The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, September 20, 2004 at 10:00am in the Conference Room of the County Office Building, 90 South Main Street, Sparta, North Carolina.

Present: Chair Eldon Edwards, Vice-Chair Warren Taylor, Commissioner Graylen Blevins, Commissioner Patrick Woodie, County Manager Don Adams and Clerk to the Board Karen Evans. Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon and County Attorney Ed Woltz were absent.

Chair Eldon Edwards called the meeting to order.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie opened the meeting with a prayer.

Chair Eldon Edwards added NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (4)—economic development to the agenda.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the amended agenda for this September 20, 2004, meeting. Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

AGENDA

Monday, September 20, 2004

10:00 AM

10:00 Meeting Called To Order

Motion on Agenda for September 20, 2004 meeting

Motion on Minutes for August 30 & September 7, 2004 meetings

10:05 Mary Walker

RE: Tax Releases & Refunds

10:15 Lee Cornett/Pam Sizemore

RE: Domestic Violence Month

County Business

1. Workers Comp Doctor

2. Budget Amendment—Leg-Up Grant

3. Budget Amendment—Insurance Claims

4. DMG Contract

5. Refinancing Resolution

6. Other Business

7. Public Comments—30 minutes

8. Closed Session—NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (4)—economic development (added)

9. Adjourn

Commissioner Patrick Woodie made a motion to approve the minutes for the August 30 & September 7, 2004, meetings. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Mary Walker, Tax Administrator, presented the August 2004 real property requests in the amount of $3,362.88 for refunds and $22,447.45 for releases.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the real property requests in the amount of $3,362.88 for refunds and $22,447.45 for releases. Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Mary Walker, Tax Administrator, presented the August 2004 automobile requests in the amount of $237.81 for refunds and $1,300.95 for releases.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie made a motion to approve the automobile requests in the amount of $237.81 for refunds and $1,300.95 for releases. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Mary Walker, Tax Administrator, presented several letters regarding releasing the solid waste fees from tax bills. She stated that the first letter is from Susan Hammock explaining that the mobile home doesn’t have power or water.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to honor this release request for Susan Hammock. Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Mary Walker, Tax Administrator, stated the next letter is from Cecil Douglas. She explained that his children occupy the property when they come to visit and all of the solid waste is at his house.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to deny this request to release the solid waste fee due to the dwelling is livable. Commissioner Patrick Woodie seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Mary Walker, Tax Administrator, presented the next letter that is from Stella Roberts. She explained that Ms. Roberts’ daughter wrote this letter asking for the Board to release the solid waste fee on the house Ms. Roberts lives in due to her age and small amount of garbage generated.

The Board of Commissioners talked about the amount of solid waste generated isn’t a consideration when discussing whether to release a solid waste fee. They talked about the criteria for a solid waste fee to be charged is the property is livable and has power and water.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie made a motion to deny this request to release the solid waste fee for Stella Roberts. Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Mary Walker, Tax Administrator, presented a letter from Marie Choate concerning a mobile home that has no power or water and hasn’t been used for seven years.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie made a motion to approve this request to release the solid waste fee for Marie Choate. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Mary Walker, Tax Administrator, presented a letter from Alice Brown concerning a mobile home that is used for storage that doesn’t have power or water.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve this request to release the solid waste fee for Alice Brown. Commissioner Patrick Woodie seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Mary Walker, Tax Administrator, talked about looking for a letter concerning Mr. Halsey’s discovery that was discussed at the last meeting. She stated that she is still looking for this letter and will report back to the Board on this matter.

Mary Walker, Tax Administrator, mentioned that at the first meeting in October, she would be at the Commissioners’ meeting with Robert Price, who is going to work on foreclosures for the Tax Office.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie made a motion to proclaim October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

County Manager Don Adams read the Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation.

County Manager Don Adams asked that the discussion about workers compensation doctor be moved to the next meeting. He explained that our insurance company requests that we designate a workers compensation doctor. He stated that he is in discussion with a doctor to offer this service.

County Manager Don Adams presented budget amendment General Fund #7 in the amount of $10,014. He explained that this budget amendment is to budget for the Leg-Up grant that is through the building inspections office. He further explained the Leg-Up Grant.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #7 in the amount of $10,014 for the Leg-Up grant. Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

County Manager Don Adams presented budget amendment General Fund #8 in the amount of $9,097. He explained that these monies were received from our insurance company for lightning damage on a communication tower and to the fire alarm system at the Law Enforcement Center.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #8 in the amount of $9,097 for insurance proceeds in the Sheriff’s Department and Jail budgets. Commissioner Patrick Woodie seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

County Manager Don Adams presented the proposed three-year contract for DMG to complete the annual allocated cost study. He explained that the contract is in the amount of $3,500 per year for three years. He talked about the County receives 65% of the allocated costs reimbursed through Social Services. He further explained other reasons for the report.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie made a motion to approve the contract with DMG as presented by the County Manager. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

County Manager Don Adams presented a resolution that gives the County Manager the authority to seek refinancing interest rate bids for the Jail bond and Sparta Elementary School loan. He explained that refinancing of these projects could save the County $50,000 to $80,000. He stated that he is looking at borrowing $2.4 million dollars to be repaid over the same schedule that the projects are being repaid at now.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the resolution authorizing the County Manager to seek refinancing bids. Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion.

The Board of Commissioners stated their appreciation to the County Manager for researching this topic.

County Manager Don Adams talked about the Finance Officer starting this process.

The Board voted on the motion on the floor. Vote 4:0.

County Manager Don Adams talked about the discussion concerning the occupancy tax ordinance at the last meeting where he stated the ordinance must have a unanimous vote with all members present. He further stated that he was mistaken about the unanimous vote requirement. He explained that the unanimous vote requirement doesn’t apply when State law requires a public hearing; which is the case with the occupancy tax ordinance.

Commissioner Graylen Blevins asked about signing the occupancy tax ordinance since he wasn’t at the meeting when the vote was taken.

The Board told him they didn’t see a problem with him signing the ordinance since according to the rules of procedures, his vote counts as affirmative in this situation.

Chair Eldon Edwards mentioned to the Board about receiving the meeting notice concerning the Laurel Springs Volunteer Fire Department’s covered dish supper tonight.

Chair Eldon Edwards mentioned the flu shot clinic notice from Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

County Manager Don Adams talked about how the flu shot clinic will save the County money. He explained that the County pays for flu shots for EMS and Law Enforcement Center employees.

Chair Eldon Edwards asked for public comments.

Charlie Scott stated his appreciation to everyone during the recent severe weather.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to enter into closed session under NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (4)—economic development at 10:38am. Commissioner Patrick Woodie seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to adjourn closed session at 11:08am and reconvene the regular meeting. Commissioner Patrick Woodie seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Chair Eldon Edwards stated no action was taken during closed session.

Chair Eldon Edwards talked about emergency workers and our appreciation for their hard work during the recent severe weather. The Board discussed having a resolution published in the newspaper showing the Board’s appreciation for these efforts.

Being no further business, Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:10am. Commissioner Patrick Woodie seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Respectfully Submitted,

Karen Evans

Clerk to the Board

Attest:

Eldon Edwards

Chairman

DANA Domestic Abuse is Not Acceptable

Post Office Box 1643 Sparta, NC 28675

Phone: (336) 372-3262 Fax: (336) 372-7705

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

A Proclamation

Whereas, domestic violence is a pattern of coercion and control in an intimate relationship where one person uses violence to gain power and control over their partner; and

Whereas, domestic violence includes not only physical abuse, but also mental abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, isolation, and sexual violence; and

Whereas, women of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds are vulnerable to violence by an intimate partner; and

Whereas, nationally, between 35% and 56% of battered women were harassed at work by their batterers; 55% to 85% missed work because of domestic violence; and 24 to 52% lost their jobs as a result of the abuse; and

The Department of Justice estimates that there are 50,000 incidents of violence committed in the workplace annually; and

Whereas, nationally from 1992-1995, 126 murders were committed in the workplace by a domestic partner; and

Whereas, in North Carolina, from 1977-1991, 75% of the women killed on the job (non-robbery) were murdered by a former intimate partner; and

Whereas, in North Carolina, domestic violence programs provide services to over 40,000 victims each year, according to Council for Women; and

Whereas, in North Carolina, 71 women, men, and children were murdered as a result of domestic violence in the year 2003, and

Whereas, in Alleghany County, the local domestic violence program provided face to face services to 77 victims and handled a total of 182 crisis calls during the last fiscal year,

Now, therefore, we, County Commissioners, of Alleghany County, do hereby proclaim October 2004, as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month.” I further urge our citizens to become aware of this destructive force in our society and to become part of the efforts to stop violence in families.

Adopted this the 20^th day of September 2004.

ALLEGHANY COUNTY

NORTH CAROLINA

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Alleghany County currently has certain debt that is eligible to be refinanced; and,

WHEREAS, with current interest rates, refinancing may save Alleghany County money; and,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Alleghany County Board of Commissioners gives the County Manager the authority to seek refinancing bids for outstanding debt related to the Law Enforcement Center and Sparta Elementary School.

Adopted this the 20^th day of September, 2004.