The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in
regular session on Wednesday, January 23, 2008, at 3:30pm in the Board Meeting
Room of the County Administration Building, 348 South Main Street, Sparta,
North Carolina.

Present:
Chair Ken Richardson, Vice-Chair Warren Taylor, Commissioner Randy
Miller, Commissioner Doug Murphy, Commissioner Milly Richardson, County
Attorney Donna Shumate and County Manager Don Adams.  Clerk to the Board Karen Evans was
absent.

Chair Ken Richardson called the meeting to order.

Chair Ken Richardson explained that Clerk to the
Board Karen Evans is attending school and won’t be in attendance at this
meeting.

Commissioner Randy Miller led the Pledge of
Allegiance and opened the meeting with a prayer.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that Item I, Glade Creek
Volunteer Fire Department, needs to be deleted from this agenda.

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to
approve the amended agenda for this January 23, 2008, meeting.  Commissioner Randy Miller seconded the
motion.  Vote 5:0.

AGENDA

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

3:30 PM

3:30                Meeting
Called To Order, Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer

Motion
on Agenda for January 23, 2008, meeting

Motion
on Minutes for January 7, 2008, meeting

Motion
on December Tax Releases & Refunds

3:35    A.        Public
Comments—30 minutes

B.
Mary Walker

RE:
Corrected Tax Refund

C.
John Blevins

RE:
IAT Social Worker & Budget Amendment

D.
Kate Cosner

RE:  Referendum Budget Amendment

E.        Randy
Blankenship

RE:
Inspections Budget Amendment

F.         Sheriff
David Edwards/Belva Miller

RE:
Governors Crime Commission Grant & Budget Amendment

G.        Senior
Services Annual Report

H.        Alleghany
Group Homes Annual Report

I.          Glade
Creek Volunteer Fire Department Annual Report         (deleted)

J.         John
Brady

RE: Sparta Teapot Museum Update

K.
Kathy Murphy

RE: Final Plat Approval

L.         County
Business

1.
Schedule Budget
Planning Meeting

2.
Planning Board
Appointments

3.
Smoking
Policy—County Facilities

4.
Fuel Oil Request
for Bids

5.
Sign Ordinance

6.
Middle School
Brochure

7.
Other Business

8.
Closed
Session—NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (3)—legal

NCGS
143-318.11 (a) (6)—personnel

9.
Adjourn

Commissioner
Doug Murphy made a motion to approve the minutes for the January 7, 2008,
meeting.  Commissioner Milly
Richardson seconded the motion.
Vote 5:0.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson made a motion to approve the real property releases and
refunds for December.  Commissioner
Randy Miller seconded the motion.
Vote 5:0.

Commissioner
Randy Miller made a motion to approve the auto refunds and releases for December.  Commissioner Milly Richardson seconded
the motion.  Vote 5:0.

Chair
Ken Richardson opened the public comments’ portion of the meeting.  He asked for public comments.  None were received.  He closed the public comments’
portion.

Mary
Walker, Tax Administrator, presented a tax refund for Chris Barnes.  She explained that the refund went to
the January 1 owners; the Cartretts, rather than the Barnes’s who
actually paid the taxes.  She further
explained the original check was never cashed and returned to the County.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson made a motion to approve Mary Walker’s request.  Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded the
motion.  Vote 5:0.

John
Blevins, DSS Director, came before the Board to present budget amendment
General Fund #15 in the amount of $2,000.
He explained that this is a donation from the Alleghany Motor Racing
Association and will be used for children in crisis.  He stated his appreciation for the
donation.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #15 in
the amount of $2,000.  Commissioner
Randy Miller seconded the motion.
Vote 5:0.

John
Blevins discussed issues with the pay plan and how it is affecting Social
Services employees.  He explained
that this involves four positions and three classifications; Social Worker
Supervisor at a grade 73, Social Worker III at a grade 69 and Social Worker IAT
at a grade 68.  He further explained
that vacancies have occurred in these positions and according to the current
pay plan; a one-year employee will go over a long-term employee in pay.  He talked about each step requires more
education and more experience with the IAT position being a higher position
than Social Worker III.  He stated
that the State recommends a grade 70 for the IAT position and the Social Services
Board supports that action.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy and John Blevins discussed the State’s recommendation of a
grade 70.

County
Manager Don Adams explained the actions and discussions when the State starting
discussing the IAT position.

Commissioner
Randy Miller made a motion to reclassify the IAT position to a grade 70.  Commissioner Milly Richardson seconded
the motion.  Vote 5:0.

Kate
Cosner, Elections Director, came before the Board to discuss budget amendment
General Fund #16 in the amount of $12,957 for the March 11 referendum.  She explained that the election expense
is $11,515 with the remaining monies to be used for her assistant to work
full-time during one-stop voting and a part-time worker, too.  She further explained that she is asking
for an additional part-time worker during one-stop voting.  She talked about how the referendum
calendar overlaps with the May primary calendar.  She provided examples of the
overlap.  She explained activities
in her office that have been increasing steadily over the past few years and
other areas of changes; State/Federal laws, campaign finance, precinct
standards, same-day voter registration.
She reiterated the overlap in the calendars and time issues for the existing
three workers.  She asked the Board
for an additional person during the one-stop voting process for 92 hours making
$5.85.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson and Kate Cosner discussed the Commissioners did not talk with
the Board of Elections prior to setting the March 11 date about other
activities in the Elections office.

Chair
Ken Richardson asked the County Manager if this would require an additional
budget amendment.  County Manager
Don Adams stated that he would talk to Kate Cosner about these expenses, and
the Board might see another budget amendment.

Commissioner
Warren Taylor made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #16 in the
amount of $12,957 and approve $581 for the temporary worker.  Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded the
motion. Vote 5:0.

Randy
Blankenship, Chief Building Inspector, came before the Board to ask for a
budget amendment for a computer in the amount of $1,399.  He explained that they have put together
a computer from surplus pieces that doesn’t work properly and keeps
turning off.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson and Randy Blankenship discussed contacting Tim Sizemore about
getting a computer through his business cheaper than $1,399.

Chair
Ken Richardson and Commissioner Doug Murphy talked about Randy Blankenship
checking with Tim Sizemore but going ahead and approving the money in case they
can’t get the computer through him in order for the Inspections office to
not have to wait for another two weeks.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #17 contingent
upon checking with Tim Sizemore to see if he can provide a computer
cheaper.  Commissioner Warren Taylor
seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

County
Manager Don Adams presented budget amendment Drug Fund #1 in the amount of $325,661.  He explained that these monies are
mandated to go to the Drug Fund for the Sheriff’s use for drug-related
expenditures.

Belva
Miller explained that this is from something before the current administration,
and it has been a long time coming.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson made a motion to approve budget amendment Drug Fund #1 in the
amount of $325,661.  Commissioner
Randy Miller seconded the motion.
Vote 5:0.

Belva
Miller came before the Board to discuss the Governor’s Crime Commission
Grant.  She explained that they are
asking for $99,593, which requires a 25% match.  She further explained that the match
will come from the Drug Fund monies.
She stated that all of the items are things that they don’t have
currently.  She further stated that
she needs the County Manager and Finance Officer to sign the grant
application.

County
Manager Don Adams reviewed the list of items that they are asking for with the
grant; 6-channel receiver, transmitter/digital recorder, tactical receiver,
pistols, rifles, armor, trauma plates, drug dog and training, automated
fingerprint system.

Commissioner
Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the grant application.  Commissioner Milly Richardson seconded
the motion.  Vote 5:0.

Wanda
Brooks presented the annual report for Senior Services.  She reviewed their program including the
foster grandparent program and their in-service training topics and activities
for the seniors.

Debbie
Welbourn presented information on the Senior Companions program.  She explained that this program provides
assistance to other seniors who can’t get out.  She reviewed the types of services,
types of trainings and activities.

The
Board of Commissioners thanked Wanda Brooks and Debbie Welbourn.

Darlene
Douglas with Alleghany Group Homes presented their annual report.  She reviewed the different agencies
under Alleghany Group Homes and their statistics.  She talked about Alleghany in Motion is
their primary source of transportation.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy talked about how they stretch their money to make it.

John
Brady came before the Board to present an update for the Sparta Teapot
Museum.  He explained the history of
the project, having to regroup, Kamm’s huge teapot collection,
conversations with Sonny Kamm, group couldn’t provide what Sonny Kamm
wants, and they currently do not have an agreement with the Kamm’s.  He further explained that the
Kamm’s have done a lot for the community, and they are still in
discussions with them.  He talked about
having to separate from New River Community Partners and how that has impacted
them.  He further talked about they
have began discussions with others about what could be in the museum.  He explained that they realize they
haven’t done a lot of PR work but they have been in negotiations so they
really haven’t had anything to report.  He stated that they are planning a
community-wide event announcing their plans.

Commissioner
Warren Taylor and John Brady discussed having a time frame for the project.

Chair
Ken Richardson and John Brady discussed the possibility of having discussions
with the historical society to be included in the museum.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson stated that she has been asked what happened to the $4,200,000
that was raised.

John
Brady explained that the Federal and State monies are for the building, and it
has been put in an escrow account.
He talked about private donations, and they have accountants that track
everything.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson and John Brady talked about the project purchased two pieces
of property.

Sarah
Ross explained that they have a payment plan on the entire property.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson stated her disappointment that the house on the corner was
trashed, remained standing and is an eyesore.

John
Brady stated that they agree and realize it needs to be gone.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson stated that she had been told that county money paid for the
fence.

John
Brady stated that no county money has been used on the project.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy and Sarah Ross talked about working with the tourism bureau.

John
Brady stated that they will be happy to work with anyone who will work with
them.

The
Board of Commissioners stated their appreciation for the update.

Kathy
Murphy, Planner, presented a final plat for approval for The Bluffs at River
Country Estates showing an 81-acre tract divided into 62 lots.  She explained the roads in the
subdivision and lot sizes.

Commissioner
Warren Taylor and Kathy Murphy talked about the condition of the roads.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy and Kathy Murphy talked about the water source for the subdivision.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson made a motion to approve the subdivision plat for The Bluffs
at River Country Estates.
Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

County
Manager Don Adams asked the Board if they would like to schedule a budget
meeting after February 18 and before the end of March.

The
Board of Commissioners said to discuss this later.

County
Manager Don Adams reminded the Board that they appointed a nine-member planning
board with an initial one-year term then use staggered terms to get three-year rotating
appointments.  He reviewed the
members and recommended terms according to the member’s preferences;
Michelle Bedsaul-3 years, Bill Caudill-3 years, Martha Holder-3 years, David
Isner-2 years, Jerry Brooks-2 years, Kenneth Brinegar-2 years, Bruce Cook-1
year.  He explained that Dan
Abernathy and Sharrel Wyatt no longer want to serve on the Planning Board.  He reviewed the planning board ordinance
stating that there should be one from each township and two at-large members
and if there are no applicants from a township, the position may be filled by a
resident from another township.  He
talked about Prathers Creek and Whitehead has a vacancy.  He further talked about advertising for
these positions.

Chair
Ken Richardson talked about attaching terms for the seven people that are
interested in continuing to serve.

County
Manager Don Adams read the portion of the planning board ordinance stating that
the members of the Planning Board shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of
Commissioners.

County
Attorney Donna Shumate talked about reiterating that point in the motion.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson made a motion to appoint the following people to serve on the
Planning Board at the pleasure of the Board of Commissioners; Michelle
Bedsaul-3 years, Bill Caudill-3 years, Martha Holder-3 years, David Isner-2
years, Jerry Brooks-2 years, Kenneth Brinegar-2 years, Bruce Cook-1 year.  Commissioner Randy Miller seconded the
motion.  Vote 5:0.

County
Manager Don Adams read the advertisement for the two vacant positions.  He talked about reviewing the
applications on the 18th.

County
Manager Don Adams explained that there are new laws regarding smoking in County
facilities.  He further explained
the old law versus the new law.  He
talked about the only exception to no smoking in County facilities are the Jail
area and the area behind the Courtroom. He explained why those are the
exceptions.  He asked the Board to
vote to solidify that there is no smoking in existing County facilities with
the exception of the Jail area and the area behind the Courtroom.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson talked about the need to ban smoking in the Law Enforcement
Center to comply with the State law because there are State offices in the
facility.

County
Manager Don Adams talked about the authority for County facilities are the
County’s responsibility.

County
Attorney Donna Shumate read a portion from the Health Law Bulletin from the
School of Government regarding State offices in any area of buildings leased
and occupied by the State as lessee.

Commissioner
Warren Taylor talked about the need to hear from the Sheriff about the Law
Enforcement Center before banning smoking.

Chair
Ken Richardson asked about the area at the Courthouse.

County
Manager Don Adams explained the reason for having a smoking area in the back of
the Courtroom is because a jailer must be with the inmates at all times.

Chair
Ken Richardson talked about tabling this until the Sheriff can talk with the
Commissioners.

County
Manager Don Adams asked about making County-owned facilities smoke free with
the exception of those areas.

Commissioner
Warren Taylor made a motion to make the County facilities smoke free with the
exception of the Jail and the area behind the Courtroom.  Commissioner Milly Richardson seconded
the motion.  Vote 5:0.

County
Manager Don Adams presented the request for fuel oil bids.  He explained the timeline for the RFB’s.

County
Manager Don Adams presented the proposed Sign Ordinance that has been approved by
the Planning Board.  He talked about
notification differences if it is passed under police powers or under
zoning.  He further talked about
this ordinance is very detailed, and he questions the Planner’s ability
to enforce this along with all of the other ordinances.  He stated that there are exclusions and
exempted signs.

Kathy
Murphy talked about changes to the ordinance that the Planning Board made.

County
Manager Don Adams explained that any permanent sign is regulated.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy asked if the Planner would be the enforcer.

Kathy
Murphy explained that there are two sections in the ordinance on enforcement.

County
Manager Don Adams reminded everyone that billboards is what started these
discussions.

The
Board of Commissioners, County Manager Don Adams and Kathy Murphy discussed the
process of getting a sign.

Chair
Ken Richardson talked about making the ordinance effective on March 1 and
grandfathering everything that exists prior to that.  He said that he is interested in
billboards and their size.

Kathy
Murphy stated that the Planning Board made the ordinance more restrictive.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy stated his appreciation for the Planning Board’s hard work
but he would like to have time to read through the proposed ordinance.

County
Manager Don Adams reiterated from the staff’s standpoint that this
ordinance needs more discussions because Kathy Murphy is spending her time
enforcing the current ordinances, and the sign ordinance will create staffing
issues.  He talked about other
places have someone that only enforces the sign ordinance.

Commissioner
Warren Taylor and County Manager Don Adams discussed the expiration of the
moratorium being February 15.

Commissioner
Warren Taylor stated that the original intent was billboards.  He further stated that he is not in
favor of permitting.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy asked about the definition of a billboard.

County
Attorney Donna Shumate stated that there isn’t a legal definition of a
billboard but there are industry-standard sizes.

Commissioner
Warren Taylor stated that he is hearing that the smaller signs in Piney Creek
are not a problem, just the larger billboard ones.

Chair
Ken Richardson stated that it is up to the Commissioners to decide the size and
everything above that size will be prohibited.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson talked about taking the proposed ordinance home to review it.

Chair
Ken Richardson asked about scheduling the public hearing to comply with the
February 15 date.

County
Attorney Donna Shumate stated that after talking to Tom Terrell, the public
hearing would have to be advertised for two weeks to pass it under zoning.  She stated that the Board doesn’t
have to adopt what is in front of them but they will have to have a public
hearing.

County
Manager Don Adams and County Attorney Donna Shumate talked about public hearing
requirements.  He asked the Board
about scheduling the public hearing on February 18.  She suggested that the Board could
request the Planning Board come up with an alternative.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson stated that the Planning Board has come up with their
ordinance, and the Commissioners shouldn’t send it back.

Chair
Ken Richardson and County Manager Don Adams talked about a public hearing on
February 18 under zoning.

County
Attorney Donna Shumate asked that this topic be discussed at the February 4
meeting.  The Board agreed.

County
Manager Don Adams presented the Middle school brochure issued by the Board of
Education regarding the March 11 referendum.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson asked the County Manager if he had shared his concerns with
this publication to Dr. Jeff Cox.

County
Manager Don Adams explained that his name is on the brochure, and he reviewed
the accuracy of the numbers.  He
reviewed his initial concerns about clarifying the amount of additional money
on farm land and short-term/long-term needs.  He stated that the information about the
school and programming were provided by the Board of Education and Dr. Cox.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy stated that he keeps getting asked how much taxes is for the
building and how much for the recurring costs.

County
Manager Don Adams stated that if property taxes are used to pay for the project
it would be 5¢ for the building and 4¢ for the operating expenses for
a total of 9¢.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson asked about a statement in the brochure stating that there are
other ways to finance the middle school because the Board of Commissioners
could call for a referendum on the land transfer tax.  She talked about the chance for land
transfer tax is slim to none.

Dr.
Jeff Cox explained the answer in the brochure and that all of the debt would
not have to be property taxes because it could be transfer tax.  He said that the projections are around
$400,000 per year.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson talked about the transfer tax hasn’t passed in any
county that has put it to a referendum.

Dr.
Cox talked about financing options could include the land transfer tax.  He stated that it could off-set a
property tax increase with a land transfer tax.  He further stated that those counties
did not present it to the voters like that.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson and Dr. Cox continued talking about the land transfer tax.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy talked about using the land transfer tax for infrastructure.

Dr.
Cox stated that if it all went on property taxes then it would be 5¢ and
4¢ but there are other options to consider beside property taxes like the
land transfer tax and Medicaid relief.

Commissioner
Randy Miller and Commissioner Milly Richardson talked about different ways to
finance the middle school.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson compared the Medicaid relief to the intangible taxes.

Dr.
Cox stated that all he can base his figures on is the current situation.  He said he doesn’t want to scare
people away with the 9¢ when there are other options.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson talked about being in a recession and it could impact
people’s ability to pay their taxes.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy stated that the Commissioners’ job is to present all of the
options.  He said that he wanted it
clarified about the price of the shell building and the price for
administration.  He further said that
Randy Miller brought up to the Commissioners the need to discuss the land
transfer issue.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson talked about if the referendum passes, this Board’s only
power is to raise taxes.

County
Manager Don Adams stated that just because the referendum passes that is not
the last step.  He talked about
having to go through public hearings, and the process the Commissioners will
have to decide on how to fund the middle school.  He said that the Board will look at all
avenues.  He further said that issues
will be examined by the Board as they arise.

Clarence
Crouse stated that the Board of Education wanted to provide factual information
to the citizens of the county.  He
talked about “could” is the keyword in those statements.

Commissioner
Warren Taylor stated that if the General Assembly wanted counties to have land
transfer taxes they would have made it available without a referendum.

Dr.
Cox stated that these have been fair questions, and they wanted to give an even-handed
presentation to the public.

County
Manager Don Adams talked about the statement of the land transfer tax could
provide the vast majority of the $7,500,000 and it being viewed as the vast
majority of the 9¢ rather than the 5¢.  He said what everyone is talking about
is vast majority of the building over a period of time.

Dr.
Cox and County Manager Don Adams talked about options available to the
Commissioners.

County
Manager Don Adams stated that this is correct information because these are
options that can be looked at when discussing how to fund the middle school.

County
Manager Don Adams stated that there will be a retirement party for Jane Wyatt
who is retiring after 30 years of service.

County
Manager Don Adams stated that Graham Fields with Senator Elizabeth Dole’s
office will be here on February 4 from 2:00pm to 3:00pm and is inviting
everyone to come.

Chair
Ken Richardson stated that he wanted to let the Commissioners know that he has
been appointed to the North Carolina Teachers Fellows Program.

Commissioner
Randy Miller made a motion to enter into closed session at 5:55pm under NCGS
143-318.11 (a) (3)—legal and (a) (6)—personnel.  Commissioner Milly Richardson seconded
the motion.  Vote 5:0.

Commissioner
Warren Taylor made a motion to adjourn closed session at 6:18pm and reconvene
the regular meeting.  Commissioner Randy
Miller seconded the motion.  Vote
5:0.

Chair
Ken Richardson stated that no action was taken during closed session.

Being
no further business, Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to adjourn the
meeting at 6:19pm.  Commissioner Randy
Miller seconded the motion.  Vote
5:0.

Respectfully Submitted,

Karen Evans

Clerk to the Board

Attest:

Ken Richardson

Chairman