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Home My WebLink About07-20-2026 Meeting Minutes BOCJuly 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 ALEXIS VANDER POPPEN Chairman Puryear read a Proclamation recognizing Alexis 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 Alexis Vander Poppen. No representative was present to accept the proclamation. July 20, 2026 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. July 20, 2026 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. 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. Vice-Chair Wilborn asked Resnik whether she was a resident of Person County, and she replied that she is a resident of Orange County. 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: July 20, 2026 July 20, 2026 July 20, 2026 July 20, 2026 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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