Tag Archive for: #vancecountyboardofcommissioners

Vance County Logo

Data Center Developer Files Plan With County Amid Talk Of Moratorium, UDO Revision

/by

A data center developer has sent a letter to county leaders stating that it has “reluctantly” made a decision to file a plan for development of a site along U.S. Hwy. 158.

The letter, dated Sept. 9, was sent via email to the Vance County Board of Commissioners and the Vance County Planning Board in care of County Manager Renee Perry and was signed by Tom Natelli, with Natelli Holdings.

“Given the extensive efforts already underway and our ongoing reliance on the current County ordinances governing land use and development of this site, we have been closely following the discussions around the possible imposition of a moratorium and adoption of new regulations under the existing or revised UDO to more fully regulate Data Centers. The uncertainty this causes is very problematic for us at this stage of our efforts. We therefore reluctantly made the decision today to file a plan for development of the site.”

The county is in the process of updating its UDO – Unified Development Ordinance – and Natelli cited several proposed items within that document that “would need some refinement to be workable in the circumstance.”

Included along with the letter was a “red-lined” copy of the UDO with preferred edits to wording regarding everything from setbacks and buffers to cooling systems and decommissioning protocols.

Natelli said they’ve conducted a wide range of planning, engineering and design work “to confirm that a data center campus can be responsibly developed on this site,” along with environmental impact studies and talks with Duke Energy to make sure adequate energy is available “without causing adverse consequences” to the local community and ratepayers.

He said community engagement meetings would be planned at an appropriate time; there are still details that “must all come together for the project to be viable,” Natelli stated.

Acknowledging that he did not believe they’d be able to satisfy everyone, “I do think we can try to reasonably address matters of concern and explain how we intend to responsibly approach development of this campus.”

Vance County Logo

Vance Commissioners Set Public Comment Period Sept. 14 To Consider Data Center Moratorium, Zoning Amendment Info

/by

The Vance County Board of Commissioners has scheduled a legislative hearing for Monday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. to receive public comments about two topics surrounding data centers – including the possible adoption of a 60-day moratorium and the proposed zoning ordinance amendment that deals with data center development.

The hearing is on the agenda for the regular commissioners’ meeting, which will be held in the commissioners’ meeting room, located on the second floor of the county administrative office building, 122 Young St. The agenda can be found at https://www.vancecounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Masterfile-1.pdf.

According to published legal ads notifying the public about the hearings, the moratorium ordinance being considered would address “the acceptance, processing, and approval of development applications for data centers submitted after the adoption of the moratorium within Vance County.

Questions can be directed to Vance County Planning Department at 252.738.2080. For more information, visit

https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/planning-and-development/planning-board/.

Individuals with a disability who want to attend the meeting should contact the office of the clerk to the board at 252.738.2003 by 12 noon Friday, Sept. 11 to provide enough time to arrange accommodations.

The Local Skinny! Jail Repairs, Staffing Concerns Top Commissioners’ Public Safety Committee Discussion

/by

At its Sept. 2 meeting, the Vance County Board of Commissioners Public Safety Committee got an update on repairs being made at the jail.

Frankie Nobles reported on a long list of repairs, replacements and demolition that have been made thus far and said all the maintenance items that had been noted on jail inspections have been made.

“We’re in good shape,” Nobles said in reference to addressing deficiencies that included broken locks, doors, missing ceiling tiles, peeling paint and more throughout the facility.

Sheriff Curtis Brame said that he feels more comfortable about the safety of sheriff staff and detention center staff in light of the repairs and upgrades that have been made.

But he reiterated that if something’s not done about the staffing shortage – 16 to 18 openings at the jail alone – he won’t be satisfied.

“People get complacent, people get tired,” Brame said of the overworked detention center staff during the meeting. “Until we get our staffing up to par, not only at the detention center, but also at the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, we’re going to continue to have these issues and these problems.”

Salaries need to be more competitive to attract quality employees. The repairs that have been made have helped to reduce incidents at the jail, and that may entice more people to apply to work there.

“We have minimized assaults, we have minimized and improved officer safety,” Brame said. It’s vital to get the staffing levels up as the county prepares to build a new detention center. Brame said people need to be hired now so they’ll be trained and ready when the new jail opens.

The current jail remains over capacity, for reasons that include backlogs in the court system, repeat-offender detainees not able to post bond and a lack of beds in the state prison system.

CLICK PLAY!

Vance County Logo

TownTalk: Vance County Commissioners Discuss Ways To Recover $1.4M In Delinquent Property Tax

/by

Vance County Tax Administrator Jennifer Williams recommended to county commissioners the use of what is known as “sheriff’s execution” as a last-resort option to collect more than $1.4 million in delinquent personal property taxes.

There are a total of 1,481 delinquent accounts, Williams told commissioners during an Aug. 17 work session, although there probably are more now since that number is a few months old now, she added.

The sheriff’s execution is allowed by state law and works much the same way as a civil or criminal summons in that it requires a sheriff’s deputy to serve paperwork to the person in question.

Williams reiterated to commissioners throughout her presentation that a sheriff’s execution would be the method of last resort, after the numerous other methods of collection of delinquent taxes have been exhausted.

There was consensus among commissioners present to proceed with developing a formal policy that the board would consider at a future meeting; no action or vote may be taken at a work session.

County Manager Renee Perry said she had spoken with Sheriff Curtis Brame, and she told commissioners that if this was the route commissioners wanted to take, he would support it and “make it happen.”

WIZS News spoke with Brame Tuesday morning and he clarified that he supports doing his job.

“My job is to execute the paperwork,” Brame said. “I hate it’s coming down to this, but people know that the sheriff’ and local law enforcement are burdened with certain tasks that they may not want to do or not in favor to do, but according to law, if the paperwork comes across our desk, we have to enforce it.”

Having the additional job of serving sheriff’s executions could place additional burdens on the sheriff’s office, which is dealing with chronic staffing shortages.

Brame said his deputies are responsible for carrying out their duties, which includes serving all the legal documentations – civil and criminal – that come across the sheriff’s desk. That documentation likely will include in the future sheriff’s executions.

In her presentation, Williams suggested looking at “the highest recovery potential accounts,” as well as business accounts.

Commissioner Dan Brummitt said he would like to see the process begin with the oldest accounts first. Some accounts are two years old; some are as many as five years old, Williams said. One individual could have multiple delinquent accounts.

Although the county uses several different methods to recover the money owed – including payment plans, garnishment of wages and bank attachments – it can be difficult to track down people or businesses if they’ve moved out of the county or if the county doesn’t have current information.

When a sheriff’s office serves a person the sheriff’s execution paperwork, the deputy also would identify eligible property that could be seized and sold to help recoup the delinquent taxes.

CLICK PLAY!

County’s Initial Community Town Hall Session Set For July 29

/by

The first in a series of Community Town Hall sessions will be held on Wednesday, July 29 at Bearpond Fire Department.

The event, hosted by District 4 Commissioner Dan Brummitt, will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Bearpond Fire Department is located at 285 Bearpond Road.

Residents from across the county are welcome; it’s not just for District 4 residents.

Among topics to be discussed include public safety, economic development, infrastructure and water projects, county services and community priorities.

Similar programs are being planned in the county’s other districts.

(Note: The following information was added to this post on 7-28-26)

PUBLIC NOTICE
To: Press and Members of the Public
From: Dywanda Pettaway, Clerk to the Board, DP
Date: July 27, 2026
Re: Notice of Potential Quorum

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT Members of the Vance County Board of Commissioners will attend Town Hall #1 on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Bear Pond Volunteer Fire Department, located at 325 Bearpond Road, Henderson, NC 27537.

This event is open to the public. A quorum of the Vance County Board of Commissioners may be present; however, no official business will be conducted, and no action will be taken by the Board of County Commissioners.

This notice is provided in accordance with North Carolina’s Open Meetings Law.

For additional information, please contact the Vance County Clerk to the Board’s Office at (252) 738-2003, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Vance County Logo

Vance County Commissioners, Planning Board Schedule July 9 Joint Work Session On UDO

/by

The Vance County Board of Commissioners and the Vance County Planning Board are scheduled to have a joint work session next week to discuss and review the county’s unified development ordinance.

According to a notice from Clerk to the Commissioners Dywanda Pettaway, the meeting will be held on Thursday, July 9 at 4 p.m. in the commissioners’ meeting room in the Vance County Administration Building, 122 Young St., Henderson.

This meeting is work session #1 regarding the development and review of the proposed county UDO. Discussion will focus on the structure, content and implementation of the proposed ordinance, as well as opportunities for feedback and collaboration between the two boards.

Although open to the public, work sessions do not include public comment periods. The meeting also can be viewed on the county’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUMNYAAhyvKx5leijt5iK6Q

Vance County Logo

Commissioners Approve $72.4M Budget 5-2

/by

(This story was originally published on June 2, 2026.)

The Vance County Board of Commissioners adopted the county’s $72.4 million 2026-27 budget Monday by a vote of 5-2.

Dan Brummitt reiterated his opinion that the county is spending too much money.

“We’ve got to figure some way to lower the cost of government,” he said. He voted against the budget ordinance.

Brummitt and Commissioner Valencia Perry cast the two dissenting votes.

The budget follows County Manager Renee Perry’s recommendation with funding for the health department, school system or library funding, and KARTS will get the same allocation as last year – $75,759. Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunities allocation almost doubled – from $13,000 to $25,000 and VGCC will receive $400,000 for capital expenditures.

The newly approved budget includes creation of a Detention Center Capital Reserve at $3.4 million, along with several other major capital projects like a city/county communications tower, Senior Center sprinkler project and a 2030 revaluation catchup fund. In total, the budget appropriates $7.06 million from fund balance to balance the budget.

View the budget ordinance on the county’s website at https://www.vancecounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Signed-FY-2026-2027-Budget-Ordinance.pdf

In other action, the commissioners:

  • heard a recommendation from Manager Perry to discuss and research the idea of a data center moratorium at its next work session, after hearing from numerous individuals speaking out against data centers during the public comment and public hearing portions of the meeting. More than one speaker called on commissioners to establish a moratorium on data centers – one said one year and another said two years – in the county. Commissioner Valencia Perry asked the board to consider a moratorium, and Manager Perry suggested further discussion at the board’s upcoming work session.
  • approved a new social worker position in DSS to oversee adult services. The salary range is from is 98,000 to $124,092, which Perry said includes between a minimum to midpoint salary, including benefits. The new position will allow adult services to be separated from child services, currently under supervision of N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Finance Director Stephanie Williams will bring a budget amendment to commissioners at its next meeting. Commissioner Tommy Hester made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Leo Kelly. Motion passed.
  • Progress continues to ready the county-owned building to be housed by city and county departments to make a “one-stop shopping” destination for prospective developers and others seeking permits and information about planning and zoning. The city is expected to complete work on the parking in the next week and will then move to fencing and landscaping. Hester called the city/county collaboration “outstanding.”
Vance County Logo

Vance Commissioners Adopt Resolution Opposing Section Of SB 214

/by

The Vance County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution opposing wording in N.C. Senate Bill 214 that would give Franklin County the authority to take property from Vance County without the commissioners’ approval.

The vote was swift and unanimous and the emergency special called meeting lasted less than 10 minutes.

The vote was 6-0; Commissioner Yolanda Feimster was not present at the meeting, which began at 4 p.m. in the commissioners’ meeting room in the county administration building.

Commissioner Tommy Hester made the motion to approve adoption of the resolution.

After the vote, Hester stated, “Vance County is in support of the city of Henderson. We’re doing this in support of them.”

County Manager C. Renee Perry said she received a call Wednesday from Rep. Rodney Pierce who represents Halifax and Warren counties about Part V Section 5 of the bill, which names Vance, Warren and Halifax counties as the three counties from which Franklin County would be able to acquire property “without consent or approval.”

Perry said other counties and municipalities are considering resolutions opposing the bill as well and she recommended that the Vance County board follows suit, “to try to fight this as much as we can.”

Commissioner Leo Kelly said he’d been in Raleigh Friday speaking with legislators about the bill and local ramifications if it passes. The bill is on the calendar for Tuesday, Apr. 28.

County Attorney Jonathan Care was unavailable to attend the meeting, but Perry shared his comments with the board.

“The more noise that we can make the better,” Perry said Care had told her, adding that the bill was “fundamentally wrong.”

Board Chair Carolyn Faines said she considered the action “unethical to suggest even such a thing” as acquiring property without approval of the board of commissioners.

“To me, it’s like robbery,” Faines said. “You come to take, instead of partner to see what’s needed to be done to help fix  a situation or issue. It’s one of the most unethical behaviors from another government body that I have experienced.”

Vance County Logo

Commissioners Approve Rezoning Request 6-1 In Special Called Meeting

/by

In a 6-1 vote, the Vance County Board of Commissioners voted Monday afternoon to approve a rezoning request for a 40-acre tract on U.S. Hwy 158 Business.

Board Chair Carolyn Faines last week called for a special meeting to be held just prior to a regularly scheduled work session to consider the rezoning request. The special called meeting began at 4 p.m. and the work session began at the conclusion of the special called meeting, which lasted only a few minutes.

Commissioner Tommy Hester made the motion to approve, seconded by Commissioner Dan Brummitt, to “approve the zoning map amendment and to adopt the resolution with the statement of consistency and reasonableness.”

In opening remarks, Faines reminded those in attendance to behave in a respectful orderly and quiet manner.

“The board is here to deliberate and take action,” she said. “We ask for your cooperation in maintaining a respectful environment so the board can conduct the county’s business efficiently.”

After the vote was taken, however, there were boos that emanated from the members of the audience, which exceeded that of the Apr. 6 meeting. One person called out to ask for a roll call vote, but that request was declined. Commissioner Valencia Perry cast the nay vote. All commissioners were in attendance.

The beginning of the work session was delayed by several more minutes as members of the audience, visibly and audibly angry and upset at the board’s action, left the commissioners’ meeting room.

CLICK PLAY for broadcast audio prior to the meeting.

Vance County Logo

Vance County Commissioners To Meet Apr. 20 At 4 P.M. To Consider Rezoning Request

/by

The Vance County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, Apr. 20 at 4 p.m. for a special called meeting before its planned work session.

According to the notification, the purpose of the meeting is to consider and take action on a rezoning request that the board, at its Apr. 6 regular monthly meeting, voted to continue.

The rezoning request is for a 40-acre tract along U.S. Hwy. 158 Business west of Henderson, for which the planning board had recommended approval. The zoning would change from EIA – Employment Institutional Area – to LI – Light Industrial.

At the Apr. 6 meeting, about 20 people spoke during the public hearing about the rezoning request; most were not in favor of the rezoning request, and two people spoke in favor.

By state statute, the board of commissioners must have a public comment period during at least one of its monthly meetings. This is a time when the public can address the board on any topic, Vance County Attorney Jonathan Care said.

In the case of the Apr. 6 meeting, Care explained, “There was a public comment period which was not restricted to the rezoning, and then there was a public hearing that was for the rezoning, and the public was restricted to that topic, but you were allowed to speak during both periods.  So we had a public comment period and then a public hearing.”

Chair Carolyn Faines opened the public hearing on the rezoning and that’s when residents came to the podium one at the time to address the commissioners.

Care said there is no requirement for another public comment period this month, “and there is not a requirement to have a public hearing at every meeting a rezoning is going to be discussed.”

The public is welcome to attend the meeting, but there is no scheduled public comment or public hearing included on the agenda.

The meeting and following work session will be available on the county’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUMNYAAhyvKx5leijt5K6Q.