04-17-2023 Closed Session #1 Meeting Minutes BOCApril 17, 2023, Closed Session #1 Page 1 of 2
Person County Board of Commissioners
Minutes of a Closed Session
DATE: April 17, 2023
MEMBERS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Chairman Powell,
Vice Chairman Sims,
Commissioner Puryear,
Commissioner Palmer, and
Commissioner Thomas
OTHERS PRESENT:
County Manager Katherine Cathey,
Clerk to the Board Brenda Reaves,
County Attorney Ellis Hankins, and
General Services Director Ray Foushee
CLOSED SESSION #1
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to enter into Closed
Session #1 per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(3) at 10:01am for the purpose to consult with the
county attorney to discuss a confidential legal matter in order to preserve the attorney-client
privilege with the following individuals permitted to attend: County Manager Katherine Cathey,
County Attorney Ellis Hankins, General Services Director Ray Foushee and Clerk to the Board
Brenda Reaves.
Chairman Powell called Closed Session #1 to order at 10:02am.
General Services Director Ray Foushee presented for the Board’s consideration a proposal
for a 5-year lease of the new airport hangar paying $20K per month. Mr. Foushee said the company
interested in the hangar was not known at this time however, Bill Tougas knew the agent being
used by the company. Mr. Foushee said the agent has requested the county to respond within two
to four weeks to their proposal. Should the Board desire to move forward, County Attorney Ellis
Hankins would prepare a lease agreement for one of the Board’s upcoming meetings for
consideration.
The Board discussed the lease proposal as noted above and/or advertising the recently
constructed hangar consisting of 15,000sf plus 2,600sf office space; as advertising has not yet been
done, commissioners opined that it was an untapped resource not yet marketed.
Mr. Hankins stated terms could be included for negotiation, i.e., having the aircraft sited in
Person County to earn the tax revenue; he added that should the interested company be a
governmental or nonprofit entity, they would be exempt from paying taxes.
Chairman Powell stated he would like to see a longer lease period. Mr. Foushee stated
typical leases in smaller rural airports ranged from $24K to $28K per month however, he noted that
he did not have comps and would not want the Board to make its decision based on his research;
Mr. Hankins stated RDU could not be used as a comparable to the local airport.
April 17, 2023, Closed Session #1 Page 2 of 2
It was the consensus of the Board to listen and consider all offers but also desired county
staff to pursue marketing the new hangar.
A motion was made by Commissioner Palmer and carried 5-0 to return to open session at
10:34am.