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 it. you the We're going to be in the next meeting. We're going to be in the next meeting. We're going to be in the next meeting. We're going to be in the next meeting. We're going to be in the next meeting. We're going to be in the next meeting. We're going to be in the next meeting. We're going to be in the next meeting. We're going to be in the next meeting. We're going to be in the next meeting. We're going to be 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. the justice is wrong. Ministers and excited about agenda is the agenda approval. We'll see we'll the board. The motion that we approve the agenda. Second. Got a motion to second any discussion? You know to call the question all favorings you're right hand. Any opposed lie wise the agenda has improved. and you pose likewise, the agenda has improved. Ladies and gentlemen, I 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 like to recognize Tammy Aldridge sorry 10 Good evening thank you for holding this public hearing. The purpose is for the grant, as the senior senator's request and approval for the county to apply for a federal grant under capital section 5310 and enhance mobility for seniors and individual 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 going to ask for for the FYI 25 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 it's a very successful program. Great program. 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, 531-0, elderly individuals and individual with disabilities on grant. And I'm just asking if anyone will speak regarding that matter. M.O.S. is three times, as our attorney says. That's a good thing to do today three times. So just give everyone a chance to speak on public hearings. Finally, regarding three, sorry, I got my number, so I said 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. We got a motion a second any discussion? Hang down a call to question. I want to favor raise your 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 our transit director, Carrie Jowls, director. Good evening, ma'am. 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% and capital is covered at 90%. We are requesting $319,140 for administrative costs such as salaries, vehicle insurance, marketing, advertising, and such. And then $365,584 for capital and that will be used purchase 25 foot LT bus and two four transit lift bands that are all replacement vehicles for those that have been down. 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 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 Ladies and gentlemen, this is a public hearing on the grant for the Transportation Services. Is there anybody who remember the public like to speak on this matter regarding the grant for the Transportation Services? Before we start on this public hearing, this is the grant for Transportation Services. We just heard the presentations with the member of the public speaking in order is the Grant for Transportation Services. We just heard their presentations. Remember the public speaking, it didn't work in that matter. We're just not near, so I'm just going to give it to you twice. You can't give me the EWO on. I am watching, sir. Regarding this public hearing, I'm asking one more time. I'm going to like speak garden to grant for transportation services. It does provide a good service to our community. Seeing them, I want to close the public hearing. Consider it closed. 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 resolution. Second. Thank you. Thank you. I got a motion in a second. Thank you. Mr. Benfield. Any discussion? You're going to call a question. I'll favor raise your right hand. Any opposed? Likewise. Okay. Thank you, passes. Thank you everyone for being here on the visitor stream and the line. The next item is public comments. We pay attention. Two people sign up for public comments tonight. I know there's 90 certain order, but I'd like to recognize from Robert Pretending, 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 out 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 Fits. Somebody from Pennsylvania if I'm not mistaken was in on the appraisals and I was curious about why they had to come from Pennsylvania to appraise things here in Roweford County and I have a house on Huddler Road and I have already talked to several ladies, somebody up here 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 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. Not livable, not usable at all whatsoever. And she told me the other way it could be taking office if I tore it down and hold it off. If I tear it down, take it to the county landfill. 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 at 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 useful. And I had another question quick one, the Wampren 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 who came to meet me to properly look, he said they did all the businesses. They didn't do the individuals. He told me that he and I think he said, three 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 fluid. That house went from 280,000 to 500 Thank you very much I make a comment yes, sir Sir, I have no idea if they're not 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. Clean your neck, 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, it's basically tear it down and you can get rid of it. And I appreciate your thought there, but just curious, because I'm retired and I draw social security. It's not enough to play this stuff. I thought it would work. Thank you. 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 we met with recently. Paula Hayes from Brother Virginia. Good to see you again. We're gonna talk to you in the past. So we'll listen really fast. I'm Paula Hayes, the county resident representing the Animal Welfare Alliance of Brotherford, AOR. 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. Where 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, employees after vision, 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 and force regulations, and in helping the community with access to information and resources to help provide for their animals. Pope 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 of all 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.R. 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. I think I need some help from the CUNY. Commission next item is the consent agenda. Is there anything I'd like to add or remove from the consent agenda? Motion to approve. Second. You got a motion second. Any discussion? You know the call of question. All of the favourites you're right hand. Any discussion? You know the call question. I don't have to raise your right hand. Any opposed? Likewise. I said you're just done. The commissioners next time is 3568. Bear with me. The support minister North Carolina Arts Council grassroots committee, this time I recognize the clerk to the board Hazel Hames who's 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 Berdy Gilbert has begun the task of serving as the ex-official member of this committee. Part of it. The report of 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. You have your mic? I'm on. Go ahead. I'll say that's first. That's what I turned around. I'm trying to get attention. Oh. Yeah, I recognize. 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 be more killing on the arts council grassroots committee. They have, we have advocates, those vacancies and ask questions 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 for active working, Gilbert has begun to task of serving as the Ex-Fisher 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 Ex-Fisher 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 might be in field. Okay. Thank you. We got a motion in the second in discussion. I think I'm to call the question. All the favourites raise your right hand. He deposed likewise. Okay, here's commissions 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 desks? They don't expire at the same time, mister. Hmm. Seems a little less than optimal. How many members are there? Four. Plus one extra fifth year, so they'll make it five. I can change if you want to make the appointments expired. You know, 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. What say, thanks, Jollin. I'm trying to be a little bit diplomatic here for you Chairman. We'd like to get business done, but then we're gonna cross the same bridge in another what four years. What do we approve these appointments and then look at doing a staggering point? There you go. Let's do that. All right, so the recommendations are approved. The pointments to the members has risen into 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. He had both light and wide. So thank you. Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. You're welcome. Mr. Suppormis, the transit advisory board is next. The transit advisory board has a vacancy and they have had it for a while, which must be filled by transit user slash private citizen. The vacancy was advertised to applications and has 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 appoint Mr. Banks, and he would serve an expired term that would end July 1st of 2005. Thank you, Miss Hanks. What's the will of the board? Pretty good point. Motion to approve the appornment. Thank you sir. I got a motion to you a second. OK. Thank you sir. I got a motion to second. Any discussion? Hearing none, a call of question. Call me if I arrange your right hand. Any opposed likewise? Here is. Forms to the Planning Commission is next. I'd like to recognize Hazel Payne's. The Planning Commission currently has some vacancies. But the appointments to the Planning Commission must need certain criteria or appointment. Ms. Bergett Dilbert has a five to serve, and she does qualify. One of the vacancies is a citizen residing in district 1 in various places in Miss Dilbert has a fight to serve and she does qualify. One of the vacancies is a citizen residing in District 1 in Vancouver, Miss Dilbert Leopves. Mr. Thomas Binchman lives in District 4 and he has a fly but he could be appointed to serve in District 2 at large vacancy if he would choose to appoint him. District 1, correct. District 1. Miss Dilbert would be District 1. He's a point here. The district one. Great. The 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 three. He could be an at large. My, my genius shown that it's district one at large. As is mine. Oh,uri. As is mine. Oh, okay. I'll be back for the morning. I just want to put them in the right district. I think it's supposed to be district two, not seven. Okay, so what do you think? 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. Yes. You got a motion need a second. Second. You got a motion second. Second. You had a much second you discussion? You're not gonna call the question. All in favor raise your right hand. You can post like wise. Thank you. Sorry, my 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'll just 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 then what we are looking forward. So tonight I'm going to talk a little bit about the history of the grants that we've done with the county. What we'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 Art off 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 had to, we were scored upon. And 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 help us to get the points needed. So we really appreciate that. And without your leadership, we would still maybe not have gotten as much as we did. So thank you for that. But what we did when 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, what the state put in, and what charter's putting 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 it 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 going to 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 of 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 air commitment to the FCC for 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 it is. The service is available. Services available. So from the beginning we were looking at the underserved, unserved 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. I'm less than 25 by three. But your option is here 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 not true. 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 what's 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 wander ground 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 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, 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 reconstruction 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 on 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 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 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, Bari and 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 and 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 customer is interested or resident is interested in seeing wherever they can go to this website www.specrumruralexpansion.com and this is what it would look like they can put in their address and then it will tell you if they're in one of the service areas or if it's 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 a 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 going to come out fairly soon 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 OS 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, it had to be below 25 by three. 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 cab as I understand it the county will 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 and provided 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 Jake Johnson who's very interested in rules. I think the head of the state. Yeah. I.T. Yes. He will be. We're really excited to watch this happen. Yeah. Well, Jake's been a supporter of making this stuff happen. So he's a good friend of you and for the industry and to get Rob and Rob 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. 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 if 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 had good two years from seeing the fruits of the deed 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's 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 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 popping in a run out of funding unless Congress refunds it in the second or third quarter 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, currently served at the end of the project, what percent of the citizens have asked that? I'll say that through everything. It says, um, 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. I know 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 my experience at company that's going to pay a fine forever day there. I have to deadline. Yes. Now, I'll tell you there with both programs, there are excusable, delayed language in 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 fusible delay. They may have 60 days of. Yeah. No. Of course. You've got ink on them with whatever. Exactly. So there is language about that, but there is, um, we are required to get it done. Oh, okay. Six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six, six 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 RDoF funds has a longer window. Yes. And you're saying you're a six year old contractor. Six year roughly from 2021, because those when they 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 like we talked about it in here to have it done by the end of 2025 which is two years before it's required to be done. Chair and in fact I say so we appreciate the collaboration 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 their fiber tube 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 they roll out these behind it or it's really going to 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 going to be calling saying, when's me, when's me, when's my turn? Right. And it's going to be coming next. We're out there actively working. It is a long progress process and it takes on to make the progress but we'll get there. No surprises and people bring you guys cups of coffee and water while you're working just to get the right. I'm sure the guys will feel a little love that. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Good good. We'll get a copy of this presentation. Peace got it. Thank you. Thank you. Really appreciate that sir Commission next time is the Ruther County child protection child fatality team and report to the Board of Commissioners I'd like to recognize our DSS director director director Hunt, Doug Delores 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 for our mural quick. So we did this every year. We approved the list for DSS, for the CCPT and the CFPT. You guys use a lot of acronyms over there at DSS for the CCPT and the CFPT. You guys use a lot of acronyms over there at DSS. What do we do? Are there any questions from the board regarding the list or the membership? Do you have vacancies on that list right now? We do. We actually have a parent of a child who died before the 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 a representative from the Hispanic population as well. So that would be three. We just recently, not we, well I guess all of us Hazel. Thank you. Dr. Paul Holden with partners will now be part of the team Thank you What appreciate the list of items and all the support which we are we've always been supportive of DSS in the actions that we need to serve our community At this time there's 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. What did you just ask? I'm 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 vote it on this. It does not mean that they're all county appointments. Basically, this is overseeing by the counties. So that's probably what the 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. Chair, 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 Maffinatti was here. No he's causing. I'm always sure. That's scared me. I forgot he was here. No, he's causing. I'm always with him. Yes, sir. Let me find the team. I have a question also, Delores. On the parent of a child at Down, died prior to the 18th birthday. Yes. Is a critical incident, the briefing person praying that way, it's got to be a challenge to try to find that 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. 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, some parents see it as an avenue for therapy for them to come and 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, Ms. 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 kind of motion second in discussion here and on call the 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. The 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 in 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 Jeremy 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 be able to tell you no sirs sir, my great-grandfather is early sometimes. It's a long, 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, motion second, any discussion? Who now to call the question? All 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, according to 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 detail is 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. I'm the recommendation of the day. I think the 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.. He opposed light wise. Thank you. It's clear. The next item is 3570. The Charters of Freedom gift. I like to first recognize Danny Cersei. You like to recognize her, two, I guess, Ron Lewis and Dr. Skiier or Skiier. Good evening commissioners. Thank you very much. It's my pleasure to introduce Ron Lewis and Dr. Skiier to the right distinguished guests from the Charters 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. missioners, directors and for 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 Ron you 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. I'm an old county manager. I actually strangely enjoy these meetings. 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 we've got to have someone else to do this to road work because even though we have a beautiful drive down here for Morganton 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 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. It doesn't think that they're part of the chart is a freedom. We need to fix that. It 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 the solution. And now we're gifting to counties that have an existing Charter's Afreatment. We're gifting what we have come to call the Civil Rights Amendments. 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 it out his cheeks 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 till 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 hard to think 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 time 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 Strieger finish up here and not take too much of your time. David was in the Navy. He was an E3. I was an officer in the Marine Corps. And he's told people all over the country that he outrakes me. That 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 I outrank him 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 would be remiss if I may say pass it around through the school system as well, through all of the private schools, if you have any of those homeschooled public schools, of course, through AK 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. So thank you very much. Thank you. Well, thank you. I used to do revolutionary Wolverine Atman, so I won't tell you. It's important to know in our history, but when you were talking earlier about completion, this is actually completes the charter of freedoms. Yes. Display because 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, which included civil rights and domestic constitution. So thank you for your gift. Mr. Chairman, are you in the sun to the American Revolution? No, sir. Hi, I am. Excuse me. Question or content? Yeah. Yeah. I'm also a son of the American Revolution. My wife's a daughter, but that's another story. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you. We have a short break. How many drive home? Well, we need a picture of you first. Yeah. Mr. Carpenter? the Thank you. the I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I don't know. I forgot to get registered at the ministry. I forgot to get it done. Actually, the commissioners are in a recommendation 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 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 think I got a motion second, each 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 All right. We're going to start with three, five, seven, six. Let me get my text up. This is the transit drug and alcohol policy. We're emending it. In fact, June 1, 2023. I might recognize a transit director of the Carrier Jowls. Director Jowls, good to see you. And next time we're going to put you at the top of the agenda. That's all right. I'll make it quick. We have a data before you for the rest of the Ruthford 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 amended that we are of Dana 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. It's all another story. Yeah. Regarding the new policy, commissioners, what's the wheel of work? Like a motion, we approve the trends that drug and alcohol testing policy. DM. Second. We have a motion second in discussion. You're going to call the question. I'll favor you raise your your right hand any post light wise Commission is 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 will of the board? Make a motion that we approve the resolution. Okay. Second. Got a motion second. Any discussion? Any minute, call the questions. Paul, if I reach your right hand. He puts light wise. Okay, thank you. questions, Paul Feibier, your right hand. Keep those light wise. Okay, thank you. Commissioners, I'd like to, the next item is a tax collector's 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'd like to make a motion to reconsider. Yes, motion to reconsider, a motion, this is 3565 from the Plenty Commission. Yes. Okay. You read my money? Got a motion need a second. All right, raise your hand. Any pro fly-wire? It's okay. All right, Hazel, clean up your mess. Jeez, very diplomatic. What? 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 said two earlier So that should be the motion that is the motion and then Bergen deal Bergen deal 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. Motion in a second. Any discussion? Sorry Hazel. I'll call the question. Home of favor, raise your right hand. You put those light on. All right. Power street. All right. Commissioners, wait, one more item left. I want to do that. That's to a motion to adjourn. What's the little board? So, move. I got a motion in a second.