The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in
regular session on Monday, December 21, 2009, at 3:30pm in the Board Meeting
Room of the County Administration Building, 348 South Main Street, Sparta,
North Carolina.

Present:
Chair Ken Richardson, Vice-Chair Randy Miller, Commissioner Doug Murphy,
Commissioner Milly Richardson, Commissioner Steve Roten, County Attorney Donna
Shumate, County Manager Don Adams and Clerk to the Board Karen Evans.

Chair Ken Richardson called the meeting to order.

Commissioner Milly Richardson led the Pledge of
Allegiance and opened the meeting with a prayer.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that item E needs to be
deleted and closed session for economic development needs to be added to the
agenda.

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to
approve the amended agenda for this December 21, 2009, meeting.  Commissioner Randy Miller seconded the
motion.  Vote 5:0.

AGENDA

Monday, December 21, 2009

3:30 PM

3:30                Meeting
Called To Order, Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer

Motion
on Agenda for December 21, 2009, meeting

Motion
on Minutes for November 30 and December 7, 2009, meetings

Motion
on November Tax Releases and Refunds

3:35    A.        Public
Comments—30 minutes

B.
Mary Walker

RE:
Tax Appeals

C.
Blue Ridge
Opportunity Commission

RE:
Crisis Intervention & Weatherization Services

D.
Steve Cothren

RE:  Jail Personnel

E.        Smoky
Mountain Center Report                           (deleted)

F.         Alleghany
Memorial Hospital Annual Report

G.
County
Business

1.
Water Authority
Resolution

2.
Project
Ordinance Amendment—Safety Fund

3.
Training
Facility Engineering Contract

4.
Budget
Amendment—EMS Drug Testing

5.
Budget
Amendment—Land, Sewer/Water at GCS

6.
Budget
Amendment—JCPC

7.
Budget
Amendment—CJPP

8.
Project
Ordinance—QSCB Fund

9.
Other Business

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

NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (4)—economic development     (added)

11. Adjourn

Commissioner
Doug Murphy made a motion to approve the minutes for the November 30 and
December 7, 2009, meetings.   Commissioner Milly Richardson seconded
the motion.  Vote 5:0.

Commissioner
Randy Miller made a motion to approve the real refunds and releases for November.  Commissioner Milly Richardson seconded
the motion.  Vote 5:0.

Commissioner
Randy Miller made a motion to approve the auto refunds and releases for November.  Commissioner Milly Richardson seconded
the motion.  Vote 5:0.

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

Mary
Walker, Tax Administrator, presented a tax appeal for a solid waste fee for
Shirley Richardson for an apartment building on Highway 21.  She explained that she talked to Ms.
Richardson about this is a solid waste fee not a user fees and explained that
water/electricity is one of the guidelines for availability fee.

Commissioner
Steve Roten made a motion to deny the request.  Commissioner Milly Richardson seconded
the motion.  Vote 5:0.

Mary
Walker presented an appeal on a discovery for a 14 x 66 mobile home that was
not picked up during revaluation.
She explained that the people are not appealing the taxes or solid waste
fees just the penalties in the amount of $26.92.  She reviewed the North Carolina General
Statutes (NCGS) regarding this situation.

Commissioner
Steve Roten, Commissioner Doug Murphy and Mary Walker discussed this appeal,
permanent listing requirements and the people had been paying taxes on it prior
to 2007.

Commissioner
Steve Roten made a motion to release the $26.  Commissioner Milly Richardson seconded
the motion.  Vote 2:3 (Ken
Richardson, Randy Miller, Doug Murphy).

Commissioner
Doug Murphy and Mary Walker talked about this appeal and the NCGS language.

Commissioner
Steve Roten talked about if we make a mistake we should be responsible.

Chair
Ken Richardson talked about the NCGS and these people had paid the taxes prior
to revaluation.

Chair
Ken Richardson made a motion to deny the appeal.  Commissioner Randy Miller seconded the
motion.  Vote 3:2 (Steve Roten,
Milly Richardson).

Steve
Cothren, Chief Jailer, came before the Board to discuss David Bare who is
moving into the Lt. Jailer position held by Roger Bledsoe, who is retiring this
month.   He said he is requesting that David Bare be
paid what Roger Bledsoe is being paid.

County
Manager Don Adams explained the handout showing the salaries for David Bare and
Roger Bledsoe and a section of the personnel policy talking about
promotions.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson made a motion to fill the position of the Lt. Jailer and then fill
the vacant position of Jailer.
Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

Chair
Ken Richardson talked about the salary amount difference between the positions.

Commissioner
Steve Roten and Steve Cothren discussed the length of service for Roger Bledsoe
and David Bare.

Chair
Ken Richardson talked about deviating from the personnel policy and if the
Board wants to deviate then the policy will need to be changed.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson talked about the Law Enforcement Center being under the
Sheriff.

County
Manager Don Adams explained that the Sheriff has complete control over
personnel.  He reviewed things that
the Commissioners can and cannot do.

Chair
Ken Richardson talked about the Commissioners determine the policy for all
personnel.

County
Manager Don Adams stated that the Commissioners also determine the pay for all
county personnel.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson talked about the position change.

County
Manager Don Adams explained that the policy has been adopted by the
Commissioners.  He explained that
there are several boards/departments that are county employees but the
Commissioners set the pay for each employee.  He talked about the financial
relationship with those departments.

Sheriff
David Edwards talked about his problem here is that there is a pay scale that
doesn’t award for years of service.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy and Chair Ken Richardson agreed and explained that the
Commissioners have discussed that.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy reviewed the numbers before the Board; starting salary of
$26,375.34 or current salary of $28,221.61.

Sheriff
Edwards stated he would like to see steps in the pay plan.

Chair
Ken Richardson explained that Commissioner Randy Miller and he worked on a
system but with the tight budget it wasn’t recommended because it would
require a couple hundred thousand.

Commissioner
Randy Miller stated that he wanted everyone to know that this person in
discussion is his uncle before he says anything about the situation.  He talked about the starting salary.

Commissioner
Steve Roten stated that the Board has the discretion to handle pay issues.

Chair
Ken Richardson suggested allowing the County Manager to go back and look at all
of the employees in this situation and make it retroactive.

The
Board of Commissioners discussed this request and ways to proceed.

Commissioner
Steve Roten talked about having the discretion to look at these situations
individually.

Chair
Ken Richardson stated that if the Board gives the starting salary plus one step
then that is deviating from the policy.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson stated to let the Sheriff run his department, it is the
Sheriff’s business, and let him do what he wants.

Chair
Ken Richardson reiterated that if the Board gives starting salary plus one step
then it is deviating from policy.  He
further stated that this action must be motion.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson talked about the extreme budget constraints and the Board
isn’t going to be able to do an overhaul.  She said it isn’t fair for
everyone to not get what they deserve.
She further said that the Board can look at this on a case-by-case
basis.  She stated that the Board is
not in position to go backwards and make change.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy said that the Board doesn’t know how many we are talking
about.

Sheriff
Edwards stated that he can take the budgeted amount, spend it any way he wants,
and some sheriffs’ offices do that.

Chair
Ken Richardson reminded everyone what is before the Board.

Commissioner
Steve Roten made a motion to approve the starting salary plus one step, it is
in the discretion of the Board to consider others, and other departments should
come before the Board if in the same situation.  Commissioner Milly Richardson seconded
the motion.  Vote 4:1 (Ken
Richardson).

The
Board of Commissioners discussed how to address these problems and ways to move
forward.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson reiterated that the County is not in the budget shape where
the Board can fix these issues.  She
said that she respects and appreciates all of the work that Randy Miller and
Ken Richardson have done.  She
further said that the problem needs to be addressed.

Commissioner
Randy Miller talked about this just opened the door, and it needs to be fixed.

Chair
Ken Richardson stated that Randy Miller and he will begin to meet again after
the first of the year and see who falls in this category.

Ralph
Castillo came before the Board to present the annual report for Alleghany
Memorial Hospital.  He reviewed the handout
showing statistics for the Hospital including volume, local vendor expenses,
revenues/expenses, patient surveys, medical staff and Board of Trustees.  He introduced Dr. Joe Arocha, the new internal
medicine doctor.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson stated that she thinks it would be a good idea to have a
Commissioner on the hospital board in order to stay attune with the
hospital’s work.  She further
stated that she will be glad to serve on the board if that is necessary.

Dr.
Joe Arocha came before the Board to officially introduce himself.  He provided his background including being
born and raised in Florida, medical background starting as a nurse then going
back to medical school.  He
described how he decided to move to Alleghany County.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson stated that she has talked with several people who are Dr.
Arocha’s patients, and they have been very pleased with the
services.  She said that Dr. Arocha
is a great asset to the community already, and the County is grateful to have
you.

Chair
Ken Richardson stated his appreciation for Dr. Arocha taking time away from his
schedule to meet with the Commissioners.

County
Manager Don Adams presented a proposed water authority amendment. He explained
that this agreement is between the Town of Independence, Town of Sparta,
Grayson County and Alleghany County.
He explained that this is required by USDA.   He reviewed the proposed changes.

Commissioner
Randy Miller made a motion to approve the amendment.  Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded the
motion.  Vote 5:0.

County
Manager Don Adams presented the amended Safety Fund project ordinance in the
amount of $800,755.  He presented
the training facility engineering contract.  He reviewed the contract including
highlights of the contract being the estimated total development and
construction in the amount of $650,755.
He reviewed the safety fund breakdown.

Commissioner
Randy Miller made a motion to approve the amended project ordinance.  Commissioner Milly Richardson seconded
the motion.  Vote 5:0.

Commissioner
Randy Miller made a motion to approve the contract.  Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded the
motion.  Vote 5:0.

County
Manager Don Adams presented budget amendment General Fund #11 in the amount of
$2,884 for EMS drug testing.

Commissioner
Randy Miller made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #11 in the
amount of $2,884.  Commissioner
Milly Richardson seconded the motion.
Vote 5:0.

County
Manager Don Adams presented budget amendment General Fund #12 in the amount of
$126,166.  He explained that $97,000
is for the land for the sewer at Glade Creek School, $15,000 for the rural
center planning grant and $14,168 for well expenses for Glade Creek
School.  He reminded everyone that
the County is currently under option for property near Glade Creek Elementary
School with Paul Hawks for eight acres.
He explained that a soil scientist visited the Hawks property and Novak
property, and the recommendation from the soil scientist is to go with the Hawks
property.  He further explained that
he has spent about $850 on the soil scientist which could have gone up to $2,000.  He said that he has the report if anyone
wants to see it.  He reiterated that
the Hawks property is more suitable for the sewer needs.  He explained the rural center grant for $15,000
and the well expenses in the amount of $14,166.

Commissioner
Steve Roten and County Manager Don Adams talked about the well testing.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson and County Manager Don Adams talked about bidding timelines
for the project.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #12 in the
amount of $126,166.  Commissioner
Milly Richardson seconded the motion.
Vote 5:0.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy made a motion to move forward to close on the Hawks property.  Commissioner Randy Miller seconded the
motion.  Vote 5:0.

County
Manager Don Adams presented budget amendment General Fund #13 in the amount of
($3,000) for a decrease in JCPC funds on the State side only.

Commissioner
Randy Miller made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #13 in the
amount of ($3,000).  Commissioner
Milly Richardson seconded the motion.
Vote 5:0.

County
Manager Don Adams presented budget amendment General Fund #14 in the amount of
($497) for a decrease in the CJPP program.

Commissioner
Randy Miller made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #14 in the
amount of ($497).  Commissioner
Milly Richardson seconded the motion.
Vote 5:0.

County
Manager Don Adams presented the QSCB Fund project ordinance in the amount of
$3,362,150 and explained that this will put the funding in place.  He reviewed the breakdown of the
expenses and revenues for the fund.

Commissioner
Randy Miller made a motion to approve the project ordinance for the QSCB Fund.  Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded the
motion.  Vote 5:0.

County
Manager Don Adams updated the Board about the QSCB loan closing today, and the money
will be transferred tomorrow.  He
reminded the Board that the money was obtained at an interest rate of 1.97%.

Commissioner
Milly Richardson wished everyone a Merry Christmas.  She congratulated everyone on the
decorations in the town and encouraged everyone to view the decorations.

Commissioner
Randy Miller wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  He thanked everyone for all of the hard
work.

Commissioner
Doug Murphy wished everyone a Merry Christmas and appreciates everyone’s
work.

Commissioner
Steve Roten wished everyone a Merry Christmas and asked everyone to remember
the people that are up against it during this Holiday season.

Chair
Ken Richardson said Merry Christmas to everyone including the Board members and
staff.  He talked about looking back
on 2009 and the accomplishments.

Commissioner Randy Miller made a motion
to go into closed session at 5:05pm under NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (3)—legal
and (a) (4)—economic development.
Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a
motion to adjourn closed session at 5:44pm and reconvene the regular
meeting.  Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded
the motion.  Vote 5:0.

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

Being no further business, Commissioner
Doug Murphy made a motion to adjourn at 5:46pm.  Commissioner Randy Miller seconded the
motion.  Vote 5:0.

Respectfully Submitted,

Karen Evans

Clerk to the Board

Attest:

Ken Richardson

Chairman