Franklin Co. Approves $125M Budget

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– information courtesy of Franklin Co. Public Information Officer James F. Hicks III

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved a $125 million budget earlier this month that includes a tax rate of 50.5 cents per $100 valuation and a capital improvement plan for the general fund, public utilities and solid waste.

The previous tax rate had been 78.5 cents per $100 valuation, so the new tax rate represents a 28-cent drop. The new rate is just a shade over the revenue-neutral rate of 49.91 cents per $100 valuation.

County Manager Kim Denton presented the recommended budget to commissioners on May 20.

The new budget provides for more staffing in areas that provide direct services to residents, provides for purchase of vehicles to accomplish service delivery and maintains a competitive employee compensation and benefits for county employees, as well as provides funding to complete infrastructure and economic expansion projects, according to information from Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks III.

County Attorney Gena McCray reported to commissioners at the June 10 meeting that the Franklin County Board of Education had met earlier that day and had amended its FY25 budget request to $30,541,812 for local expenses and $1,890,611 for capital outlay expenses for a total of $32,432,423. Support for education represents 30.8 percent of the county’s FY25 General Fund budget.

 

Highlights from the FY25 Budget include:

  • $125,346,271 General Fund budget
  • Tax rate set at 50.5 cents per $100 valuation of property (reduced from 78.5 cents)
  • 13 new county positions to address growth and the expanding need for services
  • 23 new vehicles (including 10 for Sheriff’s Office)
  • Public Utilities water and sewer rate increases
  • $32,432,423 to Franklin County Schools for Local Current Expense and Capital Outlay

The county’s annual Fee Schedule was adopted by Board resolution. The complete Fee Schedule can be found at https://www.franklincountync.gov/county_services/budget___finance/index.php

Maria Parham Franklin’s Hope Benton Receives 2024 Mercy Award

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Information from Donna Young, MPH Marketing & Communications Coordinator 

A CNA II/Nurse Tech based at Maria Parham Franklin in Louisburg has received the 2024 Mercy Award for her exceptional dedication to healthcare, community service and advocacy.

Hope Benton is this year’s recipient of The Mercy Award, given to one employee at each of Lifepoint Health’s facilities who touches the lives of others in profound ways and represents the spirit and values upon which the company was founded, according to information from Maria Parham’s Marketing & Communications Coordinator Donna Young.

 The Mercy Award is an annual recognition program that honors the life and contributions of Scott Mercy, Lifepoint’s founding chairman and chief executive officer. The award is considered the highest honor a Lifepoint employee can receive.

Benton’s selection as the Mercy Award winner holds particular significance as she becomes the first Maria Parham Franklin-based recipient since the hospital’s reopening nearly six years ago as part of Maria Parham Health. Her commitment to restoring vital emergency services and addressing the region’s mental health crisis underscores her unwavering dedication to the community’s well-being.

From a young age, Benton said she felt a calling to healthcare, inspired by her family’s visits to local nursing homes. Her passion for helping others led to a 22-year career at a local assisted living facility, where she discovered her true vocation in healthcare.

As a highly skilled paramedic and now a nurse tech/CNA, Benton serves as a mentor and guide to her colleagues, earning a reputation as a go-to team member at Maria Parham Franklin. Known for her approachable demeanor and willingness to assist, she embodies the values of a star employee and Mercy Award recipient.

Beyond her clinical duties, Benton is an advocate for the hospital’s mission in the community, actively engaging in volunteer activities with organizations such as the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life. Her efforts have been instrumental in fostering partnerships and making a positive impact on community health initiatives.

Benton’s exceptional care extends to behavioral health patients in the Emergency Department, where she demonstrates uncommon empathy and compassion. Her dedication to preserving their dignity and well-being sets a standard for excellence in patient care.

“With such positive energy to serve our community and her home, Hope is making a difference in our health system daily,” said Bert Beard, CEO at Maria Parham Health. “Her unwavering commitment to compassionate care embodies the legacy of Scott Mercy, and we are proud to recognize her as our 2024 Mercy Award recipient.”

Upcoming Blood Drives

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Kick June off right by donating blood or plasma at several upcoming blood drives.

The American Red Cross has a special incentive to donors who register to help build the blood supply for patients in need. Everyone who comes to a blood drive site between now and June 9 will get a t-shirt featuring the iconic video game Tetris, which is commemorating its 40th anniversary.

Plus, you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to New York to meet Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov. See RedCrossBlood.org/Tetris for details.

Donors of all blood types – especially those giving type O blood and donors giving platelets – are vital to people counting on blood products for critical medical procedures, according to Red Cross representatives.

Every single donation can help keep the blood supply as stable as possible during a busy time of year when many regular donors may be unable to give. Find a time before your calendar fills up. Visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App to register at a convenient location.

Available June blood drives:

  • Thursday, June 6: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Raleigh Road Baptist Church, 3892 Raleigh Rd., Henderson
  • Friday, June 7: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Creedmoor Community Center, 116 Douglas Dr., Creedmoor

Franklin Commissioners Considering $180 Million Total Budget; Public Hearing June 3

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Franklin County commissioners are considering a total budget of more than $180 million, which includes adding more than a dozen new county employees, calling for new fees and increases in others, and setting the property tax rate at .505 per $100 valuation.

Franklin County Manager Kim Denton’s May 20 budget presentation calls for just slightly more

than the revenue-neutral rate of .4991 per $100.

And although the budget includes taking more than $4.1 million from the fund balance – $2.3 million of which will be used for capital purchases – it’s still $1.3 million less than was taken last year.

As part of her presentation, Denton shared data about the county’s overall growth – with a 4.1 percent annual growth rate, Franklin is the fastest growing county in the Triangle area, the 3rd fastest growing in the state and the 61st fastest growing county in the nation, according to Census data.

On the expense side of things, $873,193 will be spent to add 13 new full-time employees, including an animal cruelty investigator, as well as staff in IT and facilities management. The county’s departments requested a total of 34 new vehicles during the budget process, and the budget includes more than $1.6 million to purchase 23 vehicles.

Franklin County Schools requested $33 million and the proposed budget includes $29,259,067.

On the revenue side, new fees – several of which are for storage, towing and more at the airport – will be introduced effective July 1.

Animal adoption fees are going up, but fees will be waived for TNVR feral cat adoptions.

It’ll cost $30 to revoke membership in the county’s Voluntary Ag District program and the $5 fee for gun permits has been dropped – residents will be able to get gun permits free of charge.

Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Monday, June 3 at regular scheduled board meeting. Residents are invited to view the livestream broadcast of the meeting and to submit comments about the budget via a public portal found on the county’s website www.franklincountync.gov.

The budget may be adopted at the end of the June 3 meeting or at the June 17 commissioners’ meeting.

View the complete budget document at  www.franklincountync.gov.

Young Farmers & Ranchers Group Gathers Next Generation In Agriculture

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The Tri-County Young Farmers & Ranchers group will convene later this week at a local farm that produces organic, environmentally sustainable pork, beef and milk and will learn straight from its owners how MY Meat Farm was created.

If you’re a farmer or rancher between 18 and 35, you’re invited to join this group, which is sponsored by Farm Bureau and brings together young farmers and others in agriculture together from Vance, Granville and Warren counties.

The Tri-County YF&R meeting will be held Thursday, May 23 at 6:30 p.m. at MY Meat Farm, located at 3182 Sims Bridge Rd., Kittrell. Although it is a Kitrell address, the farm is located in Franklin County.

The YF&R program is a new endeavor in the county, said Dr. Wykia Macon, Vance County extension director. “It is a tri-county group of people 18-35 who are farmers and ranchers. Our local Farm Bureau Board and Catherine Watts, who works with Labor Service International, is working to create a community of local young ranchers and farmers who will lead the next generation,” Macon told WIZS News.

MY Meat Farm will provide the backdrop for the final meeting of the season, but the group will pick back up in September.

The farm produces woodland raised pork, pastured beef and raw milk that is “beyond organic.” The owners use methods that are environmentally sustainable, truly humane, and naturally healthy, according to information from Catherine Watts, one of the organizers of the group.

All participants are reminded to wear comfortable shoes – there will be some walking involved at the meeting! As a biosecurity measure, there will be a footbath for everyone’s shoes before the tour begins.

RSVP to Farm Bureau’s Catherine Watts.

To learn more about the YF&R program, visit https://www.fb.org/program/young-farmers-ranchers.

Red Cross: Take A Minute Now To Prepare For Hurricane Season That Runs June-November

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– Information courtesy of the American Red Cross

The week of May 5-11 is National Hurricane Preparedness Week and disaster relief agencies like the American Red Cross encourage residents to take a few minutes now to get ready before the hurricane season blows in. The Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 through November 30, but it’s never too early to be thinking about how to prepare to weather a storm and its aftermath.

“The American Red Cross is taking this year’s forecast for an above average hurricane season very seriously,” said Allison Taylor, Regional CEO of Humanitarian Services, Red Cross North Carolina region. “The American Red Cross works closely with local, state, and federal officials, along with partner community organizations, to respond to disasters and meet basic emergency needs before, during, and after disasters. With our disaster volunteers and partners ready to meet the needs of our communities, the North Carolina Region is ready to respond this season.”

Early forecasts indicate there could be a near-record number of storms this year and experts even warn that the first named storm could form before the season begins. They are calling for as many as 25 named storms with up to a half dozen having a direct impact on the U.S.

“We encourage everyone to take time now to get ready for potential disasters this spring and summer,” said Taylor. “You can do so by updating your emergency supply kit, building a plan, and staying informed of weather risks in your area.”

If you live in areas prone to hurricanes, now is the perfect time to get prepared. Here are some simple steps you can take to be prepared:

  1. Create an evacuation plan. Plan what to do in case you are separated from your family during an emergency and if you have to evacuate. Coordinate your plan with your child’s school, your work and your community’s emergency plans. Plan multiple routes to local shelters, register family members with special medical needs as required and make plans for pets. If you already have an emergency plan, update it and review with household members so everyone knows what to do if an emergency occurs.
  2. Build an emergency kit with a gallon of water per person, per day, non-perishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered radio, first aid kit, medications, supplies for an infant and pets if applicable, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items, copies of important papers, cell phone chargers, extra cash, blankets, maps of the area and emergency contact information. If you already have a disaster kit, make sure the food and water is still okay to consume and that copies of important documents are up to date.
  3. Be informed. Find out how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you will get important information, such as evacuation orders.

Download the free Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

In addition to taking these preparedness steps, we also have important safety information available for you on hurricanes.

Equines Need Annual Vaccines To Prevent Mosquito-Borne Diseases

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-information courtesy of the N.C. Department of Agriculture

Horse, donkey and mule owners, it’s time to get your animals vaccinated against Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis and West Nile Virus.

“Mosquito-breeding season in North Carolina lasts from spring until the first frost and horses are at risk if not properly vaccinated,” said N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “EEE is fatal 90 percent of the time in horses and WNV has a fatality rate of 30 percent. However, both diseases are preventable by vaccination.”

So far this year we have had no cases of EEE or WNV, but last year there were seven cases of EEE, Troxler added.

State Veterinarian Dr. Mike Martin recommends that equine owners talk to their veterinarians about an effective vaccination protocol to protect horses from mosquito-borne diseases. The combination vaccination initially requires multiple injections for horses, mules and donkeys that have no prior vaccination history.

Mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that lasts for more than four days, so removing any source of standing water can reduce the chance of exposing animals to WNV or EEE. Keeping horses in stalls at night, using insect screens and fans, and turning off lights after dusk can also help reduce exposure to mosquitoes. Insect repellants can be effective if used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Symptoms of EEE include impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular staggering gait, paralysis, convulsions and death. Once a horse has been bitten by an infected mosquito, it may take three to 10 days for symptoms to appear.

Symptoms of WNV include fever, weakness or paralysis of hind limbs, impaired vision, head pressing, seizures and aimless wandering.

People, horses and birds can become infected from a bite by a mosquito carrying these diseases, but there is no evidence that horses can transmit the viruses to other horses, birds or people through direct contact.

Equine care also includes keeping up to date on equine infectious anemia (EIA) testing, commonly referred to as the Coggins test. “Since January there have been three cases of EIA in North Carolina. There is no vaccine and no cure for this disease so testing annually is important,” Troxler added.

“It’s also a great time to make sure your animal is current on its rabies vaccination,” Troxler said. “So far this year we have had two positive cases of rabies in livestock. All livestock are naturally curious animals, which puts them at risk for a bite if a rabid animal gets through their fence line.”

Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day May 7 In Downtown Raleigh

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The Alzheimer’s Association is sponsoring North Carolina Advocacy Day on Tuesday, May 7 in downtown Raleigh to promote awareness for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

The Eastern and Western chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association are teaming up to turn the State Capitol area purple from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., but they need your help.

The event is free, but registration is required to ensure an accurate headcount. Attendees will be asked to participate in a training call prior to the event.  Sign up at tinyurl.com/ALZNCStateAdvocacyDay2024 or by calling 800-272-3900.

The event begins at the North Carolina Museum of History and will be an opportunity for the public and those affected by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia to take action and speak up for the needs and rights of people living with and their families. Attendees will learn about the legislative process, meet face-to-face with elected officials, share their stories with key decision makers and bring awareness to the importance of the Alzheimer’s Association’s public policy priorities.

“Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most critical public health issues in America,” said Katherine L. Lambert, Alzheimer’s Association regional leader for the Carolinas and Georgia.

“This is why we unrelentingly advocate for public policies that increase quality of life and support all those affected,” Lambert said. “Representation from our communities across North Carolina is paramount. That’s why we urge as many people as possible to join us for our North Carolina Advocacy Day. By working together, we are making an impact.”

Attendees will hear an overview of the public health crisis of Alzheimer’s in North Carolina. They will also learn more about North Carolina’s first and only dementia-specific state respite care plan, Project C.A.R.E. (Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty), including its current funding limits and why a funding increase has become necessary.  Advocates will be speaking to elected officials and their designated representatives regarding a few key areas:

  • Codifying the Dementia-Capable North Carolina State Plan to ensure infrastructure is established to address the growing dementia crisis.
  • Establishing evidence-based training for court appointed guardians for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
  • Learning of the importance of dementia-specific training for all Adult Protective Services workers in the field throughout North Carolina.

Learn more about Alzheimer’s at alz.org/facts.

Franklin Judicial Complex Expansion Could Begin As Early As October 2024

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The Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved the next steps in the judicial complex expansion project

Oakley Collier Architects presented the updated site plan and building layouts for a renovated Courthouse Annex and a three-story addition to commissioners at their April meeting.

Construction could begin as early as October.

Back in October 2019, county leaders made the project a priority and commissioners approved funding for initial surveys and designs in November 2021. A few months after that, commissioners got a judicial update which provided options for placement of the judicial complex on the site. Ultimately, locating expanded facilities adjacent to the current Courthouse Annex in Louisburg minimized the need for more new construction.

This project is brought about by the population growth the county has experiences in recent years, which brings with it increased demands to the courts system and other offices housed in the facility, including the clerk of court’s office.

Dockets for District Court and Superior Court have grown as the County population has increased which has expanded District Attorney staff numbers.

According to N.C. General Statute 7A-302, “each county in which a district court has been established, courtrooms, office space for juvenile court counselors and support staff…shall be provided by the county….”

Legislators granted $15 million in the new state budget to be used for the construction of judicial facilities in Franklin County – taking some of the financial burden off of Franklin County and its taxpayers. The funds must be used by October 2025 per the FY23 State Budget.

 

“Franklin County leadership appreciates the support for this identified need from our state legislators,” said Franklin County Manager Kim Denton.

Franklin County Historic Courthouse (Historic Courthouse) was built in the mid-1800s and has served for nearly 200 years. It was last renovated in 2014. The building houses the Clerk of Superior Court offices, Superior Court Courtroom and the Resident Superior Court Judge and supporting staff.

The Judge Hamilton H. Hobgood Courthouse Annex (Courthouse Annex) was built in 1995 – the last judicial construction in Franklin County – after the County renovated a hardware store to expand judicial facilities.  The Courthouse Annex contains the District Courtroom, a portion of the Clerk of Superior Court’s office, and the Resident District Court Judge and supporting staff offices. The Register of Deeds is also located in the Courthouse Annex.

Both buildings house portions of the District Attorney’s office, Guardian ad Litem and Juvenile Justice offices.

Youngsville Library Closed For Renovations Into May; Due Dates For Materials Extended To June 4

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The Youngsville branch of the Franklin County Library will be closed temporarily for renovations through the month of April into May.

The book drop also will be closed and due dates for all materials checked out from Youngsville have been extended to June 4, according to information from Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks III.

The branch is still expected to host an early voting site for the upcoming second primary on May 14.

The main branch in Louisburg and the Franklinton and Bunn branches are open.

Like or follow the Franklin County NC Library Facebook page for updates on reopening.