02-01-2021 Meeting Minutes BOC
February 1, 2021
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FEBRUARY 1, 2021
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Gordon Powell Heidi York, County Manager
Kyle W. Puryear Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Board
C. Derrick Sims C. Ronald Aycock, County Attorney
Charlie Palmer
Patricia Gentry
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in
regular session on Monday, February 1, 2021 at 7:00pm in the Person County Office
Building Auditorium.
Chairman Powell called the meeting to order and offered an invocation.
Commissioner Palmer led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Vice Chairman Puryear and County Attorney, Ron Aycock attended the meeting
remotely.
Chairman Powell recognized the month of February as Black History Month and
urged citizens to participate in activities offered throughout the month.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to approve the agenda.
INFORMAL COMMENTS:
The following individual appeared before the Board to make informal comments:
Mr. John Seepe of 277 Barefoot Landing Lane, Semora noted the unanimous
support of the Economic Development Commission of Commissioner Gentry’s proposal
to establish a Task Force to review the funding structure for Economic Development and
deemed this topic the most important topic before the Board of Commissioners this year.
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DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to approve the
Consent Agenda with the following items:
A. Approval of Minutes of January 19, 2021,
B. Budget Amendment #10,
C. Person Industries Consent forms,
D. Report of Unpaid Taxes,
E. Advertisement of Unpaid Real Estate Taxes,
F. Tax Adjustments for February 2021,
a. Tax Releases, and
b. NC Vehicle Tax System pending refunds
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
REVIEW OF THE FUNDING STRUCTURE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
The Board, at its meeting on January 19, 2021 took action to delay further
discussion and action until this date, after which the Economic Development Commission
(EDC) had an opportunity to hear Commissioner Gentry’s proposal to establish a task force
to study other counties structure for funding economic development and bring back
recommendation to the Board in an effort to stabilize the EDC for success.
Commissioner Gentry provided the Board and staff with a handout outlining her
proposed Task Force for Economic Development as follows:
Task Force Appointees:
All have had and/or continue to be stakeholders in Person County. The stakeholders
selected for the Task Force, understand business, have been active in businesses throughout
their careers as owners, Executive Directors, business leaders in industry, as well as state
government and understand the stimulus needed to promote and sustain business in Person
County.
Recommended Task Force Members:
Five (5) members
As previously proposed at the Board’s last meeting, Commissioner Gentry said each
commissioner would select one member and all remaining commissioners would agree
with each selection. She stated there were currently three individuals confirmed to serve
on the Task Force. Commissioner Gentry recommended once all five individuals were
confirmed, a press release would go out to the public, possibly later this week.
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Task Force Mission:
To review existing public/private Economic Development Commission partnerships
utilized by other counties, and to provide the Board of Commissioners with an Economic
Development prototype or some type of hybrid, to better respond to the economic
development needs of Person County.
Meetings:
Frequency and time to be discussed and determined by the selected Task Force members.
Commissioner Gentry suggested at a minimum, weekly meetings, maybe in the Person
County Library conference room and/or by video conferencing.
Duration of Task Force:
Six (6) weeks but flexible to the needs of the Task Force.
Board Liaison:
Commissioner Gentry said she would like to serve as the liaison.
Resource Materials:
Commissioner Gentry requested resource materials to be provided by the Clerk’s Office.
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to proceed with the
Task Force as outlined and presented by Commissioner Gentry.
Chairman Powell clarified that 1,217 corporate jobs were added in Person County
since 2011 noting this number did not include small business, etc. He thought it was worthy
of mentioning as the aggregate number of 400 was used in the past referring to lost jobs in
the last ten years. Chairman Powell stated support of economic development and looked
forward to a positive outcome from the Task Force.
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NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO EXCHANGE PROPERTY:
IT Director, Chris Puryear presented to the Board a Resolution of Intent to
Exchange Property for consideration. Mr. Puryear stated Person County was approached
by IntellaPlex, a third party provider, with an offer to enter into an Indefeasible Right of
Use for a term of twenty (20) years which will take place as an exchange of property with
equal amounts of fiber optic cabling strand miles being exchanged by both parties. Mr.
Puryear noted that IntellaPlex was seeking access to twelve (12) strands of fiber along
Person County’s recently constructed fiber optic network which consists of approximately
52 miles of 288-strand fiber cabling. This equates to approximately 627.6 strand miles
across the infrastructure. In exchange, IntellaPlex offered Person County access to 55
strands of fiber along its fiber optic network which equates to approximately 627.6 strand
miles across their proposed infrastructure. Mr. Puryear said as part of the agreement,
IntellaPlex will build out their fiber infrastructure to include runs of fiber optic cable to
both the Airport and the Virginia border which have been discussed previously as
extremely favorable for future economic development opportunities without capital
funding. Furthermore, this action presents the opportunity for broadband expansion in the
county.
Mr. Puryear confirmed the Exchange of Property, as presented, has been reviewed
by the attorney and staff recommended proceeding with this opportunity. The Board was
asked to adopt a Resolution of Intent to Exchange Property thereby authorizing the Clerk
to publish a notice as required by General Statute 160A-271 with this item to come back
before the Board at its next meeting to consider authorization of the exchange of property.
County Manager, Heidi York stated the value of the property of Person County is
$470,700; the estimated value of the property of IntellaPlex, LLC is $470,700. No other
consideration will change hands.
Commissioner Gentry asked for the timeframe from start to finish to which Mr.
Puryear said the agreement mandated completion within a 12-month time span however it
was expected some of the project would be completed as early as four to six months.
Commissioner Gentry asked staff to estimate connectivity to residents. Mr. Puryear said
Person County is not a service provider and connectivity would be dependent on a service
provider. He added that the infrastructure will surround the Mega Park site for huge
potential for commercial industry as well as residential access by a third party provider.
Chairman Powell said the extension to the Virginia border was of great interest to
identified entities already.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gentry and carried 5-0 to adopt a
Resolution Intent to Exchange Property, as presented.
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CONSIDERATION OF THE SPECIAL BOARD OF EQUALIZATION AND
REVIEW:
Tax Administrator, Russell Jones told the Board that on January 22, 2013, the
Board of Commissioners, by resolution, established a special Board of Equalization and
Review for Person County pursuant to NC General Statute 105-322. All terms for the
members of this special Board have expired, and future membership needed to be
addressed for the 2021 revaluation appeals. Mr. Jones advised that any change to the
structure of the special Board of Equalization and Review must be done no later than the
first Monday in March (March 1, 2021) by resolution, i.e., abolish or amend the resolution.
Mr. Jones noted the most recent members serving on the special Board of
Equalization and Review are as follows:
1. Former commissioner, Margaret Bradsher, (served as Chair)
2. Commissioner Kyle Puryear
3. Former commissioner, David Newell, Sr.
4. Former commissioner, Curtis Bradsher
5. Former commissioner, Tracey Kendrick (no longer eligible due to relocation out of
county)
Recent alternative members were:
1. Former commissioner, Ray Jeffers
2. Faye Boyd, citizen at-large
Mr. Jones further noted that due to the time commitment, the most recent special
Board of Equalization and Review was reimbursed per meeting. The reimbursement rate
was set at $150 per meeting, or $50 per meeting if the member was also serving as a County
Commissioner.
Some reasons that counties consider creating a special Board of Equalization and
Review:
1. The Board of Commissioners are involved with the budget process during this time
and may have other additional issues to focus on.
2. A special Board of Equalization and Review allows the Board of County
Commissioners to appoint individuals from a cross section of the citizens, choosing
those who possess the expertise necessary for the board to carry out its duties.
3. The creation of a special Board of Equalization and Review helps to remove the
matter of taxation from local political issues.
Mr. Jones provided some background from previous reappraisal years:
In 2005, there were 34 appeals, and
In 2013, there were 4,000 appeals with 3,500 being resolved informally by
the Tax Office.
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Mr. Jones stated he could not at this time estimate the number of appeals that would
be expected in 2021 however he offered a suggestion to open the acceptance of appeals in
writing or in person in April and to close acceptance of appeals in May. This would allow
his office to prioritize those with the highest monetary impact for the budget to be
addressed first. Mr. Jones stated it was preferred to have the appeals heard by June 30th
however, there have been times when appeals were also held in July.
Mr. Jones stated the North Carolina Department of Revenue is offering a 2-hour
training session to assist the Board of Equalization and Review members with guidelines
and requirements for the appeal process. The training will be a virtual training session, and
is offered on either March 11 or March 18. Mr. Jones added, in the past, this training has
very beneficial, especially for new Board members, or members that have not been through
the appeals process during a reappraisal year.
Commissioner Sims asked if the Board could review or appoint members at its next
Board meeting to which Mr. Jones replied affirmatively. Mr. Jones said at the creation of
the special Board of Equalization and Review, each commissioner nominated a member.
Commissioner Puryear confirmed the term was four-years as set out in the
resolution; the resolution could be amended to set the term limit as desired by the Board.
Mr. Jones stated any points of the current 2013 resolution could be amended as deemed
appropriate before March 1, 2021.
It was the consensus of the Board to continue with its special Board of Equalization
and Review and that each commissioner would appoint one member at its next meeting on
February 16, 2021.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
Chairman Powell reported that the NC DOT delayed funding for the Airport’s
Runway Extension project to 2029. He said he sent letters to the NC Transportation Board
members as well as the County’s representatives urging them to reconsider and recommit
the funding that was approved in 2018 for Person County.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
County Manager, Heidi York echoed Chairman Powell’s comments noting the NC
DOT provided funding as recent as last year for planning of the Runway Extension project.
She added the Clerk has a template letter should any commissioner wish to use for sending
their request to NC transportation officials.
Ms. York reminded the Board of an invitation for Elected Officials to RSVP for the
Research Triangle Regional Partnership virtual Economic Development Symposium on
February 9, 2021 from 9:00 to 11:00am.
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COMMISSIONER REPORT/COMMENTS:
Vice Chairman Puryear thanked the IT Department for accommodating his request
to attend the meeting remotely.
Commissioner Sims reported there would be an update at the Board’s next meeting
related to Triple Springs covering the Woodsdale district.
Commissioner Sims requested review of the County’s ordinance that restricted
view from public roads of junk to also be extended on private roads. County Manager,
Heidi York stated she would follow up with the Planning Director.
Commissioner Palmer said the cross walks were not marked on the Long Avenue
public access and asked staff to follow up.
Commissioner Gentry had no report.
CLOSED SESSION #1
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to enter into Closed
Session at 7:52pm per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(6) for the purpose to discuss
personnel 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 permitted
to attend: County Manager, Heidi York and Clerk to the Board, Brenda Reaves.
Chairman Powell call the Closed Session to order at 7:57pm.
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 8:15pm.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to adjourn the meeting
at 8:16pm.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Brenda B. Reaves Gordon Powell
Clerk to the Board Chairman