10-20-2025 Meeting Minutes BOCOctober 20, 2025
1
PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS October 20, 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 20, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioners’
Boardroom 215 in the Person County Office Building 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 Wilborn led the group in
the Pledge of Allegiance.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Thomas and carried 5-0 to approve the
agenda.
INFORMAL COMMENTS:
There were no individuals that appeared before the Board to make informal
comments.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Royster and carried 5-0 to approve the
Consent Agenda with the following items:
A. October 6, 2025 Minutes
B. Budget Amendment #8
October 20, 2025
2
NEW BUSINESS:
AMERICA 250 UPDATE
Public Information Officer Kim Strickland and Cultural Arts Director Erin Hill
presented the following:
October 20, 2025
3
October 20, 2025
4
October 20, 2025
5
October 20, 2025
6
Commissioner Wilborn and Commission Royster both expressed thanks to the
America 250 Committee for working on this and planning activities for 2026.
There was no action by the Board as this was informational only.
ACCEPTABLE TECHNOLOGY USE POLICY
Chief Information Officer Chris Puryear stated that the Acceptable Technology Use
Policy has been in place since 2011. He stated that there has been changes over the years to
the policy. He stated that the proposed changes to the policy include updates to reflect
changes in processes, responsibilities, technology, and reporting. He stated that the language
has been updated, to be in compliance with NCGS 143-805, to include all representatives
of Person County Government, which includes employees, elected officials, contractors,
board appointees, or authorized agents.
Commissioner Wilborn asked if there had ever been an instance where an employee
or elected official did not turn in a county-issued device. Puryear stated that not that he can
recall, as the county typically gets the device(s) back.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 5-0 to approve the
Acceptable Technology Use Policy.
October 20, 2025
7
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
Clerk to the Board Michele Solomon presented to the Board interested citizen
applications for consideration for appointment to boards and committees and requested the
Board to nominate for appointment as deemed appropriate.
Child Fatality Local Team
1 position available for each of the following: a Medical Emergency Services Provider or
Firefighter, and a Parent whose child died before the child reached age eighteen
Heather Chandler requests appointment as a Medical Emergency Services Provider
representative
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 5-0 to appoint
Heather Chandler to the Child Fatality Local Team as a Medical Services Provider
representative.
Human Services Advisory Committee
1 position available for each of the following: a Representative from the Person County
Sheriff’s Office, A Representative from the Person County Health Department, a
Guardian-ad-Litem, a Past-Service Recipient, and a Representative from the Person
Veterans Council, and 2 positions for the following: Citizen-at-Large
Jayne Bremer requests appointment as a Guardian-ad-Litem representative
John Byrd, Sr. requests appointment as a Citizen-at-Large
Sandy Parker request appointment as a Citizen-at Large
Kenneth Perry requests appointment as a Citizen-at-Large
Gerald Wallace requests appointment as a Past-Service Recipient
Commissioner Wilborn stated that it is her preference to have the internal positions
presented at the same time as the citizen positions. Solomon advised Wilborn that, to her
knowledge, there has been no interest nor applications received for the vacant internal
positions. Wilborn asked if internal staff had been notified. Solomon stated that she
believes that they have been notified. Wilborn stated that she would feel more comfortable
holding off on making appointments to this committee until staff reaches back out to the
internal departments.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 5-0 to present this at
the November 17, 2025 meeting.
October 20, 2025
8
Jury Commission
2-Year Term: 1 position available
Velvet Goodwin requests appointment
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Thomas and carried 5-0 to appoint Velvet
Goodwin to the Jury Commission for a 2-year term.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Chairman Puryear had no report.
MANAGER’S REPORT
County Manager Katherine Cathey had no report.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS/COMMENTS
Vice-Chairman Thomas had no report.
Commissioner Wilborn stated that she attended the NC Association of County
Commissioners Board Meeting. She stated that the Steering Committee window is open.
She stated that the Leadership Summit, which is a joint meeting, is on October 30, 2025 at
4:00 p.m. in the Auditorium. She stated that she wanted to make the public aware that the
Parks and Recreation Department is seeking interest for tackle football. She stated that a
group from NCDOT Division of Aviation toured the airport. She stated that she attended
the Civics Academy. She congratulated Bethel Hill Charter School on celebrating 100
years this past weekend. She stated that she wanted to express condolences to the family
of Ernie Wood. She stated that Wood was on the EDC and PCBIC for many years and was
fundamental in the formation of the Mega Park.
Commissioner Royster expressed condolences to the family of Ernie Wood. She
stated that she knew Wood personally, and he was like second family to her. She stated
that she attended the Rural Action Caucus Committee with NACO, and discussions
centered around how to preserve rural land while still growing economically. She stated
that there is a survey out for tackle football. She stated that there will be a food
distribution event at South Elementary School this Saturday.
October 20, 2025
9
Commissioner Long stated that he attended Bethel Hill Charter School’s 100th
celebration Saturday, and it was well attended. He expressed condolences to the family of
Ernie Wood. He stated that Wood was a good friend and gave a lot to Person County. He
stated that he appreciated Wood for the man that he was.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Thomas and carried 5-0 to enter into
Closed Session at 9:21 a.m.
CLOSED SESSION #1
A motion to enter into Closed Session #1 per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(6) for the
purpose to discuss personnel with the following individual permitted to attend: County
Manager Katherine Cathey
Chairman Puryear called the closed session to order at 9:23 a.m.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 11:55 a.m.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 4-1 to implement the
Pay and Classification Study from 2023 to include the County Manager. Commissioner
Long voted in opposition.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Thomas and carried 5-0 to adjourn the
meeting at 11:57 a.m.
____________________________ ______________________________
Michele Solomon Kyle Puryear
Clerk to the Board Chairman