The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in regular
session on Monday, May 7,
2007, at 6:30pm
in the Commissioners Meeting Room of the County Administration
Building, 348 South Main Street, Sparta, North Carolina.

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

Chair
Ken Richardson called the meeting to order.

Commissioner
Warren Taylor led the Pledge of
Allegiance and opened the meeting with a prayer.

Chair
Ken Richardson stated that the resolution on Item G needs to be removed from
the agenda.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson made a motion to approve the amended agenda for this May 7, 2007, meeting.  Commissioner Warren
Taylor seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

AGENDA

Monday,
May 7, 2007

6:30 PM

6:30                Meeting Called To Order, Pledge of
Allegiance and Prayer

Motion
on Agenda for May 7, 2007,
meeting

Motion on Minutes for April 16, 2007, meeting

6:35                Public Hearing

RE:  911 Road Names

A.        Public
Comments—30 minutes

B.        Rebecca
Bloomquist

RE:
Workforce Development Professionals Month

C.        Kay
Luffman

RE: Juvenile Crime Prevention
Council

D.        Amy Pardue

RE: Subdivisions

E.        Veterans
Service Annual Report

F.         Law Enforcement Center
Annual Report

G.        Laurel
Springs VFD Annual Report and Proposed Resolution  (resolution deleted)

H.        Stacy
Evans / Hugh Campbell

RE: High Impact / Polluting
Industries Ordinance

I.
Gleason James

RE: Citizens for Fairness

J.         County Business

1.      Land of Tomorrow Resolution

2.      Proposed Vet Agreement

3.      Governing Bodies Budget Amendment

4.      Other Business

5.      Closed Session—NCGS 143-318.11
(a) (6)—personnel

6.
Adjourn

Commissioner
Doug Murphy made a motion to approve
the minutes for the April 16, 2007, meeting.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the
motion.  Vote 4:0.

Wendy Williams, E-911 Coordinator/Mapper, presented three road names for
approval; Candyland Lane,
Jackal Drive,
Shamrock Farm Lane.  She explained the location of each road.

Chair
Ken Richardson opened the public hearing regarding the 911 road names at 6:32pm.

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

Chair
Ken Richardson closed the public hearing at 6:33pm and reconvened the regular meeting.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson made a motion to approve the road names as presented by the
E-911 Coordinator/Mapper.  Commissioner
Warren Taylor seconded the
motion.  Vote 4:0.

Chair
Ken Richardson opened the public comments portion of the meeting.

Commissioner
Randy Miller arrived at 6:34pm.

Gail
Choate talked about a newspaper article quoting a Commissioner stating that the
Board sees the merit of a middle school but doesn’t plan to raise taxes.  She explained that property taxes were
higher in 2007 than in 2006 so it seems that taxes have already been raised.
She talked about setting the tax rate at 20¢ and that being as far as they can go.  She further talked about newspaper and
Channel 50 coverage of the meetings and the comments from citizens are not
reported.  She asked about having a
meeting with the reporters to work out a way to make these meetings more
informative to the public.  She
stated that they realize that there is protocol for these meetings, the public
tries to stay within those boundaries and asked that the Commissioners show
them the same respect.  She
reiterated that they are asking that the reporting be done honestly, completely
and fairly.  She finished by stating
that people outside of the county are watching and for the Commissioners to
consider how the county is perceived by the outside world.

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

Chair
Ken Richardson closed the public comments portion of the meeting.

Chair
Ken Richardson reiterated that he and the County Manager
are available at any time to answer questions.

Rebecca Bloomquist with the High Country Council of Governments came before
the Board to present a resolution declaring May as Workforce Development
Professionals Month.  She gave the
Board background information about the professionals.  She read a letter from Governor Easley
regarding the professionals and the proposed resolution.

Commissioner
Warren Taylor made a motion to approve
the resolution as presented by Rebecca Bloomquist.  Commissioner Randy Miller seconded the
motion. Vote 5:0.

County
Manager Don Adams talked about Ricky
Wooten with the High Country Council of Government is working with DW Miles
regarding June Jamboree activities for Industrial Week.

Kay
Luffman described the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) program.  She talked about Alleghany County
is eligible to receive $59,994 with a 20% match required on all of the programs
expect the administrative funding.
She explained that the match is $11,079.  She talked about how this program helps
the youth in the county.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy and Kay Luffman talked
about the Rainbow
Center.

County Manager Don Adams explained the benefits of the Rainbow Center and how the juvenile
delinquencies are helped.

Commissioner
Warren Taylor made a motion to
approve the 07/08 JCPC funding.
Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded
the motion.  Vote 5:0.

Amy Pardue, Planner, presented a preliminary subdivision plat for Crestview Mountain
showing a 205-acre tract located in the Glade Creek
Township with 202
lots.  She explained the roads in
the subdivision, and that the subdivision will be completed in three phases.

Chair
Ken Richardson and Kevin Spurlin talked about proposed changes to the existing
golf course.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy and Kevin Spurlin talked about obtaining water on the
property.  Mr. Spurlin talked about
conversations with Bill Ring regarding water will be brought to the State line,
and he asked if the Board will ask the County Manager
to look into pricing for bringing water across the State line.

Commissioner
Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the preliminary plat as presented by the
County Planner.  Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded the
motion.  Vote 5:0.

Chair
Ken Richardson stated that he will talk to the County Manager
about getting in touch with Mr. Spurlin.

Amy Pardue presented a preliminary subdivision plat for New River
Stables showing a 45.68-acre tract located in the Gap Civil Township with 9 lots.  She explained the roads in the
subdivision.  She talked about the
part of the subdivision that falls in Alleghany
County must meet Alleghany
County’s requirements and the
part that falls in Grayson
County must meet their
requirements.  She stated that the
plat will be recorded in both counties.

Commissioner
Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the preliminary plat as presented by the
County Planner.  Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded the
motion.  Vote 5:0.

Amy Pardue presented a final subdivision plat for Terra Vista showing
a 65.68-acre tract located in the Prathers
Creek Township
with 27 lots.  She explained the
roads in the subdivision.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy, Commissioner Warren Taylor and Amy
Pardue talked about the entrance site, distance study and a
driveway permit being approved by the Department of Transportation.

Commissioner
Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the final plat for Terra Vista.  Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded the
motion.  Vote 5:0.

Sam
Nichols, Veterans Service Officer, came before the Board to present the
Veterans Office annual report.  He
reviewed the office location and hours.
He talked about attending trainings in Clemons on Wednesdays to be
certified.  He further talked about
his duties as the Veterans Service Officer and assistance that is available to
veterans and their families.  He
stated that since he took over as the Veterans Service Officer on November 1,
he has assisted over 200 people by person or phone.  He talked about the number of veterans
in the county and the amount of services increasing.  He provided information regarding the amount
of benefits provided during 2005-2006 for veterans and their families.

Chair
Ken Richardson and Commissioner Warren Taylor thanked
Sam Nichols for his service.

Belva Miller came before the Board on behalf of Sheriff David Edwards to
present the Law Enforcement Center’s
annual report.  She talked about juveniles
in relation to Kay Luffman’s prior conversations.  She continued with the annual report
including the number of calls that deputies responded to, transports, calls
received at dispatch, papers served, fugitives arrested, inmates processed,
average monthly inmates including local and federal inmates, number of female
inmate days and juvenile inmates.
She talked about the amount of training the Law Enforcement
Center employees are
mandated to receive during the year.
She explained that next year’s report will be presenting the
numbers compared to this year’s report.

Chair
Ken Richardson thanked Belva Miller
and Sheriff David Edwards.

Jimmy
Church with the Laurel Springs Volunteer Fire Department came before the Board
to present their annual report.  He
thanked the Board for their assistance regarding the Laurel Springs Volunteer
Fire Department.  He talked about their
membership has greatly increased, partially due to the junior-firemen
program.  He further talked about
the makeup of their membership.  He
explained the amount of training, number of calls dispatched and type of calls.  He talked about their plans to purchase
a quick-response truck if the funding comes through.  He thanked the Board again for their
support.

Commissioner
Warren Taylor and Jimmy Church talked
about the uses of the first responder truck.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy and Jimmy Church talked
about developers working with the fire department regarding their subdivision plans.

Chair
Ken Richardson thanked Jimmy Church and the firefighters for all they do for
everyone in the county.

County Manager Don Adams explained
that Mr. Campbell has been in court and is on his way.

Gleason
James with the Citizens for Fairness gave the Board information regarding the
upcoming tax rate.  He talked about
the old mental health building and health department building has been sold.  He stated that he hasn’t seen any
advertising regarding accepting bids for that sale.

Chair
Ken Richardson and County Manager Don Adams
talked about the hospital purchased the property, approximately five to eight years
ago.  County Manager
Don Adams stated that the County can
privately negotiate with non-profits.
He further stated that an appraisal was done by a local company, and the
property was sold for fair-market value.

Gleason
James talked about the transportation budget where something was sold for
$7,000, and he didn’t see the ad for that.

County
Manager Don Adams talked about a large
ad is coming up because there will be a list of surplus items presented to the
Commissioners at the next meeting for the surplus sale.  He further talked about the surplus sale
will be on June 23.

Gleason
James talked about employees having a hard time providing answers to their
questions because they don’t know the answers.

Chair
Ken Richardson encouraged Gleason James to get with the County Manager
or himself to find out these answers.

Gleason
James answered for an explanation of the interest earned on investment for
$150,000.  He asked what this
investment is and where is it.

County Manager Don Adams
explained that every week the Finance Office looks at expenses and revenues to
see if there is available cash then purchases CD’s.  He further explained the process of
sending bid request to each bank inviting them to bid each week when the County
is investing in CD’s.

Gleason
James asked how a taxpayer can get this information.  He also asked what the line item of 10-379-0001
is for $185,473.

County Manager Don Adams explained
that is loan revenue and is accounting for the capital loan.  He stated that the County must do this or
the auditors will write up the County.
He explained that if people look on the debt expense, they will see the
debt side.  He asked for the line
item number on the $7,000.

Gleason
James talked about line item, 10-383-0000, sale of fixed assets.

County Manager Don Adams stated
that is the revenues for the surplus sale that was just mentioned.

Gleason
James and County Manager Don Adams
talked about this sale hasn’t happened yet.  County Manager
Don Adams stated that the sale is on June 23.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson mentioned that the vehicles behind the library will be sold at
that sale.

Gleason
James asked about line item number, 10-317-0001, interest.

County Manager Don Adams explained
that this is interest on late taxes coming through the tax office.

Gleason
James asked about, 10-335-000, miscellaneous revenues

County Manager Don Adams stated
that he would have to break it out.
He explained that it is unknown revenues at the budget process and miscellaneous
revenues that can’t be predicted.
He stated that he would have to get that information together because he
doesn’t have it off the top of his head.

Chair
Ken Richardson asked Gleason James to bring these questions to him and the County Manager.  He stated that the County Manager
has these records in his office and can get the answers in five minutes.

Gleason
James stated that he will make an appointment next week and get some
answers.  He asked about the $1.50
per line 911 charges including where the monies are, and who has access to it.

County Manager Don Adams explained
that the monies are invested in the banks at any given time.  He reiterated that the County sends out
bid request to every bank.  He
talked about the constraints on the 911 monies.

Gleason
James asked how the public can have access to find out how much money is
invested before setting the tax rate.

County Manager Don Adams asked
him to sit down with the Chairman and himself.  He explained that it is not a fair
assessment to look at cash on Friday to determine how much money the County has.  He explained that question will be
coming before the Board soon along with the discussion about the fund
balance.  He talked about the
projected fund balance amount of $2,800,000.  He explained that when the budget is
presented to the Commissioners, the fund balance is presented, and a running
tally sheet shows how the fund balance is kept up with while the Commissioners
are deciding on expenditures.  He
stated that is something that is done every year.

Gleason
James and County Manager Don Adams talked
about the projected fund balance amount of $2,800,000.  County Manager
Don Adams stated that the fund
balance numbers won’t be known until after June 30, and then people will
need to look at an audit for the correct numbers.  Gleason James stated that a taxpayer has
a right to see what money is being spent and where it is.  County Manager
Don Adams explained that the budgeted
revenues and expenses come in over a period of year.

Gleason
James stated that he will get with the Chairman for additional answers.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson
talked about the County is required to keep a certain amount in savings.

County
Manager Don Adams and Commissioner Warren Taylor agreed.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson clarified that the fund balance for the 911 fund is controlled
by the State, and people need to talk to Jim Harrell and Don East about that
issue.

Gleason
James asked how the volunteer fire departments can use the money.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson urged Mr. James to talk to the State regarding allowing additional
items that the money can be spent on.

County Manager Don Adams presented a resolution regarding Land of Tomorrow that was discussed at the last
meeting.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson made a motion to approve the resolution as presented by the County Manager.  Commissioner Randy Miller seconded the
motion. Vote 5:0.

County Manager Don Adams presented a proposed incentive agreement
for a new vet to operate out of the Twin
Oaks Veterinary
Hospital.  He talked about the agreement pays $434
per month for 48 months as long as the vet works in Alleghany County.  This vet, Ms. Dowell, received scholarships
that require her to work with large animals for four years.  He talked about Nash Williams’ need
for assistance especially with large animals.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson talked about the need and filing the need since the prior vet
left.

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

County Manager Don Adams
presented budget amendment General Fund #25 in the amount of $3,478 that was
discussed at the last meeting.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #25 in
the amount of $3,478.  Commissioner
Randy Miller seconded the motion.
Vote 5:0.

Commissioner
Randy Miller apologized for being late.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson made a motion to enter into closed session at 7:40pm under NCGS 143-318.11 (a)
(6)—personnel.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

Commissioner
Randy Miller made a motion to adjourn the closed session at 7:50pm and reconvene the regular
meeting.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

Chair
Ken Richardson stated no decisions were made during closed session.

Chair
Ken Richardson declared a brief recess at 7:52pm.

Chair
Ken Richardson reconvened the meeting at 8:07pm.

Stacy
Evans came before the Commissioners regarding the concrete plant.  He stated that he went through the Planning
Board, like the Commissioners requested.
He further stated that the ordinance cannot be abided by.  He said that the Planning Board denied his
request.

Hugh
Campbell talked about he feels like the Planning Board is feeling overwhelmed
and wasn’t comfortable with making that decision at that time.  He asked the Commissioners to go forward
with scheduling a public hearing and allow for deliberations.  He talked about problems with the
ordinance.  He stated that he has
proposed a two-tier system.  He explained
his proposed change.  He asked the
Board to review the 2,000-foot buffer.
He explained problems with the easement issue.  He gave an example and explained that one
individual could stop the project the way the ordinance is currently written. He
talked about the State regulates setbacks.
He explained that the two-tier system is that tier one facilities could
not be located closer than 100 feet to any side or rear lot line, 2,000 feet
from any front line, nor closer than 250 feet from any protected facility.  He stated that this is a compromise
between the High Impact Land Uses / Polluting Industries ordinance and the
development in Alleghany
County.  He reiterated to allow this issue to go
forward, hold a public hearing to hear what the people in Alleghany County
wants and go with people’s comments at the public hearing regardless of
which way the comments are.

County
Manager Don Adams updated the
Commissioners regarding this situation including the Planning Board has been
provided Mr. Campbell’s letter and has reviewed it.  He stated that a rough draft of the Planning
Board minutes have been provided for the Commissioners’ review.

Chair
Ken Richardson listed the options before the Commissioners and asked that the County Manager
or County Attorney explain them.

County Attorney
Donna Shumate stated that the Board can
have a public hearing and make a decision after that point.

County Manager
Don Adams stated that the issue has met
the statutory requirement of going before the Planning Board.  He reviewed the options; accept the Planning
Board’s recommendation or hold a public hearing to consider changes to
the ordinance.

Commissioner
Warren Taylor and County Manager Don Adams
talked about the public hearing will be about some version of Mr. Campbell’s
recommendation.

County Attorney
Donna Shumate stated that the
changes need to at least define concrete plants.

County Manager
Don Adams stated that it is completely
up to the Board what to discuss at the public hearing.

Chair
Ken Richardson and Amy Pardue talked
about defining tiers of concrete plants.
She stated that she would have to do more research.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy asked whether this tier system has come up in other places and how
this has been handled.

County Attorney
Donna Shumate talked about the
ordinance basically followed Wilkes
County with some
modifications including adding concrete plants.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson stated that she thinks the issue needs to be revisited.

Chair
Ken Richardson asked does the Board have a problem with Amy
Pardue researching this matter further and reporting back.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy talked about Amy Pardue
researching this and discuss how to proceed from here.

Chair
Ken Richardson told Stacy Evans that he will be notified when the issue is
placed back on the agenda.

Stacy
Evans asked how long it will be because this has been eight months just going
in circles.

Chair
Ken Richardson talked about if Mr. Evans prefers that Amy
Pardue do no further research, the Commissioners have the recommendation
from the Planning Board.

Hugh
Campbell stated on behalf of Mr. Evans that this situation has been frustrating,
and it is best for the Board to get the additional research.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy stated that this is the first time he has seen a two-tier system
and would like to have more information about it.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson
talked about the Commissioners have asked the Planning Board to look at this
ordinance from top to bottom.

County Manager
Don Adams reviewed the Planning
Board’s current objectives.  He
stated that he agreed with Mr. Campbell that some of the Planning Board members
were not in a position to make a decision yet.  He talked about how the Planning Board
is proceeding including considering making the High Impact Land Uses /
Polluting Industries ordinance a set of standards in the Property Rights
Protection Ordinance.

Chair
Ken Richardson stated that the Board can proceed with the research or make a
decision tonight.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson stated the need for additional research by the next meeting
because all concrete plants are not made equal.

Chair
Ken Richardson assured Mr. Campbell and Mr. Evans that they will be notified when
this is on the agenda.

Hugh
Campbell asked getting a status update.

Chair
Ken Richardson stated that Mr. Campbell can call the County Manager
or Amy Pardue to find out the status
at any time.

Chair
Ken Richardson stated that the next meeting is the third Monday in May.

Hugh
Campbell stated that may be too soon and possibly need to look at the first
meeting in June in order to allow time for proper researching.

Being
no further business, Commissioner Warren Taylor made
a motion to adjourn at 8:30pm.  Commissioner Milly Richardson seconded
the motion.  Vote 5:0.

Respectfully
submitted,

Karen Evans

Clerk to the Board

Attest:

Ken Richardson

Chairman

ALLEGHANY COUNTY

NORTH CAROLINA

Resolution

WHEREAS,
the economic development of every region in our country and the ability of our
businesses and industries to compete in the global economy is more than ever
before dependent on the availability and quality of a skilled workforce; and

WHEREAS,
the complexity and fast-paced change in our economy and labor markets puts new
demands on individuals and employers at all levels; and

WHEREAS,
job seekers need the assistance of knowledgeable and dedicated professionals to
facilitate the process by which our workforce identifies, prepared for, obtains
and maintains employment and self-sufficiency; and

WHEREAS,
employers depend on similar levels of professional services to help them
recruit and retain a competitive workforce and to
continually upgrade the skill sets of their incumbent employees;

NOW
THEREORE BE IT RESOLVED AND IT IS RESOLVED that the Alleghany County Board of
Commissioners joins with the State of North Carolina, the North Carolina
Commission on Workforce Development, the North Carolina Employment and Training
Association, and the National Association of Workforce Development
Professionals in designating the month of May as Workforce Development Professionals Month to honor all those
individuals in all the Workforce Development organizations and partnerships who
play such as vital role in our economy.

ADOPTED this 7th day of May, 2007.

ALLEGHANY COUNTY

NORTH CAROLINA

LAND FOR
TOMORROW RESOLUTION

Whereas,
Alleghany County is committed to protecting lands critical to the future of
North Carolina’s drinking water, economy, and quality of life and

Whereas,
North Carolina
is losing more than 100,000 acres of those special places to population
pressures each year, and

Whereas,
North Carolina’s
population is expected to grow by 50 percent in the next 25 years, and

Whereas,
the important tourism industry can only survive with natural beauty, clean
water and scenic vistas, and

Whereas,
there is inadequate funding for protecting streams banks and floodplains,
legacy forests, prime farmlands, local parks and recreation, state parks, game
lands, natural, scenic and historical places, and

Whereas,
there is no second chance to protect North Carolina’s great resources and
costs will only increase in the future, and

Whereas,
additional state funding will leverage twice as much funding from federal,
private and local sources

Now Therefore Be It Resolved, that Alleghany County Board of
Commissioners urges the General Assembly to enact legislation authorizing a
bond referendum to increase conservation spending in North Carolina $200
million per year.

Adopted this the 7th day of May, 2007.