The Alleghany County Board of
Commissioners held an emergency meeting on
Present: Chair Eldon Edwards, Vice-Chair Warren
Taylor, Commissioner Graylen Blevins, Commissioner
Chair Eldon Edwards
called the meeting to order and explained the purpose of the meeting.
Commissioner Warren
Taylor asked about the process of having a referendum, borrowing the money and
when does the exact money amount has to be decided.
Commissioner Graylen
Blevins talked about putting the issue on the referendum and knowing the amount
of tax increase.
Commissioner Graylen
Blevins talked about the need to educate everyone on the issue. He further stated that if the public votes
for it then the citizens have decided and are well aware of what is involved,
and if the public says no they know they have to suffer the consequences. He stated that the Commissioners are here to
serve the people. He further stated that
everyone needs to be responsible and let the people speak.
Chair Eldon Edwards
explained the reasons for this meeting is because yesterday the Board didn’t
take an official vote, the County Manager needs official direction for the May
23 meeting and today is the only time all of the Commissioners could meet. He stated that yesterday the majority of the
Board wanted to go with a referendum. He
further stated that he doesn’t support it.
He explained that he thinks it is excessive, and the County can’t afford
it with the other obligations. He
further explained that he felt like an alternative amount could do what is
needed for the schools.
Commissioner Ken
Richardson stated that his position hasn’t changed but he is interested in what
Commissioner Taylor’s opinion is on this matter.
Commissioner Warren
Taylor talked about the Board of Education and staff have answered the
Commissioners’ questions regarding the middle school. He stated that he hoped to get the middle
school figure down to a more reasonable number.
He stated that he supports going forward with putting the referendum on
the ballot with the middle school plan as presented. He further stated that he doesn’t know how
the citizens will react. He explained
that if people who support it will get behind it, it will pass. He talked about not standing in the way of
progress but he would like to see the referendum number a lot lower.
Commissioner
Commissioner Warren
Taylor talked about looking at the needs without a middle school will cost
$6,000,000 now. He further talked about
needs that will have to be addressed eventually.
Commissioner
Commissioner Graylen
Blevins asked about plans in the event the bond fails.
Commissioner
Commissioner Graylen
Blevins stated his concern about how citizens will react to either number.
Dr. Jeff Cox talked
about the recurring costs on the middle school and how much will be done if the
bond fails.
Commissioner Warren
Taylor stated that is why he asked about reducing the programming costs and the
need to address those issues in the public hearings.
Commissioner Ken
Richardson reaffirmed his thoughts that he supports the referendum with the
understanding that the Board of Education will strive to keep 150 students at
Commissioner Warren
Taylor talked about the cost will increase if the needs are piecemeal.
Commissioner Warren
Taylor made a motion to approach the Local Government Commission about getting
this amount of money.
Chair Eldon Edwards
asked about adding approving the middle school concept to the motion.
Commissioner Warren
Taylor amended his motion to include the approval of the middle school
concept. Commissioner Graylen Blevins
seconded the motion. Vote 4:1 (Eldon
Edwards).
Commissioner Ken
Richardson asked if the Board of Education wanted to say anything.
Chair Eldon Edwards
stated that he doesn’t see the need to have further discussions between the two
boards.
Commissioner Ken
Richardson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at
Respectfully submitted,
Clerk to the Board
Attest:
Eldon Edwards
Chairman