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TownTalk: Commissioners Receive Proposed 2025-26 Budget At Monday’s Meeting

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UPDATE: Tuesday, May 6 at 5 p.m.

Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry presented a proposed $64.3 million budget to county commissioners at their meeting Monday.

Perry hit the highlights of the 2025-26 budget in a summary to the Vance County Board of Commissioners, which includes additional funding for Vance County Schools, Vance-Granville Community College, the Granville-Vance Health Department and money for a new ambulance, among other items.

“This budget is more than balanced, it’s strategic,” Perry stated. “It reflects our goals of transparency, accountability and long-term progress. We are taking deliberate steps to correct financial practices of the past while making targeted investments in the people, infrastructure and services that shape Vance County’s future.”

Perry said the budget document should be posted on the county’s website by 12 noon on Tuesday.

Members of the public will have a chance to comment on the budget during the June 2 commissioners’ meeting. That also will be the first opportunity for commissioners to vote to approve the budget, which must be completed by June 30.

Commissioners agreed to hold budget work sessions beginning at 4 p.m. on Monday, May 12 and Tuesday, May 20.

No increases in property tax rates and fire tax rates are included in the budget, although Perry said solid waste fees would increase by $10 a month and there could be an increase in water rates for county residents.

The budget is a 5.74 percent increase over last year’s budget, largely fueled by overdue funding adjustments, implementation of a $1.1 million pay study and escalating operating costs.

Public safety, education and infrastructure are three main areas of focus, Perry noted.

“We confronted head-on the long-term impacts of prior underbudgeting, repeated audit findings” and inclusion on the Local Government Commission’s unit assistance list since June 2024, Perry told WIZS Tuesday because of late audits, embezzlement and audit findings.

“We are taking deliberate steps to correct financial practices of the past while making targeted investments in the people, infrastructure and services that shape Vance County’s future,” Perry told commissioners Monday evening.

Below are some of the numbers Perry highlighted to commissioners during her presentation:

  • just over $122K in additional funding for Vance-Granville Community College
  • $50,000 for Granville Vance Public Health to address rising costs and modernize their medical system
  • $703,000 for a new ambulance, a remount, six new radios and funding for overtime pay
  • $585,000 in additional operating funding for Vance County Schools
  • $850,000 in capital funding for school-related projects like roof repairs
  • $1.2 million increase in health insurance costs
  • $60,000 to modernize the county website
  • $75,000 for a new van for Cooperative Extension

Find the complete budget document here: https://www.vancecounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/MASTER-File-Website.pdf

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UPDATE: Monday, May 5, 2025 at 2:15 p.m.

The Vance County Board of Commissioners meets this evening for its regular monthly meeting. County Manager C. Renee Perry is scheduled to present the proposed 2025-26 budget.

The new budget must be approved by July 1, when the new fiscal year begins.

Information included in the agenda packet notes that Perry will present the proposed budget but will discuss in greater detail budget particulars during future work sessions.

It is expected that commissioners will schedule those budget work sessions in advance of the June 2 regular monthly meeting, which is when the public hearing on the budget will take place.

The 2024-25 budget came in at about $57.8 million.

At the time it was presented, the current budget was praised for being only about a 1 percent increase over the previous budget, but it didn’t have any money for jail renovations or a new EMS building, two big-ticket items that the county is considering.

Rising health insurance costs and cost-of-living increases are other items that may affect the budget that Perry will roll out to commissioners. County employees got a 4 percent COLA increase last year.

While it’s probably the most anticipated item on the commissioners’ agenda, the budget is not the only item. Here are a few other items the commissioners are likely to act on:

  • A recent rezoning request for property on N.C. 39 South near Epsom. Perry is recommending that commissioners deny the request because it is not consistent with the county’s 1996 Land Use plan. Plans to put in a subdivision were met with some pushback by some county residents who spoke at the March commissioners’ meeting and commissioners requested then that the request be studied further.
  • Granting the audit contract for 2024-25 is also under consideration. Included in tonight’s agenda is a recommendation that the county engage Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams, & Co.to conduct the annual audit. The fee is $61,500. The county still will send out requests for proposals, however.
  • May 18-24 is National EMS Week, which Assistant County Manager Jeremy Jones is requesting commissioners to officially recognize. There’s a proclamation for commissioners to approve that highlights the dedication of EMS professionals and promotes awareness of the critical role that EMS plays in public health.
  • Increase the minimum salary for social worker positions in the county. The N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services “has expressed serious concern regarding the welfare of children in our county, which is being significantly impacted by ongoing staff vacancies across all levels of the Social Work team. Competitive compensation is critical to recruiting and retaining qualified professionals to ensure that essential services and protections for vulnerable children are not compromised,” according to an explanation in the agenda packet. Perry proposes a one-grade or two-grade increase in salaries for county social workers. Right now, the salary is $52,797; Perry proposes an increase to $55,172. She also proposes that the county consider building in more flexibility to the position, including allowing telework options that other nearby counties offer.

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Cooperative Extension with Wykia Macon: MIMB & Incentives at the Market

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On the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report from Wykia Macon:

We share one of our programs that we offer through an NCSU program called More in My Basket https://morefood.org/ and connect it to the Farmers Market incentives that we will offer in June.

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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S-Line Rail Corridor

The Local Skinny! Open Houses for Mobility Hub Coming Soon

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The community is invited to attend upcoming information sessions to learn more about the Mobility Hub project that is set to transform the former First National Bank building in downtown Henderson into a spot that will become a place where numerous types of transportation will be available for the public to use, from bike/pedestrian paths to passenger rail service.

The Henderson City Council selected the former bank building as the site of the hub, which is part of the S-Line project that ultimately will complete the rail corridor from Florida to the Northeast.

As part of the public engagement phase of the project, staff from the N.C. Dept. of Transportation will be in town Tuesday, May 13 and Wednesday, May 14 to hold information sessions.

The Tuesday session will be held in the Farm Bureau room at Perry Memorial Library from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Wednesday session will be held from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the site of the future mobility hub, 213 S.  Garnett Street.

The meetings will give the public a chance to ask questions, view a video about the project and provide feedback about design, construction and scale.

A mobility hub is a public facility with regional and local transportation options, offering users choices from walking and biking to bus, shuttle and rideshare options.

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TownTalk: Fasting and Prayer Challenge

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Brian J. Boyd is not alone in his belief in the power of prayer. He’s taking things a step further, however, to combine prayer with the act of fasting and wants to invite others to join him. It’s an effort that Boyd says can have a positive impact on the community and the city.

To that end, Boyd has created a Henderson Vance Prayer and Fasting group, and he challenges area churches to join him in his efforts with a focus on families, the community and the city.

Individuals can sign up for single day or multiple days to commit to fasting and praying for the community, Boyd said on Monday’s TownTalk.

“That fast is something I leave up to the individual – one meal, two meals, it can be a whole day,” he said. “Whatever you decide works for you.”

He did a little quick math and said of Vance County’s total population of 43,000 residents – about 21,000 – fall into the 18-64 age range.

Vance County also has more than 100 churches, he said, with 22,700 members altogether. Using that same age distribution, Boyd figures there are roughly 11,000 church members who are between the ages of 18 and 64.

Divide that 11,000 people by 365 (days in a year) and that’s about 31 people fasting and praying every single day of the year.

“Can you imagine the impact on our community?” Boyd mused.

“Fasting has multiple benefits,” he continued, adding that he is drawn closer to God through fasting and is more knowledgeable of the Word of God.

“Your strength increases and you’re able to pray powerful and fervent prayers,” he said.

He wants to put the power of prayer and fasting to work in the community, which he says is at a crossroads.

Too often Henderson is recognized for negative reasons, from teen pregnancy and drug addiction to violence and murders.

“I want to put that aside,” he said. “I want to bring that to a close.”

If you’d like to join Boyd in his effort, email him at hendersonvanceprayer@gmail.com.

Here’s the link to a simple Google doc to sign up to join the prayer and fasting challenge:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjByTOxNoSRXyFecFHIsi6gPVN8vnyIDuh7GQ6lC_eqWXAww/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawKF1GtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFkWldhOTlSN29KNXVkRnB0AR7TmXdab2U2NRfR48I6fz4YKAyS_3avd7PujoZkTjQ-RKmvv-fx7pFTxYi1PQ_aem_JW5CcsRfWaZ_AY1ccm1Hpg

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Ticks

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On the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report from Wayne Rowland:

Use insect repellants when in the outdoors to help protect you from ticks.

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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Free Community Forum Monday, May 5 Features Panel Discussions About Educational And Legal Rights

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Jayden Watkins, teen minister and founder of the local nonprofit Higher is Waiting is hosting a free community forum on Monday, May 5 to share information with young people and their families about their educational and legal rights.

The forum is called “EMPOWER Youself!” and will take place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Perry Memorial Library. Watkins said it is designed to educate and equip youth, parents and community members with the knowledge of their rights in educational and legal settings.

“I’d love to see the room packed with youth, parents and community members,” Watkins said.

Watkins will serve as moderator as the forum presents two interactive panel discussions – one with local law enforcement and court officials who will provide insight into how the justice system works and the rights of individuals when interacting with law enforcement, and the other with experienced educators who will speak on student rights in school, classroom discipline and parent advocacy.

The goal is to create a safe, informative space where attendees can ask questions, gain understanding and leave feeling more confident, empowered and prepared to navigate real-life situations, Watkins stated.

Refreshments will be provided, and all are welcome.

Scheduled panelists include: Sgt. Brandon Barnes, Capt. Lloyd Watkins, Sr., Deputy Kendrick Wilkins, Magistrate Bratanya Simmons, Rita Jones, Dean Smith, Kendrick Vann and Earlene Bullock.

N.C. Rep. Bryan Cohn Says House Bill 74 Would Drain $10 Million From Regional Water System Expansion Project

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UPDATE THURS, MAY 1 AT 4:15 P.M. –

House Bill 74, now through the third reading in the N.C. Senate, is one step closer to being passed into law. Wording in the bill calls for $10 million appropriated for the Kerr Lake Regional Water System in expansion project to be reappropriated to fund other projects in the state.

District 32 N.C. Rep. Bryan Cohn told WIZS News that he was made aware on Mar. 4 “that language had been added” to House Bill 74 about the proposed reappropriation, in essence pulling funds that had been appropriated in October 2023 to the city of Oxford to help with the water plant expansion project.

Cohn said he contacted stakeholders of the regional water system to form a plan, and turned his attention to the bill’s sponsors. “They were unwilling to accept any amendments or remove the language,” Cohn said Thursday morning.

“There was no way for us to stop it,” he said, calling the maneuver a ‘predetermined outcome.’

“I’ve got the governor involved, I’ve got (U.S. Congressman) Don Davis involved,” Cohn said.

Cohn, a former Oxford town commissioner, was elected in November 2024 to represent N.C. House District 32, which includes most of Vance County and all of Granville County.

 

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TOWNTALK AUDIO UPDATE THURS, MAY 1 AT 11:00 A.M.

CLICK PLAY! — Updated by John Rose

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UPDATE WED, APR 30 AT 5:45 P.M. –

N.C. House Bill 74 covered below and involving the $10 million appropriation for the Kerr Lake Regional Water System plant expansion project, passed its second reading in the Senate this afternoon, but there will be no third reading today. House District 32 Representative Bryan Cohn told WIZS News, “It will need a third reading in the Senate before it can come back to the House.” If adopted by a final House vote, then it would go to the Governor.  The Governor may sign it, veto it or let it sit for 10 days. If it sits on the Governor’s desk for 10 days, it becomes law. — Updated by John Rose

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UPDATE TUES, APR 29 AT 5:54 P.M. –

N.C. State Rep. Bryan Cohn has called a decision by the North Carolina Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee to advance House Bill 74 House Budget Technical Corrections an “egregious misuse of power.”

Cohn, who represents District 32 and serves most of Vance and Granville counties, stated in a press release issued late Tuesday afternoon that House Bill 74 “unjustly removes $10 million in previously awarded state funding for the expansion and modernization of the Kerr Lake Regional Water Plant. Despite compelling evidence of severe harm presented during committee testimony, Republican leadership chose to advance the bill, effectively redistributing resources from predominantly African-American communities to wealthier, predominantly white areas of the state.”

The Kerr Lake Regional Water System serves the City of Oxford, the City of Henderson, all of Warren County, as well as numerous surrounding communities. Cohn said the project expansion is underway, with contracts signed, construction begun and local governments committing matching funds based on the state’s commitment it made in 2023.

“Without these funds, the project will face delays and halts in construction, and ratepayers will be levied with an unfair burden to cover costs the state had already committed to fulfilling,” Cohn’s statement continued.

Henderson City Manager/Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry told WIZS News Tuesday afternoon that Mayor Melissa Elliott was in Raleigh today and has been in touch with Cohn, but didn’t elaborate. “The KLRWS has a lawyer and lobbyist that we probably should consult with before much of this can be answered,” Kingsberry said. “Also, the City of Oxford shares our same position.”

Of the $10 million allocated to the city of Oxford, $3 million will now be diverted to the South Granville Water and Sewer Authority and another $3 million will be allocated to Franklin County for an infrastructure project. The remaining $4 million goes to two other counties outside the WIZS coverage area.

“This action by the Senate is not a technical correction—it’s outright theft and political retribution,” said Rep. Cohn. “Stripping critical funds already promised and invested sends a clear, disturbing message: partisan politics comes before the well-being and basic needs of thousands of North Carolinians.”

“Make no mistake—this decision endangers the health, economic stability, and future development of communities that Republicans in Raleigh have repeatedly ignored,” Cohn added. “We cannot allow this egregious misuse of power to go unchallenged.”

Cohn called on legislators across party lines to reverse this damaging decision and protect critical infrastructure investments that support all North Carolinians, regardless of race, income, or political affiliation.

“We demand better,” concluded Rep. Cohn. “The residents of Oxford, Henderson, and Warren County deserve reliable partners in Raleigh, not political adversaries who treat their futures as expendable.”

(Original news post at 5:54 p.m. on Tues, Apr 29 by Laura Gabel)

Watkins Fire Dept. BBQ/Chicken Plate Sale May 2nd

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EVENT WAS HUGE SUCCESS. SOLD OUT!

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Stop by the Watkins Fire Department Friday, May 2 for lunch or supper – or both!

The spring BBQ and Chicken fundraiser will take place at the fire department, 1590 Horseshoe Bend Rd., and Chief Brandon Link said he always looks forward to seeing the community come out and support the department’s efforts.

For a donation of $12, you get a choice of barbecue OR half a chicken, along with sides of potatoes and slaw, bread and dessert.

Get a combo plate – chicken and barbecue – for $15. And barbecue will sell for $10 a pound.

Link said the volunteer fire departments rely on fundraisers like this one to help get supplies and equipment.

Firefighters and volunteers will prepare 900 chicken halves, 450 pounds of Boston butt and gallons of homemade coleslaw. Sales begin at 11 a.m. and they’ll sell until it’s sold out, he said.

The Vance County Firefighters Association has started a Facebook page that will advertise upcoming fundraisers by the various volunteer departments.

“It’s not just about Watkins district,” Link said, adding that the county’s different departments are only happy to help provide mutual aid – whether it’s on a fire call or a fundraiser.

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(THIS POST WAS ORIGINAL ON APRIL 30, 2025 BUT WAS MOVED WHEN THE EVENT SOLD OUT)