion.

[2:28] Done.

[2:29] All in favor, please say aye.

[2:30] Aye.

[2:31] Aye.

[2:31] And the agenda is approved.

[2:32] Thank you, gentlemen.

[2:34] Also, as part of your agenda packet tonight, we have some prior meeting minutes of June

[2:47] and you agree to them. I'm looking for a motion to approve these minutes to go into the record.

[2:53] Motion to approve minutes, Mr. Chairman, from the 3rd of June 2024.

[2:57] Okay, we'll have a motion to approve the June 3rd minutes. Do I hear a second?

[3:02] Second.

[3:03] Second, Commissioner Johnson. All in favor of any discussion? None. All in favor, please say aye.

[3:10] high and the meeting minutes have been approved. Also, as an add-on from the county

[3:17] manager, we would like to ask if you've looked at them laying in front of you

[3:23] there, they're pretty short. He wants to know if we are comfortable enough with

[3:28] those meeting minutes of the last work session of June the 11th, 2024. If you

[3:36] have scanned them over and you like them and you will improve them. I'm looking for a motion to

[3:41] put these into the record. This is the work session of Jim the 11th, 2024 to a hero motion.

[3:47] Motion to approve Mr. Chairman. Motion of Commissioner Mark Narian to hear a second.

[3:51] Second? Second, Commissioner Johnson in a discussion. Being none all in favor please say aye.

[3:59] Motion carries and we have approved the meeting minutes. Also tonight we have quite a

[4:06] the consent agenda. We have several bullet points laying out the description of the headers

[4:12] of what these consent agendas are. But we always like for you folks to know what we've

[4:18] got in here and for those of you that's got a meeting agenda here already that you picked

[4:26] up at tonight's meeting then you know. But if not we would like you can see them. But I would

[4:31] I'd like to ask our county manager, Chris Ganoff, if you will, to read off and explain

[4:37] briefly the contents of the consent agenda tonight.

[4:40] Thank you.

[4:41] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[4:42] First item are the tax department end of month's summaries, charges and reports.

[4:46] Next is the contract renewal with the EMS MC.

[4:49] They do our collections for EMS service.

[4:52] There's a proclamation celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Mount Erie Rotary Club.

[4:58] Also renewal and this would be the third year of the litter pickup program that's funded

[5:03] out of the public works department.

[5:05] This is where the third party contractor that we selected a couple of years ago from

[5:10] the HR department to implement the approved pay studies for DSS, Fire Marshal, and Communications.

[5:17] Next is the arbitrage rebate services proposal.

[5:20] This is required on our limited obligation bonds from 1819 and 21.

[5:26] Next is the hangar apron rehabilitation amendment one for the airport, and this is basically

[5:30] just adding some additional grant funding that's come in from NCDHT.

[5:34] There's no local money as a part of that amendment.

[5:38] Next to the mandatory high school CTE renovations amendment one, this is where the school system

[5:43] will be using lottery funds to cover some overage there, so no local money that's going to

[5:48] be lottery funds only.

[5:49] And then last item is budget amendment number 15, and there's an updated draft at each

[5:54] years, easier seats from Laura. And that concludes the consent agenda, Mr. Chairman.

[5:59] Okay. In general, you have read the items in the consent agenda. You have heard our

[6:04] manager, Chris Kinoff, spell them out. Unless there's an item you want to pull out for discussion,

[6:10] I'm looking for a motion to approve the consent agenda as listed here tonight and as stated

[6:17] by Chris Kinoff about your motion.

[6:29] In the discussion.

[6:32] There being none, I'll in favor of proven tonight's consent agenda.

[6:36] Please say aye.

[6:37] Aye.

[6:38] Any opposed?

[6:38] None.

[6:39] Motion carries unanimously.

[6:40] Thank you, gentlemen.

[6:43] Okay.

[6:43] Moving right along, we did leave some room and our schedule tonight for open form.

[6:50] We usually get a late afternoon in the afternoon.

[6:50] of an opportunity for the public to come up. I will say tonight we've got to

[6:55] we've got a couple of public hearings concerning different things and we

[7:02] have an appeal hearing and if you're here to talk about those things or come to

[7:06] participate in those parts of the agenda we'd like to ask that you wait to those

[7:10] items come here before the board but this is general comments or opinions

[7:17] statements, questions. You can ask, you might not get many answers here tonight, but you can say

[7:21] about what's on your mind, pertaining to Surrey County, civic government here, and we'll give you

[7:27] two or three minutes. So if there's any takers and anybody wants to come up to open form and tell us

[7:31] what's on your mind, now's the time. We welcome you to come for it.

[7:37] Okay? Seeing no takers,

[7:41] we will close tonight's section and opportunity for the open form. Thank you very much.

[7:47] At this time, moving right along, I am going to ask our county attorney, Ed Wolts, and

[7:55] our development services attorney, Howard Jones, if you will, to set the stage and address

[8:03] the audience tonight and the commissioners about what we're going to do concerning the appeal

[8:10] People hearing, concerning Crystal Ritter and the abatement of a public health and safety

[8:16] nuisance at 7-9-1 Gailax Trail in Mount area, if you will, gentlemen.

[8:21] Good evening, Chairman, members of the Board, members of the public.

[8:27] Tonight we have an appeal from a notice of violation of the health and safety nuisance ordinance

[8:34] at Section 92 of the Suridh County ordinances.

[8:39] And that appeal was filed by Crystal Ritter,

[8:44] who is the owner of Record of Property

[8:46] at 791 Galex Trail.

[8:51] This proceeding is not like a legislative hearing

[8:56] or a rezoning, this is a adversarial hearing

[9:01] and it's quasi-judicial, and I don't represent, I'm not here to advise the board tonight, I'm here to represent development services.

[9:13] So I'm wearing an adversarial hat tonight.

[9:16] The board's advice should come from the county attorney at Wolfe's, but it's just important to remember,

[9:25] I will turn this over to Ed in a moment, that the appellant Ms. Ritter has rights to present her case and to cross-examine witness, if she wishes to, the board, and I have a right to present our case and to put on witnesses and cross-examine witnesses as well.

[9:54] However, the guiding principle is the only thing that should be considered by this board tonight is substantial component and material evidence.

[10:06] So personal attacks, criticisms that are irrelevant, the board has the jurisdiction to just like a judge would to control the dignity of the proceedings.

[10:18] So having said that, I like to turn this over to the county attorney.

[10:22] This

[10:26] board does not deal with quasi-judicial hearings very often, and I thought it might

[10:31] be helpful to give you some pointers that come from the North Carolina local school of

[10:40] government, Coates Cannon's blog.

[10:45] Every quasi-judicial decision shall be based upon competent material and substantial evidence

[10:51] in the record.

[10:54] This decision making body is acting like a trial court based on the evidence and the information that has been shared with you in advance and with the writers.

[11:14] This board builds the record upon which its decision is based.

[11:20] in the event that this is appealed to Superior Court and the record that we are creating tonight is what will be considered on the appeal.

[11:33] That's why we have a court reporter here making a verbatim transcription of what's going on.

[11:41] The information that has been distributed includes binders, photographs, diagrams, and

[11:56] all of that information is subject to consideration.

[12:00] We need to be clear here that, because this is a quasi-judicial proceeding, some of the

[12:15] evidence in the record is good, including the application, factual testimony from opposing

[12:22] parties, expert opinion testimony, and some is incompetent in material and insubstantial,

[12:31] And that would be opinions expressed by Lehman that aren't experts.

[12:39] This board cannot take that into consideration.

[12:43] It may make its way into the record, but it can't be considered.

[12:50] Again, the board must base its decision on competent material and substantial evidence that's properly

[12:57] produced.

[12:58] Do

[13:01] you have any, I mean, any particular questions about those guidelines?

[13:18] Okay.

[13:18] Thank you.

[13:20] Chairman, now I proceed.

[13:23] Yes, please.

[13:25] Okay.

[13:26] Before I begin, you have a binder that was served on the ridders with 16 attachments.

[13:36] even you were served that with the agenda and in that are videos and various other things,

[13:50] which are permitted to be served ahead of time as long as a copy is served on the

[13:56] appellant which was done here. Also tonight on the desk in front of you and a copy has been given

[14:02] to Crystal Ritter is a copy of a Google map that I'm just going to be using, taking off

[14:11] the internet, using for illustrative purposes.

[14:15] Dr. Ackerman's CD, he'll be testifying tonight.

[14:22] And after David, there's a picture of a pig with three rats in your binder.

[14:31] the person that took that photo came down with a stroke throat yesterday and had to submit

[14:40] an affidavit and that's been supplied to you. There's also a cat video that I'll be referring

[14:46] to with one of my witnesses. So the procedures tonight should be because the county has the burden

[14:56] to in seeking a polling of this.

[15:00] Should the county should go first and present its case, and then the appellant as until I present their case.

[15:13] So, before going any further, I would like to call Tyler Swayne to the front as our first witness.

[15:27] And all the witnesses will need to be sworn tonight.

[15:48] So

[15:53] could you state your name for the record?

[15:55] My name is William Tyler Swain.

[15:57] If you just get a little close, I have a problem too.

[16:03] Are you a licensed private investigator?

[16:08] I am.

[16:09] I'm licensed to the state.

[16:10] I'm a licensed private investigator.

[16:11] and how long have you been a licensed private investigator?

[16:15] I've been licensed for about eight years.

[16:17] About eight years?

[16:18] And after that, you worked with a private investigator

[16:21] for many years, too, correct?

[16:24] Through that time I've worked with several.

[16:25] Yes, sir.

[16:28] And were you retained by the Missouri County

[16:33] to videotape the Ritter's residence

[16:39] with regard to the animal, the animal situation on it?

[16:44] I was, yes sir.

[16:45] Okay.

[16:46] And was it your understanding the reason,

[16:49] or your retention was that the ridders refused

[16:54] the county access without a warrant?

[16:58] Yes sir, it was.

[16:59] Okay, so was your understanding that the video was being taken

[17:02] in order to supply to the court in order

[17:07] to obtain a search warrant. Correct? Yes sir. Okay. And so did you, in fact, conduct surveillance

[17:16] and a video, produce a video? Yes sir, I did. Okay. And you then provided that to the county

[17:24] attorney, correct? Yes sir. Okay. And you prepared a report, correct? Yes sir. Okay. And that basically,

[17:33] that report is your standard procedure that you do for all court cases, right?

[17:38] Yes, sir.

[17:40] And the report itemizes different things that you observed that you thought were

[17:46] noteworthy at the time on the different days, correct?

[17:49] Yes, sir.

[17:50] Okay. And that investigation concluded in September of last year, right?

[17:57] Yes, sir.

[17:57] I did.

[17:58] Okay. And

[17:59] And then a copy of that investigative report and the flash drive has been attached as provided

[18:11] in the binders to the county commissioners, correct?

[18:14] Yes, sir.

[18:14] Okay.

[18:15] And you reviewed the video on the flash drive before providing it to the county attorney,

[18:21] correct?

[18:22] Yes, sir.

[18:22] I did.

[18:23] Okay.

[18:23] And is that flash drive with the video on that flash drive an accurate

[18:31] representation of what you saw during your investigation?

[18:34] Yes, it is, that is correct.

[18:36] Okay, I don't have any questions, Miss Ritter?

[18:45] Yes.

[18:46] Yes.

[18:46] Yes, please.

[18:47] Yes, Ritter.

[18:52] So we only have one mic here.

[18:58] So, right.

[19:00] So, if you will, we might pull them out now for help or pull them out now in the bottom right.

[19:05] And Mr. Ritter, if you will, speaking to the microphones out of that people viewing listening here and out in the

[19:11] Viewing audience, you might be able to be more easily heard for the record. So if you will, go ahead with your and be sworn in first.

[19:20] Okay, swearing in with

[19:25] Getting her, she needs to get her binder. Oh, okay. Yeah.

[19:33] Hey Sandy, you will

[19:43] I think where's your app please?

[19:47] Where to kill the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help.

[19:51] I do. All right, so you are a private investigator.

[19:57] Okay, do you know the difference between a back door and an animal door?

[20:05] Then why were you saying that the animals were coming out my back door?

[20:10] Using that? No, they weren't. No, they weren't.

[20:15] There is no way they can get, there is no way they can get from there up to my upstairs.

[20:21] The door that you said was my back door that was left open, that was available to the

[20:28] goat 24 hours a day, so it's an old work room.

[20:32] Excuse me, objection, questions for the witness can be asked, but then arguing and testifying.

[20:40] There's a time for that testimony and that will be one misrider testifies.

[20:45] I'm not arguing. I'm just stating a fact that he doesn't know a door, a correct door,

[20:50] because he said that my animals were coming out of my back door.

[20:54] Okay.

[20:59] Okay.

[21:02] Set the parameters.

[21:03] I'm going to help you set the parameters you share for Mr. Ritter.

[21:05] Give us some guidance on what you can and cannot say and do.

[21:09] From the development services point of view,

[21:12] there's certainly time for Mr. Ritter to come up and testify

[21:15] and she will have that opportunity.

[21:17] Well, I'm showing that he doesn't know clearly what a back door looks like

[21:21] because clearly, clearly it was not my back door.

[21:27] Okay, well, and I understand this can be difficult,

[21:31] a difficult distinction, but this will be prolonged and disjointed

[21:36] unless we follow the following rules.

[21:38] You get to ask a question of the witness.

[21:40] If you disagree with the witness,

[21:42] Okay, then you have to put on evidence of that when it's your turn to put on evidence.

[21:46] But you can't argue and you can't testify during the questioning.

[21:52] That's just our objection, but I'll defer to the chairman and the county attorney.

[21:58] How do I show that it's not my back door when all the people there in January saw clearly

[22:03] that it was not my back door?

[22:05] Ma'am, you will have an opportunity to testify.

[22:11] That's what you're doing now,

[22:12] but you're supposed to be asking questions of this.

[22:16] Okay, well I clearly showed he doesn't know a door from a door.

[22:20] Okay, you stated.

[22:22] Next question.

[22:23] Okay, what day did you see rats on my property

[22:27] of the five days you were there?

[23:09] September 21st.

[23:10] The 5th is a correct, so you saw no rats on my property the first four visits.

[23:17] I did not.

[23:18] Okay, only the 5th visit you saw rats.

[23:22] That was one of the times I'd be selling twice.

[23:25] Okay, twice, okay,

[23:31] and you noted on Friday, July 28, 2023 at 4.11 that you saw other different

[23:41] goats walking around my property correct. Okay and you noted again the back door was open the

[23:49] entire time which we established was not my back door. That was clearly an animal door. Clearly

[23:58] where the animals lived. That was approved by animal control I can state. Same objection.

[24:04] Okay. All right.

[24:13] You didn't notice the housing on the goats? Okay. You would not approve?

[24:22] Okay. Animal control did approve. Action. Animal control did approve.

[24:26] Okay. Hold on. Again, we... Okay.

[24:32] Ask a question if you don't like the answer or you stuck with it. All right.

[24:36] Okay. Next question is really.

[24:38] Okay.

[24:52] I did not know I was going to have allowed to ask questions so that's why I have to take some time and especially I was only given other information just today.

[25:01] So you have to bear with and give me time.

[25:03] Stan, we bear with you. There's kind of new ground for all of us but go right ahead with your questions.

[25:07] Okay.

[25:11] Okay. You noted, investigator noted. You began surveillance near the tennis court.

[25:22] You were in my backyard, but why does it say in the backyard?

[25:29] I was wondering if I was not doing it.

[25:32] But it states it says here.

[25:35] All right, he's asking the question.

[25:36] He saw you about your RV.

[25:38] He wasn't on it.

[25:38] Next question.

[25:39] Okay, but his report that he's referred to does say he was in.

[25:44] Okay.

[25:50] I'm not sure what the report says, but report speaks for itself.

[25:56] The report says, investigator says, began surveillance near the tennis court in the backyard

[26:04] of the subject's residence, but it says, action asked and answered, okay, let's move

[26:16] along.

[26:17] Let's go on to the next question, please.

[26:19] Okay. So they say that my water system was incorrect or wrong, but did you observe that

[26:29] they had water? Water in, in a pool we're all in. Not all. Did you notice that there

[26:38] were buckets on the property? Okay. All right.

[26:45] Did you notice that there was a duck pool

[26:47] on the property. Yes, that's one problem. No, no. A duck pool is different from a kid's pool.

[26:55] Oh, and how many pools did you notice on the property? Only one. Hmm. Okay. I asked

[27:04] then he answered, which are incorrect answers, but this I'm allowed to say that. Okay. Why did

[27:14] Did you note in the report an unidentified female outside the residence hanging up close?

[27:22] But you noted that I was hanging up close.

[27:29] Okay.

[27:31] Why did you say that I had dirt or foot on my face and hands from your position and your

[27:39] position was where?

[27:45] On my residence.

[27:48] on your residence, but I was never on your front.

[27:51] Where would you take the surveillance from?

[27:55] Several different spots around your property.

[27:57] Okay, can I ask where exactly those that was taken?

[28:01] Where your surveillance was from?

[28:03] Majority.

[28:06] Interesting.

[28:08] Okay,

[28:12] thank you by the way of a salmon and none mid-30s.

[28:15] Thank you.

[28:16] That was nice.

[28:19] Okay, next question.

[28:20] Okay. All

[28:37] your surveillance is taken at feeding time.

[28:43] Okay. We're any taken at feeding time?

[28:45] Yes. Okay. When were your report?

[28:50] Do you say feeding time actually watching you feed the animals?

[28:54] Yes. Okay. Okay. I overfeed them. Yeah. I do overfeed them.

[29:01] And Jenna's constantly telling me that, that I overfeed on my waist like that.

[29:06] What was the primary time you said, you went, you investigated various times.

[29:11] Yes.

[29:12] And if I could say for the court that they all were in the afternoon, except for one on

[29:19] a Sunday, 9.56, I'm answering his question.

[29:24] I asked him if he didn't know or he was stated there in the report.

[29:28] So if he can't state the times, then I felt I, isn't that right?

[29:34] Well, I'm not sure about that, but I think we're at the next question now anyway, aren't we?

[29:38] Okay.

[29:39] All right.

[29:39] So you can only say what was one on the report at these times from three o'clock

[29:47] one until the latest.

[29:51] It's according to the report.

[29:53] There was a Friday at 7.54 p.m. Okay.

[30:00] You cannot say for certain, if I've given them fresh water that day. You cannot say for certain, I fit my animals.

[30:11] You cannot say for certain that I've given them fresh hay that day.

[30:17] Okay, and can you say for certain how many animals were on the property?

[30:24] Okay,

[30:28] but you only saw rats on the fifth day. That was in January.

[30:37] Okay. And how many rats did you see in January?

[30:41] Several, three,

[30:46] six.

[30:47] Okay. All right.

[30:51] Did the Surrey County try to catch any of them that day?

[30:55] The rats.

[30:56] Yeah.

[30:59] Okay. All right.

[31:04] We're the, that's wearing hazmat suits.

[31:08] During that time you were there in January.

[31:12] Okay.

[31:16] All right. So did

[31:24] you see any geese on my property? Yes.

[31:29] Okay. I was told I had geese.

[31:38] Did you see any of my jobs?

[31:43] Did you hit? Did you see any cats?

[32:07] But even in your report and going to

[32:09] surrounding neighborhood homes, you could not see in the total depth of the property what was going

[32:17] on there. So all the way in the back, yes? No, no, no, no, all the way on the other side

[32:27] of the tennis court. You were able to see, okay, could you see up the hill from the

[32:35] neighbor's property, clear? Interesting. Okay, I

[33:07] think those are all the questions I have.

[33:09] I

[33:13] know you said you deserved a goat whose stomach appeared to be bloated out and breathing

[33:18] heavily.

[33:21] Where was that?

[33:22] In the tennis court.

[33:24] Oh, that tells me it was my senior citizen, Mr. Goat.

[33:30] Okay.

[33:31] Yeah.

[33:31] He's lived a long life.

[33:33] I'm fine.

[33:34] Back to your question.

[33:35] I'm not involved with that.

[33:37] I was surprised

[33:40] that there were several dogs in the house.

[33:43] Correct.

[33:44] Correct.

[33:45] There you have it.

[33:46] Okay.

[33:47] You only.

[33:47] I saw a student.

[33:49] Okay.

[33:51] And you only saw the dogs because my daughter had to put them into the house.

[33:56] Okay.

[33:59] All right.

[34:01] I think that is it right now with the fact questions.

[34:04] You finished your questions. You've got us got us. What happens man?

[34:08] I just have one redirect. All right.

[34:13] You can just and you can stay up here in this

[34:14] renters that are walking back because you're allowed to. You have a question about what I redirect.

[34:22] Mr. Swayne, when you were there for the surveillance for the administrative search warrant,

[34:31] But you have no idea if there were any of the rats on the property at other times to

[34:38] you.

[34:38] I do not.

[34:39] And the property raised my phone if you will, please.

[34:43] The property was severely overgrown.

[34:46] Is that correct?

[34:47] That is correct.

[34:48] Okay.

[34:49] And your report lists what you thought were noteworthy at those times.

[34:57] But as a matter of fact, your surveillance tape, which is in the binder that Ms. Ritter

[35:04] has in her arm, has the date and time indicated on the videotape.

[35:10] Correct.

[35:11] Correct.

[35:11] Time's up.

[35:12] Okay.

[35:12] I have no other questions.

[35:13] I'd like to redirect.

[35:15] And if it is limited to the questions I asked, I believe that is the rule.

[35:22] If you will pull my phone down, please.

[35:25] Just the point out, just because I got a thing to look at doesn't mean I can.

[35:31] I don't have a computer. I can't look at anything you've given me.

[35:35] So now you're going to the redirect you said about the dogs and everything.

[35:44] Now my brain is, I have to bear with me with the ADHD.

[35:48] I'm trying to remember his words, redirected about the animals, no rats.

[35:58] Okay, he redirected about the rats.

[36:01] Okay, when he said you never saw him any other time, what?

[36:07] Objection, mischaracterizes what I said.

[36:09] Alright, let's give back to a specific question.

[36:12] Okay, you only saw the rats on that fifth day and at the warrant.

[36:17] Correct.

[36:17] When I was conducting surveillance at your house, obviously I had not seen, so I did not stay out here for hours.

[36:24] My surveillance was one to two hours, but during those times, I did not.

[36:29] I testified the rest of the matter.

[36:31] The fifth time I was there, as well as in the surveillance.

[36:35] Okay. He mentioned overgrown grass.

[36:38] Was there overgrown grass on all the property?

[36:42] No, the tennis courts, not everything.

[36:43] Okay. Was the backyard overgrown?

[36:49] Okay. And the side yard was overgrown?

[36:53] Checking the board.

[36:59] That's our next pasture to open up.

[37:03] Okay. More questions? Nope.

[37:06] Thank you. At this point, I would like to turn the witness over to the county commissioners

[37:12] because I would like to follow a protocol tonight if it's possible, and that is once the questions have been asked by a pellen and me, then I think it's appropriate.

[37:22] The county commissioners ask any questions they have, and if they don't allow the and allow the witness to leave the hearing.

[37:31] That's the way we do it for it. All right.

[37:34] I'd like to turn this witness over if the county commissioners have any questions.

[37:37] of. Okay, gentlemen, any any questions?

[37:44] Yes, Mr. Johnson, please.

[37:47] When when the county you was hired by the county to do your work, is your

[37:55] liberty to choose the time and how much time or was anything required? It was not.

[38:01] So I pick different, you know, different times on that day.

[38:05] George, free reign.

[38:06] Yes, sir.

[38:06] Here they are.

[38:07] Thank you.

[38:09] Okay.

[38:11] You know the questions for Mr. Swain.

[38:19] Any other questions here?

[38:21] For Mr. Swain?

[38:23] I don't think we have any other questions for Mr. Swain.

[38:26] All right.

[38:27] In this council.

[38:28] In this witness.

[38:29] Excuse me.

[38:29] It's witness.

[38:30] It's good with you.

[38:31] It's good with us.

[38:32] This witness can be excused.

[38:34] Thank you.

[38:34] And thank you, Mr. Wein.

[38:38] Okay, proceed. Please, Howard.

[38:40] I would like to call the Director of Development Services,

[38:43] Morty Needham.

[38:45] Wait

[38:52] until the truth. The whole truth ain't nothing but truth.

[38:56] There.

[39:02] Good evening, Director Needham.

[39:05] Could you state your name for the record

[39:06] and your position that you hold with the county?

[39:09] My name is Morty Needham,

[39:10] and the Director of Development Services, we're sorry, County.

[39:12] Okay,

[39:15] and Director Needham,

[39:26] in the binder is a letter from you to the county manager

[39:30] Chris and off, correct?

[39:31] That is correct.

[39:33] Okay, and is that a letter that you sent pursuant to the news and ordinance advising the

[39:42] county manager that you felt that based upon Dr. Brenner's affidavit, that

[39:50] That's a nuisance violation, notice of violation and abatement needed to issue.

[39:58] That is correct.

[39:59] And did you receive a letter back from the county manager pursuant to the ordinance?

[40:03] And is that a copy of that in the binder?

[40:06] Yes, sir.

[40:06] That's correct.

[40:07] Did you subsequently issue a notice of violation to both Crystal Ritter, the owner of

[40:17] property and generator as well. I did, okay, and did your, was your notice of violation

[40:29] based on your, your based heavily on the opinion, the expert opinions of doctors, Brenniger

[40:38] and Ackerman, who was, okay. As a matter of fact, much of the language from that notice of

[40:44] comes directly from Dr. Burninger's affidavit, correct?

[40:48] That is correct.

[40:50] If I could, I would like to call the board's attention

[40:56] to the PowerPoint, and what we have here,

[41:00] and I would like Director Needham to remain where he is

[41:03] for just a couple moments.

[41:05] So what we have here is a picture of Gaylach Trail,

[41:09] Gaylach Trail, which is taken from the video

[41:12] So that was taken in January of 2024 at the administrative search warrant.

[41:18] That is the front of the property.

[41:23] Okay.

[41:24] And the first point that I would make on behalf of the development services is that this

[41:31] is not a farm, the commissioners, and this is a hoarding situation when you residential

[41:40] a lot with a rat infestation. And I will demonstrate that with the evidences in the binder and

[41:47] the witnesses I will call tonight. We'll also demonstrate, hopefully, your satisfaction.

[41:53] This is a serious situation. This is a perfect storm for the transmission of disease.

[41:59] We have a small lot next to vulnerable populations with a rat infestation.

[42:05] garbage, trash, mattresses, feces, hoarding, and overcrowding of animals,

[42:12] comingling of species in that very small area, and contaminated food and water

[42:18] and sharing of the same by all those species in that small area. So first I

[42:26] would like Director Needham. I've said there's a small lot here. You reviewed the

[42:32] tax card, which is a copy of is in the binders. That's correct.

[42:36] Okay. And is this slide correct? That has card says there's point, 0.87, 0.87, 0.87 acres

[42:50] or 37,897.2 square feet. That's correct. And the house print, did you, did you plot

[43:01] out the house print. It's actually stated on the tax card. Okay, and what is this state on the

[43:07] tax card? It gives a size for the main body of the house, the porch, and another room, and it

[43:13] totals 1980 square feet. Okay, and did you plot out how large the front yard and the driveway is?

[43:22] Yes, I have a software program on my computer, AutoCAD, and I downloaded a photo from the GIS map

[43:31] of their property and I sized it to scale and then there were a border around the front yard and

[43:38] got a proximity of the square feet of the front yard and same thing for the tennis court.

[43:46] Okay, so 97hz square feet is the approximate size of the driveway in the front yard, correct?

[43:52] That's correct. When you subtract that out in the house foot print, you're left with about

[43:57] six tenths of an acre, correct? That's correct. And of that six tenths of an acre, about

[44:04] seven thousand square feet is the dilapidated tenths, correct? Correct. Okay. So the

[44:14] next

[44:15] point I would demonstrate to the board is that this lot and this rat infestation is near

[44:26] vulnerable populations. It's close to the Willow Hill Apartments, the Northern

[44:35] Wellness Center, Northern Pediatrics, and a dentist office, and also SMAT dab

[44:42] up next to the neighbors.

[44:47] We're going to call a hard five-minute break.

[44:59] Okay,

[45:00] Aye, and with us here, we're going to open the meeting back up, and with that said, I'm going to turn it back over to our Jones attorney. Okay, I have conferred with Crystal Ritter and with the county attorney. We have a medical situation for Ms. Ritter's daughter, and there is a paramedic here. And Ms. Ritter, Ms. Ritter, I had your consent to continue this hearing into July 15th, correct? I'm sorry, this will be recessed.

[45:29] It will start back that Monday night.

[45:32] It's just a clock.

[45:32] You won't receive another notice.

[45:34] You just need to be here and we're going to recess until then.

[45:37] Is that okay with the county attorney?

[45:40] 15.

[45:42] Okay, well, ma'am, we that's when we're doing it too

[45:45] and that's when it's being continued.

[45:46] So they'll be the mean of further hearing tonight

[45:49] and you are released tonight.

[45:52] Okay, this here will be recessed

[45:54] until the appointed time of the meeting,

[45:57] the regular meeting of July the 15th here at the same time same place and this part of the appeal

[46:07] here is now in recess next item. In any of you folks we won't hang around you're certainly welcome

[46:15] but this part of our meeting has been recessed and if you want to find your way out just make yourself

[46:24] Just make yourself at home here. I'll excuse anybody needs to leave. Yes. Thank you

[46:30] Chairman may I be excused and may director need him be excused you may be excused and director need him you may be excused as well

[46:37] Thank you, chairman

[46:41] Let's talk another let's talk another five-minute break till we get clear it up here. Thank you

[46:47] Okay

[46:48] Let her meet and get back into action here. Sorry about all the

[46:54] situation here tonight for everyone but we will ask Ms. Penny Harrison our tax

[46:59] administrator for Syria County to come up penny and tell us what's on your mind.

[47:05] I have a few foreclosures I would like to present tonight. Excuse me and they

[47:12] are ready to be sent to the Kenya law firm. I have presented to you in the

[47:18] packet with a list and a map and the description of value and taxes that are due and I am hoping

[47:29] to send these over for again the foreclosure process with your approval.

[47:36] Okay, thank you.

[47:38] Tell me you've heard the request of our tax administrator to be able to send the list that they've

[47:45] accumulated that has grown to five years or older and delinquent real property and personal

[47:53] property taxes for these listings. I will just remind me, I guess, in myself and all

[48:01] of us. Any after, is it after how many years the county cannot go back and collect delinquent

[48:09] taxes 10 years 10 years and in order for us to get started to be able to collect these

[48:19] delinquent taxes we usually get really serious on your radar after about you you really don't

[48:27] get excited I mean you get excited but it hasn't rise to this level until there's been about five

[48:31] years of delinquent taxes is that normally the situation yes we send several notices we call them

[48:39] We try to make payments with them, we send pre-foreclosial letters, we do numerous things

[48:49] trying to work out anything possible before we have to foreclose.

[48:55] And all of those things that you just aforementioned have been executed here, these are five years

[49:00] and are older.

[49:01] Yes, sir.

[49:02] You have sent out these certified letters, you have called these people on the phone, you've

[49:06] spoken to some of them personally.

[49:08] Yes.

[49:08] Yes, try to make arrangements for payment, but after five years you have had no payments on these and this list that you've sent us tonight be considered for foreclosure. That is correct. We have notes on everything.

[49:21] Okay, gentlemen, you guys have had a copy here within your packet.

[49:25] I will entertain action. What's your pleasure, Jim?

[49:33] The motion that we approve the following list is anybody

[49:38] or tax administrator for closure.

[49:43] Okay. And these will be turned over to the Canyon Law firm and then there'll still be an

[49:49] opportunity after he serves notice to these individuals.

[49:54] They can pay at any time.

[49:56] Any time to stop foreclose.

[49:58] That's correct.

[49:59] They can pay up to the time that the sale is finalized.

[50:04] All right.

[50:05] Have a motion from Commissioner Bill Goench

[50:09] to turn this list that you referred over to the Kenya law firm

[50:14] or whom we rely on the liquid taxes

[50:18] and foreclosure proceedings.

[50:20] Do I have a second?

[50:22] I'll say, I'll second that motion, Mr. Chairman.

[50:25] Yes, second.

[50:26] Mr. Eddie Harris.

[50:27] Any discussion?

[50:28] Any questions?

[50:28] Any comments?

[50:30] Any further?

[50:31] Anything else?

[50:32] I'll just have a question.

[50:33] Yes, sir.

[50:33] Commissioner Johnson.

[50:34] Any of the, the can you law firm with these 23 here?

[50:39] What's the average time?

[50:41] I mean, how much time do they usually take?

[50:44] Would you, an average?

[50:46] It normally takes usually six to eight months to do.

[50:50] across. It's just a cordon. If there's air's properties, you know, it takes a while to serve.

[50:57] If they have to appoint a guardian at Lottom, it's just different circumstances.

[51:03] Yeah, but it could sometimes take up to 12 months. But it's just a cordon situation.

[51:09] Thank you. Yes. Okay. Well, yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And these properties will be properly

[51:16] posted with a sign as well as advertised in the Elk and Tribune and the

[51:21] matter he needs that correct. Yes sir. I'll have pictures of everything and

[51:26] copies of where it is in the newspaper. And photographs of the sign by the

[51:30] property. Yes sir. And on the county website as well. It will. Are you

[51:36] wanting the pictures of the post just the just the this the sale itself. Yes

[51:42] Yes sir.

[51:43] All right thank you.

[51:44] All I have.

[51:44] Anything else?

[51:46] Well this doesn't happen until Kenya does all their due.

[51:50] That's correct.

[51:51] Okay.

[51:51] Yes.

[51:52] And I will bring it back before it's sold to give you cell dates and things like that and show

[51:58] proof that it's been posted at the property.

[52:03] Okay.

[52:03] I have a motion on the floor in a second to send these, this packet of delinquent taxes to

[52:10] can you allow for them? All in favor, please say aye.

[52:14] Aye.

[52:15] Any opposed? None. Motion carries unanimously. And thank you,

[52:19] Penny. Okay, moving right along.

[52:26] Chris Ginoff, County Manager. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[52:29] First item tonight is to hold a public hearing on the fiscal year 2425 budget.

[52:36] On June 3rd, the recommended budget was presented to the board.

[52:39] And on June 11th, last Tuesday, the board had a work session, just a little over three

[52:44] hours to do on the recommended budget and make a number of changes.

[52:49] The tax rate was recommended to remain unchanged, and I'm going to review for you, and each

[52:56] of you have this summary, the items that were discussed on June 11th.

[53:02] Now, consensus was reached at that time on these items.

[53:05] The first was to set the school's current expense amount to 1,320 per student.

[53:14] That's an increase from 1,280 currently, so a $40 increase.

[53:20] That will also carry over for the charter schools allocation and the virtual charter schools.

[53:26] It also decided to add four new school resource officer positions to allow for one resource officer

[53:33] per elementary school in the county school system.

[53:38] That amounts to an increase of $439,000 and $14.00.

[53:44] Also as was discussed on June 3rd amongst the board, an increase in the Registered D budget

[53:51] and the amount of $11,648.

[53:56] Also it was decided to increase general fund contingency by $130,500.

[54:02] dollars. This amounts to a transfer of funds and dedicated line items for

[54:06] seams, tri-county, foot heels, yoke fellow, the Shepherd's House, helping hands,

[54:11] grace clinic, three medical ministries, echo ministry, and American Red

[54:14] Cross. From those line items and the general fund contingency, where it will be

[54:19] held until a process can be developed to evaluate public-purpose dollars and

[54:23] how those can be justified by each of those agencies. And that is something we

[54:29] think we'll get back to you later this year.

[54:33] The tow talked about in that meeting, I'm sorry Chris,

[54:36] but maybe it could be no earlier than January

[54:39] because it would be October and November

[54:41] possibly before you get the sales tax figures.

[54:44] And it may take that long to collect data.

[54:46] Is that still stand with your folks out?

[54:49] They can be later than that,

[54:50] but if we just depends on how quickly we work for it,

[54:52] it could be a little sooner,

[54:54] but we think it'll be into the calendar year.

[54:55] The total change is $544,437 increased to the recommended budget.

[55:04] In addition to this, the consensus of the board is to increase the Elken City Schools

[55:10] tax rate to 12.6 cents, also to increase the Pine Ridge volunteer fire to the district

[55:15] tax rate to 8.2 cents.

[55:18] Also to approve recommended fee schedule changes for emergency services and the Health and Nutrition

[55:23] The Health and Nutrition Center increases were approved by the Board of Health.

[55:29] Therefore, the new general fund total for the fiscal year 2425 budget would be $103,517,053.

[55:38] The amount of general fund needed to balance the budget would be $7,301,316.

[55:47] That's your new number, your new total, Mr. Chairman.

[55:50] Okay, and I think this will require a public hearing and so with that said, I would like

[55:58] to say now is the time and I will open the public hearing for comments, questions, anybody's

[56:06] input for the 24, 25 budget fiscal year.

[56:11] So the public hearing is now up,

[56:18] if you will, well, we're not going to ask you.

[56:23] We know your name and how to get the touch with you, sir.

[56:25] Yes, sir.

[56:25] Anybody?

[56:26] Yes, sir.

[56:26] Go right ahead.

[56:27] Chief Deputy Larry Love.

[56:29] Yes, sir.

[56:29] Thank you.

[56:30] I'll be real quick tonight.

[56:32] The sheriff had a previous engagement.

[56:35] And we really wasn't prepared to be here tonight.

[56:37] But this afternoon about 330 was made aware of that there was something in the budget that we.

[56:45] We thought there was after some talks with county manager can often.

[56:49] and we'd just like to take this the moment of your time.

[56:57] Back at the retreat, we talked to you

[57:00] about the detention staffing.

[57:06] Totally understand that you were probably tired

[57:09] of hearing this request.

[57:11] However, after six months of being in the new facility,

[57:15] we think it is a critical situation for the staff

[57:19] and we had presented in our budget

[57:23] to the county manager for five more detention officers.

[57:27] We understand totally that the county tax receipts are projected to level out.

[57:33] However, we believe this is a critical need.

[57:40] Without these positions, there's a few things that could be in jeopardy, one is the statewide

[57:45] about a misdemeanor confinement program,

[57:49] especially the litter pickup that all of us

[57:52] is wanting to do,

[57:54] addition of some mental health and substance abuse programs,

[57:59] any of the educational programs that now,

[58:02] we have a facility for it,

[58:04] we really like to try to add some of that.

[58:08] Like I sort of touched on in the retreat,

[58:11] y'all was gracious enough and you did add

[58:13] four of those positions that we originally asked for and that's been great. We appreciate

[58:20] we've added those positions. We've maintained the majority of those. We have lost a couple

[58:27] here recently due to taking jobs with some a little better. What they thought was better

[58:35] for them. A couple of them went to state jobs. But we are actively filling those as we speak

[58:43] week. One of the other things I want to touch on is back in February after

[58:50] treat when I talked to you our number I think was 257 and we was surprised about

[58:55] jumping up that high this morning is 297. Several days we've been over 300 in

[59:02] the last couple of months.

[59:06] One of the questions I had been asked before we have

[59:10] been asked, and there is not a specific requirement of an officer ratio, but I have pulled

[59:20] numbers from some other ones, and right now we currently have 33.3 inmates per officer.

[59:31] Just to give you an example of some of the other counties.

[59:40] some of the closest ones to us, of course, is Arneck County, which is they have a 324 bed facility.

[59:49] They have a 16 inmate per officer ratio. Cleveland County has a 324 capacity.

[59:58] they have 16.7.

[1:00:00] The top of county has 13.2, Rock and Ham county has a 22, and Bladen county has a 26. Orange county

[1:00:10] has a 9.

[1:00:13] Currently, we have the 33. Even if we add the five positions, we're asking for

[1:00:20] that brings us to 28.5 inmates per officer.

[1:00:27] like I said I would one of the things that we have added and I told I think the last

[1:00:35] time we was front of you we talked about adding the up in the misdemeanor confinement

[1:00:40] we have done that that's doing very very well we upped it to 30 but right this moment

[1:00:46] this morning we had 25 that was that we're getting paid for and that's a good average

[1:00:52] number they don't not to fill you plumb full they have some spots in case they need you

[1:00:59] currently that's giving us $40 a day for those 25 inmates which you know a year equals $365

[1:01:08] thousand dollars if we could add the letter and I know you're aware of this if we could add

[1:01:14] the letter that would up that to $60 a day which you know for a year's time that's 547

[1:01:21] $7,500.

[1:01:32] Once again, apologize to you for coming to you during this 11th hour. Like I said,

[1:01:38] we, no fault of anybody as I don't think, but we just didn't realize that it wasn't

[1:01:43] being presented to you guys. So after discussion with the County Manager today, we wanted

[1:01:48] to make sure that we at least notified you of that that was our request.

[1:01:54] We would like

[1:01:55] for you to consider that moving forward.

[1:02:01] Thank you Chief Deputy. Thank you. You can hang around

[1:02:04] and may I have questions? Yes, sir. I do have a question. I do have what that would cost

[1:02:11] if you want copies of that. Look over it, make sure you think it's right.

[1:02:29] Thank you. Thank you.

[1:02:30] Oh, no. I prefer one would have some more questions like, you know, the state and

[1:02:35] estimated program, bringing prisoners here, actually looking for prisoners to bring

[1:02:40] here to put in that program.

[1:02:42] So as we might get reimbursement from the state and so as we might transition some of these

[1:02:47] eligible candidates to the litter program, how much money that might bring in and how many

[1:02:51] you have now and how many you would anticipate having if you were at full capacity.

[1:02:57] And we certainly, I'm just speaking for me, I don't, you know, it is the 11th hour here

[1:03:03] We're we're we're kind of fast tracking them to move along with the physical budget vote tonight

[1:03:10] I personally I'm not saying no or never I'm just personally saying I would like to

[1:03:15] send this one back

[1:03:18] For some consideration to you guys

[1:03:20] For to answer some of these questions maybe we'll talk about it at a later date

[1:03:24] I if I want him not looking to take action tonight, but gentlemen out at your pleasure. I'll let you all weigh in on this

[1:03:31] I'm going to agree with Chairman Tucker, I have a few questions, I'll ask one right

[1:03:39] now.

[1:03:40] Y'all submit a budget, yes, and you're at liberty to do what you want to with that budget.

[1:03:47] Is that a correct statement?

[1:03:50] I mean, we don't tell you what to do or not do, I mean, well, for example, if you really

[1:03:58] desperately needed five detention officers right now, I mean exactly right now, y'all have

[1:04:03] to live to take five off patrol, put them in there. I mean, that's what I'm saying.

[1:04:08] Yeah, and we can do, yes, we can do with what else we have. The way you want to, all we do is

[1:04:15] with the county resources, we fund, we fund the search department and the detention center all

[1:04:22] together. But y'all, y'all make the decisions on personnel where they ask when to use

[1:04:28] them or ask and all those things. Is that a correct statement? That is correct.

[1:04:32] Okay. Well, I'd like to, I'm going to go along with that. I'm looking forward to setting

[1:04:37] down some more with y'all. And this gets some pertin. I mean, you're telling me also that

[1:04:45] we're being paid $40 a day. Is that, you know, I'm not now, but I'll ask the question.

[1:04:52] Is that so we break it even or we're making you money or we still do I mean on that

[1:04:56] But let's say that for a later time. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, this is this is a

[1:05:02] Public hearing on our budget and yeah, we got some questions, but since since we wanted to reassure you

[1:05:09] We have some questions before we read it make an answer at least part of us

[1:05:13] We will we will save those specifics and those questions for a later time. Do you know anything else here?

[1:05:20] Okay, I just wanted to ask the deputy right quick, you are, you folks are working with

[1:05:28] ICE, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, right?

[1:05:32] And you are identifying illegal aliens that have criminal records and have committed

[1:05:37] serious crimes in Surrey County and you have notified ICE and you work with ICE at every

[1:05:44] opportunity to get rid of these people and get them back to their home countries.

[1:05:48] is that correct? Absolutely, 100%. Okay, and your department is going to work with ICE,

[1:05:53] and I know there's legislation, I think, on the state level in regards to some of this as well,

[1:06:00] but I just wanted to make sure that we're not housing and feeding these people any longer.

[1:06:08] We have to and that they, you know, once their sentences is completed, that they are ICE is notified

[1:06:15] for, so that can be deported.

[1:06:17] We cooperate with ICE.

[1:06:19] Okay, thank you.

[1:06:21] Okay, anything else?

[1:06:24] Okay, thank you.

[1:06:26] Thank you.

[1:06:26] Okay, anyone else for comment, question regarding

[1:06:32] the public hearing for our physical budget

[1:06:35] for the 24, 25 year, yes sir?

[1:06:38] Yes sir, Mr. Chairman.

[1:06:39] My name's Austin Love.

[1:06:40] I'll be co-representing the Surrey County Association

[1:06:46] I did take the privilege of reading the all 24 pages of the budget and one of the things

[1:06:51] I did notice was there wasn't a single thing in there that I didn't think deserved it.

[1:06:55] I think that when we're bouncing the budget, I know it's a difficult process.

[1:06:59] I get to see multiple facets of it.

[1:07:03] On the rescue squad side, we did notice a few disappointing shortcomings that I want to

[1:07:07] bring to your attention.

[1:07:09] We had a request at a 7.5% increase, which is a general request.

[1:07:13] We tried to keep up with inflation, the rising cost of operations, and then Mount

[1:07:18] Area Rescue School had requested $25,000 to assist with paying for a paid person, and

[1:07:24] I know that's an ongoing project.

[1:07:26] I know chief way of them have talked with that about you guys.

[1:07:30] And what I wanted to bring to your attention was, in recent events, we have seen rest

[1:07:35] do you really come to a rising need? Some of you may recall the Yakon River

[1:07:39] incident. Every squad was represented there and it's without just general

[1:07:46] operational funding in general. You know, those are the kind of things we

[1:07:49] won't be able to pull off. And while I can't really speak to what each individual

[1:07:53] squad would use at 7.5% for, I can't speak for what we would do in Mountain Park,

[1:07:58] where we serve as a little over 4,000 residents and we serve as the only rescue

[1:08:03] you provider for 93% of the district and the only medical first response for about 90%.

[1:08:09] Mr. Harris, I know that you live very locally and I believe your business, I know friends,

[1:08:14] family, live there as well.

[1:08:16] And we do all we can to service our district at a pretty efficient rate.

[1:08:21] Mount Park RISC squad this year will be taking about 54,000 of that total allocation.

[1:08:27] We do receive the smallest allocation out of the squads just based on population and

[1:08:31] call volume. And what we wanted to do is we have longed to ask the question, how will

[1:08:36] we handle the declination of volunteers? And at Mountain Park, our goal with our

[1:08:41] injuries this year was to try something different. Rather than asking for paid people this increasingly

[1:08:48] popular demand, I've noticed, we would instead try to address the barriers to volunteerism.

[1:08:53] We were lining up contracts to be able to get people fit for duty, people medically cleared

[1:08:57] for duty and we were hoping to be able to begin negotiations where we could talk about ways

[1:09:02] of the county could assist ways and could we talk about volunteer time for staff once a month,

[1:09:08] eight hours a month or whatnot. Could we incentivize businesses to allow responders to run calls

[1:09:13] and really just address the actual issues to volunteerism and bring the communities back together

[1:09:18] rather than just throwing paid people at it. While I'm not disagreeing that we should have paid

[1:09:25] for responders, fire, rescue, EMS, at some point, that demand only grows and we are a small

[1:09:31] humble county.

[1:09:33] Just under 72,000 citizens from what I recall from last census, it's a heavy price to

[1:09:38] pay to fully staff every emergency service agency in the county.

[1:09:42] And so I just wanted to not necessarily ask for you guys to reconsider tonight.

[1:09:47] I believe the previous speaker had stopped at the 11th hour and I think you guys did work

[1:09:52] hard on the budget and I do like what I saw in it.

[1:09:54] and I'm grateful that we did get an increase.

[1:09:57] Going forward, I just want us to consider,

[1:09:59] and I would love to talk with you guys

[1:10:01] even more in the future about,

[1:10:03] if we don't address this volunteerism issue,

[1:10:06] especially in Mount Park,

[1:10:07] you will never have me come before you

[1:10:09] and ask for a paid person in Mount Park.

[1:10:11] But what I may have to come before you and tell you

[1:10:13] is that there's no volunteers left,

[1:10:15] and that will leave 4,000 of my neighbors, my friends,

[1:10:19] people I've worked with and connected with,

[1:10:21] without service, without rescue.

[1:10:23] We may be able to consolidate with another respawn, maybe not, but at the end of the day, that's just a liability that falls to I don't know who that's never been an issue before and as long as I'm chief my goals to make sure it doesn't become an issue for my 4,000 people for including you Mr Harris.

[1:10:38] I care deeply about it and I really do think that this was an oversight, maybe I wish we could a guy a little bit further ahead of and add discussions with you guys.

[1:10:50] But as far as we are concerned, we are a little disappointed with what we saw.

[1:10:55] But overall, we would love to work with you guys, maybe not paid people, maybe not extravagant

[1:11:00] increases.

[1:11:01] But I'd like to work efficiently with you guys to create the most lean means of restoring

[1:11:06] volunteerism rather than replacing it or rather than doing away with it all together.

[1:11:12] It's all I have for you guys.

[1:11:14] Thank you.

[1:11:14] Yes sir. Thank you sir. Okay anyone else for public hearing concerning the 24-25 budget

[1:11:25] anyone else any takers they're being done we're going to close the public hearing concerning the

[1:11:33] fiscal year 24-25 budget and with that I am looking for action I think we have a couple of

[1:11:44] motions prepared if we want to go along with the manager's recommendation and with that I am looking for a motion for action

[1:11:52] Motion that we adopt the fiscal year 2024 25 budget ordinance and this ordinance will reflect the general level the consensus changes to the recommended budget

[1:12:02] anything additional of course violence in which we've not added so

[1:12:06] I make I make that as a motion. Okay

[1:12:10] And Mr. Managing will that be a two-part notion if we

[1:12:15] Okay.

[1:12:16] All right.

[1:12:17] So motion number one, I have a motion from Commissioner Bill Goen.

[1:12:21] Do I hear a second?

[1:12:22] Second.

[1:12:23] Second.

[1:12:24] Commissioner Marion in the discussion.

[1:12:27] Come in.

[1:12:29] None.

[1:12:30] All in favor.

[1:12:31] Please say aye.

[1:12:32] Aye.

[1:12:33] The motion carries unanimously.

[1:12:36] Thank you.

[1:12:38] Make a motion that we instruct the Assistant County Manager provided.

[1:12:41] about a 2% cost of living increase for all-graded employees and elected officials, and to approve

[1:12:45] the position classification plan for the 2024-25 by making changes in adjust hours according

[1:12:52] to the recommendations of the approved budget effective July 1, 2024.

[1:12:56] Hey gentlemen, motion number two concerning the budget.

[1:13:00] Have a motion looking for a second.

[1:13:05] I'll think of that, Mr Chairman.

[1:13:07] Motion, commission, and bill going second from Commissioner Eddie Harris and discussion.

[1:13:11] I just like to thank county staff again for the hard work on the budget and Mr. Johnson always says we appreciate our citizens being very responsible in their taxes.

[1:13:26] It's always very positive for Surrey County and as the county manager has told us and we've seen in the revenue numbers that sales tax seems to be in revenue seem to be flattening out.

[1:13:39] The national economy seems to be in continued inflation, which is impacting our citizens.

[1:13:47] It has impacted the county budget.

[1:13:50] A lot of this in here, the increases and some of those things are from calls that are highly

[1:13:55] inflationary that all Americans are seeing, from grocery prices, to home prices.

[1:14:01] And as I said, one of the things that concerns me going forward is the inability of young folks today being able to be first time home buyers.

[1:14:14] That is continuing to be put out of reach for a lot of young couples in Surrey County and across the state and nation.

[1:14:24] But we're going to continue to be physically responsible in Surrey County

[1:14:29] to balance our revenues and our expenditures.

[1:14:33] We do the very best we can, and I think this budget reflects a sense of fairness.

[1:14:38] And I'm glad to support Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

[1:14:43] Thank you. Any other comments?

[1:14:46] I'll say I'd like the budget.

[1:14:48] It's a process. Appreciate all the county folks and county staff that work so hard to get it to this level.

[1:14:55] You know, we might not have gotten exactly as far with it as we would like to have.

[1:15:00] Unless we decide to restrict the amount of dollars that it takes to find it, all the ideas we heard were good ones. But sometimes you have to balance the request with the money available or the ability to raise that money. And a lot of times that goes back to the tax base of the people, the good people of Sherry County that pay it. And so there is a, there is a, they, they moderate in between on those two factors of request versus funding.

[1:15:30] And we tried to strike the best cord that we could and I feel pretty good about it.

[1:15:37] You know, we can always look down the road at other requests and do the best we can.

[1:15:42] And I'm delighted that once again, we were able to provide more services and more dollars

[1:15:49] for the people in Surrey County in its various programs and departments.

[1:15:53] And we did that without raising taxes for the County citizen to pay more tax rate.

[1:15:59] So, with that said, I have a motion and a second, I just like to say that I appreciate

[1:16:07] everybody's hard work on the budget and you gentlemen, it was a pleasure this year.

[1:16:13] We had a few discussions but I believe it was asked, is this a hard no or is this a no

[1:16:19] for the budget?

[1:16:20] No, it's just a little disagreement, but we worked through it all and as Mr. Love just

[1:16:27] got through saying we've got right at 72,000 people and this is the first time ever the

[1:16:33] budget has went over a hundred million dollars and 103 five I believe.

[1:16:39] That means business

[1:16:40] is good in Syria County. We've tried to do good for the schools this year and we've got

[1:16:48] Dr. Steve Hall with us tonight and thank you for the job you're doing over there and I hope

[1:16:54] your wife continues to improve. And I know Dr. Reeves and Dr. Brown, I'm pretty happy

[1:17:03] this year.

[1:17:06] They were expecting around probably 20 bucks for people and we give them 40.

[1:17:12] So we doubled probably their expectation. It's a pleasure to work with all this this year

[1:17:19] and the

[1:17:22] outlet for Syria County is strong.

[1:17:26] And we've got a lot of good things coming,

[1:17:28] and hopefully we can be strong for several more years.

[1:17:34] Thank you.

[1:17:35] All right, anything else?

[1:17:37] Got a motion on the floor in a second.

[1:17:39] And the second motion concerning

[1:17:41] the fiscal budget year for 24, 25, all in favor,

[1:17:45] please say aye.

[1:17:47] Aye.

[1:17:47] Any opposed, none?

[1:17:48] Motion carries unanimously,

[1:17:49] and thank you. All right, you folks want to play on?

[1:17:58] All right. Mr. Manager, next item is a scheduled public hearing for Project Vista.

[1:18:06] And before you open the hearing, I'll give a few details on what county is offering up potentially

[1:18:13] to be considered this evening. And then during the hearing Mr. Moyer will come up

[1:18:16] from the ADP and give you some details as much as he can about the project. Project Vista

[1:18:22] is proposing a total investment of $80 million. The fixed investment will be approximately

[1:18:27] $25 million and the variable investment or the personal property of $55 million investment.

[1:18:34] It's being proposed as a cash grant over 80 years. It's a formula that's based on the amount of taxes

[1:18:40] that's expected to be paid by the project during that time.

[1:18:44] We anticipate that the cash grant will not exceed $2,959,622.

[1:18:51] We estimate the payback on that will be 5.78 years,

[1:18:54] as you know the payback must be no more than 10 years.

[1:18:57] So that's a good return for a project to this size.

[1:19:01] So Mr. Chairman, I'll turn it over to you

[1:19:02] to open the public hearing.

[1:19:04] Okay, we'll now open the public hearing concerning project Vista.

[1:19:07] And with that said, any comments, please come forward.

[1:19:12] Thank you, Mr. Blake Moir, Surrey County Economic Development.

[1:19:17] Thank you, sir.

[1:19:18] You have folks, Blake Moir, do you have a number or address?

[1:19:22] Number 336-269-3828, President and CEO of Surrey County Economic Development Partnership.

[1:19:29] Appreciate you all taking this public hearing for us tonight.

[1:19:31] This is an important project.

[1:19:33] This is an existing industry within Surrey County, within the city of Mount Erie.

[1:19:38] We appreciate your time here, and I'm going to read through a couple of comments on the project and then answer any questions you might have.

[1:19:45] So we county EDP has been in contact with the existing industry employer who is interested in expanding their operations in the community.

[1:19:52] The project has been actively seeking a location since October of 2023.

[1:19:56] So we county EDP sitting to county staff as well as EDP and seeing its economic partnership of North Carolina have met with the project and multiple occasions to confirm their needs and support their expansion in our community.

[1:20:07] The company associated with this request is an upstanding member of the business community

[1:20:11] and has been in Mount Erie for over 40 years with extensive local ties and a quality reputation

[1:20:17] here in our community.

[1:20:18] The company is seeking to construct a new 140,000 square foot building.

[1:20:23] The total investment for this project will exceed $80 million of capital investment.

[1:20:27] This project does not include new jobs to the community but is a retention of 60 existing

[1:20:32] jobs. This is a competitive project where the risk of not participating is that those jobs go

[1:20:37] somewhere else, this project goes somewhere else. This is a competitive project and the project

[1:20:42] has looked at locations in other communities. Surrey County EDP requests consideration of the

[1:20:49] cash incentives for Project Vista to select a site in Surrey County. And for any media questions

[1:20:54] regarding the matter, please direct this, Surrey County Economic Development Partnership.

[1:20:58] Board Chairman for Surrey County EDP would also like to speak and he'll come after me

[1:21:02] have some questions. If you have any. All right. Any questions from him?

[1:21:08] Questions? I don't believe we have any. Thank you. Okay, next.

[1:21:20] We'll pay to tell us your name, your title, your phone number, quickly.

[1:21:24] Need a box here. All right, we need it.

[1:21:26] All right, my name is Peter Pakenio. I am the chairman of the Surrey County EDP.

[1:21:32] That's my job on the side but my primary job is the North Carolina President for First

[1:21:38] Community Bank.

[1:21:39] So, I've been a banker in this town for over 25 years, I've seen it grow, Project Vista

[1:21:45] represents a company that's been a key community cornerstone for many decades.

[1:21:50] I would tell you, it's part of the very fabric of our community.

[1:21:53] The employment engagement with our schools and the support of community initiatives, this

[1:21:57] organization has been an impactful part of Surrey County.

[1:21:59] County. Siri County is competing with other communities for Project Vista's investment

[1:22:04] and the approval of incentives is one part of staying in the game. I can tell you that

[1:22:11] we are, it's very competitive. I cover 12 counties and every single county is actually

[1:22:16] looking for business like this, okay? So, Siri County EDP's Board of Directors supports

[1:22:22] the approval of incentives for Project Vista. We must do all we can to support the expansion

[1:22:26] of our existing employers and continue to make Sri Kani the best place to do business

[1:22:32] in North Carolina. Our community should feel proud to be considered for the next phase

[1:22:37] of this company's growth. We hope Project Vista chooses Sri Kani to embark upon their

[1:22:42] bright future. Thank y'all. Appreciate all that you do. Thank you, sir. While you're at it,

[1:22:49] how about bringing a bank to Dobson? Bringing a bank to Dobson? I'm going to do all

[1:22:54] I can to do that y'all. Please do. All right. Thank you. Anyone else for a comment concerning

[1:23:03] Project Vista and the public hearing?

[1:23:08] Okay. No one else. We will now declare the public

[1:23:12] hearing for Project Vista closed. And you've heard the request. Gentlemen, looking for action

[1:23:20] your pleasure. I'll make a motion that we approve the incentive package present to us for

[1:23:26] Project Vista. Okay motion from Commissioner Bill Gholensh to accept the package presented

[1:23:35] concerning Project Vista do I hear a second.

[1:23:40] I'll second that, Mr Chairman.

[1:23:43] A second from Commissioner Larry Johnson in its discussion.

[1:23:50] Being none, I'll in favor please

[1:23:52] say aye.

[1:23:54] Any opposed?

[1:23:56] None opposed.

[1:23:57] Motion carries unanimously.

[1:23:59] Thank you folks.

[1:24:01] Okay Chris I believe we have an item coming up tonight for el-concidie schools and yeah

[1:24:10] and I am going to recognize our el-concidie schools.

[1:24:14] Superintendent Dr. Steve Hall and are also one of our honored guests board member Jennifer

[1:24:20] Klein has school from the el-concidie schools.

[1:24:23] It's easy to see you folks when about 9% of the people take me up on my bill to recess.

[1:24:29] So with that said, would you guys like to come up when the manager presents your request,

[1:24:34] would you like to help them present it?

[1:24:35] If you do, please both of you feel free or either want to come up.

[1:24:45] Yes, sir.

[1:24:46] Now Chris, present your item and then we'll let him go ahead.

[1:24:50] He's here to present it.

[1:24:51] All right.

[1:24:51] You're here to present it?

[1:24:52] Sure.

[1:24:53] All right, go for it.

[1:24:54] Yes, sir.

[1:24:54] Thank you.

[1:24:55] Dr. Steve Hall.

[1:24:56] call, need my phone number. Okay. Superintendent Elkins City Schools, it's a pleasure to be here this evening. It's always great to see you, fellas. And we greatly appreciate your support in Elkin.

[1:25:12] We spent our first night in our home last night in Elkin. It feels good to be back in Surrey County, felt good waking up and having a two minute drive to work.

[1:25:22] instead of coming down the mountain. I'll tell you. The request that we have here

[1:25:29] before this evening is concerning some past capital funds that you folks

[1:25:36] so graciously awarded Elken City Schools before I even arrived. There were

[1:25:42] several projects here involved. One was a couple of roof projects that they kind of

[1:25:49] together and that original bid came in at about 170,

[1:25:53] a little over 170,000 dollars.

[1:25:57] When it was all said and done,

[1:25:59] the project was a little over 210,000 dollars.

[1:26:04] On the flip side of that,

[1:26:06] we had a, from what I gather,

[1:26:09] an old, old tank at the elementary school

[1:26:12] that needed removal and you had allocated funds for that.

[1:26:16] But that project came in well under budget, which rarely happens as we all know.

[1:26:25] We also had a walk-in cooler project as well.

[1:26:31] So you see different projects here.

[1:26:33] That project came in under budget.

[1:26:36] So what we're asking is just a reallocation of those two projects that came in under budget.

[1:26:41] the tank removal, there's a little over $36,000, I believe, left in that or no, it was about $36,000.

[1:26:50] It came in, there's about $29,000 left, I believe.

[1:26:57] No, sorry, I'm right, $36,000 left from the tank removal and about $8,600 left from the walk-in cooler project.

[1:27:06] We would like to couple those together to discover that overage that we had on our combined

[1:27:14] roof projects that went over budget at 210,000.

[1:27:19] So that was our request.

[1:27:21] Not asking for any additional funds.

[1:27:23] These funds were already allocated to Elk and before I got here, like I said.

[1:27:26] So we'd just like to move those funds over and cover the overage on that roof project if

[1:27:31] possible.

[1:27:32] Thank you.

[1:27:33] All right.

[1:27:35] Questions, comments, action, gentlemen?

[1:27:40] The problem is making this state.

[1:27:43] I believe this is newer neck of the Woods Commissioner Harris.

[1:27:47] Well, it looks pretty straightforward to me.

[1:27:49] I, you know, as Commissioner Tucker said,

[1:27:51] we've done several different actions on these reallocation of funds.

[1:27:59] and we don't have a set policy in this regard, so it looks like to me that you're asking to reallocate, is it $39,000 or $36,000?

[1:28:12] It was $36,000 from the tank removal. It was left over a little over $36,000, and $8,600 left over from the walk-in cooler project.

[1:28:23] 40 some thousands and yes sir and you're going to use it on the roof. Yes sir, to cover the remaining portion of that roof. Okay. Well, um,

[1:28:34] Mr. Mr. Chairman, I'm inclined to support this. It looks pretty straightforward. Ruth's pretty serious business. I know where you have, um,

[1:28:43] um, reformulated our capital, um,

[1:28:47] approach to schools, the public school systems, but this was all done before that reallocation.

[1:28:54] And so I'm going to support it.

[1:28:56] Are you sat in form of a motion?

[1:28:59] Yeah.

[1:28:59] I'll make that motion.

[1:29:00] All right.

[1:29:01] To allow our city schools to do that.

[1:29:03] Any, any, any, I don't have a commotion for Commissioner Harris.

[1:29:06] We'll do it here a second.

[1:29:07] Second.

[1:29:08] Second for Commissioner Mark Marion.

[1:29:09] Now, discussion.

[1:29:10] Any more discussion?

[1:29:11] Questions, comments?

[1:29:14] I'll just say that we appreciate you coming and we appreciate you being good stewards of the money. Thank you

[1:29:20] and we appreciate all of our schools doing that. It's not like that we just get a kick out of bringing you back when you have some leftover

[1:29:28] nor do we want to encourage you to figure out every way to spend every last dime of it. Exactly. We want something in the middle in that

[1:29:34] they're spending as judiciously and wisely as you can, but then, you know, we appreciate

[1:29:42] your graciousness and honesty for coming back saying, you know, we did spend it as best

[1:29:48] we could, but we had a little left over.

[1:29:50] Yes, sir.

[1:29:51] And then we're happy to let you use it for your next best project.

[1:29:54] And I think that's the way it ought to work.

[1:29:56] I think that's the way it ought to work, school systems for most county departments that's

[1:29:59] Wait on-

[1:30:01] I appreciate your respectfully coming to the board and telling us you had a little savings and we're happy to let you have it. So, with that said, we have a motion on the floor in a second. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed, none? Motion carries unanimously. And thank you for coming. Thank you, sir. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay.

[1:30:24] The next item is information and possibly maybe action tonight or at least at the very latest July meeting, but the Association of County Commissioners annual conferences August 8 through 10th is in Winston Salem this year.

[1:30:37] So whoever attends on behalf of the county is the voting delegate this year can stay at home and not be on the road.

[1:30:45] I'm wondering tonight if you'd be willing to appoint a voting delegate, or if it's something you won't take under consideration and come back and point that person in July.

[1:30:53] We'll talk about it, young men, thoughts.

[1:30:57] Looking for volunteers.

[1:31:00] Mr. Chairman, I've got a college trip to Asheville for a few days, so I'm going to respectfully decline.

[1:31:10] other's. This German I've had the opportunity three or four times to represent

[1:31:14] Surrey County and travel to Raleigh. I would graciously love for somebody else to

[1:31:21] do it but I'm not complaining because Chris tonight was with me every time and we

[1:31:28] eat good. We still got to be there and vote. Yeah I've been I've been known a couple of

[1:31:32] them and the third the herd is getting thinner gentlemen. Any other

[1:31:36] We got another opportunity for volunteers here before we decided to kick it down the road August 8 through the team.

[1:31:42] I'm getting out of you have participated in the last four years.

[1:31:47] That sounds like a volunteer to me.

[1:31:49] You've done such a good job.

[1:31:54] It's not a volunteer, Commissioner Mary.

[1:31:56] I'll do it if Chris and I have a couple came up.

[1:32:00] Okay, Mr. Manager, you'd be sure to feed him good.

[1:32:03] Yeah, Pete. It's really good and we thank you for your volunteers and more to spirit. Thank you, sir. Yes, sir. Okay. I think we saw that for you, Mr.

[1:32:10] Manning. We're going to need to take action. I'll make a motion that we we select and

[1:32:18] and graciously accept the volunteer duty from Commissioner Mark Marion to attend the August 8th through 10th in CACC annual conference in Winston,

[1:32:27] and so on. Look at that. Okay. Motion out of second from Commissioner Bill Collins.

[1:32:33] In a discussion, none all in favor please say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? None. Thank you,

[1:32:39] sir. Congratulations. You're welcome. All right. Okay. Creeps. Next item, just informational

[1:32:44] tonight. We'll need to talk about this again in July, but it's time to put together a legislative

[1:32:48] of goals for the 25-26 legislative biannion. We are currently soliciting draft goals from

[1:32:58] Department heads if there are any that the county commissioners would like to submit

[1:33:01] to be included in your packet. In July, just let me know over the next couple of weeks

[1:33:06] and we will get that to you. I believe we have to have them in by September at the latest

[1:33:11] so if we could get something finalized by August, that would be ideal. But just more of an informational

[1:33:18] items tonight that this is coming. Last item that I have, there's a memo in here for Andrew

[1:33:24] Wright on the boards and commissions. There are three here. I'll run through them and then you all can

[1:33:32] debate and hopefully come up with some appointees. Juvenile Crown Prevention Council, there's a two-year

[1:33:38] term here. Daniel White has been filling that spot. He would ask that Bradley Keigh and his department

[1:33:44] that might be appointed. On the Northwestern Regional Library Board, there are some six

[1:33:48] year terms that are up for reappointment. That's correct. Kelly Merritt, Jonathan Bledso,

[1:33:54] and Lisa Derees, those folks respectively are from Mount Air Dobson and Pilot Mountain.

[1:33:59] And finally, there's a seat coming open on the City Community College Board of Trustees

[1:34:04] and that's a four year term.

[1:34:07] Okay.

[1:34:08] Okay.

[1:34:09] Mr. Chairman.

[1:34:11] Yes, sir.

[1:34:12] I would.

[1:34:14] Mr. Representative on the Community College Board.

[1:34:17] And I've had individual discussions with my fellow board members.

[1:34:22] And I would.

[1:34:23] I have a new appointment to the Surrey Community College Board of Trustees.

[1:34:27] I'd also like to thank Mr. Jim Lewis for his service.

[1:34:31] Jim served eight years on the Community College Board outstanding trustee enjoyed working with

[1:34:38] with Mr. Lewis. And at this time, I'd like to thank Mr. Lewis for his service and I would like

[1:34:46] to recommend that we appoint Miss Tina Johnson to the City Community College Board of Trustees. Tina

[1:34:55] is a resident of Mount Erie.

[1:34:58] And I think that's the appropriate response here

[1:35:03] from a geographical perspective.

[1:35:06] So that's who I'm recommending.

[1:35:08] I'll make that motion, Ms. Tina Johnson,

[1:35:10] to the Zurich Mead College Board Trustees.

[1:35:12] Okay, I have a motion, Mr. Commissioner Harris,

[1:35:14] for a new appointment, Ms. Tina Johnson.

[1:35:16] Go ahead, second.

[1:35:17] I'll be glad to second that, Mr. Chairman.

[1:35:20] She's a very good outstanding community servant.

[1:35:23] Okay.

[1:35:24] You'll do a great job second my commissioner Larry Johnson in discussion

[1:35:28] None all in favor of this appointment. Please say aye aye any pose none the appointment has made

[1:35:35] Anything else gentlemen on these along the lines of these make a motion for the others you doing one if you'd like

[1:35:41] I make a motion that we approve the appointment to the juvenile crowd for Vincent cows and I spread the key into the Northwestern Regional Library of

[1:35:49] for Kelly Merrick, Jonathan Bledsoe, and Lisa DeRice.

[1:35:53] For sure.

[1:35:54] Thank you, Mr. Gorns.

[1:35:56] We have another motion to reappoint these various people

[1:36:00] to the juvenile crime prevention council

[1:36:02] and the Northwestern Regional Library.

[1:36:04] Do I hear a second?

[1:36:05] I'll second that.

[1:36:06] Second for Commissioner Marion in discussion.

[1:36:09] There being none, all in favor, please say aye.

[1:36:11] Aye.

[1:36:12] Any opposed, none?

[1:36:13] Unanimously, these folks have been reappointed

[1:36:16] and thank you, folks.

[1:36:19] Chris anything else all I have after a general county business. I believe there's a request for a closed session.

[1:36:25] Okay, any commissioner comments? I think I'll start I'll start on this in tonight. Commissioner Mary, I've made several comments while ago.

[1:36:36] Starting once again, thank everyone for participating in the budget and looking forward to upcoming year and.

[1:36:46] That's what I've got and appreciate everybody coming out tonight and.

[1:36:51] Come on back and say yes. Thank you.

[1:36:54] Good.

[1:36:55] Mr. Golems.

[1:36:56] In the resident from Mount A, I'm going to read the proclamation for the Rotary Club of Mount A's 75th anniversary day.

[1:37:02] Whereas the Rotary Club of Mount A has served the community for three quarters of a century.

[1:37:06] Whereas since its inception in 1949, the Rotary Club of Mount A has upheld the high side deals of Rotary International,

[1:37:12] dedicating itself to the principle of service above self.

[1:37:15] Whereas for 75 years, the members of the Rotary Club of Mount A have worked to address the needs of the community.

[1:37:20] where as a Rotary Club of Moundary has supported positive transformation in

[1:37:24] embodying the Spirit of Collaboration and Cooperation, where as through its

[1:37:27] various projects programs and partnerships, Rotary Club of Moundary has made

[1:37:31] a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals, families and

[1:37:34] organizations. Now therefore, let it be resolved that on its 75th anniversary, the

[1:37:39] Rotary Club of Moundary is celebrated and honored for its services, dedication,

[1:37:42] its legacy of making a difference in the community. And when this area of the

[1:37:46] County Board of Commissioners do hereby declare July 16th, 2024 as Rotary Club

[1:37:50] of Moundary 75th anniversary day and recognize all citizens to join in

[1:37:55] commemorating the Momenis Milestone with gratitude, joy, and renewed commitment

[1:37:59] to service. And this was adopted today, the 17th day of June 2024 by the

[1:38:03] Surrey County Board of Commissioners, and our chairman will sign that

[1:38:06] proclamation. So we appreciate all that. I know there's several

[1:38:10] Rotary, there's a sunrise and a lunch, but they all do a great job

[1:38:15] serving the citizens of Mount A and Surrey County. It's not just Mount A, but they serve Surrey County, and we appreciate what they do for our county.

[1:38:24] Thank you, Commissioner Goins, and we will sign that proclamation as read tonight.

[1:38:30] Commissioner Harris.

[1:38:32] Mr. Chairman, thank you. I also wanted to add in regards to Ms. Tina Johnson, our new appointee on the Surrey Community College Board, that she is a graduate of Surrey Community College.

[1:38:42] very proud graduate of Surrey Community College and she actually served there

[1:38:46] as a student trustee on the board in late 80s I think so anyway I wanted to

[1:38:53] say that I also want to thank Dr. Steve Hall and Miss Klein Hexel for being

[1:38:58] here tonight always glad to see some thugs in my into the county and hope you

[1:39:02] thugs come again thank you. Mr. Jones I've said it this will be my ninth time I

[1:39:11] like to give our county manager and all these staff another A for the work on

[1:39:18] their budget. That's nine A's in a row for me and I appreciate it. I see all the

[1:39:25] hard work that's been put into that and you make it so plain and simple for us

[1:39:30] to comprehend and to understand and I think again thank you for it and I'm blessed

[1:39:36] to live in Surrey County. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Johnson. Thank

[1:39:41] All you folks for coming, all the folks out watching our meeting, keeping up with it in

[1:39:46] other ways. It's always interesting, some of the topics we cover and the way we go about

[1:39:53] trying to get to the ends of the best solutions possible for some of the challenges that face

[1:40:02] this board. And this budget cycle has been interesting. I've been on the board as well.

[1:40:10] this is my ninth budget and they seem to get a little more expensive and they seem to be a little more

[1:40:16] complicated every year. So far we've threaded the needle and I feel pretty good about it and

[1:40:22] appreciate you folks coming and your participation and all the county staff for all their participation in

[1:40:27] this new budget that we've just passed tonight and my fellow board members. You know we got then how

[1:40:34] we have five or six of these work sessions. You know, we didn't even have a fight one.

[1:40:41] Now, we had some strong words at time or two, but I don't know if anybody came to blows, did.

[1:40:46] Well, I or I are pets on the farm.

[1:40:49] But anyway, appreciate the fellow board members and the camaraderie and working with you and all the county staff.

[1:40:56] And with that said, that will conclude tonight's meeting.

[1:41:00] Again, thank you for coming. We appreciate your participation county manager. You got something there?

[1:41:05] We need close session. Yes, I believe we do need close session looking for a motion to go into close

[1:41:11] session to go into close session. All right commotion from motion from Commissioner Bill go in. Do I hear a sec?

[1:41:19] Second on a favor please say aye aye and we are going to close. Thank you

[1:41:26] Okay, we're back in session

[1:41:30] Okay, with much gratitude for their service rendered, I'd like to make a motion that we

[1:41:41] remove from the northern regional hospital board of trustees, the trustees of and that

[1:41:47] to include Theresa Lewis, Paul Patterson, Doug Cook, and Tom Riggs, do I hear a second?

[1:41:54] Second. Second from Commissioner Bill Goins in its discussion. All in favor please say aye.

[1:42:03] Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That's a record show the vote is unanimous. I'd also like to make

[1:42:11] a motion to add and effectively immediately also to the Northern Regional Hospital Board of Trustees,

[1:42:18] these Mark Rogers and Greg Perkins, and we will make both of these changes to be effective

[1:42:27] immediately.

[1:42:29] Do I hear a second?

[1:42:30] Second.

[1:42:30] Chairman.

[1:42:31] Yep.

[1:42:32] And to eliminate two seats on the board.

[1:42:35] And to eliminate two seats on the board, which would reduce the total number of seats by

[1:42:44] two to the total number.

[1:42:48] of 11 from 13. All in favor, please say on.

[1:42:53] Aye.

[1:42:55] Okay, motion carries. Any opposed none?

[1:42:58] No, unanimously.

[1:42:59] Looking for a motion to adjourn.

[1:43:00] Let's adjourn, Mr. Chairman.

[1:43:02] Motion of the Commissioner Bill going to adjourn.

[1:43:03] Oh, do I hear a second?

[1:43:05] Thank you.

Surry County Board of Commissioners Meeting June 17, 2024

Transcript