Tag Archive for: #countyofvance

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Reminder: Vance Co. Board to Hold Work Session on Fire Restructuring – Jan. 23

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Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Executive Assistant/Clerk to Board, County of Vance

The Vance County Board of Commissioners will hold a work session on Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at 1 p.m. in the commissioners’ conference room.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss fire restructuring.

The work session is open to the public; however, public comments will not be taken.

Lunch will be provided to the Board members at 12:30 p.m.

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Vance Co. Technology Committee to Discuss Broadband at Jan. 28 Meeting

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-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Executive Assistant/Clerk to Board, Vance County Board of Commissioners

Vance County’s Technology Committee (Brummitt, Feimster, Taylor) is scheduled to meet Monday, January 28, 2019, at 4 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Room of the Vance County Administration Building located at 122 Young Street in Henderson.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss broadband.

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Vance County Fire Dept. to Operate As Is Pending Further Board Discussion

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After much discussion at Monday night’s Vance County Board of Commissioners’ meeting, the general consensus was that even more discussion is needed before moving ahead with fire redistricting plans.

The Board voted to table a decision on redistricting plans pending a work session for further discussion that would be open to the public. A date and time for the session will be announced once confirmed.

The proposed plan, as presented by the Fire Commission, included, in part, converting the Vance County Fire Department into a volunteer department with some paid personnel and designating the Golden Belt Fire District it serves as a volunteer district.

Much of the discussion from the dozen or so people who spoke during the public hearing portion of the meeting focused on the plans for the Vance County Fire Department.

Hartwell Wright and John Bunch, the first two public speakers, expressed opposition to the plan as proposed. Wright questioned the necessity of changes needed to a department that he believes is working as is and Bunch, while conceding that there are good points to the plan, urged for further consideration and study.

Concerned citizens Phyllis Stainback, Tim Jenks and Bill Edwards also spoke against the plan.

John Watkins and Bryan Yount spoke next in support of the redistricting as proposed and said what mattered to them was the reduced response time offered by the plan. Yount further elaborated that the proposal was fair and would spread ISO – insurance ratings – more equally throughout the county. The details of how ISO ratings would be affected if proposed changes were made is unclear at this point.

Deborah Brown, former commissioner and school board member, spoke in favor of the proposal and stated that the plan could be implemented in phases to allow for an adjustment period.

The Vance County Fire Department was represented by Mark Pitzing, Brian Williams and Chief Chris Wright who spoke against the proposal stating that the change to a volunteer department would be a step backward and would negatively affect the current guaranteed response time.

A concern with the national trend of decreased volunteerism in a time when call volumes are increasing was also expressed.

Wright, fire chief of Vance County since 2015, told the commissioners that the Golden Belt Fire District requires a 24-hour service and should not be compared with volunteer districts.

Wright stated that the Golden Belt’s service area includes 123 businesses and the larger of the Vance County schools, including Vance County Middle School and Vance County High School, making the district unique in their needs.

County Manager Jordan McMillen agreed that the current proposal works from a financial standpoint but does not address a number of details and concerns.

Chief among the concerns, according to McMillen, is the need for 24/7 coverage in the Golden Belt; the instability of a system that could fail to function if all positions are not filled at all times; the fact that the Vance County Fire Department acts as a backstop for all other departments; and the uncertainty of what happens to the fire chief position under the proposed plan.

McMillen said the most current fire study, completed in 2008, called for increased funding and part-time help, measures that have already been put in place to some extent. However, McMillen said moving forward with more cost-saving measures in the future may be accomplished in ways other than splitting up the Vance County Fire Department.

In concern of the age of the previous fire study, Commissioner Tommy Hester proposed that an updated, independent study be conducted. Commissioner Leo Kelly seconded the motion. With a vote of 4 against and 3 in favor, the proposal did not pass.

The next step for the Board will be to discuss the fire redistricting plan in an upcoming work session open to the public for observation but not for commenting.

Board Chair Archie Taylor declared that the Vance County Fire Department and Golden Belt Fire District will operate as is pending the outcome of the work session.

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County of Vance Releases Fire District Reorganization Info.; Public Hearing Set for Jan.

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-Information courtesy Jordan McMillen, County Manager, Vance County

To assist the public, the County of Vance has posted several documents related to the fire commission’s proposed reorganization of the County’s fire services on their website. The County will be seeking public comments at the Vance County Board of Commissioners meeting to be held on Monday, January 7, 2019.

The proposal includes the following changes:

– Converts the Goldenbelt fire district into a volunteer district with the Rescue Squad reincorporating as a volunteer fire department and rescue to take on the district.

– Moves existing county fire staff out of Goldenbelt district and splits them between Hicksboro and Bearpond Volunteer Departments; moves the county fire staff under the fire marshal/fire services department for oversight of paid personnel and creates an Assistant Fire Marshal position.

– Utilizes savings from the general fund county fire department operational expenses to offset costs in fire fund for 12 part-time positions, two at each station for Cokesbury, Drewry, Kittrell, Townsville, Watkins, and the newly constituted Goldenbelt volunteer fire departments during the day-time.

– Provides $200,000 in annual funding to the Rescue Squad as the new volunteer fire department that would also take ownership and associated debt of County’s newly ordered fire truck.

– Includes paying off the existing Kerr-Lake substation and county tanker debt from the general and/or fire fund balance.

– Provides equal funding of $100,000 to the border departments, Drewry and Epsom.

– Eliminates the substation funding of $10,000 for Hicksboro and eliminates the rotating capital funding of $30,000, with the fire fund being used to assist departments with 50/50 grants and capital needs.

– Moves dispatch from three alarm to four alarm.

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Vance Co. Board of Commissioners to Hold Monthly Meeting Dec. 3

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-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to Board/Executive Asst., County of Vance

The Vance County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, December 3, 2018, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street, Henderson. The Invocation will be given by Pastor Carolyn Roy, Plank Chapel United Methodist Church.

Agenda items:

1. Reorganization of Board

  • Swearing in of Re-elected Commissioners
  • Election of Chair
  • Election of Vice-Chair

2. Adopt Schedule of Holidays

3. Renewal of Board of Commissioners Meeting Schedule

(First Monday of each month at 6 p.m., unless otherwise noted)

4. Special Recognition 

Bearpond and Epsom Volunteer Fire Departments

5. Public Comments (for those registered to speak by 5:45 p.m. – speakers are limited to five minutes)

6. Appointment

Porcha Brooks, Tax Administrator – Untimely Exemption Applications

7. Public Hearing

Angie Blount, County Planner Rezoning Request – Case RZ20181108-1 616 Bearpond Road; Parcel 0453 05005

8. Public Hearing

Angie Blount, County Planner Rezoning Request – Case RZ20181108-2 651 Bearpond Road; Parcel 0224 01009

9. Water District Board

a. Committee Report – Phase 1B Project Review

b. Monthly Operations Report

c. Recess Water District Board for Closed Session – Property Matter

10. Committee Reports and Recommendations

a. Properties Committee

– REO Property Offers

– Agricultural Land Lease

b. Public Safety Committee

– Rapid Entry Resolution

– Open Burning Ordinance

– Addressing Ordinance

– Fire Service Reorganization

11. Finance Director’s Report

a. Surplus Property

b. Fire Truck Financing

12. County Attorney’s Report

a. REO Property – Lot 6 Big Ruin Creek Lane; Parcel 0404 03029

13. County Manager’s Report

a. Schedule Annual Planning Retreat

b. Broadband Update

14. Consent Agenda Items

a. Budget Amendments and Transfers

b. Tax Refunds and Releases

c. Ambulance Charge-Offs

d. Monthly Reports

15. Miscellaneous

a. Appointments

16. Closed Session

a. Water District Board – Property Matter

b. Economic Development Project

The agenda for the December meeting may be viewed in its entirety on the Vance County website.

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Vance Co. Public Safety Comm. to Discuss Burning Ordinance, Fire Services – Oct. 31

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-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Executive Assistant/Clerk to the Board, County of Vance

Please be informed that the county’s public safety committee (Wilder, Brummitt, Faines) is scheduled to meet Wednesday, October 31, 2018, at 3:30 p.m. in the upstairs commissioners’ room at 122 Young St. in Henderson.

Topics include open burning ordinance, rapid key entry ordinance and fire services.

All commissioners are invited to attend.

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County Manager McMillen Says Vance is Full of ‘Positive Momentum’

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Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the positive growth in various areas of county government.

“Vance County’s mission is to improve the quality of life for our citizens,” McMillen said. McMillen, who has worked for Vance County for 10 years and served as county manager for two, credits the approximately 350 “amazing employees” for their hard work in making a better life for all residents.

Part of that improvement in quality involves the removal of 35-40 abandoned structures from Henderson and Vance County in the past two years. Working with the City of Henderson, the County has eliminated these potentially dangerous and unsightly structures and has cleaned up at least twice that amount of properties that are now available for purchase.

McMillen estimates that there are currently 50 available properties for sale in the county and 160 in the city-limit. County surplus properties, along with photos and aerial views, may be viewed by visiting the County’s website at www.vancecounty.org and clicking on the “Surplus Properties” tab.

The County is also improving the quality of life for its citizens, according to McMillen, by bringing more jobs to the area. “Our major focus is jobs. Not only bringing jobs to Henderson and Vance County but preparing for future job opportunities as well.”

New businesses such as Mako Medical Laboratories are bringing in higher-paying jobs and opportunities. “Mako has been a great partner with us and with the community. I’m happy to report that they are six months ahead of schedule in that they have created 80 jobs of the 153 they committed to creating,” McMillen said.

The retail industry is also beginning an upward swing in the area. “We are seeing a lot of positive momentum on the retail front with businesses such as Planet Fitness and Aldi. We are starting to see Henderson and Vance County as a good market from the retail standpoint,” said McMillen.

When asked what contributed to the change in momentum, McMillen explained, “You start bringing in businesses and that starts the trend. Small pieces start coming together and the market starts improving.”

Another area currently undergoing growth and expansion is the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park. In fact, McMillen said the County would be closing on the purchase of 85 acres of land for park expansion on Thursday afternoon.

With the help of a $2.5 million grant from the NC State Department of Commerce, the County will be able to develop the land to include a road, water, sewer and utilities. Construction is expected to begin late spring of 2019.

“What some folks don’t know about the park is that there are about nine or so businesses there and all have expanded in the last two or three years,” said McMillen. “This has created a situation where there is a need for more land.”

Another way Vance County is looking towards the future includes the Henderson-Vance Economic Development’s new marketing and branding campaign aimed at attracting more people to the area. McMillen expects the department’s new logo and redesigned website to be unveiled within the next 30 days.

Vance County is also currently working with Franklin and Granville counties on receiving proposals to improve broadband access, especially to those residents on the very outskirts of the county lines.

In discussing improvements, McMillen also mentioned the addition of 81 miles of water line in Vance County, a part of the water project completed in 2014. “We are looking forward to the next phase of the project with construction starting later this year on Rock Mill Road, NC-39 S. and Foster Road, a six-mile project.”

The County is also in the middle of a consolidation project with the Kittrell Water Association. “We are looking forward to that [consolidation] having a positive impact on our systems and being able to better serve citizens in the Kittrell area,” said McMillen.

Finally, McMillen believes progress is being made due to the spirit of the local people. “I love the people of Vance County. You build relationships with people in a small town and have close access to the things you need. There is a will of the County and of the folks to do better, and that is what is most important.”

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Vance Co. Government Buildings Closed on Friday

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-Information courtesy Henry L. Gupton, Clerk of Superior Court, Vance County

All Vance County Government buildings will be closed tomorrow, Friday, September 14. The Clerk of Court’s Office will also be closed and will plan to reopen on Monday, September 17.

Vance County court sessions scheduled for Thursday, September 13 and Friday, September 14 have also been canceled.

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Vance Co. Announces Development of 85 Acres at Henderson-Vance Industrial Park

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-Press Release, County of Vance

Vance County is pleased to announce that the North Carolina Department of Commerce has approved and the county has received a $2.45 million grant from the Rural ReadySites program for development of phase III of the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park. The NC Rural ReadySites grant program helps local communities prepare potential industrial sites for development and provided a total of $14.3 million to a total of 10 North Carolina localities. Vance County’s successful grant will cover development costs to include construction of a new roadway and extension of water and sewer infrastructure through the site. The Kerr-Tar Council of Governments was instrumental in preparing and submitting the grant application.

Vance County Board of Commissioner Chairman and Henderson-Vance Economic Development Chairman Tommy Hester recognized this as a huge step forward for the county. “Receiving this grant puts Henderson and Vance County ahead of our neighbors and puts us in a position where we will have more available assets to attract businesses, industries and jobs. If you look at where economic development is coming from and expanding, it’s obvious with the companies that have expanded recently in the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park. This grant will allow for the necessary infrastructure to be put in place, and unlike surrounding areas, this park has access to rail and natural gas, is adjacent to US 1, is within five miles of I-85 and 25 miles from Wake County. Our number one priority is jobs and this grant moves us in that direction.”

The county entered a purchase contract in April for approximately 85 acres located at the intersection of US 1 and Bearpond Road directly adjacent to the existing Henderson-Vance Industrial Park. The county also has a program underway wherein it’ll make effective use of drone technology (you can learn more about them on Let’s Fly Wisely) to efficaciously attract home buyers. According to County Manager Jordan McMillen, the county has begun due diligence on the land and anticipates completing this in the next few weeks. At that point, the board of commissioners will determine whether to proceed forward with the purchase. The successful grant is a game changer for the area and positions the county not only to own and control a prime piece of real estate, but also to develop raw land to a shovel-ready status. The Henderson-Vance Industrial Park began in 1988 with the purchase of Phase 1 (150 acres) and since that time has been filled with nine businesses contributing approximately 600 jobs and a total value over $62 million. The park alone generates over $5.5 million in tax revenue to the county on an annual basis.

Henderson-Vance Economic Development Director, Dennis Jarvis, II characterized the grant as a big win for the community. “The grant award ensures Vance County is going to be competitive in the region, the state, and the Southeast for new investment and retention projects. We will have a shovel-ready world-class business facility and a new platform to market the community in the global playing field.”