MINUTES  REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETINGOFTHE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS  OF EDGECOMBE COUNTY FEBRUARY 7, 2022 AT 7:001 P.M. INTHE CARMON AUDITORIUM COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING TARBORO, NORTH CAROLINA  1.  MEETINGCALLED: TO ORDER BY CHAIRMANLEONARD WIGGINSAT MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Leonard Wiggins, Chairman, Rev. E. Wayne Hines, Vice-Chairman, Mrs. Viola Harris, Mrs. Evelyn Powell, Mr. Donald Boswell, Mr.  7:00 P.M.  Ralph Webb and Mr. William Wooten. MEMBERS ABSENT: None. Clerk to thel Board. 2. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.  OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Eric Evans, County Manager, Mrs. Natalie Bess, Deputy County Manager, Mr. Michael Peters, County Attorney and Ms. Frangie Mungo,  Mrs. Bess provided the safety instructions. Rev.] Hines provided the prayer.  3. 4.  PRAYER.  MIINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL. Rev. Hines moved to approve the minutes of the. January 3, 2022 and. January 11, 2022 meetings as presented. Mr. Webb seconded the motion, which carried by A. Julius Moody, CSBG Director and Nichelle Cole, Executive Director, NEED, Mr. Evans stated that Nash Edgecombe Economic Development, Inc. (NEED, Inc) receives federal funding through the Community Service Block Grant program. A requirement of thej programi is toj present their Application for funding, which is their Anti-poverty Plan, to thel Board of Commissioners in each county they serve. This] plan discusses theirs strategies for eliminating poverty within their service area. A copy of the plan is included in the agenda packet. No action is needed by the Board. Mr. Evans stated that thel Board has Ms. Nichelle Coles shared a couple of updates. Number one being changes in Board officers, which shes shared. Number two being the name change of the organization tol Nash Edgecombe Wilson Community Action, Inc. Mr.Julius Moody provided an overview on how the funds were used for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and thej proposed use of funds for 2022-2023 funds. B. Twin County Opioid Settlement Committee- - Presentation of needs related to Mr. Evans stated that as settlement was reached on the nationwide opioid litigation. The National Association of Counties along with the NC Association of County commissioners crafted as settlement agreement for our State where funds willl bej provided directly to counties. These funds can be used fora number of opioid remediation activities. The Twin County Opioid Settlement  unanimous vote.  SCHEDULED. APPOINTMENTS. Inc. presentation of CSBG Work) Plan.  the opportunity to submit comments along with the plan.  the opioid crisis.  1    Committee is a group of partners working to elevate the needs related to opioid crisis and proposed strategies to address this critical issue. Mr. Evans stated that representatives from the Committee will make aj presentation on the impact oft the crisis inl Edgecombe County and recommended strategies. He stated that  some ofl her colleagues werej joining  Ms. Becky Copeland presented aj power point presentation:  Opioid Crisis- - State Data. (Overdose deaths inl NCI have increased 27% to Opioid Crisis- - Regional data. (Edgecombe County ED visits for drug overdoses havei increase at least 15%1 from 2019 to 2020.  datei in 2021 compared to 2020 Existing efforts: Edgecombe Lived experiences  Otheri important efforts moving forward. Opioid Settlement Funds: Edgecombe County anticipates receiving approximately $2.68 million over aj period of 16; years. Ms. Copeland answered questions from thel Board. Introduction of Connor Pippen, West Edgecombe Ruritan Scout' Troop 587 and candidate for a Citizens in the Community Merit Badge. Mr. Webbi introduced Connor Pippen and his father Craig Pippen. Mr. Webb stated that Connor Pippen is a member of West Edgecombe Ruritan Scout' Troop 587 andi is working to receive his Citizenshipi in the Community Merit Badge. As aj part of the requirements for such an accomplishment and honor, iti is suggested that he attends al Board of Commissioners. meeting. D. Michelle Etheridge, Interim Health Director, presented COVID-19 update. Mrs. Etheridge stated that as of February 1, 20221 NC DHHS reported 12,815 cases of COVID-19 inl Edgecombe County. Group most affected is white females in the age group of 25-49. Therel has been as significant increase in the daily case averages. She provided information on demographics on cases, deaths and vaccines. Death count due to COVID-19 is 136. She provided information on COVID-19 testing, vaccines, community events and incentives.  Connor is the son of Craig and Dana Pippen.  PUBLIC PETITIONS.  Mr. Derius Swinton, Richmond, Va., presented two objectives and one request. His first objective was to return two checks sent tol him from Edgecombe County and Rocky Mount. Thes second objective was to try to raise the Board's level of awareness and understanding regarding his experience for about five months in trying to gets some clarity in two departments that are critical and important to the functioning oft the operations of the County Government and City of Rocky Mount. Hes stated that approximately 13 years ago he purchased some property thati is divided between Edgecombe County and Rocky Mount. Consistently and faithfully, when] he got the bill, he paid itl by way of check. At the end of1 13 years, he sold the property: and at that timel hel learned that he was paying more than! he should have been paying per year for 13 years. He brought that to the attention of tax assessor's office without even getting any clarity, but he was able to get some factual information from employees saying that a mistake was made but they would never come public and say that. He stated that from his understanding each year an assessment is done on the property andi it was not done consistently, which led to him paying more than enough money every: year to the City ofl Rocky Mount and Edgecombe County. He stated that he paid more than $3000 more than what he should have paid. Mr. Swinton stated that the only reasonable answer he got was therei is a Statute that says that youl have six years limitation to find the fault and try to geti it rectified. Because! he was not aware of the statute the person in leadership  2    took thej position and he was told that] he could not be reimbursed because of the six- year limitation. As a customer he consistently paid thel bill, but now that he has found the error he cannot be reimbursed. That is his concern. He stated that he provided services to cities, state, federal and international levels and has done work for many government agencies throughout but hel has so much concern about the lack of accountability and professionalism targeted towards him during the last months just trying to gets something resolved. Why is itl being held against him when Mr. Peters, as asked by Mr. Wiggins, provided information regarding the statute. Ms. Candis Owens, Park Avenue, Tarboro, NC, stated thats she came tonight because she did noti finish] last time. She stated that she asked thel Board if they gave themselves ai raise this past year and they did, but no one could answer how much or what percentage. She found out that the Chairman got a 17% raise ($880/month). Everyone got a $150 except for Mr. Wooten, who declined the stipend. The rest of thel Board get a21% raise up to $729/month. The State employees got a 2 1/2% raise for thei first time in about three years. The Sheriff's department has been begging for a raise. The School system needs so much. She felta 17: and 21% raise ise extraordinary there are better places toj put that money, such as the Sheriff's department for our safety and asked that thel Board think about that and reconsider. When Sharon Edmondson, LGC, was heres she stated that Edgecombe County has reported material weaknesses, key accounts were: not reconciled, several requirements ofl NC General Statutes were violated, several funds reporting deficits, extensive budgetary over expenditures. She stated that there are budget amendments atj just about every meeting and she asked the Board tol look carefully at the budget and thel budget amendments, and stay within thel budget. There are no performance evaluations given to the County employees. She asked how can you possibly reduce thej payroll ift there are no performance evaluation and with the census down 13 %% (7,652 people) we: are going tol have to cut payroll somewhere. Therei is a County Manager, Assistant County Manager and al Deputy County Manager making $313,000. Shes stated that tried to decipher all of this auditing bills and thel best Id came up with, which included the $80,000 from) last month, was about $204,000. Thati is a good starting place to cut. The QVC firei is going to figure in to all of this. This is not fair to our poor people in our poor county. Our tax basei is Mr. Curmilus Dancy, 1271 Midway Lane, Tarboro, NC, PO 1391, Pinetops stated that he got a call onl his way to the meeting and he was asked toi find out why all the DSS workers are workingi in the office at the same timei instead of staggering with COVID issues going on. Mr. Dancy thanked the Board for allowing him to serve on thel Edgecombe County Animal Welfare Committee. He stated that he did not see anything on the agenda about the report on the Edgecombe County Animal Shelter and hel hoped thate each month a report would be given because the need ofa new animal shelter should be a high priority. He stated that hel hoped that you will update the Sheriff vehicles with high mileage. Mr. Dancy stated that he was at the Edgecombe County Christmas Classic Basketball game at' Tarboro High and parked across from an old Sheriff SUV: and he thought ofa question for the Sheriff, however al Deputy drove up and he questioned him about the year of the SUV. He said ity was in rotation when he was there as a deputy in early 2000. He stated that it is noti in rotation and only SRO drive them to school events and not for patrolling. Mr. Dancy stated that he also understands that some of the vehicles have lots of miles ont them as well. Hes stated that he has been passing by al local business for years and at any given timel he sees a Sheriff car there for repair. Itis obvious that Edgecombe County Sheriff Office is doing a great job, because! he questioned where were the' Tarboro Police Officers at thes game. Someone told him that only the Sheriff's Officers work the games. He stated that he hopes that the County can  hej paid more money than what he should have been paying.  thes second highest in the State.  3    convince QVCto rebuild because these folks are facing salary cuts from with unemployment. QVCI has nothing to do with the amount of unemployment wages so that was good when they paid them fors several weeks at thes salary they were making. Hes stated that Edgecombe County Commissioners like others have issues and challenges, however he hopes that the Board will tend tol his request.  7.  OTHER BUSINESS: A. Approval of budget amendments.  Mr. Wooten moved to approve thel budget amendments as presented. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimously vote. B. Approval of change of mileage reimbursement rate. Mr. Evans stated thati iti is the County's practice to follow the standard mileage reimbursement: rates set by the Internal Revenue Service. Recently, thel IRS issued ai notice thati iti isi increasing the rate from! 56 cents to 58.5 cents] per mile. Mr. Evans recommended that thel Board approve a new mileage reimbursement Mrs. Harris moved to approve the new rate as presented. Mr. Wooten seconded Mr. Evans stated that Sheriff. Atkinson has purchased new rifles for his deputies to replace theiri issued shotguns. Sheriff. Atkinson is requesting thel Board's approval to allow deputies toj purchase their current weapon. NC General Statutes does allow the governing body to dispose of personal property owned by the County through a negotiated sale. Mr. Evans recommended that thel Board approve the resolution which will allow Sheriff Atkinson to offer these weapons Rev. Hines moved to approve the resolution as presented. Mrs. Powell seconded A., Approval ofs an application by Edgecombe County Schools for the State Lottery Mr. Evans stated that] Edgecombe County Schools plans to repaint thei interior of their schools using funds from thel NCI Lottery Building Capital Fund. To use these funds for this project, thel Board of Commissioners must jointly request the release oft these funds along with ECPS. He presented the application for Public School Building Capital Fund, which has already been approved by the School Mr. Boswell moved to approve the application as presented. Mr. Wooten seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of6to1. Mrs. Harris  rate at 58.5 cents.  the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  :. Approval of Sheriff. Atkinson's request to sell service weapons.  for sale tol his deputies.  ther motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA: fund for Capital Improvements.  Board. opposed. 8. APPOINTMENTS: A. ABC Board.  Rev.) Hines moved to re-appoint Mr. Shelly Willingham. Mr. Webb seconded the Mr. Harris moved to appoint Ms. Delane Bryant as alternate. Mrs. Powell  motion, which carried by unanimous vote. B. Upper Coastal Plains Council of Government.  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 9. AFTERLISTS ANDI RELEASES FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Mr. Wooten moved to approve the afterlists and releases as presented. Mrs. Powell  4    10. CONTRACTS FORI REVIEW AND/OR APPROVAL. motion, which carried by unanimous vote. A. Water and Sewer update. C.Vehicle needs for Sheriff's Office. 12. MANAGER'S REFORL-PReihed" A. Workforce Development indicators.  Mr. Boswell moved to approve the contracts as presented. Mr. Webb seconded the  11. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS FOR] REVIFW.--Reehved":  B. Monthly Financial Summary presented by Katherine Walters, Financel Director.  B. QVCupdate. E.S Sales' Tax report.  C. Proposed date for Commissioners Retreat - March 21st. No objection. D. Update ofl FY20: and 21 audits and fiscali improvements. F.I Introduction of new Maintenance Director. Mr. Evansi introduced Mr. Stan Liverman.  Mr. Wiggins stated regarding the public concerns of the additions to executive team. He stated that his position ist that the manager: needs help with the departments and those positions will continue tol have hiss support.  13. COMMISSIONERS REPORT. 14. ATTORNEY'S! REPORT. 15. CLOSED SESSION.  None.  Rev. Hines moved to go into closed session to discuss: A. Economic Development. [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(4)] Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Mr. Webb moved to go out of closed session and resume the regular meeting. Mrs. Mr. Boswell moved to approve the granting of the extension request from Eastern Petroleum. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 16. REV.HINES MOVED TO ADJOURNTHE MEETING UNTIL MONDAY, MARCH 7,2022 AT 7:00 P.M. MRS. POWELLI SECONDED THE MOTION,  WHICH CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.  Approved March 7,2022.  Frangie Mungo,Clerkt tot  dlly  5