Tag Archive for: #VanceCounty

Upcoming Listening Sessions Give Residents A Chance To Give Input On Redrawing District Boundaries

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Vance County residents have the opportunity to attend several public listening sessions in the next month as the county begins the business of redrawing district boundaries for commissioner and school board seats.

The first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Vance County Administration building. The second meeting will take place at the Townsville Volunteer Fire Department on Monday, Oct. 11 and the third meeting will be Monday, Oct. 18 at Kittrell Volunteer Fire Department. All meetings begin at 6 p.m., according to information from Kelly Grissom, clerk to the board of commissioners.

Every 10 years, counties use updated Census data to ensure that voting districts have essentially the same number of constituents. Changes are required after every Census to ensure the “one person, one vote” standard. To do so, an ideal population is established for each district by dividing the population by the number of elected officials to be elected from those districts.

Information on the county’s website notes the population by district, based on 2020 Census data. The ideal population for each district has been calculated at 6,083. Districts 1, 2 and 7 stand to lose some constituents and districts 3,4,5 and 6 could gain some constituents as the boundaries are redrawn.

Although there is some room for flexibility, districts must still meet federal and state guidelines. The state’s guidelines are stricter, allowing for a 5 percent deviation.

For Vance County to meet that 5 percent or better threshold, lines must be drawn so that there are no more than 304 people in any one district versus another. District 7 will get the most attention as it is 13.1% over at the present time in population. No other district is more than 2.7% worse than ideal.  Since three of the four districts that surround district 7 are in pretty good shape, minor adjustments should correct all issues related to population and district lines.

District 7 is largely what could be described as north and west Henderson, extending west between the I-85 and U.S. 158 Business corridors and including areas like the Dabney community and west as well as south of Oxford Road to Old County Home Road.

As a result of the Census data, Henderson’s fall election was rescheduled for spring 2022; municipal elections in Kittrell and Middleburg are not affected.

Vance County Water is Working

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The Water District Board of Vance County. It’s what many call “county-wide water.”

Actually, there is Phase 1, Phase 2 and Kittrell with a total of 1,794 customers committed to the system and 1,387 as functioning, metered customers.

The latest available data, which was used for the Vance County Commissioners meeting on August 2nd, indicates in round figures the Vance County Water District will cash flow about $1 million in accounts receivable in 2021. It was about a half million in the first six months.

Cash flow is good and profitability is about here.

County Manager Jordan McMillen told WIZS News by email, “The county water system is nearing its breakeven point ahead of schedule. A few years ago we put together a projection that anticipated breaking even by July of 2024. We are ahead of that schedule and almost had the system break even in FY19-20 (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020.) – within $20,000 of breaking even. We just finished up FY 20-21 and although we had more unexpected costs (line breaks, tap installs, etc.) were hopeful the system can get to the breakeven point in the next year or more.

“As we are bringing the original system and original debt to break-even we are getting ready for construction of the next phase which will start the process over of trying to break-even again with the new debt.”

McMillen has been working this project from the start, not just the project’s start but his start with Vance County.

Considering McMillen’s obvious work ethic and positive reviews by other county employees in a recent Vance County workplace survey from the Local Government Workplaces Initiative and UNC School of Government, many hearing McMillen’s name beside the project will in fact project some of its successes on to him.

McMillen wrote in a separate, follow up email, “Right before I came on board with the county in 2008 I attended a county informational meeting before anything began with financing the project or construction. I still keep the notecard I made from that meeting in my briefcase reminding me of the pros and cons people were saying about the system at that time.

“The success of the water system and bringing it to self-sufficiency has been one of my largest personal goals with the county. While it is challenging to take on a new phase and see us start over, it is good to see the impact that the water system has for those citizens needing it.”

Incumbents Only Filers in Kittrell and Middleburg

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All the filers for the upcoming November 2 elections in Kittrell and Middleburg are incumbents, and they all filed this week.

When the filing period closed at noon today (Friday), the filing list included:

  • Jerry Joyner – Mayor of Kittrell
  • Susan Pulley – Town Commissioner of Kittrell
  • Mary Jo Floyd – Town Commissioner of Kittrell
  • Robert Baylor Tunstall – Town Commissioner of Kittrell

The Middleburg list included:

  • Ray Bullock – Mayor of Middleburg
  • Annie Fudge – Town Council of Middleburg
  • Mamie Turner – Town Council of Middleburg
  • Ruth Nance Town – Town Council of Middleburg

Based on the information at hand, there would appear to be no contests.  However, keep in mind Ray Bullock won as a write-in candidate in 2019 over someone who filed.  Write ins can be a factor in such small precincts.  Kittrell is and Middleburg is a complete precinct in and of itself.

In these respective municipalities within Vance County, a voter makes one choice for mayor and choses three from the list of names, or writes in a name, for commissioner/council person.  Tunstall was elected in 2019 by write in as only Pulley and Floyd had filed that year.

Vance County Logo

Commissioners Approve Rescue Squad Contract, Level Funding In Budget

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The Vance County Commissioners voted Monday to approve a four-year contract extension for the county rescue squad, and County Manager Jordan McMillen said he expects the new contract – with one small change – to be signed later this month.

McMillen told WIZS News that the vote was 4-3 to approve the contract extension, but commissioners voted to remove the fifth item in the contract, which resulted in approval. The fifth item, McMillen said, was a proposed requirement to gather addresses and certifications along with the annual roster submissions. Instead, the county will get a list of active members from the Rescue Squad’s worker’s compensation listing, he explained.

“In terms of funding, the contract does not guarantee any level of funding, as that is determined each year with the budget,” McMillen explained. The commissioners approved the FY21-22 budget Monday evening, which McMillen said “includes level funding for the Rescue Squad for the coming year – this totals $100,000 in annual funding plus up to $2,775 additional to cover financial reviews and Verizon service for their mobile data terminals.”

Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen

Jordan McMillen Credentialed by International Local Government Management Organization

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— press release

Jordan McMillen, County Manager of Vance County, North Carolina, recently received the Credentialed Manager designation from ICMA, the International City/County Management Association. Mr. McMillen is one of over 1,300 local government management professionals currently credentialed through the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program.

ICMA’s mission is to advance professional local government through leadership, management, innovation, and ethics and by increasing the proficiency of appointed chief administrative officers, assistant administrators, and other employees who serve local governments and regional entities around the world. The organization’s 13,000 members in 27 countries also include educators, students, and other local government employees.

To receive the prestigious ICMA credential, a member must have significant experience as a senior management executive in local government; have earned a degree, preferably in public administration or a related field; and demonstrated a commitment to high standards of integrity and to lifelong learning and professional development.

Jordan McMillen is qualified by having over 12 years of professional local government executive experience. Prior to his appointment in 2016 as County Manager of Vance County, North Carolina, he served a dual role of Deputy County Manager/Planning and Development Director for three years, Planning and Development Director for two years and prior to that as Planning Services Manager for three years. He is more than deserving of this designation having worked in Vance County for a number of years and having made the positive impact that he has and continues to make for our citizens. This is even more notable following his recent honor being named County Manager of the Year for the Kerr-Tar Region.

For more information regarding the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program, contact Jenese Jackson at ICMA, 777 North Capitol Street, N.E., #500, Washington, D.C. 20002-4201; jjackson@icma.org; 202-962-3556.

Vance and Granville Government Meeting Times Are Things to Know

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Local Vance and Granville Government meeting times around the area are “Things to Know!”

  • January 4th at 6 p.m. — Vance County Board of Commissioners — full agenda here
  • January 4th at 7 p.m. — Granville County Board of Commissioners — full agenda here
  • January 4th at 5:30 p.m. — City of Oxford Board of Commissioner’s agenda meeting, via zoom, to set Jan 12th agenda
  • January 11th at 6 p.m. — Henderson City Council regular monthly meeting — agenda to be announced
  • January 12th at 7 p.m. — City of Oxford Board of Commissioners’ regular monthly meeting, via zoom

 

Vance Co EMS Lifeline Award

Vance County EMS Has Itself Reached Out For Help

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Vance County Management, on behalf of the Vance County EMS Department, has reached out to the state to ask for a strike team. The problem is positive COVID cases.

Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen told WIZS News, “We are working through a number of positive COVID cases in our EMS department as is the case in the general public and as a result additional EMS employees have been put on quarantine and sick leave reducing the number of available EMTs and Paramedics. We are working with our in-county first responders and neighboring counties to fill in any gaps…” He said the purpose of reaching out was “to make arrangements from across the state should we need additional assistance down the line.”

Vance County has already heard back from agencies from neighboring counties and beyond, and McMillen said, “…We are doing our best to work through the situation. We have also had a number of off duty firefighters who are willing to step up and assist as well. I wouldn’t say we are at crisis level, but we are doing what we need to stay ahead of it as best we can and to get our folks who are working long hours some relief.”

Vance Co EMS Lifeline Award

Vance County EMS was recently selected as a 2020 Mission Lifeline Award recipient by the American Heart Association. On Wednesday, Sept 23, 2020, County Manager Jordan McMillen and Chairman of the Board Gordon Wilder presented Paramedic Christopher Rigg with a certificate of appreciation for his role in coordinating the application process. The County also presented Director Javier Plummer and the entire department with a certificate in recognition of their accomplishments leading to this award. McMillen said the County appreciates all public safety workers and first responders and congratulates Vance EMS on this accomplishment.

Firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, deputies, police and other forms of law enforcement and emergency personal rush into burning buildings, run into homes, reach into private vehicles and more. Sometimes it’s even known these homes, buildings and vehicles have COVID positive people and patients inside. McMillen said, “While we are taking all of the precautions with PPE and other means as we can, it is inevitable that it reaches our public safety staff as well.”

These working and giving heroes are local as well as far and wide and are just the type of people who come together to serve here, there and where ever there is need.

Vance County is working with Granville Vance Public Health and “following all of their guidance,” McMillen said.

Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen

Vance County Manager Jordan McMillan Named Kerr-Tar Manager of the Year

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Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen was recently named county manager of the year. The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Goverments presented the award to McMillen last week.

Vance County Commissioner Tommy Hester nominated McMillen and told WIZS News the county manager is exceptional and someone who goes beyond the call of duty. Hester said, “He puts service above self. His job is to make the quality of life better for every citizen of Vance County.”

The director of the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments, Diane Cox, said, “Jordan McMillen is very deserving of the Outstanding County Manager award for the Kerr-Tar region. Over the past few years, Jordan has been instrumental in regional projects focused on expanding broadband options, ensuring critical infrastructure for economic development and supporting services for all Vance County residents. He believes in consensus-building, has the highest level of integrity and is an extremely dedicated public servant.”

McMillen told WIZS he enjoyed the recognition. “It makes me feel good,” he said, “but I’m not the best at talking about it.”

He said, “Those that know me know, I enjoy seeing what the County does as a whole, and my role as manager allows me to see that perspective. I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of people, and the relational side of the county manager role is what I enjoy the most.”

Where there are needs McMillen tries to address them. He said his role allows him to do that.

Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen

Vance County Manager Jordan McMillan Named Kerr-Tar Region’s Manager of the Year

“With all that said,” McMillen continued, “the County has outstanding department heads, office heads. They lead every day. We have employees who come to work everyday, and they make the choice to make a difference in someone’s life.”

That’s a choice you can make, according to McMillen, whether you’re in local government or not. He said, “But in local government, we’re in a constant position everyday where we get to help.”

Hester explained when Vance County bought the Kittrell Water Association, it was McMillen who got it all straight. Hester said the project was nearing a break even point much sooner than expected and essentially was saying McMillen’s work was a big reason why. “He is saving tax payers money, and that’s one example of him moving forward as far as that’s concerned,” Hester said.

Commissioner Hester explained an additional economic development project is presently underway and that the county engineer is involved because of land. Hester said we needed the engineer and “I called the engineer that afternoon (after the meeting at 10 o’clock in the morning), and the engineer told me Jordan had already called. He’d done it in an hour’s time. He jumps on things. He does what he needs to do. He moves forward. Vance County is fortunate to have him.”

Downtown Henderson

Henderson-Vance County Is……

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Check out the series of videos, and see how you feel…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for watching.  This IS Henderson-Vance County!

Coach’s Corner 05/22/19

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Coach’s Corner Show – Vance County Aquatics.Program Interview