you I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. you the 2020-23 welcome everyone welcome board members We'd like to point out that our county attorney is with us tonight. However, he's with his electronically and So that's why it's safety but we may hear his voice later Hopefully not but just my half So I call the meeting order First time on jen is a pleasure of allegiance select to recognize special guest. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. and the judges are wrong. Ministers and excited about agenda is the agenda approval. We'll see we'll be on the board. The motion that we approve the agenda. Second. Got a motion to second any discussion? Give it another call. The question, all favorings you're right hand. Any opposed, light wise. The agenda has approved. Ladies and gentlemen, I have actually three chances tonight for the public to speak on three different items. One is a public, first two are public hearings, and then finally we have public comments. At this time, we'll go to public hearing under 3563. Is the public hearing for the elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities grant or me I'm sorry I'd like to recognize Tammy Aldridge sorry ten Good evening. Thank you for holding this public hearing. The purpose is for the grant, is senior centers request and approval for the county to apply for a federal grant under capital section 5310 and enhance mobility for seniors and individuals and disabilities program. And it's a capital purchase of service or we purchase service from Rutherford County Transit to bring our senior participants into the senior center each day for lunch and socialization. The amount that we're gonna ask for for the FY25 year will be 145,000. The 10% match is 14,500. Thank you. Are there any questions from the board on this? This is what we've done in years past. I believe there is a successful program. Great program. Thank you. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, in regards to design number 3563, Thank you. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, in regards to design number 3563, the public hearing on the elderly individual and individual disabilities grants, we'd like to speak regarding this grant. This is a public hearing for 3563, 5310 elderly individuals and individual disabilities grant. I'm just asking if there's three minutes to go. Public hearing for three five six three five three one zero elderly individuals and individual with disabilities. Grant and I'm just asking if there's been one speak regarding that matter. And we asked this three times as our attorney says that's a good thing to do to say three times. So just if you're willing to chance to speak on public hearings. Finally regarding. Three, sorry, I got my number, so I have to say three, five, six, three, the public hearing. So we'll let you speak. Well, now claims this public hearing like to ask the Board of Commissioners, regarding this matter, what's the will of the board? Motion we approve the public transportation program physical year 2024 resolution. Second. I got a motion a second, any discussion? Hang on a call, a question. All my favourites are right hand. Any opposed? Light wise. All right, we got it. Thank you. You bet. Good news. the commissioners lead to the items of public hearing this is 5311. It's a grant for transportation services. I'd like to open this public hearing this time. I'd like to recognize a transit director, carrying jow child's director Good evening, man Good evening Tonight for the public hearing transit is requesting approval for our fiscal year 25 grant funds as well We apply annually for these funds for both administrative and capital costs our administrative costs are covered at 85 percent and Capital is covered at 90%. We are requesting $319,140 for administrative costs such as salaries, vehicle insurance, marketing, advertising, and the such. And then $365,584 for capital and that will be used purchase of 25 foot LT bus and two four transit lift bands that are all replacement vehicles for those heavy. So the total we are requesting is $684,724, which comes with the total local share amount of $84,430, which will be paid for through transit revenues. Thank you. Thank you. Any questions or comments from the board regarding this? Are the vehicles available? Parts? They are behind. We have ordered last year's vehicles, and we are still waiting on them now. We are getting ready to place this current year's vehicle. So I'm hopeful that we are able to actually place an order for this current year that when next year comes around, they will have caught themselves back up But there's a pretty hefty There was a backlog on all public service vehicles here in the This is a public hearing on the grant for the Transportation Services. Does anybody remember the public, like to speak on this matter regarding the grant for the transportation services? Before we start on this public hearing, is the grant for transportation services? We just heard the presentations. Remember the public speaking, it's not going to happen. It's not going to happen. We're just not here, so I'm just going to give it to you. I can't give you the equal one. I'm going to give it to you. I am watching, sir. Regarding this public hearing, I'm asking one more time. I'm going to like speak for speak for the grant for transportation services. It does provide a good service to our community. Seeing them, I want to close the public hearing. Senator Clos. Commission for you, is there a committee motion? What is the will of the board like to make the motion that we approve the resolution? Thank you. Thank you. I got a motion in. Second. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I'd like to thank everyone for being here on the visitor screen and the line. The next item is public comments. We pay attention. Two people sign up for public comments tonight. There's nothing in certain order but I'd like to recognize from Robert Vittin and Mr. Feo, I hope I pronounced your name Charles Brown. Is that correct, sir? Please come by if you have three minutes. Thank you very much. Just had a couple of questions about property taxes. They went up extremely, extremely this year. I mean, double all the way around everybody that I've talked to said they were pretty much doubled. And I was just curious about that. And also, the letters I received on this to the Montpern of South Fitz. Somebody from Pennsylvania found out mistaken was in on the appraisals and I was curious about why they had to come from Pennsylvania to appraise things here in Rotterford County and I have a house on Huddler Road and I have already talked to several ladies, somebody up in the tax department. She's been very helpful, been as nice as she could be, wonderful lady, but the houses, there's no way you can live in it. It needs to be torn down, hold off. There's no way you can live in it. It needs to be torn down, hold off. I tried to get it removed from the taxes, and she said she couldn't do that. I still haven't paid property tax on houses. It's not livable, not usable at all whatsoever. And she told me the other way it could be taking off is if I tore it down and hauled it off. If I tear it down, take it to the county landfillfields, it's going to cost me $60 or more time to dump it there. And it's going to cost me a great deal of money to tear it down. And due to my health, I used to work for myself, but now I'm not able to do much work anymore. I just kind of pitted it with my shop and at home and stuff. I can't really get out and work for the public. And it's a great burden on me for these things. And the county sent some people out on the assessment on that property. It was very nice, very good. Went through the house and immediately went out of the door. They sent the understood, but they still can't get that house reduced. And I just don't understand that. I don't know why I should be paying packs on $40,000 that's technically not there and not usable. And I had another question quick when we went to our associates. The did this tax of president in the county this past year. I had a question was they paid hourly by the job or on a percentage or on a commission. How was they paid? Nobody seems to know that. Also the man that came to meet probably looked, he said they did all the businesses. They didn't do the individuals. He told me that he and I think he said, free other people did all the county appraisals this year. And that's unbelievable. There's a lot of places in this county to look at in praise. I'm just curious about it. And I have a niece that has her inherited her mother's house at Lake Lower. That house went from 280,000 to 560,000 Sure, thank you very much. You're three minutes or so All right, thank you. I'll make a comment. Yes, sir Third, I have no idea if they I know a lot of the fire departments Would do control burn Rutgers. Yes, sir, which may be an option for you to get around the house. I've done a lot of that a long, a lot of those years. And they did say they burned for me. But if they burned for me, it still needs to be removed, probably. And I've done this before. Yep. Cleaned up a burnt house. Is the dustiest and the nastiest. Most filthy mace you can ever do. It'd be much better to tear it down as it is. You know, basically tear it down as you get rid of it. And I appreciate your thought there. Just curious, because I'm retired and I draw social security. It's not enough to play this stuff. I thought I to work. Thank you. Thank you. We're still in public comments, and this is the time of the meeting where we receive comments from the public. We may not engage with you, but of course we receive comments. We have one more person, someone that we met with recently. Paula Hayes from Brother Richard. Good to see you again. We're gonna talk really fast. So. We'll listen really fast. I'm Paula Hayes, the county resident representing the Animal Welfare Alliance of Brotherford, A.O.R. At our community town hall last week, almost 70 people came together to discuss the animal welfare conditions in our county. We want some substantial changes made to how animals are viewed and protected here and they need to happen immediately. The current stance is having adverse effects throughout our community. Children are being mauled, adults are being attacked. People are discarding dogs and cats daily throughout the county. Animals are dying in our shelter. None of this is acceptable. These are the top five items we would like addressed now. Number one, more volunteer opportunities at the shelter. We would like to have volunteers be given access to help updating the pet established database. There is absolutely no reason you cannot have volunteers with access to help record management. We also have other volunteer opportunities identified. A.W.A. would be happy to help coordinate volunteers and the roles of the shelter if needed. Number two, shift the focus from nuisance control to animal welfare management. You cannot treat animal welfare like an afterthought and expect it to be effective. It needs to be its own department with a leader who has experience in management and can run it effectively with proper planning, employee supervision, and follow through, and someone who genuinely cares about the welfare of the animals. Animal welfare affects other areas of our community, such as safety, health, crime, and domestic abuse. Change the name to animal resource department, animal welfare or officers. Shift the entire focus and perspective of that department to something more appropriate and humane. Number three, we need law enforcement officers working directly for and dedicated just to animal control functions. The shelter staff are too busy taking care of animals and don't have time nor training to conduct thorough animal welfare checks and cruelty investigations, and too many cases of animal cruelty are being overlooked. Aeware has recommended the state animal cruelty volunteer investigator program, and this would go a long way in both helping enforce regulations, and in helping the community with access to information and resources to help provide for their animals. Hope County has done it effectively for decades and they have offered us their knowledge in setting up and joining in on their annual training. This needs to be approved now. Additionally, budget plans need to be made for law enforcement positions to fill full time dedicated animal control roles. Number four, transparency. Animal control is functioning in the dark. Monthly stats are missing since March, the 22 operating budget is not yet published. We want more transparent operations with more strategic fourth intent to flat plan for animal overcrowding. There is absolutely no reason animals should be getting killed for space without every other recourse being exhausted, including reaching out to rescues and the community to help. Another area where a volunteer could be helpful. A number five, establish a community council on animal welfare. Bring together leadership, the community law enforcement, the health department, the legal system, and animal experts to coordinate animal welfare efforts in our community, and to help provide oversight and transparency. It needs to be given that level of importance because it is that important. A.W. is willing to head up that effort if necessary. Our county is in crisis mode, gentlemen, and these are some things we feel are quick hits that should be relatively easy to put into place. We know we want a lot, but we are not asking for things that we are not also willing to help make happen. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Okay, that's all good. Thank you. The commission is excited. Is there anything I would like to add or remove from the commission to approve? Second. You have a second. Any discussion? You know the call of question. All of the favourites raise your right hand. Any opposed, likewise? Senator Justine. The motion is next time. There's three, five, six, eight. There would be. The support minutes to North Carolina Arts Council grassroots committee. This is my direct and honest to clerk to the board, Hazel Hames. Thank you Chairman. There are four terms expiring on the North Carolina Arts Council Grasper Roots Committee. These ways of amendment advertised and applications being accepted. Three of the four members, whose terms are expiring, have indicated their willingness to continue to serve. Those members are Jonathan Jones, Gordon, and August, and Amy Bridges. Also, economic development director Berged, Gilbert, has begun the task of serving as the ex-efficient member of this committee. Part of it. He is reported to the board of crew the appointments of the three current members who are willing to continue to serve and to appoint you to deal with as the year. I'm on. I'm on. Do you have your mic? No, I don't know. I don't know. We don't say that's first. That's what I'm doing around. I'm just trying to get her attention. Oh, but. Yeah, I recognize. About that. All right. I'm going to ask you to take a look at the comments. I'm going to ask you to take a look at the comments. I'm going to ask you to take a look at the comments. I'm going to ask you to take a look at the comments. I'm going to ask you to take a look at the comments. I'm going to ask you to take a look at the comments. I'm going to ask you to take a look at the comments. I'm going to ask you to take a look at the comments that are expiring on the Green Road Carolina Arts Council for grassroots committee. They have, we have advertised those vacancies and ask questions that have been accepted. Three of the four members, whose terms are expiring, have indicated that we will continue to serve. Those members are Jonathan Jones, Gordon Candardis, and Amy Bridges, and also, economic development threat and verget, Gilbert, has begun to task of serving as the Exficial Memories Committee. So it's requested that the board approve the appointments of the three current members who are willing to continue to serve and to appoint this Dilbert as the Exficial Member. Now, you do have one additional member of agency on this board if you have anyone in mind that you could select for that Yeah for that that one position that is vacant right now I make a motion that we point my men field We got a motion in the second any discussion We got a motion in the second. Any discussion? I'm going to call the question. All favor raise your right hand. He opposed a lot of wise. Okay. Commission's regarding the other appointments that were just mentioned to us. Quick question on that. So all of these appointments have the same term. Or will they all expire at the same time? Or do we believe it's Jessica? Thank you for all expired at the same time? Or do we, I believe it's Jessica. They're no expired at the same time, Mr. Hmm. Seems a little less than optimal. How many members are there? Four. Plus one extra fifth year, so they make it five. I can change if you want to make the appointments expire. In a different day, I can change the end of your life. I would personally feel better about it if it did. And again, I don't think that it's absolutely necessary at this time. We're saying thank you all. I'm trying to be a little bit diplomatic here for you Chairman. We'd like to get business done but then we're going to cross the same bridge in another of what four years. What do we approve these appointments and look at doing a staggering point? There you go. Let's do that. All right so the recommendations are approved. The point is to the members as presented here to the North Carolina Arts Council grassroots committee. I'd like to make that motion to approve appointments to members of the North Carolina Arts Council grassroots committee. Thank you. We have a motion to second. Second. We have a motion to second any discussion? I'm going to call the question. All the favourites are right hand. Any opposed like and why? So thank you. Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. You're welcome. I'm Mr. Pormis to the Transit Advisory Board. Next. The Transit Advisory Board has a vacancy and they have had it for a while, which must be fueled by transit user slash private citizen The vacancy was advertised and applications have been accepted We did receive an application recently for mr. Savard banks who's a student and has been using transit So the board could choose to report mr. Vance and he would certainly expire term that would end he live first of 2005 Thank you miss Hanks. What's the will of the board? Pretty good point. Motion to approve the appornment. Thank you sir. Got a motion to you a second. Okay. Thank you sir. I got a motion to second. Any discussion? Hearing none, a call of question. On the favor of your right hand. Any opposed likewise? Curious. Forms to the Planning Commission is next, like to recognize Hazel Pains. The Planning Commission currently has some vacancies, but the appointments to the Planning Commission must need certain criteria or appointment. Ms. Berkitt Dilbert has a five to serve, and she does qualify. One of the vacancies is a citizen residing in District 1 in Danyford and Miss Dilford Leopves. Mr. Thomas Bidschman lives in District 4 and he has a fly but he could be appointed to serve in the District 2 at large vacancy if he would choose to appoint him. The District 1, great. District 1. Miss Dilford. The District One. Great. District One. Mr. Dilton would be District One. Mr. Bitch might be, he doesn't live in District Four, but he could serve in the District Two at large. That's it. He doesn't have to live in District Two. He could be an at large. My, my genius shown that it's District One at large. As is mine. Oh, Laurie. As is mine. Oh, okay. I'll be back for the moment. Just want to put them in the right district. I think it's supposed to be district two, not second. Okay, so what do you think of district two? Thank you. Make that part as a motion. All right. Thank you. What's the will of the board? I'd like to motion that we approve the appointments to the planning commission with the proviso that we amend the text to district two instead of district one. For Tom's yes okay. You got a motion need a second. Second. You got a motion second you discussion? You're not gonna call the question. All in favor raise your right hand. He opposed that wise. Thank you. Sorry my internet is running slow right now. Oh speaking of which we have charter communications update. Michael Ten, director of government affairs and charter communications is here and serve my internet as one fine. I'm just going to say I don't think you're on charter then, it just runs low. Well, you need me. It's a pleasure to be here again. I've been here a few times with you to talk about some of the grants and so on. So what I would like to do is give you a update on where we are from the activity we're doing and what we are looking forward. So tonight I'm going to talk a little bit about the history of the grants that we've gone with the county. What we're're the construction process we can go under through or going through, upcoming opportunities, the services we'll offer and then answer any questions you may have. So to start with, back in 2020, we started with the ARD a world development opportunity funds that's through the FCC. It's about 220.4 billion dollars across the country. And we got 5,668 locations. And the location can be a house, a business, a school, a church, some place that could have access to services. And the federal offset is over almost $7 million. school, a church, some place that could have access to services. And the federal offset is over almost $7 million. And from the time it was awarded to completion, we have six years to get that done. Next we had the Great Grant. And this is something where the county participated with. This was first brought out in August of 2022, through the state of North Carolina. There is $350 million across the state. And as we did these awards, there was a large matrix in which we were scored upon. Part of that was partnerships with the county and the level of partnership with the county. So you guys participated very large and very aggressively and it helped us to get the points needed. So we really appreciate that. And without your leadership, we would still not have gotten as much as we did. So thank you for that. But what we did win is 2,918 locations. Again, location is a home business thorn. Over 270 miles of fiber to the home construction we're going to do. And all told between what Rutherford County put in, with the state put in, and with charter splitting in, that's over a $13.5 million project to build that. Contract was signed this past April, so we started at that point of time So when we look at a combined the art off was 5668 locations great 2918 so we're gonna be building 8,586 and far as fiber miles it comes up to about 12,900 or 1300 miles of fiber we're gonna be building in the county When you look at what the investment is that 6,000 6,900,000 That is only the federal Dollars the amount that charter is putting in hasn't been disclosed yet So if you look at it, even at a 50-50 type of rate, you can see that number of the $20.4 million, what the investment is coming into the county for broadband, that's even a low number. So when we talk about where the grant is, on this map, if you look at the dark blue area, that is where the art off locations are. So if there's a home or residence inside that dark blue area, we're going to build to it. We're required to by the federal, by the, by our commitment to the FCC, we're getting that grant. The red dots equal the great grant area that we won through the state with your assistance. And down in the very southeast portion are some green dots. Those are dots that have been built and are now activated. When I put this map together last week, I got some additional reports and those green dots that were shown there of 280 have now jumped up to about 550 green dots. So we are actively working out in that area and building as we're going. So what that means is these are in our billing system so that people can start signing up for this. We will have direct sales folks that go out and call upon these people to let them know that service is available. So are you saying that that looks like the cliff side area? Are you already lighting that area? Yes. If that's the term you like, we call it activated, but lighter not anything else. The service is available. Services available. So from the beginning we were looking at the underserved areas, which is at least two in the focusing. All of these areas in the red dots, the green dots, and the blue art of are all un-served, not just underserved, but un-served. Thank you. So these are people that don't have any options at this point in time, less than 25 by three. But there'll have your options here within next three years. It's party? How many years? Two years? I mean, we're on a program. I'll get to that. All right, well within next 30 years. It's party? How many years? Two years? We're on a program. I'll get to that. Okay. All right. I know you're lighting up now. That's what I'm trying to do. So, when we look at the construction process, what it looks like is we first start out with the initial desktop evaluation. That's what we use to get the grants going. It's not the boots on the ground, but it's a high level looking at the mapping to make all the application Then once that's done then we got to do the field walkout and that's walking out up and down every Right of way looking at the pole lines to make sure we can attach the pole lines if we can't then maybe have to go underground Looking at if there's highway rights of ways and so on Then part of that is doing the design. That field walkout and the engineering are ongoing, the field walkout is complete. The engineering design for the entire county, and when I'm talking about the entire county, let me jump back to this slide. Everywhere that's got a color is what we're talking about. Primarily our work so far has been down the southeast part of the county, but what we're talking about. Primarily our work so far has been down the South East part of the county, but what I'm talking about is all the colored areas. We're about 35% done with the field design and engineering. And that's ongoing. Then we make the, oh, I'm sorry. Then we make our permit applications. And what this is, is we like to use, if possible, the existing poles out there to make the attachments to the poles. It's less expensive than going underground. But in doing that, we also have to do, get a joint use permit from the pole owner. We have to make sure that there is proper space on that pole. Make sure the pole can handle it with as far as wind loading, weight loading space and all that. To do that, we make the applications and then the pole owner has to go out and look at it and say, do what's called the make ready process. They will look at that pole and say, what do we have to do to it to make it ready for somebody else to make that attachment? That could mean raise the power up because we have to be 18 inches below the match, national electrical safety code. We have to be 12 inches above the phone company if they're on that poll to make sure that there's proper spacing. Sometimes the poll can handle it without anything being done. Sometimes it's just rear a little bit of rear arrangements. Other times the pole may not be large enough to handle that and we have to replace the entire pole. So there are costs involved with that too. So that is a significant piece of the pre-construction work before we actually get going. So that's the make ready. Then we start the physical construction, which is whatever we see is that when you're hanging out, hanging the fiber upon the poles, making the connections, or if it's underground, possibly doing the trenching and putting in the conduit in which we'll pull the fiber through. Then after that comes this placing of the electronics and so on, and then the network activation or lighting it up. Where we're at with that is we've got a portion of it going already started down in the southeast portion. We anticipate I'm going construction all next year and into 2025. So if we go back to this slide, the red area or the great grant, that's got a little different timeline. That's one by state we're required to do within two years. And so we anticipate having that done by the end of the first quarter of 2025, all the red area. And we anticipate having the art off area or all the dark blue done by the end of the year 2025. So hopefully by the end of 2025, barring in any unforeseen circumstances that we may not be able to see. Could be some delays in make ready. Could be delays in getting equipment. Could be delays in finding the right contractors and so on. We don't anticipate that, but if those are beyond our control, we may run a little longer on that, but that's time why we're working on. So if a customer is interested or a resident is interested in seeing where we're at wherever they can go to this website www.specrumruralexpansion.com and this is what it will look like they can put in their address and then it will tell you if they are in one of the service areas or if it is not and then you can sign up and it will give you send out emails as you get closer to that time frame. We talked about other opportunities because we know that when we get the art off done, we get the great grant done, there still can be holes out there that haven't been filled yet. And so the state has another program out there called CAD or completing access to broadband. The state of North Carolina is going to have about another $400 million for that. It will require at this point in time, according to the general assembly and their requirements is there would be some ARPA match from the county required. And the rules are supposed to come out anytime now. We've been hearing late summer well, we're kind of in fall at this point of time. So we're hoping they're gonna come out fairly soon in maybe in October. And then we can look to see what we can do. But we are very interested in exploring the rest of how to finish getting service to the oldest there, still unserved. And under this program they also will look at the underserved. So the first two programs were for unserved. This one is unserved and underserved. So in the first ones you had to be below 25 by 3. Under this next one it's below 100 by 20 I believe it is so there will be opportunities for those that have service but not maybe not the best service. And who's making that decision? You make an application the way the cap as I understand it the county will put out an RFP to providers like us. And you will identify these locations of saying that all these locations and that you're interested in working with a provider to do that. The state of North Carolina has this mapping system that they've been working on for a couple years. It's fairly good that we'll identify those. They have a team of people that will help the county to do this. So NCEDIT is well on their way and that's part of what the rules that they'll come out with and they will help to do this. So NCDIT is well on their way, and that's part of what the rules that they'll come out with. And they will help you do this. Then you can put the RFP out based upon what their rules are. We then can look, we as the providers can then look at it, and we will make an application or work with you to come up with a solution. And then the county in partnership with the provider would make an application to the state for funding. I know Steve and I have talked about this and he's gone through various, met with people from NCDIT and he's relatively familiar with this. So we're ready and willing to work with him on that. Yeah, I'm talking to this guy called, Jonathan, who's very interested in rules mentioned. Head of the state, IT, yes, he will be. We're really excited to watch this happen. Yeah. Well, Jake's been a supporter of making this stuff happen. He's a good friend of you and for the industry and to get broadband brought out. Thank you. Also the state's going to have a program they call StopGa. That really had, they haven't really defined that, but they're still about 90 million of deaths that not there too. So that could be, if you're looking for a unique situation. And then of course, the federal government is coming up with their B program, a broadband equity and deployment, which is another 42.5 billion with a B money across the country. North Carolina has gotten 1.5 billion. So we're in the process of rolling that out. The state had to put together five year plans and they have submitted that to the feds for their review on it that hasn't come back yet. But what we anticipate is it's going to be a year from now, the fall of 2024 is our best guess of when we may get into the application phase of the B program. And then you have to have them doing the grading if there's going to be a field process from various folks and then the awarding. So we're probably a good two years from seeing the fruits of the be even though you're hearing a lot of activity about it but just try to be what a realistic spin on that. So in those areas that we light up and for the rest of the areas that we will be providing service, we will offer our full suite of services that Charter Spectrum offers. And that will include broadband, our standard is 300 megabits per second, we will offer a 500 megabits per second ultra option and all the way up to a gig. We also know that there is an affordability issue associated with broadband service. So we will offer a spectrum internet and spectrum available. The spectrum 100 is 100 by 10 megabits per second for 29.95 and the internet spectrum internet assist is a 35 And the Internet, Spectrum Internet Assist is a 35 megabit service for didn't write it down, but I think it's like $18, $19. But with the federal government having their affordable connectivity program or ACP, what that program does is for qualifying homes, they can get a $30 credit to offset their cable or the broadband bill. So with our spectrum internet assist or spectrum 100 programs, in essence, they can get free broadband services they qualify with that federal offset. Now, the only caveat is that there is limited funds on the federal government unless they decide to re-up that program. It's been very successful across the entire country, but it's anticipated that the way it's going is probably going to run out of funding unless Congress refunds it in the second or third quarter of next year. So just to be aware of that, we'll also offer video services, all the tiers, and on demand with the Spectrum TV app, home phone with un-national unlimited calling, and also our Spectrum mobile service. That's exclusive to Spectrum Broadband customers. 5G, no contracts. And if you watch TV, I'm sure you're seeing those commercials all the time. So that was my presentation with this evening. I'm happy to entertain questions you may have. Based on your knowledge of underserved, non-served, apparently served at the end of the project, what percent of the citizens have asked for that? I'm going to say that through everything. It's as if. To go back to this map, if we look at the color areas, all of those will be now for the uncolored area, how many of those are reserved by another revire Off the top of my head. I couldn't necessarily answer that but I would say and this is just pure Wagged guessing I would say we're probably going to be in that 80% complete once all of our stuff is built and what's existing So there's probably still about another 20% out there, either unserved or underserved, and that's what that CAD program can go after or the B program will go after. Okay, so once we get done with all that, hopefully we can have 100% coverage. Okay, second question. And I have April of 25 or the deadline. What happens if you don't meet deadline? We're going to make them, but we're going to beat them. What happens if we get fined? Well, I mean, that's what I was hoping. Yeah, because there's been much furniture company that's going to take a fine forever day there. I have to deadline. Yes. Now, I'll tell you there with both programs, there are excusable delays, language, and all the contracts. So if we come in and say a tornado comes in and rip stuff down, act of God, they're giving me a excusable delay. You may have 60 days of... Yeah. You got inkling of weather, whatever. Exactly. So there is language about that but there is We are required to get it down oh Other questions Commissioner if I can just for clarification. I think you said it, but the great grant has to be committed by the end of 24. So we're still a year out from that has to be fully expect by 26. So that's a pretty good window. Now your Ardoff funds has a longer window. Yes. There's six years. What's going on? Six year roughly from 2021 because those when they really started the contracts that took about a year from that 2022. So if you had six years of that we're talking 27. We fully intend what we talked about in here to have it done by the end of 2025 which is two years before it's required to be done. Chairman in fact I'll say so we appreciate the collaboration we appreciate your interest. We've said for. We appreciate your interest. We've said for a long time that charter is in just about every county around us, had to penetrate it. So this has been great news for us, but certainly no slight to you, but really it's taking a mix of different ISPs to get this done. AT&T, if you recently saw or received a cab grant, that's going to help them fill in some of that area in the middle. Northland Cable already has a lot of fiber around. There's some other providers paying GA internet. Well, we've been working with them with this community development block grant. It's four towers, but really the big winner out of that for us is that it allows them to create the little buildings where they can run or farm to to use that as a busing area from that point forward to actually go from still wireless to fiber as well to help build that out. So I think all of these ISPs coming together is going to help us fill the gaps and we appreciate your service. Thank you. We saw from the very beginning that when they were doing all the mapping and The focus originally was uninserved and then with the way that math works we had quite a few people that are underserved But really they were unserved with that speed they had right and so by rolling out This and the roll out these behind it or it's really gonna make a big difference in providing this utility to our citizens. And I can just say that I see down, I guess in the cliffside area, they're already turning green, but as everyone else starts turning green, they're gonna be calling saying, when's me, when's me, when's my turn? And it's gonna be coming next. You're out there actively working, and it is a long progress process and it takes on to make the progress but we'll get there. Well don't be surprised as some people bring you guys cups of coffee and water while you're working just to keep you guys in the field. I'm sure the guys in the field will love that. Thank you. Thank you. Good good. We'll get a copy of this presentation. He's got it. Thank you. Thank you. Really appreciate that, sir Commission next item is the Ruther County Child Protection Child Fetality Team and report to the Board of Commissioners I'd like to recognize our DSS Director, Director Hunt and Dolores Hunt. Good evening, ma'am. You have a copy of our report. We come together each month to discuss ways to prevent child activities, the health department, and the SS, along with other people in the community, to try to come up with ways to do that. So what we have done is we have presented you a report. You have that in front of you. We have some recommendations that we would like to ask the commissioners to agree to, so that we can continue to do this work. One is that of course you continue to support us. The other is to even consider when you're pointing to also to appoint some people who are at large whose positions may vary so that we can make sure that we have people that we need on board. We want to also ask you to continue to issue a proclamation declaring the month of April as child abuse awareness month. We'd like for you to also support any recommendations from us and also from the state child protection team. And also that you review our protocol annually for any updates and that you encourage the use of our evidence-based models for agencies to receive in county funding. That funding does go through the health department and one of the things that we're funding right now is safe sleep. Unfortunately, we had a lot of children died with SIDS and a lot of them, babies were not sleeping in a safe area. They were sleeping with penguins. So we want you to do that. And, of course, accept and approve our annual work. Okay. I just wanted to add one of the agenda part of your equipment. So we do this every year. We approve the list for DSS, for the CCPT and CFPT. You guys use a lot of acronyms over there at DSS for the CCPT and CFPT. You guys use a lot of acronyms over there at DSS. What we do. And are there any questions from the board regarding the list of the membership or? Do you have vacancies on that list right now? We do. We actually have a parent of a child who died before their 18th birthday. We would love to have someone supporting that role. And how many, how many openings do you have right now? Do you call them? We have one that's open, a representative from the faith community is open and we have, that's it. We have two looks like they're open that we would look to have someone we did have. Oh, we also would love to have represented from the Hispanic population as well. So that would be three. We just recently, well, I guess all of us, Hazel. Thank you. Dr. Paul Holden with partners will now be part of the team. Thank you. I appreciate the list of items and all the support, which we have always been supportive of DSS and the actions that we need to serve our community. Thank you. We are, we've always been supportive of DSS and the actions that we need to serve our community. At this time, there's one recommended motion before the board. And I'd like to ask the board, if they don't have any further questions what's the will of the board? Chairman, can I ask a question or ask the board? I just ask a question. One of you says, sorry. Hey, Dee. I can see. I'm good. Just looking at I think it's on page four. Talks about others County Commission may appoint five additional members to represent County agencies or the community at large. On that list it has six with two vacancies. Could you clarify what that means? Yes. I'm assuming that means that all five of those are County appointments just one of the makes sure before they voted on this. It does not mean that they're all county appointments. Basically, this is overseeing by the counties. So that's probably what that wording means. So out of those at large, five of them can be county commissioner appointed. That's correct. That's exactly what that means. Thank you very much. Thank you, Chairman. Mr. Chairman, if If I may speak I would recommend that the board identify the five that it wishes to appoint the statute permits a maximum of five appointments. So I would think that we at best make sure and identify the five you're actually appointing. That's Karen Maffin Rattie was here. I know he's causing. I'm always sure. That's scared me. I forgot he was here. I know he's causing. I'm always good. I'm sure. Yes, sir. Let me find the team. I have a question also, Dolores. On the parent of a child that died prior to the 18th birthday. Yes. Is a critical entity, briefinging person praying that way? It's got to be a challenge to try to find it. Is there another way we can modify that just from the parent? Maybe another family member perhaps? Or is that a national standard or something is y'all doing that? That is not the... If I may, I'm sorry. Yeah, that is actually a statutory requirement. It's set out in the statute. The position is quite specific. Okay. It just, you know, I mean, just recognizing that that parent would be every time you set and want to meet you would just come back up with you. It would be a very difficult position to feel. Right. Some parents see it as an avenue for therapy for them. They're going to come to give back to the community. So there are some out there who will serve. Maybe not someone that it maybe just recently happened to. But we do have parents who don't mind sometimes. And they see that as their force, as something that they will do to remember their child, so that they can help someone else. So, a lot of times what we ask is that people go to their, their places where they visit, their churches, their communities and just put it out there and then people will volunteer. Thank you. So, commissioners on the list, I don't have a patient number here, but on lists under others. So we're county commissioners may appoint five initial members. There's a Heather Kennedy, Mr McKinney, K.L. Hawkes, the Penleton Roth Rock and Holden listed there. Holden has already had it as a health care provider. Yes. So that leaves on those five. This was today that he that he's supposed to he's agreed to do it right Hazel. Okay so he's in the standing list. He's no longer in the at-large list. No. Hazel you want to help me out with that one. If you look at the top of the page up there, it says that there should be a health care provider and probably could put him in that slot. And that would lead the other five. Correct. Okay. Okay. So we move Mr. Holden up to members mandated section where it says health care provider and under the other section there's the ones that account commission may point there's one two three four five people already listed there. On the sheet. Make a motion. We have one. Thank you. Can a motion need a second. Can a motion second. Any discussion here and on a call question. I'll raise your right hand. Any opposed, Latin wise? All right, those five have been put on behalf of the board of commissioners. And just chairman of the support clarification, do you need to go back and approve the list in membership? Okay, thank you, sir. Yes, sir. I was just getting really in trouble. I'm gonna revel that back. I actually don't believe you have to. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I Thank you so much. Appreciate it. Commission is next item is three five. Thank you. Thank you very much. Commission is next item is three five seven five budget amendments. I correct. Now is our finance director. Director Roach, director V. D. Good evening. Budget amendments presented for your consideration. The first one is inmate housing. While we've had the female thought of the jail under reconstruction or repairs, the college has requested a budget amendment to help with the back parking lot at the foundation building repairs that parking lot sees a lot of traffic from their truck driving program and BLET. So they are requesting $120,000 from their college capital reserve. DSS, now that the state budget has passed and Medicaid expansion will move forward, this is the federal and state minis that will pass through the DSS budget, the budget amendment and July only consisted of the first amount that had been advanced by the state, and this is the balance of those funds. Transit, they have received their final allocations for the Rope Program for this upcoming fiscal year, and this just adjusts their current budget to what the actual allocations are. And then the last group of items are some carry forward items as of June 30th. And to put them in their appropriate ones. Question the inmate housing crowd accounting is $79,000 to $100. It's a for one month. That's for about six weeks. For six weeks. Okay. I heard through the grapevine that the females are coming back Is that true? Have you heard that? That's what I've heard maybe see anything official? I've not I guess it's your rumor at this point Chairman you received an email just a few minutes ago afforded to you that has the information that came from the state office Oh, I'm turning to that so sorry I want to move up to tell you no sir, my great-grandfather is early sometimes. I said, all right, well, that's good news. But this gentleman was planning to get us through September and two weeks in October, which was the original timeline. All right, that's great news. Thank you, Steve. I appreciate that. Yes, sir. And then finally, the Calvin Primm improvements for the college. I got that we talked about that earlier. Okay, thank you. I don't have any other questions. Commission is already the budget amendments. What's the will of the board? Make motion that we approve the budget amendments. Second, we've got a motion. Second, any discussion? Who now to call the question? I'll favor raise your right hand. Any pose light wise. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you director Commission Next items 3571 is the reconciliation of the MS debt I recognize the MS director director Johnson director of EDM Thank you, commissioners. Since 2018, we've come ice in each year since this policy has been implemented that we have now changed to 10 years of debt retention instead of seven years, or the North Carolina General Statue. So this year we're requesting that $266 be written off as uncollected attached in your packet you see that the report details and you have some information in there. We will complete have a complete copy of the patient's name contact information at our business office but we have to keep it for privacy purposes. Any questions for the board? Very good. Thank you. Thank you, sir. What's the will of the board? Make a motion. We approve the capture seat. The recommendation of the day. I think a commissioner got a motion. Need a second. Thank you. Got a motion. Second. Any discussion? Any other call to the question? All in favor, raise your right hand. Any opposed, light wise, thank you. It gets clear. The next item is 3570. The Charters of Freedom gift. I like to first recognize Danny Cersei. You like to recognize her, too, I guess, Ron Lewis and Dr. Skiier. Skiier. Good. Good evening commissioners. Thank you very much. It's my pleasure to introduce Ron Lewis and Dr. Skiier to right distinguished guests from the Charter of Freedom. They've got a special gift that they'd like to present to the county and also have an update on the wonderful charters of freedom that have been established in the courthouse lawn from Constitution Day of 2019. So thank you for allowing them to be here tonight. Thank you. Good evening, Mr. Chairman, commissioners, directors, and court and citizens. I'm David Streeter and this is Ron Lewis, my friend and colleague and we're from Foundation Forward and we're here tonight to dedicate or give you this frame document of the Civil Rights Amendment and I'll pass it off to Ronnie just a moment. First I'd like to say that foundation forward is very fortunate to be here in town with the Charter's of Freedom setting. This is a supplement to that. And Ron will follow up and tell you a little bit about this. And then I will end it by telling you a little bit about how we would like to go about this being presented to the community at large and a couple other little things as far as education and the media. Ron? Thank you Dr. Stryer. Mr. Stryer? Mm-hmm. The pleasure to be with you tonight. I'm an old county manager. Oh no. So I am actually strangely enjoy these meetings. Because like ours. And it's over Richard I can get my car and go home. But for 38 years I was proud to be a county manager in four North Carolina counties. It took four counties to get 38 years. But anyway, it's my distinct pleasure now to be a part of Foundation Forward. We have fun every day, teaching about the Charters of Freedom and our Founding Fathers and how this great country was formed. Nancy and Mary Jo Patterson started foundation forward in 2012. Since that time, we have built 26 and dedicated 26 in North Carolina. We have four under construction that puts us to 30. That means we have 70 more to go go because our goal is to build one in every county in North Carolina and we hope to do that over the next couple of years. Not I'm gonna age out and we've got to have someone else to do this road work because even though we had a beautiful drive down here from Mortensen this afternoon, you live in a beautiful place. And of course I know you know that. I'm not telling you anything you don't know. And the history is equivalent to the beauty. The history that you have is where it's coming through Cancrete this afternoon and realizing the over-mountain victory half that our forefathers took to turn the tide of the American Revolution and start winning and still losing. And Rufford County played a great big part in that. And of course, again, I know you know all that. David and I were presenting in Monroe, North Carolina about three years ago. And when I finished the presentation, there was a young African American council member who said to me, Mr. Bush, you did a great job. I thought I was coming home because I had been the county manager in Union County. And I thought it was old home week. But it's a turn down. This young black African American, Senator Lewis, you did a great job but you didn't do anything for me. And I took a step back and tried to think about what he was saying. Then our staff gathered the next week around the conference table. We're still pretty small. There's only like 10 of us that do all of our work. And I said to them, we have a problem. We've got a large part of our population that doesn't think that they're part of the chart as a freedom. We need to fix that. that doesn't think that they're part of the Charter's Afreatment. We need to fix that. So we all started doing our research and our homework on how we can fix that. Vance Patterson came back to us about a month later with solution. And now we're gifting to counties that have an existing charge of freedom. We're gifting what we have come to call the Civil Rights Amendment. That's the 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, and 24th Amendment, which make all of us the same. Regardless of our sex, or our gender, or our color of our skin, we're all Americans under this great document called the Constitution that founded this great country. Now, they did not have a chance to go back, about six months later, to Monroe. And the young black councilman that had started all of this. Once we presented and gifted to them the chargers of the Civil Rights Amendments, he had tears on of that as chiefs because we had responded to him and not only him, but we had responded to Americans all across the country. And what we thought completed the circle, with the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, and showcasing that we're all the same, based on the amendments now. When Thomas Jefferson and James Madison went to Philadelphia, they carried with them what was called the Virginia papers. The Virginia papers had eliminated them, slavery. Now, they were in Philadelphia very long until they realized that they didn't have the votes to make that happen. But there were smart enough, unfortunately God's hand was upon our founding fathers, and they were smart enough to put language within the Constitution that allowed it to be amended. And as our society has changed and we have changed as a country over the years, we have amended the Constitution a number of times. But it's our distinct pleasure this evening to give to your beautiful county the Charter of Freedom. Now, I want to change subjects for a second. I just learned this morning from your planning director that our charter is a freedom here's not complete because we have not installed and sealed the the tire capsule. I want to say Mr. Chairman and commissioners and manager tonight I will personally take the responsibility to fix that. That's not normally one of the things that I do. But I have added today the point I will there. And we will fix that. And we will, if you're willing, we'll have a short ceremony there at the Charter's Afreatment. When we install and seal the time capsule. And again, as the first volunteer of the Charter's of Freedom, I want to give you my word that I will fix that in the near future. And we will seal the time capsule on your charter of freedom here in your beautiful historic county. It's also a backdrop for some wonderful movies that have been filmed in western North Carolina. We share one of them because part of the movie was filmed in Berk County and many of the scenes were filmed here in your beautiful county. So we, Sister Counties, share that movie stage with you, probably. And we say tonight, please accept our gift. And within the near future, we will fix the missing piece at your charter of freedom. And I'll let my colleague David Streeter finish up here and not take too much of your time. David was in the Navy. He was in E3. I was an officer in the Marine Corps. And he's told people all over the country that he outranks me. Do we have any military people here? David? Army. Army. Thank you for your service. You as well. Would you please tell Dr. Strieger that I outrank him? I've got no dog in that fight. Thank you, Ron. The reason outranking is because I was in the Navy as he said. He was in the Marine Corps. And the Marines are a subdivision of the Navy. And then he always comes back and says, yes, but we're the men's department. I said, that may be true, but the Navy owns the entire store and the mall. So I, as an E3, have to show for Mr. Lewis around so he won't get lost. You know, officers have a hard time finding their round. And anyway, we have a good time together as you can have. So now you know the rest of the story as a Harvey you say. But getting aside, what we would like for you to do with this document is share it, pass it around to all the departments within the county and all the towns within your jurisdiction and show this to them and give them a little background about what it is and where it goes and how it fits into the curves of freedom here in town. And then once all of that is done, and by the way, I'll be remiss if I may say pass it around through the school system as well, through all of the private schools, if you have near those homeschool or public schools, course, through out K through 12. And then once all that is done, find an appropriate place is as possible that's inside through the Charters of Freedom. And that way people can enjoy what's outside and then where you have dislocated. I've already had a chance tonight to meet Mr. Carpenter from the newspaper. I write a monthly a chance tonight to meet Mr. Carpenter from the newspaper. I write a monthly article about people who made a significant difference during the Revolutionary War era. And anyway, if someone here could introduce me then to the school authorities, I would be happy to come back down and meet with them. Because Ron said, it's an easy drive, and it's a very nice drive for more than down. Thank you very much. Thank you. Well, thank you. I used to do revolutionary Wolverine Atman so I won't tell you. Supporting to our history but when you were talking earlier about completion this gift actually completes the charter of freedoms. Yes. This is what we all put our hands on when the Bible always wore our our our made our oath to offices to the US Constitution included so right in the state constitution so thank you for your gift Mr. Chairman are you in the sons of the American Rebel? No sir I am. Excuse me Mr. Clinton. I'm also a son of the American Revolution. My wife's a daughter, but that's another story. Thank you all for your help. Thank you. We have a short time. How many drive home? Well, we need a picture of you first. Yeah. Mr. Carpenter? the Thank you. the I'm going to have to get ready. So we've got to revisit. We've got to revisit to district. We've got to revisit to district. We've got to. I guess we need to make a motion. Let's take a look here. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I forgot to get registered. I forgot to get it done. I forgot to get it done. I forgot to get it done. I forgot to get it done. I forgot to get it done. Actually, the commissioners there is a recommend motion before you all this. I'd like to authorize the county manager. Make a motion that we authorize the County manager, the County attorney, the public works in planning director to execute plans and documents that move the project forward. Sorry. Thank you. I got a motion second, you discussion. You're gonna have to call the question. I don't think we raised your right hand. Any opposed, light wise. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, gentlemen. All right. We should exit on three five seven six. And we get my text up. This is the transit drug and alcohol policy where amending it. It affected June 1, 2023. Might recognize a transit director of carry jiles. Director jiles, good to see you inowell. Director Jowell is good to see you this evening. And next time we're going to put you at the top of the agenda. See you next time. That's all right. I'll make it quick. We have Adela before you for the rest, part of the Rutherford County Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy. Back in May, the US Department of Transportation, Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance, updated their U.S. duty to drug and alcohol testing regulation, which we are required to follow. They made a pretty significant change in that they are now allowing not just a urine drug test sample, but you can also now do an oral fluid drug test. And that's what the policy is and I know we are of Dana our policy to reflect both options Okay, any questions from the board? No, it seems straightforward I will note that the policy went into effect June 1st. We are notified September 11th of the policy change from the DOT of North Carolina So they move fast there they I guess on this they did Building roads is a different story. A couple of other things. All right. Regarding the new policy, commissioners, what's the wheel of work? Make a motion. We approve the transit drug and alcohol testing policy. Dean. Second. We have a motion second in discussion. Here's going to call the question. I'll favor raise your right hand. You put it flat wise Commission's next time was three five six six this is this is the meeting dates really board commissions for 2024 The dates are before you has been on our agenda regarding the dates. What's the little board make a motion that we approve the resolution? Okay. Second. Get a motion second. Any discussion? Any minute call the question. Paul, if I reach your right hand, he puts light wise. Okay, thank you. questions, Paul Payager right hand. Keep those light wise. Okay, thank you. Commission is all I'd like to, the next item is tax collectors for, which is information only, but it's time I'd like to do a little bit of housekeeping. This is not only agenda, but, I like to make a motion to reconsider. Yes, the motion is reconsidered. Motion, this is 3565 from the Plenty Commission. Yes. Okay. You read my money? Got a motion need a second. Second. I'll pay raise your hand. Any pro-clockwise. Okay. All right, Hazel clean up your mess. She's diplomatic. What? Oh, Hazel help us with that right now. We just need a little guidance here. I don't know for two here It was a typo is what it was So commission is mr. Thomas Benjamin it isn't just you forward be pointed to the district one at large vacancy We say two earlier so that should be the motion that is the motion and then Bergen deal Burger deal bird to be applied to serve district one of vacancy she lives in district one So that we say will that be your motion? Yes, okay. It is a motion. I need a second second motion in a second any discussion Sorry Hazel and I need a second. Second. Bush in the second, any discussion? Sorry, Hazel. I'll call the question. I'm a favor, raise your right hand. You put his light on. All right. Power street. All right. The commissioners, wait, one more item left. I want to do that. That's to the motion to adjourn. What's the little board? Senator Mug. I got a motion in the second, any