Tag Archive for: #vancecountync

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Vance County Adopts Budget; Fire Study Coming

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners adopted the upcoming fiscal year 23-24 budget Wednesday afternoon. The special called meeting led to a 6 to 1 vote to adopt the budget as presented by the county manager.

Immediately after the budget was approved, the board adopted a motion which freezes the four empty, full time Vance County Fire Department positions and stops funding of any new capital expenses. That motion carried 5 to 2.

After about 90 minutes of meeting time and some heated discussion, it’s clear that a fire study is coming. And unlike some meetings that see motions, seconds, discussion and votes on topics, several sequences were gone through like that. In the process, two motions and seconds were withdrawn and another voted down.

In the short term with the likelihood that the study will take up to 90 days to complete once started, some commissioners and citizens may draw the conclusion that a reasonable compromise was reached.

From the angle of the fire service, which has been closely discussed publicly and by the citizenry in the last 35 to 40 days, there is a general maintaining at this point of the status quo. With the budget in place, a freeze in place, and the study coming, the board, with a great deal of county staff help, has preserved its option to act on the study, including amending the budget.

After the meeting, Finance Director Katherine Bigelow said, “What is being approved is freezing the four vacant Vance County Fire Department positions and their capital expenses consisting of turnout gear and fire boots, for example,” as she went over some items with WIZS.

Interim County Manager Scott Elliott said, “At the July 10 meeting, staff will bring forth the proposed scope of the work to be conducted by the fire study and seek board approval and for execution of a contract,” as he spoke to WIZS.

The roughly $57.5 million budget calls for no increase in the property tax, holding at 89 cents per $100 valuation, as well as appropriating more than $1.8 million from the fund balance to plug a gap between expected expenses and expected revenues. The proposed budget is 4.5 percent more than the 2022-23 budget.

The budget does increase part time firefighter pay to $15 per hour from $14. The $16 amount was part of the public safety committee recommendation and that recommendation was not included in the budget.

The “reorganization” of the Vance County Fire Department is not occurring at this time.

Vance County Fire Chief Chris Wright remains the Vance County Fire Marshall at this time.

Vance County Recognizes Carl James, 2022 Employee of the Year

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Carl James of the maintenance department for Vance County is the County’s first employee of the year.

James was recognized in May of 2022 as the employee of the month.

“He’s always willing to help anyone and give advice and always has a positive attitude,” said Frankie Nobles, lead of the Employee Engagement Team for the County.

The employee of the year was selected from the employees of the month through 2022 based on a rating scale of 1 to 5, including such criteria as teamwork and attendance.

Nobles said James “gets the job done right the first time, does whatever it takes to get the job done.”

The announcement came at Monday’s Vance County Board of Commissioners meeting, and later this month there will be a reception for James including cake and the presentation of a plaque.

Congratulations to Carl James!

L-R: Frankie Nobles, Carl James, Yolanda Feimster – Board Chair

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TownTalk: Vance County Receives Positive Audit Of Finances

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Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen said the county’s audit for FY 21-22 was a good one, overall.

And while the results of the audit may not have been a surprise, it’s always a relief to get the official word from those outside auditors that things are going along smoothly.

“In terms of financials, we had a year where operating revenues exceeded expenditures and we were able to maintain our fund balance with transferring out $4.5 million from the general fund to the capital fund in the spring of 2022,” McMillen explained in a written statement to WIZS News, as a follow-up to the February commissioners’ meeting.

That $4.5 million transfer was made to help with future capital needs such as physical improvements to the jail and a potential EMS station, he said.

But county leaders can’t spend what they don’t have.

“On the revenue side, we saw a second year in a row of sales tax and property taxes coming in more than budgeted,” McMillen said. Those higher-than-budgeted figures, along with continued efforts to keep other expenditures below budget teamed up to make for a positive financial report.

He added that although the previous tax collection rate was quite high at 97.6 percent, it ticked up to its highest level last year at 97.73 percent.

One bright spot comes with the increased revenues from the water system. “We are continuing to see improvement,” McMillen said, adding that the county “brought in $43,399 more in revenue than expenditures even though there was a net loss of $155,136.” That net loss is figured in when accounting for depreciation for system components which are approaching 10 years of use.

There were no transfers from the general fund to the water fund in the 21-22 budget, which shows that it continues to be “self-sufficient” in terms of generating enough cash to support itself.

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Tourism Dollars Pump Up Local Economy In 2021

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Visitors to Vance County spent close to $60 million in 2021, an increase of more than 35 percent from 2020. Vance joins the other 99 counties in the state that have reported a rebound of tourism dollars flowing into the state’s economy in 2021.

According to information from the N.C. Department of Commerce, Vance County ranks 55 in visitor spending for 2021; it rose 10 spots in the rankings over the 2020 figures.

Here’s a breakdown of the numbers:

Visitors spent $59.89 million in 2021, up by $15.83 million from 2020, which represents a 35.9 percent growth rate. The daily tourism contribution for 2021 is $164,182; the 2020 figure is $120,712, which is an increase of $43,470 in categories including lodging, food and beverages, recreation, retail and transportation. Breakdown in millions by category for Vance County:

  • LODGING: 2020 – $9.18M; 2021 – $12.69M
  • FOOD & BEVERAGE: 2020 – $16.71M; 2021 – $21.17M
  • RECREATION: 2020 – $5.12M; 2021 – $7.94M
  • RETAIL: 2020 – $4.10M; 2021 –  $5.34M
  • TRANSPORTATION: 2020 – $8.94M; 2021– $12.76M

Vance County travel/tourism related jobs were 354 in 2020, and 378 in 2021; an increase of 24. Vance County tourism industry payroll generated in 2020 was $11.8 million compared to $13.6 million in 2021; up $1.8 million.

Tourism spending added $1.8 million to the Vance County tax base in 2020 and reached $2.1 million in 2021. Visitors to the county also created State/Local Tax Savings for the residents. In 2020, visitor spending in Vance County saved local residents $85.65 in State/Local taxes. In 2021, visitor spending in Vance County saved local residents $113.01 in State/Local taxes; an increase of $27.36 in savings.

Visit NC Director Wit Tuttell said the state’s numbers paint a rosier economic picture in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. “These findings are something that everyone in North Carolina can celebrate,” Tuttell said in a press statement. “They’re a testament to the resilience of our businesses and our residents, and to the enduring appeal of destinations that include everything a traveler might want. The economic well-being of the state and all its communities rises with the pleasures travelers find in the natural beauty of our public spaces, our culinary traditions and innovation, our remarkable towns and our spirited cities. North Carolina can claim it all.”

The preliminary outcomes of the annual visitor spending study commissioned by Visit North Carolina reflect the economic impact of tourism on local economies across the state. The study provides preliminary estimates of domestic and international traveler expenditures as well as employment, payroll income, and state and local tax revenues directly generated by these expenditures.

Henderson, Vance County, and Kerr Lake are a traveler’s paradise. Visitors quickly realized they were welcomed outdoors to appreciate nature’s beauty, the calm of the water, and all the fun that can be had while relaxing under a golden sun or watching the stars and moon dancing across the darkened sky. Unmistakably,  Kerr Lake is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a meal outside while listening to the background harmony of  nature and waves splashing against the natural sandy shoreline. Kerr Lake is the perfect place to . . .  Relax~Relate~Retire!

When visitors are ready for a change of scenery, the area surrounding Kerr Lake offers a variety of activities. Historic Downtown Henderson offers quaint restaurants, a coffee shop, and unique new businesses. McGregor Performing Arts Center presents everything from summer theatre productions to concert tours, National Dance competitions and Broadway shows. Raleigh Road Outdoor Drive-in is the state’s oldest operating drive-in theater. Love a challenging golf course? Grab your golf clubs and head for the beautiful Bermuda greens of Kerr Lake Country Club, open to the public. Southern Classic Cars Museum, open by appointment year-round,  showcases antique and classic cars to fit every person’s dreams! Now you can see why #VanceCountyTravelersDiscoverAlot!

For a complete listing of statewide highlights as well as visitation data from all 100 North Carolina counties visit https://partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies. For more information about Henderson, Vance County, and Kerr Lake contact Vance County Tourism at 252.438.2222 or vctourism@vancecounty.org.  Online at www.kerrlake-nc.com

Servants on Site Begins Seventh year of Service

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SERVANTS ON SITE – SEASON 7 – SCANDALOUS GRACE

by Robert Parham

Rebuilding Hope Inc (RHI) has once again prepared for Servants on Site (SOS) to continue into its 7th year beginning this Sat., June 17th and running through Sat., June 24th.  Individual volunteers and groups from as far as Alabama will once again come together and call Crossroads Christian School in Henderson home.  For the entire history of this event, Crossroads has graciously opened its doors and allowed us to stay there and use their wonderful facilities, and we appreciate it very much.

SOS serves as a tool for churches to mobilize, equip, and disciple students and adults in an evangelistic effort to impact the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  This week will see over 200 youths, chaperons, and crew leaders combine with additional volunteers, runners, warehouse workers, feeding teams, and together, mobilize almost 300 volunteers to donate their time and resources in this unified mission.   We will attempt a total of 21 projects this year in Vance, Granville, Warren, and Mecklenburg counties.  Divided into 15 crews, we will attempt to replace nine roves and construct 12 handicapped ramps.

SOS is an annual 7-day summer mission project for youth (completed grade 6 through college) and adults to work on construction projects for homeowners in our community with immediate needs and limited resources.  Crews leave each weekday morning around 7:00 a.m. for their jobsites, work and minister to the residents and surrounding neighborhood, and at 4:00 p.m., return to the lodging facility in the afternoon for clean up and free time before dinner.  Lunches on site are provided by our sixteen “Sponsor Churches,” whose caring congregations have generously donated food, funds, adult volunteers, and worship ministers to make this annual mission a success.  These churches are of multiple denominations and are spread out through Henderson, Norlina, Oxford, and Creedmoor.

The theme for 2017 is “SCANDALOUS GRACE”, with reference to Romans 5:1-2 and many others.  Grace is God giving us something good that we do not deserve.  Jesus had a scandalous reputation among the Elite in his day for serving the not-so-desirable.  As a Christian today, are we being perceived as somewhat scandalous just for our beliefs?  “2 Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God.” Romans 5:2.  We will for this week turn our attention to glorifying God by showing his Grace through Faith, and inviting all to share in salvation through Jesus Christ.  Our continuing effort to keep the local media apprised of the efforts by so many people is simply to exhort even more churches and volunteers to join us, so that together we can continue to reach out in our communities.

Rebuilding Hope would again like to express its appreciation to everyone who has been involved with these uplifting summer mission projects over the last six years.  It is our first year working out of our new facility on Raleigh Road, and we would like to also acknowledge all the generous donations we received throughout these local communities that made it possible.  Thank You!  Together we have made an impact in our community by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not only in words, but in actions.

We would also like to express our appreciation to Central Baptist Church for providing their facilities for breakfast and dinner each night of the week.  Also, beginning Sunday the 18th through Friday the 23rd at 7:10 p.m., all of our teams and volunteers will gather for worship in their sanctuary located on 2574 Ruin Creek Rd. in Henderson.   We would like to invite anyone who would like to, come out and meet our mission participants, join our worship service and experience firsthand what God is doing through SERVANTS ON SITE.  Our hope for this week is that through all those involved, God’s Grace will be visible in these communities, hope replaces despair, and lives will be changed.  Thanks be to God!

VGCC student nominated for Herring Award

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Jordan Williamson of Henderson, a student in the College Transfer program at Vance-Granville Community College, was recently the college’s nominee for the North Carolina Community College System’s Dallas Herring Achievement Award.

The award was established by the system in 2010 to honor the late Dr. Dallas Herring, the longtime State Board of Education chairman and one of the state’s earliest advocates of community colleges. Each year, the award recognizes a current or former community college student who best embodies Herring’s philosophy of “taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go.”

Williamson said that VGCC had helped him to overcome learning challenges and earn a college degree. “As a child, I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, which is characterized by social awkwardness and difficulty communicating feelings,” he wrote in an essay for the award nomination. “My grade school education was normal, by all accounts, but I struggled to interact comfortably with other people. As I advanced through school and eventually entered the Vance County Early College High School, I withdrew socially. I was allowed certain accommodations in order to compensate for some of my challenges in class, but at times these seemed to separate me from my peers even more.  My instructors offered their support and understanding, which allowed me to continue my education without the need for remedial or special classes.” 

As a VGCC student, Williamson wrote, “the opportunities that I have been afforded have allowed me to excel in my education…. I was allowed to record notes during class, instead of having to write them down. I was allowed additional time during exams to help alleviate my anxiety during timed exams. I was allowed a separate, quiet area to take my tests in order to reduce distractions and allow me to focus more clearly. I have been allowed the opportunity to succeed or fail based on my own merits.”

Williamson describes himself as “a young man who has to use the tools that I have been given and try to achieve the best that I can with them.” He is graduating from VGCC this month with his Associate in Arts degree, as well as his diploma from Vance County Early College High School.

“I want to continue my education and work in the field of science,” Williamson added. “I aspire to use the gifts that I have been given to become the best person that I can. I do not know what my future holds, but my present has been shaped by the opportunities that I have been given. My goal is to become someone, that when I look back from a ripe old age, did his best with the tools he was given.”

“During Jordan’s tenure at Vance County Early College High School and Vance-Granville Community College, I have seen him grow and mature socially, physically and academically,” said Evangeline Mitchell, VGCC’s college liaison for the high school. “He is a daily reminder that with hard work, dedication and perseverance, anything is possible. I am so proud of Jordan and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

–VGCC–

Vance County Early College High Selects Graduation Marshals

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Vance County Schools

For Immediate Release

May 4, 2017

Students who are members of the junior class at the Vance County Early College High School have been selected as graduation marshals to assist in events for the Class of 2017.

The 10 junior marshals were honored at a luncheon on April 28 at the school. They were selected as marshals for their outstanding academics.

The students are shown in the accompanying photo and include from left: Ke’Moni Champion, Victoria Inscoe, Seth Moody, Suzanne Williams, Luke Frazier, Nancy Bonilla, Lehman Ford, Zenee Davis and Lillian Kanouff. Nealee Fisher also will serve as a marshal, but was not available for the photo.

The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra Comes to McGregor Hall

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HENDERSON, N.C. (April 27, 2017)—On May 5th, The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra, a 17-piece Big Band from Savannah starring Jeremy Davis Clay Johnson, will perform live on the stage of McGregor Hall Performing Arts & Learning Center in Henderson, N.C.

“All across America, audiences have fallen in love with these two sophisticated Southern gentleman and the high-energy show that is Davis & Johnson Present the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra,” said Tommy Deadwyler, Executive Director of McGregor Hall Performing Arts and Learning Center. “We are honored that they are making a stop here in North Carolina.”

Along with the greatest songs, the best original arrangements and phenomenal musicianship, these two bring their rich friendship and charm to the stage. Fashioned in the style and swagger of the legendary entertainers lead by Frank Sinatra, Davis and Johnson are putting their own stamp on the Great American songbook, graced with a touch of Motown, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Elvis and more, offering a freshness and relevance that speaks to every soul.

The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra performs at McGregor Hall Performing Arts and Learning Center on Friday, May 5th at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale at www.McGregorHall.org, by calling (252) 598-0662 or by visiting the Box Office at 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson, N.C.

Southern Vance High School Inducts 53 into National Beta Club

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A total of 53 students who attend Southern Vance High School have been inducted into the school’s chapter of the National Beta Club.

The students were recognized during an assembly held in the school’s gymnasium on April 6.

They join 74 current members in the chapter’s Beta Club.

Andrea Coleman of Duke Energy Progress, was the featured speaker during the induction ceremony. She praised the students for their high academic achievements that led them to be inducted into the prestigious educational association.

 

The new inductees are shown in the accompanying photo. They include, seated from left on the front row, Diamond Alston, Corey Baldwin, Justus Baldwin, Kailee Ball, Reyna Orzco, Madonna Baselios, Magan Bass, Karmin Caceres, Sherrod Carter and Miracle Chin. On the second row, from left, are Areli Clemente, Victoria Cruz, Zamari Ellis, Litzi Gonzalez, She’Nyia Hargrove, Deana Hawkins, Shayquan Henderson, Emily Isidro, Jillion Johnson and Joshua Joyner. Seated from left on the third row are Maleny Lopez, Perla Lopez, Crystal Marrow, Diamonds Marrow, Jacob May, Mya McKnight, Desmond Mills, Ashley Mosley, April Pendergrass and Shaniya Pernell. Students on the fourth row, from left, include Imani Perry, Wendy Portillo, Hailey Reavis, Litzy Renteria, OnJahlaya Robinson, Camri Ross, Bryanna Simril, William Strickland, Robert Susewell and Kaitlyn Tant. Seated from left on the back row are Dayon Thornton, Tar’Naja Thorpe, Gabriela Ventura, Dyamond Williams, Zachary Williamson and Xavier Wilson.

Additional students who were inducted as new Beta Club members, but were not available for the photo include Hakeem Agbele, Sarah Burns, Itzy Chavarin, Cynthia Hernandez, Natalee Stephens, Conner Thompson and Jodi Waite.

Southern Vance Symphonic Band rated “Excellent”

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Vance County Schools

For Immediate Release

April 11, 2017

The Southern Vance High School Symphonic Band earned an “Excellent” rating during competition at the Music Performance Adjudication (MPA) for North Carolina in late March.

The band attended the stringent high school band judging process at Apex Friendship School in Apex.

This is the first time a band from Vance County has earned an “Excellent” rating in the MPA. The rating is the second highest possible rating, behind the “Superior” rating.

The Southern Vance bands are under the direction of Michael Lewis.