08-07-2023 Meeting Minutes BOC
August 7, 2023
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AUGUST 7, 2023
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Gordon Powell Katherine M. Cathey, County Manager
C. Derrick Sims Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Board
Kyle W. Puryear S. Ellis Hankins, County Attorney
Charlie Palmer
Jason Thomas
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in
regular session on Monday, August 7, 2023 at 7:00pm in the Commissioners’ Boardroom
215 in the Person County Office Building located at 304 S. Morgan Street, Roxboro, NC.
Chairman Powell called the meeting to order and offered an invocation. Vice
Chairman Sims led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to approve the
agenda.
INFORMAL COMMENTS:
Chairman Powell stated each individual would have three minutes to address the
Board. The following individuals appeared before the Board to make informal comments:
Mr. Larry Cole of 314 Lewis Winstead Loop, Roxboro and business owner of the
Furniture Mart located on Madison Boulevard asked the Board’s consideration to support a
request to NC DOT for a traffic signal to be added at the Madison Boulevard and Clayton
Avenue intersection to assist traffic flow and increase safety for the shopping and food retail
services along the Boulevard. Mr. Cole said he would be making the same request before
the Roxboro City Council at its meeting on August 8, 2023.
Ms. Liz Bradsher of 976 Estate Road, Semora requested the Board’s consideration
to support the Person County GOP’s Resolution Supporting the Identification of Party
Affiliation for the Board of Education candidates in Person County as adopted in March
2023. Ms. Bradsher stated the state currently has 43 school districts that now have partisan
elections for the board of education; she said this would afford voters to have more
information about the candidates.
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Ms. P.J. Gentry of 541 Byrd Creek Lane, Hurdle Mills asked why the Board of
Commissioners, a full republican board, has not had the courtesy to bring forward the Person
County GOP’s resolution to put to a vote. Ms. Gentry addressed the Board on the FY24
adopted budget comparing the percentage of total budget to Orange County’s budget as
follows:
Ms. Gentry also noted that the Board did not make decisions without consultants’
review and evaluation.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to approve the
Consent Agenda with the following items:
A. Approval of Minutes of July 17, 2023,
B. Approval of Minutes of July 20, 2023,
C. Approval of Minutes of July 26, 2023,
D. Budget Amendment #2 (CIP), and
E. Budget Amendment #3
Person County
Total % of Budget
Orange County
Total % of Budget
Education 18 38.5
Economic Development 5 12
Public Safety 21 13
Human Services 23 17.25
General Government 30 5
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NEW BUSINESS:
AMENDMENT TO BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 2023 SCHEDULE OF
MEETINGS TO ADD A STRATEGIC PLANNING RETREAT:
County Manager Katherine M. Cathey requested Board consideration to amend the
Board’s 2023 Schedule of Meetings to add a strategic planning retreat. Ms. Cathey noted
the Board discussed during the FY24 Budget Retreat that a strategic plan supports
accountability, communication, and prioritization. The Board of Commissioners approved
a strategic plan for FY20 and set supporting goals during the last three budget processes.
Ms. Cathey further noted the Board agreed to schedule a retreat this fall, in advance
of the FY25 budget process, to begin the work of establishing a new strategic plan that will
include the following components; mission, vision, values, goals, and strategies. Proposed
dates for a full- or half-day retreat are October 24, 25, or 26, 2023, in the Person County
Office Building Auditorium.
Ms. Cathey said the strategic planning retreat may be led by an outside facilitator or
internal staff. Facilitators are available through the North Carolina Association of County
Commissioners (NCACC), the UNC School of Government, and other organizations. Staff
will work with the Board of Commissioners, and a facilitator (if applicable) to develop the
strategic planning process.
Ms. Cathey asked the Board to discuss the strategic planning process and amend the
Board of Commissioners 2023 Schedule of Meetings to add a strategic planning retreat.
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to amend its 2023
Schedule of Meetings to add a strategic planning retreat to be held on October 24, 2023
starting at 9:00am in the County Office Building Auditorium. The Board consented to have
the strategic planning retreat led by staff.
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APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMITTEES:
Clerk to the Board Brenda B. Reaves presented to the Board citizen applications for
current vacancies for nomination and appointment as deemed appropriate.
Environmental Issues Advisory Committee
3-Year Term: 1 position for a citizen residing in each of the following townships:
a) Holloway Township:
b) Flat River Township:
c) Olive Hill Township: Dave Boellner requested appointment
A motion was made by Commissioner Palmer and carried 5-0 to appoint Dave
Boellner to the Environmental Issues Advisory Committee representing the Olive Hill
Township for a 3-year term.
PATS Transportation Advisory Board
3-Year Term:
1 position available for an occupational affiliation representative for a medical related
service:
1 unexpired term to 6/30/24 for a representative of economic development/Chamber of
Commerce: Samantha Bagbey requested appointment
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to appoint Samantha
Bagbey to fulfill the unexpired term to June 30, 2024 to the PATS Transportation Advisory
Board as the economic development/Chamber of Commerce representative.
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council
Since the Board’s packet was distributed, Elizabeth Haebig, the Health Director’s designee
on the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC), has resigned and no longer working for
Person County. Janet Clayton, Health Director requested appointment of Richard H.
Johnson as the health department’s representative to fulfill the unexpired term to June 30,
2025 on JCPC.
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to appoint Richard
Johnson to fulfill the unexpired term to June 30, 2025 to the JCPC as the health department
representative.
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
Chairman Powell reported that county officials have a meeting with Duke Energy
on August 16, 2023 to further discuss the Duke Energy’s future in Person County.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
County Manager Katherine Cathey reported a draft of the new Development
Ordinance has been shared with the Board of Commissioners and the Planning Board noting
an announcement to the public would be shared on social media and in the local paper for
ways to view the draft document. Ms. Cathey stated the Planning Board would hear a
presentation on the new Development Ordinance at its September 14, 2023 meeting with
action at its October 12, 2023 meeting; the Board of Commissioners would hear a
presentation and entertain action at its November 6, 2023 meeting.
Ms. Cathey announced Michele Solomon was recently hired for the Clerk to the
Board/Executive Assistant to the County Manager position and would start on August 15,
2023.
COMMISSIONER REPORT/COMMENTS:
Commissioner Palmer said Ms. Solomon was a local person and has been with the
county 8-10 years with experience with management.
There were no reports from Vice Chairman Sims nor Commissioners Thomas and
Puryear.
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CLOSED SESSION #1
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to enter into Closed
Session #1 at 7:23pm per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(3) for the purpose to consult with
the county attorney in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege with the following
individuals permitted to attend: County Attorney Ellis Hankins, County Manager Katherine
Cathey, Clerk to the Board Brenda Reaves and Economic Development Director Brandy
Lynch.
Chairman Powell called the Closed Session #1 to order at 7:25pm.
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 7:32pm.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to adjourn the meeting
at 7:33pm.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Brenda B. Reaves Gordon Powell
Clerk to the Board Chairman