County Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Thank you for coming. Thank you. This Leandro forward tonight. Take your time. Okay. I think at the last meeting, one of the commissioners told me he'd be sure and have a representative from JNK here to speak with us about how the progress is. I have been there myself and the progress on the pound. They have the cement has been poured and they have removed the things around that. Uh but we need to move a little faster

and because it's still very slow. That's been over a week or two. So uh I don't see a representative here. So obviously our commissioner, Mr. Sutherland, could not get them to come. You told me you would have No, he's supposed to be out. He's back. He's out of the country. He's supposed to be back on the first, but he'll be back on the Jose. No, J. Well, it was Jose. The guy that's over it was the one J was the one that got everything done. Okay. Well, Abdul and Jose. Okay.

Uh are the two that are doing the work. They engineer, the two that were here, the engineer guy and whatever. Anyway, they're, you know, they're very nice from what I understand from the staff at the shelter. They've talked to them. They're very nice, but the weather's going to get hotter. We've got lots of animals. The other thing I want to talk to you about there is if J and K come through and we get it built, there's still going to be needs that you guys are going to have to contribute to because y'all are kind of empty with that part. So, we need, you know, we want it to look nice and we want it to be adequate. Like that lady said, they need staff. They need areas to do things. And also, we need a cat area because I'm the cat lover now. So, uh,

you going to switch? You going to switch? So I I you know I have a yard full of cats. People come by and throw them out and I can't even eat supper for feeding animals, feeding cats. I have a recording of my two coons in my pasta meeting. They love ham. They were eating ham the other night and we recorded that. But we need I need y'all's cooperation. I need y'all to stay behind this. And I want to know right now has anyone of you all talked to any of them this week or the past month? Who? Any of you commissioners? You know who talked to anybody from JNK to see what was going on? I did. I talked to J staff and he's out the country to the seven. The whole staff's gone. No, he I Who is J? You don't know him because if you ask me the question, you don't know who he is.

I don't know. Only two I know are the the new engineer, the guy that was so nice and the young guy that was at the at that meeting. Okay. They're the ones that are doing the work and had to redraw it because it was done improperly. and the employees that were supposed to be doing it before were let go and it got lost in the waste basket somewhere is what I was told. I think it's so great they're doing about a half million donation. I think it's great too and it's been over a year and a half now and I will for half million.

It'll be two years. Well, you wouldn't if you were a hot animal burning up or if if they needed people to send out to take care of things. So, I just want you guys to get behind it and and keep it rolling. It can go. It'll it went from June to June and now it's almost June again. So, since we got the donation, but we need to see the work of the donation. So, if y'all would please follow through, you know, as long as I'm alive, I'm going to be here facing you every week, every month, every chance I get. You might be I pay my taxes. So, I'm going to quit paying my tax so y'all can come and find me at my house. I'm tired of coming to your house here. So, please, please, please. I mean, it's getting old. But we do like to see you.

I know you love to see me, but I'm tired of seeing you. I'm hungry. I see you enough up the street in my yard. Still prettier than you. Grass. Okay. Okay. Now, I'm depending you all. And if you could have them come and make a presentation and tell us what they're doing and how they're going to work it. And that committee she was talking about, I think I remember that committee. You was on. You would meet and we never had a meeting. You would meet, huh? I would meet. You wouldn't meet. You never got it together. So get that committee together cuz we do need to hear this. Amen. You amen. I'm depending on my neighbor. Thank you. Thank you. Too busy.

What's the next one? I think she's

Okay. So, my name is Tequila. I'm a proud resident of Hope County. I'm also on the board of directors for the Paralyzed Veterans of America Mid-Atlantic chapter. and I'm here to talk about illegal handicap parking. So, um, we're at a historical crossroads. 80 years ago, our founders came home from World War II with spinal cord injuries to a country that was inaccessible to them. So, they banned together and they started the PVA to make um, accessibility, you know, more available to everyone. Um, so after 80 years, I'm still here fighting for the same thing. My problem is when I leave my house, I have to play like parking lot roulette. I can never really find a park because there's a lot of people illegal parking and they don't have a place car. They don't have anything on their license plate. They're just parking because they want to run in for a couple of seconds. Um, also I have a van with a ramp and I came out before and there was a car parked on the access um the lines that's for, you know, wheelchairs to have space to get in and out and there was a car parked on the line so I couldn't get back in my vehicle. I had to wait until they, you know, came out the store or whatever. So, it's not about convenience. It's like our basic civil rights. Um, what I would like to see is the commissioners talk to Sheriff Roger Virgil, so he can have his deputies like do sweeps over parking lots, private and public. Um, sometimes they think that they can't do anything at private businesses, but according to GS 20-37.6, it gives deputies authority to pass out citations even at private businesses. Um, so another thing, um, Raleigh and Asheville, they have regular civilians that volunteer. They're trained to like know what to look for and they also pass out citations. So until um, law enforcement

actually enforces it, that's the only time that it will change. That's it. Thank you. Mr. T, what can we do to reinforce that? Um, she's right. Okay. She's right. I mean, it's a misdemeanor. If you park in illegally park in a handicap space, it's a misdemeanor regardless of where you're at as long as it's marked for handicap. So, do we need go we get discussed doing a strong letter to the sheriff department? Yes. Yeah. I I spoke to Miss Adams to uh Mr. Chairman and board and just briefly I think that I agree with you chairman we do a letter to the sheriff but also to the police department because some of her concerns also is in the city as well as in uh in the county. So, I think we just send them I sees it all the time.

Yeah. So certainly we do a strong letter to the sheriff department and city department ask them to enforce that. All right. But thank you for coming. Thank you all and thank you for your service to us. Chairman, let me call. Was there a cler that signed up? Last name Clark. That's it.

That's it. Thank all you for coming for public comment. We really look forward to them. is you all eyes and ears to come and tell us what we don't see and y'all bring it to us so that we can look at it and see what it is that we can do about it. Uh get it to the right people of of the staff who have run that department on the staff level. We give it to them to make sure that they take a second look at all the issues and ideas y'all bring to us. They all can make us better and that's what we're working for to be better. So, thank you all for coming and bringing us the issues of the county so that we'll take a second a third look at it to see what it is we can do to make it stronger. And so, continue to do that. We'll continue to send it and make sure that department heads that need it receives it so they actually can take action on some of them and certainly enforce whatever the law might be towards that issue. So, again, thank you'all for coming and sharing with us tonight. We're really glad to have you. Even my neighbor, thank you. Thank you. All righty. Um, Mr. Attorney, we and plan we have a public hearing at this time.

Yes, there's an application for a special use permit submitted by Ly River EMC for a special use for a data communication site to be located at 2160 Ashmont Road. and it's on a 111 acre parcel and the parcel is currently resoneed residential agriculture. Anyone wishing to speak on this matter if you would come up and be sworn please. Do I don't know. Should we both talk or any anyone that's going to speak come on up? Go first. Megan all at the same time.

All at the same time. Yeah, absolutely. Or or gets it. Come up. Miss one hand. Okay.

Just each of you if you'll raise your right hands, please. You each affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. And this is your solemn affirmations. Yes, sir. Thank you. All righty. Land department have a seat. No. Y'all may have a seat. Plan department. Is that the case? Good evening. Good evening.

Application for Lumby River Electric Membership Corporation. Rivertech is requesting a special use permit to construct a telecommunication optical line terminal, a OLT facility at 2160 the Ashmont Road. Um, the FI facility will be enclosed by a six- foot high cha chain link fence and a gated access for security purposes and and the buffering and screening may be required to ensure with adjacent property owners to minimize visual impa impacts. The site will be unmanned, generate minimal traffic and produce limited noise. primarily during infrequent generator operations. Staff finds the request to be consistent with the Hook County zoning ordinance. Um the planning board made a recommendation for approval and staff makes a recommendation for approval. Uh Miss Allison with Rivertech and Mr. Rocky is here tonight to answer any questions that you may have.

Thank you. Come make your case. Are you for it? against it. I am against it, sir. Let me Let us make the case first. Okay. Thank you. Yeah.

She really I understand that. Hey, um I'm Allison McIntyre with um RiverTech Lumb River Electric. I work for uh a consulting firm. I really just kind of do the real estate portion of it. But in a nutshell, they are showing a couple of pictures. This is um basically a distribution site for uh the internet in in a you know in layman's terms um basically it would be like she said 4700 square foot. Um it is fenced in by a 6ft gate and um what will actually be out there is um a 60x60 OLT box which stands for optical learn line terminal and um a 30x60 generator and a 500galon propane tank and the generator and the propane tank there is to be able to provide internet for in the case of an outage um short-term an outage of power. Rocky Hodgej and Terry Freeman are here from

River Tech and they can give a little bit more information. Good afternoon. Good evening. Good afternoon.

So, um as Miss Allison is this picture right here, this will be pretty much a cookie cutter what we will be putting on site. Um if you see the structure there in the center that is colored in white, that is a OLT site. Um the purpose of that is we take fiber fiber optic cables in and then it pushes out to the service area. If you'll see the attached maps you this is a part of a state funed grant where we're passing over 400 homes in the northwestern part of Hope County. Um so the purpose of the generator is just say for instance you have a line that goes down Ashmont. So, if that person's got a backup generator, when that generator kicks on to this right here, it's still going to proi provide internet service to those homes that have backup generator. So, they won't be without internet or telephone. So, um this right here is our current one that is in the county on Neielson Clair Road. Um, and this will be a mirror image of what we would be putting similar right there on uh Ashmont.

That's actually on Hope County property. Yes, this is that one right there is actually on Hope County property. You say this will serve about 400 people. Yes, sir. So, what it does, this right here, we the fiber optic cables will come out and we have 400 passings out all over that part of the county. So there's no big data, anything like that. It'll be small pieces equipment kind of size of laptop inside this um weatherproof cabinet and all that does is just push the internet out to the homes that sign up for the service. Okay. Is the property that you're putting it on, is it um is it cleared property or is it going to have to be cleared?

It will have to be cleared. So there is wood is a wooded area right now. It's a small growth probably trees in the I'd say 25 foot range few pines all the other is small growth u sweet gums and saplings wouldn't be um any destruction any major timber products whatsoever and that was one of the things we discussed with Mr. Clyde Green here who owned the property prior to picking this location. Um, it is not going to be destructive to a big group of land or anything like that. And Mr. Green, he was gracious enough to come as well.

Okay. All right. And we'll ask a couple questions. So, it sits on right now 400 4700 ft. That's what it would in that scenario, but it obviously it'll be like that right there. It won't take up the whole thing, but it gives us access to get off DOT right away to get in there if we have to do any work. So, we won't have vehicles out in the rightway. We won't be interfering with traffic coming up and down, anything like that. For the for the public, what are the if any environmental concerns? None to my knowledge. No environmental concerns? No sir. What about noise?

None. The only time there would be any minimum noise is say for instance that the power kicks off at that site and it will be a small Generrack generator like people have it y'all one of y'all may have at your house that will power that OLT. It'll be propane. It won't be diesel. It ain't going to be loud. It's going to be quiet. Should be no noise factor whatsoever. Okay. Thank you.

And it's surrounded by wood. So the way the Yeah. the way the um property is set, it's going to have a wooded barrier around it, so noise is not going to travel. To the east, to the west of it is Pine Hill Fire Department, and to the west of it is the closest house is Mr. Greens. And there'll be a good buffer in between both areas that shouldn't cause no noise. Okay. Okay. All right. Thank you. those against it.

Ladies and gentlemen of the commission, good evening.

Good evening. Thank you so much for your time. Um, so I obviously um represent neighbors that have some concerns. Um, background on an optical line terminal. Gentlemen, please keep me honest here. From what I understand, obviously rising demand for fiber to homes, broadband, this sort of thing. And the OOLT or optical line terminal will be sort of like a middleman connecting fiber to the internet as we've heard directing data um two ways through something called an Ethernet switch, which is the backbone of data center networks. Um, our concern is this backbone of a data center network sounds benign today, but the concern is that by granting this special use permit, while this appears to be a very benign configuration today, it opens the door to a broader kind of maybe small data center in the future. Um I data centers are basically inherent in the optical line terminal technology. One might even use the term um synonymously if you will. Um even though I understand this is a very small confined scale that they're asking for approval for today. Um per GS160D- 602C the public hearing notice is to be posted on the street. I think it's like 10 days prior to the public hearing. Unfortunately, that did not happen this time. It was just a very unfortunate reason. And yet, this just came to our attention 10 days after the public hearing took place. So, we just didn't have an opportunity to really attend the public hearing and kind of vet out our concerns. And then um obviously in North

Carolina, the court of appeals and Kennan versus Board adjustment suggests that developers meet for standards, that the use um or special use permit does not endanger public health or safety, um meets required conditions and specifications of the local government, doesn't injure the value of the adjoining property, and is in harmony with the area. Again, we just didn't have an opportunity to vet all of these standards, if you will. Um, and so we respectfully request either no on SU26-1 or that the vote is delayed to provide time for a public hearing. Thank you. I appreciate your consideration.

Anyone else wish to speak against for Miss Mr. Davies? She has been sworn. You got sworn in grade. She was sworn. Oh, she Yeah, you're good. I'm good, Mr. Commissioner. I'm getting older, so I miss some things. I know. And sometimes I'm invisible. Yeah, sometimes I'm invisible. Thank you.

I really want to support the concerns about what will happen long term, many communities are struggling with issues around data centers. And while we are now saying that currently there aren't any concerns of environmental impact, down the road there may be. I many communities have also seen fit to make sure that a moratorum is placed is in place while there is time provided to do the kind of studying that's already been talked about and to hold public hearings so that individuals have a clear sense of what it's about. So, I'm going to advocate on behalf of that uh for the commissioners um to give time to clearly study what's happening there and to possibly consider a moratorum on any data center uh erection in our community and certainly for us to know more about uh the optical line um terminals as they grow.

Mr. David, do you receive a letter uh public hearing that would be here tonight? had a letter is within 500 ft. Jackie? Yes, sir. You receive a letter within 500 ft? I did not receive a letter. Do you live within 500 ft? I do not, but I'm a citizen of Hope King. That's my way to get a letter. Okay. Thank you. So, I Okay. I feel compelled to speak. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. So, you you have to be sworn in to speak, sir.

Well, he can come up. You want you want to get sworn in? Come on up. That's where I'm in. I just can't help you sworn in. So why am I sworn in? So now sworn in when you sworn in at when they were sworn in. No problem. They speak for me. Yeah. Just just raise your hand. They she swear you in right there. Oh, swear me in. Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth. So help you God.

So help me God. I will get that. I'm Clyde Green. She retired United States 40 years of service. I own the property. I support Ling River. If you're looking at where this facility is going to be built, it's built right next to a Hulk County Fire Department. It's going to look as part of the Hulk County Fire Department. On the back side of it, I got two ponds and it's about 500 m to the nearest house back there. On the right hand side of it, my house is there or about 200 m. So, I don't understand what the environmental contact you're talking about. You think I'm going anywhere? I'm not going anywhere.

And I support this wholeheartedly. If it's going to help people with communication, I support it 100%. Thank you. Thank you, Sarah. Anyone else wants to speak? Excuse me, chair. Miss Jackie, could you um please inform um everyone of the public notice if that was sent out? the public, excuse me, the public notice went out to the property owners for the planning board and the site was posted. Um, and another letter went back out again for the commissioner's meeting. Um, was it done done within? Yes, sir. Yes.

Okay. And, uh, we had we've got some new signs that we've been placing out on our sites. Um but everybody was notified um that was in that 500 ft radius for the planning board. We had people at the meeting for the planning board and we have of course some here tonight for the board of commissioners. So the letters went out in a timely manner. I think that it's supposed

isn't it supposed to be posted to the street as well? Sign on the street. That that was the concern that we had talked about the sign on the street. Yeah. at the site was posted 10 days after the public hearing. So that's the location that was not posted in a timely manner. Okay. Thank you. Anyone else ask Mr. Chairman West? Yeah,

I just want to have the opportunity to kind of defend what is being said about a data center. There is in no way, shape or form is this going to be a data center. This is not going to supply data for AI, uh, data for anything else. This right here and kind of for your concern, the North Carolina state of information done a study for this area and it come up underserved and this is a part of a grant that the gate submitted. But an ins was a part of a state funeding grant for this part of hope county that was underserved and that grant was sent out to people in the area to do service providing. We had already built down around five points area. I just want to specify this is no way, shape or form going to have major servers. It's no way, shape or form can ever house any type of major servers. This is just fiber optic cable in, fiber optic cable out. That's it.

Okay. Thank you. Yes, sir. All righty. Have a motion to close the public hearing. So move that second. Second motion and second we close the public hearing. Mr. Chairman, I would I would I saying I have it. Mr. Jum just like to make the board reach the boards aware just make aware. So because of me serving on the member of MC board of directors uh I'm going to recuse myself from any discussion or any vote in this matter and that's the reason why because of my position as we need to make a motion on that Brady.

As long as he recuses himself you don't have to do that in the record. The record show that he accused himself from taking any action or comment on this issue. All right. Reckon we reflect that board. You've heard the odds. You heard the good, the bad, you heard it all. So now it's time for the board to make a decision. What what should the board?

I like to make some comments. Um first I' I've been studying data centers or data centers uh for the last three years and um they are growing across our great state. Two was in Wake County. I think two is in Mechanburg. Uh County is entertaining one now. I spoke with the mayor about that and I spoke with also attorney commissioner um Glenn Adams about what's going on in County. But this right here is is not a data or data centers. Um you you would have to do a whole lot of work to make this one of those centers. So this don't have the capability to be to be in that because of what it would take for a a a data center. uh you don't even have the land mass to create a data center. Now, we're going to be approached at some point in time this this board here about data centers. That's right.

We're going to be approached, but this issue today before us that we're addressing that we have to respond to is not related to a data center. So, as a conditional use, when I look at the four things that need to be addressed, uh one my environmental concerns, there are no environmental concerns according to the sworn testimony. Number two, a Nord ordinance. there's no known ordinance according to the sworn testimony. Um, number three, my major concern was when you brought up about the proper notice. Uh, I'm particularly about people being notified and having proper notice. So, we have testimony that the notice was proper and we have testimony that the notice was not proper. Uh, because you're saying it wasn't proper and and our staff is saying it was proper.

I think part of it was proper and part of it was not proper. I mean it's well but I understand but I'm saying so we we got we got right so so my my concern is that um it looks like according to our staff notice was proper

notice was proper so the last issue with it would it be an injury to anyone surrounding it next to it adjacent to it is the I think Pioneer Fire Department next to that is Mr. Green's property next to that is sitting on Mr. Green's property and that's a major buffer there. 4,700 ft is probably probably the size of this building with two stories. Um so I I feel comfortable uh based on um the condition of use for this particular issue for fiber optic. Now if it was a a a data center, we would have a long discussion be going in detail about that. But this this where it is now could not be a data center. Number one. Number two, it could never be a data center because we don't have the land capacity to create such a data center that that AI AI use and Amazon use and places like that. So um I I think that um it meets the requirement. Um the only issue I had a proper issue with our board was making sure that the the notice was proper and I I think that we met that threshold. If so, all the conditions satisfy me full approval.

Okay. But I'll be glad to hear from another board member. Any other comments from any of the board members?

Uh Mr. chair. Uh I I would say as just uh friendly advice uh moving forward for RiverTech that because data center is such a divisive word uh we know that you are specialists and experts in what you're doing but I would recommend removing data. you know, when when most of the opposition that I've heard is actually opposition to data centers because it's something that that is um on the top of many people's minds, rightfully so. Uh I think we're missing the point uh when it comes to communication. Uh if it's that one word, which is causing that, if we're not actually speaking to the issue at hand. So, uh that that would be be my recommendation. Uh I think we will definitely need to dive into the data center issue at some point. Uh they are moving around searching for small counties. Uh uh Microsoft bought 1,000 acres in Pen County, a county similar to the size of Hope County before county commissioners were even aware they'd already purchas purchased 1,000 acres preparing for a data center. Uh trying trying to circumvent the rules uh and regulations of the community. Uh like vice chairman said, I I do not see any major concerns. I will ask that that planning uh ensures that that we don't continue to hear e even a hint of question about whether or not we followed all of our protocols. So, I want to make sure that we're on the same page. We're going to take the testimony as it was given. But when it comes to uh questions about when a sign was placed, where it was placed, I want us to be able to be on the same page that we follow the ordinance that was passed by this board of commissioners and we can make sure that everyone understands that we are not trying to approve things uh in darkness that we want people who live in that community to understand that there is uh a planning matter in that community and give them rightful opportunity to come and voice their

opinions. Uh so with that, I yield back, Mr. Chairman. Uh I see no major concerns for moving forward and certainly I'll learn one of those and looking at it tonight as I share the input of the other two commissioners. We live here in the county. We have to be thinking about the future and the growth. We'll be left out on the hill without technology. If we sit here and do absolutely nothing to gain technology and place to have technology, we don't want to be that county that sat here without good technology for our youth, those in school, those in college, and those at home. This is a way of living now. And we cannot afford not to as a state give these grant dollars for local counties and local government even the city cities to be able to make sure that technology and the line is provided in your county and in your area so that will be information available. We just have to think for the future of this county and as we start saying no to all of you technology eagle we left all alone and that's not a good place to be where he's growing we were not able to stop that we pro prosper not able to stop that so we move forward your technology really have to keep up with your growth and your citizen and your schooling and information so that we able to function 10, 15, 20, 30 years down the line. If not, we wake up one morning and find oursel like we did a long time ago left all alone. No one want to do that. So, this is a center that will not harm us, hurt us, or even push the value of our property down at

all. This is one of those cases that won't hurt anyone but will certainly help our county and all our citizens for the future. But I do believe and I uh concur with uh Commissioner Thomas said, the word data with with the hot topic going across our state is a is a word that's concerning. Um so that could have thrown everything off in in this particular u hearing u this afternoon as well. Okay. Yeah. Anyone else? All right. more than leaders here. We should the board make a motion to approve.

Second second motion second approval. All time all in favor with Ippos. I have approval. Mr. Chairman. Yes, sir. But now that that that approval is taking place, I I want to also take a moment um to thank um the young lady who spoke against it. Um people think that we don't care what people say here at the meeting. I've had an opportunity to read a two-page uhformational uh that was given to me. I I assume it came from you, you know, so I don't I don't know how long it took you to put this together, but it was way a waste of your time. Yeah. You know, so thank you for letting me speak.

Absolutely. On both side of it, you I I think I think she she tried to take three different opportunities to speak public comment, you know, and so the worst thing that can happen is for her to leave thinking that we didn't care. And that that is certainly not the case. We do nothing to make your neighborhood a horse in nothing. And I also want to thank Rivertech. Um when it comes to internet, uh we we must understand that whole county is still a rural county and there are places in whole county with no internet service. And so we can be so grateful and appreciative for what we have, but we cannot forget the least of these people uh who do not have the opportunity to log in and apply for jobs, to log in and find the phone number for uh the DSS office to to be able to just do the basic things that we take for granted each and every day. Uh, RiverTech is investing money into our community to make sure that we bring technology to people who have not had it or people who have have to use satellite internet which costs them an absorbent amount of money to do the things that we we see as basic. Uh, so thank you for that investment. It does not go unnoticed and we we appreciate what you're doing for our community. and we may we work hard to keep the value of your community high. That helps us. Thank you. All righty. At this time, we have a uh resolution. Uh Mr. Commissioner Tony Hunt, you explain those to us.

Yes, Mr. Chairman. We actually have two. The first one that I'd love for us to come forward and present is for Mr. uh it is a resolution member of Mr. uh Durant Cooper. I think his family, a lot of them on the outside, they're going to come in. And if the board would come down, Mr. J would like to present it to him.

Family,

come across. Come across here. Come on.

Come on. Do another row. Can you see my a little bit?

James is getting them ready for a picture. I'm sorry. You're all right. I think there's some dog daughter his wife. His wife. Okay. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. So, we have his wife here, his ex-wife.

And we have some siblings also. Now, we're we're very loving people, us folks. Amen. But we are we we're honored and so thankful for you to come tonight and be part of uh this uh uh memory of uh Mr. Durant Cooper and in the Native American community. He is famous and a legend. Uh but he so happened to go to school here at Hawkeye and when it was the all Native American uh school here in the county and played baseball there. and uh uh those folks in Robinson County would come up here and take weapons from them, folks from Prospect and Pinbrook and you know so uh we're we're so honored as her countians uh to recognize him uh tonight. This resolution is in memory of Durant Cooper. Whereas Durant Cooper, a native of the White Oak community near Maxon, North Carolina and a proud member of the Lumbi community, passed away on March 20th, 2026 at the age of 80. And whereas Durant Cooper was widely regarded as one of the greatest LBY baseball and softball players of all time, known for his exceptional athletic systemism, powerful hitting, and dominant pitching ability. whereas he began his baseball career at Hawkeye Indian School in Hope County where he displayed extraordinary talent that led to the signing with the Chicago White Socks organization in 1965 through whereas throughout his career Mr. Cooper achieved numerous accomplishments, including an outstanding minor league record, participation in professional baseball development systems, and recognition of

his powerful athletic abilities that left a lasting mark on the sport of baseball. And whereas Durant Cooper was included into was inducted into the Hope County Hall of Fame in January 2020 recognizing his contribution to athletics and his lasting legacy within the community. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Hope County Board of Commissioners hereby express its deepest sympathy to the family of Durant Cooper and honor his life and legacy. Adopted this day, the fourth day of May, 2026. James A. Le's chairman, Harry Southerntherland, vice chairman, Tony, commissioner, Alan Thomas, commissioner, and Mary Blue McCllum, commissioner, and our clerk, Miss Shenita Smith. We would present it to you, darling. Thank you. And thank y'all.

I don't want to get in the way of nobody's anything. Let me I'm going to get down on the end. Sure. Yeah, I'll be up. Yeah, we can turn sideways. No one.

Thank you. Thank y'all for coming. They they asked me would anybody have to speak? I told them no. But now if anybody does want to say anything, you're welcome. Everybody's good. Everybody's good. All right. Thank y'all for coming. Okay. You've been doing all right.

Our next version that we want to honor tonight is uh Miss uh Wendy Chavis. This is a resolution recognizing her as being the 2025 senior Miss Wy and we want her to come and her family to come with her. Miss Wy, she's coming. A lot of you may not know she worked here in the Hook County school system for a long time actually teaching at Hawkeye Elementary School and uh had a long career as a teacher and U she I think I've got this right. If I get it wrong, Miss Wendy, you correct me, but I think you're the only second lady out of our county to win the senior Miss Lumby. So, we've only had two and she's one. She's the second one to ever win this crown from Hope County. When they have that uh pageant, they be there's folks uh competing from all around all four counties, Cumberland, Hope, Scotland, and Robinson County. So, she has to go. She went against a lot of different people. I think there was about eight or nine contestants. Yeah, six. Six. Okay. So, we're we're just so proud that she's here from Hunt County and uh and that uh she's uh represented us well this year. Her term is coming towards an end, but she has been an outstanding senior Miss Lumby. Resolution recognizing 2025 senior Miss Lumby, Wendy Chavis Lleair. Whereas Wendy Chavis Lachler has been named the 2025 senior Miss Lumbi proudly representing the Lumbi people of Hope County. And whereas Miss Lachler is a lifelong member of the Lumbi community rooted in faith, family, and service and has been a resident of Hope County since 1990. whereas she is a graduate of the

University of North Carolina at Pinbrook, earning both a bachelor of arts in sociology and a master's of social work and currently serves as a provisional licensed clinical social worker. And whereas Mrs. Lleair dedicated 25 years to education and now serves as a director of diver diversion programs with the North Carolina Youth Violence Prevention Center providing mentorship, advocacy and support to at risk youth. And whereas sing she is committed to promoting mental health awareness and strengthening connections between elders and youth within the community. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Oak County Board of Commissioners hereby recognize and congratulates Wendy Chavis Lachler on being named 2025 Senior Miss Lumbi and commends her for her dedication to service, faith, and community. Adopted the fourth day of May, 2026. Chairman James Leachch, Vice Chairman Harry Southerntherland, Commissioner Tony Hunt, Commissioner Mary Blue McCollum, and Commissioner Alan Thomas Jr., and Shenita Smith, our clerk to the board. Congratulations, MISS This is our lovely daughter and this is her husband. Mr. Lair. Mr. My ties to this family is real deep because actually I married this couple back how many years ago?

36. Oh, 36 years ago. One of my very first weddings that I did. And uh we're proud of you, sir. Yeah. Yeah. We're We're proud of me, too. Amen. All right. Go ahead with the people. All right. Okay, go ahead. Take a break.

Thank you. Thank you. You want to say something? You're always able to talk. You sure you're good. You wrote something. You can you can tell it then if you took time to write it. You got to that corner shot. Yeah. I can't hit you. I'll be quick. I promise.

It looks fun, but I talk fast. Let's get the um the podium back. Get podium. point back for you. Thank you.

Good evening to the esteemed members of the H County Board of Commissioners. My name is Wendy Lle and I stand before you not only as the 2025 2026 senior assembly, but as a proud resident of H County, a community that has shaped a part of my life in a meaningful way. It is truly an honor to be here with you this evening. I come before you with a heart full of gratitude. Thank you for your continued support not only of me in my way is seen as me but of the culture, heritage and people that make our community so rich and meaningful. Your commitment to county is seen in the opportunities you create, the resources you provide, and the respect you show for all who call this place home. Hope is deeply personal to me. I've had the privilege to serve in this community as an educator in Hawkeye Elementary South Elementary which I prefer uh for 12 years from 1997 to 2009. My great mentor was sitting in the back Miss Jacobs. She pushed me to go back to school to get my bachelor's degree. During that time I put in the children not just academically but emotionally encouraging them to believe in themselves and in their future. Those years were made in a career. They were calling to invest in the next generation of leaders right here in our community. Now seeing those same children step into prestigious positions within society gives my journey even more. It reminds me that the 180 days I spent with each with them each year were not just days on the calendar but moments that have shaped guide and made them into the citizens they are as citizens. We are so proud of here in our county. I'm also proud to call the community home. It is there that I have experienced the true meaning of connection faith and community support and that represents the community where

neighbors traditions honor and values that pass down from one generation to the next as represent people. I car I legacy I carry the strength resilience and the generations before me and the responsibility to always encourage and advocate for unity and growth within our communities. Your leadership plays a vital role in ensuring that our communities continue to thrive. When we work together, leaders, educators, families, and citizens, we create opportunity, hope, and a strong future for our children. So tonight, I simply want to say thank you. Thank you for your leadership. Thank you for your dedication. And thank you for supporting not just the title, but the people, the culture, and the spirit behind it. It is my honor to stand before you to represent to serve alongside you as we continue building stronger together. May we continue to walk to fully in purpose stand and honor the roots that us. Thank you. Thank you for sharing that with us. Thank you very much. I'm so grateful to take that back with you without sharing it. Thank you for sharing that with us tonight. All right. Thank each again. We appreciate that was able to honor our citizen as they do well and do good to continue to do better. Consent a BCD EF123 anyone have any concern we approve the consent agenda as stated that's it second motion second approval time consent offer with IO I have miss Andrew Mr. Andrew Mr. Yes, sir.

Uh, in in that approval, I think it it would be important to state that we just approved a resolution honoring the life of Dr. Bishop Cunningham. Okay. Uh, a local pastor uh who has uh served this community well decades. Uh he served whole county uh on the San Community College Board and many other boards and health department health department. and and I just want to take a moment uh if if you're so inclined to have a moment of silence as we honor Bishop Cunningham. Yes, sir. Do it, ma'am.

Thank you. And I will live so well and left a great legacy for Hope County. Thank you, Mr. Jacob. Mr. Chairman, good evening. Uh tonight, I come before you with three different items. First is unified definitions. The TRC or technical review committee here in Hook County has been uh mowled over a couple different ordinances over the last couple of months. And one of the things that we thought it'd be beneficial to bring is a standardized list separate of all these ordinances so that if an individual or staff person had any questions with u u a particular definition or word, we'd have one form to uh source that off of. And for that tonight, I ask you to uh take into consideration the approval of the unified definitions list here for Hope County.

Okay, that's number one. Yes, sir. And then the uh the uh second thing I have before you, the address, this is something that I worked with with Mr. Jenny Stewart again out of our TRC. This is just something that needed to be procedurally updated. uh the last time that it had been drafted. I'm not quite certain when Miss Revel last served the board here, but the last uh uh ordinance we took had her uh name as as the clerk on that. So, uh we we now have NextGen 911 and a host of other things that's happening. We also with uh the density in Hook County in certain areas. We also added accuracy markers in there to make sure that we're within 5T when we're adding um when we're issuing those addresses. Okay.

Uh and I also ask for consideration accepting that tonight. The last thing I would ask is that uh the state of North Carolina public information officer sent out a proclamation to all 100 counties uh encouraging local boards to make proclamations for hurricane preparedness week which is this week. Uh those of you following our social media accounts, we're are very heavily engaging on those to make sure that citizens here in Hope County and across the state are ready for the inclement weather that uh may come to visit us with hurricane season starting in uh just a little bit under a month. Okay. All right. Grady, do we need to do separate motions or Yes,

we do. Okay. All right. And Andrew, um, just for make sure that everybody understands, when you talk about Hood County unified definitions, that just means that you're defining all the major words within the policy. It means a parcel and the fire ordinance is a par ordinance in the subdivision and so forth, so we don't get uh broke down into it. So we'll have a a master list if you would that we'll update and then anything outside of there will default to the latest version and folks can reference to it whenever Yes sir. Okay. All right Mr. G make a motion to approve the H county unified definitions.

Okay second motion second time consider all I have it Mr. Chairman I move we approve 5B whole county address and ordinance. Okay. A second. Second. Motion second. Only have time to consider. All in favor with I. I. Oppos. I have it. Approve. C. Mr. Chairman, I'll do the proclamation also 5C, the proclamation of hurricane uh preparedness week 2026. Okay. I'll make that motion. Second. Second.

Motion. Second. Only have time to consider. All in favor? What? I post. I have it. Approve. Thank you. Have a good evening. Uh JCP, Miss Jackie Mlan is coming with the JCP reappoint along with our director. Please come. Good evening. Good evening. We have a simple request tonight. We have nine council members that are um we have JCPC has recommended to serve another two-year term and then one new member. Do I need to state their names for the record? Yes, please.

Okay. Okay. So, of course, Jackie Mlan to continue filling the county commissioner appointee position. Daffhany Dudley, same position. Shirley Hart, the same position. Sherlin Morrison Sims, also the same position. BJ Scantland to continue filling the um LME MCO designate position. Richard Lee to continue filling the substance abuse professional position. Reverend Al Anderson for the member of faith community position. Lisa Pate Edwards to continue filling the family advocate position. Gina Daniels to continue filling the nonprofit organization position. And we have a a new member we're recommending to fill our uh parks and recreation department. It's the assistant director, Shaqula Burrell.

Okay. So, we are seeking the county's approval on that. Did you all um speak to Reverend Anderson and Mr. Lee about serving again? Yes, they are. I'm here. Have they been uh good and faithful servants? Hey, I see him back there. I see both of them back there. The best as Beach would say the best throughout the state. Well, see what you understand is that this is my board and I have the greatest board in state. Oh, he clearly understand that. So, what did you do? Mr. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Mlan, I think you stated that there these are two-year terms.

Yes. Okay. So, and I understand that you this is somebody may want to ask, well, why in the world are y'all pointing so many at one time? But I think it's a fairly large board and you do that so you can make sure you have a staggered coming on and off and to to make sure that you have enough for a quorum to actually have a meeting. Okay. All right. I just wanted to clarify that cuz it kind of I know I asked a question before we got started. Why were we doing so many at one time? Pass it forward. Yeah. Yes, he did. He was ready to answer that, Miss Jack.

I just wanted to vote and I make a motion that we approve. We will verify. I'll second the motion. Motion second that we adopt that we approve these name to serve on the DCP board for a period of another two years. All time as a second. All have time to consider. All in f I have it. Tell them. Good work. Thank you. Thank y'all. Miss Daniel for

Good evening. Good evening to our commissioners, to our of course, Miss Tish Eatings. I will not forget all the hard work she does to make things happen for us in the best county in the state. That's right. In the state. The state.

Carolina. and to Miss Smith for her dedication and allowing us to be here tonight. So, um I do teach life skills and thanks to the school system for allowing me to work with the youth. Um and so tonight, I would like to recognize um our veterans that serve us, our uh boys for uh boys of distinction and our one girl of distinction. They give their time, their monies, and their advice to make our youth what they should be today and for tomorrow as our leaders. And it would not have happened without um Dr. Marshall and her husband, Mr. uh Marshall as well. They are veterans as well. And I really thank them for bringing to Hope County such a great program. Without the volunteer services, we wouldn't have our boys and our one girl doing what they do. And you all are welcome to come anytime once a month and see how they uh turn out at extension uh in the um banquet rooms. They are very well-mannered. They are real uh really trained and you would think you know that they were trained by veterans because they show the uh learning of what veterans uh how they are trained in the military. So we see that. So at this time um I'll ask uh our partner Dr. Marshall who allowed me to be a part of the program if she'll step up and I uh vet mentors to share life skills. I thank you all. But I'm speaking of a young lady that has given time, scholarship, money, and monies to help our youth uh become positive leaders. They have done a wonderful job in Hope County, and the vets landed in the best county of North Carolina through the military and most of them have made Hope County home away from home. So, I would like to thank you all kindly for all you have done to help our youth. And as I'm speaking for Dr. Marsha, she's always giving. She's a

given person. So I would like to recognize her. So in recognition, Dr. uh Marshall for visionary leadership and faithful service as the vet mentor founder for our bods and our girl of distinction family. God led service have made a lasting impact on the lives you encountered May 4th, 2026. And also thank you all too. We have 42 vets who serve our youth and we thank them. They all couldn't be here. Some are serving actively now in military. So I would like to thank all of them for all they do for our youth. Thank you Dr. MARSHALL. They have given you

because we have to get a picture. They have to get awards. Great words.

So thank you so much commissioners. Thank you so much, Miss Gina Daniel. She's so awesome. Um, I work with her in the schools and when I came out, we um, my husband and I, we started Vet Mentor, Bridging, Boys of Distinction, and Autism Incorporated. So, we are a nonprofit. We do have a total with my husband and I, uh, 43 veterans, um, that serve over four different states from different stations. But we do um aim to uh boost academics, behavior, and attendance. My son graduated in 2025 from Hope County High School. So, we felt compelled to to work more in the community. And so, we brought veterans together to pure them with um our boys of distinction, our one girl of distinction. And so, this year we were able to do that. we were able to partner with um different um like Mr. Barber and Hope Neutra Spot to to just venture off and do more for the youth to get free haircuts and to be able to stop and get a drink for nutrition at Hope Neutr Spot. And of course, Miss Daniels to bring in life and career skills. And we have been successful this year. My husband and I have offered over $2,000 of personal funds to um scholarships to five different Hulk County students. So, we are proud of this program. We're going to continue to grow and we thank you all for your support.

Thank you. Let's get a pizza faster. Thank you. folks. tomorrow. Thank you.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. Thank you. Y'all want the podium back? You want to talk? Let him speak. We need to hear it. Let

him say something. Um, good afternoon everybody. My name is Stefan Gomez and I'm a part of the vet mentor with Miss Dr. Marshall. Uh, I would like to just share some small details about uh, Vet Mentor. It's a very good program. keeps me uh in line in school with attendance and keeping me with uh good behavior, good grades, and they're always pushing me to do better with u everything I do in life with community service skills all the way down to uh how to treat others nice and how to be a a better person every day. Thank you. Thank you. that is one of our future leaders right there in the house tonight. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh I I asked for him to share a few words because uh uh all of those uh individuals uh young people, I want when you leave here tonight to find this link uh and I want you to save this. you know, we had one young man come up and do the pledge of allegiance and uh in the 12 years I've done this, you'd be shocked by people who are intimidated to stand at that mic and and say anything. But without even hesitation, you came up and you heard all of us in the pledge and now to see you stand there and speak so eloquently. I didn't hear any quiver in your voice. I didn't hear any nervousness. you stood there and you spoke to your government leaders. And so I would ask that you go and you screen record this and save it. Save it for your children one day to see you when you were this age. Uh and to be able to show them, you know, that that even now you're a role model. So thank you for for all of you. Of course, Miss Daniels, uh thank you for your

leadership. Thank you all so much for doing this. uh mentorship is what it takes for the next generation. Thank you all again. Thank you young man. Certainly you say you don't get nervous. Even we get nervous when kind of sitting up here. We really do. So thank you so much for having that strength being brave tonight to come and speak with us. Thank you for that. Future leaders of tomorrow. All righty. Um, John Eastston. John Eastston.

John, I guess you know what we call you. Yes, sir. We have a contract with the a lobby company. Chase. Chick. Chase. Chase. Chase. Chickmate. Chick mate. And we want you to come tonight cuz we really wants to know what's available and how can we receive those new grant dollars. We do understand that we did receive some for the courthouse and even for the high school that's part of the money that was added and represent Peters is here tonight too also. So tell us what the future look like um with our opportunities of having a lobby in Raleigh to lobby for us.

Well, Mr. Chairman, uh Mr. Vice Chairman, Madam Manager, thank you all for this opportunity. I greatly appreciate it. Mr. Chairman, if it's appropriate, I have prepared some uh brief remarks to kind of guide this conversation tonight if that's fine with you, sir. Sure.

All right. Thank you. Um well, as we progress through this year's uh short session, uh Representative Pierce can attest the legislative uh climate in Raleigh remains both fluid and highly consequential uh for local governments across North Carolina. Uh and while traditionally short session is seen as an opportunity to uh make certain tweaks and adjustments with the budget and also regulatory um reforms, uh we've seen something completely different um in this legislative session. Um a lot of uncertainty. Um and so most notably the general assembly continues to operate without a finalized state budget. Uh creating ongoing challenges for counties like hope that rely on clear fiscal direction from your partners in Raleigh. Uh that helps for your strategic planning, your infrastructure, investment, education, and community development. Uh but at the same time, significant policy debates are intensifying around zoning and uh local land use authority. As you all have heard through your membership through the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, which uh Commissioner Thomas chairs, there is growing legislative pressure to reevaluate the balance between state intervention and local government control o over and around zoning. Um so for whole county uh where sustainable growth and community uh preservation remain priorities, these conversations are critically important and could have lasting impacts on local governance. Um there is not one conversation that exists right now around local government controls and authorities that our team at Checkmate is not involved in. Um as I mentioned previously before um operating without a state budget creates uncertainty for everybody. That's every county. That's every town. That's every city. Um our representation we represent over 28% of North Carolinians through our representation of large cities like the city of Charlotte to the smallest communities like the town of Pinbrook. And so there is not one conversation that our team is not involved in. Mr. Chairman, you've been with us since our early days when we were at a a law firm and a small practice. We're now the eighth largest firm uh in the country uh based here in North Carolina. But we

decided last year to create a local government practice that focuses 100% on tracking um and aggressively attacking the appropriations requests from our local governments and the grant applications that are uh certainly been sent out. our conversations that we've had with agency heads, whether it's Department of Public Safety, uh, DEEQ, Department of Transportation, is that there is once again that word uncertainty creeps back into our conversation on what do the future of these grant dollars look like because every year they're re-evaluating those needs. of reevaluating um what they're hearing from um constituents like the folks here in Hope County about what you need whether it's emergency management whether it's issues with the department of environmental quality whether it's roads bridges other infrastructure uh the one that's increasing everywhere we go in the state is water and sewer infrastructure um so what we have done is create clear lines of channel and communication with those agency heads uh the department of environmental quality um has a number of boards and commissions that operate up under there we have a team now that tracks each and every one of those commission hearings. And so we're building relationships. Tonight I was supposed to be joined by two of my colleagues here tonight, but they actually had dinner tonight with um some deputy secretaries at DEEQ um to have some more pressing conversations as it relate to grant dollars. U we're doing the same thing with DPS. We're doing the same thing with DOT and the Department of Commerce. U I think for whole county where you all benefit is Checkmate has truly built a practice because we know now how large of a subgroup that we're representing as it relates to local governments. And so what we're trying to do is, you know, you guys have great facetime with your representative. Thank God he only live 15 minutes down the road. Uh but we've got to uh aggressively advocate for what you need outside of the advocacy that happens in the county commission association. So um as county grows, one of those things that's going to continue to um spiral is the need for water and sewer infrastructure. DEEQ has a pot of money. That money has been exacerbated. Does no longer exist. We saw that money replenished about 2 three years ago. Uh

the legislature has not made clear whether its intent to replenish that pot of money, but what we do know is that there will be something available. What that something looks like, we don't know. But we have to be there. We have to be present. We have to be at the table. And so because we're building relationships not just with the secretaries and not with the deputy secretaries, but with the career staff at these agencies, it puts us in a position to know what's going on before it's announced. Um um one of the other things that's happening as we talk about the best kind of ships of partnerships is the state uh North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services just announced is uh roots hub partners. Um Ho County is in region five I believe Trillium Health. Um as you know the feds made major cuts to Medicaid. One of the ways that they decided to fund those um um to fund the cuts that they did make was through something called RHCP rural health transformation partnership those dollars. And so DHS was able to announce that partnership. That's an additional partnership for the county to access grant dollars through RHTP. We have great relationships with the agency uh great relationships with those uh individuals that approve grants and I think that puts us in a good case. I think if we are able to ascertain what the needs are from the county commission, I think you'll uh find yourself to have really really effective lobbyists in Raleigh.

Good. Sounds good. And then I guess reason we want to kind of look at you and your face. I think we have about $11 million request up uh Raleigh here. I think you have put that together. Correct. Correct. About $1 million request that's up in Raleigh in the short term and as we know there's not a state budget and look like there will not be one approved this year either. Uh well, Mr. Chairman, if I might if I might add. Yes, sir.

So, what's being caught up right now in the in in the budget process? As you all know, uh, Senator Burgerer, um, lost his primary, which is going to create a contentious battle in Senate leadership. Um, but there are certain concessions that are going to be made. This gentleman has served almost nearly 30 years in the legislature. They're not going to let him leave with with nothing to be quite honest with you. Um, we were also tied up on conversations as it related to a children's hospital. There is currently a downzoning piece of legislation that we're working on. We represent the city of Durham, which we are literally leading that fight right now for down zoning. I'm working on hopefully a solution here in the next few weeks that we can come back to the legislature and say that we satisfied a local requirement so that we can get everybody out of this downzoning conversation and restore authorities back to you. Um if we can work out those pieces and also the piece um as it relates um to property tax um and how that's constraining local governments like Hope County. I think if those things can be if agreements can be made there as well as on the tax triggers which all of those conversations are happening right now and I think will resume next week. We won't see any much of any action this week because all the legislative leadership is out of town. Um, but I think we actually may have a state budget.

Okay. And we don't mind him leaving Burger with something. We want to make sure when we kind of left something. Yes, sir. That's that that's that's that's our biggest point tonight. We're not fighting what he might leave with. It's fine. We can't stop that. Yes, sir. but just make sure that you don't let him leave here leaving without her kind of being considered. And you know, it was just right for us to able to look our lobby and I and tell him and the team that please look at that $1 million request from Hope County, one of the best county got only 100. We the best and give us something. Yes, sir.

We asking for something within that 11 million and we will accept five, eight. Mhm. Nine. Give us something. 15. Give us something. Thank you. Is this other commission?

I'm sorry. Uh I want to put a few things on your AR uh to make sure that that we we put into the record. Uh some things that that I would like to make sure that you are aware of that that uh you all may be able to assist us with. uh DPS uh that there's a water system tied to the the prison that has closed down in in the McCain area. Uh that DPS is working on an agreement uh to lease well, we've already entered into an agreement to lease that water system, but we want to own it. We we want to own that water system. And sometimes it feels like uh that request gets put on the desk and put in file 13. And so we're going to be putting millions of dollars into investing in this water system is going to be much needed with the 211 expansion. We want to make sure that is a there's a clear path to ownership uh of that water system that was given to us. Very rarely does the state give a county something that's in great shape,

you know. So so we're going to put the money in it that that it needs to operate. It weren't in that great a shape now. it. That's what I'm saying. It was in that greater shape. It was in great shape.

That's right. That's what I'm saying. But but we we we want to make sure that if you have connections with DPS that you're able to talk to our staff, understand those issues surrounding that water system uh so that we can get get that process moving. A second issue that I want to bring to your attention uh is the idea of public private partnerships as it relates to uh building uh wells. So uh hope county we do not have a large river or reservoir or lake to draw water from. All of our drinking water comes from groundwater. And there have been some private entities that has approached whole county uh with incentive an incentive to build wells to help with the water shortage. It is our understanding that there are some restrictions whether in state law or uh DEEQ rules that would prevent that from taking place. And in our situation, we would like to make sure that we have all hands on deck to help us move these projects forward when there are entities that are willing to assist uh make sure that we have adequate drinking water for the county as we continue to grow. Lastly, uh I would like for you to all to take a look at the fire code. It is our understanding that uh currently the fire code now has a requirement that each fire hydrant maintains a minimum flow level that is almost impossible for rural communities. Without that flow level, uh houses from my understanding must have sprinkler systems. If we're going to be fighting for people uh who just want to own their first home, who want to have the opportunity to own something, we cannot continue to drive up the prices of homes uh when it comes to adding all these rules and regulations. And so I think it's very paramount as we continue to fight to lower the cost of homes in this county

so that people who are from Hope County have the opportunity to go to the bank, sign the mortgage paperwork and move into their home that they bought that we make sure that we do what we can to make sure that the price is affordable. And so I would like for you to jot down all those concerns uh and so that we can have a meeting at some point to look at how we can move those issues forward. Thank you for coming to this meeting. U you you are very important in this because we need we need all the help we can get not only in the state but federal as well. And just just one yes sir

to clarify private and partnership into putting down local wells and pipes. We have that door open. He's talking about a increase. The state has such a low budget for that and way to do local private partner with a company or development the for them receive the dollar back is is very low. We asking that that be increased from about 250,000 I think about 750 Tony. It needs to be a million.

A million. So that the door is open but the amount of that budget is just too low for any partners want to come in in partnership with you. If we look at increasing that dollar amount so that you can have those private and public partnership in that area.

Mr. Chairman, I might add just a few comments as it relates to what you and Commissioner Thomas have said. Um as relates to building of whales, those restrictions within law or DQ, I will seek some clarification on that. There's a few ways that we can navigate that, especially in short session. Represent Pierce has done this before. We can either put something like this in regard or tech corrects, which looks at little small provisions like that in agencies across the spectrum of North Carolina government where we can make those little alterations and changes. Um, we talked to the policy committee chairs um to work on that. So, that's something I can certainly um converse with Representative Pierce about and find the appropriate way to get that done. Um, and as it relates to the fire code, um, um, Brian Taylor, who's the state fire marshal, um, good friend of our practice, used to be fire chief up in, um, Alber Mall, up in Norwood, um, just had a conversation with him last week about an ongoing issue. Um, and as a gentleman from a rural um, um, rural fire department that serves a rural uh, a rural area of our state, I think he'll be probably very interested to hear this. And so maybe what I can do, madam manager, is connect both of you all and so we can figure this out and hash this out.

That's why we have you here. All right. Okay. Um, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, Mr. East, thank you for coming to this uh, whole county. We appreciate it. Um, you talked about the property tax issue. Uh, certainly we don't want the state government telling the whole county how to uh, decide who's going to pay taxes. So, we need you up on that. Um, secondly, zoning. um someone that lives in I would say Wake County could not uh tell how zoning should be for uh citizens in Hope County. So we certainly want to keep that local in terms of how we deal with the zoning and not put that in the hands of our state legislators.

Uh the budget, we have not had a a past budget 2023 give or take when we fully fill that budget. So you're talking about two years without a budget. Um but now uh since Burger probably lost the primary, we might have a chance of getting a budget, but we we are we're behind because those those two years or two years needs, those are two years needs that are old that we're trying to catch up on. So So the budget that we're talking about now is going to be a catch-up budget. The $11 million that the chairman was talking about is not 11 million anymore. It's really about 20 million right now. So when we asked for that in 2023 when I put the plan together, it was $11 million. But now with inflation and how things are going, uh, we going to put together another plan and submit that back to you. But, but our needs are just as needs as of the whole state has changed. Our teachers got to have a raise. We we got we got to we got to give our teachers a raise. They coming to the county commissioners understanding that it's not a state county mandate, it's state mandate, but but we support our teachers, of course. So, we we need your help and we know you can't do this alone. Um, when we understand that, you know, we got two two hours in two chambers we got to deal with. Um the governor's on board, but he got to have help. So we appreciate your support. Appreciate you coming. Um continue to fight for us up there in Raleigh as well as in uh DC.

Yes, sir. Thank Thank you. Thank you. Any more questions?

Mr. Chairman, I don't have a question. I have a statement. Okay. Everybody's been kind of nice here tonight. Um, but I just want to say to you, John, that um, when y'all first came to Hope County, I thought we were probably one of some of the first governments to seek out your help as being our lobbyists. U, Mr. Chz came down himself and spoke with us. And, um, I understand now, as you said, you're the eighth largest in the nation. And that's great. just wonderful because that lets me know that y'all in the national level also. I understand how important lobbyists are. Um just because of us being able to obtain federal recognition. Uh it was because of work of of lobbyists that helped us and worked for us and and for 75 years we fought for it and until we were able to get some lobbyists working with us were not able to obtain it. I understand how important lobby is, but I hope this isn't happening that checkmate has grown so big to where a small county like Hope County is not important to y'all anymore. Um, and when we have meetings and we set uh retreats and set aside a whole day uh to meet with your company and then nobody shows up, that's disheartening to me, you know, especially when you have a big firm like you have. So, you don't have to worry about me cuz I'll be coming off in December. But I'm going to still tell you that um I think for us to have a good relationship is that we need to be more informed than just every once in a while. who need to be informed um you know maybe quarterly about what's going

on this board and and maybe coming down and talking with our staff or our manager and making sure that that communication is going on on a quarterly basis and not once every year or every two years or whatever. Um I think checkmate does a great job. I'm not disputing any of that. But my only fear is I just hope that it's not so big now that the little fish in the barrel aren't taken care of like they were in the past cuz you have helped us with some projects in the past that we know that without y'all's effort it probably would not have happened and we appreciate that. But that that's my heart concern is that we remain important to checkmate. Thank you Mr. Chair.

Thank you Tony. Anyone else? Thank you, Chip. Thank you. Thank you, sir. You got plenty to go to ride and we start on?

Yes, sir. 8:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. Thank you. Okay. I I will say that his grandmother's been waiting in the car the entire time uh for her grandson to come out and so I I want to say tell her thank you for being so patient. Uh this is a longer meeting than usual. So, it was nice nice meeting her out there. Thank you, grandmother. Thank you. So you can see folks account those folks that we contract with for spend dollars on we all the way to Dallas. Thank you so much. This real light is going to come. Mr. G Pierce we had a need a request and real light brought it to our attention. We brought to represent G's attention to come.

I think is going to do a lead. We're doing it up. Can I just go tell you publicly? I'll step up.

I just wanted to tell Garland Pierce personally, thank you for helping us out with the situation with Pennsylvania transformer. We had um DOT was requiring us to do some major improvements on a road out there and we had been around and round. We had been talking to them for about a year and a half about it and they had put up some money but we were still pretty short. and one telephone to Garland and Garland coming down here for a meeting and he took care of it and I just wanted to say thank you. We brought him down to a meeting and we need folks. We sent out to those people and we was able to bring we get real and called the Garland to come to Oak County to come to Oak County. We had a lot of that time to come to Oak County cuz we had a need and he showed up and so tonight we're going to tell us how much he showed out. Well, so good evening to everyone. I'm just glad to be here tonight to share with you. I do want to thank you guys for having the confidence in me that that you felt comfortable enough to know that I could make this happen. I have a great relationship with the governor and his team that my, you know, anytime I need to talk, we're going to talk. But tonight, I'm just delighted. This is what the word they sent me. I wanted to share this with you for a matter of record. Good morning, Representative Pierce. We're pleased to confirm that Department of Transportation is providing additional funding in the amount of $383,000 for road improvements along Golf Course Road and the old Y Road from the Department of Transportation Economic Development Fund for the project. You remember when we had the groundbreaking, the governor was down here and at that time it was $615,000 that was given for the site work. But as Will say, you came up short and I want to thank you guys for calling me to have the confidence that I can make something happen. And I've proven that time and time again. I'm not campaigning tonight, but I've proven THAT

don't me. But I just thank y'all for that confidence and we we all get along. But it's just wonderful to know that you have someone in Raleigh that now one thing about this and I talked to Tisha about Mrs. Eden about this. This company is going to provide provide 195 new jobs and the goal is 217 but they're starting there. So this is just a great win for the region and for Hope County. So I didn't have time to get a check tonight but I brought my little SIGN a picture. Yeah. So that the money is on the way and the deal is done. So thank y'all for allowing me and have the confidence that I was in. That's why we called you. Okay. You did.

Thank you guys. God bless you. I just want to make a comment uh to the board and to the uh to the public regarding uh Representative Pierce. I was part of that meeting with that Will kind of orchestrated. He said, "We need to come together because we got a shortfall of money. We need more money." And um so he got with the county manager, the chair, myself, and then we called on our two representative to come and and sit in on a meeting. So as we brainstorm along with, of course, uh Pennsylvania transformers and um uh represent Pier said, "Let me go back to Raleigh and see what I could do." That's what he told us. He said, "Let me go back and let me see what I could do." And a few days later, he came back, you know, called us on the phone and said, "I got the money." See, what I want to say, and he's not campaigning, I'm campaigning when you got to have Jim Davis people that you can call that's in legislature when you need help.

We if we if we came up $400,000 short, we got to figure out a way to make this project go because that could have made Pennsylvania transformer stop and put us put a a halt on this project. If you don't have the people involved that you can call on that would come down and see about you and and sit down and go make you make something happen, you're gonna be in trouble. And that's why it's so critical to have good leadership locally, statewide, and nationally. And so I really appreciate the support that you've given whole county over the years. And we appreciate you coming through in a hurry on this matter here, sir. Thank you. Thank you. Good evening. Thank you for coming. Thank you. There's a lot of money for county tonight. Uh clerk to the surplus property. We don't leave. I need we have a closed session. I need you for

Okay. U to the Yes, sir. Before you is a resolution request to accept the offer in approving the sale of Surplus property located at 223 Mlan Loop identified as parcel number 79473 0001 012. This property was declared a surplus on December 15, 2025 and carries a county cost of $4,87421. An offer in the amount of 5,000 has been received for approximately 444 acres. The upset bid process has been completed with no upset bids received. All right, we should move to accept it or not. Make a motion to approve. Second.

Second. All in favor with I. I have it. Sell it. The next item is a resolution request to authorize the advertisement of an offer to purchase surplus property located at 193 Cheer Lane identified as parcel number 694449 010 016. This property was declared surplus on May 19th, 2021 with the county cost of $4,4421 and an offer in the amount of $4,4421 and this is 32.32 acres. Okay, we should rule. Mr. Chairman, make a motion to approve a second.

Second motion second time will sit on with I opposed. I have it. We we need about five minutes. U go. Sure. You want to go? Yeah, you go now. Go ahead.

I just wanted to update the commanders. Um just um that all budgets have been turned in. Um, finance is working to make sure that all the information that all um, departments put in, it will go back to um, all departments this week for them to verify that what they put in for is what um, is in the system. Once they approve that, I will start to eliminate um, budgets um, based upon what people put in to try to get back to the number that the finance department says that I have to give. Okay. Um and then you all know that we agreed on the 19th and the 20th for departments to come back to the board

of May.

Um of May. Um we will then schedule based upon what's in the system after um I'll still be working on my budget, but I made it for that um for that departments that can come back and just talk to the board about what they put into their um budgets. They'll do it before I do my budget versus after I do my budgets. Um um this year I'm going to let them come and just tell you what they put in their budgets this year. Um there's a lot in their budgets this year. Um and there's a lot of service increases for just service um because everybody knows everything that's gone up. So those things of course will be put in. Those are validated based upon what our service providers are asking us to do. Um there are some things that we will be trying to eliminate and change um for service providers. We're looking for savings. We're doing that anyway. Just as a county, we always try to put those out and see if we can save money for the county. So, we're going to do that anyway. But some of those things are just things we can't get past. We're in a contract. We can't change it now. Um but we're working on all of those things. Um, I'm asking departments to go out and get me three quotes on things just to make sure they are um they are making our people be honest with what they're charging us. Um, if we've seen something, we're asking them to do that now for us. So, we're working away on budgets and um we're trying to come up with um a good budget for the um county now um before we get there on June 1st before I have to give my recommended budget to the board. And those meetings 10:00 a.m.

They start at They will start at 10:00. Yes, sir. Okay. Just making sure. Okay. Any question? No, that's it. Okay. I need a close second session for about 5 minutes. Bill, you can develop mayor. You going that Oh, you g to me. Let me I need to add this. I move out of clos second. Motion second to add a close session. Go all time consent off with I have it. We take a 5 minute recession. No, no, no. I got all in favor with I got to close.

Okay. Shall I make a motion that we move and go into close session for the purpose of discussing matters relating to the location or expansion of other business in the area pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143-318 2011 A4. That's my motion. Second or had time to consider close session would I have