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All the Yonzo County Board of Commissioners meeting for Monday, August 18, 2025, to order

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at this time. We'll first ask our county attorney, Mr. Brett DeSams, to provide the invocation.

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Mr. DeSams.

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Thank you, Chairman. Let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father, be with the commissioners in their

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deliberations and bless them with wisdom and guidance as they address the items on

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tonight's agenda. We pray for our military and first responders who continue to serve

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our country with tremendous courage, commitment, and sacrifice. May all we do this day bring you honor

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and glory. Amen. Now with deep respect and reverence for the faiths, beliefs, and traditions of those

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gathered here tonight, join me in a moment of silence.

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Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

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with liberty and justice for all.

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Thank you this time.

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I'd like to recognize the elected officials that are with us tonight.

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We'll start first with the North Carolina representative,

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Mr. Wyatt Gable is here this evening,

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Sheriff Chris Thomas,

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Town Alderman, Mr. Rick Grant from North Dobson Beach,

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Town Council from Holly Ridge,

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Mr. Walter Zabicki,

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and the mayor of Holly Ridge, Mr. Pete Parnin.

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We appreciate you being here tonight.

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With that being said, we ask all in attendance please set your cell phones to silent or vibrate mode at this time.

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And we'll start with the first item on the agenda is the adoption of the agenda.

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But before that, we need a motion to amend the agenda to remove item 4A, P-R-E-Z, 20-25, 0-0-0-1-6.

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So moved.

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Second.

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So we have a motion and a second.

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Any discussion?

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Hearing none, that as motion passes, we'll need to also need a motion to amend the consent

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agenda to remove item 2B, Mr. Beast.

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So we have a motion and a second.

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Any discussion?

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Hearing none, we now need a motion to adopt the agenda as amended.

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We have a motion and a second.

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Any discussion?

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Hearing none, motion carries.

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Now with the approval of items on the consent agenda any board members has

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questions or concerns like one of those items removed now is the time to make

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that request if not we need a motion to approve agenda motion and a second any

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discussion none all in favor signify by saying aye those opposed hearing none

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motion carries so we are now mr. Smitherman I believe to the public

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comments and right now the let everyone know that the board offers the public

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one opportunity to speak during the meeting comments should be limited to

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no more than five minutes and maybe on any issue upon which the board of

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commissioners has control in accordance with the board's adopted rules of

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procedure commissioners shall reserve responses if any for the

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commissioner comment period on the agenda mr. Smitherman yes sir we

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have two people that have spoke signed up to speak this evening the first

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First one is Ari Rakowitz.

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Again, commissioners, I hope you will demonstrate

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more understanding and respect in your responses this time.

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Conducting this meeting is a political act

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as is speaking during it or attending it.

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The board is violating its own policies

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in addition to the law and our rights

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by ignoring the establishment clause.

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Again, when I reference people, places, things, or ideas,

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I provide examples from interconnected issues

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to broaden your perspective

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so that you can better support members of your community

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with whom you disagree or about whom you care least.

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As I mentioned last time, the purpose of studying history is to avoid repeating mistakes.

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We did not need a repeat of the Holocaust, but we are experiencing one.

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And since marginalizing can compound, people of color who are also members of more than

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one marginalized group are still disproportionately affected by silence and persecution, not

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directly tied to their skin color.

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Make choices with unity, sustainability, kindness, inclusion, equity, empathy, diversity,

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critical thinking, and compulsion in mind.

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Saturday night was the most recent general meeting for the local NAACP chapter.

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The next meeting is September 20th at 6 p.m. For details or to donate, visit onslaughtNAACP.org.

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Next time I will read to you from the PFLAG material I introduced at the Board of Education meeting

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once I finish reading the Freedom from Religion Foundation letter.

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You can find the resources I am reading from PFLAG at PFLAG.com

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And you do have local allies who lead with love instead of fear religious hypocrisy and bullying a chant

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I learned here in Jacksonville straight gay black white one struggle one fight

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Find some like-minded allies at the second annual like-minded alliance community block party also September 20th

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Join us for family fun at the downtown Riverwalk from 2 to 6 p.m

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For more details or to donate email like-minded alliance comm at G

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like-mindedallianceatgmail.com.

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I have four questions left instead of my original six

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and residents of Anzala County deserve answers to all eight.

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Of the four questions I asked last time,

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only one was answered appropriately

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by a commissioner during the meeting.

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Thank you.

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And the results of the BOE budget meeting

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demonstrate that the Board of Commissioners

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is still contributing to voter suppression

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through underfunding and understaffing

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a dedicated Board of Elections staff

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in addition to violating our First Amendment rights.

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I was disappointed to arrive at the established location

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for the Board of Elections Workshop

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to learn that the meeting had been canceled

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or at least relocated.

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I'm still confused because they were in closed session

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by the time I got there.

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By the time I biked up to the follow-up meeting

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at the BOE office, they were in closed session

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and I had to wait until the meeting concluded,

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which I didn't because I was trying

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to get here in time tonight.

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I understand the BOE's choice to begin

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again, once the board member from whom I learned that the BOE meeting was rescheduled, was

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waiting here with me, I learned it from her. Why was the workshop canceled? How has the

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Board of Commissioners improved support since the initial budget passed? I was also disappointed

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to learn none of the municipalities are willing to fund early voting sites within

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their precincts, so the only early voting site at the Board of Election is at the

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Board of Elections in Georgetown,

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sharing that tiny parking lot with animal control,

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and that once again, only representative options

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and not issues have been entrusted to the people for a vote.

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I have provided additional contests regarding the concerns

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about voting and this historic area before

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and we'll return to that.

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Thankfully all municipalities approved absentee

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by mail voting and all voters are eligible

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request your ballot as early as now

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to be mailed October 3rd and returned by mail

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or hand deliver it to the BOE any time during early voting.

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The deadline to request an absentee ballot

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is the second Tuesday before the election day,

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and it must be received by the BOE by 7.30 on election day,

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but you cannot hand deliver it then.

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If only we had 24-hour ballot drop boxes

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strategically placed throughout the county

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or enough staff and resources

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to perform the existing duties of the BOE.

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Voters can hope for information on your voting options.

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visit ncsbe.gov slash voting to what extent have long-term or short-term

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projects proposed by the Georgetown Renaissance Association been funded

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have the county or city provided support to address poor lighting access to

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electric outlets and maintenance of the cemetery at Georgetown Park these are

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the short-term things I can't remember all of the long-term and it's not

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in my script remember y'all should be working together on this I may

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I will skip for time.

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The infrastructure issues will require more resources to address than ending the unconstitutional

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religious invocation, but it is your responsibility as the county commission to protect and serve

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all of the people of Anso County.

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Please do better.

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Thank you.

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Mr. Midland.

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Yes, sir.

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Mr. Elliott Jarman is next.

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Good evening, commissioners.

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Public speaking is not really my strong point.

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I don't really enjoy it.

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But here I am.

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My name is Elliott Jarman, and I come before you tonight, not just as a resident of Enzo

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County, but as a voice for the many concerned citizens who feel overlooked, frustrated, and

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frankly disappointed.

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Over the past few months, we've seen the county allocate substantial funding, millions

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of dollars for the development of a new county fire department.

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And while public safety is a priority, we all share.

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I'm here to say that the people of Enzo County are deeply upset about what was

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left out of that funding plan.

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our volunteer fire departments. The very departments that have served our

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communities for decades, long before this initiative ever existed. Volunteer

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departments have been here through hurricanes, wildfires, wrecks, and

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structure fires without fanfare and without the full support they deserve.

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Yet they receive no capital improvement funding in this plan, not for trucks,

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not for stations, not even for equipment updates. That's not just an

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oversight, it's a statement. A statement that the boots on the ground

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heroes who've shown up time and time again are now being sidelined. This is not just about

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dollars, it's about fairness and it's about respect.

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The community is watching. I've spoken to residents, fire chiefs, volunteers and taxpayers

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and the message is clear. We want to see our long-standing departments treated as partners

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not as afterthoughts. The men and women who volunteer their time to protect our families

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deserve the same level of investment as a new department being built from the

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ground up. We are not against progress. We are not against

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improving fire protection, but we are against imbalance. We are

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against funneling resources into one department while ignoring

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the vital needs of others who already serve with pride, skill,

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and honor. So tonight I ask

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I ask you, on behalf of the people of this county, to take a hard look at your budget priorities.

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Can you find room to fund capital improvements for the volunteer departments? Can you make

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this right before we push forward with a new model that risks eroding community trust?

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Let's not forget, volunteer fire departments are not just filling the gap. They are the

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foundation of fire protection in many parts of this county. They need your support, not

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just in words, but in your budget. Thank you for your time, and I sincerely hope

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you will listen to the public voices growing louder every day and God bless

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each and every one of you. Mr. Jarman,

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we have no further speakers signed up, sir.

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All right, we'll go ahead and start with item four public hearings and Mr. Carter

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Metcalfe, are you the first one here for this? That's been put off. Never mind, we

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took that one off. Yeah, so, well, there you go. We are moving on to the

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Mr. Kevin Patterson with the quarterly financial report. That's

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the truth.

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All right. With this, I will try to be brief on this. I do plan on presenting at

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the October meeting. We will have a draft financial statement for the audit

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report for you by that presentation, as well as we will have, of course,

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have final numbers for the year-end. We are still going through the close-out now.

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With this, of course, breaking down the revenues for year, we have collected $143 million in

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property taxes. That is an excess of the sales tax. That has been a continual increase year

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over year. Sales taxes at June 30th are actually through July 31st. We have collected 67 million.

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That does include our Medicaid hold harmless.

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We do expect to receive approximately another $13 million, which will put us right on target.

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Our Intergovernmental Revenues are under budget right now, but then again those are always

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on estimates.

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A number of our Intergovernmental Revenues depend entirely on our reimbursements and

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our spend rates and they are traditionally under, our actual revenues are traditionally

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under where we spend because they are based on estimates primarily through DHHS.

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But so far we are on, again, looking on our revenue budgets, our own target for it.

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Property tax collections are staying on approximate trend.

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Our actual collections for the last three years are on top of each other.

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we have seen an increase over year-over-year of about $4 million for the last two years.

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That is just the natural growth in the property tax base.

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Sales taxes also received. Fortunately, we have gone off and I was worried that we would

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have a softening in our sales tax. We have not seen that right now. Like I said,

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for the month of May, we did receive $6.1 million, which is $200,000 over last year.

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If you compare this number to the previous revenue, this $63 million includes the sales taxes that 6.1 is the amount that we actually received in July, which was not in the report.

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We received it after the report was generated, but the Medicaid hold harmless was in the previous number.

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it is not listed in here. So that's the discrepancy between the $63 million on this side and

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the $67 million on the previous side. When you count that in plus the additional collection

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that we expect to receive next month, that will be approximately, that should be at

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the $81 million mark within one and a half percent of that number.

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And again, sales

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Sales tax is not quite as clean but our sales tax collections are continuing and fortunately

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we have gotten back where we are slightly above previous years but of course that is

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subject to the overall economy.

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General fund expenditures by function we can go over any detail you want but our total

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expenditures are traveling are well under budget and with this we do have some other items

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that we are going to be putting in. We are going to be now that we have all of our payables

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in for the end of the year, we are going to be looking to transfer any lapse health insurance

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premiums into our health reserve. So those calculations have not been met, but we are

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significantly under budget this year in the 10 fund. And again, also just breaking

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out the expenditures. There's no significant change in the general function of the expenditures

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that we have and the pattern of expenses.

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And again, also just breaking out the numbers

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that we have with the expenditure by type going up, of course, by salaries, operations

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and capital.

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Now, in solid waste revenues, I did go off and notice just before I got

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here that the total numbers are wrong. The total revenue for June 30th, 25 is

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9,544,000, and the total revenue for 24 is $9.3 million. So, but we are on

235
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obviously above target for those revenue numbers. The expenditures we do show a

236
00:20:55,330 --> 00:21:00,690
significant increase in operations, operational cost on this report over

237
00:21:00,690 --> 00:21:07,730
expenditures but that is because in this report the landfill closure post closure

238
00:21:07,730 --> 00:21:12,030
and depreciation were keyed into those numbers those are non-budgetary items

239
00:21:12,030 --> 00:21:17,890
it's a different level of accounting so we are still actually under budget in

240
00:21:17,890 --> 00:21:21,050
the expenditures in the landfill as of last Thursday it's Thursday of

241
00:21:21,050 --> 00:21:26,330
approximately six hundred thirty eight thousand dollars so we are there but

242
00:21:26,330 --> 00:21:34,790
But the increase in operating from just under $4.8 million to $7.9 million with the restatement

243
00:21:34,790 --> 00:21:41,750
in our landfill post-closure costs, we went from $1 million of closure, post-closure cost

244
00:21:41,750 --> 00:21:49,190
accruals to $3.3 million of accruals in the current year, or in 2025.

245
00:21:53,710 --> 00:21:58,490
And, of course, airport revenues are running consistent year-over-year.

246
00:22:00,070 --> 00:22:04,890
And the restricted intergovernmental, those are some of the federal fees that we're receiving.

247
00:22:05,310 --> 00:22:09,810
That will be just a timing difference on when those reimbursements are made.

248
00:22:10,830 --> 00:22:14,010
And expenditures are, of course, running as expected.

249
00:22:17,180 --> 00:22:24,660
For the grants as the updates, we do have the resiliency grant, which we have applied

250
00:22:24,660 --> 00:22:31,000
for in coordination with Camp Lejeune as well as the city of Jacksonville.

251
00:22:31,500 --> 00:22:38,740
We should have the final determination in September, but I have done the follow-up internal

252
00:22:38,740 --> 00:22:45,560
control meeting with the agency, and we should have a – we're expecting a favorable

253
00:22:45,560 --> 00:22:52,500
determination to come with this report, and that could be a grant in excess of

254
00:22:52,500 --> 00:22:59,820
million dollars when that comes in and that we will be using consultants for the majority

255
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of those services.

256
00:23:02,400 --> 00:23:10,560
Also just as an additional note, we have made an offer for grant manager position and it

257
00:23:10,560 --> 00:23:15,400
has been accepted so the tentative start date for our next grant manager is September

258
00:23:15,400 --> 00:23:16,460
2nd.

259
00:23:18,060 --> 00:23:18,840
Are there any questions?

260
00:23:28,460 --> 00:23:30,700
I don't know if it was two minutes, but I'll try it.

261
00:23:31,900 --> 00:23:32,920
Thank you, Mr. Patterson.

262
00:23:33,940 --> 00:23:38,720
So now we move to item six, the quarterly commissioners committee reports.

263
00:23:39,320 --> 00:23:41,340
Does anyone want to volunteer to share?

264
00:23:42,140 --> 00:23:42,600
If you've had any.

265
00:23:42,900 --> 00:23:44,400
Well, I'm sure I'd go first.

266
00:23:45,120 --> 00:23:46,680
So I just got on the hospital board.

267
00:23:47,220 --> 00:23:48,540
So I've only been to one meeting,

268
00:23:48,680 --> 00:23:48,820
but I don't know if it was two minutes.

269
00:23:48,820 --> 00:23:52,060
I think there are some exciting things coming down the pipe.

270
00:23:52,620 --> 00:23:55,540
So I can't say anything, unfortunately,

271
00:23:55,740 --> 00:23:57,920
but I think we've got some good things to hospitals

272
00:23:58,600 --> 00:23:59,900
making some good decisions.

273
00:24:00,060 --> 00:24:01,260
I'm excited to be a part of it.

274
00:24:02,360 --> 00:24:03,020
Anyone else?

275
00:24:04,040 --> 00:24:04,540
Yes, sir.

276
00:24:05,420 --> 00:24:06,420
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

277
00:24:06,620 --> 00:24:08,740
I'd like to speak on Ombosa real quick.

278
00:24:10,520 --> 00:24:15,780
Ombosa has a project to build a force main from Swansborough

279
00:24:15,780 --> 00:24:22,400
to Piney Green. Down Highway 24, it'll serve the needs of the Swansborough

280
00:24:22,400 --> 00:24:28,600
community in the future. That project is approximately 30 to 40 percent completed.

281
00:24:30,660 --> 00:24:37,580
Unwasa is in the process of expanding the Pluris plant and the North Topso Beach

282
00:24:37,580 --> 00:24:43,140
plant from one and a half million gallons a day to three million gallons a

283
00:24:43,900 --> 00:24:50,120
That is a sewer plant that will serve the Holly Ridge and Sneed Fairy areas in the future.

284
00:24:51,670 --> 00:24:56,860
There's also, we're working on a connection between Holly Ridge and Summer House that

285
00:24:56,860 --> 00:25:04,660
will be able to direct sewer flow between those two locations so that we can use whatever

286
00:25:04,660 --> 00:25:07,140
treatment options are available.

287
00:25:07,140 --> 00:25:14,420
We're working on two new wells in the Wachovia track doubt in Camp Davis Industrial Park,

288
00:25:14,840 --> 00:25:22,560
and we're working to expand water treatment at our Dixon water treatment plant from four

289
00:25:22,560 --> 00:25:24,540
to six million gallons a day.

290
00:25:24,940 --> 00:25:27,660
We're also installing what's called AMI meters.

291
00:25:28,820 --> 00:25:36,500
Those are meters that are connected by cellular service to our main office so that

292
00:25:36,500 --> 00:25:39,180
We don't have to drive trucks around all over the county

293
00:25:39,780 --> 00:25:43,900
in order to read your meters.

294
00:25:45,080 --> 00:25:50,200
On Wasa has over 60,000 water customers now,

295
00:25:50,560 --> 00:25:51,820
so water meters out there,

296
00:25:51,960 --> 00:25:54,800
and we've replaced about 1,000 of those meters

297
00:25:54,800 --> 00:25:58,720
with AMI meters, so that is a multi-year project

298
00:25:59,120 --> 00:26:01,560
that we'll be working on for some time in the future.

299
00:26:02,380 --> 00:26:05,860
And finally, on Wasa Board of Directors

300
00:26:05,860 --> 00:26:15,080
has asked that in our towns and this counts this committee commissioners approve

301
00:26:15,080 --> 00:26:21,460
a resolution that would allow you to appoint non-elected officials to the

302
00:26:21,460 --> 00:26:29,560
UNWASA Board of Directors. I've said in several town meetings the UNWASA

303
00:26:29,560 --> 00:26:34,560
Board of Directors is made up of all elected officials at this time and six

304
00:26:34,560 --> 00:26:41,940
six of our elected officials out of eight are currently up for re-election or not running

305
00:26:41,940 --> 00:26:42,800
for re-election.

306
00:26:43,100 --> 00:26:50,080
So the unwassable board has the potential of losing 75% of our board members in one year.

307
00:26:50,500 --> 00:26:56,120
And that is not a good way to run a multi-million-dollar corporation, which unwassable currently

308
00:26:56,120 --> 00:26:59,200
is with over $63 million budget.

309
00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:07,380
it and so I'm asking this you commissioners and I'm asking the towns and

310
00:27:07,380 --> 00:27:11,560
Honza County Holly Ridge and Swanborough have already approved our

311
00:27:11,560 --> 00:27:17,720
resolution but we need to make this change and get our board of directors on

312
00:27:17,720 --> 00:27:22,420
three-year rotating schedules so that we don't have the potential in the

313
00:27:22,420 --> 00:27:27,880
future of losing 75% of our board all at one time so that's what's happening

314
00:27:27,880 --> 00:27:31,780
it on Worcester as chairman. Anyone else?

315
00:27:36,480 --> 00:27:39,940
This is a report. I had a juvenile

316
00:27:39,940 --> 00:27:44,500
crime prevention committee meeting that I was not able to attend so we'll have

317
00:27:44,500 --> 00:27:48,600
more information for you at the next committee updates. I have been working

318
00:27:48,600 --> 00:27:52,380
with the topsoil and shoreline protection that I've heard a lot about

319
00:27:52,380 --> 00:27:57,340
what's going on with legislation and our coastlines in particular oyster

320
00:27:57,340 --> 00:28:00,860
leases and the impact that that's having and in particular Anzol and

321
00:28:00,860 --> 00:28:06,380
County. The oyster leases are growing rapidly, where the surrounding counties

322
00:28:06,380 --> 00:28:10,580
have moratoriums on those oyster leases, so everyone's coming to Pender and

323
00:28:10,580 --> 00:28:18,220
Oslo County waters. I know our beach inlet and sound committee, we got by

324
00:28:18,220 --> 00:28:23,040
September, I think, it's coming up that time frame for that one. A lot of

325
00:28:23,040 --> 00:28:26,960
beach renursment going on there, North Topso Beach, so I'll keep you

326
00:28:26,960 --> 00:28:30,560
appraised of what's going on there as they're trying to continue to keep

327
00:28:30,560 --> 00:28:35,280
our coastline looking great and a great tourist destination for everyone in

328
00:28:35,280 --> 00:28:40,780
Oslo County. So with that being said we'll go to our manager for his comments.

329
00:28:42,400 --> 00:28:50,220
Thank you Mr. Chairman. Speaking of our beach and our beaches and our island, we

330
00:28:50,220 --> 00:28:55,480
have noticed that we'll be closing beach access number two and four effective

331
00:28:55,480 --> 00:29:02,780
immediately in anticipation of the storm, high surf warnings, we encourage people to be very

332
00:29:02,780 --> 00:29:05,900
careful and avoid those dangerous currents.

333
00:29:08,200 --> 00:29:12,160
We are, we, we see above you we had the in God,

334
00:29:12,400 --> 00:29:20,200
we trust signs installed both here and on the exterior of the courthouse. Those were

335
00:29:20,200 --> 00:29:21,720
installed last week, I believe.

336
00:29:23,460 --> 00:29:26,560
And we are also working to, and the board's aware of this,

337
00:29:26,620 --> 00:29:27,940
but for the public's consumption,

338
00:29:28,160 --> 00:29:30,380
we are working to build a couple of EMS stations.

339
00:29:31,160 --> 00:29:35,520
We are behind the curve in bringing our EMS facilities

340
00:29:36,260 --> 00:29:38,300
to where they need to be and are beginning

341
00:29:39,000 --> 00:29:41,480
with two new stations, most likely just

342
00:29:41,480 --> 00:29:43,120
on the outskirts of Jacksonville

343
00:29:43,120 --> 00:29:45,480
and also one in the Stump Sound area.

344
00:29:45,480 --> 00:29:59,220
And finally, the Fire Service Master Plan Steering Committee had its second meeting today and is interviewing consulting firms that will begin to...

345
00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:08,940
Work on that project with extended public engagement effort, which will include going into all of

346
00:30:08,940 --> 00:30:16,580
our fire departments, volunteer, paid, federal DOD, city, towns, as well as public forums where

347
00:30:16,580 --> 00:30:23,120
the public can express their opinions on the future of how we manage fire service globally

348
00:30:23,120 --> 00:30:28,860
as a single service in Onsland County instead of different services based upon jurisdiction.

349
00:30:28,860 --> 00:30:30,800
And that's all I have, Mr. Chairman.

350
00:30:31,380 --> 00:30:31,740
All right.

351
00:30:32,680 --> 00:30:34,980
Mr. Comments, we'll go back around the circuit.

352
00:30:35,280 --> 00:30:36,700
Anyone have anything they'd like to share?

353
00:30:38,800 --> 00:30:39,820
You want me to start again?

354
00:30:40,140 --> 00:30:40,700
If you want to.

355
00:30:41,120 --> 00:30:42,240
We can go to Tony.

356
00:30:42,340 --> 00:30:43,420
I don't matter. Go ahead.

357
00:30:43,620 --> 00:30:44,040
All right.

358
00:30:44,620 --> 00:30:45,200
Wait, please.

359
00:30:47,320 --> 00:30:53,240
You know, I got to say, I've always been one that I like to hear differing opinions

360
00:30:53,240 --> 00:30:59,480
and sit down and talk to people who don't agree with exactly the way that I feel.

361
00:30:59,480 --> 00:31:06,060
and believe and I'm willing to sit down and talk to anybody who wants to

362
00:31:06,060 --> 00:31:13,660
discuss issues whether we agree or not but we've been lectured for months and

363
00:31:13,660 --> 00:31:22,220
months about issues here in this building and because I like to talk

364
00:31:22,220 --> 00:31:31,640
talk one-on-one with people who may agree or not with me. I actually had a one-on-one

365
00:31:31,640 --> 00:31:37,180
meeting with Ms. Ari who has now stormed out of the room again for the third time

366
00:31:37,180 --> 00:31:44,400
and when I listened to her rant and rave at me which was basically the same

367
00:31:44,400 --> 00:31:51,680
rant that she's done with us every month for the last several months and I

368
00:31:51,680 --> 00:31:53,880
I tried to express some of my opinions.

369
00:31:54,480 --> 00:31:56,380
She got up and stormed out of the room,

370
00:31:57,000 --> 00:31:59,760
just like she has done here today.

371
00:32:00,120 --> 00:32:03,400
Again, you can't see that on the camera, I don't suppose,

372
00:32:03,640 --> 00:32:05,500
because she's going out the back door.

373
00:32:06,420 --> 00:32:10,760
But I know that I personally have tried

374
00:32:11,200 --> 00:32:13,040
to have a conversation with her

375
00:32:13,620 --> 00:32:17,980
and tried to relay to her what my opinions are

376
00:32:17,980 --> 00:32:19,720
on some of the issues that she has.

377
00:32:19,720 --> 00:32:25,960
Today she brought in an issue to the board and said that we weren't funding the Board

378
00:32:25,960 --> 00:32:26,680
of Elections.

379
00:32:28,100 --> 00:32:36,100
I talked to her about that personally, one-on-one, and we have funded the Board of Elections

380
00:32:37,380 --> 00:32:42,640
every year that I know of at almost exactly the amount that they asked for.

381
00:32:43,140 --> 00:32:49,890
We don't give away money to people that don't need it, and if they don't ask for it,

382
00:32:49,890 --> 00:32:56,570
we don't give it to them. And in election years, when we've had shortages in the Board

383
00:32:56,570 --> 00:33:03,050
of Elections, we have increased their budget so they had enough money to do what they need

384
00:33:03,050 --> 00:33:09,950
to do. I certainly believe that we fund the Board of Elections adequately and we will

385
00:33:09,950 --> 00:33:16,650
continue to do that. As far as election rules, those are made by the General Assembly

386
00:33:16,650 --> 00:33:23,250
and we don't have any control over whether we have drop boxes or any other kind of scam

387
00:33:23,250 --> 00:33:30,450
for our elections. That is up to the legislature. And she also mentioned the Georgetown Park,

388
00:33:30,650 --> 00:33:35,350
which is not even a county park. It belongs to the city of Jacksonville and has nothing

389
00:33:35,350 --> 00:33:39,150
to do with these county commissioners. So I

390
00:33:41,680 --> 00:33:46,000
appreciate her passion for her issues.

391
00:33:46,000 --> 00:33:53,440
but she doesn't understand and she doesn't wait around long enough and she

392
00:33:53,440 --> 00:33:58,160
won't listen when somebody tries to explain to her that there are other

393
00:33:58,160 --> 00:33:59,500
opinions beside hers.

394
00:34:01,600 --> 00:34:06,440
And Mr. Jarman, I appreciate you coming tonight. I heard

395
00:34:06,440 --> 00:34:12,060
some misinformation there. There are only two volunteer fire departments that

396
00:34:12,060 --> 00:34:17,340
aren't getting funding for their capital needs and they're not getting funding for

397
00:34:17,340 --> 00:34:22,920
the capital needs because they don't want to agree to a contract with Anzlo

398
00:34:22,920 --> 00:34:31,500
County and the commissioners have worked for a year to get contracts with all

399
00:34:31,500 --> 00:34:36,740
of our volunteer fire departments to make sure that our taxpayers are

400
00:34:36,740 --> 00:34:44,340
protected when these volunteer fire departments take taxpayer money, which

401
00:34:44,340 --> 00:34:49,120
this year will be over ten million dollars that we'll fund our volunteer

402
00:34:49,120 --> 00:34:55,240
fire departments with. And all those two fire departments have to do is agree to

403
00:34:55,240 --> 00:34:59,520
a very simple contract and they can get money for their capital expenses just

404
00:34:59,520 --> 00:35:09,040
like the other 12, 11, 12 volunteer fire departments are getting funded for their capital expenses.

405
00:35:09,720 --> 00:35:18,100
So I appreciate your concern, but I'm happy to talk to you about the facts if you're interested.

406
00:35:19,320 --> 00:35:21,360
That's all I have to say, Mr. Chairman.

407
00:35:21,620 --> 00:35:21,960
Thank you.

408
00:35:22,580 --> 00:35:23,580
Thank you, Mr. Bennett.

409
00:35:24,080 --> 00:35:24,720
Mr. McCann.

410
00:35:25,480 --> 00:35:25,820
Good.

411
00:35:26,460 --> 00:35:27,160
Mr. Davis.

412
00:35:27,160 --> 00:35:28,060
too

413
00:35:31,360 --> 00:35:36,160
much to say tonight thank you Wyatt for being here today thank you for what

414
00:35:36,160 --> 00:35:40,000
you've done in Raleigh Forest I know you've worked hard I think your

415
00:35:40,000 --> 00:35:45,100
reputation up there has preceded your youth and good job man just thank you

416
00:35:45,100 --> 00:35:53,120
for what you're doing Carter always man workshop today thank you you're so I

417
00:35:53,120 --> 00:35:58,020
think what it's you have a job to do like any of us but you were so well

418
00:35:58,020 --> 00:36:02,720
prepared for the questions today. That's the impressive part, is you thought ahead, not

419
00:36:02,720 --> 00:36:07,920
just of the topic, but what might be asked of you. And I really appreciate that. It shows

420
00:36:07,920 --> 00:36:10,760
us that you value our time. So thank you for that.

421
00:36:13,620 --> 00:36:16,400
Mr. Jarman, I think it will be good

422
00:36:16,400 --> 00:36:20,720
for you and Mr. Bennett to discuss things, because I don't think Mr. Bennett knows

423
00:36:21,640 --> 00:36:27,180
everything either. So perhaps you can share with him some of the other issues that

424
00:36:28,120 --> 00:36:34,860
that I'm at least I'm aware of, that what you have maybe a little more factual than what

425
00:36:34,860 --> 00:36:40,840
he realizes. But I do appreciate you coming today. And again, it's my hope that we will

426
00:36:40,840 --> 00:36:45,200
work with Piney. I know at least Piney Green wants to work with us, that we will reach

427
00:36:45,200 --> 00:36:49,680
out and solve that one. I'm not aware of the situation yet with the other department

428
00:36:49,680 --> 00:36:57,000
Department, but just thankful for everyone here today. Thank you, Ms. Kerry, for giving

429
00:36:57,000 --> 00:37:01,680
me homework to do. So we'll get that done and being willing to work with the churches

430
00:37:01,680 --> 00:37:05,720
in the local area, I'm excited about that as well. So and for all the people watching,

431
00:37:05,900 --> 00:37:09,120
thank you for taking time out to watch. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

432
00:37:09,220 --> 00:37:14,520
Sir, Mr. Pageant, I'll just thank you. Bye for coming tonight. Thank you.

433
00:37:14,820 --> 00:37:15,520
Mr. Chairman?

434
00:37:16,280 --> 00:37:18,060
I've got a lot to say, but I'm not going to say it.

435
00:37:18,160 --> 00:37:18,780
A lot of opinions.

436
00:37:18,920 --> 00:37:19,760
I'm not going to voice them.

437
00:37:20,660 --> 00:37:24,120
I'm not even going to touch on what the commissioners talked about, because I have a very different

438
00:37:24,120 --> 00:37:28,220
opinion, and I'm pretty boisterous about that, but I want to thank everybody for coming

439
00:37:28,220 --> 00:37:28,560
tonight.

440
00:37:29,140 --> 00:37:32,020
If you want to know my opinion, how I feel, ask me.

441
00:37:32,060 --> 00:37:32,840
I'll be more than happy to tell you.

442
00:37:33,160 --> 00:37:33,800
Have a great week.

443
00:37:36,280 --> 00:37:36,880
I'm speechless.

444
00:37:39,480 --> 00:37:40,780
Let's see if you keep it speechless.

445
00:37:41,140 --> 00:37:41,600
I can't.

446
00:37:43,380 --> 00:37:44,260
I'm pushing the time.

447
00:37:44,560 --> 00:37:45,020
I'm pushing the time.

448
00:37:46,740 --> 00:37:47,060
I'm pushing the time.

449
00:37:47,060 --> 00:37:47,240
I'm pushing the time.

450
00:37:47,240 --> 00:37:49,980
That way I just appreciate everybody coming in tonight.

451
00:37:52,580 --> 00:37:53,860
This is what it is for.

452
00:37:54,100 --> 00:37:56,920
That's what the five minutes of public comment is for, to come up and share your thoughts,

453
00:37:57,100 --> 00:38:00,440
your opinions, your concerns, and what you feel is necessary to share with us.

454
00:38:01,560 --> 00:38:06,060
And we'll continue to work and do what we believe is in the best interest of everyone.

455
00:38:06,800 --> 00:38:11,480
And we appreciate Mr. Jarman coming in and the work he does there, I believe in Richlands,

456
00:38:12,600 --> 00:38:14,100
the work that's going on there.

457
00:38:14,100 --> 00:38:19,780
and I know Mr. Smitherman that the strategic planning team will be coming

458
00:38:19,780 --> 00:38:24,680
to Richlands to get the input from, matter of fact, it's going to be all of our

459
00:38:24,680 --> 00:38:28,700
volunteer fire departments in that plan to really dig down what

460
00:38:28,700 --> 00:38:33,800
everybody needs and what's going to benefit everyone as we continue to move

461
00:38:33,800 --> 00:38:37,520
forward with that. So number one, we appreciate the professionalism of the

462
00:38:37,520 --> 00:38:41,520
volunteers. We appreciate what you do because if you didn't have you, we

463
00:38:41,520 --> 00:38:49,900
would have a very highly increased ISO rating, so we appreciate that effort and we look forward

464
00:38:49,900 --> 00:38:55,240
to as this continues to grow to getting that input and build the best fire departments

465
00:38:55,820 --> 00:39:00,840
across Donzalo County, all the volunteers, the municipalities, Camp Lejeune, and just

466
00:39:00,840 --> 00:39:06,020
really turn into what it is that you want, not just necessarily that but all the citizens

467
00:39:06,020 --> 00:39:06,520
as well.

468
00:39:06,520 --> 00:39:11,960
So collectively, we'll be able to turn this into everything that we need and really work

469
00:39:11,960 --> 00:39:18,540
together in building that from strategic fire to strategic with our EMS stations and working

470
00:39:18,540 --> 00:39:22,280
together to build those because at the end of the day, it's all about Oslo County.

471
00:39:22,780 --> 00:39:26,980
And that's the one thing that I want everyone to understand is this is about Oslo County.

472
00:39:27,600 --> 00:39:32,120
From Oslo County schools, to Oslo County government, to Oslo County volunteer fire,

473
00:39:32,540 --> 00:39:32,820
EMS.

474
00:39:32,820 --> 00:39:38,780
is just this is what makes us go and we are a great example of what what

475
00:39:38,780 --> 00:39:42,300
government is about representative and being able to come to the microphone and

476
00:39:42,300 --> 00:39:47,260
share those share those thoughts whether we agree or disagree this is

477
00:39:47,260 --> 00:39:51,020
your this is your forum as well so as we continue to work together we'll

478
00:39:51,020 --> 00:39:56,400
continue to make Honza County a great place to live work learn and raise a

479
00:39:56,400 --> 00:40:02,020
family. Motion to adjourn. So moved. We're adjourned.