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TownTalk: Vance County Board Retreat Recap – Part 2

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners’ annual retreat gives commissioners and county staff an opportunity to exchange information and opinions as they discuss a variety of topics that are sure to come up in 2026.

In the Jan. 9 retreat, there was a lot of discussion about revenues and spending, giving commissioners and staff a glimpse into what likely will be a part of future budget discussions.

In Commissioner Dan Brummitt’s view, it’s less a matter of money coming in than money going out and more about being more efficient when it comes to spending.

“I don’t believe we have a revenue problem,” Brummitt said during the retreat. “I believe we have an expense problem.”

County Manager Renee Perry assured the commissioners that the county doesn’t “just spend money” for the sake of spending. “We don’t have enough revenue to support anything at this point,” she countered.

“We know that we have an issue with revenues. we fully understand that,” she said. Vance County remains a Tier 1 county, along with almost half the rest of the counties in the state, which means it has higher unemployment, lower median salary and lower tax base than Tier 2 and 3 counties.

Personnel take the biggest bite out of the county’s budget, what with soaring insurance costs and even the slightest bumps in pay to try to improve recruitment and retention.

The county has 380 employees and 70 vacancies. Commissioners could opt to cut those vacant positions as cost-saving measures, but the bulk of those vacancies are in the sheriff’s office, detention center and Department of Social Services, three areas that typically experience chronic staffing shortages.

Perry told commissioners she had asked department heads once again not to request any new positions in the upcoming budget cycle, despite the fact that she knows they need the extra positions.

Speaking of personnel, Perry said she would recommend that commissioners consider again for the upcoming budget a 3 percent cost-of-living increase for county employees and put on the back burner – again – implementing the $1.2 million pay study salary increases.

A 3 percent COLA adjustment equals just more than $668,000, and Perry said that’s her recommendation simply because of all the other priorities the county has at the moment.

She would like to see the county consider a performance pay plan in the future, adding that it could start at a flat rate, moving later to a percentage plan.

So, if there’s not enough money coming in to sufficiently cover the county’s expenses, what’s a county government to do? There are a few choices to raise more revenue, including raising taxes.

One option that Perry encourages commissioners to consider is a local option sales tax increase. That requires a referendum for voters to approve.

Right now, the sales tax rate is 6.75 percent, and it could go up to a maximum of 7 percent, which would provide some extra money in the county coffers.

“I do think that this board should have a conversation at some point about getting the max on the sales tax – that would just be my recommendation,” Perry said. “I’m just surprised that we’ve never explored that here in this county…we get good revenues from sales tax.”

Perry predicted that a ¼-cent sales tax increase would translate to as much as $1.5 million in revenues.

Another option would be to raise the property tax rate, and staff has done some preliminary projections about what that could look like, but Perry said she’d hold off on those discussions until budget work sessions take place later in the spring.

If revenue projections are on the mark, the county is expected to add $400 to its tax base this year – $4.8 billion – up from $4.4 billion last year.

Another conversation for later, as the money comes in, Perry said. “That’s what we’re hoping for – that’s what we’re going to talk about in budget work sessions.”

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Board Of Elections Sets Jan. 22 As Date To Hear Residency Challenge In District 4 Commissioners’ Contest

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In a meeting Monday afternoon, the Vance County Board of Elections set a hearing date of Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. to consider a challenge lodged by a Vance County commissioner concerning the residency of a candidate who has filed to run for a seat on the board of commissioners.

District 4 Commissioner Dan Brummitt has called into question the residence of Kelley Wade Perdue, who filed to run for the District 4 seat.

“I had some constituents call me with some concerns about where she lived,” Brummitt told WIZS News Monday. Brummitt said after some investigating, “it appears that she does not live at the address that she has listed…there was enough evidence to demonstrate that she doesn’t live in that house. She’s got to provide evidence otherwise,” he added.

Perdue told WIZS that she has been a registered voter in District 4 for years.

“During that time, I voted for Commissioner Dan Brummitt without any questions being raised about my residency. Now that he is being challenged for his seat, my residency has suddenly been questioned. I look forward to working with the Board of Elections. I’m excited to champion a new voice for District 4,” Perdue stated.

Vance County Board of Elections Director Haley Rawles told WIZS that the board of elections will hear from both sides – Brummitt, the “challenger,” and Perdue, the “challenged candidate,” as part of the official proceedings on Jan. 22. The hearing is open to the public and will take place in the commissioners’ meeting room on the second floor of the county office building, 122 Young Ave.

RAM Clinic Returns To Henderson Mar. 28-29 To Provide Free Medical Care

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The Remote Area Medical clinics are returning to Henderson to provide free medical, dental and vision services on Mar. 28 and 29.

The RAM Volunteer Corps is looking for health providers who are willing and interested in helping make this weekend clinic another successful event.

Clients can get dental cleanings, fillings, extractions and x-rays from dental health professionals, vision exams, eye health evaluations and prescription glasses (made on site), women’s health exams, prescription consultation and more during the two-day event.

The clinic opens each day at 6 a.m. and will be on a first come, first served basis until capacity is reached. No ID is required and no insurance information will be needed to access the clinic and care. The clinic once again will be held on the campus of Vance Charter School, 2090 Ross Mill Rd., Henderson. The parking lot will be open at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Mar. 27.

Learn more at https://www.ramusa.org/ or call 865.579.1530.

TownTalk: Sledge Institute Students Get A Close-Up View Of WIZS Studios

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Most days, the only folks you’ll find at the radio station are, well, folks who work at the radio station. But today wasn’t most days, as a group of sixth-graders from The Sledge Institute took a field trip to WIZS to get a peek at just how this thing called “journalism” gets done.

Along with their teacher, Christian Salinas, the group of nine students filled the lobby where they got a chance to do a live-to-tape segment that aired on Tuesday’s TownTalk mere minutes after it was recorded.

Afterward, they watched as their teacher did a live interview with WIZS host John Charles Rose to round out segment two.

While the interview was taking place in Studio A, the students squeezed into Studio B and watched through the plate-glass window as their instructor talked about how this journalism project got started.

The Sledge Institute embraces the concept called Project Based Learning, which integrates the curriculum into the creation of some type of product while encouraging collaboration among students.

In the first quarter of the school year, Salinas said the kids expressed an interest in producing a morning news segment, which included making and editing videos and podcasts. When the second quarter rolled around, he decided to shepherd the students on a PBL journalism project.

“The kids got to choose what projects they wanted to take part in,” he said, adding that students create all the different parts of the student news podcast – there are hosts, editors, researchers and interviewers, along with others who focus on a weekly Student Spotlight and Teacher Spotlight.

“My hands were off the wheel and the kids just started over it for themselves, which was awesome,” he said, as the team of students took ownership of the overall project. “The stuff we talk about in it, all the different segments they had – the kids ran that.”

This is Year 1 for The Sledge Institute, a charter school located on Gun Club Road in Vance County. The sixth graders who visited the radio station had nothing but positive comments about their school and teachers.

Vonderion said the teachers are nice and “make us stay on topic,” and Olivia said “teachers help us when we need help and make sure we stay focused in class.”

For Te’ani, it’s all about teachers who “teach us new things every day.” And for Layla, it’s the welcoming feeling she gets, along with the collaboration. “And you learn so much,” she said. “I just love it.”

Nehemiah said, “It’s all about teamwork and working together and working on projects.”

Jorja said her project is coming along just fine. She’s working on a project about good health and well-being and learning about foster care in her ELA/Reading class.

“Right now, we’re doing facts about January,” said Natalie, offering up the fact that garnet is the January birthstone.

Laila reeled off a variety of general topics that are part of the PBL project, including health, waters, equality and good health and well-being.

Sinai said her project is going well, but – spoken like a natural-born editor – she said she can always find ways to improve.

The students seemed naturally curious about what the idea of “journalism” entailed, and they’ve been learning about editing videos and diving into the craft.

Layla said she’s learned that journalism suits her. “Once I figured out what it meant, it’s definitely for me because I love to talk and I love to host things and I love to learn more facts about things because it (will help) me in the future to teach, you know, other kids and help them out while I’m younger.”

Natalie agreed. She said she was excited to learn more about what journalism is and has enjoyed doing videos and interacting with others in the videos.

Olivia said she watches the news every day and likes that she’s learning more about editing.

Te’ani and Sinai also like the editing process, as well as creating stories and learning more about things that are in the news.

The project-based learning model is an integral part of the school’s philosophy and it’s important to incorporate the community when possible. Previous projects have included making a documentary about Kerr Lake, which included a field trip to the lake to explore this important local natural resource. Another project involved a canned food drive for Turning Point CDC. Not only did they collect 10,000 cans, but the students had the opportunity to organize and stock the shelves and get the food ready for distribution.

It’s this type of real-world experience – whether it’s stocking food on shelves, learning about the outdoors or seeing the inside of a real-live radio station – that helps students make connections to what they’re learning in school with how to apply that in the community, Salinas said.

“They’re figuring out or learning that what they’re doing in their classrooms is not just for the sake of ‘you need to know it for a test,’” he said, but “you can use this on a daily basis or for your career.”

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Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: Dead Trees Are Sometimes A Good Thing

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Michael Ellington, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

This segment explores why keeping dead trees on your property might be a good idea. Reminders for upcoming pesticide events are at the end.

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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City Council Votes To Name Police Department In Memory Of Chief Melvin G. Smith

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In a unanimous decision, the Henderson City Council approved naming the Henderson Police Department in honor of the late chief, Melvin G. Smith.

Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow made the request, which will require no money from the city – the $5,000 estimated to place signs at the front and rear entrances will come from a money generated through the taxation of unauthorized drugs seized locally.

Smith died in July 2025, but Barrow told the Council that he’d been considering the request long before.

Smith was the first Black police officer at the department, joining before the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Barrow said.

“He wasn’t just the first (Black) police officer,” he continued. He was the first sergeant, lieutenant, the first and only African American major, Barrow noted.

“He was the most qualified person for any position he held,” Barrow said. “His 50 percent was better than anybody else’s 100 percent.”

Barrow knew Smith through the Basic Law Enforcement Training classes, when Smith was an instructor and Barrow a student.

“He was kind, thoughtful…he was an educator. He wanted us to learn…He was a tough man, but a fair man.”

Barrow proposes to install a large plaque at the front entrance and a smaller version at the rear entrance – one that officers use and can see and be reminded of Smith’s legacy.

“It’s time,” Barrow said. “The police department needs a name.”

What better name than Melvin G. Smith.

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Blood Drive Feb. 17 At Kerr Lake Country Club

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If one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to sign up to donate blood in 2026, the American Red Cross is here to help you achieve that goal!

A blood drive is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Kerr Lake Country Club, 600 Hedrick Dr.

Sign up is easy: Simply visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/ and enter KLCC to schedule an appointment.

Donors who give blood between Jan. 26 and Feb. 28 will get a $20 e-gift card to your choice of merchant. See www.rcblood.org/heart for details.

The Local Skinny! Programs, Volunteer Opportunities For MLK Day Of Service

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With the upcoming annual observance of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, numerous organizations across the community have scheduled events to participate in the Day of Service that coincides with the holiday.

  • The local chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is having a Jump-a-thon on Saturday, Jan. 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kearah’s Place, 946 W. Andrews Ave. (Suite O) in Henderson. This event is open to all ages and jumping abilities, and will include single-rope, double dutch, tricks and more.
  • Then on Sunday, Jan. 18, the Zetas will have a Finer Beginnings Community Baby Shower. This event will be held from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Tiffany’s of Henderson, located at 110 S. Garnett St. There will be giveaways – including a raffle for a Spectra electric breast pump – along with distribution of information on vaccinations and maternal health. The winner must be present to claim the raffle prize. For more information, email zpb1996@gmail.com or send a text message to 252.213.5552.
  • Also on Sunday, Jan. 18, the Vance & Adjacent Counties Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance will host an MLK Jr. Celebration beginning at 3 p.m. at Dickies Grove Missionary Baptist Church, located at 2996 Faulkner Town Rd., Henderson.The featured preacher is the Rev. Dr. Johnny B. Hill, pastor of Gethsemane Missoinary Baptist Church in Bunn, with appearances by VACIMA President the Rev. Charles E. Walton and Dickies Grove Pastor the Rev. Dr. Jeannette Floyd. There will be performances by the Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church Choir.
  • The Henderson Family YMCA is hosting a Rise Against Hunger event on Monday, Jan. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Vance-Granville Community College Main Campus in Henderson. The goal is to pack 70,000 meals that will be sent across the world to fight global hunger. Volunteers are needed for the 10 a.m. to 12 noon shift and the 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. shift. Monetary donations are welcomed, as are non-perishable food donations for ACTS and ACIM. Visit https://www.hendersonymca.org/to register.
  • The Granville County Human Relations Commission will host its annual fellowship breakfast to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. The event will be held at Oxford Baptist Church, located at 147 Main St. in Oxford.  The event will feature readings from the winners of the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. essay contest. The theme of this year’s contest is “Keeping the Dream Alive: Dr. Martin Luther King’s Vision in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” Students from J.F. Webb High School, South Granville High School and Northern Granville Middle School participated in the essay contest this year. Terry Green, Chief of the North Carolina State Capitol Police, will serve as the keynote speaker. Due to space limitations, tickets are required for entry. Donations to Area Congregations in Ministry food bank will be accepted at the event. For more information about the program or to request tickets, please contact the Granville County Administration office at 919.693.5240 or email jessica.todd@granvillecounty.org.

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TownTalk: Vance County Board Retreat Recap – Part 1

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Editor’s Note: WIZS is taking a closer look at the Vance County Commissioners’ annual retreat and will bring you excerpts from the topics that were discussed in upcoming TownTalk segments.

At their annual retreat last week, the Vance County Board of Commissioners spent a good chunk of time talking about money – dollars coming in and dollars going out – and the impact that flow will have on county residents’ pocketbooks.

During the retreat, held Friday, Jan. 9, County Manager Renee Perry said the county capital improvement plan includes repairs to the existing jail, new EMS substation, a new EMS/fire substation and a new detention facility.

All that comes with a price tag – the new jail estimated at $50 million alone – that the county can’t manage without considering some sort of a tax increase.

“We don’t have the revenue to support a debt service on the jail,” Perry explained. Even with USDA funding, she expects the county would be paying at least $2 million a year on a 40-year note – and that’s with a relatively low interest rate of 3 percent. If that interest rate were just a tick higher at 4 percent or 4.5 percent, that amount would climb to more than $2.5 million annually.

Although Perry pointed out benefits of a tax increase – supporting Vance-Granville Community College and social services and creating more competitive pay packages to recruit and retain employees – she acknowledged the negative impact to taxpayers.

“Even a small increase can be burdensome,” she said.

Any tax increase the county decides on would “go directly to capital (improvements) and nothing else,” she emphasized.

At its January 5 meeting, the board approved spending up to $2.9 million on repairs to the current jail, with that money coming from the fund balance. Those repairs are predicted to be complete by November 2026.

A new EMS substation, with an estimated cost north of $2 million, is on the CIP, too. The land has been purchased, and construction costs are going to come from fund balance.

With a projected $10 million price tag, the EMS/fire substation will most likely have to be financed.

Questioned by Commissioner Dan Brummitt about the high cost of the EMS building construction, Perry said, “It won’t be less than a million. It’s not going to be cheap.”

Assistant County Manager Jeremy Jones said the 4,000 square-foot building will include sleeping quarters for eight, as well as bathrooms, a kitchen and a day room.

While basic construction with basic amenities, it will be quality construction. “I don’t want to just throw a building up,” he said.

About all the proposed projects Board Chair Carolyn Faines said, “If we’re going to build, we’ve got to build for the future.”

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