01-21-2025 Meeting Minutes BOCJanuary 21, 2025
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS January 21, 2025
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Kyle Puryear Katherine M. Cathey, County Manager
Jason Thomas Michele Solomon, Clerk to the Board
Sherry Wilborn T.C. Morphis, Jr., County Attorney
Antoinetta Royster
Tracy Ellixson - ABSENT
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in
Regular session on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.in the Commissioners’ Boardroom 215
in the Person County Office Building located at 304 S. Morgan Street, Roxboro, NC.
Chairman Puryear called the meeting to order and recognized a quorum. He stated that
Commissioner Ellixson was absent due to sickness. Vice-Chairman Thomas offered an invocation,
and Commissioner Royster led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Thomas and carried 4-0 to approve the agenda.
INFORMAL COMMENTS:
There were no individuals that appeared before the Board to make informal comments.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Royster and carried 4-0 to approve the Consent
Agenda with the following items:
A.January 6, 2025 Minutes – Amended to Show Minor Correction
B.Budget Amendment #13
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NEW BUSINESS:
NON-PROFIT FUNDING REQUEST-PERSON COUNTY VETERANS COUNCIL
Assistant County Manager Brian Hart stated The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund has
announced The Wall That Heals national tour schedule for 2025. He stated that The Wall That
Heals exhibit includes a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial along with
a mobile Education Center. He stated that the 30th season of The Wall That Heals will begin on
March 6, 2025, in Sebring, Florida and visit 31 communities during the year. He stated that the
traveling exhibit honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed
Forces in the Vietnam War, and it bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the
ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. He stated that the Person Veterans Council has worked to ensure
that The Wall That Heals will be present in Roxboro from May 1-4, 2025 and is requesting
$3,000 from the County to assist with costs associated with bringing The Wall That Heals to the
area.
Person Veterans Council President Alan Whitlow stated that he comes before the Board
to ask that the County partner with the Person Veterans Council to provide funding for The Wall
That Heals in Person County. He stated that the Person Veterans Council is hosting The Wall
That Heals from May1- 4, 2025. He stated that it is a great honor for Roxboro, Person County,
and the Person Veterans Council, as well as a great opportunity to showcase our community to
visitors that will come see the exhibit. He stated that they would be advertising this event
throughout the Triangle, the Triad, and Southside Virginia. He stated that the costs to bring The
Wall That Heals to Roxboro and Person County is $12K. He stated that is exclusive to
advertising and other ancillary expenses. He stated that Person Veterans Council has paid the
$6K deposit from their available funds. He stated that they are requesting a one-time contribution
of $3K from Person County to help cover the remaining cost. He stated that they would be
making a similar request to the City of Roxboro at their next meeting. He stated that these
contributions would cover the remaining cost to bring The Wall That Heals to Person County,
allowing the Person Veterans Council to fundraise to cover the other anticipated expenses. He
stated as a 501(c)(3) charity, Person Veterans Council is wholly dependent upon charitable
contributions to cover their events and operating costs. He stated that Veterans are fortunate to
reside in a county where they are loved and supported. He thanked the Board for their continued
support of Person Veterans Council and the Veterans of Person County.
Commissioner Royster stated that she appreciates the Veterans’ service and stated that
this is dear to her, as her grandfather fought in WWII, and she has had other family members to
fight in every war since WWII. Vice-Chairman Thomas stated that this is a beautiful thing that
will bring hundreds, if not thousands, to Person County. He thanked the Veterans for all their
hard work in getting this to Person County. Chairman Puryear thanked the Veterans for all they
do for the community. He asked the County Manger if the funds, if approved, would come from
contingency. Country Manager Katherine Cathey stated that yes, it would be her
recommendation that it come from contingency. Commissioner Wilborn stated that she echoes
the sentiments of the other Commissioners.
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A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 4-0 to fund the request by the
Person Veteran’s Council in the amount of $3K for costs associated with The Wall That Heals.
DIGITAL INCLUSION PLAN OVERVIEW
Assistant County Manager Brian Hart provided an introduction to the Digital Inclusion
Plan. He stated that Person County established its Digital Inclusion Taskforce to engage and
collaborate with community stakeholders to identify and address digital disparities. He stated
that in 2023, the Digital Inclusion Taskforce, which includes representation from County staff,
the City of Roxboro, Piedmont Community College, and the Roxboro Housing Authority, began
working on development of the Digital Inclusion Plan. He stated that this presentation will
provide an overview of the purpose of the plan, planning efforts, and the process for
implementation. He introduced Cooperative Extension staff, Director Bo Freeman and Digital
Skills Agent Ashley Cummings. The three presented the following:
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Commissioner Wilborn stated this past weekend she saw a link posted by the State showing
where there are public WI-FI places. She stated that it is only showing the Public Library for
Person County. She stated she is unsure how we could get that updated. Freeman stated that he
would work on it. Wilborn expressed thanks for all the work that has gone into this plan and that
there is a lot of great information in it. She asked if the report was accessible to the public. Hart
stated that it was brought before the Board of Commissioners first before being made accessible
to the public. Commissioner Royster stated that it is good to see and know that people are looking
at how Person County is progressing. She mentioned the Courtney Jordan Foundation. Wilborn
asked if there was a way to compare Person County to other counties. Freeman stated that in
speaking with representatives at the State level, they have suggested some things they may want
to polish a little bit more. He stated that they have some really good connections that they could
bring in as well as the NCDIT report, as Person County was featured in it. Chairman Puryear stated
that he realizes it is fluid and recognizes it is off to a great start. He stated that he appreciates all
the time and effort everyone has put into this plan.
A motion was made by Commissioner Royster and carried 4-0 to adopt the Person County
Digital Inclusion Plan.
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AMENDMENT TO THE RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING 2025 SCHEDULE OF
REGULAR MEETINGS FOR THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
County Manager Katherine Cathey advised the Board that their annual retreat is scheduled
for February 18, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. She stated that the retreat is scheduled to take place here in the
Commissioners’ Boardroom. She stated that another option is to move the location to the Kirby
Cultural Arts Complex. She asked the desire of the Board.
Chairman Puryear stated that there is more room at the Kirby, and it is a nicer space.
A motion was made by Chairman Puryear and carried 4-0 to approve the Resolution
Amending the 2025 Schedule of Regular Meetings for the Board of Commissioners to change the
location of the February 18, 2025 Annual Retreat to the Kirby Cultural Arts Complex.
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Chairman Puryear stated that he attended the following:
x Chamber Banquet – He advised that there were lots in attendance and commended
the Chamber for an outstanding banquet.
x Library Advisory Board Meeting
x MLK Breakfast – He advised that this event was outstanding.
MANAGER’S REPORT
County Manager Katherine Cathey expressed thanks to Cooperative Extension staff, Bo
Freeman and Ashley Cummings, for taking the lead on the Digital Inclusion Plan, and that it is
great to see so many people involved, including Kerr-Tar COG, Assistant County Manager Brian
Hart, and GIS Director Sallie Vaughan. She stated that the County has had an overnight warming
center that has been open since Sunday evening. She advised that there have been no guests thus
far. She reminded citizens that the center is located at the Human Services Building in the FEMA
shelter. She expressed thanks to volunteers who have been supporting the center during this
extremely cold weather, as well as to Emergency Services Director Thomas Schwalenberg for
his efforts to pull all of this together, and to the Sheriff’s Office for assisting as well.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS/COMMENTS
Vice-Chairman Thomas stated that he attended the Chamber Banquet, which was well
attended, and stated that they have an awesome board that worked hard on this event. He reminded
everyone to mark their calendars for The Wall That Heals. He stated that it will be at the Sportsplex
on April 29, 2025, and run from May 1-4, 2025.
Commissioner Wilborn stated that she attended the following:
x Airport Commission Meeting
x District Director Meeting for the NC Association of County Commissioners
(NCACC)
x Upper Neuse River Basin Association (UNRBA) Meeting
She stated that she was unable to attend the Chamber Banquet due to having the flu. She
congratulated Tunnel Creek for being named Small Business of the Year. She expressed her
condolences to the family of former Commissioner Tommy Bowes, and stated that she will not be
able to attend the wake and funeral due to being out of town. She stated that she and Commissioner
Royster will be will be attending training in Winston-Salem through the School of Government on
Thursday and Friday.
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Commissioner Royster stated that she attended the following:
x Chamber Banquet – She stated it was a great event and she looks forward to serving
on the Chamber Board.
x MLK events throughout the weekend – She stated it was a very inspirational and
busy weekend.
She stated that JCPC did not hold a meeting due to lack of quorum. She stated that the
Board of Health will meet next Monday. She stated that VAYA Health has not had a meeting since
she has been appointed, and she looks forward to their meeting.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Thomas and carried 4-0 to enter into Closed
Session #1 at 9:49 a.m.
CLOSED SESSION #1
A motion to enter into Closed Session #1 per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(6) for the purpose to
discuss personnel with the following individuals permitted to attend: County Manager Katherine
Cathey, Clerk to the Board Michele Solomon, County Attorney T.C. Morphis, Jr., and Person
County Sheriff Jason Wilborn.
Chairman Puryear called the closed session to order at 9:50 a.m.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Thomas and carried 4-0 to return to open session
at 10:32 a.m.
A motion was made by Commissioner Royster and carried 4-0 to increase Person
County Sheriff Jason Wilborn’s salary by 3%.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Thomas and carried 4-0 to enter into Closed
Sessions #2 and #3 at 10:34 a.m.
CLOSED SESSION #2
A motion to enter into Closed Session #2 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 Katherine Cathey, Clerk to the Board Michele Solomon, County Attorney T.C.
Morphis, Jr., and Economic Development Director Brandy Lynch.
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CLOSED SESSION #3
A motion to enter into Closed Session #3 per General Statute 143-318.11(3) for the purpose to
consult with the county attorney in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege in matters related
to the lawsuits Person County v. Yarboro and Clayton v. Person County with the following
individuals permitted to attend: County Attorney T.C. Morphis, Jr., County Manager Katherine
Cathey, and Clerk to the Board Michele Solomon.
Chairman Puryear called the closed sessions to order at 10:35 a.m.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 4-0 to return to open session
at 11:39 a.m.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Thomas and carried 4-0 to adjourn the meeting at
11:39 a.m.
____________________________ ______________________________
Michele Solomon Kyle Puryear
Clerk to the Board Chairman