[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[2:06] The first time on our agenda is a pleasure of allegiance. We have a special guest with us tonight. We'd like to ask our district attorney, Mr. Ted Bell, if you'll lead us in the pleasure of allegiance.
[2:15] to
[2:22] the flag of the United States of America to the Republic for which it stands, one nation
[2:30] under our individual liberty and justice for all.
[2:47] Thank you, Mr. Bell.
[2:48] Thank you, everyone.
[2:49] Commissioner, the next item on the agenda is the agenda approval.
[2:52] What's the will of the board?
[2:54] We would accept the agenda approval.
[2:59] I've got a motion.
[3:00] A second.
[3:00] Any discussion?
[3:02] Hang on a call.
[3:03] A question.
[3:03] Please raise your right hand.
[3:05] Any public light wise?
[3:06] The agenda has been approved.
[3:12] Ladies and gentlemen, we have two public hearings tonight
[3:15] and then public comments.
[3:18] During the public hearings, the portion for the public
[3:20] is actually for that portion of the public hearing.
[3:24] So the first item on the public hearing is 3781
[3:29] and very with me to bring this up.
[3:32] So public hearing holding for real property,
[3:34] for distribution, disposition, excuse me,
[3:36] I mean, as you can, I'm going to develop my property.
[3:40] We're hearing.
[3:42] I'd like to recognize if you can, I'm going to develop a director, murder.
[3:53] Good evening, commissioners.
[3:56] Today, we're here in a public hearing notice to discuss two tracks of property that were purchased by the county back in 2008.
[4:05] They were purchased for certain county buildings in the anticipation that these projects would go through to fruition.
[4:10] The projects did not proceed at that time, and the land remained vacant.
[4:16] In 2014, 15 fiscal year, money was secured through budget, and
[4:23] this money was set aside for grading and site improvements.
[4:27] Since that time, the property has continually been marketed as an economic development purposes.
[4:33] And today we have a resolution before you requesting that we formalize the county's intent to hold these tracks for economic development.
[4:39] Thank
[4:43] you, ma'am. Director, are there any questions from the board, members of the board commentary?
[4:50] Okay, thank you. This is a public hearing. We'd like to ask if a member of the public
[4:54] lecture speak on this matter.
[5:03] We hear from the public hearing ID as 2-4-37-1.
[5:08] Anybody in the public lecture speak on this.
[5:13] For those who have been here before,
[5:15] recognize that our county attorney asked me to say it's three times.
[5:20] So, make sure, again, is there a member of the public
[5:24] like to speak on this public hearing matter?
[5:27] Thank you.
[5:28] Hearing no, no.
[5:30] What's your public hearing?
[5:31] I'll look to the commissioners for what's the will of the board.
[5:33] There is a resolution before you.
[5:34] They just own the agenda.
[5:36] Make a motion.
[5:37] We approve a resolution.
[5:38] Second.
[5:39] We've got a motion to second.
[5:40] Any discussion?
[5:44] Hang on to call the question.
[5:45] All in favor, raise your right hand.
[5:47] Any opposed?
[5:48] A lot of wise.
[5:49] Okay.
[5:55] commissioners, the next item is 3, 7, 8, 4 is a public hearing, but before we do that
[6:01] I would like to have a consensus of the board. We just had a resolution regarding a property
[6:06] for economic development, so I want to read a statement. There's one additional public
[6:11] hearing originally scheduled for this evening that was published in Daily Courier on May
[6:15] May 23rd regarding the proposed sale of a 27.95 acre tracked owned by Ruther County.
[6:22] Due to circumstances behind our beyond our control, we are unable to proceed with this
[6:26] hearing tonight.
[6:27] By proposed, we hold a special meeting at the first possible date, which will be on Monday,
[6:32] June 17th at 6 o'clock p.m.
[6:35] This will permit the required 10-day notice for the public hearing to be published in the
[6:40] dated courier.
[6:41] The public had the opportunity to speak to this proposal to proceed with the sale.
[6:46] This is an important project to the county.
[6:49] I'm sorry, I'm going to repeat myself.
[6:51] This is an important project to the county.
[6:53] If accepted, well through this board, we would require county staff to prepare the necessary
[6:58] notice of public hearing for publication and the daily query so we can hold the public hearing
[7:03] at the first possible date, which is June 17th, and this time I'll look to the board for
[7:08] or just nod your head for consensus that we can move forward with that.
[7:12] Thank you.
[7:26] Ladies and gentlemen, commissioners, the next item is 243784.
[7:33] This is a public hearing for the budget of the fiscal year 2024 to 2025.
[7:38] I would now like to open up this public hearing.
[7:41] I would like to recognize our county manager, Mr. Steve Garrison, Mr. Garrison.
[7:45] Thank you, chairman and commissioners.
[7:47] Just to go through a summary of the proposed budget, what we landed at is we're recommending
[7:56] that the total general fund be proposed at $80 million, $826,507 with a total budget for
[8:03] all funds coming in at $107 million, $510,713, and just as a reminder, that includes all
[8:10] those other funds that are just basically pass three funds such as the fire departments
[8:14] some other tight funds that go through the county.
[8:17] The proposed budget, it presents a 4.283% increase in the general operating funds from fiscal year, or 2425, approved budget.
[8:28] It's an overall percentage increase for all the budgets at 5.68%.
[8:32] The
[8:35] proposed budget does not recommend an increase to our current tax rate, 45.4.
[8:41] However, to address a continued cost of our operations due to inflation,
[8:45] loss of sales tax dollars and to ensure that our employee wages assist our departments
[8:51] of the rates that those continue to support our department heads with their recruitment
[8:56] and retention efforts.
[8:58] It's going to, with that in mind, it's necessary to include two million four hundred and thirty
[9:02] one thousand three hundred and fifty nine dollars from our available and unrestricted
[9:07] general fund balance to balance this budget and the post budget includes a four percent
[9:12] I think COLA increased for cost of living adjustment for staff as a reminder, we're trying to get our wages to where it's not just living wages, thriving wage, to ensure that we are competitive within the market.
[9:28] Primary factors, the impact of our budget includes continued inflation and supply chain issues, wage competition with local and regional public and private sector employers, and a significant decrease in our sales tax revenues as I described last month.
[9:45] Top three areas supported by the proposed 2425 budget, public safety at almost 29%, 28.93%, education at 26.47% and human services at 22.71%.
[10:01] Public safety education and human services make up over 78% of the county's total budget.
[10:07] key takeaways, key takeaways that we continue to address, attempt to address inflation while ensuring quality service delivery for our citizens, and we continue to implement employee recruitment and retention strategies all while not raising the tax rate.
[10:29] Looking at education, one of the critical areas we found for FY 24 and 25, we are recommending a total of 3 million $726,755 to also the community college.
[10:41] with $3 million, $26,000, $750,000 going to operations, and $700,000 to capital outlay, including debt service for capital outlay projects or the total county financial support to ICC and FY24 and 25 will be $4 million, $186,000, $14 million, $186,000, $165.
[11:05] The school system, looking at the Ruth County Schools, we are recommending an appropriation
[11:12] of $18 million, $368,000, $368,689.
[11:19] $17 million, $368,000, $689, we go to operations and $1 million to capital outlay, including
[11:29] debt service for the school system, the total county appropriation support in the Ruth County
[11:33] school system. During FY 24 and 25 will be 25 million $88,646. Total County
[11:42] appropriations to supplement education, capital outlay, over and above sales tax
[11:48] and lottery, which are the biggest contributors we applied to education.
[11:53] The distribution is 1,542,760. That's really just a highlight that we continue to
[11:59] see the erosion of our lottery funds availability as well as sales tax to go
[12:03] toward education.
[12:07] Solid Waste Enterprise Fund. As a reminder, our Solid Waste Department
[12:11] does operate as an enterprise which means it has to generate enough revenues to support
[12:15] its expenditures. In order to meet our legislative requirement to present a balanced budget for
[12:20] the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund, we are recommending the following. Solid Waste user fee increased
[12:26] from $153 to $160. The Solid Waste Homestead fee will increase from $60 to $70. Recycling
[12:34] availability fee would increase from $8 to $13.
[12:38] Municipal Solid Waste Tip and Fee would increase from $74 to $76 per ton.
[12:44] Construction and demolition debris, Tip and Fee would increase from $63 to $66 per ton.
[12:51] And the Hard Waste Tip and Fee would increase from $40 to $45 per ton.
[13:00] Jim, that's all I have for the presentation just to summarize a budget that we gave you last
[13:04] last time and just as a reminder, we do have that budget presentation as well as I think
[13:08] the link to the message from last month. The line item budget is available as well
[13:13] as well as the budget message and its narrative context written report form are all available
[13:19] on the county's website. Just go to the finance department.
[13:23] Chairman, the commission is glad to respond any questions you may have and also just to point
[13:28] I don't have to, you have a notice on here for public hearing for this Thursday.
[13:34] Bob?
[13:35] Bob?
[13:35] Bob?
[13:37] Thank you, sir.
[13:38] Excuse me.
[13:39] That's an adoption.
[13:44] Yes, sir.
[13:45] Thank you.
[13:47] You can mention any further comments or questions at this time.
[13:50] But I would like to thank Mr. Garrison and all the finance staff for all the hard work, obvious
[13:56] this hard work, it was with this pledge together with all the departments and that, like you've
[14:02] done a marvelous job.
[14:03] Thanks, sir.
[14:05] Let's show the excellent stewardship of our county's money.
[14:09] Thank you.
[14:09] Thank you.
[14:15] This is a public hearing on the budget for next year, 2024 to 2025, would anybody like
[14:21] to speak on this matter,
[14:27] please come up?
[14:37] My name's Eric Gourney, I live in Henrietta.
[14:41] I feel like I've come to talk to you guys about the tax rate a couple of times and I feel
[14:46] like I need to explain why lowering the tax rate is so important to me and basically
[14:52] why I've been bringing this up.
[14:54] So I used to be a mildly successful insurance agent.
[15:00] And, um, but in 2016, I was diagnosed with stage three esophageal cancer. And then the year later, it came back after surgeries and chemo and all that year later, it came back. Long story short, in five years, I had 10 surgeries, many rounds of chemo, radiation. Just went through it. But cancer cost me my savings, my job, even my house, to pay off.
[15:30] everything I had to sell everything I had and it helped move into Henrietta in a
[15:36] double wide where I live now. I don't have anything left and when you double my
[15:44] taxes it really has a huge effect on people like me. I didn't have any
[15:51] improvements to my land, I didn't change anything and yet you guys doubled my
[15:59] And that really affects, like I said, people like me, people that are poor, that are living in your county, and it's out of their, you know, out of their hands of the situation that they're in.
[16:12] And if I don't pay my taxes, you'll send him over to my house with a gun on his side and take my house from me.
[16:21] And the last thing that I have, I'm asking for you guys to lower the tax rate.
[16:31] I know they're recommending to keep the tax rate at 45 percent.
[16:38] There seem to be a lot of discussion about the inflation, well, inflation is affecting
[16:43] us as well.
[16:44] All in my expenses have gone up.
[16:47] Because of that, we can't afford to keep the taxes as high as they are, so I'm asking you to lower the tax rate to $0.40 at the law.
[17:00] I'm asking you to reign in this budget by shrinking the size of your bureaucracy, which is, I mean, $107 million for 67,000 people, approximately.
[17:15] I think that our bureaucracy has gotten a little out of control.
[17:21] I know one of the new commissioners that are becoming up ran started his whole campaign
[17:28] because of problems with our bureaucrats.
[17:31] We need to rein this in and reigning it in.
[17:35] You can lower this budget.
[17:39] I'm asking you to not persecute the poor in this county.
[17:43] Some of us are here because of things that are out of our control.
[17:48] I'm asking you to lower the tax rate, 40 cents, Ed.
[17:56] Thank you, sir.
[17:57] Thank you.
[17:59] This is a public hearing on the budget for 2024, is there another speaker regarding?
[18:04] It's not public comment for the public comment area, but for the budget.
[18:09] Thank you.
[18:10] Good evening.
[18:11] I think this is the more appropriate time for me to speak, if that's okay.
[18:14] My name is Annie Danes.
[18:16] Thank you for allowing me to speak today.
[18:17] and matter of utmost importance, the safety and security of our beloved Thermal Belt Rail Trail.
[18:23] This trail is not just a path for recreation, is a vital artery that connects over 13 miles
[18:29] of our county, promoting health while being in togetherness.
[18:32] However, recent incidents have raised concerns about the safety of those who use it necessitating
[18:38] urgent action.
[18:39] I stand before you today, not only as a journalist, a constituent, but most importantly an avid
[18:44] user of the trail.
[18:46] I think that funding surveillance cameras and increased police presence along the trail
[18:52] would very much help.
[18:54] In other jurisdictions, I know Marion PD has, for example, has, I believe, under $5,000
[19:01] they spent on flock safety cameras, so that might be an option, and it's not clear to me
[19:07] where those conversations are.
[19:10] Funding cameras would be a proactive step in crime prevention.
[19:13] surveillance cameras serve as a powerful deterrent knowing that people are being watched,
[19:18] significantly reduces the likelihood of criminal activity.
[19:22] In addition, these cameras provide invaluable evidence in the event of any incidents,
[19:26] aiding the swift apprehension and prosecution of offenders.
[19:30] Funding an increased police presence is crucial.
[19:33] I know that there is almost 30% of the county budget going to that, and I applaud that.
[19:38] Again, it's unclear what, if any, increase the trolls will go directly to the formal
[19:43] vote trail.
[19:45] They take on the trails non-negotiable, government officials have a responsibility to do everything
[19:50] possible to protect residents and visitors, ensuring they can enjoy the trail without fear.
[19:56] In conclusion, funding for cameras and increased police presence is not an expenditure, but an investment
[20:02] in our community safety and wellbeing, and it sends a strong message that we value the security
[20:06] of our residents and visitors, and we are committed to maintaining the thermal belt rail trail
[20:11] as a safe, welcoming space. I invite you to visit antideonstuffstack.com for more information,
[20:18] and I greatly appreciate your time and consideration. Thank you.
[20:25] Ladies and gentlemen, we are at the public caring for the budget for 2024 through 2025. Is there
[20:32] another person like to speak regarding the public caring?
[20:41] Good evening, commissioners.
[20:42] county manager.
[20:47] Seeing you're talking about the budget, I'd like to y'all to see if you
[20:51] would consider a line item to help would combat the homeless problem that we have in substance
[20:57] abuse issues that we've got going on in the county.
[21:02] I do have a three-minute talk. I was going to
[21:04] do it then or I can do it now. Sir, are you stepped up here now? Yes, sir. Early up to you.
[21:10] That's why I mentioned earlier about it was a public hearing.
[21:13] Yes, thank you.
[21:15] My name is Pat Chamberlain.
[21:17] I'm the founder and executive director and pastor of Out of the Ashes Recovery Ministries located here in Rutherford County.
[21:23] We're here simply asking for you to consider us with financial support to help us maintain and expand the services in the future.
[21:31] background and impact let me provide you with an overview of the significant impact
[21:36] that our organization has had in our community over the past eight years.
[21:41] Our dedicated team has been offering crucial services that no cost to taxpayers or any
[21:46] level of government funding, county, state, or federal.
[21:50] It was not easy landing a critical service here in our community as everyone thought it was
[21:54] a great idea just not in their backyard.
[21:57] We're helping a problem that existed, we didn't create it, we're helping the homeless and substance abuse problem which helps tourism and increase the dollars to our community.
[22:08] We support law enforcement and judicial systems by offering programs to help individuals who have been released from prison with nowhere to go are given conditional bonds assisting them in their journey to recovery and back to productive members of society.
[22:23] We have been committed to providing housing, transportation, food, supplies, individual group therapy by licensed providers who we pay a fee for services for those who cannot afford it themselves.
[22:35] We drug test all individuals who seek our services, we offer peer support, recovery meetings, essential food supplies to those in need.
[22:44] We have also been a valuable resource to local law enforcement assisting in placing individuals who are out on the streets and have nowhere to go.
[22:55] The scope of our work is substantial.
[22:58] We have assisted thousands of individuals right here in our local community and the value of our service extends far beyond mere numbers.
[23:07] Last year alone, despite facing a devastating fire during Christmases and in the coldest months of the year.
[23:14] Last year alone, we provided housing for over 300 individuals.
[23:18] From December 10th through February 1st, when the fire happened, we provided shelter to over 100 individuals.
[23:25] Food, therapy services continued on.
[23:29] Our efforts not only offer immediate relief to those in need, but
[23:32] also contribute to the overall safety and health of our community.
[23:36] By providing these services, we help reduce the burden on local emergency services and law enforcement, allowing them to focus on their other critical task.
[23:49] We believe that the impact of our work is invaluable and
[23:52] contribute significantly to the homeowners and the taxpayers of our community.
[23:56] As well as the social fabric and stability of our community, overdose crisis and funding is needed.
[24:02] As we all are painfully aware, the overdose crisis continues to claim lives in our community,
[24:09] despite our best efforts, we are struggling to keep the lights on and to maintain our staff
[24:14] and operations.
[24:15] We make appeal to the commissioners.
[24:18] We are here today to ask you for your support.
[24:21] Our organization is doing everything possible to combat homelessness and addiction with
[24:26] the limited resources we have.
[24:28] In closing and gratitude, we thank you for the time and consideration.
[24:32] We remain dedicated to serving Rutherford and Polk counties and look forward to the possibility of working together to enhance our community's well-being.
[24:43] I'm happy to answer any questions you may have, thank you for your time and consideration.
[24:47] We look forward to continuing our collaboration with local authorities and stakeholders to ensure that our community remains a place where everyone can thrive.
[24:56] Thank you.
[24:57] Thank you.
[24:58] Thank you,
[25:03] sir.
[25:05] Public hearing is still open regarding for the budget.
[25:08] Does anybody else like to speak regarding the budget for 2024 or 2025?
[25:21] It's an opportunity for a member of the public to come speak regarding their comments regarding the budget for 2024 or 2025.
[25:34] Does anyone like to speak regarding the budget?
[25:39] The disnamal closed. The public hearing is closed.
[25:43] commissioners there's no action tonight regarding this public hearing we are I believe it's on the on
[25:51] the six six six at five o'clock
[25:53] PMs when we look at the budget adoption and at this time we're going to public comments
[26:01] fortunately a public comment so they spoke during the public hearing so I'm gonna say your name say do you want to have anything to add or
[26:06] Did you or could you pace it said Pat Chamberlain? You got your ranger. You're good. Yes
[26:13] Miss dance I got yours
[26:18] Mr. Gertmester gurning
[26:21] Gornie sorry, you're good. All right
[26:31] Commission's next item will agenda it's a consent agenda. Is there an item that you like to add or remove from the consent agenda?
[26:40] The motion will be approved.
[26:42] We've got a motion second, you need a discussion.
[26:46] You're not going to call a question,
[26:47] long favor, read your right hand.
[26:48] You can put it like wise and carry it.
[26:55] Commissioners, next item is three, three, eight, one, seven.
[27:00] Voting delegates for the National Association of Counties.
[27:04] I'd like to recognize Hazel Haines, the clerk of the board.
[27:13] Oh, thank you, sir.
[27:15] The annual meeting of the National Association of Counties
[27:21] I'm sorry, I don't think your mic's on, can you, can you, people here say, okay, you're
[27:30] live now.
[27:31] Okay, thank you.
[27:35] You just turned it off.
[27:37] Touch it again.
[27:40] Now, don't touch it.
[27:42] I'm sorry.
[27:44] I'm sorry.
[27:45] I'm sorry.
[27:46] I'm sorry.
[27:47] Again, the annual meeting of the National Association of Counties will be held in
[27:52] September 40 in July this year.
[27:55] In order for the county to have a vote get the business lead, the board will need
[27:59] to appoint a voting delegate.
[28:02] Commissioner Benfield has stated that he plans to attend the meeting.
[28:06] So you might want to consider appointing Mr. Benfield as a voting delegate.
[28:10] Motion, we point Mike Benfield as our vote delegate.
[28:13] Second.
[28:14] I've got a motion to second you discussion.
[28:17] Thank you.
[28:19] We're going to call the question.
[28:20] I'll pay Richard right here.
[28:22] You both live wise.
[28:23] Okay.
[28:24] Go vote, Mike.
[28:36] Commissioners, mix items 3790.
[28:38] This is appointments to the North County boards and commissions.
[28:43] And this is going to be a little lengthy.
[28:45] I'd like to recognize Hazel hangs are clerked to the board.
[28:48] And the commissioners, if you look at the spray sheet before you,
[28:53] I believe we'll go by one from one board at a time.
[28:56] and Hazel, you're on.
[28:57] All right.
[28:58] Would you have a number of terms
[28:59] about this on the number of candidates on the mission?
[29:02] And they will expire in June 30th this year.
[29:05] Mr. Chief Garrison's turn on the road ridden water authorities
[29:09] will be expired in June 30th.
[29:11] Hey, Mr. Garrison.
[29:12] Okay, he's willing to serve an additional term
[29:15] if the board succeeds.
[29:18] Commissioner, what's the will of the board?
[29:21] What should we approve?
[29:23] Second.
[29:23] No motion.
[29:24] Second.
[29:24] Any discussion?
[29:25] I'm going to call a question.
[29:27] All right.
[29:27] Raise your right hand.
[29:28] Any opposed?
[29:28] Light wise.
[29:29] Mr.
[29:33] Hanson.
[29:34] And Mr. Kennedy.
[29:35] Go ahead.
[29:35] We're going to be reporting to the historic preservation
[29:40] commission.
[29:40] You may use to consider those applications.
[29:45] So we'll the board.
[29:46] Motion to approve.
[29:47] Second.
[29:48] We've got a motion.
[29:48] Second.
[29:48] Any discussion?
[29:50] We do have some openings there,
[29:52] which will be advertising on for future meetings.
[29:55] Any further discussion?
[29:58] You're going to have to call a question on if they raise your right hand.
[30:00] We need to pose a lot of wise. Okay, thank you. Mr. Roger Jolly and Dr. Cena-Dagel have turned the expiring of the Ascidental Community College Board of Trustees. And both of these are willing to be reappointed. You can choose to do that.
[30:17] So, will the Board make a motion that we approve? You've got a motion, need a second.
[30:27] Point of order. Board of Trustees, do we need to do this one at a time? Or can't you go in to get it like this? You can do this together, sir. Yes. Thank you. All right.
[30:38] Any further discussion?
[30:40] No.
[30:41] We're going to call a question.
[30:42] All in favor, raise your right hand.
[30:43] Any opposed?
[30:44] Light wise.
[30:44] Thank you.
[30:48] The final prevention council has several terms that will be expiring.
[30:53] Ms. Harold Lone, Mr. Brian Goodsch, Ms. Tiffany Dodd, Ms. Adrian Beckton Marsh, and Ms. Kim
[31:09] representative of the under 21 youth category.
[31:14] Thank you, Hazel.
[31:16] Commissioner, what's the will of the board?
[31:18] Motion to move to the board.
[31:19] Thank you.
[31:20] Thank you.
[31:20] Thank you, I got a motion to second in discussion.
[31:24] I'm going to call a question on if I raised your right hand.
[31:26] And if I was light wise, thank you.
[31:31] Mr. Jim Edwards is willing to be reported to the library board.
[31:35] And Mr. Cody E sail has submitted an application
[31:38] to be appointed to this board to serve
[31:40] as a representative of District 3.
[31:44] If the District 5 want to make a motion for Karen Luga,
[31:48] feel that slot.
[31:55] Excuse me.
[31:56] Let me unravel this a little bit.
[31:59] There's three openings in the library.
[32:01] And she mentioned two, which is for District 1 and 3.
[32:05] And you have District 5, who we approach 1 and 3 first,
[32:08] and then we'll do District 5.
[32:09] That's fine.
[32:09] Yeah, that's it.
[32:11] regarding the district one, district three, that is what we'll be back up, is the district
[32:20] three for one year or three years,
[32:26] we'll be back up again, is there one year, I think
[32:33] one of these terms is for a different term, one is for one year, two is for three years.
[32:41] Okay so let's let's do the three
[32:47] years right so let's do the three years first
[32:49] this James Edwards what's the wheel of the board? I'm going to approve that
[32:54] appointment. Thank you. In a much a second in discussion you're going to call
[32:59] a question all the favorites you're right hand and he puts a lot of wires. Thank you.
[33:03] The second one is I'm Cody is that right and that's for one year to get everything
[33:12] back on track and this is a district three. What's the will of the board?
[33:17] Thank you. Got a motion in a second. Any discussion? Here none to call a question.
[33:23] All favourites are on hand. Any vote by the way it's great. District five, Commissioner
[33:28] Tony has a recommendation. Karen Lugo to point for the district five.
[33:36] The motion needs second.
[33:39] I've got a motion to second any discussion?
[33:41] That would be a good point.
[33:43] What's the term?
[33:45] That's the regular term?
[33:46] Yes, the regular term.
[33:47] I'm sorry, yes.
[33:49] Three-year term.
[33:51] Any further discussion?
[33:53] You're going to under-call the question.
[33:54] All in favor, raise your right hand.
[33:56] Any opposed?
[33:56] Likewise.
[33:58] Thank you.
[34:04] Any commission has three terms coming to an end.
[34:08] Mr. Ronnie Harrow and Mr. Tony Fowler,
[34:11] we should agree upon it. And we do have an application that Mr. Sot Ballstein
[34:15] to serve as the district five at large category.
[34:20] Thank you. Hey, so commissioners, what's the will on the board?
[34:24] I move we accept these applications and that motion need a second.
[34:28] Thank you.
[34:28] And that motion second, any discussion?
[34:30] You're not going to call a question. All in favor raise your right hand.
[34:33] You need both likewise.
[34:34] Forms from May. Thank you.
[34:38] You do have three matters.
[34:39] I'll be running for county economic development on association.
[34:43] These terms are expired and all three of those individuals have indicated that we should be reporting.
[34:48] Those persons are describing Mr. Terry Hans and Mr. Steve Garrison.
[34:55] Thank you, isn't what's the will of the board?
[34:58] Make a motion to approve.
[35:00] Sorry.
[35:01] A motion to second in your discussion.
[35:03] As commissioner, I'm obligated to vote by law.
[35:08] Any further discussion?
[35:10] You're going to call a question on the face of raise your right hand need to post what was
[35:17] Next slide. Next board is a TDA
[35:20] There are applications that have been received for
[35:23] That board Mr. Kendall Stowe and Mr. Scott Martin have applied to serve as representatives of the occupancy tax collector's line
[35:32] And Mr. Day Long has applied to serve in that large slot
[35:37] Dr. Margaret and Zialda has indicated her willingness to be reappointed in this board
[35:42] but he serves as a travel and tourism for life.
[35:47] Thank you, Hazel.
[35:49] Regarding these appointments, what's the will of the board?
[35:54] Second.
[35:55] I think I've got a motion.
[35:56] Second.
[35:56] Thank you, gentlemen.
[35:57] Any discussion?
[35:58] Just a word of note there is one vacancy.
[36:01] Yes, thank you, Commissioner.
[36:04] We'll be hypothesized in that in the future.
[36:06] Any further discussion?
[36:08] Who now to call the question?
[36:09] I'll favor raise your right hand.
[36:10] and the post-lite wise, former Spina May, thank you.
[36:15] Our three members who are presently serving on the transit advisory board are willing to be reappointed.
[36:21] Those persons are Mrs. Suzanne Porter, Mr. Frank Hamrick, and Mrs. Susan Holl.
[36:29] Thank you, Mr. Wheeler-Bord.
[36:31] I'd like to make a motion. We approve the appointments.
[36:34] Thank you, Commissioner.
[36:35] Got a motion to get a second, please.
[36:36] Second.
[36:37] Got a motion and a second.
[36:38] This is discussion and you can get a discussion.
[36:41] here now to call the question all the favouritions right hand you opposed
[36:43] likewise thank you I
[36:47] need a Monday Mr. Tim Maccus and me saying how are we
[36:51] requesting to be reappointed to do workforce development forward thank you
[36:57] Hazel what's the will of the board make a motion approved thank you get a motion
[37:02] that's second thank you got a motion a second any discussion here now to call the
[37:06] question all the favouritions right hand you opposed likewise I'm going to make
[37:09] Thank you.
[37:13] Now let's go to page two, just kidding, that's all I want.
[37:24] We're now to 3816, under new businesses, budget amendments.
[37:29] Like to recognize our finance director, director Paul Rodriguez, director, good evening.
[37:37] Good evening.
[37:38] There's several budget amendments for consideration.
[37:42] The first, we've received some additional procedure funds for the sheriff's office and
[37:47] that I go in the equipment line.
[37:50] The offsets storage building needs a roof replacement set that would come from our fund balance appropriated for a roof replacement plan.
[37:58] The senior center receives some donations for their health programs, as well as some miscellaneous donations.
[38:04] This senior game donations came in this year as well as the veterans program.
[38:09] And what we do is appropriate those funds will be carrying on forward any unexpended funds as of June 30th and September.
[38:16] So we'll request the balances to be pulled forward.
[38:19] The next one for the vehicle repairs, those are the insurance claims that have been received this fiscal year.
[38:26] So that we'll go back in their vehicle maintenance line on them for the share of AMS and maintenance.
[38:31] Then there's a contribution to the DSS fund.
[38:34] This year we've been hit especially hard with the foster care program.
[38:39] So that is for the state foster care as well as the 4E program and
[38:43] And that will true up this fiscal year as to where we expect to finish in June.
[38:48] Then DSS had some insurance claims.
[38:52] The grant fund, our donations received from the Sheriff's Office for
[38:57] the STAR program that they've started doing with the children, that replaced the great program this past year.
[39:04] The detention andmate supplies they received a grant for behavioral health blankets from dogwood help.
[39:11] and DSS also receives some funds from partners for a collaborative program on safe sleep.
[39:20] The next one is for transits insurance claims for this fiscal year.
[39:25] In the last two articles out to projects in the capital projects fund that has since been completed this will move those residual balances back to the county debt service fund for future projects.
[39:40] Yes.
[39:43] Thank you.
[39:43] Is there any questions or comments from the board?
[39:48] I do have a question.
[39:49] I just, just for clarification.
[39:50] So we have the transit vehicle repairs insurance claims around 28,000 and then earlier we had
[39:58] the EMS vehicle repairs around 16,000, 16,000, 16,000.
[40:01] The sheriff vehicle repairs of 71,000, these are insurance claims and dividends.
[40:06] Is this our portion of the insurance like deductible or is this the entire?
[40:09] No, that's the insurance proceeds that have been received from our insurance company.
[40:14] that helps to pay for those items.
[40:16] So this number is just a portion of the.
[40:20] But this number would be the cost of the accident less than $1,000 deductible if it were our
[40:28] fault than that's the proceeds.
[40:30] So this is almost the gross cost.
[40:32] Yes.
[40:32] Okay.
[40:33] Yes.
[40:33] And what time period do these?
[40:35] This covers the entire fiscal year.
[40:37] I normally pick it up in February or March in this year.
[40:41] I've been a little bit busy and I haven't grabbed those.
[40:43] Well, no, I wasn't I was just curious about the time frame, but normally you see this in two batches
[40:49] Right, so this is almost a hundred thousand dollars worth of vehicle repairs. Yes
[40:53] One year time
[40:55] And that's somewhat normal if you look at past history on our insurance
[41:01] Thank you so much
[41:03] Are there any questions from the board over to this budget amendments?
[41:12] What's the will of board?
[41:14] motion. Thank you, sir. Second. We've got a motion. Second. Any discussion?
[41:18] Any none? I call the question. I don't want to be raised. You're right. Any opposed?
[41:20] I don't want to be carried. Thank you.
[41:26] 3, 7, 8, 9, it's let's make it deal on the gut deals.
[41:31] The need to serve. So you tell us about this evening commissioners. I hope you're
[41:35] well today. The county has a short list of surplus real property that we are
[41:40] seeking to dispose of. We have tried in the past a couple of traditional real estate
[41:46] to broker-type options with no success, and we brought a Queen's Gap lot to you previously,
[41:51] and I think the numbers speak for themselves as far as success. Those numbers were 65 bids
[41:57] for the total with over 6,800 hits to be able to view that property and check it out and consider
[42:03] bidding. So, govdills.com is where we plan to have this auction. You've got a resolution before
[42:09] you tonight where we are seeking your approval to be able to auction. Lot 61, which is in riverbend at
[42:15] the Lake Lower Section 2. It is situated along Sparrow's way. That option is tinnily pending
[42:21] your approval tonight, scheduled to run from noon on June 7th and ending at 9 p.m. on
[42:27] July 12th. The high bidder would at that time be brought back to you at your August agenda
[42:32] or your consideration to either accept or reject that high bidder. And again, this is
[42:37] lot 61. The partial number and all the key data is in your package tonight, but I'll be
[42:41] glad to fill any questions.
[42:42] How long have we owned this parcel?
[42:48] Actually, I believe this one has been in county ownership for entirely too long.
[42:51] I do not have the exact time frame, but I believe we started looking at creating this short list of real property
[42:56] a few years ago, so I know it's been more, since it's not a recent acquisition, it's something that's been
[43:01] off the tax books for entirely too long, and so we're eager to be able to divest the county
[43:07] from this property and get it back in the tax.
[43:09] Two years?
[43:10] Yes.
[43:10] Five years.
[43:15] Twenty years?
[43:16] Twenty three.
[43:18] Two thousand.
[43:18] That's it.
[43:19] Five.
[43:21] Twenty years.
[43:22] Two thousand one.
[43:24] Two thousand one.
[43:25] Yes sir.
[43:26] That's what the deed.
[43:27] This was deeded to the county in December 2001.
[43:31] This is what the deed shows.
[43:34] That would be a good one to put on there and then let me.
[43:37] Thank you.
[43:38] Are there any other questions?
[43:40] Commission has a resolution before you with some will to board.
[43:44] Motion to approve.
[43:47] Second.
[43:48] We've got a motion to second in discussion.
[43:50] We're going to call the question.
[43:51] We'll pay a raise your right hand being opposed like wise.
[43:54] Okay.
[43:56] Commission, next item is 3787.
[43:59] It is a good deal's option as well.
[44:01] I'd like to recognize Mr. Sir.
[44:03] Thank you, commissioners.
[44:04] I appreciate your approval of that resolution.
[44:06] Tonight you have another resolution before you.
[44:09] requesting approval for electronic auction on govdills.com, it is a parcel right here in
[44:15] Rutherfordon. It's on Cedar Street. The details of it are the same auction days we'd like
[44:20] to run them for approximately four weeks, but with your approval tonight, it would run
[44:24] from noon June 7th through 9 p.m. 1 July 12th, then come back to your approval rejection at
[44:29] your August agenda. I believe this one has not been in county ownership, but just for a short
[44:33] I've worked time just a couple of years if I'm not mistaken.
[44:36] October 2023 in this case.
[44:39] All right, six months.
[44:41] Okay.
[44:42] If there's any questions, I'll be glad you try to fill them.
[44:44] I'll be any questions from the board commissioners.
[44:48] Thank you.
[44:49] What's the will of the board?
[44:50] We make a motion and we approve the resolution to authorize
[44:52] in the new electronic option.
[44:54] parcel number one two zero four zero seven eight zero street.
[45:10] The next item
[45:26] is,
[45:29] next item is, next item is, through 786, to resolution declining the offer of surplus property. Like to recognize their county manager, Mr. Steve Garrison.
[45:39] Thank you Chairman, Dr. Sutton, Superintendent for the Rudd County Schools.
[45:44] Readjust out and they are desiring to the desire, there we go.
[45:50] To sell an unused portion of property, 5.88 acres, parcel of land along East Second
[45:56] Street, adjacent to the former RS Middle School campus.
[46:00] This is part of the original campus that was split with the new 221 highway that's coming
[46:05] through there.
[46:06] They have a desire to partner with the town of Rutherford, as you can see, town manager
[46:10] Doug Barrick with us.
[46:12] And so they are looking to transfer that property to the town of Rutherford and future
[46:21] development side for potential for workforce development.
[46:24] However, the school board must declare the property as surplus property, which they haven't
[46:28] taken that action.
[46:30] And they have to offer it to the county for a first round of refusal.
[46:34] So, what you have before you this evening is a recommendation from staff of the resolution.
[46:39] We are a request that you adopt to declare that property surplus and to, well, they've
[46:45] already declared that I apologize, to decline the offer of the property resolution to tax
[46:50] for your consideration, Chairman.
[46:52] Glad to respond to any questions that you may have.
[46:57] The mayor of the attendance here tonight.
[46:59] Okay.
[47:00] I didn't know you just want an arm wrestle over it.
[47:06] No, okay, thank you, sir.
[47:12] Second.
[47:12] Got a motion.
[47:13] Second.
[47:13] Any discussion?
[47:16] You're going to call a question.
[47:17] I'll favor raise your right hand.
[47:18] Any opposed?
[47:19] Likewise.
[47:28] Commissioners.
[47:29] Next item.
[47:30] Apologize.
[47:33] Next time.
[47:35] Items.
[47:35] 3813.
[47:36] Opioid settlement funds.
[47:37] Project proposals.
[47:42] Thank you, Chairman.
[47:44] Commissioners.
[47:45] If you would, please permit me to recognize the tireless community partners and stakeholders.
[47:50] have been an active part of our open settlement fund strategic plan and committee over the last two years.
[47:55] If you've been a part of that committee, would you mind to stand?
[47:58] This is the overall larger committee.
[48:02] Thank you.
[48:03] Appreciate it.
[48:06] I say tirelessly because we have run them through a gamut of a whole lot of meetings over the last couple of years.
[48:13] Part of the committee that we define as our subcommittee is a review committee that's looked at the request for applications that were submitted requesting
[48:20] a consideration from the commissioners for funds for opiate settlement funds toward projects that meet the MOA.
[48:30] Just to read through that real quick and before I do that, I wanted to recognize as well our subcommittee, those members that have already stood up.
[48:37] Let me start by introducing you to Peyton Williams.
[48:41] She's from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, part of their OSTAT team.
[48:46] And she's been serving on our committee as our committee coordinator, Peyton, would
[48:50] you mind stand again?
[48:51] I'm sorry.
[48:52] Really appreciate all that you've done to get our committee to this part.
[48:55] She's been our go-to subject matter expert and really has taken a lot of time working with
[49:00] not only herself, but her team and Raleigh, trying to put together all the necessary forms
[49:06] and helping us die through the menagerie of the lab, which may be a better description
[49:12] of the maintenance of our maintenance of agreement that we have with the state of North Carolina.
[49:16] But we appreciate you assisting us with this.
[49:18] Thank you.
[49:19] Jill Miracle with the Health Council, it's also a member of the subcommittee that reviewed
[49:23] these applications as well as Dr. Paul Holden, who's here with us today.
[49:27] Keisha McDowell with the Graham Town Team, Doug Waird, because I mentioned, the town manager
[49:32] for other than Ted Bell, I believe is here, our district attorney, we appreciate his participation.
[49:37] Dana Stansbury with the Foothills Regional Commission.
[49:41] I don't believe she's with us.
[49:43] County Finance Director Paula Rich, County HR Director,
[49:47] Deborah Conner, and then our County EMS Director Caleb Johnson.
[49:51] Just again, just to thank them for being a part of the committee
[49:55] that reviewed the request for applications
[49:58] that were submitted to us a couple of months ago.
[50:00] And it was a pretty lengthy, long process
[50:02] that we went through as a team to try to score
[50:05] and rank these applications that came in.
[50:07] and we're preparing this evening to make recommendations to the commission for funding of particular projects.
[50:12] As a reminder, the rough county ended into a national settlement agreement with companies engaged
[50:17] in the manufacturing of distribution and dispensing of opiates, the allocation uses and reporting
[50:23] of funds stemming from these national settlement agreements and bankruptcy resolutions are governed
[50:28] by the memorandum of agreement. Julia has talked about the MOA quite a bit. That's between the
[50:34] of North Carolina and local governments on proceed relating to the settlement of
[50:39] opioid litigation and supplemental agreement for additional financial and additional
[50:43] settlements of opioid litigation as a mouthful.
[50:46] The other county opiate settlement fund requests for applications of the RFA's review subcommittee
[50:52] has completed their review of submitted RFA's and recommend that the county commission
[50:56] approve three projects for funding via a resolution by the county of Rutherford County
[51:02] County of Rutherford to direct the expenditure of
[51:05] open settlement funds. The three recommended projects
[51:08] would begin on July 1st, 2024, and would cover two
[51:12] years. So these will be two year service agreements that
[51:15] will assign with these three organizations. This will
[51:18] go from current fiscal year, 2425 and into 25 and 26.
[51:24] The three projects selected by the review
[51:25] committee are followed, rather than regional hospital.
[51:29] They propose the evidence-based addiction treatment
[51:31] Programming and this is for an authorization of $400,000 for two fiscal years.
[51:38] The second organization, our recommendation is to fund preferred choice health care.
[51:44] They are offering recovery support services programming.
[51:48] That's for an authorization of $335,705 for two fiscal years.
[51:54] And then United Way of Rutherford County, they are offering recovery support services programming.
[52:00] That's for an authorization of $258,000 for two fiscal years.
[52:05] All total, the amount of funding we're appropriating is around $993,705 for two years for these three organizations.
[52:13] We did attach a resolution without effect and present that to you this evening for your consideration.
[52:19] Just wanted this reminder, over the course of the 18 year period of the settlement,
[52:23] we anticipate that right now the projection is exceeding 10 million dollars.
[52:27] But the time you divide that out over the 18 years, we want to make sure that we still
[52:32] have those funds available in a conservative matter to ensure that we have funding to
[52:36] last the entirety of 18-year period when the funds start trickling in.
[52:40] So right now our proposal is 500,000 each year, so we're trying to cap that out.
[52:45] So far we have kept you at that lower amount, just a little bit less than a million for
[52:50] the two-year period at 909, 3,705 for these three organizations.
[52:55] We have a lot of great some middle I wish we could fund every one of them.
[52:59] This is where we landed as far as trying to ensure that we can fund some programs we hope will move the needle on our continued battles to combat opiate addiction in Rutherford County.
[53:11] Glad to respond to any questions that you may have.
[53:14] This could have perhaps been the accountability of the government.
[53:22] How will we know?
[53:30] Yes, sir.
[53:31] I don't think Scott Luganois with us this evening.
[53:35] If you remember last month, we ask you to allow the county to contract with the gate
[53:39] spring.
[53:40] That's more of the primary functions that organizations will have is to help us do the reporting and
[53:46] the monitoring as well as mentoring and coaching to ensure that these funds are effectively spent.
[53:50] Right now I think we're on a quarterly track for reporting which will upload into a state
[53:56] portal because the state will require that.
[53:58] If you have time to review the entirety of the MOA, it does have a lot of reporting requirements
[54:03] in there to ensure that we're not only holding the organization accountable that we're being
[54:08] held accountable as well.
[54:10] But Gatespring and Scott Lugano will be a great aid to help us offset some of that.
[54:15] Thank you, sir.
[54:16] It's a good question.
[54:18] Yeah, the MLA directs on a lot of what it can and can't be used for.
[54:23] Yes, sir.
[54:24] I mean, one of the things, sorry, Commissioner, I mean to cut you off, the MLA, that's
[54:30] been the toughest challenges.
[54:31] Right now, you have option B or option A or option B strategies.
[54:36] The option A strategies are quite broad, but that's why I mentioned Peyton and really
[54:40] appreciated her role in assisting us through the process because it's a bit complex and
[54:46] convoluted, I could say that, but the understanding is that they're wanting to ensure from
[54:51] state level, specifically the Attorney General's Office, funds are spent in a way that meet
[54:55] legal requirements, but also match federal requirements and relations to best practices
[55:00] for utilization of funds.
[55:02] So option A strategies, this is what we are at the moment, it'll do a lot to help us move
[55:10] that needle.
[55:11] Again, but the option B strategies, that's the second part of what Mr. Lugano and
[55:16] and gate spring will be working on.
[55:18] We want to open those strategies up as well.
[55:21] There's several pages if you recall.
[55:23] There's only like a couple of pages
[55:24] for the option A strategies,
[55:25] but there's multiple pages for option B strategies.
[55:29] They allow you to dive deeper into some aspects
[55:32] of what the funds can be used for.
[55:34] Not necessarily flexibility,
[55:35] but greater utilization of those funds
[55:37] for the option B strategies.
[55:39] You have to check the boxes on quite a few activities
[55:42] in the community before you can open up
[55:44] those option B strategies.
[55:45] Scott's going to be working on that as well over the next two years.
[55:49] By the time we wrote around two years, we'll have additional opportunities for some of
[55:53] the multitude of organizations in our community that might qualify for opiate settlement fund
[55:59] distribution.
[56:01] Thanks, sir.
[56:12] As a resolution before you will see the war make a motion that we approve the resolution
[56:17] and move this thing forward.
[56:19] I think a motion to do a second.
[56:22] Thank you, Commissioner.
[56:23] We've got a motion second.
[56:23] Any discussion?
[56:25] You know, I call a question.
[56:26] All the favourites are by hand.
[56:28] Can you put it flag-wise?
[56:29] Okay, here we go.
[56:30] Here we go.
[56:30] Here we go.
[56:32] Thank you, gentlemen.
[56:34] Commissioners, next item is commissioner reports of 3791.
[56:38] The current is the development of the order report.
[56:40] I'd like to recognize.
[56:43] Okay, so
[56:49] 37 slides.
[56:52] How many slides?
[56:53] 37.
[56:54] You got 37?
[56:55] Information?
[56:55] Always a pleasure.
[56:56] Always.
[56:57] You know, a pleasure to be here.
[56:58] Thank you, Mr. Chairman, commissioners, county manager, Ernie.
[57:07] Thank you all for the opportunity to be here.
[57:08] As you recall last month, I did give you an overview of our 2425 budget.
[57:15] So I'm here tonight to just kind of hit the highlights.
[57:19] I promise I'll hit highlights and move through all these projects.
[57:22] There's some great things going on in Rufford Bound, some great things going on in marketing.
[57:26] And you've got a full report before you, hopefully you'll be able to add time to go through that, but I'm just going to go through real quick and hit the highlights.
[57:36] Rutherbound, as you know, we take one third of our arms and tax collections that we receive, and we put it back into our community.
[57:44] And that is what we work with the towns and the county to create Rutherbound.
[57:49] Well, Ruffer Bound is currently nine projects completed with 14 in place and currently
[57:55] 21 through 23, 24 we will have over 21 million dollars of projects and funding for the
[58:02] projects.
[58:02] There's 14 different projects listed there, everything from Chimmy Rock to Elimberum.
[58:07] And we, I won't go and read every one of them, but there's a lot of great things going on
[58:11] there.
[58:12] But I will hit the highlights here, 21 million dollars, as I mentioned, 10 million dollars
[58:17] and grants $10 million from local government and TDA's matching money there and then some
[58:24] private funds, though that is an excellent opportunity for Rutherford County and Ruther
[58:30] Bound to continue and we will continue.
[58:32] At the end of this next year, the TDA will put in another $1 million into Ruther Bound
[58:37] and with the towns and the county matching those funds will be another $1.5 million, but
[58:43] The $21 million is going to become $22.5 million.
[58:46] So, and hopefully more grants and a lot more opportunities to come.
[58:50] But at the end of this term, or at the end of this five or six years, TDA will put in
[58:55] $6.5 million back into Ruffer County projects.
[59:01] Okay, we've got Chimney Rock streetscape right now.
[59:04] As we speak, if you've been up in Chimney Rock, the streets are torn up and that's all good
[59:08] because this is going to look really good.
[59:11] We're having meetings with our stakeholders and we're going to be talking with them.
[59:15] There's a little bit of construction going on, but we're going to get them all happy and do some social media and make sure everybody knows that they are still open for business.
[59:24] Okay, like Lord, Morse Park, we do have a funding gap, but they're getting ready to go out to bid here real soon and we will determine what kind of funding gap they have.
[59:45] We'll come up with that funding gap after the bids all come in and get opened but we're anticipating right now a little over almost 400,000 funding gap there with almost a $2 million project.
[1:00:00] The factory continues to move forward, and we look forward to this completion here in the near future. The Slope Skate Park and Spindale. We're going to bid here in mid to late summer and determine what that funding gap will be. But again, another $2 million plus project, and we've already come up with almost $2 million, the funds, and we will continue with that. Or a city, the farmers market, they're right off the Thermal Belt Rail Trail.
[1:00:30] They're going to be kind of regrouping, right there I'm sure on a 1.5 funding gap, but I think they're going to downscale that project and kind of see where things are going, but we'll work closely, the TDA work closely with for a city to see what they want to do.
[1:00:47] We've got $1.2 million of funds committed, and we're anticipating a bid of around $1.4.
[1:00:55] So we do have a $220,000 funding gap.
[1:00:58] Again, the final once everything goes out for bids, we'll know more about what the true funding gap will be.
[1:01:03] So we'll hopefully be able to go to bid here in the fall on that, but we'll see how things progress.
[1:01:09] There's one thing about having all these projects going.
[1:01:13] time lines would you still not the window. I mean, it's, I wish they would go faster,
[1:01:19] but unfortunately they're not. And we do have funding gaps, and I'll keep you posted
[1:01:25] on that. Thermal belt rail trail, Purple Martin,
[1:01:28] DDA will continue to contribute $100,000 a year into those two trails, each of those getting
[1:01:34] $50,000. Right now, there's $400,000 available in funding for Thermal belt rail trail and Purple
[1:01:40] mark enhancements and we'll be working with the trail collaborative to figure out what
[1:01:47] we would need to do. Also, Legacy Soccer Park, as you know, that is coming in 2026 towards
[1:01:55] end of the year there. The TDA is working with Town 4 City, Rutherford County, and yes,
[1:02:02] without our each high legacy foundation and their contribution of over $13 million. None of
[1:02:09] That would have been possible, which is so thankful for our HI and what they've done.
[1:02:12] So thankful for all the other collaboration and we're excited about that part coming
[1:02:18] real soon.
[1:02:20] As you heard, I've talked about all the projects.
[1:02:22] They all have funding gaps.
[1:02:23] They all have marketing.
[1:02:24] They have groundbreaking.
[1:02:26] They need ribbon cuttings.
[1:02:27] They need promotion and work at TDA.
[1:02:30] We have money set aside in our administration budget that we are working with all of the towns
[1:02:35] to help them.
[1:02:36] We're not just saying, hey, let's do a project.
[1:02:38] We're going to work with them and help get those funding gaps down because the goal is is to do round breakings and ribbon cutting.
[1:02:46] We're going to work, and then, as what I said, about 23, 24, we've got a trail collaborative.
[1:02:51] We are working with creating trails up in the Lake Lord, Cheney Rock area, and working with conservative Carolina,
[1:02:57] Foothills Conservancy, Carolina Cromers, and Ruffford Outdoor Coalition.
[1:03:03] The TDA will continue to host RutherfordBound.com, we will continue to do videos and promote all of our different projects throughout the county.
[1:03:14] We will continue to work with the state and be year-to-trail as we committed to.
[1:03:20] But this year, the state of North Carolina wants to be known as the Great Trail State and Rutherford County will do everything possible to promote our trails and partner with the state and help them with their goal.
[1:03:32] of being come known as the Great Trail State and 2425 scope of work as I mentioned will continue
[1:03:38] to do websites, ribbon cuttings, ground breakings, remote trails, you will should see some billboards
[1:03:45] around. Our progress, we're hoping we can continue to get funding and support throughout the community
[1:03:53] and Legacy Park. We'll have a ribbon cutting coming up real soon, well not real soon,
[1:03:58] another year of construction, but we'll that will be here soon.
[1:04:01] And then, as I mentioned, if you go up to Jimmy Rock now, this is just an example of how
[1:04:06] we're doing.
[1:04:07] We're promoting ground breakings and ribbon cuttings and so forth.
[1:04:10] And that's just an example of some of the material that we help our towns with.
[1:04:15] The TDA is doing it.
[1:04:15] The towns in the county.
[1:04:17] You do not have to do any of that funding.
[1:04:20] Our ad agency and roughly a distance by design is doing all that work.
[1:04:26] and there's an example of one of our ribbon cuttings and the street that's going on.
[1:04:31] Okay, that's Ruffer Bound.
[1:04:34] Now, the TDA is responsible for marking, promoting Ruffer County as a destination place.
[1:04:40] And as you can see, there is the travel guide that is one of our main focus
[1:04:44] and then I have a actual copy here.
[1:04:47] So we'll continue to do that.
[1:04:49] We're working with farmers, we're doing agritourism in Ruther County, we have farmers at and we're also working with, we've hired P1 tourism and with their
[1:05:01] collaboration, collaboration with NC State University and they are helping us work with different farms,
[1:05:09] communities identifying farms that would like to have an event on their farm and have a way to create additional revenues or visitors to come out
[1:05:18] to the farm, but he wanted us helping us identify those farms, create those events, sales
[1:05:25] tickets, and provide extra revenue for farms.
[1:05:28] What kind of farms?
[1:05:31] Here's an example right there.
[1:05:33] There are some of the farms that we're working with out there.
[1:05:35] Great question.
[1:05:36] But distilleries, Hofax Creek Farm, but if there is a farmer that would like to create
[1:05:44] event on their farm that they can sell tickets for will work with anybody.
[1:05:49] I mean any of the farmers and right now we've identified I think the number was 13
[1:05:53] that we're working with but the goal is is identify more and create more events but
[1:05:58] that's the agri-tourism piece of that is as you promote people to come visit both for
[1:06:03] county and if they want to get the agri-tourism piece of it is visit out through farms will
[1:06:08] promote social media and try to drive traffic to go visit the farm okay and we are community
[1:06:17] events programs which is in our budget we promote and help assist with marketing with all the
[1:06:23] different events and there's the list of them there but you see the jet ski there the jet
[1:06:28] ski association has identified that they want to come back to the isothermal community college lake
[1:06:36] And they are going to have another event on July 5th and 6th, and get this.
[1:06:41] They're going to bring in lights and do night racing this year.
[1:06:45] So we're going to, anyway, this would be the second annual, and we're excited.
[1:06:49] And we hope to make it a traditional competition and program there.
[1:06:53] And then also the TDA will all be, also to support the All Star game that's going to go on Al's Park, which is July 7th and 8th.
[1:07:05] Keep up with county beautiful.
[1:07:07] As you know, you county commissioners challenged the TDA and pick up Rocco to form a program of work that would educate and communicate and find volunteers to pick up litter and thank you for that challenge.
[1:07:20] Well, here's where we are today with that program.
[1:07:22] We've had many volunteers, we've picked up tons of litter and
[1:07:28] And Jenna Bailey, with pickup roco, has decided to resign.
[1:07:34] She's going to be on the board for the committee, but she's not going to be the executive director.
[1:07:42] So the TDA and the Keith Ruther County committee is going to contract with ROC and Jerry Stenslin
[1:07:52] of ROC is going to take on that program of work that Jenna did as the executive director.
[1:07:56] The TDA will continue to sponsor and fund $50,000.
[1:08:02] We have $50,000 in our budget to continue to pick up RoCo, and we'll be working closely
[1:08:08] with Jerry Stenslin and ROC, both for that board.
[1:08:12] So I see on here paid for 70 miles to pick up litter?
[1:08:18] Yes, and that is, we've got volunteers that pick up so many miles, but there are certain
[1:08:22] miles that aren't safe.
[1:08:24] So then we do, there is part of that 50,000, I want to say that we give, I want to say
[1:08:30] we, the TDA, 285,000, 30,000 goes to actual paid pickup, where we contract with a company
[1:08:39] to go out and actually pick up later further.
[1:08:41] Question.
[1:08:42] Yes sir.
[1:08:44] At the last NRA dinner, event I was at, I hadn't had opportunity to sit next to Sheriff
[1:08:51] We were just talking shop like we do and he was making that he was interested in using prisoners to pick up in some of these areas.
[1:08:59] However, he had a deficit in funding from what the state was providing and what he needed.
[1:09:07] And I would think this differential here would probably come to play.
[1:09:10] Would you reach out to him?
[1:09:11] Oh, yeah.
[1:09:12] If we're going to spend money listening.
[1:09:14] I agree.
[1:09:15] But he mentioned that about three, four weeks ago.
[1:09:18] Actually, the meetings tomorrow night, so it was a month ago.
[1:09:21] Sure, but I will.
[1:09:23] But there, he was talking, and this is all, please, this is not for the paper, just because he was talking about the challenges and
[1:09:30] opportunities of having a vehicle and all that.
[1:09:34] The state does provide some funding to him, but not to complete funding.
[1:09:39] Okay, and I mentioned to him that I thought that we are the TDA does outsource that and then maybe we just a chance that we can partner
[1:09:47] Yeah, and let's get some of these guys out here
[1:09:51] Yeah, we've done that all the time
[1:09:52] Years and years ago
[1:09:54] I will definitely reach out to the sheriff. No, okay, we can do
[1:10:00] Well that concludes my report. So if anybody's any questions, but
[1:10:06] But Rutherford County Jurisans in good shape, continuing to pray that our arctic tax comes in and continues to break records so we can keep doing more and more for Rutherford County.
[1:10:15] Well, thank you for everything.
[1:10:16] Thank you.
[1:10:16] Thank you.
[1:10:17] Okay.
[1:10:19] The commissioners.
[1:10:21] Next item is a tax budget for this for information only.
[1:10:24] And they just own a agenda and it's posted online.
[1:10:27] And the last item on our agenda is to adjourn.
[1:10:29] So what's the will of the board?
[1:10:30] Motion to adjourn.
[1:10:31] Thank you.
[1:10:31] We've got a motion to second in discussion.
[1:10:33] Here you're not going to call a question.
[1:10:34] All flavored rationed right in.
[1:10:36] You need to pose light wise.