05-03-2021 Meeting Minutes BOC
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MAY 3, 2021
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Gordon Powell Heidi York, County Manager
Kyle W. Puryear Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Board
C. Derrick Sims 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, May 3, 2021 at 7:00pm in the Person County Office Building
Auditorium.
Chairman Powell called the meeting to order. Commissioner Sims offered an
invocation and Commissioner Gentry led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to approve the agenda.
PUBLIC HEARING:
PETITION TA-01-21 – A REQUEST BY PERSON COUNTY PLANNING STAFF,
ON BEHALF OF THE PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, TO
AMEND THE ORDINANCE REGULATING AUTOMOBILE GRAVEYARDS
AND JUNKYARDS TO INCLUDE SCREENING REQUIREMENTS FOR
PRIVATE ROADS:
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to open the duly
advertised public hearing for a request by Person County Planning staff, on behalf of the
Person County Board of Commissioners, to amend the Ordinance Regulating Automobile
Graveyards and Junkyards to include screening requirements for private roads.
Planning Director, Lori Oakley introduced Angie Blount, Planner I, to present
Petition TA-01-21 to the Board of Commissioners.
Ms. Blount stated all state statutes and planning ordinance requirements have been
met for this public hearing and requested that the Planning Staff Report be entered into the
record. The Staff Report follows:
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Ms. Blount shared the following presentation:
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Commissioner Sims stated he had many complaints and recommended approval of
the request to amend the Ordinance Regulating Automobile Graveyards and Junkyards to
include screening requirements for private roads.
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There were no individuals appearing before the Board of Commissioners to speak
in favor of or in opposition to the request by Person County Planning staff, on behalf of the
Person County Board of Commissioners, to amend the Ordinance Regulating Automobile
Graveyards and Junkyards to include screening requirements for private roads.
Commissioner Gentry asked for the definition of Junkyards to which Ms. Blount
stated the definition in the ordinance reads as follows:
Junk: The term “junk” shall mean scrap metal, rope, rags, batteries, paper, trash, rubber,
debris, tires, waste, or junked, dismantled or wrecked motor vehicles or parts.
Junkyard, Commercial: Any establishment or place of business which is maintained,
operated, or used for storing, salvaging, keeping, buying or selling junk or for maintenance
or operation of an automobile graveyard, but shall not include garbage dumps or county-
operated sanitary landfills.
Junk Yard, Residential: A residential parcel of land in which an area of 600 square feet
or more of "junk materials” are kept or stored at any given place whether for profit or not.
Materials enclosed in closed buildings, solid waste containers or rolling stock (i.e., rail
cars, trailer or other containerized body not intended or designed to be self-propelled) are
excluded.
Ms. Oakley told the group that there is a provision in a state statute that grandfathers
existing junkyards that are five years to seven years old depending on date of origination;
this new proposed provision to the County’s ordinance would apply to newer junkyards.
Vice Chairman Puryear asked how many complaints have been received to start
this process to amend the ordinance to which Ms. Oakley stated she had approximately 20
open cases of complaints related to junkyards across the county.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gentry and carried 5-0 to close the public
hearing for a request by Person County Planning staff, on behalf of the Person County
Board of Commissioners, to amend the Ordinance Regulating Automobile Graveyards and
Junkyards to include screening requirements for private roads.
CONSIDERATION TO GRANT OR DENY REQUEST TO ADOPT TEXT
AMENDMENTS TO PERSON COUNTY’S ORDINANCE REGULATING
AUTOMOBILE GRAVEYARDS AND JUNKYARDS TO INCLUDE SCREENING
REQUIREMENTS FOR PRIVATE ROADS:
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to adopt the presented
text amendments to Person County’s Ordinance Regulating Automobile Graveyards and
Junkyards to include screening requirements for private roads noting the amendments are
consistent with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and future planning goals and objectives
of Person County and it was reasonable and in the public interest.
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PUBLIC HEARING:
PETITION TA-02-21 - A REQUEST BY THE PERSON COUNTY PLANNING
DEPARTMENT TO AMEND THE PERSON COUNTY PLANNING ORDINANCE
AND SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW
NC GENERAL STATUTES CHAPTER 160D:
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Puryear and carried 5-0 to open the duly
advertised public hearing for a request by the Person County Planning Department to
amend the Person County Planning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations in order to
comply with the new NC General Statutes Chapter 160D.
Planning Director, Lori Oakley stated all state statutes and planning ordinance
requirements have been met for this public hearing and requested that the Planning Staff
Report be entered into record. The Staff Report follows:
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Ms. Oakley shared the following presentation:
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There were no individuals appearing before the Board of Commissioners to speak
in favor of or in opposition to the request by the Person County Planning Department to
amend the Person County Planning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations in order to
comply with the new NC General Statutes Chapter 160D.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gentry and carried 5-0 to close the public
hearing for a request by the Person County Planning Department to amend the Person
County Planning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations in order to comply with the new
NC General Statutes Chapter 160D.
CONSIDERATION TO GRANT OR DENY REQUEST TO ADOPT TEXT
AMENDMENTS TO THE PLANNING ORDINANCE AND SUBDIVISION
REGULATIONS IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW NC GENERAL
STATUTES CHAPTER 160D:
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Puryear and carried 5-0 to adopt text
amendments to the Planning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations per the Planning Staff
recommendations in order to comply with the new NC General Statutes Chapter 160D
effective July 1, 2021 noting the amendments are consistent with the Person County Land
Use Plan and future planning goals of the county and are reasonable and in the public
interest.
The Planning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations, as adopted, are incorporated
into these minutes by reference and a copy will be on file in the Clerk to the Board of
Commissioners’ Office as well as maintained in the Planning and Zoning Offices.
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PUBLIC HEARING:
PETITION SUB-01-21 - A REQUEST BY DLH DEVELOPMENT, LLC, FOR A
CLUSTER SUBDIVISION CONCEPT PLAN FOR THE HIGHLANDS AT
DUNCAN PLANTATION, CONSISTING OF 24 LOTS ON 35.5 ACRES LOCATED
ON DUNCAN PLANTATION DRIVE (OFF OF SR 1711 - KERMIT DUNCAN RD.)
ON TAX MAP & PARCEL A63-41C IN THE R (RESIDENTIAL) ZONING
DISTRICT:
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to open the duly
advertised public hearing for a request by DLH Development, LLC, for a Cluster
Subdivision Concept Plan for the Highlands at Duncan Plantation, consisting of 24 lots on
35.5 acres located on Duncan Plantation Drive in the residential zoning district.
Planning Director, Lori Oakley stated all state statutes and planning ordinance
requirements have been met for this public hearing and requested the Planning Staff Report
be entered into the record. The Planning Staff Report follows:
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Ms. Oakley shared the following presentation:
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Ms. Oakley clarified the density in this area per the County’s Comprehensive Plan
was one to three acres noting this proposed subdivision falls right in line with the
Comprehensive Plan.
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There were no individuals appearing before the Board of Commissioners to speak
in favor of the request by DLH Development, LLC, for a Cluster Subdivision Concept Plan
for the Highlands at Duncan Plantation, consisting of 24 lots on 35.5 acres located on
Duncan Plantation Drive in the residential zoning district.
Speaking in opposition to the request by DLH Development, LLC, for a Cluster
Subdivision Concept Plan for the Highlands at Duncan Plantation, consisting of 24 lots on
35.5 acres located on Duncan Plantation Drive in the residential zoning district were:
Ms. Wendy Jones and Mr. Rodney Jones of 160 Plantation Drive, Timberlake and
Mr. Dallas Ormand of 65 Duncan Plantation, all residents belonging to the original Duncan
Plantation Home Owner’s Association (HOA), made the Board aware of their concerns
with the proposed Cluster Subdivision Plan for the Highlands at Duncan Plantation as it
was not included with the original Duncan Plantation HOA to pay dues and to help
maintain the access road for the wear and tear, especially during the construction phase
using heavy equipment. Ms. Jones explained since the original Phase I, there had been a
number of real estate transactions of the remaining land and some things were left out of
the description; she opined that a thorough title search had not been completed. Ms. Jones
said she took issue with the name of the new proposed subdivision noting her opinion that
the subdivision should become part of the existing Duncan Plantation. Ms. Jones said they
had questions regarding Lot A which was not a part of the proposed cluster subdivision.
Commissioner Sims clarified for the group and the County Attorney, Ellis Hankins,
confirmed the Board of Commissioners has no legal authority related to the HOA. Mr.
Hankins noted he would have to review the real estate transactions to speak accurately on
the title search.
Vice Chairman Puryear asked if the developer was present to which he was in the
audience. The developer, Mr. David Haskins stated the access road was planned to be
upgraded to NC DOT specifications and would be turned over to the NC DOT for
maintenance.
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to close the
public hearing for a request by DLH Development, LLC, for a Cluster Subdivision Concept
Plan for the Highlands at Duncan Plantation, consisting of 24 lots on 35.5 acres located on
Duncan Plantation Drive in the residential zoning district.
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CONSIDERATION TO GRANT OR DENY REQUEST BY DLH DEVELOPMENT,
LLC, FOR A CLUSTER SUBDIVISION CONCEPT PLAN FOR THE
HIGHLANDS AT DUNCAN PLANTATION, CONSISTING OF 24 LOTS ON 35.5
ACRES LOCATED ON DUNCAN PLANTATION DRIVE IN THE RESIDENTIAL
ZONING DISTRICT:
A motion was made by Commissioner Gentry and carried 5-0 to approve the
request by DLH Development, LLC, for a Cluster Subdivision Concept Plan for the
Highlands at Duncan Plantation, consisting of 24 lots on 35.5 acres located on Duncan
Plantation Drive in the residential zoning district.
PUBLIC HEARING:
PETITION RZ-01-21 - A REQUEST BY CRAIG C. HESTER FOR A
REZONING/MAP AMENDMENT FROM RESIDENTIAL TO RURAL
CONSERVATION ON 2.93 ACRES (TAX MAP & PARCEL 112-13) LOCATED ON
BURLINGTON RD (HWY 49):
A motion was made by Commissioner Gentry and carried 5-0 to open the duly
advertised public hearing for a request by Craig C. Hester for a rezoning/map amendment
from residential to rural conservation on 2.93 acres (Tax Map & Parcel 112-13) located on
Burlington Rd (Hwy 49).
Planning Director, Lori Oakley introduced Angie Blount, Planner I, to present
Petition RZ-01-21 to the Board of Commissioners.
Ms. Blount stated all state statutes and planning ordinance requirements have been
met for this public hearing and she requested the Planning Staff Report be entered into the
record. The Planning Staff Report follows:
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Ms. Blount shared the following presentation:
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Ms. Blount said staff recommended the general rezoning because it was done
without condition as staff could not take into consideration any of the permitted uses in the
RC district or what the applicant may do with the parcel later. She reiterated that the
Planning Board voted unanimously to deny the request as it would allow a variety of
commercial uses in a residential area.
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The applicant, Craig C. Hester addressed the Board of Commissioners to speak in
favor of the rezoning/map amendment from residential to rural conservation on 2.93 acres
(Tax Map & Parcel 112-13) located on Burlington Rd (Hwy 49) to clarify his plans for the
parcel was to construct a self-storage facility noting that was the reason for his request to
rezone to RC. Mr. Hester said his intent was not to have the facility open 24-hours, maybe
7:00am to 7:00pm with a number to call on an emergency basis. Mr. Hester noted he would
not have huge lights in the sky but minimal lighting. Mr. Hester opined it would not be an
increase traffic concern nor would it drive away potential residents. Mr. Hester stated he
understood the concerns noting he could say one thing and do another; however, he wanted
to inform the Board of his plans.
Commissioner Sims asked Mr. Hester if he intended to install a security fence and
security cameras to which he replied affirmatively; Mr. Hester added the facility would be
gated to open and close at the times stated above.
Speaking in opposition to the request by Craig C. Hester for a rezoning/map
amendment from residential to rural conservation on 2.93 acres (Tax Map & Parcel 112-
13) located on Burlington Rd (Hwy 49) were the following:
Mr. Don Vaughan of 612 W. Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, an attorney
representing Arthur Winstead, Jr, as well as Mr. Winstead’s mother to express their strong
opposition to rezoning the property located between 1370 and 1308 Burlington Road, tax
map and parcel number 112-13 from residential to rural conservation. Mr. Vaughan said
Mr. Winstead’s mother owns the property located at 1553 Burlington Road, tax map and
parcel number 112-15, and Mr. Winstead is his mother’s designated agent. Mr. Vaughan
stated they were pleased the Planning and Zoning Board unanimously denied the request
and noted it was his belief that allowing the rezoning, which will open the property to
almost unlimited uses, will result in a drastic change in the character of the neighborhood
and surrounding areas, which are almost entirely residential. Allowing a near unlimited
variety of uses will lower property values on these homes, prevent the residential owners
from fully enjoying their land, and drive away other potential residents who may have
moved to the area. In addition, Mr. Vaughan conveyed that the rezoning and the
development that will occur afterward would lead to an increase in traffic in the area. The
roads in the area consist entirely of single lane, rural roads that do not see much traffic at
the current time. Allowing for additional non-residential uses in the area will lead to the
roads being worn quicker, a decrease in safety for local children who may be victims of
traffic accidents, and an increase in noise and air pollution affecting the local residents.
The additional traffic, noise and air pollution would also be likely to have an effect on the
local wildlife. Mr. Vaughan urged the Board of Commissioners to recommend against the
proposed rezoning and help keep this lovely community the way its residents would like it
to remain. Mr. Don Vaughan introduced his client, Mr. Arthur Winstead.
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Mr. Arthur Winstead of 1401 McDowell Drive, Greensboro noted his roots were in
Person County and conveyed that his mother requested him to appear before the Board of
Commissioners to speak against the proposed rezoning as it was not consistent with the
surrounding area. Mr. Winstead asked the Board of Commissioners to deny the request to
rezone the 2.93 acres located on Burlington Road from residential to rural conservation.
Mr. Johnnie Wrenn of 1430 Burlington Road, Roxboro appeared before the Board
of Commissioners to speak against the proposed rezoning on Burlington Road. He opined
that no businesses were needed in the area.
Mr. Mike Partin stated he lived in Franklin County however; he was there to
represent KD3 Investments, LLC of 1270 Burlington Road, Roxboro to speak against the
proposed rezoning as it would have a negative impact on the area.
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to close the public
hearing for a request by Craig C. Hester for a rezoning/map amendment from residential
to rural conservation on 2.93 acres (Tax Map & Parcel 112-13) located on Burlington Rd
(Hwy 49).
CONSIDERATION TO GRANT OR DENY REQUEST BY CRAIG C. HESTER
FOR A REZONING/MAP AMENDMENT FROM RESIDENTIAL TO RURAL
CONSERVATION ON 2.93 ACRES (TAX MAP & PARCEL 112-13) LOCATED ON
BURLINGTON RD (HWY 49):
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to deny the request
by Craig C. Hester for a rezoning/map amendment from residential to rural conservation
on 2.93 acres (Tax Map & Parcel 112-13) located on Burlington Rd (Hwy 49) noting the
request was not consistent with the Person County Land Use Plan nor the future planning
goals of the county as it would allow a variety of commercial uses in a residential area.
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INFORMAL COMMENTS:
The following individuals appeared before the Board to make informal comments:
Mr. Cecil Barker of 367 Barefoot Landing Lane, Semora addressed the Board of
Commissioners, on behalf of the Roxboro-Person County Home Builders Association,
about the permitting process involving the Person County Environmental Health and the
Inspections Department. He spoke of the demand of services over the last year noting that
permitting must have increased over 100%; Mr. Barker asked for any help with expediting
the permitting process.
Ms. Cynthia Lynch of 395 Union Grove Church Road, Hurdle Mills stated the need
to preserve farmland as indicated as the second most important principle in the Joint
Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Lynch suggested the Board to extend its informal comment
period to allow more people to express their thoughts.
Ms. Cindy Martin of 396 Shore Acres Drive, Semora addressed the Board to
reiterate the need to find a tenant for the Mega Park site to help the power plant workers
that may be displaced if Duke Progress closes the two plants in Person County.
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 April 19, 2021,
B. Budget Amendment #15,
C. Amended Audit Contract for Fiscal Year 2020 increasing from $59,300 by
$10,930 to a modified fee of $70,230, and
D. Selection of County Airport Engineering Firm
NEW BUSINESS:
PRESENTATION ON THE PERSON COUNTY MEGA PARK SITE:
Commissioner Gentry introduced Mr. Joe Hines, PE with the Timmons Group in
the Richmond, Virginia Office to share a presentation about the opportunities of the Person
County Mega Park site. Mr. Timmons presentation follows:
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The Board thanked Mr. Hines for his informative presentation.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Puryear and carried 5-0 to recess the
meeting at 9:07pm for a brief break. The meeting was reconvened at 9:13pm.
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PERMITTING PROCESS IMPROVEMENT PLAN:
County Manager, Heidi York told the group that on April 20, 2021, the Roxboro-
Person County Homebuilders Association held a special meeting to share concerns with
Person County staff regarding the length of the permitting process. Ms. York noted three
county departments are involved in the process. For a building permit to be issued, approval
is required from 1) Environmental Health, 2) Zoning and 3) Inspections (in that order).
Environmental Health staff approval is needed before Zoning staff can issue a zoning
permit. A zoning permit must be issued before Inspections staff can issue a building permit.
Ms. York said it currently takes approximately 10 weeks to complete an
environmental health site evaluation. If property lines are not properly marked or the site
is inaccessible due to dense vegetation, additional time will be required to complete the
evaluation. If all plans and paperwork are complete and correct, the process to issue a
building permit can take 20 days. Incomplete applications and/or issues that must be
corrected slow down the approval process, potentially extending it by four weeks.
Prior to the Homebuilders Association meeting, Ms. York stated county staff had
heard concerns from builders and taken proactive steps to improve the process, including
implementing Energov permitting software which will enhance information sharing and
efficiency and requesting funding for new positions to address increasing workloads. The
new Energov permitting software was piloted with a few contractors with the Inspections
Department. Energov is projected to be fully implemented by the end of June as forms are
being finalized. Ms. York said demands on these departments have grown even more as
the housing market has picked up over the past year. Each of these departments provide a
variety of services with a limited number of employees.
Assistant County Manager, Katherine Cathey said that with increasing delays in
Environmental Health and Inspections, the following strategies for improving current
permit wait times are offered as options for the Board’s consideration.
New Positions
Staff recommended authorizing two new positions, 1) an Environmental Health
Specialist and 2) a Chief Building Inspector to assume some of the workload that is
overwhelming current staff. If the Board authorizes the two new positions, the Human
Resources Department will initiate recruitment with the goal of onboarding new employees
by July 1. Ms. Cathey said the funding for these positions was included in the Manager’s
Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2022.
The Inspections Department proposes to hire a Chief Inspector with higher-level
certifications who will require minimal training. Environmental Health will seek an
experienced candidate, but due to a limited pool of qualified candidates, they may have to
hire an employee who will require up to a year and a half of training before becoming
independent in their work. In both cases, hiring challenges exist related to availability of
certified and experienced candidates and compensation demands.
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Ms. Cathey noted that with new staff in place, additional resources will be available
to address the backlog of applications and speed up the process going forward. There will
be a delay in realizing these benefits due to the time it takes to recruit and train new
employees.
Contract or Temporary Assistance
Another option for the interim prior to filling the full time positions, Ms. Cathey
stated Environmental Health and Inspections could seek to hire an experienced
contractor(s) or part-time temporary employee(s) to assist with the permitting process
during the recruitment and training period for new full-time employees. Each department
requests $5,000 for a total allocation of $10,000 in Fiscal Year 2021 to compensate these
workers. There is a very limited pool of qualified candidates who would be interested in
providing these services to the county on a part-time basis, so it may be difficult to attract
the needed resources. In addition, additional oversight will need to be provided by county
staff to ensure high-quality work.
Residential and Express Plan Reviews
The Inspections Department currently provides residential plan reviews as a service
to builders. Although this step is not required by the state and adds time to the permitting
process, county staff find it beneficial for catching problems that may arise during the
building phase had they not conducted the residential plan review. Many builders also
appreciate this level of service, but others are dissatisfied with the time it adds to the
process. Residential plan reviews could be eliminated, but staff recommends keeping them
in place to provide an option for individual or smaller builders who rely on this review in
lieu of obtaining sealed engineered plans.
Ms. Cathey stated staff could implement an express review that would enable
builders who have invested in engineered plans to skip the staff’s residential plan review.
Engineered plans range in cost from approximately $600 to $800 depending on the house.
Staff would still be responsible for permitting and inspections, but it would be a quicker
process. An express review would be similar to several options currently offered by
Environmental Health. Applicants can expedite the site evaluation process by obtaining the
services of a Professional Engineer or a Licensed Soil Scientist, who have the option of
submitting proposals to Environmental Health in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Ms. York said the express plan would give contractors the option to expedite or not. Ms.
Cathey added Durham County charges $300 for the express plan review and Wake County
charges $600 for the express plan review.
Simultaneous Review
Currently, Ms. Cathey noted the permitting process required approval from three
different departments, with changes potentially made at each step. If Inspections staff begin
reviewing plans before Environmental Health and/or Zoning approve them, they may
spend time evaluating certain components that will change during the prior approval steps.
When Energov is operational, staff will be able to share information through the system,
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which will help to speed up the process. With the current paper-based system, it is difficult
to share plans that may be updated in different departments prior to approval and keep up
with the workflow simultaneously.
Commissioner Sims stated it may be hard to fill the full-time positions and asked if
Person County was competitive with surrounding areas to which Ms. Cathey said the
County’s Human Resources Department was reviewing salary information.
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to authorize new
positions to be recruited immediately to have in place by July 1, 2021 at competitive
salaries with a hiring bonus, as needed: 1) an Environmental Health Specialist and 2) a
Chief Building Inspector, and, to seek to hire an experienced contractor(s) or part-time
temporary employee(s) to assist with the permitting process during the recruitment and
training period for new full-time employees allocating $10,000 in Fiscal Year 2021 to
compensate these workers as well as implement the Residential and Express Plan review
at no additional charge.
RECOMMENDED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR FISCAL YEARS
2022-2026:
County Manager, Heidi York and Finance Director, Amy Wehrenberg presented
the Recommended Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2022-2026 that was
was presented to the Board on April 5, 2021 for adoption. Ms. York stated the adoption
of this CIP will allocate funding for the priority projects for the County, Person County
Schools, and Piedmont Community College for Fiscal Year 2021-2022. The document
also sets the priorities of projects for future fiscal years, although funding is appropriated
on an annual basis and the plan is reviewed annually. The total amount proposed for Fiscal
Year 2022 is $2.46M from the County’s General Fund. Ms. York confirmed the CIP could
be revised at any time.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gentry and carried 5-0 to adopt the Capital
Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2022-2026 with $2.46M budget for Fiscal Year 2022,
as presented.
A copy of the Person CIP is hereby incorporated into these minutes by reference
and a copy of the Adopted CIP will be on file in the Clerk to the Board of Commissioners’
Office.
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REVIEW OF THE BOARD’S RULES OF PROCEDURE:
Commissioner Gentry presented the current Rules of Procedure for the Board of
Commissioners that was last updated and adopted on March 23, 2020. The original version
of the Board’s Rules of Procedure was adopted on December 17, 1984 and contained the
provision that “the board may, by majority vote, add an item that is not on the agenda.”
This provision is also included in the model Rules of Procedure created by the School of
Government for which Person County’s Rules of Procedure are based. These Rules
remained unchanged until August 4, 1997, when then-Chairman Hurdle made a motion to
amend the Rules of Procedure that was approved 4/1 as follows:
The County Manager shall not accept any item for placement on an agenda, nor shall any
item otherwise be added to the agenda, unless it is accompanied by a short and plain
synopsis succinctly summarizing the matter to be considered by the Board of
Commissioners and the action, if any, requested of the Board.
In 2000, the Board of Commissioners approved Rules of Procedure that revised the
language to read as it did originally “the board may, by majority vote, add an item to the
agenda” to again be consistent the Second Edition of Suggested Rules of Procedure for
Small Local Government Boards from the School of Government.
Chairman Powell requested the County Attorney, Ellis Hankins to address
Commissioner Gentry’s request to amend the Board’s Rules of Procedure to which Mr.
Hankins confirmed the Board can amend its rules at any time with a majority vote; he
suggested when an item was added to the agenda that commissioners may ask questions to
have a more informed decision.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gentry and failed 2-3 to amend its Rules of
Procedure that the County Manager shall not accept any item for placement on the agenda,
nor shall any item otherwise be added to the agenda, unless it is accompanied by a short
and plain synopsis succinctly summarizing the matter be considered by the Board of
Commissioners and the action, if any, requested of the Board. Commissioners Gentry and
Palmer voted in favor of the motion. Chairman Powell, Vice Chairman Puryear and
Commissioner Sims voted in opposition to the motion.
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
Chairman Powell said it was National Small Business Week and urged citizens to
support small businesses within our community.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
County Manager, Heidi York provided a reappraisal report from the Tax
Administrator, Russell Jones related to notices mailed to citizens with a decision after
review to their appeal for their new tax value. The notice included detailed information on
how to appeal formally to the Board for Equalization and Review. The total appeals
received was 596, compared to 3,500 for the 2013 reappraisal. The tax office has reviewed
all but 11 appeals noting they will be provided an appraisal shortly but were delayed due
to waiting on the taxpayer to provide information.
The County’s Special Board of Equalization and Review convened its meeting to
start accepting appeals on May 3, 2021 at 9:00am, and will adjourn for the acceptance of
appeals on May 24, 2021 at 9:00am. The 2013 appeal process resulted in approximately
500 appeals and based on the current 2021 information the tax office believes around 85
appeals may be heard by the Special Board of Equalization and Review. Appeals with
value changes are based on net taxable value, so they do not reflect new applications for
deferred value (PUV), new senior/disabled exemptions, etc.
COMMISSIONER REPORT/COMMENTS:
Commissioner Gentry commented the need for foster care in Person County noting
there was double the number of children requiring foster care since pre-COVID-19.
Commissioner Palmer asked his fellow commissioners to speak louder into the
microphone or to remove the face mask when speaking as it was hard for him to understand
everything that was being discussed.
There were no reports from Vice Chairman Puryear or Commissioner Sims.
May 3, 2021
67
CLOSED SESSION #1
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to enter into Closed
Session at 9:53pm per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(4) for the purpose of discussion of
matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the county
(economic development) with the following individuals permitted to attend: County
Manager, Heidi York, Clerk to the Board, Brenda Reaves, Economic Development
Director, Sherry Wilborn, County Attorney, Ellis Hankins, Jordan Jones, UNC School of
Government Development Finance Initiative and Economic Development Commission
Chairman, Phillip Allen.
The Closed Session #1 was called to order at 9:55pm.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gentry and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 10:34pm.
CLOSED SESSION #2
A motion was made by Commissioner Gentry and carried 5-0 to enter into Closed
Session at 10:36pm per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(4) for the purpose of discussion of
matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area
served by the public body, including agreement on a tentative list of economic development
incentives that may be offered by the public body in negotiations with the following
individuals permitted to attend: County Manager, Heidi York, Clerk to the Board, Brenda
Reaves, Economic Development Director, Sherry Wilborn and County Attorney, Ellis
Hankins.
The Closed Session #2 was called to order at 10:37pm.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gentry and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 10:50pm.
May 3, 2021
68
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to adjourn the meeting
at 10:51pm.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Brenda B. Reaves Gordon Powell
Clerk to the Board Chairman