08-15-2022 Meeting Minutes BOC
August 15, 2022
1
PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AUGUST 15, 2022
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Gordon Powell Ralph Clark, Interim County Manager
C. Derrick Sims Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Board
Kyle W. Puryear S. Ellis Hankins, County Attorney
Charlie Palmer
Patricia Gentry
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in
regular session on Monday, August 15, 2022 at 9:00am in the commissioners’ boardroom
in the Person County Office Building.
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 Vice Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to approve the
agenda.
INFORMAL COMMENTS:
There were no comments from the public.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Palmer and carried 5-0 to approve the
Consent Agenda with the following items:
A. Approval of Minutes of August 1, 2022,
B. Budget Amendment #4,
C. Health Department Fee Requests Associated with COVID-19 Vaccinations and
Monkeypox Testing,
D. Library Annual State Aid Non-Recurring Funds $54,374 Contract Approval,
E. Home & Community Care Block Grant Reports: FY2021-2022 Final and
FY2022-2023 First Revision,
F. Resolution Appointing Review Officers, and
G. Opioid Settlement Fund Ordinance
Commissioner Gentry asked for the formula used to determine the County’s
funding plan for the Home and Community Block Grant for Older Adults. Ms. Maynell
Harper, Aging Services Director for the Person County Senior Center stated the
appropriations are based on the County’s population, specifically, the estimated 20% of the
population representing adults age 60 and over.
August 15, 2022
2
NEW BUSINESS:
APPOINTMENT TO REGION K AGING ADVISORY COUNCIL & TO THE
SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD:
Clerk to the Board, Brenda Reaves presented to the Board interested citizen
applications received for current vacancies for nomination for appointment as deemed
appropriate.
Region K Aging Advisory Council
3-Year Term: 2 positions available
1) Elizabeth Bradsher requested appointment
2) Wanda O’Neal requested appointment
3) Jennifer Morrow requested appointment
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear to appoint Wanda O’Neal and
Jennifer Morrow to the Region K Aging Advisory Council, each for a 3-year term.
A substitute motion was made by Commissioner Gentry to appoint Elizabeth
Bradsher and Jennifer Morrow to the Region K Aging Advisory Council, each for a 3-year
term.
Chairman Powell called for a vote on the original motion made by Commissioner
Puryear, which carried 3-2 to appoint Wanda O’Neal and Jennifer Morrow to the Region
K Aging Advisory Council, each for a 3-year term. Commissioner Puryear, Chairman
Powell and Vice Chairman Sims voted in favor of the original motion. Commissioners
Gentry and Palmer cast the dissenting votes.
Social Services Board
3-Year Term: 1 position available
1) Antoinetta Cash Royster requested appointment
2) Danny Johnson requested appointment
3) Dr. Alfred Faulkner requested appointment
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Sims and carried 4-1 to appoint Danny
Johnson to the Social Services Board for a 3-year term. Commissioner Gentry cast the
dissenting vote.
Ms. Reaves stated she wanted to make the Board aware that Laura Sharpe would
be replacing Laquitia Cozart as the Vaya Health representative on the Person County
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.
August 15, 2022
3
A motion was made by Chairman Powell and carried 5-0 to appoint Laura Sharpe
as the Vaya Health representative fulfilling the unexpired term of Laquitia Cozart on the
Person County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
Chairman Powell reported a great turnout for the recent National Night Out event.
INTERIM COUNTY MANAGER’S REPORT:
Interim County Manager, Ralph Clark said since the tax bills were mailed out, there
have been questions related to the increased Fire District Tax; he asked the Fire Marshal to
provide an update to the group on the progress of the recruitment to fill positions at the
Volunteer Fire Departments (VFD).
Fire Marshal, Adam Morris thanked the Board of its support and stated since the
increased fire district tax, the Timberlake VFD have secured part-time individuals to cover
Sunday – Thursday for both day time and night hours. Mr. Morris said the Allensville
VFD has coverage during day hours. He added other VFDs are in the process of recruiting
and making the needed modifications to their facility, i.e., bathroom/shower.
Mr. Morris stated on June 14, 2022, House Bill 2022-8 requires any new paid fire
staff to have background checks with fingerprints through the State’s SBI. He noted as the
Fire Marshal, he was registered as Person County’s liaison to monitor this process noting
these rules are new and evolving. He further noted the expense of $38 per person on top
of the $15 county fee to obtain the background check and fingerprints.
Mr. Morris said the Leasburg VFD has been approved by the state to provide fire
services in a portion of Person County and the lower ISO fire ratings for some Person
County residents are estimated to be effective January 1, 2023.
Mr. Morris said when he became the Fire Marshal, Person County was awarded a
$300,000 state grant that was used for equipment; he was recently informed of an additional
state grant for $300,000 to further aid fire departments in needed equipment.
Mr. Morris made the Board aware of the death of the Ceffo VFD chief, Blake Whitt
noting a full firefighter funeral will be held on August 16, 2022 at Theresa Baptist Church;
visitation will be from 12:30-2:00pm with the service starting at 2:00pm.
Vice Chairman Sims and Chairman Powell both stated appreciation of the work of
the VFDs and the Fire Marshal.
August 15, 2022
4
COMMISSIONER REPORT/COMMENTS:
Vice Chairman Sims asked the Interim County Manager about the Department of
Social Services building issues to which Mr. Clark stated he and a leasing agent toured the
Human Services Building and will start conversations with Brixmor to address issues, i.e.,
the mold in the FEMA room.
Commissioner Palmer promoted the Relay for Life event coming up this fall noting
the Person Industries/Recycling Center held a fundraiser last Friday; he urged everyone to
donate to such a worthy cause.
There were no report from Commissioners Gentry and Puryear.
CLOSED SESSION #1
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to enter into Closed
Session at 9:18am per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(6) for the purpose to consider the
qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or
conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective
public officer or employee; with the following individuals permitted to attend: Interim
County Manager, Ralph Clark, Clerk to the Board, Brenda Reaves, County Attorney, Ellis
Hankins and Renee Narloch via video call.
A brief recess was called to transition to the Closed Session #1. Chairman Powell
called the Closed Session to order at 9:29am.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 11:24am.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to adjourn the
meeting at 11:24am.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Brenda B. Reaves Gordon Powell
Clerk to the Board Chairman