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 recessed session on Tuesday, June 9, 2009, a= t 6:00pm in the Board Meeting= Room of the County Administration Buil= ding, 348 South Main Street, Sparta, North Caro= lina.

= Present: Chair Ken Richardson, Vice-Chair <= st1:PersonName w:st=3D"on">Randy Miller, Commissioner Doug Murphy, Commis= sioner Milly Richardson, Commissioner Steve Roten, County Manager Don Adams, and Clerk to the Bo= ard Karen Evans.

Chair Ken Richardson reconvened the recessed meeting. He talked about going through these three days of meetings before deciding on any issues.

Darlene Douglas with Alleghany Group Homes came before the Board to discuss their budget request. She explained that all of their pr= ograms are full and have waiting lists. She talked about the services provided. She said that she doesn’t understand why they received a 35% cut and some others were only cut 5%. She talked about how they have the= bare minimum staff. She further ta= lked about the cut is $15,750. She explained that the loss of funding over the next three years would devastate them. She further explained t= hat they would have to cut back on their meals, provide their own transportation instead of using AIM, reduction in the number of clients, reduction in bene= fits and salaries. She said that t= hey understand that times are hard right now. She further said that they are here speaking for their clients because they are= the only people that can talk for them.

Duane Davis, Chairman of Alleghany Group Homes board, st= ated that he is aware of the very difficult task before the Commissioners. He talked about the adults service= d by their programs. He explained = that they are willing to look at this year for cuts, and the problem is that the= y could get by with one year of cuts but if all of the funding was cut it would devastate them. He talked abo= ut how these citizens are depending on the Board to support them to make sure they= that have a place to stay and a place to work. He thanked the Commissioners for = their consideration.

Commissioner Doug Murphy asked about the required employee/client ratio.

Darlene Douglas explained that there is a rati= o and they cannot eliminate a position.

Commissioner Doug Murphy talked about if a position is eliminated, services are eliminated and funding is decreased.

Darlene Douglas agreed. She explained that when the County= cuts 5% from Smoky’s funds it cuts their funds because they get money from Sm= oky. She talked about the State funding= they receive. She reiterated that = cuts to Smoky are filtered down to them.

Commissioner Steve Roten and Darlene Douglas talked about how they don’t know what kind = of cuts are coming from the State at this point. She explained their funding levels= from the State over the past years.

Commissioner Doug Murphy and Darlene Douglas talked about h= ow the phase out is the problem. She stated that they are willing to take the hit this year but can’t hand= le the phase out.

Ted Orton with the Wellness Center came before the Board to discuss their budget request. He talked about how a lot of the m= oney that comes from the County goes towards additional programs offered like at-risk teen programs. He fur= ther talked about additional programs he is working on through the insurance companies, the Schools, and the Recreation department. He explained that he is looking at= the aging population to offer more services.&n= bsp; He further explained that they run on a shoestring budget and are tr= ying to get more self-sufficient. = He talked about how they currently have two people who are certified for lifeg= uard classes. He further talked about the children obesity problems and working = with them to get their lifestyles changed as a kid rather than an adult. He explained that he is planning o= n working with EMS for classes for workers to redu= ce their workers comp claims.

Commissioner Milly Richardson and Ted Orton talked about the Wellness Center’s utilities with the main expense being propane.

Commissioner Doug Murphy and Ted Orton talked about a cover helping with utilities costs a= nd other ideas for the pool area.

Commissioner Milly Richardson, Commissioner Doug Murphy = and Ted Orton talked about a building structure be= ing substantial and looking for different energy grants and the use of solar pa= nels.

Commissioner Milly Richardson and Ted Orton talked about the employees at the Wellness Center being one full time person and 28 part time people. He talked about having to have cer= tified employees to work in certain areas of the Wellness Center. They talked about relying on volun= teers.

Commissioner Randy Miller and Ted Orton talked about the= $15,000 for maintenance and repair being primarily for the bubble over the pool.

County M= anager Don Adams talked about having= a meeting today regarding the energy grants about grant applications availabi= lity and deadlines.

Ted Orton thanked the Board for listeni= ng.

Chair Ken Richardson talked about how he and Don attende= d a regional tourism meeting on Friday, and Alleghany County was a main topic of the conversation. He further talked about attending the grand opening of the stage at Crouse Park. He talked about the Marine Band co= ming to Alleghany County later this year.

The Board of Commissioners talked about the stage being built by volunteers and materials donated at costs. They further talked about people vacationing at home.

David Higgins came before the Board to discuss the reque= st of the fire commission which is the fire departments/rescue squad. He talked about the issues that th= ey have. He explained that the o= riginal increase was 10% across the board. He talked about a grant through the State for equipment that they ha= ve all have been approved for $50,000 each leaving $25,000 for the Volunteer Fire Departments to raise. He talked about how they are requesting the County to= pay $15,000, and the fire department to pay $10,000 to cover the $25,000 requir= ed match. He said that the reque= st is for $90,000 total being $15,000 for each department. He talked about how the grants may= not be there forever. He explaine= d that the turnout gear is only good for 10 years, and the State has come up with = new guidelines for safety vests now everyone has to have new safety vests. He further explained that every man= has to have a safety vest on for insurance coverage. He said that all of the department= s need air packs that run around $9,000-$12,000.&= nbsp; He talked about Steve Allen’s report and read a portion of the report. He talked about how t= he departments have people that are qualified to do the job they just need the equipment t= o do it with. He further talked ab= out the recent tornados, town manager’s house burned, EMS building burned= and all of this was done without a dime because people are not asking for money= for themselves just want the proper equipment.= He thanked the Commissioners for what is provided and is thankful th= at the fire departments/rescue squad wasn’t cut. He explained that the needs are th= ere this year. He talked about ho= w if you had to hire people to do this, that amount wouldn’t touch it. He stated that they don’t wa= nt to lose these grants, and want equipment for the people.

Chair Ken Richardson and David Higgins talked about how = they are requesting an additional $4,000.

Commissioner Doug Murphy and David Higgins talked about how these grants are hard to come by, and they a= re a matching grant through the State. David Higgins said that this equipment is to update each department to put the pe= ople in the proper equipment, build up moral and keep the professionals safe.

Chair Ken Richardson talked about gathering all of this information tonight, tomorrow night and the night after, before the Board starts discussing the budget. He asked what can the Board do communications’ wise.

David Higgins said that he would like to have each chief= say their own opinion but as for Chief for Glade Creek, he would like to see dispatch moved and not have the dispatch be the greeter for the Law Enforcement Center. He talked about the need to be in a separate room where they can dispatch without interruptions.

Brandon Jones, Captain with the Rescue Squad, agreed with David on communications. He t= alked about how the dispatchers have to be the greeter and the secretary if the f= ull time secretary isn’t there. He said if you go to other counties to see their communication center, Alleghany County is way behind. He talked about the need to get it totally out of the sheriff’s department control. He further talked about how he fee= ls like a lot of times that is a pot for the Sheriff to pull money out of for = his department.

Chair Ken Richardson talked about the importance of these discussions. He explained tha= t Commissioner Milly Richardson represents the fire commission well. He talked about the county is in a situation to do something now. He further talked about the possibilities of using a portion of the EMS facility for communications.<= /p>

Jimmy Church, Chief for Laurel Springs, talked about how there is a lot of need out there. He stated his appreciation for the Commissioners taking this time to get into these discussions. He said communication-wise, Laurel Springs is hearing calls fine, as for dispatching calls if there is money out there= for the dispatch office to be outside of the sheriff’s departments they n= eed to find it. He talked about how it has gotten better but dispatch is still = the main point. He further talked= about the need for dispatch to be at another place. He reiterated that the Board’= ;s support is greatly appreciated. He ta= lked about trying to prioritize needs. He further talked about if the State requires them to have the new equipment t= hey only pay for half and the fire departments have to pay for the remaining ha= lf.

David Edwards with Sparta-Alleghany fire department talk= ed about attending the recent program for the CAD system demonstration. He further talked about their amou= nt of training. He said he doesn= 217;t know how much training dispatchers receive.

County M= anager Don Adams talked about the tr= aining in the beginning then set up a schedule.&n= bsp; He explained that the County is getting ready to update the 911 syst= em, and they recently had a demonstration of the CAD system. He further explained that there wa= s a misunderstanding about our current 911 system capabilities.= He talked about how the County has always had good equipment and the= technology is there they just need to be able to use the capabilities.

Chair Ken Richardson and David Edwards discussed having = one department that handles all emergency calls properly.

Chair Ken Richardson talked about how the Board depends heavily on the fire commission and the need for input from you to guide us = in the right direction.

David Edwards talked about Steve Allen’s presentat= ion and following through with his recommendations. He further talked about keep going= with the plan, and everyone has to work together.&n= bsp; He stated his appreciation for your time listening to us.

Larry Adams, Chief with Piney Creek, talked about this opportunity before us through the Department of Insurance (NCDOI). He explained that he read some stu= ff yesterday from Wayne Godwin with NCDOI that made him concerned for fire/res= cue. He talked about the new regulations regarding the air packets that made the price double. He further talked about the new regulations for the safety vests, and how they only have a few. He talked about how their air pack= s are aging and not passing inspections. He further talked about having to meet the regulations. He explained that they do a lot of fundraising to try to cover their costs.

Commissioner Doug Murphy, David Higgins and Larry Adams talked about the deadlines for the grant.&= nbsp; Larry Adams stated that everyone was notified May 15.

Chair Ken Richardson asked about establishing a communications department.

Larry Adams stated that he hadn’t thought about th= e EMS building, but it is a great idea. He further stated that the dispatc= hers are the line to safety for the people in the field. He talked about how the informatio= n has to be filtered in a quick, accurate manner. He further talked about relying on= them heavily. He said it would be great to have = their own location.

Brandon Jones stated that they greatly appreciate that t= hey didn’t get cut in the budget. He talked about how every department but Cherry Lane has debt. He explained that the rescue squad= has an annual truck payment of $11,000 due in a couple of month. He further explained that he has a spreadsheet of every dollar that comes out of the department of $80,000 spe= nt with $70,000 coming in. He reitera= ted that every penny is greatly appreciated.

David Higgins reiterated their appreciation. He explained that everyone is here= for the same reason. He talked ab= out Glade Creek’s truck payment and insurance being $35,000 with everythi= ng else has to be fundraising. He thanked the County for not cutting the fire departments/rescue squad and for listening.

= Chair Ken Richardson recessed the meeting at 7:05pm until Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at 6:= 00pm.

Respectfully submitted, &nb= sp;

Karen Evans &= nbsp; &nbs= p;

Clerk to the Boar= d &= nbsp;

Attest:

Ken Richardson

Chairman