MINUTES  REGULAR SCHEDULED: MEETING OFTHEI BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS  OF EDGECOMBE COUNTY MAY2, 2022 AT 7:00 P.M. INTHEJONATHAN FELTON COMMISSIONERS ROOM COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE: BUILDING TARBORO, NORTH CAROLINA  1.  MEETINGCALLED TOORDER BY CHAIRMANLEONARD WIGGINS AT MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Leonard Wiggins, Chairman, Rev. E. Wayne Hines, Vice-Chairman, Mr. Donald Boswell, Mr. William Wooten, Mrs. Evelyn Powell, Mr. OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Eric Evans, County Manager, Mrs. Natalie Bess, Deputy County Manager, Mr. Michael Peters, County Attorney and Ms. Frangie Mungo,  7:001 P.M.  Ralph Webb and Mrs. Viola Harris. MEMBERS ABSENT: None. Clerk to thel Board. SAFETYI INSTRUCTIONS. Mrs. Bess provided safety instructions. Rev. Hines provided prayer.  2. 3. 4.  PRAYER.  MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL. Mr. Wooten moved to approve the minutes of the April 4, 2022 meeting as presented. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. With consensus of thel Board item Number 5, Public Hearing, was heard upon arrival of the  presenter. 6.  SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS.  A. Michelle Etheridge, Health Director, presented the COVID-19 update.  Averaging about two cases per day;  One COVID death since thel last meeting; (140 total) 55 % people vaccinated with one dose 51% people vaccinated with two doses 23% people who have gotten at] least one booster Ifyou are 50 and over you can get a second booster  Vaccinations:  Health Department still doing vaccinations on Fridays by appointment  7.  BOARD OF EQUALIZATION ANDI REVIEW.  REV. HINES MOVED TOI RECESS THE REGULAR BOARDOF COMMISSIONERS MEETING. ANDI RECONVENE, AS BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, AND REVIEW. MR. WOOTEN SECONDED THE MOTION, B. Mrs. Tarasa Lewis, Tax Administrator, that there were no scheduled appointments. She stated that they did reçeive one final appeal as ofThursday afternoon fromi newly opened rest home facility belonging to' Tarboro PropCo, LLC. Shes stated that they have not had the opportunity to review their data and make a recommendation tot thel Board. She asked that thel Board toj put off the adjournment of thel Board of] E&R and the approval of the Resolution  WHICH CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. A. Mr. Wiggins, Chairman, called the meeting to order.  1    Approving Finalizing of Final Values until the. June meeting. Mrs. Lewis stated that they still willl have thej possibility of receiving appeals that are post marked by 5:00 p.m. today. Shes stated that she would like thel Board to consider confirming thel Board of] E&R for purposes of accepting any new appeals for the 2022 real property values and she recommended that the Board recess until the Mrs. Harris moved to approve the recommendation of the' Tax Administrator as presented. Mrs. Powells seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. MR. WOOTEN. MOVED TO RECESS AS BOARD OF EQUALIZATIONAND REVIEW ANDI RECONVENE REGULAR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING. REV. HINES SECONDED THEI MOTION, WHICH CARRIED BY  final appeals are reviewed.  UNANIMOUS VOTE. PUBLIC PETITIONS.  8.  Kathy Williams, 22081 Robin) Drive, Tarboro, and Officer) Lynn. Mrs. Williams showed the Board as sample oft the water collected from the animal shelter which was discolored. She announced: al big event coming up on May 28t, 6-10 p.m. A national non-profit organization called. Jordan's Way will come to the County at the current shelter. She stated that they are looking for the city and county leaders to come and take on some challenges. Shes stated that the organization raises on average $8,000- $12,000 and willl be streaming on Facebook live. Officer Lynn stated that the event willl have a DJ, games, food trucks, dunking booth, pie throwing, etc. Mrs. Williams stated that all monies raised will go directly to the Animal Shelter fund. Officer Lynn stated that volunteers are needed. Mrs. Williams shared several other Ms. Kandie Smith, candidate for Senate Seat District 5, which is Edgecombe and Pitt Counties, came forth to introduce herself. She stated talked about the importance of working together with those who make the business decisions.  fundraisers.  9.  OTHER BUSINESS:  A. Approval of budget amendments.  Mr. Evans brought to thel Board's attention budget amendment number3 submitted by the Sheriff's Office to Reallocate funds for capital outlay expenditures, gun permit appi interface, salary adjustments and polygraph certification. He stated that the Sheriff has had a need for additional cars for some time. We are considering what toi include in the budget for FY-23. Wewill be paying off thel loan this coming fiscal year. Mr. Evans stated that this budget amendment proposes to move some monies from salaries, insurance and a couple of other linei items to the capital outlay to purchase four vehicles that the Sheriff has found and available ($320,000). One of the challenges now is that finding fleet vehicles. Hei is also moving some money toj purchase ai full body scanner at Mr. Evans brought to the Board's attention budget amendment #4 from the County Manager's Office: To appropriate additional funds to cover the costs of Mr. Boswell asked for clarification regarding budget amendment #3 and the  thej jail.  consulting services in Finance and County Administration.  $320,000 toj purchase four cars.  Mr. Evans stated that iti includes all of the equipment. Mr. Boswell stated thati is $80,000 per car.  2    Mr. Evans stated that itl looks like the vehicle is $36,000 and the upfit is $21,000  plus, tax and tags.  Mr. Boswell stated that is a $23,000 difference.  Thel Board asked that Mr. Evans bring more clarification on this to the budget Mr. Wooten askedi ift the Sheriffi is telling thel Board that he has an extra $510,000 that was budgeted for the salaries thati is going unused. He asked if thati isl how hei is able to move this money that the Board struggled sol hard to send over another $300,000 toj pay people more money and find at the end of the Mr. Evans stated that yes, it was from lapsed salaries. He stated that when it After discussion Mr. Boswell moved to approve the budget amendments as Mr. Wooten askedi if budget amendment #3 should be excluded because of the  committee.  year that that therei is $510,0001 left.  was budgeted it was expected that all positions to be filled. presented. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion.  questions about vehicles.  Mr. Evans stated that that was up to the Board.  Mr. Boswell amended his motion to approve thel budget amendments as presented, excluding budget amendment #3 until further clarification is received. Mr. Wooten seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 1. Mr. Wiggins called aj public hearing to order to receive citizen comments relative to the proposed changes to the Unified Development Ordinance. Mr. Peters read the public notice as published.  5.  PUBLICI HEARING:  Comments by Mr. Evans introduced Mr. Chad Meadows with Code Wright  Planners.  Mr. Meadows provided aj power point presentation on:  Amendment Process, Generally Review of proposed amendments Planningl Board review Next Steps was adjourned.  Mr. Wiggins called for public comments. There being none, the public hearing Mr. Wooten moved to approve the changes to the UDO as presented. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Mr. Wiggins acknowledged that Sheriff Clee Atkinson was now present and asked him to come up to speak regarding the Board's discussion on his budget amendment. Sheriff Atkinson stated that several years ago when he stood before thel Board he was told that hei is the Sheriff andi ifiti is within his budget he can use it. He stated that iti isi in his budget and public safety is number one on everybody'sagenda right now, because nobody  feels safe at all.  3    Mr. Wiggins stated to the Sheriff that thel Board needed an understanding on the budget Sheriff. Atkinson stated that public safety is number one on the Sheriff's agenda. P'm charged with) keeping everybody safe in Edgecombe County and he tries to doi it better than anybody elsei in) Eastern North Carolina. He stated that as his phone was ringing off the hook ai few minutes ago asl he was thei first one on thes scene of thel homicide ofa female. I didn'tknow why my phone was buzzing, buti it was people across Edgecombe County calling him about this. He stated for the cars, he did not get any capital outlay for 2021. Sheriff. Atkinson stated that hel bought three vehicles from the outgoing budget from last year. No vehicles in 2021. He stated that as for the price oft the vehicles, they are not making any more. Dodge Chargers across America. The Highway Patrol: is thel largest fleet inl North Carolina and they are doing away from Dodge Chargers. So, he has to start purchasing some SUVS. They could not find a SUVi in North Carolina because he waited tool late order, but hel begged and now they can c get them from a company out of Virginia. Sheriff. Atkinson stated that they are in critical stages with their vehicles. Hes stated to the Board that wheni it comes to salaries, thank you. The Board has worked with him over the years. He stated that when they got those 22 vehicles in 2018 he knew that when you drive those cars for four years they are no good. They have no resale value, and now are right backi into critical stages, because ofi instead of getting 22 or 25, they really needed 601 to 80 vehicles. He stated that he requested what wasi in the budget, thel lapsed salaries that was Mr. Wooten stated that thet taxpayers of] Edgecombe County came up with extra money for him toj pay his people and now hei is asking for $510,000 to be moved from salaries tol buy Sheriff. Atkinson stated that it was doubled and he could afford to pay salaries and vehicles. Mr. Wooten stated that the Board earmarked $510,000 extra dollars for him toj pay: your people. You elected not to and now you are electing to move that for four vehicles. Mr. Wiggins stated that the question that the Board was addressing was the cost of four vehicles and now understanding that the Sheriffi is requesting to use that money now: for Mr. Wooten stated that the information they received was that four vehicles was costing Mr. Wiggins stated that there was intent of thel Board to not give it. Thel Board questioned  amendment.  int thel budget.  four vehicles why did he elect not toj pay his people more.  moret than four vehicles.  $36,000 aj piece and their upfits were $44,000.  the cost of four vehicles.  Sheriff. Atkinson stated that he is looking toj purchase 8t to 10 vehicles.  Thel Board suggested that this amendment be sent to the budget committee and then After discussion Mr. Wooten moved to appropriate $180,000 regarding budget amendment #3 reduce the Salaries regular line by $180,000 and then moving that to capital outlay. Mr. Mrs.) Harris stated that she did not want toj jeopardize the Sheriff losing the five cars that he can get: after already not being able to find any. Shes stated that waiting ai few more The motion carried by a vote of6to1 1. Mrs. Harris opposed thei motion.  brought back to thei fulll Board. Boswell seconded the motion.  fori further discussion could jeopardize that.  days    B. Approval of Bad Debt Write-off for the Health Department.  Mr. Evans stated that the Edgecombe County Health Department's Bad Debt Write Off] Policy states that al Patient's account willl be handled asl Bad Debt when therel has been no activity on the account for more than six months. This does not mean that there willl be noi further efforts to collect the debt. In fact, if therei is any new activity on the account, for example the patient presents at the Health Department for services, then the accounti is reactivated. This action is an accounting method whereas the written off debt nol longer shows on our books as al receivable. Thel Human Services Board voted unanimously to Mrs. Harris moved to approve thel Bad Debt Write Off as recommended by the Human Services Board. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by Approval of Cooperative. Agreement with Vocational Rehabilitation. Mr. Evans stated that annually we enter into an agreement with thel NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation services to assist eligible individuals in gaining employment. These services include counseling, training, education, transportation, job placement, assistive technology and others support services. For those services the County provides matching funds, which for FY-23 will be Rev. Hines moved to approve the agreement as presented. Mr. Boswell seconded D.A Approval ofresolution recognizing May 5th as the National Day of Prayer. Mrs.] Harris moved to approve the resolution as presented. Mr. Webb seconded  recommend this debt be written off.  unanimous vote.  $21,204. We also provide office space for their staff. the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mrs. Harris read the resolution.  E. Approval of] Memorandum of Understanding with broadband companies. Mr. Evans stated that thel NCI Broadband Infrastructure Officei is accepting grant applications from service providers to expand high speed internet Service in counties where access is limited or unavailable. Each project can receive up to $41 million, and up to $8 million can be awarded in one county. Currently, we have four companies that plan to submit applications for Edgecombe County: CloudWyze (submitting two applications); Lumen (formerly CenturyLink soon tol be Brightspeed), AlticeUSA (formerly Suddenlink); and InfinityLink. All four propose projects that would expand broadbandi in areas not currently served in our County. None of the projects would completely address unserved areas, as the cost to do sO would be beyond the available grant funds. However, they all would create the opportunity for future expansion with other funding opportunities. Though up to two grants can be awarded in a county, no two companies could serve the same coverage area. Therefore, being that each of the proposed projects is different, iti is possible that two different projects could be approved in Edgecombe County. Each company will make their own investment into thej project in addition to the grant award. Having a County contribution to thej project allows for additional rating points to be received, which is important since this round of funding willl be extremely competitive. Mr. Evans stated that our ARPA funding now gives us the opportunity toi invest inl broadband expansion. There, he recommended that thel Board approve the resolutions supporting each project up to $50,000 contingent upon Great Grants funds Mr. Webb moved to approve the resolutions as presented. Mr. Boswell seconded  being approved.  the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.    F. Approval ofl lease agreement for USDA = Farm Service Agency. Mr. Evans stated that the County provides space for staff with USDA, Farm Service here in the County Administration. Thel lease agreement is up for renewal, and our staff have worked with USDA representatives to come to an updated agreement. They are requesting some improvements be madei in the office, the cost of which is buildi into the agreement for reimbursement over the Mrs. Powell moved to approve thel lease agreement aj presented and authorize thel Manager to execute the same. Mr. Wooten seconded the motion, which . Approval of fee schedule changes for Emergency Medical Services. Mr. Evans stated that thel Edgecombe County emergency Services office would like to get approval for a rate increase fort the 2022 Ambulance Fee Schedule due tol Medicare Adjustment reimbursement fees to effective May 2, 2022:  first three years.  carried by unanimous vote.  Mileage $12.00 per mile; BLS-Non $500.00 BLS-Emergency $500.00 ALS2$900.00  Additionally, thel Edgecombe County Emergency Services office would like to get approval tos start charging fors special events. They arel being asked to stand by ate events more. and more. This is very costly to the County, due tol having toj pay staff overtime and the cost of fuel going up. They stand by at all of the home football games at' Tarboro High School, Southwest Edgecombe High School and North) Edgecombe High School, which would be at] least 20-football games or Mr. Boswell moved to approve thei fee schedule as] presented. Mr. Wooten A. Municipal Representative for the] Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Mr. Boswell moved to appoint Mr. Travis Stigge. Rev. Hines seconded the  more, plus other special events.  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  10. APPOINTMENTS:  motion, which carried by unanimous vote. B. Town of Princeville Planning Board for ETJ. Edgecombe County Planning Board. D. Edgecombe County Board of Adjustment.  None. None. None.  11. AFTERLISTS AND] RELEASES FORI REVIEW AND APPROVAL. seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 12. APPROVALANDIOR REVIEW OF CONTRACTS. motion, which carried by unanimous vote. A. Water and Sewer update. B. Monthly Financial Summary. C.Sales Taxi report.  Mr. Boswell moved to approve the afterlists and releases as presented. Mr. Wooten Mr. Boswell moved to approve the contracts as presented. Rev. Hines seconded the  13. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS FOR REVIEW. ***Received***  14. MANAGERSREPORTEPORT-"Reeived"a: A.I Introduction of new Solid Wastel Director.  6    Mr. Evansi introduced Gloria Moseley. B. Workforce Development indicators. C. Update on Edgecombe County Animal Shelter. Firm selected: RL Architects out of] Davidson, NC D. Reminder of. Joint Meeting with Edgecombe School Board: Thursday, May 5th; dinner at 6p p.m. and meeting at' 7 p.m. Agricultural Center atl Kingsboro  15. COMMISSIONERS REPORT.  Mr. Boswell stated that hel has aj judiciary responsibility just like the Sheriff has. He stated that we do not spend money without questioning anybody. That is part of the job whether wel likei it or not. Mr. Boswell stated that he did not think there isa commissioner on this board that does not support the Sheriff 110j percent. Weare doing the best with what wel have to work with. However, questioning someone that works with the County about where the money is going and whati it is beings spend fori inj no way reflects on him or thel Board. Mr. Boswell stated that he did not appreciate what the Sheriff: said tonight and he would let him know when he sees Mrs. Harris asked ift the Veterans Department and Office on Aging still consist of Mr. Evans stated thati in the. Aging Office therei is a part-time person that is not year-round that works through UCPS Senior Employment Program and currentlya someonei isi in the Veterans Office that is onl lite duty from another department. Mrs. Harris stated that there are al lot of needs not being met from those offices because of having only one] person in each office and asked that be considered in the Mr. Webb shared the information about the 37th Annual Peace Officers Ceremony happening tomorrow at thel Englewood Baptist Church, Rocky Mount at 10 a.m. Mr. Webb recommended that signs be place at the Solid Waste sites letting individuals know that they have tos show their placards to the workers at each site. Hes stated that hel has been atl his site and seen the workers being cursed out when  him.  one person in each office.  near future.  they asked for the placards.  Mr. Wiggins asked Mr. Evans to have that done.  16. ATTORNEYSREPORT 17. CLOSEDSESSION.  None.  Rev.1 Hines moved to go into closed session to discuss: A. Economic Development. [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(4)] B. Personnel. [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(3)).  Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mrs. Harris moved to go out of closed session and resume the regular meeting. Mrs. Powell secondedi the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Evans presented to the Board the Corrective Action Plan tol LGC regarding the 18. MR. WOOTENMOVED TOI RECESS THE METINGINILITHURSDAY  audit findings.  7    MAY5,2022. AT7:00 A.M.] FOR. JOINT MEETING WITH EDGECOMBE COUNTY SCHOOLI BOARD. REV.HINES SECONDED THE MOTION,  WHICH CARRIED BY UNANIMOUSVOTE.  Approved June 6, 2022. oge Vlline Frangiel Mungo, Clerk to thel Board  8