Tag Archive for: #vancecountyboardofcommissioners

Town Talk 09/02/20: Michael Fisher, Vance Co. Board of Commissioners (District 2) Candidate

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Michael Fisher, candidate for the District 2 seat of the Vance County Board of Commissioners, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Filing after the primary election, Fisher, a Democrat, said he was required to run as an unaffiliated candidate and petitioned for voter signatures in order to add his name to the November 2020 General Election. With 164 supporters needed, Fisher’s name was added to the ballot after receiving approximately 230 signatures from qualified Vance County District 2 voters.

Fisher is running against incumbent Archie Taylor, Jr. for the District 2 seat.

Born and raised in Vance County, Fisher said he has spent 43 years in the field of public safety. As the current treasurer and safety officer of the Vance County Rescue Squad, Fisher acknowledged the potential conflict of interest if he were to be elected. “If I win, I’ll retire from the Rescue Squad and focus on being a commissioner,” Fisher stated.

Mentioning public safety as one of his primary concerns, Fisher said he is “pro-Vance County Rescue Squad, pro-volunteer fire department, pro-Sheriff’s Department, pro-EMS, pro-911 and then some. I am pro-public safety; we can’t do without it.”

Michael Fisher, candidate for the District 2 seat of the Vance County Board of Commissioners, pictured with wife Paula. (Photo courtesy Michael Fisher)

Asked how he would handle public safety funding requests, such as those made by Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame, Fisher said he would try his best to accommodate. “I know Curtis personally and have worked with him hand-in-hand over the years. If he can justify the need for more funding, and if we have the funds available while still keeping taxes low, I would try my best to find the funding for him.”

While petitioning, Fisher said he heard multiple complaints from citizens involving the water system. “When I was out getting my signatures, I heard a lot of complaints about yards being torn up while water lines were being put in and people waiting months to get a tap. I think they need to jump on it right when they receive a call. Little things like that hurt our water system.”

Admitting he was not overly familiar with the water system and its operation, Fisher said he, like any new commissioner, would experience a learning curve if elected. It’s a challenge Fisher said he’s ready to tackle at this point in his life. “I am energetic and feel like I can really hustle and help the community,” he said.

To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

(This is not a paid political advertisement. Political candidates are offered equal air time/coverage on WIZS.)

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Vance Commissioners to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed Economic Dev. Incentive

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-Information courtesy the County of Vance

Vance County Board of Commissioners Chairman Gordon Wilder has called a special meeting for Wednesday, August 19, 2020, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room, Vance County Administration Building, 122 Young Street, Henderson, NC.

The purpose of the meeting is to:

1. Approve amendments to Animal Control Ordinance.

2. Hold a public hearing to receive public input on a proposed economic development incentive expenditure to be considered for the location of a new company and provide a Building Reuse Grant in the amount of $500,000 over the next three years.

3. Hold a public hearing to receive public input on a proposed economic development incentive expenditure to be considered for the location of a new company and provide an incentive agreement in the amount not to exceed $95,231.

4. Approve a local incentive agreement in the amount not to exceed $95,231.

5. Enter into Closed Session to discuss a personnel matter.

6. Other items as necessary.

Please click here to view the full agenda.

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Vance Co. Board of Commissioners to Hold Monthly Meeting Mon., Aug. 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, August 3, 2020, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street, Henderson.

Agenda items:

1. Public Comments (for those registered to speak by 5:45 p.m. – each speaker is limited to five minutes)

2. Public Hearing – 6 p.m. – Animal Control Ordinance Amendments

3. Appointment – 6:15 p.m. – Sennica Nicholson, Board of Elections Chair – Poll Worker Wages

4. Appointment – 6:30 p.m. – Porcha Brooks, Tax Administrator – Untimely Exemption Applications

5. Water District Board

a. Monthly Operations Report

6. Committee Reports and Recommendations

a. Public Safety Committee

– Fire District Redistricting

– Fire Reorganization

– Fire Association Priorities

b. Properties Committee

– Warrenton Road Convenience Site – Construction Bids

7. Finance Director’s Report

a. Surplus Property

b. Grant Project Ordinance Amendment – Coronavirus Relief Funding

c. Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) Funds for Elections

d. Coronavirus Relief Fund Project Approval

8. County Attorney’s Report

a. REO Property – Bid Acceptance – Tanner Street Lot – Parcel 0111 04009

b. REO Property – New Offer – Community House Road Lot – Parcel 0460 01026

9. County Manager’s Report

a. Legislative Goals

b. McGregor Hall Funding Request

c. HVIP Phase III Project Update

d. Request from Secretary of Interior

10. Consent Agenda Items

a. Tax Refunds and Releases

b. Monthly Reports

c. Minutes

11. Miscellaneous

a. Appointments

b. September Meeting Date

c. Appoint County Manager as NCACC Voting Delegate

12. Closed Session

a. Economic Development Project

Click here to view current and prior Board agendas.

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Vance Commissioners to Discuss County Debt, Shared Parking Agreement

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-Information courtesy the County of Vance

Vance County Board of Commissioners Chairman Gordon Wilder has called a special meeting for Tuesday, July 21, 2020, at 4 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room, Vance County Administration Building, 122 Young Street in Henderson.

The purpose of the meeting is to:

1. Hold a public hearing for the refinancing of County debt.

2. Approval of Shared Parking Agreement – Henderson Institute.

3. Other items as necessary.

Please click here to view the full agenda.

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McMillen Provides Overview of Recommended Vance Co. Budget Changes

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Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen provided WIZS with the following summary of the Vance County Board of Commissioners’ meeting held Monday, June 1, 2020:

We held three public hearings last evening in regard to the overall FY 2020-2021 budget, the water budget and the economic development budget. We are on schedule to adopt the budget during our special meeting on June 15 and are not anticipating any additional work sessions unless the Board decides otherwise.

Overall, there have only been a few changes the board has made to the recommended budget. The changes are as follows:

– Increased revenue into the general fund due to transferring $41,903 from economic development fund as the result of revenue from Triangle North to offset expenses.

– Increased EMS capital outlay $1,400 to account for the increased cost of camera installation.

– Increased revenue and expenditures by $12,295 due to Emergency Management COVID-19 grant.

– Moved $6,000 from the 4H budget to the Cooperative Extension budget to cover the salary for the 4H position.

– Adjusted state revenues and expenditures for the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) based upon funding grid approved by the JCPC Board on May 28, 2020.

– Added four additional vehicles to the sheriff’s office budget to fully fund the sheriff’s request for eight vehicles – $144,000 additional cost to be financed.

We are running the final numbers on the budget and will have the overall budget and revised appropriation from fund balance in the next day or so.

WIZS Note:

On today’s edition of Town Talk, Sheriff Brame briefly addressed last night’s meeting and said he was pleased with the outcome for the sheriff’s office. “I thank the County Commissioners for being in favor of what I asked for. I understand this is crunch time, and everyone knows we are in an economic fallout due to COVID-19. I’m pleased that the commissioners are working with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and other County agencies.”

To see the recommended budget (prior to the June 1 Commissioners’ meeting), click here. To hear a recent Town Talk interview with McMillen regarding the budget, click here.

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Vance Co. Board of Commissioners to Meet Mon., May 4

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

Please be informed that the Vance County Board of Commissioners’ meeting will be held on Monday, May 4, 2020, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street, Henderson, with a few changes.

In order to protect the public and County staff while complying with the Governor’s order limiting gatherings, public access into the meeting room will be very limited. An onsite viewing area with limited capacity will be established for the public who attend the meeting.

For those making public comments, signups must be received on May 4 between 5:15 and 5:45 p.m., as usual. Speakers will be allowed into the room as space allows.

Invocation by Chairman Gordon Wilder

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

2. Board of Equalization and Review
– Anthony Peace – 1001 Health Center Road Henderson, NC Parcel: 0093 03017
– Kenneth Stevenson, Prestigious Housing – 389 Americal Road Henderson, NC Parcel: 0216 03008

3. Appointment – Dr. Anthony Jackson, Superintendent – School System COVID-19 Response Update

4. Water District Board
a. Monthly Operations Report

5. Committee Reports and Recommendations
a. Properties Committee
– Eaton Johnson – Bidding Schedule
– Addressing Ordinance Appeal – Vance Academy Road
b. Human Resources Committee
– Resolution Amending Personnel Policies Relative to COVID-19

6. Finance Director’s Report
a. Surplus Property
b. CIP Summary
c. Finance Agreement – Regions

7. County Attorney’s Report
a. REO Properties – Bid Acceptance
– 416 Harriett Street – Parcel 0094 04024
– W. Chavis Road Lot – Parcel 0479 01018

8. County Manager’s Report
a. Lease Extension – Alliance Rehabilitation Center
b. Fireworks Permit – Tourism
c. Special Called Meeting – June 15, 2020
d. Presentation of FY 2020-21 Recommended Budget

9. Consent Agenda Items
a. Budget Amendment and Transfers
b. Tax Refunds and Releases
c. Monthly Reports
d. Minutes

10. Miscellaneous
a. Appointments

Click here to view current and prior Board agendas.

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Vance Board of Commissioners to Hold April Meeting With Limited Public Access

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

Please be informed that the Vance County Board of Commissioners’ meeting will be held on Monday, April 6, 2020, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street, Henderson, with a few changes.

In order to protect the public and County staff while complying with the Governor’s order limiting gatherings, public access into the meeting room will be very limited. An onsite viewing area with limited capacity will be established for the public who attend the meeting.

For those making public comments, signups must be received on April 6 between 5:15 and 5:45 p.m., as usual. Speakers will be allowed into the room as space allows.

The public hearing for a rezoning request on Bullocksville Park Road has been postponed until the May 4 regular meeting.

Agenda Items for the April 6 Meeting:

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

2. Water District Board

a. Water Committee Report

– Water Connection Fee

– Phase 1B USDA Funding

b. Monthly Operations Report

3. Committee Reports and Recommendations

a. Properties Committee

– Lease Extension – Alliance Rehabilitation Center

– Eaton Johnson – Final Plan Review and Hold of Bid Release

b. Public Safety Committee

– First Responder Medical Requirements

– COVID-19 Protocol Change for Dispatching First Responders

– Community Paramedic Program

– Redistricting

– Combination Fire Department

c. Human Resources Committee

– Workers’ Compensation Leave Policy Amendment

– Manager’s Evaluation Format

– Families First Coronavirus Response Act

4. Finance Director’s Report

a. Surplus Property

5. County Attorney’s Report

a. REO Property – Bid Acceptance Resolutions

– Nicholas Street Lot – Parcel 0111 03022

b. REO Property – New Offer

– 404 Whitten Avenue – Parcel 0098 04006

– W. Chavis Road – Parcel 0479 01018

6. County Manager’s Report

a. Proposal for Addressing Jail Deficiencies

7. Consent Agenda Items

a. Budget Amendments and Transfers

b. Tax Refunds and Releases

c. Monthly Reports

d. Minutes

8. Miscellaneous

a. Appointments

Click here to view current and prior Board agendas.

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McGregor Hall Funding, County Budget Topics of Commissioners’ Meeting

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen provided WIZS with the following summary of the Vance County Board of Commissioners’ meeting held Monday, February 3, 2020:

McGregor Hall Funding Request: The committee discussed a funding request McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center recently made to both the City and County. The county manager provided a review of a recent economic impact study indicating McGregor Hall has an estimated annual economic impact of 2.34 million in additional restaurant, hotel and other spending within the City and County.

Mark Hopper, from McGregor Hall, was present and provided an overview of the performing arts center operations as well as their outstanding debt which is a $124,000 annual debt payment ($2.9 million over 40 years). This is preventing them from growing and providing a higher level of programming.

He noted that a higher level of programming has a cost between $25,000 and $30,000 per show and is unsustainable with McGregor’s desire to keep ticket prices below $35 for the local citizens. He also noted that ticket sales alone are not the primary revenue generator of any theatre and that the most successful performing arts center in the United States (Durham Performing Arts Center – DPAC) also receives local government funding.

In addition to this, he mentioned a recent review of similar facilities in North Carolina which indicated that McGregor Hall was the only one without local government support. The committee members discussed whether other grants, organizations, or endowments could be helpful in supporting McGregor Hall in the future.

The city and county members discussed the need to review McGregor Hall’s audit, and was agreeable to considering a specific request from McGregor during budget deliberations, but made no commitments (City or County) on any funding for McGregor Hall at this time.

Downtown Wi-Fi: The City members seemed receptive to the idea of contributing to this effort. This was the shortest item discussed during the committee meeting and we anticipate the city folks will get back to us on what, if anything, they can contribute. Our board believes free downtown Wi-Fi is needed, and they would like both city and county working together on this.

Audit: The audit went well – no material weakness findings and the financials are in order. We did dip into our general fund balance to the tune of $2.2 million last year, but $1.7 of that was the purchase of land for economic development which was anticipated.

Even with this, our unassigned fund balance was just over 28% at the end of June 2019 and our target is to stay above 25%. We need to be careful from a budgeting standpoint going forward because revenue growth has been very minimal compared to the funding requests and needs that we see each year.

Although we go into each budget looking to keep the tax rate the same, there were some items added last year that could have necessitated a tax increase. That will make this upcoming year’s budget more challenging without a tax increase – but we will get into those numbers soon. We will discuss the upcoming budget in more depth at our Planning Retreat on Monday.

Litter Cleanup: We heard a great presentation on what NCDOT is doing to combat litter. Over time, fewer prisons are participating in litter cleanup, but NCDOT is still spending $20.9 million a year to combat the problem. The bulk of this is paid to contract companies who cleanup along our roadways.

It was interesting to see that in Vance County alone, 64.97 tons of roadside litter was cleaned up by NCDOT.  Also, we have had a lot of success recently reporting roadside litter problems to NCDOT through their online portal www.ncdot.gov/contact. In some instances we reported it and they cleaned the road up the very next day.

To see more information on the Vance County Board of Commissioners, including meeting agendas, proposed budgets and reports, visit www.vancecounty.org/departments/board-of-commissioners/.

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Vance Co. Board of Commissioners to Meet Mon., Feb. 3

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

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

The Vance County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, February 3, 2020, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street, Henderson. The Invocation will be given by Rev. Joseph Ratliff of Shiloh Baptist Church.

Agenda items include:

1. Public Comments

2. Appointment – 6 p.m. – Derek Smith, NCDOT – Update on Litter Abatement Programs

3. Appointment – 6:15 p.m. – Stuart Hill, Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Co. – FY 2018-2019 Audit Report

4. Water District Board

a. Committee Report
b. Monthly Operations Report

5. Committee Reports and Recommendations

a. Properties Committee
– Boiler Replacement – Eaton Johnson Gym
– Dennis Building – Light Post Repair
– Eaton Johnson – Updated Architectural Fees
– Eaton Johnson Project Update

b. Intergovernmental Committee
– City/County Joint Programs and Partnerships
– McGregor Hall Funding Request
– Downtown Wi-Fi

6. Finance Director’s Report

a. Surplus Property
b. Purchase of New Ambulance
c. Campbell Oil Lease/Contract

7. County Attorney’s Report

a. REO Properties – New Offers – 318 Rowland Street – Parcel 0073 04002

8. County Manager’s Report

a. Resolution – Black History Month
b. Semi-Annual Jail Inspection Report

9. Consent Agenda Items

a. Budget Amendments and Transfers
b. Tax Refunds and Releases
c. Ambulance Charge-Offs
d. Monthly Reports
e. Minutes

10. Miscellaneous

a. Appointments
b. March Meeting Date

Click here to view current and prior Board agendas.

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Paramedicine, Paid Volunteer Fire Positions Among Retreat Discussions

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners met at Perry Memorial Library on Tuesday for the first of two planned retreat days designed to assist with the review of current plans and development of new goals for the coming fiscal year.

Commissioners heard presentations from County department heads on their respective office’s current fiscal year accomplishments and priorities moving forward.

EMS Director Javier Plummer and Vance County Fire Marshal Keith Duncan shared the details of their respective portion of the presentation with WIZS News.

Plummer led a discussion on the need for a Community Paramedicine program within the EMS department. Paramedicine is a program that allows paramedics to operate in expanded roles by assisting with public health, primary healthcare and preventive services to certain populations within the community.

According to Plummer, the main focus of the program is to 1) provide and connect patients to primary care services; 2) in some cases, complete post-hospital follow-up care; 3) integrate with local public health agencies, home health agencies, health systems and other providers; 4) provide education and promote health and 5) not duplicate available services within the community.

“As far as EMS is concerned for the planning retreat, I mainly discussed our call volume with the Board of Commissioners as well as the purchase of equipment,” said Plummer.  “Our goals going forward are the addition of Captain’s positions and the development of a Community Paramedicine program.”

Duncan reported his accomplishments for the current fiscal year included the rewriting of contracts between volunteer fire departments and County government, as well as the establishment of paid personnel in volunteer departments.

The contracts allowed for increased appropriations and funds for hiring staff at volunteer fire departments. “Departments were able to fund two paid personnel for 12 hours a day Monday through Friday this fiscal year,” said Duncan. “To date, this has worked great and has verifiably reduced response times for the citizens. As an added benefit, these departments run first responder calls that help with the EMS call volume.”

Commissioners will reconvene on Monday, February 10, 2020, for the second day of the planning retreat. The meeting will be held in the Farm Bureau Room of Perry Memorial Library in Henderson from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.