June 11 Budget HearingPERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS June 11, 2007
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Johnny Myrl Lunsford, Chairman Steve Carpenter, County Manager
Jimmy B. Clayton, Vice-Chairman
Kyle W. Puryear Faye T. Fuller, Clerk to the Board
Larry H. Bowes
Larry E. Yarborough, Jr.
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The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, held a Budget
Public Hearing on Monday, June 11, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Room of the
Person County Office Building.
Chairman Lunsford called the duly advertised Public Hearing to order. A motion was
made by Commissioner Bowes, seconded by Commissioner Yarborough and carried to open the
hearing.
Frances Blalock – Spoke relative to educating students about reducing waste. Read from
Upper Piedmont contract regarding recycling and education on recycling. She presented a work
up on Recycling in Person County Schools by Jerry Ball, custodial services supervisor with
Person County schools
Tina Williams, Person Family Medical and Dental Center - spoke of the need for funds
for uninsured persons who do not qualify for services they can provide.
Teresa Walker – Good Samaritan – Life Enrichment Program – thanked Board for
previous allotment – their objective is to minimize educational gap – academic enrichment -
have witnessed improved attitude and academic achievements – asked Board to continue to
support mission.
Lt. Dennis Allen – Person County Sheriff’s Department – Judicial Division – reiterated
courthouse security importance – increase in staff needed to provide better security and
transportation of inmates – will help better serve and protect public.
Sheriff Dewey Jones - Emphasized need for additional staff in Judicial Division. His
original request was for 8 additional employees, but can get by with three positions and one new
vehicle. (2 for court/transportation – 1 SRO position).
Gene Berryhill – Reviewed a number of departments/departmental line items, which in
his opinion, could be reduced or eliminated.
Gordon Powell – Chairman Board of Education – Board of Education has $800,000 in
funding requirements which it has no control over. Some examples are: $75,000 exceptional
children – living skills teacher $65,000, state budget increases for salaries 457,500; Extra
curricular and supplement pay $592,500; health care - $66,000 additional. At least 8 teacher and
teacher assistant positions would be cut with current funding proposal. Need to educate children
and take care of mandated expenses.
June 11, 2007 – Budget Public Hearing 1
Ronnie King – Member, Board of Education – School system cannot continue to grow
with current funding level – citizens expect safety through law enforcement and education
through Board of Education. Due to budget cuts, county funding to schools is a lower
percentage now than in 2000-01, even though system has more students.
Jimmy Wilkins – Member, Board of Education - An educated community will yield
more jobs - Nothing will provide more return for money than education. Urged Board to restore
funding to the Board of Education
Ronnie Dunevant and Cindy Watkins – Requested that Board include $30,000 in
budget for root&wings. Ms. Watkins told the Board that roots&wings addresses the needs of
the county’s most vulnerable citizens.
Jan Neal – parent – roots&wings has been beneficial to her family
C. T. Hall – Give everyone consideration and leave tax rate where it is. Citizens have
been overtaxes.
Dr. Jim Owen – PCC – College is good steward of tax money – increase that is
recommended is a small increase -$47,000- due to increase in enrollment in helping citizens get
back to work. Not requesting any additional personnel. Requested Board give reconsideration to
his request.
George Naylor – Felt more justification needed for stated budget requests.
Chairman Lunsford asked if there was anyone else who wished to speak.
Howard Eastwood – Spoke of concerns regarding Progress Energy’s sale of some of
their property. Questioned if Progress Energy is paying their fair tax rate.
No one else spoke.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bowes, seconded by Commissioner Yarborough
and carried to close the Public Hearing at 7:46 p.m.
Chairman Lunsford stated that the Board needed to set a date and time to meet again to
continue budget deliberations.
Commissioner Yarborough told the other members of Board that he would be out of
town beginning on Tuesday and would not be available until after Monday, June 25th. He further
stated that he did not see any point to talking anymore.
Commissioner Clayton said he felt further discussion should take place after hearing
from the public.
June 11, 2007 – Budget Public Hearing 2
June 11, 2007 – Budget Public Hearing 3
A motion was made by Commissioner Bowes, seconded by Commissioner Clayton and
carried to recess the meeting until Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. to continue budget
deliberations. The meeting was recessed at 7:50 p.m.
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Faye T. Fuller, CMC Johnny Myrl Lunsford
Clerk to the Board Chairman