10-06-2025 Meeting Minutes BOC
October 6, 2025
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS October 6, 2025
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Kyle Puryear Katherine M. Cathey, County Manager
Jason Thomas Michele Solomon, Clerk to the Board
Sherry Wilborn T.C. Morphis, Jr., County Attorney
Antoinetta Royster
Donald Long
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in
Regular session on Monday October 6, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Person County Office
Building Auditorium located at 304 S. Morgan Street, Roxboro, NC.
Chairman Puryear called the meeting to order and recognized a quorum was present.
Vice-Chairman Thomas offered an invocation, and Commissioner Royster led the group in
the Pledge of Allegiance.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 5-0 to approve the
agenda.
PUBLIC HEARING:
ADDITION OF THOMAS PLACE TO BE ADDED TO THE DATABASE OF
ROADWAY NAMES FOR E-911 DISPATCHING
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Thomas and carried 5-0 to open the duly
advertised public hearing for the Addition of Thomas Place to be added to the Database
of Roadway Names for E-911 Dispatching.
GIS Director Sallie Vaughn stated that she is requesting the addition of Thomas
Place, a private roadway, be added to the database of roadway names for E-911. She stated
that the owners of a previously unused single-wide have decided to reconnect power and
begin using the home. She stated that the driveway to this home will now serve four
houses, which invokes the ordinance regulating addresses and road naming within the
County. She stated that the family is the Thomas family, who is in attendance tonight. She
stated that they unanimously chose Thomas Place, as the road name. She stated that the
name does meet all local and state requirements, and it is her recommendation that the
Board approve the roadway name.
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There were no individuals that appeared before the Board to speak in favor of or in
opposition to the Addition of Thomas Place to be added to the Database of Roadway
Names for E-911 Dispatching.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 5-0 to close the public
hearing for the Addition of Thomas Place to be added to the Database of Roadway Names
for E-911 Dispatching.
CONSIDERATION TO GRANT OR DENY THE ADDITION OF THOMAS
PLACE TO BE ADDED TO THE DATABASE OF ROADWAY NAMES FOR E-
911 DISPATCHING
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 5-0 approve the
Addition of Thomas Place to be added to the Database of Roadway Names for E-911
Dispatching.
PUBLIC HEARING:
TEXT AMENDMENT TA-07-25, REVISED, FOR ADOPTION OF THE
AMENDMENTS TO THE SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM ORDINANCE
County Attorney T.C. Morphis, Jr. stated that late last week he spoke to the
attorney for Cypress Creek, and they indicated that they would like to ask the Board to
continue this matter so that they can continue their community outreach. He stated that
Cypress Creek acknowledges that this is a complicated ordinance, and they want to make
sure that people understand what is being proposed. He stated that the request from
Cypress Creek is for the Board to open the public hearing, without allowing any speakers
to speak, and continue it to a future date. He stated that it is a very common practice with
local governments. He stated that the Board can choose to open the public hearing and
continue it to a date certain. He stated if the Board chooses to continue the public hearing,
the names of those that have signed up to speak will be kept, and the Board will allow
more citizens to speak when the hearing is held.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 5-0 to open the duly
advertised public hearing for Text Amendment TA-07-25, revised, for adoption of
the amendments to the Solar Energy System Ordinance.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 5-0 to continue the
Public Hearing to the first Board of Commissioners’ Meeting in February 2026.
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Chairman Puryear expressed appreciation for those in attendance for the hearing
and for those that signed up to speak. He stated that it shows that they are passionate about
this important issue. He stated that their presence being here speaks volumes and that the
Board wants to make sure that their voice is heard when the time is right.
INFORMAL COMMENTS:
The following individuals appeared before the Board to make informal comments:
Michael Johnson of 148 Hickson Road, Roxboro stated that he is the head football
coach at Person High School. He stated that he was born and raised in Person County. He
stated that he has been here all his life. He stated that in his time here as a little guy, the
County offered Pee-Wee Football. He stated that Pee-Wee Football was an important
building stone to Person County and an important building block to Person High School
and the middle schools. He stated that one thing he wanted to invest in, especially as the
head coach, is trying to bring back Pee-Wee Football for the kids. He stated that at the
high school, they engage in every student having something to do and having a sport that
they can relate to. He stated that they are not doing the kids a service by not having Pee-
Wee Football. He stated that the kids should have every sport to pick from. He stated that
Pee-Wee Football is a great building block for football in general. He stated that it helps
build fundamentals, gets kids out and active, and helps build them up in character and
discipline. He stated that football is a game of discipline. He stated that he currently has
kids on his team that do not know the fundamentals of football and that it is tough to
compete in a conference, while having to teach kids that haven’t picked up the basics of
football. He stated that he feels the County has not done the justice of getting kids prepped
right for football, as there is not an option for them. He stated that as a coach, he is willing
to do anything to help. He stated that flag football is not enough, as you do not get those
fundamentals. He stated that the only way you get better at something is repetition. He
stated that the County has his support and he will help and do what is needed to bring back
Pee-Wee Football.
Chris Dickerson of 85 Cornerstone Lane, Timberlake stated that he is the head
football coach for Northern Middle School and a full-time Police Captain with the
Roxboro Police Department. He stated that he was born and raised in Person County and
has been here all his life. He stated that he is in agreement with Coach Johnson. He stated
that Person County needs Pee-Wee Football. He stated that what he is seeing with the lack
of Pee-Wee Football in this county, is when the kids are eligible to play football in their
seventh-grade year, they are coming in green as grass, and they literally do not know how
to tackle or know anything about football. He stated there is a lack of discipline and that
discipline is an absolute need in all sports.
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Dickerson stated that he is dedicating himself to be able to put forth the best effort
that he can for these kids. He stated that he would assist in any way needed to bring Pee-
Wee Football back to Person County.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 5-0 to approve the
Consent Agenda with the following items and to Amend Item E to reflect the same
language for all nonprofits:
A. September 15, 2025 Minutes
B. Budget Amendment #6
C. Budget Amendment #7
D. Person County Schools’ Request for Lottery Project Application Approvals
from the Public-School Building Repair & Renovation Fund
E. Person County Museum of History FY26 Funding Agreement- Amend to reflect
the same language for all nonprofits
F. Person County Health Department Fee Request
G. Resolution Amending the 2025 Schedule of Regular Meetings for the Person
County Board of Commissioners
H. Resolution Appointing Review Officers
I. FY26 ROAP Distribution Authorization
NEW BUSINESS:
VETERANS COUNCIL FIRST RESPONDER MEMORIAL
Assistant County Manager/Human Services Director Brian Hart stated that standing
alongside him are members of the Person Veterans Council. He stated that Person Veterans
Council President Alan Whitlow submitted a proposal for the First Responder Memorial to
be placed at the Huck Sansbury Complex and is requesting a one-time contribution from the
County in the amount of $1,000. He stated that the Veterans Council believe such a tribute
to our first responders is well overdue and that a significant majority of the population would
support building a memorial to honor our dedicated first responders. He stated that the
Veterans Council received support from the Recreation Advisory Board during their June
meeting and that Arts, Parks and Recreation Director John Hill is also in support of the
location.
Person Veterans Council President Alan Whitlow stated that this memorial is long
overdue. He stated that when he travels, he looks at Veteran Parks and Memorials in
different towns and has noticed several had first responder memorials. He stated that there
is one as close as Yanceyville. He stated that they have a very nice huge marble stone that
recognizes their first responders.
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Whitlow stated that if Yanceyville, Caswell County can do this, why hasn’t Person
County done this. He stated that Person County has not done this, as no one has asked for
it. He stated that is where the idea came from, who better that than the Person Veterans
Council to ask for it. He stated that the Person Veterans Council bylaws do not allow
anything in the Veterans Park that is not veteran-related. He stated that the memorial needed
to be on county land, and it seems appropriate for it to be placed at Huck Sansbury, across
from the Charters of Freedom.
Commissioner Wilborn stated, as the wife of a first responder, she was thankful to
the Veterans Council for recognizing what first responders do and for leading this effort.
A motion was made by Commissioner Royster to approve the request for the
Veterans Council First Responder Memorial to be placed at the Huck Sansbury Complex
and a one-time contribution in the amount of $1,000. Commissioner Long stated that he
would like for the Board to approve the initial cost estimate of $4,000.
An amended motion was made by Commissioner Royster and carried 5-0 to
approve the request for the Veterans Council First Responder Memorial to be placed at the
Huck Sansbury Complex and a one-time contribution in the amount of $4,000 from the
FY26 Undesignated Contingency Budget.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Chairman Puryear stated that he attended the DSS Employee Appreciation Lunch,
where it was an honor to serve them chicken. He stated that DSS has a lot of hard workers
and that he appreciates all that they do.
MANAGER’S REPORT
County Manager Katherine Cathey introduced Nish Trivedi, the new Planning
Director, and Jay Jennings, the new Planner, for the Planning and Zoning Department. She
stated that she believes that they will make a great team and she looks forward to working
with them.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS/COMMENTS
Vice-Chairman Thomas thanked all for coming to the meeting and for those in
attendance related to solar. He stated that he hopes they all come back in February and let
their feelings be heard. He stated that there was great attendance at the Personality Festival
this past weekend. He expressed thanks to the Chamber for all their hard week.
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Commissioner Wilborn stated that the Leadership Summit is coming up on October
30, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. in the Person County Office Building Auditorium, which is a joint
meeting with the BOC, City Council, and the EDC. She stated that she is excited about
this opportunity to come together with both elected bodies and the EDC to chart the course
of the future. She stated that leading and having aggressive economic development is
really important.
Commissioner Royster stated that she would like to bring awareness to the
community. She stated that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. She stated
that our community has been impacted, and it is unfortunate that a young mother with
three children lost her life to domestic violence at the end of September. She stated that
domestic violence does not impact just one neighborhood or community, it impacts all of
Person County. She stated that the reason she is so passionate about this topic, as she
never thought it would hit close to home, until it happened to her niece, which gained
statewide media attention. She urged all to think of those who are impacted by domestic
violence in the month of October.
Commissioner Long stated that the veterans have requested an update on the
urgently needed facility within the DSS building. He stated that the delay has been quite
protracted and it needs a completion date. He stated that the urgency is that they do not
have enough waiting rooms or office space, and no privacy. He stated that there is an
outbreak of rabies in Person County. He stated that there have been eight cases. He stated
that he would like to congratulate Mayor Marilyn Newell for her well-deserved Star
Award at the recent Kerr-Tar Council of Government banquet. He stated that the
Recreation department will be doing a survey to gauge the interest in a football league. He
stated we are looking at reduced funding on the federal and state level, and that we need to
start looking at our budget, and at ways to reduce our budget by 10-15% for the 2026 year,
because if we do not, taxes will increase again. He encouraged the County Manager to
start looking at ways to do that.
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A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 5-0 to enter into
Closed Sessions at 6:25 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION #1
A motion to enter into Closed Session #1 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
Katherine Cathey, Clerk to the Board Michele Solomon, and County Attorney
T.C. Morphis, Jr.
CLOSED SESSION #2
A motion to enter into Closed Session #2 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 to discuss matters related to the lawsuit Person County v. Yarboro
with the following individuals permitted to attend: County Manager Katherine
Cathey, Clerk to the Board Michele Solomon, and County Attorney T.C.
Morphis, Jr.
Chairman Puryear called the closed sessions to order at 6:27 p.m.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 6:37 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Long and carried 5-0 to adjourn the meeting
at 6:39 p.m.
____________________________ ______________________________
Michele Solomon Kyle Puryear
Clerk to the Board Chairman