BOC Minutes June 4 2018approve
June 4, 2018
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS JUNE 4, 2018
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Tracey L. Kendrick Heidi York, County Manager
Gordon Powell C. Ronald Aycock, County Attorney
Jimmy B. Clayton Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Board
Kyle W. Puryear
B. Ray Jeffers
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in
regular session on Monday, June 4, 2018 at 7:00pm in the Auditorium of the Person County
Office Building.
Chairman Kendrick called the meeting to order. Commissioner Clayton offered an
invocation. Chairman Kendrick asked the boys scouts of Boy Scout Troop 223 under Scout
Master Jim Davis, who were present in the audience, to lead 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.
PUBLIC HEARING:
APPROPRIATION OF COUNTY GENERAL FUNDS TO PERSON COUNTY
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL CENTER, INC. TO ASSIST PROJECT RE TO
LOCATE IN PERSON COUNTY WITH A FINANCIAL GRANT INCENTIVE
OVER A 10-YEAR PERIOD AT AN ESTIMATED TOTAL COST OF $850,000:
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to open the duly
advertised public hearing for an appropriation of County General Funds to Person County
Business and Industrial Center, Inc. to assist Project RE to locate in Person County with a
financial grant incentive over a 10-year period at an estimated total cost of $850,000.
Economic Development Director, Stuart Gilbert presented a request for an
appropriation of County General Funds to Person County Business and Industrial Center,
Inc. (PCBIC) to assist Project RE to locate in Person County with a financial grant incentive
over a 10-year period at an estimated total cost of $850,000. Mr. Gilbert explained the
proposed financial grant incentive was for a manufacturing company that is considering
Person County; this company will bring 263 jobs, a net new tax base assessed over a 5-
year period of $32.5M. Mr. Gilbert outlined the number of jobs as follows:
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Year 1 22 total jobs,
Year 2 74 total jobs,
Year 3 131 total jobs,
Year 4 192 total jobs, and
Year 5 263 total jobs
Mr. Gilbert said the financial incentive was estimated based on capital investment
at the proposed tax rate of .6818. Mr. Gilbert noted the company would pay its taxes prior
to the first year of the cash grant would be paid. County Manager, Heidi York clarified the
structure of the incentive payments based on the total of $850,000 would be adjusted based
on the tax rate adopted by the Board noting there may be some variation in the annual
payment depending upon the tax rate.
Mr. Gilbert further noted the financial agreement would be with PCBIC; the county
funds would be appropriated to PCBIC and PCBIC would in turn pay the annual payment
to the company.
There were no individuals appearing before the Board to speak in favor or in
opposition to the appropriation of County General Funds to Person County Business and
Industrial Center, Inc. to assist Project RE to locate in Person County with a financial grant
incentive over a 10-year period at an estimated total cost of $850,000.
Commissioner Jeffers asked about the claw back agreement. Mr. Gilbert said a
claw back provision would be included in the financial agreement with PCBIC.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Powell and carried 5-0 to close the public
hearing for an appropriation of County General Funds to Person County Business and
Industrial Center, Inc. to assist Project RE to locate in Person County with a financial grant
incentive over a 10-year period at an estimated total cost of $850,000.
CONSIDERATION TO GRANT OR DENY REQUEST TO APPROPRIATE
ESTIMATED $850,000 TO PERSON COUNTY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL
CENTER, INC. TO ASSIST PROJECT RE TO LOCATE IN PERSON COUNTY:
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to approve an
appropriation of County General Funds to Person County Business and Industrial Center,
Inc. to assist Project RE to locate in Person County with a financial grant incentive over a
10-year period at an estimated total cost of $850,000.
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PUBLIC HEARING:
REQUEST BY THE PERSON COUNTY ADDRESS COORDINATOR TO ADD
RED FIELD LN TO THE DATABASE OF ROADWAY NAMES USED FOR E-911
DISPATCHING:
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to open the duly
advertised public hearing for a request by the Person County Address Coordinator to add
Red Field Ln to the database of roadway names used for E-911 dispatching.
GIS Manager, Sallie Vaughn stated that on May 15, 2018, the owner of parcels A75
162 through 165 approached the GIS Department and asked if they could elect to name this
roadway which will service the noted four parcels. Ms. Vaughn said the property owner
provided a name of Red Field Ln which was compliant with the County’s local ordinance
noting the addition of this road would not affect any adjacent property owners or existing
addresses.
North Carolina General Statue 153A-239.1(A) requires a public hearing be held on
the matter and public notice to be provided at least 10 days before the hearing in the
newspaper. The required public notice was published in the May 19, 2018 edition of the
Roxboro Courier-Times. A sign advertising the public hearing was placed at the proposed
roadway location approximately two weeks prior to this public hearing.
Ms. Vaughn requested Board action to approve the recommended roadway name.
There were no individuals appearing before the Board to speak in favor or in
opposition to the request by the Person County Address Coordinator to add Red Field Ln
to the database of roadway names used for E-911 dispatching.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and carried 5-0 to close the public
hearing for a request by the Person County Address Coordinator to add Red Field Ln to the
database of roadway names used for E-911 dispatching.
CONSIDERATION TO GRANT OR DENY REQUEST BY THE PERSON
COUNTY ADDRESS COORDINATOR TO ADD RED FIELD LN TO THE
DATABASE OF ROADWAY NAMES USED FOR E-911 DISPATCHING:
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and carried 5-0 to approve Red Field
Ln to be added to the database of roadway names used for E-911 dispatching, as presented.
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PUBLIC HEARING:
ESTABLISHING THE PERSON COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE
DISTRICT:
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to open the duly
advertised public hearing for establishing the Person County Fire Protection Service
District.
Tax Administrator, Russell Jones presented a certification of mailing of fire tax
notices. Mr. Jones certified that the mailing was completed and his certificate was
conclusive in the absence of fraud.
As requested by the Person County Board of County Commissioners on April 23,
2018, the Person County Tax Administrator prepared and mailed notices of public hearing
for the proposed fire service protection district for all unincorporated areas of Person
County.
The notices mailed were in the form of a postcard. The mailing list included
names/addresses of all affected property owners per the current tax office mailing address
list for all owners of taxable property in the proposed district. In addition, a second mailing
list included names/address from the last 12 months of "invitation to renew" notices from
the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. The two separate mailing lists were
combined, where appropriate, to save on postage and avoid sending duplicate notices. This
resulted in the printing/mailing of 19,732 postcards. The postcards were sent to the printing
vendor on April 26, 2018. The print job was completed and mailed on May 1, 2018. The
mailing was prepared and mailed 34 days prior to the public hearing scheduled for June 4,
2018 at 7:00pm. The requirement was at least four (4) weeks prior to the public hearing.
Mr. Jones noted a hotline was set up to accept calls from citizens to which there were 28
phones calls answered by the staff of the Tax Office and the County Manager’s Office. In
addition, a web site was created for information. Mr. Jones said there were some citizens
who came in person to ask questions. He added that a very low percentage, i.e. 2% of the
mailers were return undeliverable. The Clerk of the Board of Commissioners placed the
proper advertisement of the public hearing in the Wednesday, May 23, 2018 edition of the
local newspaper.
Mr. Jones asked the Board to determine if:
1. There is a demonstrable need for providing one or more of the services in the
district,
2. It is impossible or impracticable to provide the services on a countywide basis,
3. It is economically feasible to provide the proposed services in the district without
unreasonable or burdensome annual tax levies; and
4. There is a demonstrable demand for the proposed services by persons residing in
the proposed district.
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Speaking in favor of establishing the Person County Fire Protection Service District
were the following individuals:
Mr. Tony Rush of 540 Willie Gray Road, Timberlake encouraged the Board to
establish a fire tax. Mr. Rush said the volunteer fire departments (VFDs) have needed
additional funding for a long time. He acknowledged the one-time state funding in the
amount of $100K to be included in the proposed $1M funding and asked how the county
would replace that $100,000 in a future budget year.
Mr. Mike Smith of 543 Hillsborough Road, Timberlake stated support of the fire
tax noting it was nice to not raise taxes but sooner or later the needs will catch up with the
county. He added without designated money the VFDs could not have long range plans
and goals.
Mr. Daniel Tizon of 667 Weldon Painter Road, Timberlake, an 18-year old
volunteer firefighter with the Timberlake VFD stated his support for a fire tax noting he
signed up to give back to the community.
Mr. James Poole of 6070 Leasburg Road, Roxboro asked questions specific to his
address and the responding fire district(s). Mr. Martin Rimmer, Hurdle Mills VFD Chief,
who was present in the audience, confirmed Mr. Poole’s address was within the Hurdle
Mills dispatch area however, it was not within the 6-mile range for the lesser insurance
premium. Commissioner Jeffers commented that there are some pockets of “no man lands”
within Person County which means residents will pay a higher premium for fire insurance
(10 rating vs. 9s) as they are not within the 6-mile radius of a fire department but confirmed
fire departments will respond to fire calls, it just may take a little longer for the VFD
response time.
Ms. Ashley Fletcher of 685 Clay Long Road, Hurdle Mills, and a Captain with the
Timberlake VFD stated VFDs were working off a household budget and playing catch up.
She added it was not fair to cut county services to fund fire services. Ms. Fletcher stated
as a member of the Timberlake VFD, their Chief was put in a position to send in a
firefighter with noncompliant air bottles and gear to respond to fire calls which was not
right. She encouraged the Board to fully fund VFDs as they deserve and noted her
opposition with the concept that no increase in taxes was the way to go.
Speaking in opposition to establishing the Person County Fire Protection Service
District were the following individuals:
Ms. Rachel Obie-Winstead Warren of 1084 Bowmantown Road, Roxboro said she
was not opposed to the VFDs or to fully funding the VFDs. She said she did not understand
the fire tax. She suggested to the Board to consider instead of adding a fire tax to assess
the homeowners’ insurance by 1% to fund expenses for the VFDs.
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Mr. James Cole of 33 Cole Circle, Timberlake stated his concerns related to
increasing tax for retiree residents on a fixed income. If the fire tax is passed, he wanted it
to be fair and equitable with the VFDs to open their books to be audited by the county or
an independent audit firm.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and carried 5-0 to close the public
hearing for establishing the Person County Fire Protection Service District.
CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE PERSON
COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE DISTRICT:
Chairman Kendrick explained the Board was not adopting a fire tax rate at this
time; the fire tax rate would be further discussed at the budget work session. Chairman
Kendrick noted the concept of establishing a Fire Protection Service District by adoption
of a resolution was before the Board.
Tax Administrator, Russell Jones requested the Board’s consideration to adopt a
Resolution Establishing the Person County Fire Protection Service District based on public
comments provided and the Board’s determination if there was a demonstrable need, if it
was an impossible or impracticable to provide the services on a countywide basis, if it was
economically feasible to provide the proposed services in the district without unreasonable
or burdensome annual tax levies; and there was a demonstrable demand for the proposed
services by persons residing in the proposed district.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and carried 5-0 to adopt a
Resolution Establishing the Person County Fire Protection Service District.
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PUBLIC HEARING:
FISCAL YEAR 2018-2019 RECOMMENDED BUDGET:
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Powell and carried 5-0 to open the duly
advertised public hearing for the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Recommended Budget.
There were no individuals appearing before the Board to speak in favor of or in
opposition to the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Recommended Budget.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and carried 5-0 to close the public
hearing for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Recommended Budget.
INFORMAL COMMENTS:
There were no comments from the public.
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 May 21, 2018,
B. Budget Amendment #17,
C. NC Education Lottery Application for School Painting at North End and
Woodland Elementary Schools in the amount of $145,000, and
D. Adoption of Uniform Guidance Policies,
1) Uniform Guidance Procurement Policy,
2) Uniform Guidance Conflict of Interest and Gifts Policy
Commissioner Jeffers requested the results of the Person County Schools’ Facility
Needs Assessment referencing the schools’ request to draw down lottery funds for the
purpose of painting. Finance Director, Amy Wehrenberg noted it was the Schools’
authority to request lottery funds for projects such as painting. Assistant County Manager,
Sybil Tate said she would follow up with the Schools’ Superintendent for an update on the
study and get that information to the Board.
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
Chairman Kendrick had no report. He thanked the boy scouts and the citizens
taking time to attend the Board’s meeting and to provide input to the Board.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
County Manager, Heidi York reported the Board scheduled its first budget work
session for June 6, 2018 starting at 9:30am in the Board’s usual meeting room 215. If
needed, a second budget work session will be held on June 13, 2018 at 9:00am. She asked
the Board to send along to her any topics for further discussion.
COMMISSIONER REPORT/COMMENTS:
Vice Chairman Powell had no report.
Commissioner Jeffers reported at a recent NACo meeting, he learned about a new
program called U.S. Communities. U.S. Communities is the leading national cooperative
purchasing program, providing world-class government procurement resources and
solutions to local and state government agencies, school districts (K-12), higher education
institutions, and nonprofits looking for the best overall supplier government pricing. He
asked staff to obtain a list of the stores for distribution to the VFDs and other nonprofits in
the County.
Commissioner Clayton reported recent opportunities to promote Person County at
economic update meetings in Raleigh. He thanked Stuart Gilbert for his efforts, in
particular with Person County’s Mega site.
Commissioner Puryear reported a Granville County horse farm that serves as a
therapeutic resource for JCPC noting he reached out to John Hill and other members of
JCPC for a potential visit. Commissioner Jeffers stated Person County Group Homes has
a similar resource at their site known as the Farm in Leasburg.
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CLOSED SESSION #1
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Powell and carried 5-0 to enter into Closed
Session per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(4) at 7:41pm for the purpose of discussion of
matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the county
as well as 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 Manager, Heidi York, Clerk to the Board, Brenda Reaves,
County Attorney, Ron Aycock, Assistant County Manager, Sybil Tate, IT Director, Chris
Puryear and Consultant, Joe Freddoso. Chairman Kendrick announced the Closed Session
would be called to order in the Board’s usual meeting room 215 following a brief recess.
Chairman Kendrick called the Closed Session to order at 7:53pm.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 8:44pm.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Powell and carried 5-0 to adjourn the
meeting at 8:44pm.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Brenda B. Reaves Tracey L. Kendrick
Clerk to the Board Chairman