Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

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Vance Commissioners Provide Details of Recent Budget Session

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The following information was provided to WIZS News on June 5, 2019.  It has been re-typed for display here.

To see the raw information that was provided, please scroll to the bottom of this post.  You will be able to see the original, scanned-in document which contains some graphs that are much easier to see and understand than attempting to read it all in a strictly text format.

  1. Epsom & Drewry Fire Districts. Epsom and Drewry receive funding from two counties. Vance provides each $67,500 annually plus MDT Service and financial review/audit reimbursement, Franklin County provided $140,500 to Epsom in FY18-19 (FY19-20 proposed at $122,000 plus $12,000 for rent for EMS co-location) and Warren County provided $97,000 to Drewry. The recommended budget includes providing funding for 1 part-time position for each of these border departments providing up to $43,663 in additional annual funding. A review of neighboring counties indicates each VFD is not provided equal funding. Below are a few statistics comparing the portions of their districts:

Epsom VFD – Vance County Portion of District Relative to Franklin County:

Property Values – 30%

Fire Calls – 32%

Road Miles – 26%

Structures – 31%

FY19 Funding – 36%

Mgr. Recom. FY20 Funding – 48%

* Note: 32% of Fire Calls in Vance County with Vance County providing 48% of their funding relative to Franklin County

Drewry VFD – Vance County Portion of District Relative to Warren County Property Values:

Property Values – 61%

Fire Calls – 36%

Road Miles – 57%

Structures – 58%

FY19 Funding – 42%

Mgr. Recom. FY20 Funding – 54%

* Note: 36% of Fire Calls in Vance County with Vance County providing 54% of their funding relative to Warren County

  1. Rescue Squad Funding. By eliminating funding to the Rescue Squad and moving rescue services to the County Fire Department, the county general fund would save approximately $190,000 per year. If eliminated, staff would recommend putting $100,000 of that into equipment in year 1. Currently, the county provides the Vance County Rescue Squad $100,000 per year in annual funding plus funding for a financial review/audit ($1,375 for review or up to $2,500 for audit). The county also covers monthly costs for Verizon service for Mobile Data Terminals of approximately $1,400 per year and the proposed budget includes an additional $87,326 for two part-time positions.

➢ What services does Rescue provide that we would not be able to do in house? By contract, the rescue squad provides Heavy Rescue, Vehicle Extrication, High Angle, and Water Rescue as outlined by the NC Association of Rescue and EMS. Rescue services are commonly being transitioned to volunteer and paid fire departments across the state. The county fire department can achieve the certifications and handle Heavy Rescue, Vehicle Extrication and High Angle Rescue in the short term (additional equipment needed), but they do not have certifications or equipment necessary for water rescue. Some of the existing volunteer fire departments provide extrication services.

➢ Costs for Water Rescue Services. The staff has confirmed the county could receive water rescue services for $20,000 a year. Overall spending for all rescue services including water rescue averages $47,000 a year for the surrounding counties vs. $190,000 for the upcoming year in Vance County. 

➢ How many people does the Rescue Squad regularly put on a scene? A request was provided to the rescue squad chief on 5/22/2019 for records indicating average personnel on scene. To date, no data has been provided.

  1. Budget Adjustments as of June 3, 2019

➢ Recreation – Increase from City of Henderson for resurfacing of tennis courts at Fox Pond – $175,000 total increase with $78,750 increase in county funding.

➢ Broadband – Reduction of $45,000 due to successful GREAT grant award.

➢ Sheriff’s Office – Increased uniform line item $2,500 to fully fund the requested amount for uniforms. Added 3rd new deputy and 1 new lieutenant position – $116,870

➢ Jail/Detention Center – Added 2 detention officer positions – $90,918

➢ Arts Council – Added $800 to fully fund the requested amount of $2,000.

➢ Radios Purchase for VFDs – Recommended Budget includes radios for county departments and rescue squad from County General Fund and for volunteer fire departments from the fire tax fund. Staff recommends keeping the purchase of radios for the VFDs in the fire tax fund consistent with its purpose to provide much-needed equipment and facilities for the departments in the rural parts of the county. If the board chooses to fund the VFD radios from the General Fund balance, it would require an additional $187,522 or $451,410 over three years to be taken from the general fund balance.

  1. Manager Recommendations to Balance Budget Following Board Adjustments. Attached is a listing of revenue as well as recurring and one-time capital expenditure options considered to balance the budget. Of those options, below is the manager’s recommendation for making up the $251,255 shortfall created by FY20 budget adjustments made thus far:

➢ Revenue – Property Tax revenue increase $102,918

➢ Revenue – Additional Fund Balance for Recreation capital project $ 57,411

➢ Expenditure – Cut 1 new MDT from VC Fire Department $ 3,600

➢ Expenditure – Cut 2 part-time positions at Rescue Squad $ 87,326

      Total: $251,255

➢ Granville County – Fire Departments provide rescue services. County pays $20,000/year to Granville County Search and Recovery for water rescue. (Population = 59,557; $62.5 million County budget)

➢ Warren County – Fire Departments provide rescue services and water rescue. Warrenton Rural and Norlina provide Rescue Mutual Aid. County pays $56,000/year to Warren County Rescue for ambulance services near Lake Gaston. (Population = 19,883; $30.8 million County budget)

➢ Franklin County – Fire Departments do vehicle extrication and specialized rescue; Partner with Louisburg for confined space and water rescue and Youngsville Rescue for water rescue. County pays $38,400 to Youngsville Rescue which also provides ambulance service (Population = 66,168; $81.6 million County budget)

➢ Person County – County recently increased funding from $5,000 to $75,000 annually to Roxboro-Person County Rescue (Population = 39,370; $60.8 million County budget)

➢ Vance County – County provides $102,775 annually to Vance County Rescue Squad and is proposing additional $87,326 for 2 part-time positions. No ambulance service is provided by rescue squad (Population = 44,211; $48.3 million county budget).

(Below are the scans of the original documents.)

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City of Henderson: Notice of Possible Discoloration of Water

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-Press Release, City of Henderson

Notification of Possible Discoloration of Water

As a customer of the Kerr Lake Regional Water System/City of Henderson, you may have or may be experiencing a slight discoloration of your water. This is due to elevated levels of manganese and turnover in the surface water from which the KLRWS processes its water. This may cause the water in Henderson and surrounding areas to have a color to the water; however, there are no safety concerns related to this and the water can be used by the consumer.

The KLRW facility is in the process of adjusting the process to account for the manganese and remove the discoloration of the water.

If you have any questions, please call the Kerr Lake Regional Water Plant at 252-438-2141.

 

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Town Talk: Councilman Daeke Discusses City Budget, On-Going Water Issues

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Garry Daeke, Henderson City Council member, was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the City’s FY 2019-2020 budget process and on-going water line breaks and issues.

To hear Daeke’s interview in its entirety, click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

New Sandy Creek Baptist to Hold ‘GiddyUp Junction’ VBS for Kids, Adults

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-Information courtesy Jackie Ayscue, New Sandy Creek Baptist Church 

GiddyUp Junction Vacation Bible School will be held June 10-14, 2019, at New Sandy Creek Baptist Church, 1699 Weldon’s Mill Road, Henderson. This is a free event that has something for every age, nursery-adult.

Kids will learn about Jesus’ love and how to take that love to new frontiers through Bible lessons, crafts, music and games. The adult class will be studying the Art of Marriage series.

Dinner will be served Monday through Thursday at 5:45 p.m., with a special Fun Finale on Friday that includes a program, photo booth, store and ice cream!

You can register at the door or online at www.myvbs.org/NewSandyCreek.

Enjoy ‘Fireworks Under the Stars’ at Satterwhite Point – Sat., July 6

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-Information courtesy Vance County Tourism Development Authority

Enjoy an Independence Day Celebration with “Fireworks Under the Stars” at Kerr Lake’s Satterwhite Point on Saturday, July 6, 2019.

This year’s event will offer fun for the whole family with food vendors, kid’s activities, t-shirts and glow sticks.

Activities are planned from 3 until 10 p.m. The state parks gate fee of $7 per car will apply.

No alcohol is allowed.

For additional information, please call (252) 438-2222, (866) 438-4565 or visit www.kerrlake-nc.com.

Vance Co. Middle School Eighth Graders Recognized at Year-End Ceremony

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Eighth graders for the 2018-2019 school year at Vance County Middle School were recognized for their achievements during a special year-end ceremony held in the school’s gymnasium on Tuesday, June 4.

Principal Heddie Somerville began the ceremony by welcoming everyone in attendance, including the approximately 350 eighth graders and an audience of about 1,000 family, friends and community members.

Eighth graders at Vance County Middle School march into the school’s gymnasium to begin their year-end recognition ceremony. (VCS photo)

Eighth graders who led the ceremony included: Zephaniah Young and Anayia Harris, who sang “The Star-Spangled Banner;” Devine Williams, who served as mistress of ceremonies; Kylie Newhouse and Breanna Kipp, who provided reflections on the school year; Makayla Terry and Isabel Cruz, who offered superlatives for their class; and Daniel Bolanos, who introduced the featured speaker Kimberly Jefferson.

Jefferson, who works for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and is a Vance County native, made remarks to the students and audience during the ceremony. She encouraged all of the students to work hard as they begin their high school careers to be successful and achieve their goals.

She talked about her own past as a student going through Vance County Schools and eventually graduating from Northern Vance High School, in the same facility as the middle school today. Jefferson even mentioned her time as a student-athlete at Northern Vance and playing basketball games in the same gymnasium.

The eighth-grade class at Vance County Middle School for the 2018-2019 school year is the first eighth grade to complete its time at the newly consolidated middle school.

Principal Heddie Somerville welcomes everyone to the eighth-grade recognition ceremony. (VCS photo)

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Town Talk: Brummitt Discusses Vance Co. Budget, Fire Restructuring

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On Tuesday’s Town Talk edition, Vance County Commissioner Dan Brummitt provided an update on discussions held at the June 3, 2019, Vance County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Continuing to hammer out the details of the FY 2019-20 Vance County budget – proposed at $48,362,611 – commissioners have a matter of weeks to finalize plans before the set July 1 implementation date.

One topic that has been much-discussed in recent months is the restructuring of the volunteer fire departments. Under the current proposal, paid part-time positions would be added to the County’s volunteer fire departments with the exception of the Vance County Fire Department, which would remain as currently structured.

Brummitt, who serves on the County’s Fire Commission, is not in favor of this plan.

“Under the current proposal, in order to accommodate adding part-time individuals to volunteer departments, the funds would have to come from somewhere else,” explained Brummitt. “I don’t agree with having a tax increase just to avoid going through some reorganization.”

“We can do more for the County and put more firefighters and first responders in our community for the same dollar amount we are currently spending.”

To hear the Town Talk interview with Dan Brummitt in its entirety, including more on his views of fire restructuring, listen to Town Talk by clicking the play button above. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

Triangle North Healthcare Foundation Endows Third VGCC Scholarship

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

The Triangle North Healthcare Foundation recently endowed a new scholarship specifically designed to support Vance-Granville Community College Nursing students who are enrolled in a program to complete bachelor’s degrees.

In awarding the “Triangle North Healthcare Foundation RIBN Presidential Scholar Award,” preference will be given to students in the “Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses” (RIBN) program. RIBN students are simultaneously enrolled at the community college and North Carolina A&T State University. They earn associate’s degrees in nursing through VGCC over three years (while also taking A&T courses online) and then continue for one year of additional courses at A&T required for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

From left, Triangle North Healthcare Foundation (TNHF) executive director Val Short, VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais and Arline Richardson, a TNHF board member and chair of its Scholarship Committee, celebrate the creation of the new scholarship. (VGCC photo)

The new endowment marks a continuation of the partnership between the college and the foundation, which has already created two VGCC Academic Achievement Scholarships, one of which is also designed to be awarded to students in the RIBN program. The Presidential Scholar Award is the college’s second-highest scholarship tier.

“Triangle North Healthcare Foundation is pleased to support the RIBN program, which enables a local student to achieve a bachelor’s degree in nursing at a university while remaining in the community,” said Val Short, the Foundation’s executive director.

Based in Henderson, the Triangle North Healthcare Foundation provides grants to nonprofits organizations, governmental agencies, and schools in Vance, Warren, Granville and Franklin counties. The Foundation also provides scholarships to students in the region who are pursuing health care careers.

“We are grateful for the Triangle North Healthcare Foundation’s partnership with our college to further strengthen the RIBN program,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, VGCC’s president. “This scholarship will be a new source of support to help outstanding Nursing students prepare for rewarding careers in health care and meet employers’ need for highly-trained professionals.”

Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 9,400 scholarships to students since 1982. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information, call (252) 738-3409.

Rodrick Allison to Perform ‘A Laugh With Dad’ at Spring St. Missionary Baptist

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-Information courtesy Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church

The Men‘s Ministry of Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church present “A Laugh with Dad” as provided by Rodrick Allison (aka Rod of God) on Sunday, June 16, 2019, at 11 a.m.

For over 17 years, Allison has performed his signature style of clean comedy nationally and internationally, leaving countless audiences filled with laughter.

He has performed with legendary recording artists such as Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams, Marvin Sapp, Tye Tribbett, Kelly Price, Kim Burrell, Tramaine Hawkins and numerous other artists.

Rod is known as the “attorney by day and comedian by night” entertainer because he is also a lawyer. When he’s not performing he can be found providing legal services in his private law practice and in the courts of North Carolina.

Throughout his comedic career, he has remained committed to his mission of proving “you can be funny without being vulgar, and be a Christian without losing your sense of humor.”

Bring Dad for an afternoon of fellowship and entertainment. Spring Street Missionary Baptist is located at 511 Orange Street in Henderson.

HFD Participates in ‘Smoke Alarm Saturday;’ 9V Battery Donations Needed

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Fire departments across North Carolina participated in the 2nd annual “Smoke Alarm Saturday” campaign on June 1, 2019.

“Smoke Alarm Saturday” is North Carolina’s one-day, statewide, smoke alarm canvassing event aimed at highlighting the importance of functional smoke alarms and fire safety.

The event, held on behalf of Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey and the Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM), was created in response to a recent increase in fire deaths in the state. According to a press release issued by Causey’s office, 134 North Carolinians lost their lives in fire-related incidents in 2018, making it one of the deadliest years on record.

Members of the Henderson Fire Department assist with the 2019 “Smoke Alarm Saturday” event. (Photo courtesy Capt. Lee Edmonds)

According to Captain Lee Edmonds with the Henderson Fire Department, approximately 75 counties – including Vance – participated in Saturday’s event. Last year, 60 counties assisted with the installation of over 4,000 alarms in homes across the state.

The one-day canvassing event brought national media attention to NC, emphasizing the awareness that working smoke alarms do save lives, according to the OSFM.

While Edmonds said his group was glad to assist with this year’s event, door-to-door canvassing has been performed by the Henderson Fire Department for the past 10 years. In 2009, after a Vance County family tragically lost several of their children in a house fire, former fire chief Danny Wilkerson began an annual smoke detector inspection for City of Henderson residents.

The inspection, which begins anew each November following Fire Prevention Month in October, is free of charge to City residents. “We put new batteries in smoke detectors, replace old smoke detectors and install smoke detectors in places that did not previously have them during these campaigns,” said Edmonds.

To assist with this year’s smoke detector campaign, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Vance Class of 2019 will hold a battery drive through Friday, June 28, 2019. Donations of new 9 volt batteries are needed.

To donate batteries, look for the red box marked “Battery Drop Spot” at the following locations: City Hall (Henderson), Vance County Tax Office, Maria Parham Health (front desk of the main lobby), L.B. Yancey Elementary School, Vance-Granville Community College (Building 1, front lobby), Charles Boyd Chevrolet of Henderson, Vance County Department of Social Services and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.

With questions on battery donations, please contact McKinley Perkinson at (252) 436-1402 or Evelyn Harris at (252) 738-3254.