The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, November 20, 2006, at 10:00am in the Conference Room of the County Office Building, 90 South Main Street, Sparta, North Carolina.

Present: Chair Eldon Edwards, Vice-Chair Warren Taylor, Commissioner Graylen Blevins, Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon, Commissioner Ken Richardson, County Attorney Donna Shumate, County Manager Don Adams and Clerk to the Board Karen Evans.

Chair Eldon Edwards called the meeting to order.

Commissioner Ken Richardson opened the meeting with a prayer.

Chair Eldon Edwards stated that closed session—legal needs to be added to the agenda.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the amended agenda for this November 20, 2006, meeting. Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

AGENDA

Monday, November 20, 2006

10:00 AM

10:00 Meeting Called To Order

Motion on Agenda for November 20, 2006, meeting

Motion on Minutes for July 11, July 17, August 1, October 30 and

November 6, 2006, meetings

10:05 Mary Walker

RE: Tax Releases, Refunds, Appeals and Budget Amendment

10:20 Don Suggs

RE: New River Behavioral Healthcare Resolution

10:30 BROC Annual Report

10:40 Alleghany Memorial Hospital Annual Report

County Business

1. Memorial Plaques

2. Budget Amendment—EMS

3. Budget Amendment—Legal Fees

4. Other Business

5. Public Comments—30 minutes

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

7. Adjourn

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the minutes for the July 11, July 17, August 1, October 30 and November 6, 2006, meetings. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Mary Walker, Tax Administrator, presented the October 2006 real property requests in the amount of $1,032.54 for refunds and $407.66 for releases.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the October 2006 real property requests in the amount of $1,032.54 for refunds and $407.66 for releases. Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Mary Walker presented the October 2006 vehicle requests in the amount of $463.86 for refunds and $2,542.84 for releases.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the October 2006 vehicle requests in the amount of $463.86 for refunds and $2,542.84 for releases. Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Mary Walker presented a vehicle appeal for a 2005 Chevrolet Impala. She stated that the accessed value is $18,930, purchase price was $13,500 and appraised value is $12,000. She explained that the NADA suggested retail value is $12,550, which is her recommendation.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the Tax Administrator’s recommendation of $12,550 for the Impala. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Mary Walker presented a vehicle appeal for a 1995 Chevrolet truck. She stated that the vehicle has 256,111 miles. She stated that the appraised value is $1,600, and her recommendation is $1,795.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the Tax Administrator’s recommendation of $1,795 for the truck. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Mary Walker presented a vehicle appeal for a 1998 Chevrolet 1500. She stated that the accessed value is $10,450 and appraised value is $8,000. She further stated that her recommendation is $7,700, which is from the Kelly Blue Book.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the Tax Administrator’s recommendation of $7,700 for the truck. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Mary Walker reminded the Board about the history of the full-time temporary position in the tax office. She stated that she is requesting the Board to change the position to permanent and gave several reasons for the requested change including the current workload with revaluation, conversion of new software and comparing all of the property record cards, subdivision growth, new construction, putting property record cards online, collecting Town’s taxes, handling the functions of the tag office and starting the debt set-off program.

Rita Miller, Assistant Tax Administrator, added that letters need to be sent out every time a value changes including land subdivisions.

County Manager Don Adams stated that his recommendation is to go back to the original concept of the temporary position being for 30 months. He explained that the 30 months will take this position to June when it can be considered during the next budget cycle.

Commissioner Ken Richardson stated that it is reasonable to extend the temporary position until June and discuss it for the next budget year.

Mary Walker talked about Missy Smith will be cross trained to work in other areas.

The Board of Commissioners and County Manager Don Adams talked about budget amendment General Fund #15 in the amount of $13,509 to extend the position until June.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the County Manager’s recommendation and budget amendment General Fund #15 in the amount of $13,509. Commissioner Ken Richardson seconded the motion with the idea of future conversations. Vote 5:0.

Mary Walker thanked the Commissioners that are rotating off for their support of her and her staff.

Commissioner Ken Richardson excused himself from the meeting briefly at 10:25am.

Betty Bledsoe with the Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission came before the Board to present their annual report. She talked about helping people winterize their homes and heat sources. She thanked the Board of Commissioners for their support. She asked if anyone knows someone who needs assistance with their heat to contact them.

The Board of Commissioners and Betty Bledsoe talked about their services helping with heating needs. The Board of Commissioners stated their appreciation.

Ralph Castillo with Alleghany Memorial Hospital came before the Board to present their annual report. He reviewed handouts given to the Commissioners regarding hospital volume, major expenses and revenue deductions, surgical volume, community benefits, physician recruitment and challenges.

Chair Eldon Edwards stated that was a good report with a lot of good information.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon talked about her pleasant experience with the hospital.

Ralph Castillo commended the Commissioners for the action taken during the last budget. He thanked the Commissioners for what they did.

Commissioner Ken Richardson presented a resolution to reduce the New River Behavioral Healthcare (NRBH) board from 20 members to 13 members. He explained that the current situation will require two boards. He stated that NRBH has already approved this resolution, and it is in the process of being submitted to the other counties. He further stated that he recommends passage of this resolution.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the resolution as submitted. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Commissioner Ken Richardson stated that he has talked to Warren Taylor about serving as the Commissioner appointee on the LME board.

Chair Eldon Edwards made a motion to appoint Warren Taylor to serve on the LME Board if he is willing to serve. Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Commissioner Warren Taylor stated that he would be glad to serve on this board.

County Manager Don Adams talked about a memorial plaque for Larry Crouse who passed away while on duty at EMS. He stated that he is requesting the plaque be placed at EMS.

County Manager Don Adams talked about a memorial plaque for Roy Boone who passed away while employed by Alleghany County. He stated that he is requesting the plaque be placed in a County facility.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the County Manager’s request for the two memorial plaques. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

County Manager Don Adams presented budget amendment General Fund #13 in the amount of $1,945 for the highway-use tax and transfer of radio equipment for the new ambulance.

Commissioner Graylen Blevins made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #13 in the amount of $1,945. Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

County Manager Don Adams presented budget amendment General Fund #14 in the amount of $58,068. He explained this budget amendment is for the legal fees associated with the Maymead lawsuits.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #14 in the amount of $58,068. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

County Manager Don Adams stated that he and Commissioner Taylor are going to the TIP meeting this afternoon in Wilkesboro. He further stated that he has rewritten the comments for the meeting leaving the road priorities the same. He talked about the environmental review process on Highway 21 and using the year delay to complete that process.

County Manager Don Adams talked about Martha Holder being in the audience and his conversations with Ms. Holder regarding revaluation.

Commissioner Warren Taylor presented a plaque to Sandy Herndon for her four years of service to Alleghany County as a County Commissioner.

Commissioner Warren Taylor presented a plaque to Graylen Blevins for his four years of service to Alleghany County as a County Commissioner.

Commissioner Warren Taylor presented a plaque to Eldon Edwards for his 12 years of service to Alleghany County as a County Commissioner. Also, Commissioner Taylor presented Eldon Edwards a framed picture collage for his 30 years of service as the County Veterans Service Officer.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon stated that the Courthouse will be open on Saturday for tours in conjunction with the parade.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon thanked everyone for giving her the opportunity to serve as a County Commissioner for the past four years.

Commissioner Graylen Blevins stated he appreciated everyone’s support. He further stated that it has been a pleasure to work with the Board. He thanked Clerk to the Board Karen Evans, County Attorney Donna Shumate and County Manager Don Adams for their efforts. He said that he has a great deal of respect for everyone, and it has been an honor and a pleasure to work with everyone.

Commissioner Ken Richardson talked about being able to serve together as a Board. He further talked about how difficult it is to part ways. He thanked the outgoing Commissioners for the privilege of serving with them.

Chair Eldon Edwards thanked the Board for their help and allowing him to be the chairman for the last four years. He talked about the tremendous job the County Manager has done for the County. He thanked the Clerk to the Board Karen Evans and County Attorney Donna Shumate for their work. He stated that it is a privilege to have served on the Board of Commissioners.

Chair Eldon Edwards asked for public comments.

Sandy Ashley, Social Services Director, thanked the outgoing Commissioners for all they have done for the Department of Social Services. She wished them luck in the future.

Martha Holder talked about a group called citizens for fairness. She talked about a meeting at Blue Ridge Electric that everyone is invited to attend regarding issues at the tax office and some other concerns.

County Manager Don Adams talked about allowing the new Board to have their organizational meeting then address these comments and concerns as a Board at meeting and have Pearson Appraisals to help answer revaluation questions.

Martha Holder talked about working with the officials and wanting to work with the community.

Chair Eldon Edwards asked for further public comments. None were received.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to enter into closed session at 11:28am under NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (3)—legal. Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Chair Eldon Edwards called a brief recess at 11:28am.

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to adjourn the closed session at 11:40am and reconvene the regular meeting. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Chair Eldon Edwards stated that no decisions were made during closed session.

Commissioner Ken Richardson made a motion to approve the closed session minutes from the November 6, 2006, meeting. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Chair Eldon Edwards reiterated his appreciation to everyone during his tenure as a County Commissioner.

Being no further business, Chair Eldon Edwards adjourned the meeting at 11:41am.

Respectfully Submitted,

Karen Evans

Clerk to the Board

Attest:

Eldon Edwards

Chairman