MINUTES  REGULAR SCHEDULEDI MEETING OFTHE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS  OF] EDGECOMBE COUNTY DECEMBER 6, 2021 AT 7:001 P.M. INTHE CARMON. AUDITORIUM COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING TARBORO, NORTH CAROLINA  1.  MEETING CALLED: TO ORDER BY CHAIRMAN LEONARD WIGGINSAT MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Leonard Wiggins, Chairman, Rev. E. Wayne Hines, Vice-Chairman, Mrs. Violal Harris, Mr. Donald Boswell, Mrs. Evelyn Powell, Mr.  7:001 P.M.  Ralph Webb, and Mr. William Wooten. MEMBERS ABSENT: None. Clerk to the Board. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS. Mrs. Bess provided safety instructions. Rev. Hines provided the prayer.  OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Eric Evans, County Manager, Mrs. Natalie Bess, Deputy County Manager, Mr. Michael Peters, County Attorney and Ms. Frangie Mungo,  2. 3. 4. 5.  PRAYER.  MINUTESOF) PREVIOUS! MEETINGS PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL. Rev. Hines moved to approve the minutes of thel November 1, 2021 meeting as presented. Mrs. Harris seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  ELECTION OF OFFICERS-2022. Board of Commissioners Chairman Mr. Peters called for nominations. Mr. Leonard Wiggins was nominated by Rev. Hines. Board of Commissioners Vice-Chairman Mr. Wiggins called for nominations. SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS.  Rev. E. Waynel Hines was nominated by Mr. Leonard Wiggins.  A. Town of Princeville representative presentation to thel Board of Commissioners. Mayor Bobby Jones came forth toj present tokens of appreciation to thel Board of Commissioners. and to thank them on behalf of the citizens of] Princeville for the support over thel last five years in addition to as long asl hel has been the Mayor for thel last eight years. Hes stated thati it has been an honor and privilege to work with the County, especially the County Manager, Mr. Evans and Mr. Evans showed thel Board a plaque that the Town of Princeville presented to thel Edgecombe County Board of Commissioners at thel Ribbon Cutting of the B. Dr.Valeriel Bridges, ECPS Superintendent. recognition from] Board. Mr. Wiggins introduced Dr. Bridges and Rev. Raymond Privott, ECPS Board Chairman. Mr. Wiggins read ai Resolution to Honor. Edgecombe County Public Mrs. Powell moved to approve the resolution as presented. Rev. Hines seconded  Princeville's representative. Mrs. Harris.  Town Hall.  Schools Superintendent. Dr. Valerie Bridges.  1    the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Thel North Carolina Association of School Administrators, the North Carolina School Superintendents' Association and thel North Carolina School Boards, jointly acknowledge her excellence in education by selecting her as the 2022 Dr. Bridges thanked thel Board, her Board and the community. Rev. Privott thanked thel Board for recognizing Dr. Bridges.  North Carolina Superintendent of the year.  :. Michelle Etheridge, Interim Health Director, to present COVID-19 update. Mrs. Etheridge stated that as ofl November 29, 2021 NCI DHHS reported 8,150 cases of COVID-19 in Edgecombe County. Group most affected is white females in the: age group of 25-49. There) has been as slight increase in the daily case averages. She providedi information on demographics on cases, deaths and vaccines. Death count due to COVID-19 is 127. Total vaccines given in Edgecombe County equals 47,964. She provided information on COVID-19 D. Sharon Edmondson, North Carolina Deputy Treasurer. - Fiscal Accountability Ms. Edmondson stated that she was present to talk about the County's outstanding financial audits. Edgecombe County is now two years behind on its statutorily required audits. She stated that on December 4, 2020 the 2019: audit was over a year late. Since 2015, the County has been late every: year. She stated that she talked with Mr. Evans about the situation. She told commissioners that the consequences of the county's not being able to meeti its state-mandated deadlines could be great. Ify your auditi is not approved by Feb. 22, the county will lose funding and be required toj pay $3.7 million back to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Ideally this would come from the Water and Sewer District 4 fund, but they havel been told that ift this payment has tol be made it must come out of After Ms. Edmondson's presentation regarding thel late audits, consequences and plans on addressing this matter Mr. Evans read his prepared response. Ms. Edmondson answered several questions from thel Board.  testing, vaccines, community events andi incentives.  Agreement.  the General Fund.  7.  PUBLIC PETITIONS.  Mr. Craig Deal stated that hel has been) Edgecombe County for 54 years. He stated that hei is a research superintendent forl North Carolina Agriculture and he leads several farm managers, farm technicians and what they practicei is communication at all times. He stated thati in his dealing with Edgecombe County there is no communication. Hel had al land transaction take place in May. His lawyer didl his part, but the County has not done their part. Hel knew that thei former coordinator retired and ai replacement was hired. He stated that hei is still waiting for that property to appear in his name. Hel has called several times, left several messages, wanting somebody to answer questions and nobody has returned his calls. Mrs. Lewis has not returned his calls, which goes back to communication. He stated that when he finally got through to someone. he was told that it would be done that week and its stilll has not been done. He stated that his sister came tol Mr. Evans's office and left a message for him to calll her, then she called and Mr. Evans still has not received a call back. Mr. Deal asked whyi isi its sol hard for people to do their jobs. Hes stated that his sister called two commissioners and she received aj phone calli in 4 to8hours and then he received aj phone call from one of them. Thati is communication. He stated that he even tried to complete the satisfaction survey and for two weeks he could not get through. When) he finally did get on and expressed  2    what hel had been through he did has not heard anything. Mr. Deal stated that it should be: an embarrassment tol Edgecombe County that hel had a surveyor come to him and telll him that he was sorry that he had land in Edgecombe County. He stated that this does not make himi feel good because hel has been here alll his life. He stated that he hopes this is not an example of] his tax dollars at work. He thanked Mr. Boswell and Mr. Webb for being the kind of County commissioners the citizens Mr. Wiggins stated that thel Board will get some answers and find out ifit happened Mrs. Kathy Williams presented pictures of animals that have died because the animal shelter cannot be kept clean because iti is sO old and the floor cannot be sealed. She stated that these are perfectly healthy animals that until they came to the animal shelter, were okay. She stated that there were several days that it was above 85 degrees inside the shelter with the air conditioning and fans going. Thati is breaking State law. Ifthe State Inspector had walked in she would have closed the shelter immediately. Mrs. Williams stated she knew that the Board put the $50,000 aside raised they have raised $47,000. She stated that they are trying. She stated that they run out of room constantly and the citizens do not want to hear that there is nowhere to] put the animals. She stated that the officer at thes shelter tries to keep that building clean. She stated that shel has been telling the Statel Inspector every year that we: are getting a new shelter, and the State Inspector is going to get tired of  need.  why didi itl happen.  that.  Mr. Evans read the following email submitted for public petitions:  Solid Waste Management Director Position Ellyn Andrews <Ellyn.Andrews@mutrien.com>  Wed 12/1/20212:30 PM  To: Public Comments Publicomments@edgecomboeco.com> Iwould like to recommend Gloria Moseley for thej position of Solid Waste Management Director for Edgecombe County. Glorial has worked at thel landfill for many: years. Shel knows the ins and outs of the position. Gloria already does most of the duties that arel listed on the job description. Shei is passionate about keeping Edgecombe clean. She works hard and deserves this position. Please consider her for this position. She would make a great director!  Thank you Ellyn Andrews Administrative Coordinator Tarboro Central Source. Location #134 Tarboro Telone Plant #123 LPI Warehouse Tarboro NC# #0138 Mid NC/VA Div' Tarboro Bulk #2029 Nutrien Ag Solutions Inc. 495 W. StJ James St Tarboro NC 27886 252-641-6310 phone 252-641-6313 fax Pbnamdreyanutamsn NatremAgsolations.om 8. OTHER BUSINESS:  A. Approval of budget amendments.  Mr. Wooten moved to approve the budget amendments as presented, with the  3    exception of budget amendment #17 (Tol budget additional funds to administrative assistant for HRJ Department. Halfs salary for remainder of the fiscal year.) Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. B. Approval of] Bad) Debt Write-Off from thel Health Department. Mr. Evans stated that thel Edgecombe County Health) Department's Bad Debt Write Off] Policy states that aj patient's account willl bel handled as Bad Debt when there has been no activity on the account for more thans six months. This does not mean that there will be no 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 account is reactivated. This action is an accounting method whereas the written off debt nol longer shows on our Mr. Harris moved to approve the Bad Debt Write-Off. Policy as recommended by thel Human Services Board. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried Mr. Evans stated that staff at the Health Department regularly reviews the fee schedule to add fees as needed and to ensure existing fees cover the costs associated with providing the services. For Board's consideration he presented the addition of ani in-home COVID-19 vaccine administration fee of $35. He stated that thel Human Services Board at their last meeting voted to recommend the approval of this fee change retroactive to. June 8, 2021 to cover previously Mrs. Harris moved to approve the fee schedule change as recommended. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. D. Approval of voting delegate for thel National Association of Counties Legislative Mr.) Evans stated that thel National Association of Counties will hold its Legislative Conference on February 12th-16th. Commissioner Harris plans to attend to represent the County. He recommended that thel Board take action to approve Commissioner Harris as the Voting Delegate for Edgecombe County for Mr. Boswell moved to approve as recommended. Mr. Webb seconded the Approval of Board of Commissioners meeting schedule for 2022. Mr. Evans presented for Board consideration the regular Board of Commissioners meeting schedule for 2022. Our County Code of Ordinances specifies that the regular meetings of the Board are tol bel heldi in the Commissioners' Room. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for more space toj provide social distancing, thel Board previously revised thel location of the regular meeting to the Carmon Auditorium through this year. Considering that Edgecombe County, and many counties in North Carolina, are still identified asl having substantial risk of transmission for the COVID-19 virus, he recommended that for the upcoming year the meetings remain in the Carmon Auditorium untils such time as we deem its safe to return to the Commissioners' Rev.] Hines moved to approve the meeting schedule as presented. Mr. Boswell  books as receivable. by unanimous vote.  . Approval of Health) Department Fee Schedule change.  administered in-home vaccinations.  Conference.  the 20221 NACO] Legislative Conference. motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Room.  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Approval of revision to the pay scale.  4    Mr. Evans stated that in reviewing the capacity needs in thel Finance Department, andi in consultation with the Finance Director, he determined that another position is needed to: assisti in carrying out the complex functions of the financial operations. The work of this position needs to cross multiple functions within the department. Therefore, he presented for the Board's consideration the: addition of an Accounting Specialist-Finance at salary grade 14. He stated that therei is already an Accounting Specialist at grade 14, however that position iss specific to the Health Department. Also included for thel Board's consideration are changes to the Purchasing Manager position to make it more compatible with thei needs of the department. Thej position will remain at Grade Mrs. Boswell moved to approve the revision as presented. Mrs. Powell seconded Mr. Evans stated that the County has been awarded $21,056.25 by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Emergency Management Division under thel Emergency Management Performance Grant Program (EMPG). The purpose of the grant is toj provide training and emergency management planning. This is 100%$ grant funded and requires nol local match. Mr. Boswell moved to accept the grant award and approve the accompanying budget amendment as presented. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which  14.  the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. G. Approval of] Emergency Management Performance Grant.  carried by unanimous vote.  SUPPLEMENTAL 1. Appointments: A. Board of Adjustment.  Mr. Webb moved to reappoint Mr. Billy' Trevathan as recommended by the Edgecombe County Board of Adjustment. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which AFTERLISTS AND] RELEASES! FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. Mr. Boswell moved to approve the afterlists and releases as presented. Mr. Webb seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 10. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS FOR REVIEW.--Reslved"  carried by unanimous vote.  A. Utilities Department report. B. Financial Summary report.  C.Planning Department - Correction to Unified Development Ordinance.  11. MANAGER'S REPORT. ***Received*** A. Workforce Development indicators. B. Introduction of new Chief Information Officer. Mr. Evans introduced Mr. Jason Webb. Playground: Tuesday, December 7th at 4j p.m. D. Update on the sale of decommissioned computers.  C. Dedication and! Donor Appreciation Ceremony for G.W. Carver's Adaptive  12. COMMISSIONERS REPORT.  Mrs.] Harris stated that thel Personnel Committee met and talked about the Employee Voice Committee. Shes stated that the Personnel Committee should be working along with Mrs. Bess since the Voice Committee is dealing with personnel issues and concerns. She stated that she would like to see the three-member Personnel Committee: interacting with her as well as to trying to come up withs some  solutions and answers for the employees.  5    Mr. Wiggins stated that he had no problem with this and asked thel Board if they had aj problem. Ity was the consensus of thel Board tol have thel Personnel Committee  interact with the Employee Voice Committee and Mrs. Bess.  13. ATTORNEY'S: REPORT. 14. CLOSED SESSION.  None.  Mr. Webb moved to go into closed session to discuss: A. Economic Development. [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(4)] B. Personnel Matter. [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(3)] Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Wooten seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Mr. Boswell moved to go out of closed session and resume the regular meeting. Mr. 15. MESPOWELLMOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING UNTILMONDAY, JANUARY3.2022/ AT7:00 P.M.REV.HINES SECONDEDTHE: MOTION,  WHICH CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.  -  Frangie Mungo, Clerk to the Board  IA