The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, August 21, 2006, 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 Ken Richardson, County Manager Don Adams and Clerk to the Board Karen Evans. Commissioner Graylen Blevins and County Attorney Donna Shumate were present but arrived late. Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon was absent.

Chair Eldon Edwards called the meeting to order.

Commissioner Ken Richardson opened the meeting with a prayer.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the agenda for this August 21, 2006, meeting. Commissioner Ken Richardson seconded the motion. Vote 3:0.

AGENDA

Monday, August 21, 2006

10:00 AM

10:00 Meeting Called To Order

Motion on Agenda for August 21, 2006, meeting

Motion on Minutes for August 7, 2006, meeting

10:05 Mary Walker

RE: Tax Releases and Refunds

Schedule of Values

10:20 Amy Pardue

RE: Preliminary Subdivision Plat

10:30 EMS Annual Report

10:40 WCC Annual Report

County Business

1. Transfer Facility Budget Amendment

2. Governing Bodies Budget Amendment

3. NCACC Annual Conference Voting Delegate

4. Work First Advisory Committee

5. 2006 Fall Litter Sweep

6. Edmonds Community Meeting Report

7. Dispatch Update

8. Other Business

9. Public Comments—30 minutes

10. Closed Session—NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (3)—legal

NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (6)—personnel

11. Adjourn

Commissioner Ken Richardson made a motion to approve the minutes for the August 7, 2006, meeting. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 3:0.

Mary Walker, Tax Administrator, presented the July 2006 refund requests in the amount of $825.92 for real property and $336.36 for vehicles.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the July 2006 refund requests in the amount of $825.92 for real property and $336.36 for vehicles. Commissioner Ken Richardson seconded the motion. Vote 3:0.

Commissioner Graylen Blevins arrived at 10:05am.

Mary Walker presented the July 2006 release requests in the amount of $843.49 for real property and $2,100.50 for vehicles.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the July 2006 release requests in the amount of $843.49 for real property and $2,100.50 for vehicles. Commissioner Ken Richardson seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

County Attorney Donna Shumate arrived at 10:08am.

Mary Walker presented two letters for the Board’s consideration. She explained that both letters were regarding late elderly exemption applications. She further explained the circumstances regarding the late applications for Patsy Irwin and Dorothy Vanderbilt.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve both applications. Commissioner Ken Richardson seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Mary Walker presented a solid waste fee appeal. She explained that this property doesn’t have electricity or water and isn’t livable. She stated that the owner informed her that he doesn’t have any plans to rent it because of the condition.

Commissioner Graylen Blevins made a motion to approve the release of the $50 solid waste disposal fee for Coy Leff Edwards. Commissioner Ken Richardson seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Commissioner Ken Richardson and County Manager Don Adams talked about power being hooked up to older mobile homes and ways to determine if power has been hooked up on properties where the solid waste fees have been removed. County Manager Don Adams talked about exempting properties annually.

Edwin Barquet talked about burden of proof should fall on the person not on the County.

Mary Walker talked about ways they discover people living in houses where the solid waste fee has been released.

County Manager Don Adams and Mary Walker talked about the solid waste fees on tax bills.

Mary Walker presented an appeal to a discovery that she had completed on Vena Newsome. She explained that the discovery is on a 1993 mobile home in Cherry Lane. She stated that the appraisers couldn’t find where it had been listed. She explained the difference between personal property mobile homes and real property mobile homes. She said this mobile home still has the hitch and is classified as personal property. She reminded everyone that all personal property must be listed annually in January. She said she can’t find where this mobile home has been billed since 1999 or any documentation that Ron Norman measured the mobile home. She explained NCGS 105-312 that allows the Board to adjust or comprise a discovery bill. She further explained that the tax bill shows the real estate but not a mobile home. She stated that the discovery bill is almost $700.

Commissioner Graylen Blevins asked about similar cases where the Board would be held personally liable if the taxes were comprised or released.

Mary Walker explained the differences between discovery appeals and regular appeals. She stated that this discovery is partially the Tax Office’s fault but the burden of proof falls on the taxpayer.

Commissioner Warren Taylor talked about a similar case with Nedra Barker where the Commissioners forgave the interest and penalties and set up a payment schedule.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to follow the same procedure on this request. Commissioner Ken Richardson seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Mary Walker talked about the schedule of values for 2007. She stated that she is asking the Board to adopt these schedules.

Commissioner Ken Richardson made a motion to adopt the 2007 schedule of values. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Commissioner Graylen Blevins asked Mary Walker about a question a gentleman had asked him about being audited by the Tax Office and being taxes on fuel that was in his tank.

Mary Walker explained that any supplies for any business must be listed on the business listing form in January. She further explained that businesses are taxed on the value that they place on the form. She stated that the computer defaults to a $200 value on supplies.

Linda Edwards, EMS Administrative Director, came before the Board to present the EMS annual report. She talked about equipment upgrades that have been completed IV fluid warmers and glucometers. She explained that currently one ambulance is having the patient compartment removed, refurbished and remounted on a 2006 chassis. She further explained how they submit information to the State electronically. She explained the quality assurance measures that are performed. She talked about the amount of required continuing education for paramedics. She further talked about employee turnover in EMS due to death, resignation, retirement, sickness and workers compensation absences. She explained how this greatly impacts the budget.

Commissioner Warren Taylor and Linda Edwards talked about training through Wilkes Community College.

Planner Amy Pardue presented preliminary plats for River Country II for approval. She stated it is a 73-acre tract with two phases. She explained that phase one will have 13 lots and phase two will have 46 lots. She stated that all lots will have a minimum of one acre. She further stated that she recommends approval for the preliminary plat.

Commissioner Ken Richardson made a motion to approve the preliminary plat. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Jayne Phipps Boger came before the Board to present the Wilkes Community College annual report. She thanked the Board for their continued support. She talked about how the emergency service field receives their training. She reviewed the highlights of Wilkes Community College’s actions for the prior year.

Commissioner Ken Richardson and Jayne Phipps Boger talked about classes for home-school kids being offered if she is approached about it.

Chair Eldon Edwards and Jayne Phipps Boger talked about the classes offered to the emergency service workers.

Chair Eldon Edwards thanked Jayne Phipps Boger for a good report.

Commissioner Warren Taylor stated that DOT has started a new program about safe schools to help build walkways and sidewalks. He further stated that it might be a place to find some money.

Jayne Phipps Boger talked about the safety concerns of adults going to the high school and teenagers coming to the college. She stated that she is working with Mr. Crouse on these issues.

County Manager Don Adams presented Transfer Facility Fund budget amendment #1 in the amount of $5,250. He stated that this is for Municipal Engineering to proceed with renewing the Transfer Facility permit. He explained where the money is coming from and the budget amendment revenue line should read 73-399-0000.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve Transfer Facility budget amendment #1 in the amount of $5,250 with the revenue line change. Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

County Manager Don Adams presented General Fund budget amendment #2 in the amount of $630. He explained that this is monies to pay for videotaping the Commissioners’ meetings.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the General Fund budget amendment #2 in the amount of $630. Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

County Manager Don Adams stated that the Board needs to appoint a Commissioner to be the voting delegate at the NCACC Annual Conference. He further stated that as far as he knew Ken Richardson is the only Commissioner planning on attending this conference.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to designate Ken Richardson to serve as the NCACC voting delegate for the annual conference. Chair Eldon Edwards seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

County Manager Don Adams presented a letter from Sandy Ashley regarding a recommended list of people to serve on the Work First Local Plan Advisory Committee.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the recommended list for the Work First Local Plan Advisory Committee. Chair Eldon Edwards seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

County Manager Don Adams stated that the next topic is related to the Fall Litter Sweep. He explained that he had been approached by Courtney Weat with the National Committee for the New River. He further explained that they are working with New River Campground to help clean New River on September 23 with the Campground agreeing to supply the canoes and haul the collected garbage to the Transfer Facility. He said that they are asking if this garbage can be hauled to the Transfer Facility for free that day. He explained that he told her that the garbage must be separated. He stated that he is assuming the County would be accepting garbage from other places. He explained that according to the National Committee for the New River web site that 3 ton was hauled out of the river last year, which would be around a $200 to $300 expense for the County.

Commissioner Warren Taylor stated that he doesn’t see a problem with it if a person can certify that the garbage is from that day.

County Manager Don Adams talked about setting up guidelines about hauling in the garbage that one particular day.

Commissioner Graylen Blevins talked about the benefits being well worth the effort.

Commissioner Graylen Blevins made a motion to provide New River Campground free garbage disposal on September 23. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

County Manager Don Adams explained that Commissioner Blevins and he met on August 14 with the Edmonds Community concerning the water issue. He stated that is the report back to the Board regarding that meeting. He handed out maps showing the location of people’s properties that attended the meeting and a costs summary for the water line. He stated that 23 people attended the meeting with 5 potential customers included in the costs summary of $150,000, 15 potential customers in a realistic service area and 3 outside of a realistic service area. He reviewed maps of the Edmonds community and explained that the $150,000 cost estimate gets water from the Virginia state line to the Foggy Mountain General Store. He stated that there is 26 pounds of pressure at the Virginia Line and North Carolina State law requires a minimum of 30 pounds of pressure. He explained that a pumping station would be necessary to get the poundage needed. He talked about Foggy Mountain General Store’s underground tanks don’t meet the guidelines but a new law states that they must replace just the service lines not the tanks. He stated that previous thoughts were that if municipal water was provided then the store could open but Alleghany County would have to mandate all of the public water supplies within 500 feet and everyone in the area would have to hook onto the water supply. He explained that he told the community that the Board of Commissioners didn’t want to mandate who hooks up to the water. He talked about looking at a much larger service area. He said that the message that he sent to the community was the need to expand the service area and have 80% participation.

Commissioner Warren Taylor and County Manager Don Adams talked about preliminary conversations regarding a larger service area and the costs associated with the larger service area.

Commissioner Graylen Blevins stated the cost that he remembers from the meeting is $40-$50 per foot for the lines and $750 for the meter hookup. He further stated that if you break it down regarding the commitment, then participates are looking at $1,500 to hookup then the monthly fee. He talked about how good the meeting went.

County Manager Don Adams stated that one request was to proceed on and designate a service area. He explained that he feels like the County has received as much free work that we will get on this project and if the Board wants to move forward, then he needs to put together a budget to hire Kevin Heath.

Commissioner Warren Taylor talked about the original question is do they want water or gas.

County Manager Don Adams talked about the community getting together and having the 80% participation rate.

Commissioner Warren Taylor stated that he thinks this project is cost prohibitive for individuals participating.

Commissioner Graylen Blevins stated in reference to a comment made at the August 14 meeting, this issue is not a political issue, money is the issue.

Chair Eldon Edwards stated that he doesn’t think the County should mandate people to participate. He further stated that he thinks the burden should be placed back onto the community.

Commissioner Graylen Blevins talked about if a grant was received, the costs would have to be reduced. He explained that if the grant sources were looking at helping a community that had a $100 per month cost versus a $20 per month cost, the grant funding will go to the $20 per month cost group.

Commissioner Warren Taylor reiterated that this project is cost prohibitive.

Chair Eldon Edwards agreed.

Commissioner Graylen Blevins stated that it doesn’t make sense to offer this based on the cost numbers. He talked about this was a great fact-finding mission.

Chair Eldon Edwards stated that he recommends the Board take no action on this because the Board can’t get involved with a community request and because it is cost prohibitive.

Commissioner Graylen Blevins stated he agrees.

Commissioner Ken Richardson stated that he wanted to thank Commissioner Blevins and the County Manager for the time spent on this project. He further stated he doesn’t know what else to do except educate the community.

County Manager Don Adams reminded the Board that they approved $15,924 for consoles and $13,900 for renovations with carpet costs to come later for the Dispatch area.

Chair Eldon Edwards stated that further action should be taken on this matter regarding when this project will be completed.

Commissioner Warren Taylor stated to allow the County Manager to be more involved with the project.

County Manager Don Adams stated that he spoke to the Sheriff about this meeting, and no money has been spent yet.

Commissioner Warren Taylor, Commissioner Graylen Blevins and Chair Eldon Edwards agreed about letting the County Manager take a more active role and creating a timeline for the September 5 meeting.

County Manager Don Adams stated that he will have pricing and everything as long as he gets cooperation from the Sheriff’s Department.

County Manager Don Adams talked about the roof at the Senior Center / Community Building. He stated that two quotes were in the budget; Matthew Johnson $5,200 and Ronnie Crouse $6,200. He explained that Matthew Johnson has backed away from the job and Ronnie Crouse won’t return any phone calls. He further explained that Larry Davis has obtained more quotes; Frank Dillard $9,000 work to be started in a month, Greg Miller $9,900 work to be started in two weeks and Naasson Williams $10,000 work to be started on Saturday. He stated that this is a metal roof.

Chair Eldon Edwards and Commissioner Warren Taylor talked about the work needs to be completed now because of upcoming weather conditions.

Commissioner Warren Taylor, Chair Eldon Edwards and Commissioner Graylen Blevins talked about spending the extra $100 to the get job done now.

Commissioner Ken Richardson asked about a warranty on the job.

County Manager Don Adams stated that he wasn’t sure.

Commissioner Ken Richardson stated that he recommends drawing up a contract.

Commissioner Graylen Blevins talked about getting the information on the warranty work and a time frame.

Chair Eldon Edwards made a motion to approve Naasson Williams’s bid contingent on he will stand behind the workmanship. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.

Commissioner Ken Richardson talked about needing a start date and completion date.

Chair Eldon Edwards said that the start date is Saturday.

Commissioner Graylen Blevins stated that all three men are very capable of doing this work to exceed our requirements but the information needs to be in writing.

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

Chair Eldon Edwards asked for public comments. None were received.

Chair Eldon Edwards made a motion to enter into closed session at 11:46am under NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (3)—legal and (a) (6)—personnel. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Chair Eldon Edwards called a 5- minute recess at 11:46am.

Chair Eldon Edwards made a motion to adjourn the closed session at 12:26pm and reconvene the regular meeting. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Chair Eldon Edwards stated that no decisions were made during closed session.

Being no further business, Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:27pm. Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Respectfully Submitted,

Karen Evans

Clerk to the Board

Attest:

Eldon Edwards

Chairman