April 26
April 26, 2011 1
PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APRIL 26, 2011 MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Jimmy B. Clayton Heidi York, County Manager
Kyle W. Puryear Gene Hodges, Assistant County Manager B. Ray Jeffers Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Board
Samuel R. Kennington Amy Wehrenberg, Finance Director
Frances P. Blalock
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in recessed session on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of Helena Elementary School located at 355 Helena Moriah Road, Timberlake, NC. The
purpose of the meeting is for the Board to hold an informal Community Conversations
meeting to receive feedback from the community about services, suggestions for
improving County Government, and the opportunity to shed some light on the budget process in general.
Chairman Clayton called the meeting to order. Vice Chairman Puryear introduced
the Board members to those attending. Attendees were given the opportunity to write
down questions or comments on index cards provided. A total of 49 people were in attendance which included Board members, county staff and citizens.
County Manager, Heidi York told the group the Community Conversations
meetings were developed to show more transparency in county government as well as
give the public a chance to speak to the commissioners about community priorities prior to the proposed budget. Ms. York highlighted the Person County Government Citizens’
Guide to the Budget presented to all attendees upon arrival by Commissioner
Kennington. The handout included basic budget information including challenges,
statistics, neighboring counties’ tax rates, as well as explained where revenue is gained
and to which county services or function areas it is spent.
Commissioner Blalock collected the index cards and read aloud the questions or
comments for discussion. Discussion topics among the group included general
government performance review, benefits, budget and debt, contracts for fire services,
Person Area Transportation System (PATS), proposed new senior center, public and charter schools funding, incentives for large industries, small business resources,
economic development and others.
Commissioner Jeffers thanked all attendees for participating in the Community
Conversations meeting providing input prior to the draft budget.
Chairman Clayton told the group that the NC state budget impacts to Person
County are unknown at this time.
April 26, 2011 2
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers, seconded by Commissioner
Blalock, and carried 5-0 to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 p.m.
_____________________________ ______________________________ Brenda B. Reaves Jimmy B. Clayton
Clerk to the Board Chairman