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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-03-2026 Agenda Packet BOCPERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING AGENDA 304 South Morgan Street, Room 215 Roxboro, NC 27573-5245 336-597-1720 Fax 336-599-1609 August 3, 2026 6:00 p.m. This meeting will convene in Room 215 of the County Office Building. 1.CALL TO ORDER....................................................................Chairman Puryear 2.INVOCATION 3.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4.DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA 5.INFORMAL COMMENTS The Person County Board of Commissioners has established a 10-minute period for informal comments, excluding matters scheduled for a public hearing. Time will be divided equally among those wishing to speak. Individuals must sign up with the Clerk to the Board; registration opens 30 minutes prior to the start of the meeting. 6.DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA A.July 20, 2026, Minutes (pgs.3-18) B.DSS MOU with NC Department of Health and Human Services (pgs.19-45 ) C.DSS Subsidized Child Care Assistance Program (pgs.46-50) D.DSS Energy Outreach Plan (pgs.51-55) E.FY27 Classification & Pay Plan (pgs.56-65) F.Person County Museum of History FY27 Funding Agreement (pgs.66-69) 1 7.NEW BUSINESS A.Funding Request for Tar River Land Conservancy to Purchase “Dykes Tract” for Preservation, Conservation, and Passive Recreation (pgs.70-109)..........................................................................John Hill B.North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) 2027-2028 Legislative Goal Proposals (pgs.110-113).........................................Katherine Cathey 8.CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 9.MANAGER’S REPORT 10.COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS/COMMENTS 11.CLOSED SESSION A.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 individuals permitted to attend: County Manager Katherine Cathey, Clerk to the Board Michele Solomon, and County Attorney T.C. Morphis, Jr. Note: All Items on the Agenda are for Discussion and Action as deemed appropriate by the Board. 2 July 20, 2026 PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS July 20, 2026 MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT Kyle Puryear Katherine M. Cathey, County Manager Sherry Wilborn Michele Solomon, Clerk to the Board Jason Thomas Antoinetta Royster-ABSENT Donald Long The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in Regular session on Monday, July 20, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. in Room 215 of the County Office Building located at 304 S. Morgan Street, Roxboro, NC. Chairman Puryear called the meeting to order and recognized a quorum was present. Commissioner Thomas offered an invocation, and Commissioner Long led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion was made by Vice-Chair Wilborn and carried 4-0 to approve the agenda. PROCLAMATION HONORING ALEXSIS VANDER POPPEN Chairman Puryear read a Proclamation recognizing Alexsis Vander Poppen, Distinguished Young Woman of Person County 2025 and Distinguished Young Woman of North Carolina 2026. The proclamation detailed her academic achievements and dual degree enrollment at Sacred Heart University. A motion was made by Commissioner Thomas and carried 4-0 to approve the Proclamation Honoring Alexsis Vander Poppen. No representative was present to accept the proclamation. 3 July 20, 2026 4 July 20, 2026 RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION FOR RETIREE SUSAN ALLEN Chairman Puryear read and presented a Resolution of Appreciation for retiree Susan Allen. The resolution honored her 25 years of service in the Person County Tax Office, detailing her progression through multiple roles and her service on the Safety Committee. A motion was made by Vice-Chair Wilborn and carried 4-0 to approve the Resolution of Appreciation for retiree Susan Allen. Ms. Allen thanked the County, her colleagues, and Tax Administrator Russell Jones for the opportunity to serve. 5 July 20, 2026 6 July 20, 2026 PUBLIC HEARING: ACCEPTANCE OF BID AND ADOPTION OF APPROVING RESOLUTION FOR ISSUANCE OF LIMITED OBLIGATION BONDS (LOBS) FOR PERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS (PCS) A motion was made by Vice-Chair Wilborn and carried 4-0 to open the duly advertised public hearing for the Acceptance of Bid and Adoption of Approving Resolution for Issuance of Limited Obligation Bonds (LOBs) for Person County Schools (PCS). County Manager Katherine Cathey explained the background of the second installment of school facility improvements supported by limited obligation bonds. She stated that improvements will occur at Stories Creek, Helena, Oak Lane, and South elementary schools, focusing on classroom additions, accessibility, safety and security upgrades, parking improvements, and emergency exits. She stated that the Board of Education accepted a bid from HM Kern Corporation on June 11, 2026. There were no individuals that appeared before the Board to speak in favor of or in opposition of the duly advertised public hearing for the Acceptance of Bid and Adoption of Approving Resolution for Issuance of Limited Obligation Bonds (LOBs) for Person County Schools (PCS). A motion was made by Commissioner Long and carried 4-0 to close the duly advertised public hearing for the Acceptance of Bid and Adoption of Approving Resolution for Issuance of Limited Obligation Bonds (LOBs) for Person County Schools (PCS). CONSIDERATION TO GRANT OR DENY A motion was made by Chairman Puryear and carried 4-0 to accept the bid and adopt the approving resolution for issuance of limited obligation bonds for Person County Schools. 7 July 20, 2026 INFORMAL COMMENTS: The following individuals appeared before the Board to make informal comments: Bob Brauer of 1 Bobwhite Road, Roxboro stated that he serves as the chairperson of the Person County Environmental Issues Advisory Committee (EIAC). He expressed concerns about the proposed Ethical Responsibilities Resolution, stating that EIAC’s longstanding practice of publishing environmental education articles aligns with its bylaws and benefits county residents. Holly Forester-Miller of 45 Point Sunset Trail, Roxboro, stated that she is a member of the EIAC. She submitted proposed edits to the resolution, intended to clarify conflict notification procedures, permit educational communications, and provide examples of suitable public messaging. Lauren Resnik of 5701 Island Road, Hillsborough voiced strong opposition to Microsoft’s data center development, alleging lack of transparency, environmental harm, and constitutional concerns. She urged the Board to impose a permanent moratorium and halt water/sewer permits. DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Vice-Chair Wilborn and carried 4-0 to approve the Consent Agenda with the following items: A. June 15, 2026, Minutes B. July 6, 2026, Minutes C. Budget Amendment #1 D. Budget Amendment #2 E. Budget Amendment #3 F. Home & Community Care Block Grant Funding for 2026-2027 G. Tax Adjustments for July 2026 1. Tax Releases 2. NC Vehicle Tax System Pending Refunds NEW BUSINESS: TAX COLLECTOR SETTLEMENT Tax Administrator Russell Jones presented the following: 8 July 20, 2026 9 July 20, 2026 10 July 20, 2026 11 July 20, 2026 12 July 20, 2026 Highlights from the annual settlement report for FY 2025–26 included: • Real and personal property collection rate: 99.1%. • Public utilities: 100%. • Motor vehicles (collected by DMV): 99.95%. • Overall collection rate: 99.29%. Jones noted the slight decrease from last year’s record 99.5% was expected following revaluation. He described collection tools used and praised taxpayers’ willingness to meet obligations. Vice-Chair Wilborn and Commissioner Long commended the Tax Office’s performance. A motion was made by Commissioner Long and carried 4-0 to accept the annual settlement report. ORDER TO COLLECT TAXES Tax Administrator Russell Jones requested formal authorization to collect current and delinquent taxes. 13 July 20, 2026 A motion was made by Vice-Chair Wilborn and carried 4-0 to direct the Tax Collector to collect taxes for 2026 and delinquent taxes from prior years. 14 July 20, 2026 ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES’ ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES RESOLUTION County Manager Katherine Cathey delivered a detailed report regarding the need to clarify advisory board communication standards. She explained that: • Commissioners previously requested stronger communication guidelines ensuring advisory boards act in advisory—not advocacy—roles. • Staff reviewed the 2012 “Ethical Responsibilities” resolution and found it outdated and lacking clarity on communications, conflict procedures, and board authority. • Short-term edits were proposed to reinforce that advisory bodies: • Advise county leadership, not advocate publicly. • Must not present personal positions as board positions. • Must communicate through official processes unless expressly authorized. • May have chairs speak on behalf of the advisory board only to the Board, County Manager, or department directors unless approved otherwise. She acknowledged EIAC’s proposed edits submitted earlier during Informal Comments. She outlined a long-term plan to develop a comprehensive umbrella policy covering: • Appointment procedures • Ethical standards • Public communication rules • Definitions of meetings • Consistent expectations across all advisory boards • Individualized “charges” specifying duties of each advisory board She stated that this process will require several months of coordination with staff and advisory boards. Vice-Chair Wilborn expressed concern that EIAC has repeatedly acted outside its advisory role and suggested disbanding the committee or allowing it to continue independently as a nonprofit to avoid recurring conflicts. Commissioner Long stated advisory boards serve at the pleasure of the Board and should not publicly oppose county leadership. He recommended updating existing rules rather than adopting new ones immediately, and indicated that he is not in favor of the amended resolution as presented. 15 July 20, 2026 Chairman Puryear agreed that clear communication expectations are necessary, noting EIAC’s departures from its role and supporting adoption of the short-term resolution as an interim measure. Commissioner Thomas stated that he is in favor of the resolution. Vice-Chair Wilborn stated that for the short-term she is in favor of the amended resolution. A motion was made by Chairman Puryear and carried 4-0 to adopt the amended resolution and direct staff to begin work on the unified advisory board policy. Commissioner Long was recorded as voting in the affirmative based on the Board’s Rules of Procedure. NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (NCACC) LEGISLATIVE GOAL PROPOSALS County Manager Katherine Cathey Manager reviewed NCACC’s biennial legislative goals development process, explaining: • Counties submit proposed legislative goals every two years. • Proposals undergo multi-stage review by NCACC committees before final adoption. • The deadline for submissions is August 14, 2026; the Board’s next meeting is August 3. •Several previous Person County goals were successfully adopted and are still relevant. • Commissioners may wish to reaffirm goals related to farmland preservation, teacher recruitment, detention mental health, opioid response, infrastructure needs, school support, and land use authority. Vice Chair Wilborn stated the top priorities adopted by NCACC in the last cycle remained applicable and encouraged the County to continue advocating for stronger school funding, infrastructure support, and increased local land use control. Chairman Puryear stated that he is in agreement with Wilborn. He advised the Board to email the County Manager their thoughts. 16 July 20, 2026 Commissioners agreed to individually submit proposals to the County Manager by Friday at noon. The County Manager will compile them into a draft letter for the August 3 meeting. DESIGNATION OF VOTING DELEGATE TO THE NC ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ANNUAL CONFERENCE Clerk to the Board Michele Solomon stated that the NC Association of County Commissioners Annual Conference will take place August 20-22, 2026 in Durham County, with the business meeting taking place on August 22, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. She stated that she is requesting the Board to designate Vice-Chair Wilborn, who is attending the conference. A motion was made by Commissioner Long and carried 4-0 to designate Vice- Chair Wilborn as Person County’s voting delegate to the NC Association of County Commissioners Annual Conference for 2026. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Chairman Puryear had no report. MANAGER’S REPORT County Manager Katherine Cathey introduced two new County employees, Adam Pantola, Veteran Services Officer and Keith Daye, County Resource Officer with the Sheriff’s Office. She noted that Officer Daye will attend Board meetings and coordinate with departments from his office located at Social Services. COMMISSIONER REPORTS/COMMENTS Vice-Chair Wilborn reported attending multiple regional and local meetings: • UNRBA year-end meeting in Butner to finalize FY 2026–27 budget and contracts. • Transportation Advisory Committee meeting in Henderson, continuing prioritization of rural projects for state funding. • Economic Development Commission activities including: • Advancement of industrial site readiness. • Participation in Duke Energy’s competitive site selection program. • A field trip with EDC and Chamber members to Johnston County to tour an airport, meet leaders, and view a residential development comparable to planned projects in Person County. 17 July 20, 2026 • Microsoft’s public informational meeting at Piedmont Community College, which she described as well-organized and well-attended. Wilborn congratulated the County Manager for joining the board of directors for the NC City and County Management Association. She expressed thanks to Commissioner Royster for representing Person County at the NACo Conference. Commissioner Thomas had no report. Commissioner Long requested a full accounting of all legal fees incurred by the County in the Yarboro case since its inception more than a decade ago, including fees from multiple firms. He acknowledged severe weather damage at Hyco Lake and urged Emergency Management to assist affected residents. He reported attending meetings with EIAC and Microsoft, the July 4 parade, a Mayo Lake “We the People” event, and the NC Green Industry Council Water Symposium. He provided updates on Mayo Lake negotiations with Duke Energy, stating compromise efforts show progress. He noted the First Responder Memorial’s next developments include column and lighting installation. He offered a tribute to Randolph Mantooth (Johnny Gage, “Emergency!”), describing the actor’s influential role in modern EMS and recounting his own early career experiences with EMS and paramedic training supported by Duke medical programs and the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne. He expressed gratitude for Mantooth’s impact on the profession. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Vice-Chair Wilborn and carried 4-0 to adjourn the meeting at 10:03 a.m. ____________________________ ______________________________ Michele Solomon Kyle Puryear Clerk to the Board Chairman (Draft Board minutes are subject to Board approval). 18 AGENDA ABSTRACT August 3, 2026 Memorandum of Understanding and Data Sharing Agreement between NCDHHS and Person County for FY27 and FY28 The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Data Sharing Agreement between the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and Person County for FY27 and FY28 is attached. North Carolina General Statute 108A-74 requires annual written agreement to specify performance standards and administrative responsibilities. The MOU was first designed and required in 2018 and identifies standards and responsibilities for many programs and services administered by social services departments, including Work First, Food and Nutrition Services and Child Support. The MOU and Data Sharing Agreement has an effective date of July 1, 2026. It will automatically renew on July 1, 2027, and continues until June 30, 2028. Financial Impact: Recommended Action: Submitted By: 19 Page 1 of 10 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (STATE FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 and 2027-28) BETWEEN THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND ___________________________________ COUNTY A Written Agreement Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 108A-74, an Act of the North Carolina General Assembly This Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) is made by and between the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, (hereinafter referred to as the “Department”) and __________________________________ County a political subdivision of the State of North Carolina (hereinafter referred to as the “County”) to comply with the requirements of law, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 108A-74. The Department and the County may be referred to herein individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.” TERMS OF UNDERSTANDING In consideration of the mutual promises and agreements contained herein, as well as other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by the Parties, the Parties agree to this MOU, effective July 1, 2026, in compliance with the mandates of law enacted by the North Carolina General Assembly and in recognition of possible amendments by the General Assembly, the Parties further agree to conform to changes made to the law, notwithstanding a contractual term previously agreed upon. 1.0 Parties to the MOU The only Parties to this MOU are the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and __________________________________ County, a political subdivision of the State of North Carolina. 1.1 Relationships of the Parties Nothing contained herein shall in any way alter or change the relationship of the parties as defined under the laws of North Carolina. It is expressly understood and agreed that the enforcement of the terms and conditions of this MOU, and all rights of action relating to such enforcement, shall be strictly reserved to the Department and the County. Nothing contained in this document shall give or allow any claim or right of action whatsoever by any other third person. It is the express intention of the Department and County that any such person or entity, other than the Department or the County, receiving services or benefits under this MOU shall be deemed an incidental beneficiary only. Subcontracting: The County shall be responsible for the performance of all of its subcontractors. The County shall disclose the names of its subcontractors to the Department within thirty (30) days of the execution thereof. The County shall also provide additional information concerning its subcontractors as may be requested by the Department within thirty (30) days of the request. The County additionally agrees not to enter into any confidentiality agreement or provision with a 20 Page 2 of 10 subcontractor or other agent to provide services related to this MOU that would prevent or frustrate the disclosure of information to the Department. Subcontractors shall be defined under this MOU to mean any party the County enters into a contractual relationship with for the complete administration of one or more social services programs covered by this MOU. Temporary employees hired by the County shall not be considered subcontractors under this MOU. Assignment: No assignment of the County's obligations or the County's right to receive any funding made in any way concerning the matters covered by this MOU hereunder shall be permitted. 2.0 Terms of the MOU This MOU is established for SFY 2026-2027 and will renew automatically for SFY 2027-2028. Either party may decline renewal by providing written notice no later than April 30, 2027. 2.1 Default and Modification Default: In the event the County fails to satisfy the mandated performance requirements as set forth in Attachment I or fails to otherwise comply with the terms of this MOU, the Department may withhold State and/or federal funding. Any such withholding shall be in compliance with, and as allowed by, state and/or federal law. Performance Improvement: Prior to the Department exercising its authority to withhold State and/or federal funding for a failure to satisfy the mandated performance requirements set forth in Attachment I or failure to meet the terms of this MOU, the process for performance improvement set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 108A-74 will govern. Nothing contained in this MOU shall supersede or limit the Secretary’s authority to take any action otherwise set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 108A-74. Waiver of Default: Waiver by the Department of any default or breach in compliance with the terms of this MOU by the County shall not be deemed a waiver of any subsequent default or breach and shall not be construed to be modification of the terms of this MOU unless stated to be such in writing, signed by an authorized representative of the Department and the County and attached to the MOU. Force Majeure: Neither Party shall be deemed to be in default of its obligations hereunder if and so long as it is prevented from performing such obligations by any act of war, hostile foreign action, nuclear explosion, riot, strikes, civil insurrection, earthquake, hurricane, tornado, public health emergency or other catastrophic natural event or act of God. Modification: The terms and conditions of this MOU may only be modified by written agreement of the Parties, signed by an authorized representative of the Parties. 21 Page 3 of 10 3.0 MOU Documents The Recitals and the following attachments are incorporated herein by reference and are part of this MOU: (1) The portions hereof preceding the Terms of Understanding, including but not limited to the introductory paragraph and the Recitals, which are contractual as well as explanatory. (2) The Terms of Understanding (3) Addendum A – Data Sharing Memorandum of Agreement (4) DSS Performance Measures Summary (5) Attachment I – Mandated Performance Requirements: a. Adult Protective Services b. Child Support Services c. Child Welfare – Foster Care d. Energy Programs e. Food and Nutrition Services f. Special Assistance g. I-B: Work First (6) Attachment II - Child Welfare - CFSR 4.0 Entire MOU This MOU and any documents incorporated specifically by reference represent the entire agreement between the Parties and supersede all prior oral or written statements or agreements between the Parties. 5.0 Definitions While “County” is used as an abbreviation above, the following definitions, some of which are contained in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 108A-74(a), also apply to this MOU: (1) "County department of social services" also means the consolidated human services agency, whichever applies. (2) "County director of social services" also means the human services director, whichever applies. (3) "County board of social services" also means the consolidated human services board, whichever applies. (4) "Child welfare services or program" means protective, foster care, and adoption services related to juveniles alleged to be abused, neglected, or dependent as required by Chapter 7B of the General Statutes. (5) "Social services programs” or “Social services programs other than medical assistance" means social services and public assistance programs established in Chapter 108A other than the medical assistance program (Part 6 of Article 2 of Chapter 108A). This includes, but is not limited to, child welfare programs, adult protective services, guardianship services for adults, and programs of public assistance established in Chapter 108A. It also includes the child support enforcement program, as established in Article 9 of Chapter 110 of the General Statutes, and the North Carolina Subsidized Child Care Program. 22 Page 4 of 10 To the extent that any term used herein is defined by a statute or rule applicable to the subject matter of this MOU, the statutory or rule definition shall control. For all remaining terms, which are not defined by statute or rule, those terms shall have their ordinary meaning. Should any further definition be needed, the Parties agree that the meanings shall be those contained in the current version (as of the time the dispute or question arises) of Black’s Law Dictionary, and if not defined therein, then of a published unabridged modern American English Language Dictionary published since the year 2000. 6.0 Audit Requirements The County shall furnish to the State Auditor, upon his/her request, all books, records, and other information that the State Auditor needs to fully account for the use and expenditure of state funds in accordance with N.C.G.S. § 147-64.7. Additionally, as the State funding authority, the Department of Health and Human Services shall have access to persons and records as a result of all contracts or grants entered into by State agencies or political subdivisions. 7.0 Record Retention The County shall retain records at its own expense in accordance with applicable State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations. The County shall facilitate and monitor the compliance of its subcontractors with all applicable requirements of record retention and disposition. In order to protect documents and public records that may be the subject of Department litigation, the Department shall notify the County of the need to place a litigation hold on those documents. The Department will also notify the County of the release of the litigation hold. If there is no litigation hold in place, the documents may be destroyed, disposed of, or otherwise purged through the biannual Records Retention and Disposition Memorandum from the Department’s Controller’s Office. 8.0 Liabilities and Legal Obligations Each party hereto agrees to be responsible for its own liabilities and that of its officers, employees, agents or representatives arising out of this MOU. Nothing contained herein is intended to alter or change the relationship of the Parties as defined under the laws of the State of North Carolina. 9.0 Confidentiality Any medical records, personnel information or other items exempt from the NC Public Records Act or otherwise protected by law from disclosure given to the Department or to the County under this MOU shall be kept confidential and not divulged or made available to any individual or organization except as otherwise provided by law. The Parties shall comply with all applicable confidentiality laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), the administrative simplification rules codified at 45 Parts 160, 162, and 164, alcohol and drug abuse patient records laws codified at 42 U.S.C. §290dd- 2 and 42 CFR Part 2, and the Health Information Technology for Economics and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act) adopted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). 23 Page 5 of 10 10.0 Secretary’s Authority Undiminished Certain functions delegated to the County pursuant to this MOU are the duty and responsibility of the Department as the grantee of federal grant funds. The Parties understand and agree that nothing in this MOU shall be construed to diminish, lessen, limit, share, or divide the authority of the Secretary of the Department to perform any of the duties assigned to the Department or its Secretary by the North Carolina General Statutes, the terms and conditions of the federal funds and their applicable laws and regulations or other federal laws and regulations regarding any federal funding which is used by the Department to reimburse the County for any of its duties under this MOU. 11.0 MOU does not Diminish Other Legal Obligations Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein and to facilitate the mandated performance requirements of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 108A-74, the Parties acknowledge and agree that this MOU is not intended to supersede or limit, and shall not supersede or limit, the County’s obligations to comply with all applicable: 1) federal and state laws; 2) federal and state rules; and 3) policies, standards, and directions of the Department, as all such currently exist and may be amended, enacted, or established hereafter. 12.0 Notice The person named below shall be the person to whom notices provided for in this MOU shall be given. Either Party may change the person to whom notice shall be given upon written notice to the other Party. Any notice required under this MOU will only be effective if actually delivered to the Parties named below. Delivery by hand, by first class mail, or by email are authorized methods to send notices. For the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services Carla West NCDHHS Headquarters 2417 Main Services Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2001 1915 Health Services Way Raleigh, NC 27607 Phone: 919-855-4755 E-mail: carla.west@dhhs.nc.gov 24 Page 6 of 10 For __________________________________ County: Name: ______________________________________________________________________ Title: ________________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address: ______________________________________________________________ Phone Number: _______________________________________________________________ E-Mail: _____________________________________________________________________ 13.0 Responsibilities of the Department The Department hereby agrees that its responsibilities under this MOU are as follows: (1) The Department shall develop performance requirements for each social services program based upon standardized metrics utilizing reliable data. The performance requirements are identified in Attachments I and II. (2) The Department shall provide supervision, program monitoring and technical assistance to the counties in the administration of social services programs. (3) The Department shall provide leadership and coordination for developing strategies that address system-level barriers to the effective delivery of social services programs, including but not limited to: the Administrative Office of Courts, the LME/MCO, Department of Public Instruction, and the Department of Public Safety. (4) The Department shall have the following administrative responsibilities: a. Staff Training and Workforce Development: i. Develop training requirements for county personnel and provide guidance for adequate staffing patterns related to the provision of social services programs. The Department will publish annually, a list of required and recommended trainings for county personnel directly involved in the administration of social services programs covered under this MOU. ii. Develop training curricula and provide, timely, adequate access to statewide training opportunities for county personnel related to the provision of social services programs. Training opportunities may include in-person, self- guided, web-based and remotely facilitated programs. iii. The Department will publish a training calendar, at least quarterly, notifying the counties of training opportunities. iv. Provide timely written guidance related to new federal or state statutes or regulations. The Department will provide information thirty days in advance of the effective date of new policy to the extent feasible or practicable, including interpretations and clarifications of existing policy. v. Provide technical assistance and training in areas where quality control, monitoring or data indicates a lack of correct application of law, rule or policy. b. Performance Monitoring: i. Monitor and evaluate county compliance with applicable federal and state laws, rules and policies. ii. Provide feedback to counties with recommended changes when necessary. 25 Page 7 of 10 iii. Monitor that all financial resources related to the provision of social services programs covered by this MOU are utilized by the county in compliance with applicable federal and state laws. c. Data Submission: i. Maintain and review data submitted by counties pursuant to the mandatory performance requirements. ii. Provide counties with reliable data related to their performance requirements as well as accuracy and timeliness of programs in accordance with state and federal program guidelines. This includes but is not limited to processing applications and recertification, quality control standards, program statistics and fiscal information. iii. The Department shall be responsible for the maintenance and functionality of its information systems utilized in the statewide administration of social services programs covered by this MOU. d. Communication: i. Provide counties with clarification or explanation of law, rule or policy governing social services programs when necessary or as requested. ii. Disseminate policy on social services programs and provide counties with timely information on any updates to policy. iii. Provide timely information to counties on any changes to federal law or policy made known to the Department. iv. Provide counties with a timely response to requests for technical assistance or guidance. v. Maintain all policies covering social services programs in a central, accessible location. Policies will be updated, to the extent possible, in advance of the effective date of any new policies or policy changes. vi. Provide counties with an opportunity to submit questions, concerns and feedback related to the administration of social services programs to the Department and provide County a timely response to such communication. vii. Communicate proactively with the County Director of Social Services on matters that affect social services programs covered under this MOU. Communication shall be timely, and alerts sent to counties to let them know of the upcoming changes. viii. Communicate directly with the County Manager, Governing Boards, and the County Director of Social Services on matters including but not limited to, corrective action, and significant changes to law, rule and policy that impact the administration of social services programs covered by this MOU. e. Inter-agency Coordination: i. Provide guidance to counties in the event they are unable to reach a resolution on a conflict of interest that arises related to the provision of social services programs covered by this MOU. ii. Provide guidance for county DSS personnel on federal and state Emergency Management, mass shelter, Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) requirements. iii. Coordinate with and communicate to county DSS agencies regarding available and required training opportunities associated with DSS Mass Shelter, BCP and COOP responsibilities. 26 Page 8 of 10 iv. Assist and support counties as needed in implementation of operational functions of mass shelter operations and as needed during other emergencies as they arise. (5) The Department shall timely meet all of its responsibilities contained in this MOU. “Timely” shall be defined consistent with timeliness requirements set forth in relevant statute, regulation, and policy. Where timeliness is not otherwise defined, “timely” shall mean within a reasonable time under the circumstances. 14.0 Responsibilities of the County The County hereby agrees that its responsibilities under this MOU are as follows: (1) The County shall adhere to the mandated performance requirements for each social services program as identified in Attachment I. The County will ultimately work toward achievement of the Standard Measure for all performance requirements set forth in Attachments I and II. (2) The County shall comply with the following administrative responsibilities: a. Staff Requirements and Workforce Development: i. The personnel, including new hires and existing staff, involved in the County’s provision of social services programs covered by this MOU shall complete all required and necessary training, which is documented as required by federal and state law and policy. b. Compliance: i. Perform activities related to its social services programs in compliance with all applicable federal and State laws, rules, regulations and policies. Nothing contained herein is intended to, nor has the effect of superseding or replacing state law, rules or policy related to social services programs. ii. Develop and implement internal controls over financial resources related to the County’s social services programs to ensure that all financial resources are used in compliance with applicable federal and state laws. iii. Provide and adhere to corrective action plans as required based on monitoring findings and the Single Audit. c. Data Submission: i. Maintain accurate, thorough records of all social services programs covered by this MOU, in particular, records related to the mandated performance requirements that can be accessed for the purpose of data collection, service provision, monitoring or consultation. ii. Ensure reliable data entry into state systems utilized for the administration of social services programs covered under this MOU. iii. Provide, upon request, data to the state for the purpose of, but not limited to, conducting monitoring, case file reviews, error analysis and quality control. iv. Utilize data to understand the performance of their county and to conduct analysis and implement changes where needed if performance measures are not being met. d. Communication: i. Respond and provide related action in a timely manner to all communications received from the Department. ii. Provide timely information on all matters that have a potential negative impact on the social services programs they administer, including but not 27 Page 9 of 10 limited to, litigation risks (not including child welfare cases governed by Chapter 7B or adult services cases governed by Chapter 35A or 108A), network and computer issues, or data breaches. iii. Provide timely information regarding temporary or permanent changes to the Social Services Governing Board or the County Social Services Director, including retirements, separations, or any leave of absence greater than two calendar weeks. e. Inter-agency Cooperation: i. Ensure that county social services personnel complete required training and are prepared to engage in Disaster Management, mass shelter, BCP and COOP operations. ii. Ensure that all plans and systems are in place to meet potential disaster (natural, technical, otherwise) response requirements. iii. Engage with DHHS, state Emergency Management and local leadership in associated efforts. iv. Assist or operate mass shelter operations or other required disaster management responsibilities. (3) The County shall timely meet all its responsibilities contained in this MOU. “Timely” shall be defined consistent with timeliness requirements set forth in relevant statute, regulation, policy or as otherwise required by the Department. If timeliness is not otherwise defined, “timely” shall mean within a reasonable time under the circumstances. 15.0 Data Security and Reporting Data Security: The County shall adopt and apply data privacy and security requirements to comply with all applicable federal, state, department and local laws, regulations, and rules. The Parties hereby adopt and incorporate the terms of the Data Sharing Agreement attached as Addendum A as if fully set forth herein. Duty to Report: To enable NCDHHS to effectively mitigate impact and comply with its own reporting obligations to federal partners, the County shall report any suspected or confirmed privacy or security incidents or breaches involving NCDHHS Data, NCDHHS Information Systems, or other NCDHHS IT Resources to the NCDHHS Office of Privacy and Security via electronic mail and through the Office’s website, https://www.ncdhhs.gov/about/administrative- offices/privacy-and-security, within twenty-four (24) hours after the suspected or confirmed incident or breach is first discovered. For reports involving Social Security Administration (SSA) information, the County shall report suspected or confirmed incidents or breaches immediately, but no later than (one) 1 hour after the suspected or confirmed privacy or security incident or breach is first discovered. If reports involving SSA information occur after normal business hours, the County shall also make a report to the NCDHHS Chief Information Security Officer via the phone numbers listed at the link above. See Addendum A: Data Sharing Memorandum of Agreement Section 8.f for more information regarding the duty to report. During the performance of this MOU, the County is to notify the Department of any contact by the federal Office for Civil Rights (OCR) received by the County related to the provision of social services programs covered by the MOU. In case of a privacy and security incident, the County, including any subcontractors or agents it retains, shall fully cooperate with the Department. 28 Page 10 of 10 16.0 Miscellaneous Choice of Law: The validity of this MOU and any of its terms or provisions, as well as the rights and duties of the Parties to this MOU, are governed by the laws of North Carolina. The Parties, by signing this MOU, agree and submit, solely for matters concerning this MOU, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of North Carolina and agrees, solely for such purpose, that the exclusive venue for any legal proceedings shall be Wake County, North Carolina. The place of this MOU and all transactions and agreements relating to it, and their situs and forum, shall be Wake County, North Carolina, where all matters, whether sounding in contract or tort, relating to the validity, construction, interpretation, and enforcement shall be determined. Amendment: This MOU may not be amended orally or by performance. Any amendment must be made in written form and executed by duly authorized representatives of the Department and the County. The Parties agree to obtain any necessary approvals, if any, for any amendment prior to such amendment becoming effective. Also, the Parties agree that legislative changes to state law shall amend this MOU by operation of law to the extent affected thereby. Effective Date: This MOU shall become effective July 1, 2026, and shall continue in effect until June 30, 2027. This MOU shall renew automatically on July 1, 2027 and continue in effect until June 30, 2028, unless either party declines renewal by providing written notice no later than April 30, 2027. Signature Warranty: Each individual signing below warrants that he or she is duly authorized by the party to sign this MOU and to bind the party to the terms and conditions of this MOU. County BY: _______________________________ Name TITLE: _____________________________ DATE: _____________________________ BY: _______________________________ Name TITLE: _____________________________ DATE: _____________________________ North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services BY: ______________________________________ Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services DATE: _____________________________________ 29 Page 1 of 16 ADDENDUM A: DATA SHARING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECURITY MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT Between THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES And __________________________________________ COUNTY This Data Sharing and Information Technology Security Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and ______________________________ County (County), collectively with NCDHHS referred to as the “Parties”, establishes the agreement between the Parties regarding the County’s access to, use, and disclosure of all confidential data, information, and NCDHHS IT Systems and NCDHHS IT Resources provided by NCDHHS to the County for purposes of administering North Carolina’s public assistance and public service programs. 1.PURPOSE AND SCOPE a.Purpose. The purpose of this MOA is to identify certain roles and responsibilities of each party as it relates to the sharing and use of all confidential data, information, and access to a NCDHHS Information System or other NCDHHS IT Resource provided by NCDHHS to the County and the data collected by the County on behalf of NCDHHS in connection with the administration of North Carolina’s public assistance programs as well as the County’s administration and performance of other public services delegated to it by law (collectively referred to as NCDHHS Data). For purposes of this MOA, NCDHHS Data includes, but is not limited to: i.Social Security Administration (SSA) data; ii.Federal Tax Information (FTI) as defined in the current IRS Publication 1075, Tax Information Security Guidelines for Federal, State and Local Agencies (IRS Publication 1075); iii.Protected health information as defined by 45 CFR 160.103; iv. Identifying information, as defined by N.C.G.S. § 14-113.20(b); and v. Personal information, as defined by the North Carolina Identity Theft Protect Act, N.C.G.S. § 75-61(10); vi. Names or other information concerning persons applying for or receiving public assistance or social services which are confidential pursuant to N.C.G.S. §108A- 80. vii.Sensitive IT Security Information, including but not limited to security features of electronic data processing systems, applications, programs, information technology systems, telecommunications networks, or electronic security systems, including hardware or software security, passwords, or security standards, procedures, processes, configurations, software, and codes. For purposes of this MOA, “IT Resource” includes NCDHHS Information Systems and all platforms (i.e. operating systems), servers, software, infrastructure, digital devices (e.g. 30 Page 2 of 16 computers, smart phones, tablets, mainframes, switches, routers, etc.), equipment (e.g. faxes, copiers, phones, etc.), hosted services or infrastructure, network connections, applications (both developed in-house and acquired from third parties) and the data accessed, used, created by, or contained within them that are owned or operated by the Party. b. Objectives. The objectives of this MOA are to: i. Manage the information technology process and systems pertaining to NCDHHS Data and NCDHHS IT Resources to ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, standards and policies regarding the confidentiality, privacy and security of this NCDHHS Data and NCDHHS IT Resources; ii. Enhance the County’s and NCDHHS’s secure receipt, access to, and use of NCDHHS Data and IT Resources provided by NCDHHS to the County; and iii. Permit and facilitate efficient use of and ready access to NCDHHS Data and NCDHHS IT Resources for purposes of administering North Carolina’s public assistance and public service programs. 2. BACKGROUND The NCDHHS administers and oversees a variety of public assistance and public service programs for the State of North Carolina (collectively, Public Assistance Programs), including, but not limited to, the following: • NC Medicaid Program • NC Health Choice for Children (North Carolina’s CHIP Program) • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program • NC Food and Nutrition Services (North Carolina’s SNAP Program) • Work First (North Carolina’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program) • Women, Infants and Children (WIC) • Adult and Family Services • Child Support Services • Child Welfare Services As part of its role pertaining to these Public Assistance Programs, NCDHHS receives, maintains, and stores certain data pertaining to applicants for, and recipients participating in, the Public Assistance Programs, which includes NCDHHS Data. The County administers the daily operations of many of the Public Assistance Programs at the local level, in accordance with State and Federal law, and policies and rules adopted by NCDHHS. As part of its role pertaining to these Public Assistance Programs, the County collects, accesses, and utilizes certain data pertaining to applicants for, or recipients participating in, the Public Assistance Programs, which includes NCDHHS Data. NCDHHS and the County agree to work cooperatively to ensure that NCDHHS Data and NCDHHS IT Resources are available to the County for purposes of administering North Carolina’s Public Assistance Programs, and that the County accesses and utilizes NCDHHS Data and NCDHHS IT Resources in accordance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, 31 Page 3 of 16 standards and policies governing confidentiality, privacy and security of the NCDHHS Data and NCDHHS IT Resources and the terms of this MOA. The parties acknowledge and agree that this MOA is intended to renew and amend prior similar memoranda of agreement in place between the Parties, which was effective on or about October 14, 2016. 3. AUTHORITY OF PARTIES Each Party is a separate and distinct agency of the government of the State of North Carolina and operates pursuant to their respective statutory authority and obligations. This MOA is authorized under the provisions of N.C.G.S. §§ 108A-25, 108A-54, and 153A-11 and Article 13 of Chapter 153A of the North Carolina General Statutes, and the implementing recommendations or regulations of these laws, if any. For the convenience of the Parties and avoidance of doubt, the Parties acknowledge and agree that NCDHHS is the “NCDHHS” as such term is used in IRS Publication 1075, and that the County is a statutory agent but not a “contractor” or “agent” as such term is used in North Carolina statutory or common law. The NCDHHS and County separately acknowledge their respective organizations are authorized to receive and use FTI pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 6103. 4. PARTIES’ ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES a. Pursuant and subject to this MOA, NCDHHS shall provide to the County NCDHHS Data and access to NCDHHS IT Resources, and the County shall provide NCDHHS County Data and access to County IT Resources pertaining to the Public Assistance Programs, through access to NCDHHS’s information technology systems utilized in conjunction with the Public Assistance Programs. These information technology systems include, but are not limited to, the NCDHHS’s current NC FAST case management system (NC FAST), and the legacy information systems which preceded NC FAST (collectively, NCDHHS Information Systems). The NCDHHS Information Systems are secured via NCDHHS access control mechanisms and related procedures, including, but not limited to, Resource Access Control Facility (RACF), North Carolina Identification (NCID), and Web Identity Role Management Portal (WIRM) (collectively, NCDHHS Access Controls). b. All NCDHHS Data shall remain confidential and secure at all times. Confidentiality and security of this NCDHHS Data and NCDHHS IT Resources will be maintained by the County in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, standards and policies governing this NCDHHS Data and NCDHHS IT Resources and in accordance with the terms of this MOA. Only appropriately authorized County employees and contractors whose job responsibilities require access to the NCDHHS Data and NCDHHS IT Resources will be granted access, only to the minimum extent required, through the NCDHHS Information Systems and NCDHHS Access Controls. Any data, records or other information shared through this MOA are protected from unauthorized use and disclosure and shall be accessed and used by the County only for purposes of administering and operating the Public Assistance Programs and for no other purpose. c. NCDHHS Responsibilities: i. To provide NCDHHS Data to the County through access to the NCDHHS Information Systems in strict accordance with the NCDHHS Access Controls and in accordance with the terms of this MOA. 32 Page 4 of 16 ii. To allow the County to access and utilize the NCDHHS Data and NCDHHS IT Resources that NCDHHS determines are required to administer and operate the Public Assistance Programs. iii. To allow appropriately authorized County employees and contractors whose job responsibilities require access to the NCDHHS Data to access and utilize the NCDHHS Data through access to the NCDHHS Information Systems, to the extent needed to perform their job responsibilities. iv. To work cooperatively with the County regarding County employee and contractor access to NCDHHS Data, NCDHHS Information Systems, and other NCDHHS IT Resources in compliance with this MOA and applicable law. v. To safeguard all County Data, County IT Resources, and County Sensitive IT Security Information, including but not limited to investigations and reports, in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, standards, policies, and this MOA. NCDHHS will not disclose or permit access to County Data, County IT Resource, or County IT Sensitive Security Information to third parties unless permitted under this MOA or required by law to do so. If NCDHHS determines it is required by law to disclose or permit access to County Data, Sensitive IT Security Information, or County IT Resources, NCDHHS shall promptly notify the County prior to disclosure so that County may assert whatever rights and pursue whatever legal remedies to which County may be entitled. vi. To perform privacy and security assessments required by CMS, or according to NCDHHS policy and this MOA, on any County IT Resource related to or impacting an NCDHHS Information System or NCDHHS Data based on compliance with NIST Standards, applicable federal and North Carolina statutes, regulations, standards, NCDHHS policies, and this MOA, to the limited extent necessary meet federal, state or NCDHHS requirements. vii. To be responsible for supervision of its own employees and contractors. d. County Responsibilities: i. To safeguard all NCDHHS Dat, NCDHHS IT Resource, and NCDHHS Sensitive IT Security Information, including but not limited to investigations and reports, in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, standards, policies, and this MOA. The County will not disclose or permit access to NCDHHS Data, NCDHHS IT Resource, or Sensitive IT Security Information to third parties unless permitted under this MOA or required by law to do so. If the County determines it is required by law to disclose or permit access to NCDHHS Data, NCDHHS It Resource, or Sensitive IT Security Information, it shall notify the County prior to disclosure so that the County may assert any rights and pursue whatever remedy to which the County may be entitled. ii. To ensure County and NCDHHS IT Resources that connect to NCDHHS Information Systems or other NCDHHS IT resource are accessed and utilized only for the purposes authorized by law and under this MOA in the administration and operation of the Public Assistance Programs and for no other purpose. iii. To grant access to the NCDHHS Data, NCDHHS Information Systems, and County information systems that connect to NCDHHS Information Systems and other NCDHHS IT Resources only to appropriately authorized County employees and contractors whose job responsibilities require access to the NCDHHS Data or 33 Page 5 of 16 NCDHHS IT Resource, and only to the minimum extent necessary for purposes of administering and operating the Public Assistance Programs. iv. To ensure access to NCDHHS Data through access to the NCDHHS Information Systems or other NCDHHS IT Resource only to authorized County employees and contractors in strict accordance with the NCDHHS Access Controls and in accordance with the terms of this MOA. v. The County shall conduct background checks for individual employees prior to authorizing their access to FTI. vi. To ensure NCDHHS Information Systems and NCDHHS Data are readily available to persons authorized by law and this MOA to access and use the NCDHHS Information Systems, other NCDHHS IT Resources, and NCDHHS Data. vii. To obtain prior written permission from NCDHHS for the disclosure of any NCDHHS Data or access to any NCDHHS Information System or other NCDHHS IT Resource to any contractor. If NCDHHS approves disclosure of any NCDHHS Data or access to NCDHHS Information System or other NCDHHS IT Resource to County’s contractor, the County shall ensure the contractor is provided a copy of this MOA and signs a written agreement with the County acknowledging receipt of a copy of this MOA and agreeing to comply with the terms of this MOA as it relates to the contractor’s access to NCDHHS Data, NCDHHS Information Systems, or other NCDHHS IT Resource. viii. To ensure that all information technology systems receiving, storing, processing, or transmitting FTI meet the requirements in IRS Publication 1075, including the requirements set forth in Exhibit 7 to IRS Publication 1075, a copy of which is available at: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1075.pdf. ix. To maintain a current list of employees and contractors authorized to access and utilize NCDHHS Information Systems, NCDHHS Data, or NCDHHS IT Resource pursuant to this MOA, and to provide NCDHHS a copy of that list upon written request by NCDHHS. x. To submit, when requested by NCDHHS, a written certification that continuous security monitoring has been performed in accordance with applicable requirements. Additionally, the County will submit a written certification that all mainframe and network device configurations supporting the County environment are compliant with all applicable requirements. This certification will be provided to NCDHHS with supporting evidence, such as a recent vulnerability scan. xi. At NCDHHS’s request, to work with the IRS, Social Security Administration, or other federal agencies or their agents with respect to periodic safeguard and security reviews. The County will support the resolution of NCDHHS’s findings based on a written plan satisfactory to both Parties. xii. Upon notification from the IRS, Social Security Administration, other federal agencies, or NCDHHS of changes to functional and security specifications, to collaborate with NCDHHS to develop and implement plans to meet specified requirements in accordance with guidance and direction provided by the IRS and/or NCDHHS. The County will be responsible for costs arising from such modifications. xiii. To provide annual access and disclosure awareness and incident reporting training to its employees and any approved contractors that may have access to SSA data and/or FTI data (only certain functions in support of Child Support Enforcement may allow contractor access to FTI). 34 Page 6 of 16 xiv. To work cooperatively with NCDHHS regarding County employee or contractor access to NCDHHS Data ,NCDHHS Information Systems, and other NCDHHS IT Resources and compliance with this MOA and applicable law. xv. To ensure a third party, independent evaluation of IT privacy and security compliance is performed at least annually on any IT resource related to or impacting NCDHHS data or systems and provide the report to NCDHHS upon request. xvi. To cooperate with and permit NCDHHS to perform its own privacy and security assessments, along with those required by CMS, on any IT resource related to or impacting NCDHHS Information System, other NCDHHS IT Resources, or NCDHHS Data based on compliance with NIST Standards, applicable federal and North Carolina statutes, regulations, standards, NCDHHS policies, and this MOA. xvii. In the case of NCDHHS assessments that CMS requires NCDHHS to perform, to reimburse NCDHHS for the actual cost of those assessments. xviii. As required by CMS in the event of breach or other unauthorized access of any FDA, CMS, or Child Support Services data, to provide NCDHHS, who will in turn provide to CMS, the final, detailed, investigation report, including those performed by third parties. xix. To sign a BAA, MOA, or other information or information technology security agreement as required by NCDHHS in accordance with federal and state law, rules and regulations, and NCDHHS policies and procedures consistent with this MOA. xx. To be responsible for supervision of its own employees and contractors. 5. SAFEGUARDING DATA a. Access Controls. The County shall comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, licensing requirements, and electronic storage standards concerning privacy, data protection, confidentiality, and security including those of federal, state, and local jurisdictions having jurisdiction where business services are provided for accessing, receiving, or processing all confidential information. b. Security Measures. The County shall implement internal data security measures, environmental safeguards, firewalls, access controls, and other industry security best practices utilizing appropriate hardware and software necessary to monitor, maintain, and ensure data integrity in accordance with all applicable federal regulations, state regulations, and NCDHHS privacy and security policies. c. Credentialing. The County shall be responsible for reviewing, approving, delegating, and monitoring access to NCDHHS Data and IT Resources by County employees and any approved contractors in strict accordance with NCDHHS Access Controls applicable to NCDHHS IT Resources and in accordance with the terms of the MOA. The County shall terminate access privileges to NCDHHS Data of County employees immediately when their employment has been terminated or their job responsibilities no longer require access. d. Employee Oversight. The County shall monitor County employees’ access to NCDHHS Data, NCDHHS Information Systems, and other NCDHHS IT Resources, especially high-risk data elements such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and FTI. 35 Page 7 of 16 e. Adherence to Guidelines. The County will adhere to any written standard or guidelines provided by NCDHHS regarding management and implementation of NCDHHS Access Controls, and access to NCDHHS IT Resources, including, but not limited to, the information systems access control policy in the current version of the North Carolina Statewide Information Security Manual. 6. DATA OWNERSHIP a. Data Ownership. NCDHHS and the County acknowledge and agree that NCDHHS Data that NCDHHS provides to the County shall be classified as and shall remain, “NCDHHS Data” or “State Data”, and County Data that the County provides to NCDHHS shall be classified as and shall remain County Data. At no time will NCDHHS Data provided by NCDHHS ever be classified as County data. b. Data Quality. The quality and accuracy of any NCDHHS Data that has been manipulated or reprocessed by the County is the responsibility of the County. 7. CONFIDENTIALITY a. Data Reidentification. County shall not use NCDHHS Data for any purpose beyond those specified in this MOA or subsequent written agreement. Except as permitted by this MOA, County shall not use NCDHHS Data in an attempt to track individuals, link to an individual’s data from other data sources, determine real or likely identities, or contact any individual who is the subject of NCDHHS Data. b. Approved Purposes. The County will be permitted to use NCDHHS Data, NCDHHS Information Systems, and other NCDHHS IT Resources only: i. For the administration and implementation or public assistance and public service programs for the State of North Carolina. ii. To the minimum extent necessary for the specific use case for which the access and use is authorized by NCDHHS. iii. In the manner expressly approved by NCDHHS in this MOA and subsequent writing and in no other manner and for no other purpose. The County acknowledges and agrees that in accessing, receiving, utilizing, or otherwise handling NCDHHS Data, NCDHHS Information Systems, and other NCDHHS IT Resources it will safeguard and not access, use, or disclose them except for Approved Purposes. c. State and Federal Requirements. The County shall protect the confidentiality of NCDHHS Data in accordance with applicable federal and North Carolina laws, regulations, standards and guidelines, including, but not limited to the following: i. Privacy Act of 1974 (5 USC § 552a), as amended by the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988; ii. IRS Publication 1075; iii. Medicaid, 42 U.S.C. § 1396(a)(a)(7), 42 CFR Part 431.300-307; iv. Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, 42 U.S.C. § 602 (a)(1)(A)(iv); 36 Page 8 of 16 v. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, 7 U.S.C. § 2020 (e)(8); 7 CFR Part 272.1(c); vi. Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1396(a)(a)(7); vii. Social Security Administration Disclosure, 20 CFR Part 401; viii. Child Support, 42 U.S.C. § 654(26); ix. Public Assistance Programs (Public Welfare), 45 CFR Part 205.50; and x. U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, 20 CFR Part 603; xi. Health Information Portability and Accountability Act and HIPAA Privacy Rule, 45 CFR Part 160 and Subparts A and E of Part 164; xii. North Carolina law governing confidentiality of, and access to, public assistance program data and records, including N.C. Gen. Stat. 108A-80 and implementing regulations; and xiii. North Carolina Identify Theft Protection Act, N.C. Gen. Stat. 75-60 et seq. and 132-1.10 and any implementing regulations. d. Identifying Information. The County acknowledges and agrees that some of the data elements within NCDHHS Data can be classified as “Identifying Information” within the meaning of N.C.G.S. § 14-113.20(b). In addition, the combination of certain data elements could classify the data elements as “Personal Information” within the meaning of N.C.G.S. § 75-61(10). Since NCDHHS and the County are subject to the North Carolina Identity Theft Protect Act requirements, N.C.G.S. § 132-1.10 and 75-65, NCDHHS and the County acknowledge and understand that the unauthorized disclosure, misuse, or loss of these certain data elements could subject the County and/or NCDHHS to security breach notification requirements. e. HIPAA. NCDHHS is a Hybrid Entity as defined in 45 CFR § 164.103 as that term is designated pursuant to 45 CFR § 164.105(a)(2)(iii)(D) and is comprised of covered and non-covered components. The County may or may not be a Covered Entity and may or may not be a Hybrid Entity with covered and non-covered components. It is possible NCDHHS will provide County access to NCDHHS Data or NCDHHS IT Resources containing Individually Identifiable Health Information (“IIHI”) that is considered Protected Health Information (“PHI”) as defined in 45 CFR §160.103 or Limited Data set, as defined in 45 CFR §164.514(e). The Parties agree to the provisions of this MOA in order to address the obligations or requirements enforceable under HIPAA and to protect the interests of both Parties. However, nothing in this MOA shall be construed as creating obligations or liabilities enforceable under HIPAA for NCDHHS or County when HIPAA does not apply. 8. SECURITY a. Secure Transport. NCDHHS data will be exchanged between the County and NCDHHS through methods approved by NCDHHS. In accordance with applicable federal and North Carolina statutes, regulations, standards, and policies, the County shall use appropriate physical and technological security safeguards to prevent re- disclosure of NCDHHS Data, and to protect NCDHHS Data in paper and/or electronic forms during transmission, storage or transport. The County shall use encryption during the data transmission process and shall protect NCDHHS Data on portable computers and devices through the use of applicable encryption and strong authentication procedures and other security controls to make NCDHHS Data unusable and inaccessible by unauthorized individuals. 37 Page 9 of 16 b. Disposal and Destruction. The County shall dispose of paper, media, and equipment containing NCDHHS Data in a secure manner in accordance with applicable law and information security NIST standards. Data destruction shall be accomplished by destroying, purging or clearing NCDHHS Data so that NCDHHS Data and any related data components are not recoverable, in accordance with all applicable laws, commercially accepted and reasonable standards for the type of data being destroyed, and in compliance with the minimum standards set out in the Guidelines for Media Sanitization (NIST 800-88) guideline issued by the US Dept of Commerce (https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800- 88r1.pdf). At the request of NCDHHS, the County shall provide documentation of proper disposal of NCDHHS Data, media, or equipment to NCDHHS. c. Unintentional Disclosure. The County shall safeguard and protect the security of NCDHHS Data from loss, theft, or inadvertent disclosure, in accordance with applicable federal and North Carolina laws, regulations, standards and guidelines, and policies including, but not limited to the following: i. Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (44 USC 3541 et seq.) ii. SSA’s “Electronic Information Exchange Security Requirements and Procedures for State and Local Agencies Exchanging Electronic Information with the Social Security Administration” iii. IRS Publication 1075; iv. Health Information Portability and Accountability Act and HIPAA Security Rule, 45 CFR Part 160 and Subparts A and C of Part 164; and v. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines. d. Security Incidents. The County shall implement procedures for detecting, investigating, reporting and responding to security incidents involving NCDHHS Data and NCDHHS IT Resources. The County shall implement an Incident Management Plan which will be the source for how to handle incident management involving NCDHHS Data and NCDHHS IT Resources, and the Incident Management Plan will be available to NCDHHS upon request. e. Duty to Report. The County shall evaluate and report all losses, misuse, or unauthorized disclosure of NCDHHS Data and NCDHHS IT Resource to the NCDHHS Privacy and Security Office without unreasonable delay. Any expenses incurred as a result of the loss, misuse, or unauthorized disclosure of NCDHHS Data or NCDHHS IT Resource by the County will be the responsibility of the County. f. Reports to NCDHHS. To enable NCDHHS to effectively mitigate impact and comply with its own reporting obligations to federal partners, the County shall report any suspected or confirmed privacy or security incidents or breaches involving NCDHHS Data, NCDHHS Information Systems, or other NCDHHS IT Resources to the NCDHHS Office of Privacy and Security via electronic mail and 38 Page 10 of 16 through the Office’s website, https://www.ncdhhs.gov/about/administrative- offices/privacy-and-security, within twenty-four (24) hours after the suspected or confirmed incident or breach is first discovered. For reports involving Social Security Administration (SSA) information, the County shall report suspected or confirmed incidents or breaches immediately, but no later than (one) 1 hour after the suspected or confirmed privacy or security incident or breach is first discovered. If reports involving SSA information occur after normal business hours, the County shall also make a report to the NCDHHS Chief Information Security Officer via the phone numbers listed at the link above. At a minimum and to the extent known at the time of the report, such privacy and security incident or breach reports shall contain the following information: i. The nature of the incident or breach; ii. Information about the system or data affected, including a description of the specific data or system; iii. The date the incident or breach was discovered; iv. The date the incident or breach occurred; v. The date the County was notified of the incident or breach; and vi. The identities of affected or potentially affected individual(s). g. Duty to Mitigate. County will take reasonable steps to limit any further such unauthorized use or disclosure of NCDHHS Data, NCDHHS Information System, or other NCDHHS IT Resource. NCDHHS in its sole discretion may require the County to: i. Investigate and respond to NCDHHS regarding any alleged disclosure and promptly resolve any problems identified by the investigation. ii. Submit a corrective action plan with steps designed to prevent any future unauthorized disclosures. iii. Require that all of NCDHHS data files be returned or, if infeasible, be destroyed immediately. h. Contact by OCR. During the performance of this MOA, the County is to notify NCDHHS Privacy and Security Office of any contact by the federal Office for Civil Rights (OCR) received by the County. In addition, the County will reasonably cooperate with NCDHHS Divisions and Offices to mitigate the damage or harm of such security incidents. i. Cooperation with NCDHHS. The County will collaborate and cooperate with NCDHHS regarding investigation, actions and potential remedies pertaining to any suspected or confirmed privacy or security breach or incident involving NCDHHS Data, NCDHHS Information System, or other NCDHHS IT Resource. 39 Page 11 of 16 j. Breach Notifications. If the County experiences a security breach involving NCDHHS Data, the County will be responsible for providing notification to all affected persons. The County will collaborate and cooperate with NCDHHS Office of Privacy and Security regarding the content and timing of notification prior to providing the notification. k. Notification Costs. When the privacy or security breach arises out of a Party’s performance under this MOA, that Party will pay for or reimburse the other Party for the costs associated with giving affected persons written notice of a privacy or security breaches. l. Access To NCDHHS Data, U.S. Sensitive Personal Data, and Government-Related Data By Countries Of Concern Or Covered Persons. The County shall fully comply with all restrictions in 28 CFR Part 202 concerning direct or indirect access to or bulk U.S. sensitive personal data or government-related data by Countries of concern or covered persons as identified by the United States or North Carolina Attorney General, including but not limited to China (including Hong Kong & Macau), Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela. For purpose of this MOA, the County shall treat NCDHHS Data as if it were “bulk U.S. sensitive personal data” or “United States Government-related data” as those phrases are defined in 28 CFR 202. The County shall not engage in any acquisition, holding, use, transfer, transportation, or exportation of, or dealing in, any property in which a foreign country or national thereof has any interest (“transaction”), where the transaction: involves United States Government-related data (“government-related data”) or bulk U.S. sensitive personal data, as defined by 28 CFR 202; falls within a class of transactions that has been determined by the North Carolina or U.S. Attorney General or NCDHHS to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States, the state of North Carolina, or NCDHHS because the transactions may enable access by countries of concern or covered persons to government-related data or bulk U.S. sensitive personal data; and meets other criteria specified by Executive Order 14117. This requirement applies to any transaction that takes place after the regulation’s effective date, July 1, 2025, even if an agreement was signed prior to that effective date, including but not limited to: Master Service Agreements (MSAs), Data transfer agreements, Research agreements with foreign sites, and Service agreements with cloud, analytics, and tech vendors. 9. NOTICE AND CONTACTS The Parties mutually agree that the following named individuals will be designated as points of contact for the MOA on behalf of NCDHHS and the County: For NCDHHS: The relevant NCDHHS Program Information Security Officers, via the head of the respective program or office. In the event the head of a program or office head or information security officer cannot be located or contacted, the point of contact will be: 40 Page 12 of 16 Pyreddy Reddy Chief Information Security officer N.C. DHHS Privacy and Security Office 1915 Health Services Way Raleigh, NC 27607 Phone: (919) 855-3090 Fax: (919) 733-1524 Email: pyreddy.reddy@dhhs.nc.gov For County: [Name] [Title] [Address] [Phone Number] [Fax Number] [E-Mail] The Parties agree that if there is a change regarding the information in this section, the party making the change will notify the other party in writing of such change. 10. LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION a. Sovereign Immunity. Nothing herein shall be construed as a waiver of the sovereign immunity of either Party or the State of North Carolina, or the assumption by the State of any liability contrary to the laws and statutes of North Carolina. Each Party shall be responsible for its own liabilities and neither Party shall seek indemnification from the other. b. Inurement. This MOA shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties hereto and their respective successors in the event of governmental reorganization pursuant to N.C.G.S.§ 143A-6 or other authority. 11. THIRD PARTY MONITORING AND AUDITING a. Federal Access. With advance notice, the IRS, SSA, other legally authorized other federal agency, and NCDHHS shall have the right to send its officers and employees into the offices and facilities of the County for inspection of the County’s facilities to ensure that adequate safeguards and security measures have been maintained as required by this MOA. Key areas to be inspected include record keeping, secure storage, limited access areas, disposal areas, and computer security systems such as those described in IRS Publication 1075. The County and NCDHHS will work together to correct any deficiencies identified during any 41 Page 13 of 16 internal inspection. NCDHHS may opt to utilize the County representatives for compliance validation. b. State Access. The State Auditor, NCDHHS internal auditors, and the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and legislative employees whose primary responsibility is to provide professional or administrative services to the joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations shall have the right, upon prior written notice, to audit and inspect the County’s records, systems, processes and facilities as they relate to the use, storage, processing, and protection of NCDHHS Data under this MOA. Such audits may be conducted during normal business hours. The County shall provide reasonable access to all relevant records, personnel, and systems necessary to conduct the audit, including but not limited to electronic records, databases, and networks. The County shall retain the records and information at least one (1) year following the termination or expiration of this MOA, one (1) year following the end of the record retention period, or one year after the resolution of an audit, litigation, or other action related to NCDHHS Data under this MOA, whichever is later. The following entities may audit the records of this MOA during and after the term of this MOA to verify accounts and data affecting fees or other performance under this MOA: i. The State Auditor. ii. NCDHHS internal auditors. iii. The Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and legislative employees whose primary responsibility is to provide professional or administrative services to the joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations. 12. DURATION OF AGREEMENT a. Term. This MOA is effective on July 1, 2026, and shall continue through and including June 30, 2028, after which it will be renewed automatically for up to two additional one-year terms, unless either party provides prior written notice to the other party of its intent not to renew the MOA within 90 days prior to the end of the current term. b. Termination. The Parties may terminate this MOA at any time upon mutual written agreement. In addition, either party may terminate this MOA upon ninety (90) days’ advance written notice to the other party. Such unilateral termination will be effective 90 days after the date of the notice or at a later date specified in the notice. In the event this MOA is terminated unilaterally by the County, NCDHHS will suspend the flow of NCDHHS Data and access to NCDHHS IT Resources to the County until a superseding written agreement is executed by the Parties. c. Effect of Failure to Perform. NCDHHS may immediately and unilaterally suspend the flow of NCDHHS Data and access to NCDHHS IT Resources to the County under this MOA, or terminate this MOA, if NCDHHS, in its sole discretion, determines that the County (including its employees, contractors and agents) has: (i) made an unauthorized use or disclosure of NCDHHS Data; (ii) provided unauthorized access to NCDHHS Information 42 Page 14 of 16 Systems or other NCDHHS IT Resource; or (iii) violated or failed to follow the terms and conditions of this MOA (Breach of Agreement). At the request of NCDHHS, the County shall immediately discontinue access and use of any NCDHHS Data and NCDHHS IT Resources demanded by NCDHHS. d. Termination for Cause. If a Breach of Agreement or other failure to perform as required is not cured within thirty (30) days, or as otherwise agreed to by NCDHHS in writing and in a manner deemed acceptable by NCDHHS, then this MOA will be terminated for cause. If the NCDHHS Data is a HIPAA-covered data set, a matter resolved in an unacceptable manner will result in discontinued access and use of that NCDHHS Data and NCDHHS shall report the problem to the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, per 45 CFR 164.514(e)(4)(iii)(A)). 13. MODIFICATION a. Regular Review. The Parties shall review this MOA as deemed necessary by NCDHHS and upon the written request of either NCDHHS or the County to the other party, or whenever a State or Federal statute is enacted that material affects the substance of this MOA, in order to determine whether it should be revised or renewed, as applicable. b. Amendments. The Parties agree that all changes and amendments to this MOA shall be in writing and executed by both parties. 14. GOVERNING LAW a. The Laws of the State of North Carolina. The validity of this MOA and any of its terms or provisions, as well as the rights and duties of the parties to this MOA, are governed by the laws of North Carolina. b. Venue. The place of this MOA and all transactions and agreements relating to it, and their situs and forum, shall be Wake County, North Carolina, where all matters, whether sounding in contract or tort, relating to the validity, construction, interpretation, and enforcement shall be determined. 15. OTHER PROVISIONS/SEVERABILITY a. Severability. Nothing in this MOA is intended to conflict with current federal or state laws or regulations, or any governing policies of the County or NCDHHS. If any term of this MOA is found by any court or other legal authority, or is agreed by the Parties to be in conflict with any law or regulation governing its subject, the conflicting term shall be considered null and void. The remaining terms and conditions of this MOA shall remain in full force and effect. b. Entire Agreement. This MOA and any amendments hereto and any documents incorporated specifically by reference represent the entire agreement between the Parties and supersede all prior oral and written statements or agreements. c. Conflicts. The terms and conditions of this MOA shall override and control any conflicting term or condition of any prior agreement between the Parties pertaining to the NCDHHS Data, NCDHHS Information System, or other NCDHHS It Resource. 43 Page 15 of 16 d. Requests from Third Parties and Subpoenas or Other Legal Process. If a subpoena or other legal process in any way concerning the NCDHHS Data, NCDHHS Information System, or other NCDHHS IT Resource is served upon the County, then Recipient shall notify NCDHHS promptly following receipt of such subpoena or other legal process and shall cooperate with NCDHHS in any lawful effort by NCDHHS to contest the legal validity of such subpoena or other legal process. If the County is contacted by a third party for information related to the NCDHHS Data, NCDHHS Information System, other NCDHHS IT Resource, or the terms of this MOA, then the County shall promptly notify NCDHHS of the request and shall not provide any such information to the third party without first receiving written approval from NCDHHS unless otherwise required by law. 16. EFFECTIVE DATE This MOA shall become effective July 1, 2026 and shall continue in effect until June 30, 2028 unless otherwise extended or terminated under the terms of this MOA. -------------Signatures on Next Page. The Rest of This Page Left Intentionally Blank.-------------- 44 Page 2 of 16 17.SIGNATURE WARRANTY Each individual signing below warrants that he or she is duly authorized by the party to sign this MOA and to bind the party to the terms and conditions of this MOA. For the County BY: Name TITLE: DATE: -AND- BY: Name TITLE: _____ DATE: ______ For the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services BY: _______________________________ Name TITLE: Secretary, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services DATE: ______ 45 AGENDA ABSTRACT August 3, 2026 Agenda Title: The NCDHHS Subsidized Child Care Assistance Program Plan Summary of Information: The Subsidized Child Care Assistance Program helps eligible low-income families afford childcare costs by sharing expenses for children from birth to age 12. This plan determines how the Person County Department of Social Services will prioritize services with available funding and manage a waiting list for child services. The plan must be reviewed, updated, and submitted every two years. Financial Impact: None Recommended Action: Review and sign plan on behalf of Person County. Submitted By: Adonica Hampton, DSS Director 46 47 48 49 50 AGENDA ABSTRACT August 3, 2026 DSS Energy Programs Outreach Plan The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded block grant program that is comprised of three different programs - Crisis Intervention Program (CIP), Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) and Weatherization. There are also non-Federal Crisis Intervention Programs – Duke Energy Progress Share the Light, Piedmont Natural Gas Share the Warmth, Duke Energy Progress NC Settlement Rate, and Wake Electric Round Up. To maximize the success of this program, outreach is provided to county residents through key community partner stakeholders. The county social services director or designee is required to develop a plan for outreach and application activities for eligible households to be made aware of these programs. Financial Impact: Recommended Action: Submitted By: 51 Person County Department of Social Services/Human Services ENERGY PROGRAMS OUTREACH PLAN The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded block grant program that is comprised of three different programs - Crisis Intervention Program (CIP), Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) and Weatherization. There are also non-Federal Crisis Intervention Programs – Duke Energy Progress Share the Light, Piedmont Natural Gas Share the Warmth, Duke Energy Progress NC Settlement Rate, and Wake Electric Round Up To maximize the success of this program, outreach to county residents through key community partner stakeholders, each county department of social services is required to develop and implement an Energy Program Outreach Plan (EPOP). This plan is a framework to assure that eligible households are made aware of the assistance available through these programs. The county director and/or his/her designee is required to develop the EPOP, which addresses outreach and application activities related to the Energy Programs. The Outreach Plan is due to North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) by July 31, 2026. Each county must form an outreach planning committee that creates the opportunity for county level collaboration to discuss and plan how to effectively reach county residents to inform them of the services provided by the energy programs. The committee should meet at least twice yearly; September for outreach planning related to LIEAP and April to review the outcomes related to LIEAP and to plan for outreach activities for summer weather. Energy Assistance Outreach Plan Answer all questions below. Address CIP, non-Federal CIP, and LIEAP were appropriate: COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP The Director of Social Services should engage a number of various community partners such as Vendors, Housing Authority, Public Libraries, Public School System/Local Colleges/Head Start, Legal Services, Meals on Wheels, Media, Public Health/Health Centers, Churches, Food Banks, Councils on Aging/Senior Centers, Community based Indian organizations, Volunteer Programs, Vocational Rehabilitation Offices, and Transportation, services, etc. 1.Provide a list of committee members and their agencies. Person County Senior Center, Christian Help Center, Salvation Army, Partnership for Children, Child Care Centers, United Way (via 211) Vocational Rehabilitation, Community Churches, Person County Library 2.Provide potential meeting dates, times, locations, as well as agenda topics. Potential date would be the 3rd Tuesday in June and October. Agenda , location and time are TBD. 52 Define how DSS/DHS will work with the committee as well as any other agencies to collaborate regarding the Energy Program and how outreach will be provided to the citizens in your area. PCDSS will communicate with the community when funds are available for programs along with the requirements and process for residents to apply. media such as newspapers, social media, radio and television stations to publicize the Energy Programs? An ad may be placed in the local paper. PCG/PCDSS has social media pages. Also, DHHS have a social media site and information is shared with the community once it is posted. 1. Provide a list of media outlets that will be used as well as timeframes in which they will be contacted (provide examples of how the county can enhance these efforts): Local newspaper fee is by the size and how many times it is ran. Ad is normally posted mid-late November for LIEAP and may vary for other services as July is the start of the new fiscal year for CIP. Local radio broadcast and social media is free. 53 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: Counties are required to provide application processes for CIP, non-Federal CIP programs, and/or LIEAP. This information must be reported to the NCDHHS annually. 1. Provide hours of operation, location and whether the programs are in house or contracted out. If your agency contracts out to other agencies attach the contract(s). LIEAP, CIP and other energy programs are taken at PCDSS Monday thru Friday 8:30am-5pm in person, drop off, via telephone, fax, mail and email. Clients can also apply online via ePass 24/7. CONTACT INFORMATION: Your contact information is essential to the success of the Energy Programs. Please complete the following information. Name: _Sandra Stanfield__________________________________ Address: _355-B South Madison, Blvd Roxboro, NC 27573__________________________ Telephone: _336-503-1165__________________________________ Email: sstanfield@personcountync.gov___________________________________ Please indicate which program: BEST PRACTICES: advantage of the program if it is known they will qualify. We reach out and collaborate with Adult Services Social Workers to ensure their clients have applied. 54 X LIEAP X CIP This plan must be approved by the local Board of Social Services/Human Services Board or local agency governing body prior to submission. Refer to the latest Dear County Director Letter for instructions on how to submit this document to the North Carolina State office. _____________________________________________________________________ Board of Social Services/Human Services or governing body Signature ________________________________ Date _______________________________________________________________________ Director’s Signature ________________________________ Date DSS-8119ia (06/18) Page 4 of 4 Economic and Family Services 55 AGENDA ABSTRACT August 3, 2026 FY27 Classification and Pay Plan The Board of Commissioners approved a 3.0% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for County employee salaries as part of the FY27 Budget. This adjustment also increases the County’s salary schedule by 3.0%. In addition, the Board approved implementation of the Public Safety Pay Study for FY27. The study will be rolled out in two phases. Phase I has been implemented for the following positions: •EMS Paramedic •EMS Paramedic/FTE •EMS Field Training Officer/Lieutenant •Detention Officer •Detention Officer Corporal •Detention Officer Sergeant Phase II will be implemented in January 2027. Financial Impact: Recommended Action: Submitted By: 56 Person County Government Pay and Classification Plan 7/1/2026 57 1950 GRADE GRADE GRADE $14.30 $27,885 113 $25.68 $50,076 125 $46.10 $89,901 $18.32 $35,724 113 $32.90 $64,155 125 $59.08 $115,198 $22.34 $43,563 113 $40.12 $78,234 125 $72.05 $140,497 $15.02 $29,289 114 $26.97 $52,592 126 $48.41 $94,396 $19.24 $37,518 114 $34.55 $67,373 126 $62.03 $120,958 $23.46 $45,747 114 $42.14 $82,173 126 $75.65 $147,522 $15.77 $30,752 115 $28.30 $55,185 127 $50.83 $99,116 $20.20 $39,390 115 $36.27 $70,727 127 $65.13 $127,007 $24.64 $48,048 115 $44.24 $86,268 127 $79.43 $154,898 $16.55 $32,273 116 $29.73 $57,974 128 $53.37 $104,071 $21.21 $41,360 116 $38.09 $74,276 128 $68.39 $133,357 $25.86 $50,427 116 $46.45 $90,578 128 $83.41 $162,643 $17.39 $33,911 117 $31.21 $60,860 129 $56.04 $109,276 $22.27 $43,427 117 $39.99 $77,981 129 $71.81 $140,024 $27.16 $52,962 117 $48.77 $95,102 129 $87.58 $170,775 $18.25 $35,588 118 $32.76 $63,882 130 $58.84 $114,738 $23.38 $45,591 118 $41.99 $81,881 130 $75.40 $147,026 $28.51 $55,595 118 $51.21 $99,860 130 $91.96 $179,314 $19.16 $37,362 119 $34.41 $67,100 131 $61.78 $120,475 $24.56 $47,892 119 $44.08 $85,956 131 $79.17 $154,377 $29.94 $58,383 119 $53.77 $104,852 131 $96.55 $188,279 $20.12 $39,234 120 $36.13 $70,454 132 $64.87 $126,498 $25.78 $50,271 120 $46.29 $90,266 132 $83.13 $162,096 $31.44 $61,308 120 $56.45 $110,078 132 $101.38 $197,693 $21.13 $41,204 121 $37.93 $73,964 133 $68.11 $132,824 $27.07 $52,787 121 $48.61 $94,790 133 $87.28 $170,201 $33.01 $64,370 121 $59.28 $115,596 133 $106.45 $207,578 $22.19 $43,271 122 $39.83 $77,669 134 $71.52 $139,465 $28.42 $55,419 122 $51.04 $99,528 134 $91.65 $178,711 $34.66 $67,587 122 $62.24 $121,368 134 $111.77 $217,956 $23.29 $45,416 123 $41.82 $81,549 $29.84 $58,188 123 $53.59 $104,501 $36.40 $70,980 123 $65.35 $127,433 $24.45 $47,678 124 $43.91 $85,620 $31.33 $61,094 124 $56.26 $109,714 $38.22 $74,529 124 $68.62 $133,806 58 2080 GRADE GRADE GRADE $13.41 $27,893 113 $24.07 $50,066 125 $46.10 $89,901 $17.18 $35,734 113 $30.85 $64,168 125 $59.08 $115,198 $20.95 $43,576 113 $37.62 $78,250 125 $72.05 $140,497 $14.08 $29,286 114 $25.28 $52,582 126 $48.41 $94,396 $18.04 $37,523 114 $32.38 $67,350 126 $62.03 $120,958 $22.00 $45,760 114 $39.50 $82,160 126 $75.65 $147,522 $14.78 $30,742 115 $26.54 $55,203 127 $50.83 $99,116 $18.94 $39,395 115 $34.01 $70,741 127 $65.13 $127,007 $23.10 $48,048 115 $41.47 $86,258 127 $79.43 $154,898 $15.52 $32,282 116 $27.86 $57,949 128 $53.37 $104,071 $19.89 $41,371 116 $35.71 $74,277 128 $68.39 $133,357 $24.25 $50,440 116 $43.55 $90,584 128 $83.41 $162,643 $16.30 $33,904 117 $29.26 $60,861 129 $56.04 $109,276 $20.88 $43,430 117 $37.49 $77,979 129 $71.81 $140,024 $25.46 $52,957 117 $45.72 $95,098 129 $87.58 $170,775 $17.11 $35,589 118 $30.72 $63,898 130 $58.84 $114,738 $21.92 $45,594 118 $39.37 $81,890 130 $75.40 $147,026 $26.74 $55,619 118 $48.01 $99,861 130 $91.96 $179,314 $17.96 $37,357 119 $32.26 $67,101 131 $61.78 $120,475 $23.01 $47,861 119 $41.33 $85,966 131 $79.17 $154,377 $28.07 $58,386 119 $50.41 $104,853 131 $96.55 $188,279 $18.86 $39,229 120 $33.87 $70,450 132 $64.87 $126,498 $24.17 $50,274 120 $43.40 $90,272 132 $83.13 $162,096 $29.48 $61,318 120 $52.92 $110,074 132 $101.38 $197,693 $19.81 $41,205 121 $35.57 $73,986 133 $68.11 $132,824 $25.38 $52,790 121 $45.57 $94,786 133 $87.28 $170,201 $30.95 $64,376 121 $55.58 $115,606 133 $106.45 $207,578 $20.80 $43,264 122 $37.34 $77,667 134 $71.52 $139,465 $26.65 $55,432 122 $47.84 $99,507 134 $91.65 $178,711 $32.50 $67,600 122 $58.35 $121,368 134 $111.77 $217,956 $21.84 $45,427 123 $39.20 $81,536 $27.99 $58,219 123 $50.24 $104,499 $34.12 $70,970 123 $61.27 $127,442 $22.93 $47,694 124 $43.91 $85,620 $29.38 $61,110 124 $56.26 $109,714 $35.82 $74,506 124 $68.62 $133,806 59 2184 GRADE GRADE GRADE $12.77 $27,890 113 $22.93 $50,079 125 $41.17 $89,915 $16.37 $35,752 113 $29.38 $64,166 125 $52.76 $115,228 $19.95 $43,571 113 $35.82 $78,231 125 $64.33 $140,497 $13.41 $29,287 114 $24.07 $52,569 126 $43.22 $94,392 $17.18 $37,521 114 $30.85 $67,376 126 $55.39 $120,972 $20.95 $45,755 114 $37.62 $82,162 126 $67.56 $147,551 $14.08 $30,751 115 $25.28 $55,212 127 $45.39 $99,132 $18.04 $39,399 115 $32.38 $70,718 127 $58.15 $127,000 $22.00 $48,048 115 $39.50 $86,268 127 $70.93 $154,911 $14.78 $32,280 116 $26.54 $57,963 128 $47.66 $104,089 $18.94 $41,365 116 $34.00 $74,256 128 $61.06 $133,355 $23.11 $50,472 116 $41.47 $90,570 128 $74.48 $162,664 $15.52 $33,896 117 $27.86 $60,846 129 $50.04 $109,287 $19.89 $43,440 117 $35.71 $77,991 129 $64.13 $140,060 $24.25 $52,962 117 $43.55 $95,113 129 $78.21 $170,811 $16.29 $35,577 118 $29.26 $63,904 130 $52.54 $114,747 $20.88 $45,602 118 $37.49 $81,878 130 $67.33 $147,049 $25.46 $55,605 118 $45.72 $99,852 130 $82.11 $179,328 $17.11 $37,368 119 $30.72 $67,092 131 $55.17 $120,491 $21.92 $47,873 119 $39.37 $85,984 131 $70.69 $154,387 $26.73 $58,378 119 $48.01 $104,854 131 $86.21 $188,283 $17.96 $39,225 120 $32.26 $70,456 132 $57.93 $126,519 $23.02 $50,276 120 $41.33 $90,265 132 $74.22 $162,096 $28.07 $61,305 120 $50.41 $110,095 132 $90.53 $197,718 $18.86 $41,190 121 $33.87 $73,972 133 $60.82 $132,831 $24.17 $52,787 121 $43.40 $94,786 133 $77.94 $170,221 $29.48 $64,384 121 $52.93 $115,599 133 $95.05 $207,589 $19.81 $43,265 122 $35.57 $77,685 134 $63.86 $139,470 $25.38 $55,430 122 $45.57 $99,525 134 $81.83 $178,717 $30.95 $67,595 122 $55.58 $121,387 134 $99.81 $217,985 $20.80 $45,427 123 $37.34 $81,551 $26.65 $58,204 123 $47.84 $104,483 $32.50 $70,980 123 $58.35 $127,436 $21.84 $47,699 124 $39.21 $85,635 $27.99 $61,130 124 $50.24 $109,724 $34.12 $74,518 124 $61.27 $133,814 60 Minimum Grade Position Base Pay Desc Job Class 103 CUSTODIAN 1950 Non-exempt 2032 104 ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN 1950 Non-exempt 2134 104 COMM SOC SERV TECHNICIAN 1950 Non-exempt 2011 104 CUSTODIAL TECHNICIAN 1950 Non-exempt 2156 104 PI COMMUNITY EMPLOY SPECIALIST 2080 Non-exempt 2123 104 PI DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL 2080 Non-exempt 2033 106 GROUNDS MAINTENANCE WORKER 1950 Non-exempt 2100 106 LIBRARIAN ASSOCIATE 1950 Non-exempt 2204 106 LIBRARY TECHNICIAN 1950 Non-exempt 2102 106 P&R GROUNDS MAINTENANCE WORKER 1950 Non-exempt 2104 106 PI FIELD SUPERVISOR 2080 Non-exempt 2081 106 TRANSIT SPECIALIST 2080 Non-exempt 2083 107 ANIMAL SERV PLACE & PROG COORD 1950 Non-exempt 2206 107 BUILDING MAINTENANCE MECH I 1950 Non-exempt 2055 107 OFFICE ASSISTANT IV 1950 Non-exempt 2080 107 PATS ADMIN SUPPORT SPECIALIST 1950 Non-exempt 2125 107 PI ACCOUNTING/ADMIN SUPPORT 2080 Non-exempt 2213 107 PROCESSING ASSISTANT IV 1950 Non-exempt 2082 107 TAX CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENT 1950 Non-exempt 2103 108 DEPUTY REGISTER OF DEEDS 1950 Non-exempt 2126 108 HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT 1950 Non-exempt 2130 108 INCOME MAINT CASEWORKER I 1950 Non-exempt 2122 108 MED LAB TECHNICIAN I 1950 Non-exempt 2251 108 SHERIFF TELECOMMUNICATOR 2080 Non-exempt 2160 109 ACCOUNTING TECH III 1950 Non-exempt 2170 109 ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN I 1950 Non-exempt 2168 109 ACCOUNTS PAYABLE TECHNICIAN 1950 Non-exempt 2184 109 ADMIN SUPPORT SPEC SR 1950 Non-exempt 2196 109 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT I 1950 Non-exempt 2171 109 APPRAISAL TECHNICICAN 1950 Non-exempt 2151 109 CHILD SUPPORT AGENT I 1950 Non-exempt 2173 109 FOREIGN LANGUAG INTERPRETER II 1950 Non-exempt 2175 109 LIBRARY TECH SPECIALIST 1950 Non-exempt 2197 109 P&R LEAD MAINTENANCE WORKER 1950 Non-exempt 2164 109 PERMIT TECHNICIAN 1950 Non-exempt 2189 109 PI PRODUCTION COORDINATOR 2080 Non-exempt 2079 109 PLANNING TECHNICIAN 1950 Non-exempt 2211 109 PROCESSING ASSISTANT V 1950 Non-exempt 2131 109 PROCESSING UNIT SUPERVISOR V 1950 Non-exempt 2129 109 SENIOR GROUNDS MAINTENANCE WOR 1950 Non-exempt 2127 109 TAX CUSTOMER SERVICE REP SR 1950 Non-exempt 2158 110 ACCOUNTING &PAYROLL TECHNICIAN 1950 Non-exempt 2182 110 BUILDING MAINT MECH II 1950 Non-exempt 2056 110 INCOME MAINT CASEWORKER II 1950 Non-exempt 2176 110 INCOME MAINT INVESTIGATOR I 1950 Non-exempt 2550 110 LAND RECORDS SPECIALIST 1950 Non-exempt 2212 110 LIBRARY OUTREACH COORDINATOR 1950 Non-exempt 2153 110 PERSONAL PROP APPRAISER 1950 Non-exempt 2215 110 PI PRODUCTION MAINT TECH 2080 Non-exempt 2191 110 SHRFSR ADMN SUP SPEC/EVID CUST 2080 Non-exempt 2602 110 SOCIAL WORKER I 1950 Non-exempt 2193 111 911 TELECOMMUNICATOR 2080 Non-exempt 2208 111 ADMIN ASST II 1950 Non-exempt 2181 111 ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER 1950 Non-exempt 2150 61 111 CHILD SUPPORT AGENT II 1950 Non-exempt 2231 111 COMM DIV TELECOMM EMD 2080 Non-exempt 2194 111 EMS EMT 2080 Non-exempt 2284 111 PERMIT TECHNICIAN LEAD 1950 Non-exempt 2185 111 PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATOR I 1950 Non-exempt 2587 111 SHERIFF TELECOMMUNICATOR SUPV 2080 Non-exempt 2202 112 CHILD SUPPORT AGENT LEAD 1950 Non-exempt 2257 112 COMMUNICATIONS DIV LIEUTENANT 2080 Non-exempt 2329 112 CULTURAL ARTS PROG SPECIALIST 1950 Non-exempt 2950 112 DEPUTY ELECTIONS DIRECTOR 1950 Non-exempt 2258 112 DET OFFCR / DEP SHRF TRNEE 2184 Non-exempt 2161 112 DETENTION OFFICER 2184 Non-exempt 2159 112 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPEC 1950 Non-exempt 2220 112 EMS ADVANCED EMT 2080 Non-exempt 2121 112 FINANCE TECHNICIAN II 1950 Non-exempt 2253 112 INCOME MAINT CASEWORKER III 1950 Non-exempt 2234 112 INCOME MAINTENANCE SUPV I 1950 Exempt 2260 112 IT PROCUREMENT & ADMIN OFFICER 1950 Non-exempt 2460 112 OUTDOOR REC PRG SPEC 1950 Non-exempt 2256 112 PAYROLL TECHNICIAN 1950 Non-exempt 2207 112 PI PROGRAM COORDINATOR 2080 Non-exempt 2203 112 RECREATION PROG & EVENTS SPEC 1950 Non-exempt 2306 112 RECREATION PROGRAM SPECIALIST 1950 Non-exempt 2276 113 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER I 1950 Non-exempt 2504 113 BUILD CODE ENFORCEMENT OFF I 1950 Non-exempt 2270 113 DEPUTY SHERIFF 2184 Non-exempt 2259 113 DETENTION OFFICER CORPORAL 2184 Non-exempt 2187 113 EMERGENCY SERVICES OFFICE MGR 1950 Non-exempt 2503 113 GENERAL SERVICES OFFICE MGR 1950 Non-exempt 2505 113 GIS TECHNICIAN 1950 Non-exempt 2434 113 NUTRITIONIST II 1950 Non-exempt 2254 113 PI BUSINESS OFFICER 2080 Non-exempt 2302 113 SHERIFF EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT 2080 Non-exempt 2305 113 STAFF DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST I 1950 Non-exempt 2152 113 TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR 1950 Non-exempt 2502 113 VETERAN'S SERVICES OFFICER 1950 Non-exempt 2955 114 CHILD SUPPORT SUPV II 1950 Exempt 2290 114 DEPUTY SHERIFF PATROL CORPORAL 2184 Non-exempt 2244 114 GROUND MAINTENANCE SUPV 1950 Exempt 2322 114 HELP DESK TECHNICIAN 1950 Non-exempt 2225 114 HUMAN RESOURCES GENERALIST 1950 Non-exempt 2523 114 INCOME MAINTENANCE SUPV II 1950 Exempt 2272 114 LIBRARIAN 1950 Exempt 2298 114 OUTREACH LIBRARIAN 1950 Non-exempt 2165 114 PAYROLL SPECIALIST 1950 Non-exempt 2238 114 PERSONAL PROP APPR SUPV 1950 Non-exempt 2277 114 PI PROGRAM MANAGER 2080 Exempt 2343 114 REAL PROPERTY APPRAISER 1950 Non-exempt 2301 114 SOCIAL WORKER II 1950 Non-exempt 2274 114 SOIL CONSERVATIONIST 1950 Non-exempt 2252 115 ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST II 1950 Exempt 2320 115 BUILDING CODE ENF OFF II 1950 Non-exempt 2162 115 BUILDING MAINTENANCE SUPERVISO 1950 Exempt 2341 115 COMM DIV PERFORMANCE IMPR CAPT 2080 Non-exempt 2960 115 COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION CAPT 2080 Non-exempt 2239 62 115 DEPUTY SHERIFF SPECIAL ASSIGN 2184 Non-exempt 2288 115 DETENTION SHIFT SUP SGT 2184 Non-exempt 2242 115 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPEC 1950 Non-exempt 2349 115 HUMAN RESOURCES LEAD GENERAL 1950 Non-exempt 2525 115 IT USER SUPPORT SPEC 1950 Non-exempt 2351 115 NUTRITIONIST III 1950 Exempt 2297 115 PARK MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR 1950 Exempt 2419 115 PARK SUPERVISOR 1950 Exempt 2414 115 PI PRODUCTION MANAGER 2080 Non-exempt 2192 115 PLANNER 1950 Exempt 2495 116 COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION MAJOR 2080 Non-exempt 2236 116 DEPUTY SHERIFF SERGEANT 2184 Non-exempt 2328 116 DET CENTER OPS MGR LT 2184 Non-exempt 2289 116 DETENTION ADMIN OFF LT 2080 Non-exempt 2218 116 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLANNER I 1950 Non-exempt 2589 116 EMS PARAMEDIC 2080 Non-exempt 2280 116 EMS SENIOR PARAMEDIC/FTE 2080 Non-exempt 2285 116 EXISTING INDUSTRY SPECIALIST 1950 Non-exempt 2592 116 INCOME MAINTENANCE SUPV III 1950 Exempt 2310 116 IT ADVANCED USER SUPPORT SPEC 1950 Non-exempt 2262 116 PI LEAD PROGRAM MANAGER 2080 Exempt 2339 116 PROJECT MANAGER/PAYROLL SUPV 1950 Exempt 2209 116 SOCIAL WORKER III 1950 Non-exempt 2324 116 TAX COLLECTIONS SUPERVISOR 1950 Non-exempt 2300 117 ACCOUNTING PAYROLL SUPERVISOR 1950 Exempt 2348 117 ANIMAL SERVICES MANAGER 1950 Exempt 2106 117 CLERK TO THE BOARD/EXE ASST 1950 Non-exempt 2391 117 DEP SHER LT PATROL TECHNOLOGY 2184 Non-exempt 2287 117 DEPUTY FIRE MARSHAL (CAPTAIN)2080 Non-exempt 2303 117 DEPUTY LIBRARY DIRECTOR 1950 Exempt 2331 117 DEPUTY SHERIFF LIEUTENANT 2184 Non-exempt 2377 117 EMS ADVANCED PRACTITIONER-MIH 2080 Non-exempt 2265 117 EMS EDUCATION COORDINATOR CPT 2080 Non-exempt 2292 117 EMS FIELD MEDICAL OFFICER CAPT 2080 Non-exempt 2282 117 EMS FIELD TRAINING OFFICER/LT 2080 Non-exempt 2281 117 EMS LOGISTICS COORDINATOR CPT 2080 Non-exempt 2286 117 ENVIRON HEALTH PROG SPEC 1950 Non-exempt 2390 117 GIS ANALYST 1950 Non-exempt 2433 117 SOCIAL WORK SUPERVISOR II 1950 Exempt 2345 117 SOCIAL WORKER IAT 1950 Non-exempt 2346 117 SOIL & WATER DIRECTOR 1950 Exempt 2267 118 IT USER SUPPORT MANAGER 1950 Non-exempt 2105 118 PH QUALITY ASSUR SPECIALIST II 1950 Non-exempt 2438 118 PI ASSISTANT DIRECTOR 2080 Exempt 2416 118 PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE II 1950 Non-exempt 2412 119 ANIMAL SERVICES DIRECTOR 1950 Exempt 2365 119 ASSIST PARKS & REC DIRECTOR 1950 Exempt 2379 119 BUSINESS OFFICER I 1950 Exempt 2319 119 DEPUTY SHERIFF CAPTAIN 2184 Exempt 2451 119 DIV CHF COM RSK RED FIRE MRSHL 1950 Exempt 2294 119 DIV CHF EMERG TELECOMMUNICTION 1950 Exempt 2440 119 INCOME MAINT ADMINISTRATOR I 1950 Exempt 2393 119 PROPERTY APPRAISAL MANAGER 1950 Exempt 2452 119 PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE III 1950 Non-exempt 2432 120 NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR 1950 Exempt 2454 63 120 SOCIAL WORK SUPV III 1950 Exempt 2411 120 SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR - IT 1950 Exempt 2358 121 CHILD WELFARE PROGRAM MANAGER 1950 Exempt 2163 121 ELECTIONS DIRECTOR 1950 Exempt 2342 121 EMS DIVISION CHIEF 1950 Exempt 2430 121 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SUPV II 1950 Exempt 2475 121 PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER 1950 Exempt 2545 121 REGISTER OF DEEDS 1950 Exempt - Elected Official 2470 121 SHERIFF MAJOR 2184 Exempt 2509 121 SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM MGR 1950 Exempt 2431 122 CHIEF INFORMATION SECURITY OFF 1950 Exempt 2357 122 HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT DTR 1950 Exempt 2245 122 PUBLIC HEALTH SUPV II 1950 Exempt 2492 123 ASSIST CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER 1950 Exempt 2450 123 ASSIST CHIEF INFORM OFFICER 1950 Exempt 2458 123 CHIEF DEPUTY 2184 Exempt 2510 123 GIS DIRECTOR 1950 Exempt 2237 123 LIBRARY DIRECTOR 1950 Exempt 2490 123 TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR 1950 Exempt 2371 124 INSPECTIONS DIRECTOR 1950 Exempt 2493 124 PARKS AND REC DIRECTOR 1950 Exempt 2512 125 EDC DIRECTOR 1950 Exempt 2584 125 PERSON INDUSTRIES DIRECTOR 2080 Exempt 2540 125 SOC SERVICES DEPUTY DIRECTOR 1950 Exempt 2591 127 GENERAL SERVICES DIRECTOR 1950 Exempt 2520 127 HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR 1950 Exempt 2521 127 PLANNING DIRECTOR 1950 Exempt 2586 127 TAX ADMINISTRATOR 1950 Exempt 2560 128 SHERIFF 1950 Exempt - Elected Official 2600 128 CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER 1950 Exempt 2580 128 CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER 1950 Exempt 2583 128 EMERGENCY SERVICES DIRECTOR 1950 Exempt 2541 128 PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR 1950 Exempt 2581 128 SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTOR 1950 Exempt 2582 130 ASSISTANT COUNTY MANAGER 1950 Exempt 2620 134 COUNTY MANAGER 1950 Exempt 2700 64 PAY CODE RECREATION, ARTS & PARKS RATE PERSON INDUSTRIES RATE 820 MAYO PARK ADMIN SUPPORT $12.28 PI VAN DRIVER $11.81 824 SR RECREATION CLASS INSTRUCTOR $24.56 PI TRUCK DRIVER $13.58 826 KIRBY MAINTENANCE WORKER II $21.13 PI ADMIN/CONSULTANT $24.08 833 PARKS & REC BUS DRIVER $12.28 ELECTIONS 1 STOP $14.10 834 TOURNAMENT SUPERVISOR $12.28 PI MACHINE OPERATOR $12.98 835 PARK MAINTENANCE WORKER I $18.42 SOIL & WATER 836 MULTI SPORT OFFICIAL $8.89 847 SUMMER CAMP COUNSELOR $18.42 848 ART INSTRUCTOR $18.42 849 KIRBY LIGHT /SOUND TECH $18.42 850 KIRBY SPOT LIGHT TECH $12.28 851 KCA HOUSE/ GALLERY MGR $9.83 854 AUDITORIUM SUPERVISOR $12.28 857 YOUTH SOCCER SCOREKEEPER/GATE $9.83 858 YOUTH SOCCER SUPERVISOR $12.28 859 YOUTH FOOTBALL SCORE/GATE $9.83 860 YOUTH FOOTBALL SUPERVISOR $12.28 861 YOUTH BASKETBALL SCORE/GATE $9.83 862 YOUTH BASKETBALL SUPERVISOR $12.28 863 ADULT BASKETBALL SCORE/GATE $9.83 864 ADULT BASKETBALL SUPERVISOR $12.28 865 YOUTH VOLLEYBALL SCORE/GATE $9.83 866 YOUTH VOLLEYBALL SUPERVISOR $12.28 867 WOM/MEN VOLLEYBALL SCORE/GATE $9.83 868 WOM/MEN VOLLEYBALL SUPERVISOR $12.28 869 BASEBALL SCORE/GATE $9.83 870 BASEBALL SUPERVISOR $12.28 871 ADULT SOCCER SCORE/GATE $9.83 872 ADULT SOCCER SUPERVISOR $12.28 873 YOUTH KICKBALL SCORE/GATE $9.83 874 YOUTH KICKBALL SUPERVISOR $12.28 875 ADULT KICKBALL SCORE/GATE $9.83 876 ADULT KICKBALL SUPERVISOR $12.28 877 SUMMER CAMP LEAD COUNSELOR $20.09 878 KIRBY MAINTENANCE WORKER I $18.42 879 MAYO MAINTENANCE WORKER I $18.42 880 SPORTSPLEX MAINTENANCE WORKER I $18.42 881 SPORTSPLEX ADMIN SUPPORT $12.28 882 SPORTSPLEX BASEBALL SUPERVISOR $12.28 883 PARK MAINTENANCE WORKER II $21.13 884 MAYO MAINTENANCE WORKER II $21.13 885 SPORTSPLEX MAINTENANCE WORKER II $21.13 886 KIRBY EDUCATOR $12.28 887 KIRBY WEB DESIGNER/ADMIN $12.28 888 MAYO WEB DESIGNER $12.28 889 RECREATION WEB DESIGNER $12.28 890 SPORT PLEX WEB DESIGNER $12.28 893 ATHLETIC ADMIN SUPPORT $12.28 894 RECREATION ADMIN SUPPORT $12.28 PT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION & SUPP COORD 21.13 65 AGENDA ABSTRACT August 3, 2026 Person County Museum of History FY27 Funding Agreement The Adopted Budget for FY27 includes an appropriation of $40,000 to the Person County Museum of History to be used toward public-facing expenses, including Capital Improvements, Facility Expenses, Programs/Events/Exhibits, and Public-Facing Operational Financial Impact: Recommended Action: Submitted By: 66 NORTH CAROLINA PERSON COUNTY MUSEUM OF HISTORY AGREEMENT This Agreement is made and entered into this day of July, 2026, by and between Person County, North Carolina, a political subdivision of the State of North Carolina, hereinafter called “County,” and Person County Museum of History, a North Carolina nonprofit corporation, hereinafter called “Museum.” WHEREAS, the Museum executive director submitted a FY26-27 Budget Appropriation Request to continue the campus revitalization; and WHEREAS, the mission of the Museum is to collect, preserve, and present the artifacts and history of Person County under the supervision of the Board of Directors and to use these collections for exhibitions, educational programs and related activities for the benefit of Person County citizens and visitors; and WHEREAS, the Museum occupies multiple county-owned buildings on N. Main St. in Roxboro, the County maintains the exterior of all Museum buildings, and the Museum maintains the interiors of all buildings, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the Museum and the County, dated April 12, 2012; and WHEREAS, the Museum has determined that the requested funds are needed to assist in achieving its desire for long-term financial stability; and WHEREAS, numerous special projects can move the organization forward and toward the goal of self-sustainability but require seed funding to initiate; and WHEREAS, in order to offer a safe and welcoming campus to Person County residents and visitors, updates are required to safety infrastructure; and WHEREAS, a Museum budget request was submitted, requesting additional county financial support, falling under the county budget umbrella of cultural services, to be used for public- facing expenses, including Capital Improvements, Facility Expenses, Programs/Events/Exhibits, and Public-Facing Operational Expenses; and WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners approved a one-time appropriation of $40,000 in the FY27 Adopted Budget; NOW, THEREFORE, the County agrees to provide a one-time appropriation of $40,000 to the Museum from FY27 budgeted funds, subject to the following provisions: 67 2 1. PURPOSE. The funds may be used only to support campus infrastructure updates and operational expenses, pursuant to the attached Appendix 1, that have been or will be paid by the Museum during its current fiscal year (ending June 30, 2027). 2. REPORTING. The Museum shall send a concise written report to the Person County Manager not later than August 15, 2027 including but not limited to the expenditure of county funds, number of patrons served, number of members, fundraising totals, and progress towards meeting the intent of this Agreement. 3. TERM AND TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT, POTENTIAL RETURN OF FUNDS. This Agreement is effective immediately upon execution, and will terminate on June 30, 2027, unless terminated sooner by mutual agreement in writing. If the funding is used for purposes not contained in the Paragraph 1 above, the Museum agrees to repay the provided funding to the County in full. 4. INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY. The Museum will maintain adequate liability, workers compensation and property insurance, and will provide certificates of insurance to the County if requested. The Museum agrees that it is acting as an independent contractor under this Agreement, and that its employees and contractors are not County employees. The Museum agrees that the County has no ownership interest in or operational responsibility for the Museum. The Museum will indemnify and hold harmless the County from any and all liabilities and costs arising out of the acts or omissions or negligence of the Museum to the extent, and only to the extent, of the one- time appropriation identified above. 5. INSPECTION OF FINANCIAL RECORDS. The Museum will allow access to its financial records if requested by the County, or the Museum will provide a report on payments made pursuant to this Agreement according to the format and level of detail specified by the County within 30 days following the execution of this Agreement. 6. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The Museum agrees to comply with all applicable state and federal laws in its operations and to cooperate in a professional and productive manner with the partner agencies listed above. 7. NO ASSIGNMENT. The Museum agrees that this Agreement is not transferable or assignable, and that the appropriated funds may not be transferred to other entities, except for payments in accordance with sec. 1 above, without written consent of the County. 8. APPLICABLE LAW AND FORUM. This Agreement shall be construed under North Carolina law, and any action to enforce its provisions shall be filed in Person County in the General Court of Justice of North Carolina. 9. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. The Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the parties. Any modification, amendment or rescission of this Agreement must be in writing signed by both parties. 68 3 PERSON COUNTY: _______________________________________ Kyle Puryear Date Chair, Board of Commissioners (SEAL) Attest: __________________________________ Michele Solomon, Clerk to the Board This instrument has been pre-audited in the manner required by the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act. ______________________________________ Tracy Clayton, Chief Financial Officer Date Approved as to legal form: _________________________________________ T.C. Morphis, Jr., County Attorney Date Person Count Museum of History _______________________________________ Carrie Currie, Executive Director Date Attestation and Seal if applicable: ____________________________________ 69 AGENDA ABSTRACT August 3, 2026 Tar River Land Conservancy Funding Request for the “Dykes Tract” Purchase Tar River Land Conservancy (TRLC) is requesting Person County’s participation in the acquisition of the Dykes Tract, a property in the Mt. Tirzah community known for its heritage, environmental value, and agricultural character. Preserving this land will enhance watershed quality and provide stormwater credit benefits for Person County and neighboring jurisdictions. The Dykes Tract consists of 166 acres along several tributaries of Deep Creek on Helena- Moriah Road. The property is primarily forested, with approximately 17 acres of pasture, 1.5 acres of farm ponds, and 1.5 acres of open areas surrounding the ponds and two barns. The tract was appraised for TRLC at $1,744,000, and the landowner has generously agreed to sell it below market value for $1,115,000. The City of Raleigh ($850,400) and the City of Durham ($350,000) will contribute funds through their watershed protection programs. TRLC has also received a $25,000 donation from private donors. To complete the acquisition, TRLC is requesting a $50,000 contribution from Person County. This project provides stormwater credits that support Person County’s compliance obligations. In the future, TRLC plans to convert the Dykes Tract into a nature preserve with natural surface trails, creating new opportunities for nature-based recreation for local residents and Financial Impact: Recommended Action: Submitted By: 70 This instrument was prepared by: Amy R. Edge, a licensed NC attorney Tar River Land Conservancy P.O. Box 1161 Louisburg, NC 27549 Return after recording to: T.C. Morphis, Jr. The Brough Law Firm, PLLC 1526 E. Franklin St, Suite 200 Chapel Hill, NC 27514 NORTH CAROLINA Tax Map & Parcel No. A99-24 PERSON COUNTY and A98-95 DEED OF CONSERVATION EASEMENT This Deed of Conservation Easement (the “Conservation Easement”) is made this the ____ day of ________, 2026, by and among Tar River Land Conservancy, whose address is P.O. Box 1161, Louisburg, NC 27549 (the “Grantor”), and Person County, whose address is 304 Morgan Street, Roxboro, North Carolina 27573 (the “Grantee”). Each Party is referred to herein separately as a “Party” or together, the “Parties”. The designation Grantor and Grantee as used herein shall include said Parties, their heirs, successors and assigns, and shall include singular, plural, masculine, feminine or neutral pronouns as required by context. RECITALS: A. Grantor is the sole owner in fee simple of that certain tract of land consisting of _______ acres, and is more particularly described on Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein, together with improvements thereon as more particularly described herein or in the BDR as defined herein (collectively, the “Property”). Grantor has agreed and desires to set aside and convey to Grantee a conservation easement in and affecting the Property. The Property is more fully depicted on that plat of survey recorded in Plat Cabinet _____, Page _____, Person County Registry (the “Survey”). 71 2 B. Grantee is a governmental unit and political subdivision of the State of North Carolina and as such is a “qualified organization” and eligible donee within the meaning of Section 170(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and regulations promulgated thereunder, is authorized by the laws of the State of North Carolina to accept, hold and administer interests in and including conservation easements, and is willing to accept this Conservation Easement under the terms and conditions hereinafter described. C. It is the purpose of the Conservation Easement to protect the open space, forest, wildlife habitat, riparian buffer, wetland, and water quality values (collectively, the “Conservation Values”), including its undeveloped natural area and its “relatively natural habitat for fish, wildlife, or plants or similar ecosystem” as that phrase is used in Section 170(h)(4)(A)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code, and its scenic open space, the development of which would impair the natural, scenic, historic, rural and open space character of the Property and its surrounding area. Moreover, the Property has significant acreage in the Falls Lake Watershed and contributes to the requirement by the State of North Carolina of a basin-wide management plan for the Neuse River for the purpose of protecting water quality, public water supply, significant wetlands and natural areas within that watershed. D. The characteristics and specific Conservation Values of the Property, and its current use and state of improvement, are described in a report entitled “Dykes Tract – Baseline Documentation Report”, prepared by Grantor with the cooperation of Grantee and acknowledged by the Parties to be accurate as of the date of this Conservation Easement (the “BDR”). A copy of the BDR will remain on file in the office of the Grantor and will be used to assure that the terms and conditions of the Conservation Easement are fulfilled and that any future changes in the use of the Property will be consistent therewith; provided, however, that the BDR is not intended to preclude the use of other evidence (including, without limitation, surveys and appraisals) to establish the present condition of the Property should a controversy arise over its use or state of improvement. The Parties agree that the current uses of and improvements to the Property are consistent with the conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement. E. The conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement are recognized by, and the grant of the Conservation Easement will yield significant public benefits and serve, the following clearly delineated governmental conservation policies: (1) The North Carolina Conservation and Historic Preservation Agreements Act, North Carolina General Statute (“N.C. Gen. Stat.’) § 121-34 et seq., which provides for the enforceability of restrictions, easements, covenants or conditions “appropriate to retaining land or water areas predominantly in their natural, scenic or open condition or in agricultural, horticultural, farming, or forest use;” (2) The Soil and Water Conservation Districts Law, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 139-2 et seq., which declares “that the farm, forest and grazing lands of the State of North Carolina are among the basic assets of the State and the preservation of these lands is necessary to protect and promote the health, safety and general welfare of its people….It is hereby declared to be the policy of the legislature to provide for the conservation of the soil and soil resources of this State…;” 72 3 (3) N.C. Gen. Stat. §106-583 et seq., which states, “It is declared to be the policy of the State of North Carolina to promote the efficient production and utilization of the products of the soil as essential to the health and welfare of our people and to promote a sound and prosperous agricultural and rural life as indispensable to the maintenance of maximum prosperity;” (4) The Food Security Act of 1985, as amended, which authorizes the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, administered through the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, for the purpose of protecting “the agricultural use and future viability, and related conservation values, of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses of that land that negatively affect the agricultural uses and conservation values”; (5) Article 14 Section 5 of the North Carolina State Constitution which states “It shall be the policy of this State to conserve and protect its lands and waters for the benefit of all its citizenry, and to this end it shall be a proper function of the State of North Carolina and its political subdivisions to acquire and preserve park, recreational, and scenic areas, to control and limit the pollution of our air and water, to control excessive noise, and in every other appropriate way to preserve as a part of the common heritage of this State its forests, wetlands, estuaries, beaches, historical sites, open lands, and places of beauty;” (6) The special use assessment of farm and forest lands set forth in N.C. Gen Stat. § 105-277.2 et seq. and of historic properties set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 105-278; (7) The North Carolina Land and Water Fund, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143B-135.230 et seq., which recognizes the importance of land conservation and protection and farmland and open space preservation, and to protect and conserve surface waters, including drinking supplies, and to contribute towards a network of riparian buffers and greenways for environmental, educational, and recreational benefits; and (8) City of Raleigh’s Watershed Protection Program, previously referred to as Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative (UNCWI), created to protect water quality within our drinking water supply watersheds. F. Grantor and Grantee have the common purpose of conserving the above-described Conservation Values of the Property in perpetuity, and the State of North Carolina has authorized the creation of Conservation Easements pursuant to the terms of the North Carolina Conservation and Historic Preservation Agreements Act, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 121-34 et seq. Grantor and Grantee wish to avail themselves of the provisions of the foregoing law. G. Grantor and Grantee acknowledge that this Conservation Easement is an integral part of written agreements related to the acquisition of the Property, namely the “Watershed Protection Funding Agreement” between Grantor and the City of Raleigh (“Raleigh”) with an effective date of _________________, 2026, said agreement being assigned the Raleigh Contract Number ________. 73 4 NOW, THEREFORE, Grantor, for and in consideration of the facts recited above and of the mutual covenants, terms, conditions and restrictions contained herein and as an absolute and unconditional gift, hereby gives, grants and conveys unto Grantee, its successors and assigns, forever and in perpetuity for the benefit of the people of North Carolina, a Conservation Easement of the nature and character and to the extent as hereinafter set over the Property, together with the right to preserve and protect the Conservation Values thereof and the right of access to the Property for the purposes granted herein. 1. PURPOSE The purposes of this Conservation Easement are: (1) to assure, subject to the reservations herein set out, that the Property will be retained forever predominantly in its natural, scenic, rural, forested, agricultural, and open space condition; (2) to protect and maintain high quality water resources (including the waters of the Neuse River Basin), agricultural soils, native plants, animals, and plant communities on the Property, while allowing traditional uses on the Property that are compatible with and not destructive of the Conservation Values of the Property such as (i) timber harvesting, (ii) grazing, (iii) agriculture, (iv) hunting, fishing, hiking, cycling, nature and historic tours and other similar low-impact recreational use; and (3) to prevent any use of the Property that will significantly impair or interfere with the Conservation Values or interests of the Property. Grantor will not perform, nor knowingly allow others to perform, any act on or affecting the Property that is inconsistent with the purposes of this Conservation Easement. All rights reserved by Grantor are considered to be consistent with the conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement and require no notification to or approval by Grantee unless expressly provided for hereunder. However, unless otherwise specified below, nothing in this Conservation Easement shall require Grantee to take any action to restore the condition of the Property after any act of God or other event over which Grantor had no control. Grantor understands that nothing in this Conservation Easement relieves them of any obligation or restriction on the use of the Property imposed by law. 2. PROPERTY USES Grantor reserves to itself, its personal representatives, heirs, successors and assigns, all rights accruing from its ownership of the Property, including the right to engage in, or permit or invite others to engage in, all uses of the Property that are not expressly prohibited herein and are not inconsistent with this Conservation Easement. Any activity on, or use of, the Property inconsistent with the purposes of this Conservation Easement is prohibited. The Property shall be maintained in its natural, scenic and open condition and restricted from any development that would significantly impair or interfere with the Conservation Values of the Property. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following is a list of activities and uses which are expressly prohibited or which are expressly allowed. 74 5 (A) Forest Management Subject to the terms set forth in Section 2(E) below, harvesting of timber, cutting or destruction of trees or other plants, may be allowed with the prior written approval of the Grantee and in accordance with a Forest Management Plan or Harvest Plan as set forth below. Tree or vegetation cutting may be permitted without approval of the Grantee and without a Forest Management Plan to maintain existing trail and road access, cutting for firewood and for the maintenance of fences. Forest management is permitted to generate occasional income from harvest and sale of forest products and to maintain the general health of the forest ecosystem, provided that all timber harvesting shall be conducted: (1) consistent with the water quality restrictions described in Section 2(E) and outside the Water Quality Buffer Zone as defined in Section 2(E); (2) on a sustainable yield basis; and (3) in accordance with a written Forest Management Plan and Best Management Practices described below. All forest management activities must be in accordance with a written Forest Management Plan that is prepared by a N.C. registered forester and that is approved by the Grantee at least thirty (30) days prior to any active forestry management or commercial silviculture. The Forest Management Plan must be updated and re-approved by Grantee at least every ten (10) years so long as Grantor wishes to continue to actively manage the forest or harvest forest products. If no forest management activity is intended, a forest management plan is not required, but there shall be no active forest management without an approved Forest Management Plan. There shall be no active timber harvest without an approved Harvest Plan. A Harvest Plan prepared by a N.C. registered forester must be submitted to the Grantee for its approval at least thirty (30) days prior to any commercial harvest of timber. No commercial silvicultural activity may occur until the Forest Management Plan and a more specific Harvest Plan have been approved in writing by the Grantee. All forest management and harvest activities shall be conducted in accordance with North Carolina Division of Forest Resources’ Best Management Practices guidelines for timber harvest and management as the same may be promulgated by law or regulation in the State of North Carolina and as adopted by the North Carolina organization of professional foresters, and amended from time-to-time. (B) Agricultural and Horticultural Use Subject to the terms set forth in Section 2(E), agricultural use, horticultural use, and grazing of the Property are permitted provided that all such uses are conducted in a manner not inconsistent with the purposes of this Conservation Easement and provided further that: (i) Livestock are permitted, but under no circumstances shall there be such use of a size or scope as to constitute an industrial or factory-type agricultural or livestock operation, intensive livestock operations, or animal husbandry, any of which may be 75 6 characterized by the continuous confinement of livestock in tightly confined environments for the purposes of raising, feeding, and fattening for market; nor shall any slaughtering facilities be allowed; (ii) All farming operations shall be in accordance with Best Management Practices of the State of North Carolina and applicable federal, state, and local laws under a “Conservation Plan” a copy of which shall be provided to Grantee. The Conservation Plan shall be developed using the standards and specifications of the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Field Office Technical Guide and 7 CFR Part 12 or equivalent standards developed by the appropriate federal, state or local conservation entity if these standards are no longer the standards used by the industry. The Grantor may develop and implement a Conservation Plan that proposes a higher level of conservation and that is consistent with the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide standards and specifications or other such standards and specifications as developed by the appropriate governmental authority. The Conservation Plan shall be designed to ensure the maintenance of a good quality mix of introduced and native grasses and forbs, while managing pests and nutrients on pasture land, and protecting soil stability, water quality and other conservation values of the Property on all agricultural lands. If no farming operations are intended, a Conservation Plan is not required, but there shall be no farming operations without a Conservation Plan. The Conservation Plan shall be reviewed and updated every five (5) years so long as Grantor wishes to actively conduct farming operations; (iii) Grantor must notify Grantee of any change in agricultural use of, or activity on, the Property if such change is not consistent with the Conservation Plan as it exists on the date of the change. Any change requiring notice to Grantee under this subsection shall be subject to the approval of Grantee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Any change requiring such approval requires updating of the Conservation Plan; and (iv) No agricultural activities, whether now existing or commenced in the future, shall be conducted in any manner that will in the opinion of the Grantee: (a) adversely impact the water quality of any creek, river, stream, wetland or other water resource; (b) harm any threatened or endangered species; (c) destroy any “significant conservation interest” as that phrase is used in Treas. Reg. Section 1.170A-14(e)(2); or (d) otherwise conflict with the conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement. (C) Recreational Use Subject to the terms set forth in Section 2(E), Grantor shall have the right to engage in and permit others, whether or not for consideration, to engage in “Non-intensive Outdoor Recreation” on the Property. “Non-intensive Outdoor Recreation” is defined as dispersed, non-commercial and non-motorized recreational activities that do not generally rely on buildings and have minimal impact on renewable natural resources. Such activities include but are not limited to, hiking, bird watching, camping, picnicking, horseback riding, and lawful hunting and fishing. Gardening and other activities customary in rural homesteads are also permitted. Grantor may lease or license any portion of the Property for such Non- 76 7 intensive Outdoor Recreation purposes, subject to the terms, conditions, and limitations on use in accordance with this Conservation Easement. Grantor reserves the right to promulgate and enforce reasonable rules and regulations for all activities incident to recreational use of the Property, including but not limited to the right to prohibit any recreational use that would permit severe damage to or destruction of other significant Conservation Values of the Property. All hunting and fishing activities shall be conducted in such a manner so as to not harm any threatened or endangered species. No hunting, fishing, wildlife enhancement or other non-commercial recreational activity shall be conducted in any manner that would permit the "destruction of [any] significant conservation interest" as that phrase is used in Treas. Reg. Section 1.170A-14(e)(2) or otherwise conflict with the conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement. (D) Construction of Buildings and Other Structures and Improvements The construction, replacement or reconstruction of any building or other structure is prohibited except in accordance with this Section 2(D). It is the intent of this Section and Section 2(M) below that no buildings, improvements or other structures (except minor structures as provided in subsection (ii) of this Section 2(D) and fences as provided in subsection (iii) of this Section 2(D)) are permitted to be constructed, replaced, or reconstructed on the Property unless they comply with the impervious surface limitations set forth in this paragraph. All new construction and improvements permitted under this Section 2(D) shall be sited so as to cause the least disturbance to the Property's Conservation Values and shall conform to the water quality restrictions described in Section 2(E). Notwithstanding any other term contained in this Conservation Easement, the total impervious surfaces within the Property shall not exceed one and one-half percent (1½%) of the total acreage of the Property, provided that the impervious surface area that may exist within the Greenway expressly permitted in Section 2(F) below shall not be included as impervious surface for purposes of the foregoing calculation. For purposes of this Conservation Easement, the term “impervious surface” shall include: roof tops; asphalt surfaces; concrete surfaces; brick surfaces; stone surfaces; patios or decks (not including wood slatted decks or pervious pavers or patio system); retaining walls; and all other surfaces that fully restrict the percolation of water into the soil. The term “impervious surface” shall not include compacted dirt or gravel surfaces or other surfaces that do not fully restrict the percolation of water into the soil. Subject to the foregoing: (i) Buildings, Major Structures, and Improvements -- The Grantor reserves the right to construct, maintain, repair, enlarge, renovate, and rebuild buildings, barns, sheds, garages, carports, passive recreational support structures, pergolas, yurts, parking lots, and other similar buildings, structures, and improvements. The foregoing shall include structures and improvements to be used exclusively for agricultural, educational or forestry 77 8 purposes, including processing or sale of farm products predominantly grown or raised on the Property. (ii) Minor Structures -- Grantor reserves the right to install minor, small-scale structures (such as benches, picnic tables, footbridges, hunting stands, bird houses and other minor, small-scale structures that are not typically included within the definition of “impervious surface”) to enhance the opportunity for traditional “non-intensive outdoor recreation” as defined in Section 2(C), and as necessary for the management of such recreation not detrimental to the Conservation Values of the Property including but not limited to trail construction, maintenance and improvements, and lawful hunting and fishing. (iii) Fences -- Existing fences may be repaired and replaced, and new perimeter fences may be built, for purposes of reasonable and customary management of livestock and wildlife and to mark property boundaries, without the permission of Grantee. Fences for the purpose of protecting any ponds, permanent or intermittent watercourses on the Property are also permitted. (iv) Utilities Services and Septic Systems -- Installation, maintenance, repair, replacement, removal and relocation of water wells, electric, gas, and water facilities, sewer lines and/or other public or private utilities, including telephone or other communication services over or under the Property for the purpose of providing electrical, gas, water, sewer, or other utilities to serve structures or improvements located on the Property as permitted herein, and the right to grant easements over and under the Property for such purposes, is permitted. Provided, however, that all reasonable efforts shall be made to locate such utilities (i) consistent with the water quality restrictions described in Section 2(E), (ii) if possible, within fifty (50) feet of the roads permitted hereinbelow, and (iii) in all events in such a manner and location as is reasonably possible to minimize the impact on the Conservation Values as set forth in this Conservation Easement. In no event shall cellular or other communication towers be allowed on the Property. The construction of any other utilities on the Property is prohibited without prior approval of Grantee and Raleigh, which approval shall take into account the impact of the new utility on the aesthetic quality of the Property, water quality and other environmental issues, the value of the Property as an open space, any endangered or threatened species on the Property and such other considerations as Grantee shall deem just and proper in order to ensure that any new utilities do not permit the destruction of any “significant conservation interest” as that phrase is used in Treas. Reg. Section l.170A-14(e)(2) or otherwise undermine the conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement. (v) Notice to Grantee and Raleigh -- Grantor is prohibited from proceeding with any site preparation, construction, substantial exterior alteration, replacement, relocation, or removal of any structure described herein, without prior written approval from the Grantee and Raleigh. In requesting any such prior written approval, Grantor must notify Grantee and Raleigh in writing in accordance with the provisions of Section 8, including at a minimum, sufficient information to enable Grantee and Raleigh to determine whether the proposed plans are consistent with the terms of this Conservation Easement. Grantor 78 9 shall provide Grantee and Raleigh with any additional information requested by Grantee and Raleigh that is necessary or proper in Grantee’s and Raleigh’s evaluation of Grantor’s proposed site preparation, construction, substantial exterior alteration, replacement, relocation, or removal of any structure described herein. In determining whether to approve Grantor’s proposed site preparation, construction, substantial exterior alteration, replacement, relocation, or removal of any structure described herein, Grantee and Raleigh shall take into account the impact of such site preparation, construction, substantial exterior alteration, replacement, relocation, or removal of any structure described herein on: (a) the aesthetic value of the Property; (b) the value of the Property as an open space (including the impact of access roads or related traffic associated with any new improvements located on the Property); (c) the Property and surrounding area’s environment, including but not limited to air and water quality issues; (d) any threatened or endangered species located in or near the Property; and (e) such other considerations as the Grantee and Raleigh shall deem proper in order to preserve the Conservation Values of the Property. Under no circumstances shall Grantee and Raleigh approve any site preparation, construction, substantial exterior alteration, replacement, relocation, or removal of any structure described herein that permits the destruction of any “significant conservation interest” as that phrase is used in Treas. Reg. Section l.170A-14(e)(2) or otherwise conflict with the conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Grantor reserves the right to remove buildings located on the Property without approval from Grantee or Raleigh; provided the Grantor shall notify Grantee and Raleigh in writing in accordance with the provisions of Section 8. (E) Water Quality and Drainage Patterns Activities that could alter the natural water level or flow in or over the Property are prohibited; provided that the foregoing is not intended to prohibit the construction of buildings or other structures and improvements otherwise allowed pursuant to Section 2(D), the roads permitted pursuant to Section 2(F), or the forest management and harvest activities allowed pursuant to Section 2(A). There shall be no pollution of surface water, natural water courses, lakes, ponds, marshes, subsurface water or any other water bodies, nor shall activities be conducted on the property that would be detrimental to water purity. Diking, draining, filling or removal of wetlands is prohibited. There shall be no buildings or other structures, including those allowed under Section 2(D) above, constructed within one hundred (100) feet of any surface waters (“Water Quality Buffer Zone”); in no event shall impervious surfaces be permitted within the Water Quality Buffer Zone, except in connection with the Greenway expressly permitted in Section 2(F) below. For purposes herein, “surface waters” shall be defined as including but not limited to intermittent streams, perennial streams, lakes, ponds, and seasonal wetlands. (F) Construction and Maintenance of Roads Subject to Section 2(E) above, construction and maintenance of unpaved roads that may be reasonably necessary and incidental to carrying out the improvements and uses permitted on the Property by this Conservation Easement are permitted, provided that such roads are no wider than fourteen (14) feet in width. 79 10 No portion of the Property shall be paved or otherwise covered with concrete, asphalt, or any other impervious paving material without the advance written permission of the Grantee and except as otherwise in compliance with Section 2(D) above, including but not limited to the impervious surface limitation. In all events, construction of roads, trail, and paths on the Property must be pervious, except in connection with the Greenway expressly permitted below. In determining whether to grant permission as provided in this Section, Grantee shall take into account the impact of the new road on the aesthetic quality of the Property, water quality and other environmental issues, the value of the Property as an open space, any endangered or threatened species on the Property and such other considerations as Grantee shall deem just and proper in order to ensure that any new road and/or utilities do not permit the destruction of any “significant conservation interest” as that phrase is used in Treas. Reg. Section 1.170A-14(e)(2) or otherwise undermine the conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement. Notwithstanding any other term contained in this Conservation Easement, one (1) corridor of protected open space managed for conservation and recreation purposes, also known as a greenway (“Greenway”) is permitted on the Property, provided that (i) it is part of a local governmental initiative; (ii) any impervious surface within the Greenway is no more than ten (10) feet wide; (iii) located a minimum distance of 100 feet from the top of bank of any surface waters on the Property, except where reasonably necessary to accommodate reasonable stream crossings; and (iv) in all events, the Greenway shall be located and the area improved to accommodate the Greenway in such a manner and location as is reasonably possible to minimize the impact on the Conservation Values as set forth in this Conservation Easement. (G) Excavation, Dredging, or Mineral Use There shall be no filling, excavation, dredging, mining, or drilling which materially affects the topography of the land or is detrimental in any material way to the flora and fauna on the Property; no removal of topsoil, sand, gravel, rock, peat, minerals or other materials, and no change in the topography of the land in any manner except as necessary to allow the construction of the improvements allowed in Section 2(D) above, the maintenance of existing roads, hiking and horseback trails and for the purpose of combating erosion or flooding or for the construction of a farm pond or ponds and other conservation measures if permitted by and addressed in the Conservation Plan. Any pond construction shall be subject to the same notice and review requirements set forth in above Section 2(D)(v). (H) Signage No signs or billboards or other advertising displays are allowed on the Property, except signs whose placement, number and design do not diminish the scenic character of the Property may be displayed to identify trails and the Conservation Values of the Property, to identify the name and address of the Property and the names of persons living on the Property, to give directions, to advertise or regulate permitted uses of the Property 80 11 and prescribe rules and regulations for recreational use of the Property, to advertise the Property for sale or rent, and to post the Property against trespassers. (I) No Biocides Except in accordance with this section and Section 2(E) above, there shall be no use of pesticides or biocides, including but not limited to insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, and herbicides, except as to control invasive species detrimental to the Conservation Values of the Property. Agricultural and silvicultural use of biocides is allowed, if prescribed in the Conservation Plan and the Forest Management Plan. (J) No Dumping or Storage There shall be no storage or dumping of trash, garbage, abandoned vehicles, appliances, or machinery, or other unsightly or offensive material, hazardous substance, or toxic waste on the Property. There shall be no changing of the topography through the placing of soil or other substance or material such as land fill or dredging spoils, nor shall activities be conducted on the Property, that could cause erosion or siltation on the Property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Grantor is not an insurer of the environmental condition of the Property to the extent the same may be affected by the actions of others; nothing herein shall be construed to require any clean up or remediation of contamination caused by those other than Grantor except to the extent the same may be required affirmatively by enforcement action of a governmental agency or subdivision having proper jurisdiction. Grantor shall, insofar as may be reasonable, make a good faith effort to keep the Property in a clean state, free of unsightly debris, trash and abandoned goods. (K) Predator Control Grantor shall have the right to control, destroy, or trap predatory and problem animals that pose a material threat to forestry, agriculture, drainage, livestock and/or humans by means and methods approved by Federal, State or Local laws. The method employed shall be selective and specific to individuals, rather than broadcast, nonselective techniques. (L) Commercial Development Any commercial or industrial use of or activity on the Property, other than those relating to silvicultural, agriculture and recreation, as permitted herein, is prohibited. (M) Development Rights All housing, commercial and industrial development rights that are now or hereafter allocated to, implied, reserved or inherent in the Property, are terminated and extinguished, and may not be used on or transmitted to any portion of the Property, as it now or hereafter may be bound or described, or to any other property. 81 12 (N) Subdivision The Property shall not be further subdivided or partitioned, or be subject to any other legal or de facto creation of lots or parcels. 3. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS RETAINED BY GRANTORS Grantor retains the following rights: (A) Existing Uses The right to undertake or continue any activity or use of the Property not prohibited by this Conservation Easement so long as it does not detract or impair the Conservation Values of the Property. (B) Transfer The right to sell, give, mortgage, lease, or otherwise convey the Property subject to the terms of this Conservation Easement. 4. GRANTEE’S RIGHTS To accomplish the purpose of this Conservation Easement, the following rights are granted to Grantee by this Conservation Easement: (A) Rights to Protect Grantee shall have the right to preserve and protect the Conservation Values of the Property and enforce the terms of this Conservation Easement. (B) Right of Entry Grantee, Raleigh, and the employees, representatives, and agents and successors and assigns of both the Grantee and Raleigh, have the right, after prior written notice to Grantor, to enter the Property at reasonable times for the purpose of inspecting and monitoring the Property to determine whether Grantor, its representatives, assigns, heirs and successors are complying with the covenants and purposes of this Conservation Easement and to inspect for violations and to enforce the Conservation Easement. 5. RESPONSIBILITIES OF GRANTOR AND GRANTEE NOT AFFECTED Other than as specified herein, this Conservation Easement is not intended to impose any legal or other responsibilities on Grantor, or in any way to affect any existing obligation of Grantor as owner of the Property. Among other things, this shall apply to: 82 13 (A) Taxes and Assessments Grantor shall be solely responsible for payment of all taxes and assessments levied against the Property. (B) Upkeep and Maintenance Grantor shall be solely responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the Property, to the extent it may be required by law. Grantee shall have no obligation for the upkeep or maintenance of the Property. 6. ACCESS No right of access by the general public to any portion of the Property is conveyed by this Conservation Easement. However, the public has the right to view the Property from adjacent publicly accessible areas such as public roads and waterways. Notwithstanding the above, nothing herein shall prohibit the construction of a Greenway in accordance with Section 2(F) that may be accessed by the public, subject to the terms of this Conservation Easement. 7. ENFORCEMENT Grantee shall have the right to prevent and correct violations of the terms of this Conservation Easement in accordance with the following terms: (A) If Grantee determines that Grantor is in violation of the terms of this Conservation Easement or that a violation is threatened, Grantee shall give written notice to Grantor of such violation and demand corrective action sufficient to cure the violation and, where the violation involves injury to the Property resulting from any use or activity inconsistent with the purposes of this Conservation Easement, to restore the portion of the Property so injured. If Grantor fails to cure the violation within thirty (30) days after receipt of notice thereof from Grantee, or if the violation cannot reasonably be cured within said period, fails to commence to cure such violation within the thirty (30) day period, and thereafter to diligently prosecute the cure to completion, Grantee may bring an action at law or in equity to enforce the terms of this Conservation Easement, to enjoin the violation by temporary and/or permanent injunction, to recover any damages to which it may be entitled for violation of the terms of this Conservation Easement or injury to any Conservation Values protected by this Conservation Easement, and to require the restoration of the Property to the condition that existed prior to any such injury. The failure of Grantee to discover a violation or to take immediate legal action shall not bar it from doing so at a later time. (B) If a dispute arises between the Parties concerning the consistency of any proposed use or activity with the purpose of this Easement, Grantor agrees not to proceed with the use or activity pending resolution of the dispute. Either Party shall cause the dispute to be mediated by request made in writing upon the other. Within thirty (30) days of the receipt of such a request, the Parties shall select a single mediator to mediate the matter. If the 83 14 Parties are unable to agree on the selection of a single mediator, either or both may request the Senior Resident Judge of the Superior Court of Person County, without the necessity of filing an action, to appoint a mediator. The matter shall then be mediated in accordance with the Rules Implementing Statewide Mediated Settlement Conferences in Superior Court Civil Actions (MSC Rules) that were first adopted by the Supreme Court in 1991, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-38.1. The Rules provide a framework for expediting settlement of superior court civil actions. The MSC Rules were last amended on December 11, 2024, with an effective date of January 6, 2025. To the extent the said Rules do not apply, the Mediator may set the rules, including the time and place for the mediation, and other such matters, in accordance with the practice that is customary in Person County, North Carolina. In the event the mediation is unsuccessful, either Party may proceed with litigation in a court of competent jurisdiction. All costs of said mediation shall be divided equally between Grantor and Grantee. It is the intent of this paragraph that such litigation may not be commenced until pre-litigation mediation is attempted by the Parties so long as Grantor agrees not to proceed with the use or activity pending resolution of the dispute. (C) Notwithstanding the above, nothing contained in this Conservation Easement shall be construed to entitle Grantee to bring any action against Grantor for any injury to or change in the Property resulting from causes beyond Grantor's control, including without limitation fire, flood, storm, and earth movement, or from any prudent action taken by Grantor under emergency conditions to prevent, abate, or mitigate significant injury to the Property resulting from such causes; and nothing in this Conservation Easement shall require Grantor to take any action to restore the condition of the Property after any act or event over which Grantor has no control. (D) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Section, in the event that Grantee reasonably determines that a violation of the terms of this Conservation Easement occurs or threatens to occur and that such violation would cause immediate and irreparable injury for which Grantee would have no adequate remedy at law, Grantee may immediately and without notice bring an action at law or in equity to enforce the terms of this Conservation Easement, to enjoin the violation by temporary and/or permanent injunction, to recover any damages to which it may be entitled for violation of the terms of this Conservation Easement or injury to any Conservation Values protected by this Conservation Easement, and to require the restoration of the Property to the condition that existed prior to any such injury. 8. NOTICE OF INTENTION TO UNDERTAKE CERTAIN PERMITTED ACTIONS (A) Notices to Grantee (i) Means of Notice -- Any notices to Grantee required in this Conservation Easement shall be sent by registered or certified mail, or other courier providing reliable proof of delivery, to Person County, Attn: County Manager, 304 S. Morgan Street, Roxboro, NC 27573 or such other person or address as may be hereafter specified by notice in writing to Grantor. All other communication shall be made by reasonable means under the circumstances. 84 15 (ii) Consent of Notice -- The purpose of requiring Grantor to notify Grantee and Raleigh prior to undertaking certain permitted activities, as provided in Sections 2(A), 2(B)(ii), 2(B)(iii), 2(D), 2(E), 2(F), and 2(H) above, is to afford Grantee and Raleigh an adequate opportunity to monitor the activities in question to ensure that they are designated and carried out in a manner consistent with the terms and Purposes of this Conservation Easement. Such notices to Grantee and Raleigh or requests for Grantee and Raleigh consent, required or contemplated hereunder, must include, at a minimum, sufficient information, including the nature, scope, design, location, timetable, and any other material aspect of the proposed activity, in sufficient detail to enable Grantee and Raleigh to determine whether proposed plans are consistent with the requirements of this Conservation Easement and the purposes hereof. (iii) Process of Notice and Approval -- Whenever notice to Grantee and Raleigh is required, Grantor shall notify Grantee in writing not less than sixty (60) days prior to the date Grantor intends to undertake the activity in question. The notice shall describe the activity in sufficient detail to permit Grantee and Raleigh to make an informed judgment as to its consistency with the requirements and purpose of this Easement. Where Grantee's and Raleigh's approval is required, Grantee and Raleigh shall grant or withhold its approval in writing, with an explanation of the reasons in the event approval is withheld, within sixty (60) days of receipt of Grantor's written request therefore. (iv) Failure to Respond -- If Grantee and Raleigh approval is required under the terms of this Conservation Easement prior to the exercise of a reserved right that is the subject of the notification and request for approval, failure of Grantee and Raleigh to respond within sixty (60) days shall be deemed to be approval of any activity not specifically prohibited or not inconsistent with the limitations on such activities in this Conservation Easement. (v) Transfer of Ownership -- Grantor further agrees to give written notice to Grantee and Raleigh of the transfer of any interest in the Property, including but not limited to any sale, gift, or long-term lease, at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of such transfer. (B) Notices to Grantor (i) Means of Notice -- Any notices to Grantor required by this Conservation Easement shall be sent by registered or certified mail or other courier providing reliable proof of delivery, to Tar River Land Conservancy, Attn: Executive Director, P.O. Box 1161, Louisburg, NC 27549 (or to 121 N. Main Street, Louisburg, NC 27549 if sent by a private carrier), or to such other person or address as may be hereafter specified by notice in writing to Grantor. All other communication shall be made by reasonable means under the circumstances. (C) Notices to Raleigh 85 16 (i) Means of Notice -- Any notices to Raleigh required by this Conservation Easement shall be sent by registered or certified mail or other courier providing reliable proof of delivery, to City of Raleigh, Attn: Department of Public Utilities, Post Office Box 590, Raleigh, NC 27602 or such other person or address as may be hereafter specified by notice in writing to Grantor. All other communication shall be made by reasonable means under the circumstances. 9. TRANSFER OF EASEMENT The Parties hereto recognize and agree that the benefits of this Conservation Easement are in gross and assignable; provided, however, that, subject to the terms of Section 24, Grantee’s interest in this Conservation Easement (a) may only be transferred or assigned to an organization (i) that is a qualified organization as that term is defined under Section 170(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, or any successor section, and the regulations promulgated thereunder which is organized or operated primarily for one of the conservation purposes specified in Section 170(h)(4)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code and (ii) that is authorized to acquire and hold conservation easements under the Conservation and Historic Preservation Agreements Act, or any successor provision thereto, and (b) may not be assigned to a governmental entity without the prior written consent of Grantor. The Parties further covenant and agree that the terms of the transfer or the assignment will be such that the transferee or assignee will be required to continue to carry out in perpetuity the conservation purposes that the contribution was originally intended to advance as set forth in the recitals above, which recitals are incorporated herein by this reference. Grantee, for itself and its successors or assigns, hereby covenants and agrees to monitor and observe the Property in perpetuity for the purposes set forth in this Conservation Easement. 10. TRANSFER OF PROPERTY Any time the Property itself, or any interest in it, is transferred by the Grantor to any third Party, the Grantor shall notify the Grantee in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to the transfer of the Property. In the event of any conveyance of any interest in the Property, Grantor, its successors and assigns shall identify this Conservation Easement as an exception in any deed or other instrument of conveyance. 11. AMENDMENT OF EASEMENT This easement may be amended only with the written consent of the Parties. Any such amendment shall be consistent with the purposes of this Conservation Easement and shall comply with Section 170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, or any regulations promulgated in accordance with that section. Any such amendment shall also be consistent with the Uniform Conservation and Historic Preservation Agreement Act, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 121-34 et seq. or any regulations promulgated pursuant to that law. Grantor, Raleigh and Grantee have no right or power to agree to any amendment that would affect the enforceability of this Conservation Easement. Any such amendment or modification must be executed by Grantor, Raleigh, and Grantee and shall be recorded in the public registry of Person County. 12. TERMINATION OF EASEMENT 86 17 If it is determined that conditions on or surrounding the Property have changed so much that it is impossible to fulfill the conservation purposes set forth above, a court with jurisdiction may, at the joint request of both Grantor, Raleigh, and Grantee, terminate this Conservation Easement. If condemnation of a part of the Property or of the entire Property by public authority renders it impossible to fulfill any of these conservation purposes, the Conservation Easement may be terminated through condemnation proceedings. At the time of conveyance of the Conservation Easement to Grantee, this Conservation Easement gives rise to a real property right, immediately vested in Grantee. If the Conservation Easement or part thereof is terminated and the Property is sold or taken for public use, then the gross sale proceeds or condemnation award (minus any amount attributed to new improvements made after the date of the conveyance), shall be distributed as follows: (a) to Raleigh, 44.6%, (b) to Durham, 18.4%, (c) to Grantee, 2.6%, and (d) to Grantor, 34.4%. All condemnation related expenses incurred by the Parties shall be paid out of any recovered proceeds prior to distribution of the net proceeds as described herein. 13. INTERPRETATION This Conservation Easement shall be interpreted under the laws of North Carolina, resolving any ambiguities and questions of the validity of specific provisions as to give maximum effect to its conservation purposes. 14. INDEMNIFICATION Grantor agrees to indemnify and hold Raleigh and Grantee harmless from any and all costs, claims or liability, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees arising from any personal injury, accident, negligence or damage relating to the Property, or any claim thereof, unless due to the negligence of Raleigh, Grantee or the agents, contractors or employees of either Raleigh or Grantee, in which case liability shall be apportioned accordingly. Grantor’s indemnification of Grantee and Raleigh shall be construed broadly to extend to the indemnification of Grantee and Raleigh for loss, claims or damage suffered by Grantee and Raleigh as a result of the environmental condition of the Property. Raleigh and Grantee agree to indemnify and hold Grantor harmless from and against any and all costs, claims or liability, including but not limited to reasonable attorney’s fees, resulting from Raleigh and Grantee’s exercise of its rights of entry pursuant to this Conservation Easement, unless due to the negligence of Grantor or its agents, contractors or employees, in which case liability shall be apportioned accordingly. 15. TITLE 87 18 Grantor covenants and represents that Grantor is the sole owner and is seized of the Property in fee simple and has good right to grant and convey this Conservation Easement; that the Property is free and clear of any and all encumbrances, including but not limited to, any mortgages not subordinated to this Conservation Easement, except easements and rights of way currently recorded in Person County that do not impair or derogate the Conservation Purposes, and that Grantee shall have the use of and enjoy all the benefits derived from and arising out of this Conservation Easement. 16. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS Grantor warrants, without investigation, that it has no actual knowledge of a release or threatened release of hazardous substances or wastes on the Property in material violation of applicable environmental law. 17. SEVERABILITY Invalidity of any of the covenants, terms or conditions of this Conservation Easement, or any part thereof, by court order or judgment shall in no way affect the validity of any of the other provisions hereof which shall remain in full force and effect. 18. PARTIES Every provision of this Conservation Easement that applies to Grantor, Raleigh, or Grantee shall also apply to their respective heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, and all other successors as their interest may appear. 19. MERGER The Parties agree that the terms of this Conservation Easement shall survive any merger of the fee and easement interest in the Property. 20. SUBSEQUENT LIENS ON PROPERTY No provisions of this Conservation Easement should be construed as impairing the ability of Grantor to use this Property as collateral for subsequent borrowing, providing that any mortgage or lien arising from such a borrowing is subordinate to this Conservation Easement. 21. ENTIRE AGREEMENT This instrument sets forth the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the Conservation Easement and supersedes all prior discussions, negotiations, understandings or agreements relating to the Conservation Easement, all of which are merged herein. 22. NO FORFEITURE 88 19 Nothing contained herein will result in a forfeiture or reversion of Grantor's title in any respect. 23. TERMINATION OF RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS A Party's rights and obligations under this Conservation Easement shall terminate upon the transfer of the Party's interest in the Conservation Easement or Property to a Party assuming its obligations hereunder, except that liability for acts or omissions occurring prior to transfer shall survive transfer, but this Conservation Easement shall not be affected by such transfer, the transferee having the rights and obligations of the transferring Party. 24. SUCCESSOR LIMITATION If Grantee shall cease to exist or to be a qualified organization under Section 170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, or to be authorized to acquire and hold conservation easements under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 121-34 et seq., and a prior assignment is not made pursuant to Paragraph 9 above, then Grantee's rights and obligations under this Conservation Easement shall become immediately vested in such organization as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct pursuant to North Carolina law and with due regard to the requirements for an assignment pursuant to said Paragraph 9. 25. ACCEPTANCE AND EFFECTIVE DATE As attested by the signature of its authorized representatives affixed hereto, Grantee hereby accepts without reservation the rights and responsibilities conveyed by this Conservation Easement. This Conservation Easement is to be effective the date recorded in the Person County Registry of Deeds. 26. ATTORNEY’S FEES Should any Party employ an attorney or attorneys to enforce any of the provisions of this Conservation Easement, or to recover damages for the breach of this Conservation Easement, then the non-prevailing Party in any final judgment agrees to pay all reasonable costs, charges and expenses, including attorney's fees, expended or incurred in connection therewith. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD, this Grant of Conservation Easement and development rights, and all privileges and rights thereunto, unto Grantee, its successors and assigns forever. [signature and acknowledgment pages follow] 89 20 GRANTOR: TAR RIVER LAND CONSERVANCY a North Carolina nonprofit corporation BY:_______________________________(SEAL) Robert L. Covington, Jr., President ATTESTED TO: [Corporate Seal] __________________________________ Derek E. Halberg, Assistant Secretary NORTH CAROLINA _______________ COUNTY I, _______________________________, a Notary Public of said County and State, do hereby certify that Derek E. Halberg, personally known to me, personally appeared before me this day and acknowledged that he is the Assistant Secretary of the Tar River Land Conservancy, a North Carolina nonprofit corporation, and that by authority duly given and as an act of the corporation the foregoing Instrument was voluntarily signed in its name by its President, Robert L. Covington, Jr., sealed with its corporate seal, and attested by hisself as its Assistant Secretary. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Notary Seal this the ________ day of ______________, 2026. _____________________________________ _________________________Notary Public Typed/Printed Name My commission expires:________________ STAMP/SEAL 90 21 ACCEPTED: GRANTEE: PERSON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA BY:_______________________________(SEAL) Kyle Puryear, Chairman Person County Board of Commissioners ATTESTED TO: ___________________________________ Michele Solomon, Clerk Person County Board of Commissioners (Corporate Seal) NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF _________________ I, _____________________________, a Notary Public of the County and State aforesaid, Michele Solomon, personally appeared before me this day and acknowledged that she is the Clerk of the Person County Board of Commissioners, and that by authority duly given, the foregoing instrument was signed in its name by its Chairman of the Person County Board of Commissioners, sealed with its corporate seal and attested by Michele Solomon as its Clerk. Witness my hand and official stamp or seal, this ______ day of ______________, 2026. _____________________________________ _________________________Notary Public Typed/Printed Name My commission expires:________________ STAMP/SEAL 91 22 Exhibit A LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY PROPERTY OF TAR RIVER LAND CONSERVANCY MT. TIRZAH TOWNSHIP PERSON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA That certain tract or parcel of land situate along Helena-Moriah Road, Mt. Tirzah Township, Person County, North Carolina, and more particularly described as follows: Being all of that _________-acre parcel of land as shown on that plat of survey by Benjamin L. Bryan, Professional Land Surveyor, dated _________________, 2026, entitled “____________________”, filed of record in Plat Cabinet ______, Page ______, Person County Registry, to which reference is hereby made for a more particular description. 92 RESOLUTION TO CONTRIBUTE FUNDING TO TAR RIVER LAND CONSERVANCY FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE “DYKES TRACT” Whereas, Person County has been approached by Tar River Land Conservancy (the “Conservancy”) regarding participating TRLC’s purchase of property situated on Helena- Moriah Road in Mt. Tirzah Township, Person County, North Carolina; Whereas, the property consists of approximately 166 acres and is known as the “Dykes Tract”; Whereas, the preservation of the Dykes Tract will benefit the Falls Lake Watershed by reducing and filtering stormwater runoff that flows into several tributaries of Deep Creek; Whereas, the acquisition of the Dykes Tract will allow the Conservancy to improve and manage the property for passive recreational access for the benefit of the county’s residents and visitors; Whereas, the Conservancy has received funding commitments from the City of Raleigh and City of Durham’s watershed protection programs to purchase the Dykes Tract and to protect the property in perpetuity; and Whereas, the County believes that participation in this purchase will advance its obligations to protect water quality in the Falls Lake Watershed. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Person County Board of Commissioners (the “Board”) support the proposal by Tar River Land Conservancy to participate in the purchase of the Dykes Tract as set forth below; Be it further resolved that the Board hereby authorizes the funding commitment of $50,000.00 for the Conservancy’s purchase of the Dykes Tract to be transferred to the closing attorney upon confirmation by the County Attorney that all other funding has been obtained and closing of the purchase is scheduled; and Be it further resolved that the Person County agrees to accept a conservation easement on the property to ensure that it remains dedicated to environmental protection in perpetuity, and that the County Attorney is hereby authorized to negotiate terms of said conservation easement with the Conservancy. Adopted by vote of the Board of Commissioners of Person County this the 3rd day of August, 2026, upon motion from Commissioner _____________________ and second by Commissioner _____________________. ________________________________ ATTEST: Kyle Puryear, Chairman ________________________________ Michele Solomon, Clerk to the Board 93 Funding Request to Person County Board of Commissioners Tar River Land Conservancy’s Acquisition of “Dykes Tract” Derek Halberg, Executive Director Michelle Mound, Land Conservation Specialist Nola Reed Knouse, TRLC Board Member 94 •501c(3) charitable, nonprofit organization •founded in September 2000 •one of 21 land trusts working in local communities across North Carolina •serves Person, Granville, Vance, Franklin, Warren, Halifax, Nash & Edgecombe Counties •headquarters office in Louisburg •guided by an 10-member Board of Directors •staffed by 6 employees and many volunteers •accredited by Land Trust Accreditation Commission since 201395 TRLC’s Land Protection Priorities Drinking Water Farms & Forests Wildlife Habitat Natural Area & Rare Species Public Open Space & Trails 96 Upper Neuse River Basin 13% 1% 27% 25% 17% 17%Wake Franklin Durham Orange Granville Person 770 sq. miles 6 counties 8 municipalities 6 drinking water systems 9 water supply reservoirs 97 Land Protected by TRLC Total Land Protected Across Eight Counties 24,677 acres & 218 miles of streams Land Protected in Falls Lake Watershed (Upper Neuse River Basin) Granville County = 6,236 acres total •4,218 acres TRLC-owned Person County = 299 acres total •94 acres TRLC-owned 98 Tar River Land Conservancy’s Public Nature Preserves Ledge Creek Forest Conservation Area (2017) Brogden Rd, Stem –5.0 miles of trails Roberts Chapel Conservation Area (2021) Roberts Chapel Rd, Butner/Stem –1.5 miles of trails Horseshoe Road Nature Preserve (2022) Horseshoe Rd, Creedmoor –3.8 miles of trails Robertson Creek Nature Preserve (2022) NC Hwy 56, Creedmoor –1.9 miles of trails Picture Branch Nature Preserve (2025) Richmond Run, Butner/Stem –2.6 miles of trails 99 Mount Harmony Nature Preserve 85 acres acquired in 2024 by TRLC Mt. Harmony Church Rd & Rock Fork Branch $50K Person County contribution leveraged $572K from Raleigh, Durham, and landowners Conservation Easement held by Person County public hiking trails to be built with volunteers Next Steps: design, permit, and construct driveway and parking100 “Mt. Harmony Nature Preserve” 101 Proposed Acquisition: “Dykes Tract” Tax Map & Parcel No: A98 95 & A99 24 166 acres Mt. Tirzah Township, Person County Located on Helena- Moriah Rd Owned by the Dykes family family since early 2000s Dr. and Mrs. Dykes resided in Potluck Farm Community in Person County102 Location: 6910 Helena-Moriah Rd 7 miles east of Timberlake Land Cover: 146 acres forestland 17 acres pasture 1.5 acres ponds 1.5 acres barnyards Streams: 11,745 ft total streams tributaries of Deep Creek Falls Lake Watershed Other: trash & debris to remove two barns to maintain Dykes Tract: Summary of Conditions 103 Dykes Tract –Current Conditions 104 Dykes Tract –Current Conditions 105 DYKES TRACT – PROJECT BUDGET Project Costs Property Appraised Value $1,744,000 Land Appraisal $2,400 Phase 1 Environmental Assessment $2,400 Survey & Boundary Signage $34,800 Closing Costs $4,000 Baseline Documentation Report $3,000 Stewardship Endowment Deposit $42,800 Conservation Lands Defense Fund Deposit $6,000 Site Cleanup Costs $65,000 Total $1,904,400 106 DYKES TRACT – PROJECT BUDGET Project Funding $$$% Landowner Bargain Sale Donation (per appraisal prepared for TRLC)$629,000 33.0% Raleigh Watershed Protection Program $850,400 44.7% Durham Watershed Protection Program $350,000 18.4% Private Donors $25,000 1.3% Person County Board of Commissioners $50,000 2.6% Total $1,904,400 107 Project honors the rural character and long-history of land stewardship in Person County. The Dykes Tract project follows the same partnership model used to acquire/protect the Mt. Harmony Tract. The project offers credits towards Person County’s stormwater obligations. Person County funds will leverage $1.85M from Durham and Raleigh watershed programs and private donors to preserve land for benefit of county residents. The Conservation Easement to be held by Person County will ensure that land remains undeveloped in perpetuity. TRLC plans to create a public nature preserve on the Dykes Tract, building on track record of preserving land in Falls Lake Watershed and opening properties to the community. DYKES TRACT PROPOSAL – KEY POINTS 108 Adopt resolution to: a)To contribute $50,000 to Tar River Land Conservancy towards the purchase of the Dykes Tract; and b)To authorize Person County to hold the Conservation Easement on the property. DYKES TRACT PROPOSAL – REQUESTED ACTION BY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 109 AGENDA ABSTRACT August 3, 2026 North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Legislative Goal Proposals Every two years, counties are invited to submit proposals to the NCACC for legislative goals that the association should seek in the best interest of counties. The NCACC goal-setting process takes place each even-numbered year and consists of five stages, beginning with the solicitation of proposals from counties and ending with the adoption of the legislative agenda at the Legislative Goals Conference. Proposed 2027-2028 legislative goals must be received by the Association on or before Aug. 14, 2026. The proposals are then sent through steering committees, a legislative goals committee, and on to the NCACC Board of Directors before being adopted in November at the Legislative Goals Conference. During the July 20, 2026, the Board of Commissioners considered the following goals: •Support legislation promoting teacher and classified school personnel recruitment and retention, including state funding for increased salaries. •Seek legislation to repeal NCGS 105-275(45), which mandates that counties must exclude 80 percent (80%) of the appraised value of a solar energy electric system from property taxation. If repeal of NCGS 105-275(45) is not feasible, then seek legislation to require the State of North Carolina to provide funding to any county that is forced to lose tax revenue due to NCGS 105-275(45) in an amount equal to the lost tax revenue to said county. •Seek legislation to provide increased recurring state funding in keeping with comparable sales for farmland preservation initiatives and additional flexibility to counties related to farmland preservation. •Seek legislation expanding state funding to provide essential medical, mental health, substance use disorder and social services to persons incarcerated in local detention facilities. •Seek governmental funding to assist counties that have limited resources with construction of critical facilities. •Seek additional revenue sources to meet statewide public school and community college capital needs, ensure equitable distribution for low wealth and growing 110 accelerate school construction, including allowing previously unawarded projects to begin while remaining eligible for future grants. • Support legislation to uphold and reinforce Chapter 160D's framework, affirming that local governments retain full authority over zoning, subdivision, land-use plan adoption, conditional zoning, quasi-judicial hearings, extraterritorial jurisdiction, and related development regulation, while opposing efforts to mandate preemption by the state (such as minimum density, accessory dwelling unit requirements, or standardized design standards). The attached draft letter includes the above goals. The Board may edit or add goals prior to Financial Impact: Recommended Action: Submitted By: 111 PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 304 South Morgan Street, Room 212 Roxboro, NC 27573-5245 336-597-1720 Fax 336-599-1609 August 3, 2026 North Carolina Association of County Commissioners 323 West Jones Street, Suite 500 Raleigh, NC 27603 Submitted via online form To whom it may concern, On behalf of the Person County Board of Commissioners, I am pleased to submit the following legislative goals to the NCACC for consideration at the Legislative Goals Conference. These legislative goals represent the collective wishes of the entire Board, as agreed upon during the Board of Commissioners regular meeting on August 3, 2026. 1. Support legislation promoting teacher and classified school personnel recruitment and retention, including state funding for increased salaries. 2. Seek legislation to repeal NCGS 105-275(45), which mandates that counties must exclude 80 percent (80%) of the appraised value of a solar energy electric system from property taxation. If repeal of NCGS 105-275(45) is not feasible, then seek legislation to require the State of North Carolina to provide funding to any county that is forced to lose tax revenue due to NCGS 105-275(45) in an amount equal to the lost tax revenue to said county. 3. Seek legislation to provide increased recurring state funding in keeping with comparable sales for farmland preservation initiatives and additional flexibility to counties related to farmland preservation. 4. Seek legislation expanding state funding to provide essential medical, mental health, substance use disorder and social services to persons incarcerated in local detention facilities. 5. Seek governmental funding to assist counties that have limited resources with construction of critical facilities. 112 6.Seek additional revenue sources to meet statewide public school and community college capital needs, ensure equitable distribution for low‑wealth and growing counties, and revise the Needs‑Based Public School Capital Fund to expand access and accelerate school construction, including allowing previously unawarded projects to begin while remaining eligible for future grants. 7. Support legislation to uphold and reinforce Chapter 160D's framework, affirming that local governments retain full authority over zoning, subdivision, land-use plan adoption, conditional zoning, quasi‑judicial hearings, extraterritorial jurisdiction, and related development regulation, while opposing efforts to mandate preemption by the state (such as minimum density, accessory dwelling unit requirements, or standardized design standards). Thank you for your consideration. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Sincerely, Kyle Puryear, Chairman, Person County Board of Commissioners 113