March 12 Public HearingPUBLIC HEARING: 7:00 p.m.
Public Hearing on Whether the County of Person, North Carolina Should Acquire
Certain Property for Use by the Person County Schools System
A regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North
Carolina, was held in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room in the Person County Office Building,
in Roxboro, North Carolina, the regular place of meeting, at 7:00 P.M. on March 12, 2007.
Present: Chairman Johnny Myrl Lunsford, presiding, and Commissioners: Jimmy B.
Clayton, Larry E. Yarborough, Jr., Larry H. Bowes, Kyle W. Puryear.
Absent: None.
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The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina
(the “County”) announced that this was the hour, day and place fixed for the public hearing for
the purpose of considering whether the County should acquire, to the extent necessary, the fee or
any lesser interest in the real and personal property included in the Project hereinafter defined,
including specifically the site of the new school bus garage/maintenance facility , for use by the
Person County Schools System in order to proceed with a plan by the County and The Person
County Board of Education (the “Board of Education”) for the financing of the cost of the
Project.
The Project consists of the design, construction and furnishing of a new school bus
garage/maintenance facility to be located on a site of 10.92 acres in Roxboro Township, Person
County, North Carolina, on the north side of N.C. Highway 49 North (the “Project”). The site is
identified by the Person County Tax Office with Parcel ID Number 15702.
Notice of this public hearing was published in The Courier-Times not less than 10 days
before the date of this public hearing.
March 12, 2007 1
The Finance Officer of the County (the “Finance Officer”) then described the current plan of
the County to finance the cost of the Project. The Finance Officer noted that, if bids for the
construction of the bus garage portion of the Project are received as expected, it will prohibit the
construction of a maintenance facility as a part of the Project to be financed. If building plans allow
for the construction of a maintenance facility as an addition to the bus garage, then a maintenance
facility may be considered in the future.
The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the County (the “Board of
Commissioners”) then announced that the Board of Commissioners would immediately hear anyone
who might wish to be heard on such matter.
Gordon Powell, Chairman of the Person County Board of Education, residing at 299
North Ridge Circle, Roxboro, NC, who appeared in person and thanked the Board of
Commissioners for considering the purchase of the property. He said the Board of
Education has looked for many years for property for a school bus garage. The
Board feels this property is not only adequate, but in a good location, within the city
limits, served by city fire and police, and readily accessible by public safety. There were
cheaper parcels, but they came with a higher cost for water, sewer, and grading. This
property can save at least $500,000 or more. The project bottom line cost will be a cost
savings to county.
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Bill Haywood, 2686 Leasburg Road, Roxboro, NC –Felt there is no reason to move the
bus garage from its current location. Questioned what will be done with current property
if garage operations are moved elsewhere. Speculated that current location is
contaminated with oils and solvents and that it would costly to remove.
C. T. Hall, 975 Claude Hall Road, Roxboro, NC: Objects to paying out money for the
land at fairgrounds site. Concerned that proposed facility will be on a main thoroughfare.
Suggested Board of Education make renovations to current building.
Dean Brooks, 255 Carter Lane, Roxboro, NC – Since 2004 he has been in contact with
the Board of Education and spent time discussing their need for property. He had
presented a number of options but never received response from Board of Education as to
why his properties were deemed unsuitable. Maintained that there a plenty of vacant
properties and buildings available to meet needs for a bus garage.
Charles Sams, 525 Mill Hill Road, Roxboro, NC – Discussed overcrowded conditions at
Person High School and the fact that money would be needed in a few years to rectify the
situation there. Suggested that as an alternative to building the proposed new garage
facility that a less costly version be erected on the current site. Questioned what the
Board of Education would do if the site were vacated.
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Ronnie King, 690 Country Club Road, Roxboro, NC - Member of Board of Education
for 12 years. He and Chairman Powell looked at 50-60 pieces of property to use as a
school bus garage site; looked at every piece of property anyone mentioned. When bids
first came in for cost of a new facility, grading costs became such that when this current
property was offered, the savings will be significant. This property can accommodate
later expansion. Per the last environmental impact study, the current property on which
the bus garage is located, is environmentally safe unless something has changed within
the last two years that the Board of Education has not been made aware of. He also said
that projections do not justify building a new high school. Asked the Board of
Commissioners to support the recommendation of the Board of Education to pursue the
purchase of the fairgrounds property.
Jimmy Wilkins, 457 White Oak Drive, Roxboro, NC –Board of Education, Vice
Chairman - He, Mr. King & Mr. Powell and have looked at and toured many sites and
cannot find property that is suitable for needs and that would justify the expense to fix.
The Board of Education has done all it. The project is a necessity. The Board of
Commissioners has been kept in the open about all activities of Board of Education.
Commissioner Jimmy Clayton: The total cost of the project will be less. Providing facilities re
the county’s responsibility and the county’s only consideration is total cost of project – if it is a fair
price. The Board of Education has brought the request to the Board for consideration.
Commissioner Puryear: It is not the Board of Commissioners job to decide which site, but its job
to decide if it is good judgment to spend the tax dollars. He was not sure this is the best economical
choice that can be offered. There are other options out there to save money. Over $40,000 an acre
is not a good choice. Also concerned about traffic.
March 12, 2007 4
Commissioner Yarborough: The Board of Education has done due diligence on the project. They
have worked hard to bring the price of a new facility down. Convinced the Board of Education
needs the property.
Commissioner Bowes: Proposed site has amenities and is the best site offered. Not the Board of
Commissioners’ responsibility to determine location, only if cost is reasonable.
Chairman Lunsford: Favored granting Board of Education request to purchase property. This
proposal is the best one offered. The Board of Education has worked diligently to stay within cost
restrictions and to find a suitable location for the bus garage.
Thereupon, upon motion of Commissioner Jimmy Clayton, seconded by Commissioner
Lunsford, the Board of Commissioners determined to acquire, to the extent necessary, the fee or
any lesser interest in the real and personal property included in the Project, including specifically the
site of the new school bus garage/maintenance facility, for use by the Person County Schools
System in order to proceed with a plan by the County and the Board of Education for the financing
of the cost of the Project. Such motion was approved by the following vote:
Ayes: Commissioners Johnny Myrl Lunsford, Jimmy B. Clayton, Larry E. Yarborough,
Larry H. Bowes.
Noes: Commissioner Kyle W. Puryear.
Thereupon, the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners announced that the public hearing
was closed.
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March 12, 2007 6
I, Faye T. Fuller, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North
Carolina, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is an accurate copy of so much of the
recorded minutes of a regular meeting of said Board held on March 12, 2007. I HEREBY
FURTHER CERTIFY that a schedule of regular meetings of said Board, stating that regular
meetings of said Board are held in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room in the Person County
Office Building, in Roxboro, North Carolina, on the first and third Mondays of each month at
7:00 P.M. and 9:00 A.M., respectively, has been on file in my office as of a date not less than
seven days before the date of said meeting in accordance with G.S. §143-318.12.
WITNESS my hand and the corporate seal of said County, this 13th day of March
2007.
__________________________________________
Faye T. Fuller, CMC
Clerk to the Board of Commissioners