Franklin County Commissioners Approved FY24 Budget

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— Information courtesy of Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks

Franklin County Schools is a big winner in the newly adopted 2023-24 budget, getting an additional $2.6 million from the draft originally presented to the board of commissioners for a total amount of more than $25 million.

This figure represents the largest education budget ever funded in the county.

“Quality education is the foundation for a qualified and engaged workforce needed to support economic development,” said County Manager Kim Denton.

The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved Franklin County’s FY24 Budget at the conclusion of the public hearing on Monday, June 5.

“Franklin County staff works hard every year to put together a balanced budget that will meet the County’s growth,” said Denton. “The county is committed to be a ‘Fiscally Strong and Engaged Government’ as stated in the County’s Mission, Vision, Values and Goals.”

The FY24 Adopted Budget added positions specifically identified as providing direct services, funding technology solutions, providing vehicles to accomplish service delivery, maintaining competitive employee compensation and benefits and providing resources to complete infrastructure and economic expansion projects.

The budget includes increased support for public safety including four new positions, 10 new vehicles for the Patrol Division, and salary adjustments in the Sheriff’s Office, Detention Center and Emergency Communications. Additionally, a new position within the Emergency Medical Services Department (EMS) and the purchase of an ambulance were also included in the budget. EMS will use the new position and four reassigned positions to establish a second peak demand shift to respond to emergency calls during high volume times.

In addition to the historic budget allotment, the board of commissioners and board of education, along with their respective staffs, will continue discussion of school capital needs during the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Highlights from the FY24 budget include:

  • $113,849,022 General Fund budget
  • No increase to the current ad valorem property tax rate ($0.785)
  • 20 new county positions to address growth and the expanding need for services
  • 16 new vehicles (including 10 for Sheriff’s Office)
  • 2% COLA (cost of living adjustment) for county employees effective September 4, 2023
  • Public Utilities water and sewer rate increases
  • $26,828,192 to Franklin County Schools for Local Current Expense and Capital Outlay

In addition to the 2 percent COLA, the budget also funds a Classification and Compensation Study to help the county remain competitive for pay and recruitment of county positions.

A Community Care Team was approved and funded with the National Opioid Settlement Funds received by Franklin County.  The team will coordinate the county’s response to tackling substance abuse, mental health and opioid epidemic issues affecting our residents.

The County’s annual Fee Schedule was adopted by Board resolution.  The complete Fee Schedule can be found on the Finance Page of the County’s website. Fire Tax rates were increased for three fire districts: White Level, Franklinton and Hopkins.

Find the complete budget here: www.franklincountync.gov – under the Finance Department page.

Vance County Appoints Interim Manager with Over 20 Years Experience

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Vance County appointed D. Scott Elliott as the interim county manager. He started working on June 1, according to information received today.

Elliott recently retired as Pitt County’s manager and had more than 20 years in that county. He also serves as a senior advisor to local government managers across the state through professional organizations of the ICMA and NCCCMA.

“We are delighted to welcome Scott Elliott as our interim county manager,” said Yolanda Feimster, chair of the board of commissioners. “His extensive experience and proven leadership will be instrumental in advancing our county’s strategic objectives and meeting the needs of our residents. We have full confidence in his ability to drive operational excellence and build strong partnerships within our community.”

In his role as interim manager, Elliott will oversee the day-to-day operations of Vance County and work closely with elected officials, department heads and staff to ensure the delivery of high-quality services to residents.

Nowell Brooks Principal of Advance Academy for the 2023-2024 School Year

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Vance County Schools has named Nowell Brooks as the principal of Advance Academy for the 2023-2024 school year. Brooks began his educational career as a social studies teacher in Granville County Schools in 2006 and joined Vance County Schools as an assistant principal in 2014.

Most recently, Brooks served in Franklin County Schools as an assistant principal and the director of Alternative Programs. While there, he also served as an interim principal and Summer Learning principal. As he begins his 17th year in public education, Brooks said “I have high aspirations to lead while providing strategic paths for the development of students’ academic, social and emotional needs.”

Brooks received his undergraduate degree from N.C. Central University and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University. Brooks lives in Henderson with wife Stephanie and will begin his new position effective July 1.

June Blood Drives in Henderson and Oxford

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There’s just no way to say it any plainer: The American Red Cross needs donors to sign up and give blood. The need is great and ever growing.

June 14 is World Blood Donor Day, a day that focuses on raising awareness of the need for a safe, diverse and stable blood supply. This simply is not possible without blood donors.

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion.

The Red Cross collected 26,000 FEWER blood donations than it needed last month alone to meet patients’ needs. Platelets are especially needed at this time.

Please take a moment to find a donation site in your area and sign up to give the gift of life.

In thanks for taking time to help, all who come to give blood, platelets or plasma June 1-30 will receive a $10 gift card by email to a merchant of their choice. Those who come to give throughout June will also be automatically entered for a chance to win a backyard theater package. Details for both offers can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/June.

Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS 1.800.733.2767 to schedule a time to give now.

Upcoming drives are listed below:

Oxford

6/16/2023: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Oxford United Methodist Church, 105 W. McClanahan St.

Henderson

6/23/2023: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Maria Parham Health, 566 Ruin Creek Rd.

6/29/2023: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Kerr Lake Country Club, 600 Hedrick Rd.

TownTalk: County Debates Future Of Vance Co. Fire Dept.

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Chiefs from several of Vance County’s fire departments have voiced opinions and concerns regarding a proposal to restructure the county’s only full-time paid fire department and make it a combination of paid and volunteer staff.

That proposal, discussed in some detail at a meeting Wednesday of the county’s Public Safety Committee, will be presented to the full board of commissioners at a special called meeting on Wednesday, June 14.

If commissioners accept the proposal with its associated budget amendments to begin the restructure process, and then adopt the budget changes, the restructure plan would begin.

If the board does not accept the proposal and the budget draft that is before the commissioners now is adopted, no changes would be taking place – at least in the foreseeable future – for the Golden Belt Fire District.

Commissioner Dan Brummitt laid out the basic points of the plan during the 30-minute meeting, which includes hiring a consultant to help the county implement the restructuring process.

In a follow-up telephone conversation earlier today, Epsom Chief Powell Wilkins called the proposal a “vague” that will adversely affect people’s livelihoods. “We need to build off what we currently have,” Wilkins said, adding that “transitioning this department is not going to work.”

Wilkins further stated that business owners within the existing Golden Belt district need to be informed of the proposed restructuring, noting that this district includes areas where the county is seeing economic and industrial development.

Adam “Slug” Pegram, chief at Cokesbury and batallion chief at Vance County/Golden Belt, told WIZS today that his department doesn’t support the restructuring and stated such in a letter of support for the county fire department that was sent to commissioners.

This support is echoed at Bearpond Fire Department, where Billy Jenkins has been chief for two years. Jenkins told WIZS today that he and his team “didn’t want to lose that guaranteed response” that comes from the county/Golden Belt fire department.

“Our stance on redistricting is we want the closest fire truck (to respond) – that person on the 911 call deserves that.”

Doyle Karpunky, who is chief of the Vance County Rescue Squad, president of the Vance County Fire Association, also is president of the Bearpond board said decisions need to be made that are in the best interest of the county, not just one department.

Karpunky told WIZS today that Vance County is the only county among the state’s 100 counties that has this situation. “We are the only county in the state that spends that kind of money on a single department.”

He added that he wants all the departments to be treated equally within the county. Volunteer departments have to raise money to fill the gap that the standard $100,000 annual county allotment doesn’t cover.

“We don’t want to see anyone lose their job,” said Chad Blake, chief at Hicksboro. “At the end of the day, it’s about taking care of citizens.”

Brummitt said the proposal would not gut the Golden Belt Fire Department; rather, the positions would be reduced by attrition over time. According to Brummitt, the state fire marshal’s office has recommended that more volunteers be added to the Golden Belt roster during recent ISO inspections.

“We are not getting rid of the department, we are adding volunteers to support the department,” he reinterated in a phone conversation today with WIZS.

As the county grows, the idea is to have two paid staff at each of the county’s 10 fire departments, with the ultimate goal of having paid personnel in all the departments – a feat that could take years to achieve.

And if the four-call system is implemented, it would mean that four departments would response to a structure fire, Brummitt noted. And since Golden Belt sits in the central part of the county, it is more than likely going to be called on more often to be one of the four units responding.

Several in opposition to the proposal have mentioned increased difficulty in finding volunteers to provide much-needed support to the paid staff in fire department across the county, which seems to be a national trend.

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SportsTalk: Wilkerson Wraps Up Junior Season At UNC

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Colby Wilkerson saw much success during his time at Kerr-Vance Academy and that success has continued at UNC where Wilkerson is the starting shortstop.  Wilkerson, who is a junior this year, and the Tar Heels just wrapped up the season making it into the NCAA Tournament.  Wilkerson felt UNC was successful this season but didn’t quite get to where he had hoped this season.  “Every season has goods and bads. We always want to get to Omaha,” Wilkerson said.  Omaha is the site of the college baseball world series, and while UNC didn’t make it this year, Wilkerson did say one of the highlights of the year was his sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the ninth inning in a late regular season game against rival NC State to win the contest.

There were other highlights for Wilkerson including the opportunity to play another year, finishing the season healthy and contributing to other players success.  Wilkerson said that every game is exciting for him and that he credits much of his personal success to having a good routine that he sticks to.

UNC will only lose three seniors for next season which could mean more wins on the diamond for the Tar Heels. “We hope to get a little better and be the last team standing,” Wilkerson concluded.

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Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: Managing Stress

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Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Public Safety Committee Releases Fire Dept. Restructuring Plan To Be Sent To Commissioners

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The county’s Public Safety Committee released a proposal Wednesday that it plans to submit to the board of commissioners that will begin the restructuring of the county’s fire departments, a move that includes a pay bump for part-time fire staff, a hiring freeze for open positions within the Vance County Fire Department and hiring a consultant to oversee the restructuring process.

The proposal will be presented to the board at a special called meeting on June 14; if it is approved, it would mean amendments to the county budget, which must be adopted by June 30.

More than 25 citizens attended the meeting, held in the commissioners’ conference room Wednesday afternoon, many of whom wore shirts bearing the names of the fire departments they represented: Cokesbury, Epsom, Bearpond, among others.

Commissioner Dan Brummitt said the proposal includes changing the Golden Belt fire district from its current independent, purely county, full-time, status to a split, paid, part-time, part-volunteer department.

Brummitt added that the committee’s proposal does not recommend moving staff from the Golden Belt district, but said the department will need to find additional volunteers.

Brummitt suggested that the department would have the next few months to find those volunteers; in October, the proposal calls for eliminating all paid part-time Vance County Fire Department (Golden Belt) positions. “Through attrition of full time employees, savings would be used to pay for part-time employees,” the proposal states.

Chris Wright, currently the county fire marshal and the county fire chief, expressed concern about the availability of volunteers to help staff the department.

“There are a lot of holes in this and a whole lot of legal liability,” Wright said of the proposal, which also includes separating the fire marshal job from the fire chief job.

As Brummitt explained the details of the plan, he said splitting these duties would mean the fire marshal could oversee all the county’s fire departments and be a liaison between them and the county. Both would be internal hires, he said.

The plan also calls for the Kerr Lake fire department to become a satellite of the Golden Belt department. Any department with a satellite department would get $10,000 added to the annual $100,000 county allotment. Plans will be in place to pay off the debt of the Kerr Lake substation from fire tax funds.

SportsTalk: Duke Baseball 2023 Super Regional

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Chris Edwards, play by play announcer of Duke Baseball for Learfield, spoke with John Rose on WIZS SportsTalk.

Super regional play begins Friday for Duke at Virginia at 12 noon.

Wake Forest, Duke and Virginia hope to advance to the College World Series.

CLICK PLAY BELOW TO ENJOY CHRIS EDWARDS ON WIZS SPORTSTALK!