The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in regular session = on Monday, December 1, 1997 at 6:30 PM in the Conference Room of the County Of= fice Building, 90 South Main Street, Sparta, North Carolina

&= nbsp; The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in regul= ar session on Monday= , April 7, 2008= , at 6:30pm in the= Board Meeting Room of the Count= y Administration Building, 348 South Main Street, Sparta, North Caro= lina.

&= nbsp; Present: Chair Ken Richardson, Vice-Chair W= arren Taylor, Commissioner Randy Miller, Commissioner Doug Murphy, Commissioner M= illy Richardson, County Attorney Donna Shumate, = County Manager Don Adams, and Clerk to the Bo= ard Karen Evans.

Chair Ken Richardson called the meeting to order.

Commissioner Randy Miller led the Pledge of Allegiance and opened the meeting with a pra= yer.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that the 911 contract needs to be added to the agenda= under the 911 public hearing and item I needs to be deleted from the agenda.=

Commission= er Randy Miller made a motion to approve the amended agenda for this April 7, 2008<= /st1:date>, meeting. Commissioner Milly Richardson seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

= ;

AGENDA

Monday, Apr= il 7, 2008

= 6:30 PM

6:30 &= nbsp; Meeting Called To Order <= /o:p>

Pledge of Allegiance and Praye= r

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Motion on Agenda for April 7, 2008, meeting

Motion on Minutes for March 17 and 19, 2008, meetings

6:35 A. &nbs= p; Public Comments—30 minutes

B. = Public Hearing

RE: 911 Road Names

911 Contract = (added)

C. = Public Hearing

RE: Subdivision Ordinance Revision

D. = John Blevins/Angie Wagoner

RE: Summer Child Care Funding Crisis

E. = Mary Walker

RE: Vehicle Appeal

Tag Office

F. &nbs= p; Randy Blankenship

RE: Automotive Budget Amendment

&= nbsp; G. Sheriff David Edwards

RE: Detent= ion Officers’ Pay & Budget Amendments

H. = Planning Annual Report

I. = &nb= sp; Piney Creek Volunteer Fire Department Annual Report (deleted)=

J. = Cherry Lane Volunteer Fire Department Annual Report

K. = Bob Alexander

RE: Appeal=

L. = County B= usiness

1. Home & Community Care Block Grant

2. RPO Memorandum of Understandin= g

3. Child Abuse Proclamation<= /o:p>

4. Budget Amendment—Emergen= cy Management Grant

5. Budget Amendments—Soil &= amp; Water

6. Budget Amendment—Skate Park

7. Fee Release Request=

8. Joint Meeting with Board of Education

9. Other Business

10. Adjourn

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to approve the minutes for the March 17 and = 19, 2008, meetings. Commi= ssioner Randy Miller seconded t= he motion. Vote 5:0.<= /span>

Chair Ken Richardson opened the public comments’ portion of the meeting and asked for public comments.

Tommy Higgins came before the Board to comment on the North Carolina License Plate office. He talked about how expensive it is to go out of town and the amount of revenues that is going = out of the county. He said there = is no reason why the county can’t provide this service even if it doesnR= 17;t make any money because it is a service.&nb= sp; He stated that the county has the space and people. He reiterated that there is no rea= son it can’t be done. He state= d his appreciation for the Board’s consideration on this matter.

Rene Wainscot Ingram came before the Board to discuss issues with daycare funding. She explained as a s= ingle parent she can’t afford daycare without help. She talked about the costs of item= s. She stated that they need all of t= he help that can be received, and the county should help get the daycare monie= s. She talked about it is suppose to = be cut off at the end of the month. = She further talked about the limited number of daycares available. She reiterated that this issue need= s to be addressed.

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

Wendy Williams, E-911 Coordinator/Mapper, c= ame before the Board to present two road names; BP Tree Farm Lane, Swimming Hole Lane. She explained where each road is located.<= /p>

Chair Ken Richardson opened the public hearing regarding the 911 road names at 6:40pm.<= /p>

Chair Ken Richardson asked for public comments.&= nbsp; None were received.

Chair Ken Richardson closed the public hearing at 6:41pm and reconvened the regular meeting.

&= nbsp; Commissioner Doug Murphy made a motion to a= pprove the road names as presented by the E-911 Coordinator/Mapper. Commissioner Randy Miller seconded= the motion. Vote 5:0. =

&= nbsp; Wendy Williams talked about the 911 system. She exp= lained that the current 911 system contract is due to expire on May 16. She further explained that the cur= rent lease is for the equipment, 24/7 support and maintenance for $6,952 per month. She stated that they a= re recommending buying out the current lease at a cost of $15,651 and continue= to pay for support and maintenance. She further stated that it will cost $2,678 per month after May 16 f= or the support and maintenance. = She explained that the additional months will allow Ryan Lane and her to make recommendations for any upgrades and changes, if needed.

&= nbsp; Commissioner Warren Taylor asked how long i= t will be before there is a recommendation for the upgrade.

&= nbsp; Wendy Williams stated four months.<= /span>

&= nbsp; County Manager Don Adams explained that he as= ked Ryan Lane<= /st1:PersonName> to have demonstrations from the companies performed for the group of end us= ers, and then bring recommendations back to the Board. He explained that process shouldn’t take more than four months. He further explained how this acti= on could affect the 911 fund and the coverage of the maintenance agreement.

&= nbsp; Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to grant the requested action. Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded = the motion. Vote 5:0. =

&= nbsp; Kathy Murphy, Planner, came before the Board to discuss concerns about the subdivision ordinance. She read the wordi= ng changes to the ordinance; “No Minor Subdivision will be allowed within a subdivision that results in a subdivision totaling six (6) or greater lots, building sites, = or other divisions of land (including but not limited to previously subdivided= and recorded subdivision lots, proposed subdivision lots, and new minor subdivi= sion lots) without meeting the requirements of the Major Subdivision standards as set forth in this Ordinance. = Private Driveways will not be utilized to access more than one (1) lot building sit= e, or other divisions of land within any subdivision or combination of subdivisions totaling six (6) or greater lots, building sites, or other divisions of land (including but not limited to previously subdivided and r= ecorded subdivision lots, proposed subdivision lots, and new minor subdivision lots).” She stated that= these are the recommendations by the Planning Board to the Commissione= rs.

&= nbsp; Commissioner Doug Murphy asked for clarific= ation about a subdivision in a subdivision.

&= nbsp; Kathy Murphy explained that if you don’t have a 50 feet right of way, you c= an only have five lots, parcel could not be subdivided unless brought up to th= e 50 feet right-of-way requirement. She explained an example of a five-acre tract divided into five one-acre lots without going through the Commissioners, but now that plat would go before = the Commissioners for approval because it would be a subdivision in a subdivisi= on.

Chair Ken Richardson opened the public hearing regarding the subdivision ordinance revisions at 6:48pm.

Chair Ken Richardson asked for public comments.&= nbsp;

Susan Reinhardt came before the Board and asked for clarification from K= athy Murphy about the number of lots.

Kathy Murphy explained that when it goes to six lots, the Planner would not be ab= le to sign off on it as before because it would require approval from the Boar= d of Commissioners. She further explained that the proposed changes are just clarifying that you can’= t do a subdivision in another subdivision without the Commissioners’ approval. She read the propos= ed changes again.

Susan Reinhardt and Kathy Murphy talked about if the land had already be= en subdivided, the original subdivision of five lots with= one lot being divided gets the total lots to six then it would require Board of Commissioners approval. Susan Reinhardt stated that she didn’t h= ave a problem with that.

Glenn Canoy asked if the right of way is not meeting = the requirements now, does that decide whether you can divide it.

Kathy Murphy and Glenn Canoy discussed that if you ha= ve less than a 50 foot right of way, you have what you have and used an exampl= e of not having enough right of way.

Glen Cannoy stated that is good.

Linda Chekanow, President of Town and Country Homeowners Association, stated that they endorse the changes. She= explained how this could have impacted subdivisions.= She reiterated that they endorse the changes to the ordinance.<= /o:p>

Chair Ken Richardson asked for further public comments. None were received.

Chair Ken Richardson closed the public hearing at 6:55pm and reconvened the regular meeting.

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to approve the changes. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.

County Manage= r Don Adams explained that the changes have been inserted into the ordinance and a sect= ion added about superseding other subdivision ordinances.

Commissioner Doug Murphy asked had this information been provided to the users.

Kathy Murphy stated that she provided the information to the people that work with subdivisions.

The Board voted on the motion on the floor.&nb= sp; Vote 5:0.

John Blevins, Social Services Director, came before the Board to discuss the day= care funding crisis. He talked abo= ut the current year daycare funding and how they decided to have summer childcare early in the fiscal year. He explained that they received notification from the State in October of a $4= 2,000 reduction. He further explain= ed how it affects the childcare numbers; 157 children currently with 22 on a waiti= ng list. He talked about childca= re numbers for next year and the projected $201,090 decrease from the current = year funding. He explained the imp= act of that decrease including eliminating summer care. He talked about it takes an estima= ted $30,218 for summer care subsidy. He s= tated that the County will spend $28,000 in County money to administer this program.

Commissioner Warren Taylor and John Blevins talked about there isn’t money in the DSS budget to cover this and $3= 0,218 required in actual subsidy to provide summer care. Mr. Blevins stated that they feel = like the County might get additional money from the State and what the County could = expect.

Commissioner Doug Murphy and John Blevins discussed the 30% reduction for Alleghany County and how the State figured the 30%. Mr. Blevins continued explaining ho= w the 30% was arrived at, including the UCP monies (special-needs allotment) was = one of the highest received across the state and how the State is looking to co= mpletely reduce the amount the State pays. Mr. Blevins stated that sending letters help but he thinks the decision has alr= eady been made.

County Manage= r Don Adams = and John Blevins talked about the special-needs money must be spent on special-needs children. They talked about t= he summer money and the ratio of the number of children affected.

Commissioner Warren Taylor and John Blevins discussed that childcare subsidy is based on income levels.

Commissioner Randy Miller and John Blevins discussed the amount to administer the summer program, and DSS gets $60,000 to administer the childcare program.

Angie Wagoner came before the Board representing the parents and the childcare industry. She explained how t= his impacts families, and 52 children will be impacted by the summer program. She further explained how it will = impact families and daycares; summer childcare needs are full-time help rather tha= n part-time, not a lot of other options, daycares rely on private funding and subsidy, c= osts for running daycares, some families have other options but is it the best option. She talked about fund= ing for next year, and the County needs every penny that we can get. She further talked about the 30% c= ut; summer care and special-needs children need to get their assistance. She gave an example of a single da= d that had to let a job go because he couldn’t get childcare subsidy. She talked about a Partnership stu= dy regarding the economic impact of the childcare industry for the State. She quoted parts of the impact stu= dy. She asked the Board to do what the= y can to help.

Commissioner Doug Murphy asked what kids get in the summer program. Angie Wagoner explained that dayca= res hire additional staff. She ga= ve examples including having lesson plans, taking them to parks/pools and havi= ng people come in to do programs. She stated that quality education activities go on.

The Board of Commissioners and John Blevins discussed the summer childcare issu= e.

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to fund the summer program at the level DSS = has described. Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Chair Ken Richardson talked about the anticipated shortfall for next year. He stated that they will do their = best to express the concerns to the State. He further stated that tonight the Board cannot address next year’s shortfall but Mr. Blevins has made the Board aware of it.

Commissioner Milly Richardson, Angie Wagoner and John Blevins discussed how other counti= es help with summer care.

Commissioner Warren Taylor asked if the extra money is needed for this year or next. John Blevins stated that it is for= 2008-09. Commissioner Warren Taylor talked = about our lobbying efforts, and asked what forum DSS has to express our concerns. John Blevins explained that DSS directors meet each month, he has talked to the daycare chair, and our conc= erns will be brought up. Commissio= ner Warren Taylor stated that he would like for John Blevins to continue conversations with our Chairman for the best way to communicate our concerns. <= /p>

Mary Walker, Tax Administrator, presented a vehicle tax appeal for a 2001 Jeep 4-door sport with her recommendation being $4,225.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the Tax Administrator’s recommendation of $4,225. Commissioner Milly Richardson seco= nded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that this Board never said that Alleghany County will not have a DMV office. He explained the process that the County went through; Board asked Mary Walker= to come with the costs to operate the tag office having two employees. He explained that there had been e= nough interest in the public that the Commissioners said to let someone from the public sector run the tag office. He further explained that it was referred back to DMV with the understanding that if they didn’t find someone to run the tag office, then the discussion would come back to the County.

Commissioner Milly Richardson stated that DMV interviewed three people, first person sel= ected declined the offer, and they didn’t consider the other two applicants. She further state= d that the Commissioners haven’t been stalling on this issue but DMV dropped= the ball.

Mary Walker talked about the tag office. She stated that we would be doing this as a service, and is not oppo= sed to it. She explained that her= estimates are based on Ashe, McDowell and Watauga counties who operate tag offices. She talked about she was at a rece= nt meeting talking about a law stating that in 2010 people pay for taxes and t= ags at the same time. She further talked about fees may change when that happens. She reiterated that they are not o= pposed to administering the tags and titles, and these figures are estimates at th= is time.

Commissioner Warren Taylor and Mary Walker talked about start-up costs.

Commissioner Doug Murphy talked about the difference in the revenues and expenditures be= ing around $23,000.

County Manage= r Don Adams explained the space for the DMV office would be across the hall from the tax office. He further explained = that if the Commissioners say go today, the County would have to put an application= in and it will take 90 days to get phone lines here and through the hiring and= training process.

Mary Walker explained the training portion consists of three weeks of training f= or two people.

County Manage= r Don Adams = stated that is the timeline presented by the State.

Commissioner Warren Taylor and County Manager Don Adams talked about the timeline for the State if they go through a private person= would be additional 2-3 months on top of the original 2-3 months.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to authorize Mary Walker to proceed with the DMV program. Commissioner Milly Richardson seco= nded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Randy Blankenship, Chief Building Inspector, came before the Board to req= uest an automotive line item amendment. <= /span>He explained that this is due to breakdowns and gas. He stated that he is asking for $4= ,527. He explained that they will have to replace the transmission in the S-10. He further explained repairs that have already been made to the pick= up this year. He talked about th= eir fuel costs for the remainder of the year. He told the Board that both pickups have over 100,000 miles and over half of those are off-road miles.

Commissioner Doug Murphy made a motion to a= pprove the request. Commissioner Mil= ly Richardson seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Sheriff David Edwards and Steve Cothren came before the= Board to discuss a pay increase for the jailers. They passed out information pack= ets to the Board. They explained = the handouts including amount of revenues the County receives for housing feder= al inmates, Ashe County revenues, jailers starting salary for Wilkes, Surry and Ashe counties and the number of staff= /inmates.

Chair Ken Richardson, Commissioner Milly Richardson and County Manager Don Adams discussed the revenues for housing f= ederal inmates and what the money is used for.

Steve Cothren asked for a 10% increase for jail staff= which is around $23,000. He explain= ed that he has $29,000 left for this year. He further explained that they can&= #8217;t keep help, and has lost four jailers in six months. He stated that Alleghany County pays for training, and then they leave. He further stated that 10% won̵= 7;t get us to the starting salary in Ashe, but this is the beginning.

Commissioner Warren Taylor, Commissioner Doug Murphy and Steve Cothren discussed the existing jailers co= ver the shifts when someone quits.

Chair Ken Richardson explained the need to try to get all county salaries up. He further explained that there isn’t any department that he doesn’t hear from regarding salari= es. He talked about the salary survey c= ompleted 3-4 years ago showed an average of 18% below starting pay, and the Board implemented a plan over a 3-year period.&n= bsp; He stated his concern that if the Commissioners do for one, all of t= he other departments will be here at the next meeting.

Sheriff Edwards talked about the addition of federal prisoners.

Chair Ken Richardson explained that during the salary study each job description = was redone and each job was ranked according to the job requirements.

Sheriff Edwards and Chair Ken Richardson talked about if job requirements have chan= ged then the job descriptions need to be redone.

Commissioner Milly Richardson stated that the turnover rate is a concern.

Chair Ken Richardson explained that you cannot have a salary administration witho= ut having procedures. He talked = about it is up to this Board whether to give one group 10% or give all 10% but it= has to be done in a logical way.

Steve Cothren reiterated that the jailers have been g= rossly underpaid for years.

Commissioner Doug Murphy asked is there other pay grades. County Manager Don Adams explained that there= are other pay grades, and it is at the discretion of this Board to set those grades.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>

Commissioner Milly Richardson stated that you cannot continue to train jailers, and then they leave.

&= nbsp; Steve Cothren stated that the money is still there wi= thout having to do a budget amendment.

Chair Ken Richardson asked what about EMS and DSS. He said he is not saying= there isn’t a problem but the need to sit down to find out how to address t= he problem. He stated that he ag= rees tonight about the need to get these salaries up, not just jailers but all salaries.

Commissioner Milly Richardson talked about the job these guys are doing and are doing a = less desirable job. She further ta= lked about dealing with this issue separately.

Commissioner Doug Murphy talked about looking at the grades.

County Manage= r Don Adams = stated that the Board could add steps to the grades. He explained that raises go to inc= rease starting pay. He explained ho= w the raises are applied. He talked= about this 10% increase will cause waves through the departments. He requested the Board to look at = all salaries. <= /p>

Chair Ken Richardson reiterated the need to look at the job descriptions, and if = they are wrong, and then fix it.

The Board of Commissioners and County Manager Don A= dams talked about ways to look at salaries.&nbs= p; County Manager Don Adams talked about looking at starting pay and longevity.= He explained that the first salary = study looked at starting pay only. He talk= ed about there are multiple ways to look at salaries with a consultant or with= out a consultant.

Commissioner Milly Richardson talked about changing the grade and not singling them out.

Commissioner Doug Murphy stated the need to look at grades and stay with the system.

Chair Ken Richardson used an example of Randy Blanken= ship has one employee that is grossly underpaid and does more than the job description says. He ur= ged the Board to do it but do it across the board. He talked about the County Manager and Sheriff sitting down to look at the job descriptions.

Commissioner Doug Murphy and Steve Cothren discussed a jaile= r is a grade 60.

Commissioner Milly Richardson asked if experience is figured in.

County Manage= r Don Adams = stated that it would work if raises were given for a cost of living and experience. He reiterated how= raises have worked in the past. He t= alked about the number of requests coming before the Board this budget year.=

Chair Ken Richardson and Steve Cothren talked about t= he amount of money remaining in his budget this year to cover the request this year and next year.

Commissioner Milly Richardson talked about giving them money for 2008-09 to allow them t= o be paid.

County Manager Don Adams recommended = jumping up a couple of grades or give everyone a $2,000 raise.

Commissioner Milly Richardson talked about the need to look at this. Commissioner Doug Murphy agreed.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that he hated that they didn’t work with the County Manager.

Sheriff Edwards and Steve Cothren stated that they did,= last year.

County Manage= r Don Adams = stated that they requested 10% last year.

Chair Ken Richardson explained that the County Manager has the responsibility of administering the salary plan. He suggested sitting down and disc= ussing this. He talked about the Commissioners have a budget meeting on April 16^th. He asked if the Sheriff and Steve = Cothren can come then.

Steve Cothren stated that he is requesting a vote ton= ight.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that the Board is not going to vote on it tonight. He asked them to come back on the = 16^th.

Sheriff Edwards explained that they received a live scan machine that goes straight= to the SBI. He explained its pur= pose. He further explained the need for = the printer that goes with it in the amount of $2,500. He stated that this was in the gra= nt, and they didn’t get it.

The Board of Commissioners, County Manager Don Adam= s and Sheriff Edwards talked about the printer can’t come from the drug fund.

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to approve money for the printer. Commissioner Randy Miller seconded= the motion. Vote 5:0.

County Manage= r Don Adams = explained budget amendment General Fund #30 in the amount of $67,365. He further explained that he had r= equested Joy Hines to meet with Belva Miller to review these budgets. He s= tated that this is for line items over spent; retirement/401K, auto, part-time salaries—dispatch, telephone—dispatch, hospital expense—j= ail, boarding of prisoners—jail.

Sheriff Edwards explained the costs and the reasons for each line item. =

Chair Ken Richardson, Commissioner Milly Richardson and Sheriff Edwards discussed= the hospital/medical expense line and the contract that was approved earlier. They discussed the boarding of pri= soners.

Commissioner Warren Taylor asked how the phone line would go over $2,000. Sheriff Edwards stated he didnR= 17;t know but will look into it.

County Manage= r Don Adams explained that on the majority of the line items the Board don’t have a choice.

The Board of Commissioners and Sheriff Edwards discussed the need for the addit= ional funds and how this budget amendment should take care of it.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #30 in the amount of $67,365. Commissioner Milly Richardso= n seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

The Board took a 5-minute recess at 8:34pm.

Kathy Murphy, Planner, presented the annual report for the Planning Department. She thanked the Board for allowing= her the opportunity to serve the citizens of Alleghany County. She explained the number of Planni= ng Board meetings and types; number of land development permits issued; visitor log; 211 phone messages; plat log and number; plats reviewed; number of mailings and types; overview of trainings for herself, staff and Planning B= oard; ongoing projects including floodplain review. She talked about the amount of work coming through her office; her assistant is 20% planning and 80%recreation.= She further talked about the need = for a full-time person. She asked the Board t= o take that under advisement. <= /o:p>

Chair Ken Richardson stated that this has been an eye opener about this office generating this much activity.

Commissioner Doug Murphy asked if the Planner is running the Planning Board meetings.

Kathy Murphy stated that it depends on what the Planning Board is doing. She gave examples.

Brian Edwards, Captain, with Cherry Lane Volunteer Fire Department presented their annual report. He reviewed the number of members, types of equipment, number and types of calls, classes t= hat are being held currently, projected training for the upcoming year, area of coverage, fire rating of 9S and 7, types of fundraisers, hosted trainings a= nd activities. He talked about t= heir money is put in their General Fund to be used for general operating expenses. He talked about they are consideri= ng placing a roof on their building.

The Board of Commissioners thanked them for their hard work.<= /p>

Bob Alexander stated that he is here to ask for something that he has already b= een given. He explained the circumstances of acquiring an ABC permit for Silver Dollar and putting in a kitchen that took 14 months to get a sewer permit. He further explained their circums= tances regarding the kitchen will be running soon. He said he has had to postpone some events due to this mishap. He stated that he is under the impression that if the Board decides on the app= eal tonight someone can sign the permit tonight.

County Attorn= ey Donna Shumate explained that Mr. Alexander’s wife called and explained the circumstances. She further explained the options = that were available to them. She s= tated that the Property Rights Protection Ordinance was passed in May 2006; ABC p= ermit was completed in October 2006 and signed by the prior planner who signed it= erroneously.

Commissioner Warren Taylor and Kathy Murphy talked about there is a conditional-use permit to be considered by the Plan= ning Board Monday night.

County Attorn= ey Donna Shumate talked about if it came to her without the signature then no, it wouldn’t have vested rights, but now, she isn&#= 8217;t sure.

Commissioner Milly Richardson offered suggestions to Mr. Alexander’s issue and sta= ted that she thinks the Board should let him go forward.

Chair Ken Richardson and Kathy Murphy reviewed the Planning Board’s process= .

Commissioner Milly Richardson asked why make him go through additional hoops when the ou= tcome will be the same.

Kathy Murphy stated that all permits have a time frame, normally if they are not = used for one year, then it is invalid. She explained that she talked with Wayne Crouse, who oversees the ABC permits, = explaining that the County now has a permitting process.

Commissioner Milly Richardson stated that Mr. Alexander has done all he should have done. She talked about lining up busines= s for Silver Dollar. She asked can = the Board not go ahead and grant vested rights/declare a variance.

Kathy Murphy stated that the public hearing has already been advertised.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that one week from today the process will be decided.= He stated the Board has two option= s; take action or allow the Planning Board to do their job.<= /p>

County Attorney Donna Shumate offered= a third option to table action until the Planning Board makes their decision.=

Commissioner Warren Taylor stated that’s what the Board needs to do.

Kathy Murphy stated that he is on track for Monday night and has paid his $50 application fee.

Commissioner Doug Murphy asked about the time for receiving the conditional-use permit a= fter the Planning Board’s meeting.

Kathy Murphy stated that it would be issued the next day.

Chair Ken Richardson asked if the Board is in agreement with this.

The Board agreed.

County Manage= r Don Adams presented a letter from Council on Aging requesting to be the lead agency f= or the Home and Community Care Block Grant and appoint Lisa Osborne to the advisory board to replace Jane Wyatt, who has retired.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the request. Commissioner Randy Miller seconded= the motion. Vote 5:0.

County Manage= r Don Adams presented the updated memorandum of understanding for the Rural Planning Organization. He explained th= at the major changes deal with the requirements for quorums, allowing for designees for appointments, complying with the open meetings laws and the removal of a COG Executive Board representative.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the memorandum of understanding.&n= bsp; Commissioner Randy Miller seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

County M= anager D= on Adams presented a proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Commissioner Warren Taylor <= /st1:PersonName>made a motion to approve the proclamation. Commissioner Randy Miller seconded the motion. Vote 5:0. =

County M= anager D= on Adams presented budget amendment General Fund #26 in the amount of $4,000 for Emergency Management. He expl= ained that this budget amendment is to create and maintain a resource manual as required by NIMS.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve budg= et amendment General Fund #26 in the amount of $4,000. Commissioner Milly Richardson seco= nded the motion. Vote 5:0.

County M= anager D= on Adams presented budget amendment General Fund #27 in the amount of $200 and #28 in the amount of $651 for the Soil and Water department. He explained that these are to bud= get for donations and additional revenues.

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to approve presented budget amendment General Fund #27 in the amount of $200 and #28 in the amount of $651. Commissio= ner Randy Miller seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

= County= Ma= nager Don Adams presented budget ame= ndment General Fund #29 in the amount of $4,400 for the Skateboard Park that was previously approved.

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #29 in the amount of $4,400. Commissioner Randy Miller seconded= the motion. Vote 5:0. =

County M= anager D= on Adams presented a letter from Larry Prince with the Solid Rock Food Closet asking= for the building permit fee be waived. He reviewed the current policy abo= ut releasing building permit fees.

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

County M= anager D= on Adams stated that the Board of Education would like to schedule another meeting w= ith the Board of Commissioners because they are looking for final direction abo= ut where they need to go.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that he will be glad to meet with them but doesn’t want to discuss the middle school and QZAB fund= s.

Commissioner Randy Miller and Commissioner Milly Richard= son agreed.

Commissioner Milly Richardson stated that she would like= to say, no we are not going to discuss the middle school or QZAB but yes we wi= ll discuss your needs.

Commissioner Doug Murphy said he would like to discuss t= heir needs at the schools. He furt= her said he agreed on the QZAB projects. He stated that the Board needs to listen to what they have to say ab= out needs at other schools. He ta= lked about meeting with them but eliminate those discussions.

Commissioner Milly Richardson said that she thinks we do= n’t need to revisit the middle school or QZAB.

Commissioner Warren Taylor said he would like to have a meeting about where we are on the QZAB project.

County M= anager D= on Adams explained that we don’t have the money yet and is looking to close on= the QZAB project at the end of the month.

Commissioner Doug Murphy talked about the Piney Creek School gym, and it = is very important that stays in place. He said that when looking at the QZAB funding it should be looked at= as it was presented on the application.

Chair Ken Richardson asked the County Manager to relay that to them and if they want a meeting, that’s fine.

County M= anager D= on Adams summarized that he will tell the Board of Education that the Commissioners = talked about the QZAB stays as it is, and at this point, the Commissioners are ask= ing what the needs are at the schools but not as it relates to a middle school.=

Commissioner Doug Murphy stated that he wants to hear th= eir needs at all schools and ways to satisfy the needs.

County M= anager D= on Adams stated that he will talk to Dr. Cox to ask them to give us some dates for a= meeting, and he will bring them back at the next meeting.

Commissioner Doug Murphy stated that he had received a c= all from the vet’s office stating that they have lost a vet. He talked about incentives for the= vet.

Commissioner Milly Richardson stated that the payments s= top if the vet leaves, then starts again with another vet. She talked about they are trying to recruit another vet.

County M= anager D= on Adams talked about the payments for current vet.= He stated that if it is the general consensus to have these discussi= ons for another vet, then the Board will.

Chair Ken Richardson reminded the Commissioners of the B= oard Equalization and Review for tomorrow night.

Chair Ken Richardson reminded the Board about the April = 16^th Department of Transportation’s public hearing at 6:30pm then a budget workshop.

Commissioner Milly Richardson stated that she talked wit= h Tom Horner, and the cemetery issue has been turned over to the attorney general’s office in Rale= igh and someone there has been assigned to the case.

&= nbsp; Being no further business, Commissioner Randy Miller made a motion to adjourn at = 9:15pm. Commissioner Milly Richardson seco= nded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Respectfully submitted, &nb= sp;

Karen Evans &= nbsp; &nbs= p;

Clerk to the Boar= d &= nbsp;

Attest:

Ken Richardson

Chairman