The
Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, November
6, 2006, at 6:30pm in the Conference Room of the County Office Building, 90
South Main, Sparta, North Carolina.
Present: Chair Eldon Edwards, Vice-Chair Warren Taylor,
Commissioner Graylen Blevins, Commissioner
Chair
Eldon Edwards called the meeting to order.
Chair Eldon Edwards
stated that closed session-legal needs to be added to the agenda, JCPC and
Commissioner
Graylen Blevins asked that closed session-personnel to be added to the agenda.
Commissioner
AGENDA
Motion on Agenda for
Motion on Minutes for October 10
and
RE: 2006/2007 Community Transportation Program
RE:
RE:
Subdivisions
RE: Tax Concerns
1. Budget Amendment—Capital Loan
2. Budget Amendment—Ropes Course
3. Budget Amendment—Veterans Service
Officer
4. Budget Amendment—Council on Aging
5. ADM Funds / Agreement
6. Transportation Improvement Plan
Presentation
7. Regional Tourism Initiative
Memorandum
8. Other Business
9. Public Comments—30 minutes
10. Closed Session—NCGS 143-318.11 (a)
(4)—economic development
NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (3)—legal (added)
NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (6)—personnel (added)
11. Adjourn
Commissioner
Chair
Eldon Edwards opened the public hearing regarding the 2006/2007 CTP grant
application.
April
Choate, AIM Director, reviewed the summary for the grant including the
administrative budget and the capital budget.
She explained the County’s portion of each budget.
Chair
Eldon Edwards asked for public comments.
None were received.
Chair
Eldon Edwards closed the public hearing at
Commissioner
Commissioner
Graylen Blevins made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #9 in
the amount of $450. Commissioner
Commissioner
Ken Richardson made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #10 in
the amount of $3,000 for the Ropes Course.
Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.
Chair
Eldon Edwards explained that the interview committee interviewed six people and
selected Sam Nichols to be the Veterans Service Officer. He gave everyone a brief background about Mr.
Nichols. He stated that the office will
now be open five days a week for six hours per day.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #11 in the
amount of $7,701. Commissioner Graylen
Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.
Chair
Eldon Edwards opened the public hearing at
Chair
Eldon Edwards asked for public comments.
None were received.
Chair
Eldon Edwards closed the public hearing at
Commissioner
Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the road names as presented by the E-911
Coordinator/Mapper. Commissioner
Kay Luffman presented
the annual report for the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC). She explained the eight different programs
they are involved with and the number of youth served. She gave overall statistics about youth going
through the court system.
Commissioner
Chair Eldon Edwards
stated his appreciation for their efforts.
Commissioner Warren
Taylor made a motion to approve the memorandum of understanding with the Board
of Education. Commissioner Ken
Richardson seconded the motion. Vote
5:0.
Commissioner Ken
Richardson asked about the subdivision crossing state lines.
Chair Eldon Edwards
and
Commissioner Warren
Taylor asked about how parcels are taxed that are spilt by the state line.
Commissioner Ken
Richardson made a motion to give preliminary approval for the Potato Creek
Preserve subdivision. Commissioner
Graylen Blevins seconded the motion.
Vote 5:0.
Commissioner
Commissioner Ken
Richardson made a motion to approve the revised plat for Cave Rock
Estates. Commissioner Graylen Blevins
seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner Ken
Richardson, County Manager
Commissioner Warren
Taylor and County Manager
Commissioner Warren
Taylor asked if Commissioner Ken Richardson and County Manager
Commissioner Ken
Richardson stated that this is the only way to go forward regarding the voting
members. He talked about having an
annual update, all counties must abide by this agreement and their annual
meeting is approaching.
Commissioner
Commissioner Warren
Taylor reminded everyone to vote tomorrow.
Chair Eldon Edwards
stated that he thinks it is in the best interest of the County to have a
separate Planning Board.
Commissioner Warren
Taylor mentioned that he thinks the Planning Board should be one Commissioner
and four members from the original group that worked on the Property Rights
Protection Ordinance.
Chair Eldon Edwards
and Commissioner
Commissioner Ken
Richardson reminded everyone that he has already stated his willingness to
continue to serve on the Planning Board.
The Board of
Commissioners talked about setting up the Planning Board.
Commissioner Warren Taylor
gave his reasons why a Commissioner is needed on the Board.
Commissioner Ken
Richardson stated that by changing the Planning Board it appears that they
County did something wrong and he doesn’t think the County has.
Commissioner
The Board of
Commissioners continued discussing the make-up of the Planning Board and how to
select the four remaining members.
Commissioner
Commissioner Graylen
Blevins stated that there is nothing wrong with the way it is.
Chair Eldon Edwards
stated that it will be left as it is for now.
Chair Eldon Edwards asked for public
comments.
Raymond Russell stated that he saw
information in the newspaper regarding the Maymead court hearing. He asked what happened with that hearing.
Raymond Russell talked about his new
tax reevaluation, percentage of increase over the years and this year’s tax
bill.
Chair Eldon Edwards stated that
public comments should address topics that were discussed during the meeting,
and if there are other comments, then need to get on the agenda. He explained the agenda process. He suggested that Mr. Russell talk to the
reevaluation people. He explained that
the State mandates reevaluation every eight years and have set guidelines that
must be followed. He further explained
that he recommends everyone to get an appointment to meet with the reevaluation
people so they can explain how they got the values. He stated that the Board of Equalization and
Review meets in April on every year.
Raymond Russell stated his
appreciation for the information. He
talked about this year’s tax increase.
He asked how he can find out why the tax rate jumped 10˘.
Chair Eldon Edwards stated that next
June the Board of Commissioners can lower the tax rate to a revenue neutral tax
rate, which will provide some relief.
Commissioner
Raymond Russell asked the Board if
they shouldn’t be promoting a stable environment.
Chair Eldon Edwards thanked Mr.
Russell for his comments.
Raymond Russell stated his
appreciation, as well.
Chair Eldon Edwards asked for
additional public comments. None were
received.
Commissioner
Chair Eldon Edwards called for a
brief recess at
Commissioner Warren Taylor made a
motion to adjourn the closed session at
Chair Eldon Edwards stated that no
decisions were made during closed session.
Commissioner
Being no further business, Commissioner
Warren Taylor made a motion to adjourn at
Respectfully
submitted,
Clerk to the Board
Attest:
Eldon Edwards
Chairman