Commissioners - Regular Meeting

the January Mon County Board of Commission. I'd like to say welcome to everyone tonight and I see many candidates and a lot of public. So, thank you guys for being out here tonight. Um, how about this January? You know, it was 60° last week, then it dumped 6 ines of rain, then we're freezing, and then snow towards the end of this week potentially. So, so here it is. Um, let's get right into it. Miss Tammy, can you start us off with announcements?

Sure. Yes, sir. So, first of all, I would like to introduce Miss Kimberly Bills, who is our new consolidated human services agency director. Um, and I know some of you met her yesterday morning at her, um, welcome. Um but she is here with us tonight. So welcome Miss D.

And then secondly, just a reminder that Monday is a holiday and county offices will be closed. King. Yeah, I'm gonna go with that. Mr. K.

So I just want to make an announcement. Uh if you remember last meeting, we applied for some infrastructure and resiliency grant money for some recreation projects. Uh and I'm pleased to announce that we were awarded most of that money. Uh we did receive1,123,315 and some change uh to accomplish those four different projects that we laid out which includes u some stuff there at the the Tassy Shelder uh Arthur Drake boardwalk area uh Kaja Park and the uh Parker Meadows out there. So that was a really good uh bit of information we got right back before Christmas and we'll we'll start that process. the budget amendments in your packet and we'll start that process very quickly to to work on those projects.

All right, Commissioner Braden. Yeah. Well, it's great to see everybody out here. It's nice to have an almost full room. Um, also would like to welcome Miss Dills. It's uh it's been fun getting to know you and I think we we've got a great asset here in the county. Also want to give a shout out to Miss Tammy Keyzer for doing all the work in the interim. She's done a great job. Um, it's been a pleasure. So, still work to do, but just wanted to give her a shout out. It's been been a pleasure. Awesome. Thank you. Great point. Commissioner Antoine. Oh, welcome everyone and happy new year.

I'd like to give a brief update. U Mr. K, myself and some engineering uh folks with McGill met about the pickle ball courts and uh I know it's been a long time coming, but the concept was incredible. Um they they they taken all of our criticisms and I mean listen was something to be proud of. So, we're trying to expedite some of the, you know, a little more of the diligence and some of the testing and some of the engineering samples and and we're still hoping still hoping for a summertime arrival, but, you know, weather permitting. So, Commissioner Shields,

welcome everybody. Uh, I I've seen some people's picture in the paper. Glad you're here. Uh, the uh appreciate the quality that you're bringing to the this arena. Commissioner Cheryl

like to second that with Commissioner Breeden. Welcome Miss Dills. Thank you for uh uh coming in and Miss Tammy. Thank you for all the hard work that's been a very big challenge for you um and the county and I think we're on the right path for excellence at the and uh welcome all the candidates for the running for office sheriff. all you guys. Um, thank you for signing up to run and happy new year everybody.

Miss Leopard Council. All right. This time I'd like to ask Commissioner Shields to lead us in a moment of silence in the pledge of allegiance. land if can

Thank you. I pledge algiance 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. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Shields. My pleasure. All right, we have no public hearings. Any additions to the agenda? All right, hearing none, let's open the public comment period. like sheriff. Yes, sir.

All right. Betsy based.

Good evening, gentlemen. Ma'am, um I want to thank you for allowing us to speak and I am going to welcome Kimberly Dills and hope that my sincerest wish is that we have full transparency with the health department now. Um particularly with animal services, which is where my concern is. I've heard so many stories and rumors and things going around and I would like um to request that the volunteers at the shelter are um heard. They have given in the last year over 2,000 hours of their work time um selflessly to help the county because they care about the animals and they care about the department and that's not anywhere near what the money that we have put in. Um there are two organizations that are working hard as nonprofits at the shelter. One is um the Yogi project. Yogi, did I get it right? Yogi project. Um which is to um help with medical expenses and we have raised money for that. And then positive shelter volunteers have had many many adoption days in working towards the goals of the shelter. And it feels like there hasn't been transparency nor partnership with the people who are there every day working to help the workers from the administration. And so we would very much like to have um some communication and some conversation and working towards shared goals because I believe we have the same shared goals. um and and not to be ignored. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. B. Thank you, Miss Ba. All right. You want the How about Miss Carol? If you don't mind, I'll let you introduce yourself.

Good evening. I'm Carol Kitner. Um I'm a resident of Kartuga J. Um, I've been coming to your meetings for about a year and unless I miss something, I have not heard any update from the county commissioners about the cartug landfill. So, trash and garbage is my subject. Um, it's ridiculous how much we put into the bins and how the trucks have to try to maneuver our large trucks from the the dump, I'd call it, I guess, the landfill. how they have to try to maneuver around that property to pick up the the trash and to get out of there safely and not hit all the little old people in our cars trying to go through the dump. Um, so we'd just like somebody to tell us, give us an update on when the new one out at the old elementary school is going to be finished. I haven't seen any activity there in ages. And that's all I have to say. Please

brief update. I I can actually that was part of my item 11. Okay. Wonderful. Thank you very much. Thank you. All right. Heather Dumbroski. Hey guys.

The FRL in our local agreement. Here we are again. Let me start by saying I do believe you guys signed that 10-year agreement in good faith and and we thank you for that. Um, but it does appear based on Jackson County's rea uh actions in the last 6 months that perhaps they did not uh sign it in good faith. A couple of points I want to make regarding these amendments. Uh the first being the the dual role of the regional director. As I'm sure you know that currently the Jackson County head librarian is currently also serving as the Fontana Regional Library Director. It is my understanding she is being paid for one of those roles. So that amendment would involve added cost to the FRL. Um also the the requirement that a commissioner sit on the FRL board. I feel like that's redundant. at the signing of our of the last agreement less than a year ago, the change was made that you all select your representative for the FRL board. Um I I'm curious as to Jackson County's motives in proposing these amendments. I worry that they are perhaps still not acting in good faith. Uh my request, as I've stated before, I'm not asking you all to go and tell our neighbors up the road how to run their county, but I'm hopeful that maybe some productive conversations between you all and your Jackson County counterparts um can happen. Uh frankly, I feel like um their recent actions, the library board members that they've elected, the FRL members that they have appointed have already wreaked havoc on the FRL administratively.

And let's face it, if that ship sinks, I'm afraid you all will be tasked with running a library, all of the costs that that entails, and the liability that would come along with it. Um, I don't think and I hope that we don't just sit back and wait and see what Jackson County does because I think that would that would affect us greatly. Um, it's in our best interest that FRL stay intact. Thanks, guys. Thank you. Thank you, Heather. All right, Heather Johnson.

Hey, my name is Heather Johnson. I'm from OT. Um, just wanted to reiterate also on what Heather was just saying. We've just lost one of the librarians. The librarian in Cashers just quit. She was a classmate of mine. I went to high school, middle school with her. She went to Western. She was happy to be working in her hometown and she's been harassed so much and been called a groomer and a Srendy Richards. Who's Sandy Richards? Is she a groomer or a pedophile? I mean,

super kid. probably not, you know, but she's been called that consistently at her place of work. She's been completely harassed by people up in cashers in Jackson County, and it's ridiculous. She just resigned. I believe she's speaking at the FRL meeting tonight. And it's just really sad. It's really sad when hometown kids can't get a job they love in a degree program that they have a master's degree in and keep it because of people being ugly over nonsense. And the nonsense is last summer the Jackson County commissioners voted to remove the Jackson County Public Library from the regional system because of their repeated attempts to restrict access to the library materials. It continually failed due to public outcry and the law, state law and federal law. So I'm confused as to why a body that does not plan to remain in the system is continually sending us these requests. But you know, I have an idea. As Heather kind of said, the changes they're wanting to make are only so that they can stay in the system and save face. They want to restrict access. They cannot stand the Tracy Fitz Morris because she will not let them break the law. So, they got to get her out of there. This agreement has been discussed adnauseium as y'all remember for I don't know how long. Y'all agreed to it. M or excuse me, Swain and Jackson agreed to it. So, we thought we were all good. You said on February 11th, I'm good with this. I'm paraphrasing, but you said you considered the matter matter settled. You had made a good faith agreement. You all signed a good faith agreement, and here it is again. I just wonder what has changed. The only thing I can think of is it's some kind of hinkiness in Jackson County. when you look at the changes, the one she said about the commissioners, um I hope that the public will go into the agenda handout portion and read it. I'm not going to read it to everybody because I'd have to look it up

on my phone. But how is it going to work if the county commissioners have to be at a meeting at 4:00 on the same day as they have this meeting at 6 by every other month? The FRL meeting is on the same day as the Mon County Board of Commissioners meeting. the leaison already have a hard time getting to the meetings it sounds like sometimes due to that being an issue that's not going to make it any easier so then that would necessitate moving meetings around and changing the times and it's already there already maybe needs to be changes made so more people can come but I don't know that it's going to be very efficient to make that change so that y'all can be on the board especially when the county commissioners due to the changes made in the agreement can already appoint those library board members so y'all already have control over the library board. How much more control do we need to give? How many more times do we need to do this? It just does not feel like it's being done in good faith. It feels like it's being done to restrict access to materials. Jackson County folks in their political groups and on their board have already been caught making this list of books they find inappropriate in the library. I know from talking to people that go to the library and work in the library, there's a whole bunch of mamas that go in there hunting for inappropriate books to make a list. That list ended up rearing its ugly head on an Adobe document that everybody saw. Julie of the Wolves is on this list. Have y'all read Julie of the Wolves? It's I mean I encourage you to do. It's a really nice story. It's not particularly inappropriate.

Let's let me let you make a final statement right here. I hate to rush you along, but that's all right. I'm That's pretty much it. I mean, I think y'all know where I'm going with this. You've heard it ad nauseium for four years. We're going to have a lot of discussion here in just a few minutes about the library. Okay. So, stick around. Heard. Thank you, gentlemen. I appreciate it. All right. Wraps up public comment.

All right. Any further adjustments? Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, uh, I would ask that we remove budget amendment number 158 from your consent agenda and replace it with a copy of the budget amendment, also numerically numbered 158 that I handed out to you. Uh, and it also includes the capital project ordinance for the the funds that I announced earlier there. Uh, we we basically are setting those aside in individual funds so that we they match the the grants that come in. So that's the reason for that. The dollar figure stays the same. All right. Thank you. Any more hearing? None. I need the motion to approve the agenda. Motion to approve the agenda.

Hear a motion by Commissioner Breeden. I second by Commissioner Shields. Any further discussion? All in favor, please raise your right arm and state I for the record. Any oppose? I voted. All right. Reports and presentations. We have Martin Stars and Associates on the fiscal year 25 audit.

Good evening. My name is Bal Tao and I'm from Martin Stson Associate. I will be presenting presenting the fiscal year 2025 audit financial statements. The audit has been submitted and approved by the local government commission. I will begin by going over some audit highlights. We issued an unmodified opinion. An unmodified opinion or clean opinion is issued when an auditor can state without reservation that the financial statements are fairly presented in material respect and conformity with GAP. There was an increase of 455,000 in the general fund fund balance or 0.8%. There was a decrease of 430,000 in the solid waste net position. This slide shows the total fund balance in the general fund. The total fund balance increased by 455,000. The increase in fund balance over prior year is 0.8%. The total revenue exceeded expenditures by 11 million. But after other financing sources in use, this left general fund with an increase in fund balance of 455,000. This slide shows the fund balance position. The general fund, the available fund balance is a calculation utilize as the basis for comparing you to other units and calculating your fund balance percentage. Non-spendable includes inventory in the amount of 12,000, prepaid 637,000, notes receivable 5,000, and leases of 7,000. The increase in available fund balance from prior year is due to increase in the total fund balance. This slide shows the available fund

balance. In 2024, it was 85.62%. And in 2025, it was 95.89%. This slide shows the general fund summary. The revenue increased by 5% about 3.4 million for prior year increased mainly in restricted intergovernmental revenues in miscellaneous revenues. Expenditures decreased by 1.2% about 737,000 from prior year decreased mainly in transportation. This slide shows the top three revenue in the general fund. Total revenue is 70.9 million. The top three comprise of 60.3 million or about 85% of total revenues. Top three sources revenue sources are added bound taxes at 51% restricted intergovernmental at 14% local option sales tax at 20%. We'll discuss the top three revenues in the next few slides. This slide shows the ad valent tax revenue ad valent tax increased by 686,000 or 1.9% and it is comp compared to prior year. This slide shows the restricted intergovernmental revenue. It increased by 1.3 million or 14.2%. increase is due to receiving the two-year medic Medicaid cost settlement fund in fiscal 25. This slide shows the local option sales tax revenue. It increased by 24,000 or 0.2% and this is comparable to prior year.

This slide shows the top three expenditures in the general fund. Total expenditure is 60 million. The top three comprise of 43 million or 73% of total exp um expenditures. The top three expenditures public safety at 33%, human services at 20%, education at 20%. This slide shows the public safety expenditures. It increased by 717,000 or 3.8% and this is comparable to prior year. This slide shows the human service expenditures. It decreased by 491,000 or 3.9%. And is comparable to prior year. This is this slide shows the education expenditures. It increased by 392,000 or 3.4% and is comparable to prior year.

Bottle of water.

Oh, thank you. This line shows the enterprise fund solid waste gap net income decrease over prior year. Cash basis net income increase over prior year. Unrestricted net position decrease over prior year. Please note that cash basis basis net income does not include items such as depreciation, changes in postclosure costs and other post-employment benefits, but does include capital outlay and debt service payments. Current year is higher than prior year due to increase in operating revenues in the current year. Gap net income decreased mainly due to increase in the landfill closure and postclosure care cost. This is related to the full cruel adjustment of the liability. Cash flows from operation increase due to increase in revenues received. Unrestricted net position in decrease due to increase in the net investment in capital assets. We tested four major programs that are shown above. There was a Medicaid finding 2025-00001. There was a significant deficiency related to eligibility compliance requirement. Participant had moved out of the state and was not eligible to receive payments. I'm sorry, receive benefits. Other three programs reported or uh were no findings. This slide shows the performance indicators. As discussed earlier, the county's general fund fund balance available include the depth service fund balance for fiscal 25 was 95.89% which is above the minimum of 20% and the average similar units of 39%.

The county has a stable property tax calculation percentage at 98.5%. The county did not have any negative performance indicator. This conclude my audit presentation. Thank you for allowing us to continue to auditor. Are there any questions? Thank you. Very well done. We went from a tier two to a tier three. Where What are the factors that um changes that?

Most most of that has to do with your median income that the Department of Commerce calculates those tiers off of. Uh and then your general growth in your population. So that's not necessarily related to the information that she has. It it's close, but it's not directly related. And Mr. Chairman, I'll add a couple things to to her presentation. Um, obviously we're about a month later than normal for the audit process, but it it took a while for the local government commission. There were some issues that we had to work through back at the end of the fiscal year to go through the audit process and then of course we had to send it to them, get it approved. So there was that's the reason we're about 30 days behind where we normally would be. That was on the front end of the process submitting the information, LGC telling us what to look for and go through the process. Um my suggestion would be based on obviously this information be available on the web page. Look look at the information that's in there. Um we could either have a special meeting or we could do it at February meeting at least have a basically a midyear discussion on our budget and where we're at and then kind of get our priorities set because we're going to start the budget process in February for the upcoming fiscal year. So we we need to have that conversation fairly early. Uh a couple of points based on information that she had there. you saw that the general fund increased 455,000 and some change. Um that's still a significant amount of money, but that's also a big difference from the 3 million or so that we did the year before. Um however, I'm also pretty pleased with that. That's that's not an insignificant amount of money. But you all also need to remember that we have had several projects that we have paid for out of fund balance. Uh including roughly a $10 million renovation expansion to Highland School that came out of fund balance u $500,000ish expenditure for the library uh renovation out there. So you you've done

a lot of work uh out of that fund balance. Still managed to keep it on the positive side. We're we're not we're still not dipping. we're we're still good on the dollar figure that's there. Still kept your tax rate the same and accomplished all that at the same time. So that that's a pretty significant achievement for the board and financially it's it's a very stable u process that that you've entertained there. Uh I'll also address the uh you saw the deficiency on the solid waste enterprise fund. Uh that partially answers part of the Carson question, but if you remember when we did the uh financing package for the new landfill sale, we had already expended a significant chunk of money on that sale on the stuff up front, 578,000 somewhere in there and some change that we had already expended out of that fund balance. So when that's why you see that big decrease in there, but now next year when we come back, we will have reimbursed ourselves that money and that will allow us we that's the money that we need to use to do the Carson Center and then we're going to talk about the some grant opportunities there as well. So uh we were trying to make sure our cash flow was good on that, make sure our numbers look good and we were we were we had the financials to handle that before we we got terribly deep in that project, but I will have some more information on that. I've got a comment. You know, right after COVID, it seems like everything kind of spiked, you know, very very quickly and uh I'd almost like to see a chart or a trend, you know, from 10 years because every every budget, you know, it's based on prior year and they still keep climbing, you know, like once CO got over with, it didn't go back to regular times. It just keeps elevating. And I wouldn't mind to see the trend, you know, over the past 5 to 8 years.

Okay. You know, can you can you provide that? Lindsay, can you do that? I just think that'd be neat to kind of see Well, not well, just again sales tax, you know, just revenues. Yeah. Okay.

And and I can I can talk I mean, we can talk about this in midyear review, but you know, part of that was the growth that she mentioned there, the the tax base growth, the roughly 5% or whatever that number was there. So that that helps partially with your revenue. Uh we we mentioned that back in the budget process last year. So that's where part of that is. You know, our sales tax, if you look at last year, we were basically flat. Um not great, but but the good thing was we were flat because you had counties like Bunkham and Henderson and some of those other counties because of Helen, they dipped. Uh they they would have been tickled to death to be flat. Um, so I still think that says a lot for us and our trends are looking positive this year on our our sales tax revenue. So I think we're we're going to recover very well from that which still says a lot about your economy which goes into that tier ranking that you're you're talking about

10 years. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

All right. Moving on to old business update and discussion on Fontana Regional Library interlocal agreement. Uh County Manager Cab, go ahead. So, I'll start and then Eric may have to uh to chime in. So, we were approached obviously back in the fall um about considering some amendments to the FRL U bylaws. Um Jackson County proposed the amendments and have subsequently gone through the process. Jackson County has approved essentially the three amendments or changes to the FRL agreement. Uh Swain County has approved those. Uh FRL board is actually meeting tonight. They met at 4 today. So I'm not sure I'm sure they were going to discuss that tonight, but I don't have any update from them. Uh and essentially the amendments that are summarized in your agenda packet. Um, one of the amendments had to do with the fact that the regional director also couldn't be a director of a a county library. Um, one of the amendments had to do with some financial accounting that any funds that had been contributed to the library that were unused at the end of the year be returned back to the county that put the funds in there. Uh and then of course there was another amendment that had to do with um one of the one of the nine members of the FRL board. One of those members be a sitting county commissioner from each of the three counties. Um so that's the summary of the amendments that u county initiated and have been proposed and approved by those other two counties and for your consideration. And Eric, have I have I missed anything or anything else I need to add at the moment?

Not that I'm aware of. There was the three according to the rules, it does require unanimous vote in order to revise them. So I don't know if you want know what happened. I'm sorry. So, um along those lines then I think they approved all three. Um Lauren pointed out that it might be that board members might be in favor of one amendment but not another. And so he suggested that we vote each different amendment separately. Um and then voted up or voted down. Um, send it back to Jackson. I think they Jackson and Swain have already approved all three. That doesn't necessarily mean that you all have to approve all three. You can approve one or two or none or whatever you want on.

Thank you. Any comments? So, in order for this agreement to change, there's two or three counties already approved these changes. Does the majority rule or do we um um I mean, do we have to go along with them? I understand what you're saying, but it being one body, the two counties said yes, this is what we want. If we say no, we don't want that, what happens,

Eric? I believe, if I read that correctly, all three counties have to agree on the amendments. So therefore, if if you let's say that out of the three you approve two of those, then I think it would have to go back to those other counties to reconsider their decision without the whatever provision you didn't include. But but if I understand it correctly, Eric, all three counties do have to agree for the amendments to become effective. came up in previous and I was language that required all all parties to sign this agreement library was a party to that original agreement

and we were aware I spoke to Bill McGad when he actually talked to me about some of this and he was aware the meeting tonight was going to be fairly lengthy with FRL so that's probably the reasonably haven't uh haven't heard any comment under 7A. This agreement may be amended providing that all parties accept and region library board as well. So Fontana has to be in agreement as well. That's what the That's what the terms that they agree.

Abby, I don't I think last month we talked about the meetings, the times of the meetings. Has that been adjusted? And because I mean, he's still having a meeting right now at the same time as us for that to change the bylaws that have to change. That has to take take place over a course of two meetings. It has to be at one meeting and it can be voted on at the subsequent meeting. Um, it has not been changed as of yet. I think the board was waiting to see if it was going to pass, I guess. Um, but it can be changed. They can change it to a different

I mean, the only thing I see that that's a conflict for any city and county commissioner that's on that board for those meetings to be happening at the same time, you know, and I was under the impression that that would have been adjusted. So, I don't see like that can be okay unless we know for sure that those meetings are not going to conflict. Well, and along those lines, it just says that each county can appoint three board members. Um, I don't think there's any right now. I think that each each county could already appoint a commissioner if they felt like it. Um, as far as that goes. So, you know, sometimes we need to the board has found it helpful to appoint a board member to the health department or whatever um are needed. So that still gives you the flexibility. This change would require that a board member serve. I don't know if um I guess I didn't I didn't talk to anybody from Jackson County as to the reason behind why it was mandatory as opposed to if they wanted a board member, they didn't just appoint one. Um, I've got to change some of my questions here, but um, are we for certain that the director of Fontana Regional Library and Librarian of Jackson County has not paid additionally for those two dual roles in that position? is um in other words, are the librarians all across the three counties paid equally, including the director? Is she on the same pay scale as the other librarians, or is her pay scale increased due to the fact that she is the director of the Fondaleown Regional Library System?

Please, please address the mic. Come on up. Yeah, sorry to do that to you, but everybody at home can hear you.

Hi everybody. Um, so the way that the librarians scale works is each county librarian has a librarian salary. Uh, they're either a grade one or a grade two. Um, and that's basically that's based on how many libraries are in your county and things like that. Um, and then the d I would like to preface by saying having a single person be a director and a county librarian was not always the case. It was started I think around 20 years ago based on financial concerns. It was never an ideal choice. It was just what what we had to do to keep the position filled. Um, this is way way before my time. Um, so but the director does receive an additional stipend to so you get the base county and then the person who is the director gets an additional stipen to do basically two jobs for one and a half salaries

for 60 hours. What is the require? Well, it's still 40 hours. Yeah, we'll see. That's that's right. So, so that would be like the county manager working as the manager in his normal schedule and him taking the role of the um director of EMS and so and in the same time frame making additional funds. So, you're presenting or you're providing work for a fraction of each but you're getting additional salary. So, I have a problem with that.

I'm not disagreeing with you and it was never and and I'm fairly certain the director would also agree with you that it was never an ideal situation and and that is particularly a a stipulation on the agreement that we're in favor of. That's that's fine. If we can make it work, we will love to make that work.

So, then it brings up the next question. If a librarian and a director of FRL can operate both positions in a 40-hour week, why do we need a one or the other? Why do we need a director or why do we need that librarian? because it seems to me like um one of the positions has got to go because you're paying one person 1.5% for doing 40 hours. So it don't make any sense to

Well, I I don't think that um I don't think that the job is currently getting done in 40 hours. I think it's getting done in more than 40 hours. Um, so, oh, so I think I think if I'm I'm have no objection or or advice as far as that parameter of the change to the interlocal agreement. So,

um, okay, let me see if there was u and you answered the next question about my question was how did we get to the point that one individual was doing? So, you've answered that one. Umh I mean you hear the the term double dipping uh quite often and it's almost like if you're getting one and a half salaries for that that's sort of like Anyway, I would argue that it's she's doing two jobs for one and a half Yeah. salaries. Yeah. Um, that's I stick around just a minute.

Okay. There may be some more. Anybody got any more comments? No. My only issue was just a conflict with the scheduling for county commissioner being on that board. Now, Eric, are you saying before this amendment, it was just optional. It was still there, but it was optional. Which one? Um, what they're changing for the county commissioner, the requirement for a county commissioner to be on the board, right? Okay. So, they got the three different ones. The first one is that the county commissioner has to be one of the three appointees from Mon, right? Um right now the the language says each county shall have equal representation on the Fontana Regional Library Board of Trustees composed of three members from each county.

All right. So you already have the you already have the authority to appoint those three commissioners to the Fontana Regional Library. In other words, it doesn't say, to my knowledge, um, and Abby, if there's something in our other library board bylaws that contradicts that, let me know. But I think we already elected that. We already voted to have the commissioners decide the Fontana Regional Library Board members. Um, in addition to s serving as in addition to also having this board serve, I mean, decide the Mon County Library Board. So, we he used to be, if you'll recall, the Fontana Regional Library Board members appointed from Mon County had to be a member of the Mon County Library Board. Now, they don't. Now, you guys can appoint any three people you want. They can be a member of the Fontana Regional Library Board or not. Um, and we actually did that previously with originally, was it Mr. Maha where we appointed him as the Fontana Regional Library but not on the Mon library, right?

Okay. So, you could still do that same thing. So, what I'm saying is under the current plan, you already have the authority to appoint a commissioner. So, Jackson could likewise do the same thing. And maybe they didn't think about that. I don't know. But to make it so that each county is mandatory that a commissioner serve again, that's for you all to vote up or down. But I I didn't understand the reason why it would had to be mandatory on all three counties. If they wanted to do it themselves, they could. So my comment on that is really simple. I mean, as a leazison, I can't make it to the library meetings at this point because they're consistently conflicting. And I've made comments about it. It's not been it's not ever been changed. So it doesn't make sense to commit a county commissioner to that. If they're not going to change that, what's the point of putting a county commissioner under if you can't ever make the meetings? So, that's my only conflict with that part.

Well, I'll uh try to move us forward. I feel like this has been messy for a long time now and I feel like Jackson County, you know, had showed intent to pull out and we've kind of just tried to keep this thing together. So now we have an interlocal agreement that seems like everybody's going to stay in. Everybody somewhat wins. So I was a little bit optimistic. Um the only real hesitation I have I'll share Commissioner Shields his comments and concerns with the commissioner also being on on the member, but I feel like, you know, it's not perfect, but it kind of has everybody together. It stays together. And uh I think that's really where I'm at. You know, I can support the first two. I think we'll uh I mean, personally, I'll kind of step away from the commissioner being on the board. I think we can appoint if we need to appoint a commissioner, we can. If we don't want to appoint a commissioner, we don't have to.

Yeah. And I think that's kind of where I'm at with it. And at least we show a little good faith to keep the agreement together and essentially that's what we want, right? Sure. I mean, is to keep the the the three counties together in the library system. So, that's really where where my heart's at. Any other comments, Barry?

I mean, I kind of agree with that, too. I I don't think it's necessary for us to have a commissioner on that board, being honest. I think that's why we're appointing the people to be on the FRL. So, I don't I think if we voted for these separately, I don't know that I would support that one, but I think the other two are understandable and perfectly fine with me. All right. We'll uh let's let's discuss item one. And I'm looking for a motion to Would you read? Sure. All right. And this is item one on your agenda, not as they appear in the actual agreement. Right.

Let me just read the whole document right here just so everybody just what's on the record. Okay. So item 10A, Jackson County and Swain County have approved proposed changes to the interlocal agreement between Jackson, Swain, and Mon counties and the Fontana Regional Library, excuse me, and would like for Mon County to consider such changes. The Fontana Regional Library Board will consider such changes at their January 13th meeting as well. Changes are underlined on the attachment and are specifically noted as. So, I want to talk about item one at this point in time and uh potentially take action. The regional director shall devote full professional effort to the Fontana Regional Library and shall not simultaneously hold a director, position, or comparable executive role in any other participating county, library system, or library entity within the region. This time, I'll take it. Go ahead. Will this regional director will they need to have a pay increase for the regional director?

Well, we would need the funding for that. Yes. I don't have any specifics on an amount that would have to be determined by the FRL board uh on what the pay for the director would be and then that would be um allocated between the counties. But I don't have a figure on that. That's above my pay grade. Thank you. But I question if that would that position would need to be a full-time position. That's what I was getting at a few minutes ago. Um is it doesn't seem like uh you know without any uh information confirming how much time it takes for each role.

Um so I think that would be questionable as where when we move forward. I think that's a valid concern and I think that um that would probably have to be determined. I know that the FRL board has a personnel committee um attached to the board and that might be something that they would have to determine. I don't know. I'd like to make a motion that we um approve the regional director be a standalone position separate from any libraries in the system. I hear a motion by Commissioner Breeden. Second.

Second by Commissioner Antoine. Any further discussion hearing? None. All in favor, please signify by raising your right arm, stating I.

I. Any oppose? All right, Miss Tammy, please let the record reflect 50. Is that clear? All right. Item two. At the end of the year, upon completion of the audit and calculation of payables, any remaining funds in excess of operational cost will be reimbursed to the counties that allocated the funding in proportion to their respective contributions. Can I make a motion now? I'd like I'd like to make a motion to accept item two as is. I hear a motion by Commissioner Antoine. Second.

Second by Commissioner Shields. Any further discussion? Um, does anyone know what their fund balance is for the Font Regional Library? I don't know off the top of my head. Now, it's pretty large sum of money at this point. And my my point of this is not too long ago, we were talking about the pay for the folks in the library. And it seems to me like instead of taking the money that's provided for the library system and use those funds for the pay increase. Mhm.

You guys are not you, but the Fontana R library made a big uh thing over. We need more money. Well, no. Use the money that you have um to help run the library. I'm not I'm not an expert in in government accounting. I do I mean I don't I don't think you can use fund balance to pay salaries. Well, you can, but yeah, but in the budget process, you budget for those salaries and and not just let it roll into something that you can spend at your leisure. Okay. All right. Any other discussion?

Hearing none. All in favor, please raise your right arm and state I for the record. I. Any oppose? All right. Please let the record reflect 50 unanimous. All right. And item three. I'll entertain a motion. I'm going to make a motion um for number three. I'd like to discuss this a little further if it gets a second. I hear a motion by Commissioner Shir. Second. Second by Commissioner Antoine. Further discussion.

The um representation of a county commissioner. And the purpose of this is um discussion is I would like to see the library system change their dates regardless whether we go with this or not so that it does not conflict with the county commission meetings because I know there are several people that attend these meetings that would love to attend the county commission meetings or maybe we would like to go sit in for these meetings. meetings and just listen and we can't do it. And so I'd like to see that that changed regardless.

Any other discussion? But do you uh make this motion and move on before we can solve that question? you're talking about. I think that would just be up to the FRL that, you know, I mean, I think that's the whole point of us appointing these people, you know, is to be able to talk to them and and work through those issues and whatever that is. So, if that's an issue, I think we need to bring that up to our representatives for the FRL and have them take it forward. And I think it is an issue because we can attend those meetings. Well, that's why I wanted it on record was the fact that I think my desire for this is to have it at a different time, different day, not on the meeting nights for us.

Well, but the record show I have made a lot of requests for that to be changed and it's still not happen. So, for myself personally, I won't support this as is because it doesn't make sense. Right. That's right. Any further discussion? All in favor, please signify by raising your right arm and stating I for the record. Oppose. All right, Tammy, please let the record reflect. Motion fails. 14. All right. Hey, thanks for hanging around, Abby.

All right. Old business. Item B, consideration of amended resolution in support of revising the Mon County Board of Commissioners election system and to schedule a public hearing. Attorney Eric Rydenower. Okay. So, in further discussion, um we got some questions back from the from the staff at the legislature um asking, "Are you sure you want to do this or do you want to go ahead and propose a plan now um for the general assembly to consider?" And we still have time between now and according to the staff member uh they would like to have the any amended resolution to them by March um so that it can be voted upon by the general assembly at the April uh short session. She said that she was not aware of one a resolution passed where the commissioners would later decide. But if that we'd submit a plan, it would probably have a better chance of of garnering support or at least uh consideration. Um, so it's back before you you still have time to amend the resolution if you want. And that's where we are.

All right. I'll open the floor to discussion. Chairman, um based on this changing the um process of electing county commissioners, as I stated before, the process here is unfair to District 1 uh voters, citizens, and potential candidates for office and also in district three. If you run for office or if you live in district two, you can seek office every two years. If you live in district one or district three, you can seek office every four years. There's a case right now which is not that important, but there's someone in district three that would love to run for office, don't have the opportunity to because uh district three is taken care of. Um, and so that person by the time that the district three representative serves out, this person may be aged out to where they don't want to serve anymore. So, it's not fair. Um, and and it's really not trying to gain anything on anybody. It's just trying to dis I mean, we're disenfranchised in one and three. Um and and it's not fair if um and you know I've had a lot of supporters in Highlands that question me about this. You have a better opportunity in Highlands or in District 1 to have multiple representatives than you do now. If it's not changed, you will never have the opportunity to potentially have two people in District 1 serving. the same way with district three. And it's unfair. Um in the state law, um it

states that um multiple member districts and single member districts are unconstitutional in the state of North Carolina. It has never been adjudicated in local government. So, short of of bringing a lawsuit and everything else through this, this is the cleanest and the easiest way to to have this done. Um, and I believe it's it's the right thing to do. Um, and we had a vote on it in 23. We had a board change and now the the change in the board u has approved it 4 to one at the last meeting. And just so you know, I was given the information um by the school of government that really in Raleigh, the legislators don't care what Mon County does as long as it's in the legal bounds of the law. But it was brought back by um some legal team in uh Raleigh that we really should present this as the plan moving forward. so that they know, we know, and I'm fine with that. Um I just thought maybe at the at the last meeting if we could get the resolution, then we could hash it out on how we did this. Um but um at this time um well I'll let anybody else discuss it but um

I I had one more comment um just because I I think I got a general question as to well why don't why don't the commissioner submit it to general voter referendum um rather than I mean let the taxpayers decide the voters decide at a referendum and the problem with that and and this is I got from Bob Joyce with the school of government Okay, first of all, you do have two different ways. You have the general assembly, um, which is what we're attempting here, uh, via the local act. The second option is to submit for, uh, voter referendum. However, under that statute, which is 153A-58 3A, BB, C, and D, you're limited on what the voters have to choose from. So in other words, under a voter referendum, you have the four choices which is entirely at large doing away with the districts altogether and you've got five commissioners um with no voting districts. The second one is uh true electoral voting districts where only the people in each district can vote on the candidates from that district in both the primary and the general. The third choice that the voters would have would be electoral voting districts in the primary where where only the people in each district vote on the candidates from their district in the primary but then a countywide vote on all candidates in the general election. And then the fourth one is the general residency voting wherein candidates must reside in their district but is a countywide vote for all candidates from all districts in both the primary and the general. So, as far as having what what at least has been discussed in in the in 2023 and as again now is if you wanted to still have make sure you had representation of the three primary areas of Megan County, of Highlands, Franklin, and Nanahala, but then still

um allow people to have to run every two years. This is the forum by which that would work. Now you all can do whatever you want. Um obviously if you want you can go with one of the voter restrooms. If you wanted to go with this what is currently being discussed um then you'd have to go through the local act because that is not something that looks like it's available through voter referendum. Thank you comments.

I mean I I can't really add much to what John said. I think that uh I agree with that. Um at the end of the day, we we serve everybody in Mon County. It doesn't, you know, doesn't really matter where the lines are. I don't just get calls from people in Cowi and Burning Town and places like that. So, I just think it's the fairest way to go about doing it. Um you know, this has worked for this many years, I guess, but at this time, I think it's it's important for us to start looking at some of those changes. And I think having those repres, you know, having the opportunity to run whether you're in district 3 or one or whatever every couple years is um I think it's it's worth making a change. So I I support it. I think that's the right thing to do.

Yeah. I think to have one one seat per district and two at large makes it fair, you know, for everyone, you know, at that point. So, um, but I think it's important to understand, too, as elected officials, any county commissioner, you take an oath to serve the whole county. It's not just your district. So, I think that should be definitely clear on that. But, I absolutely support this because it'll make it a lot more fair for everybody to get an opportunity. And just just changing the subject a little bit, but I think this board, not trying to get any praises or anything like that, but I think we've served the county as a whole well. I mean, we've addressed issues in Nanahala, we've addressed issues in Highlands, we've addressed issues in Scaly Mountain. Um, and they've got their fire department, everything else. So, I think we don't look as members of the county commissioners. We we don't look at, oh, well, that's Franklin or Highlands or whatever. We're doing it as a as a general county and we're doing the best we can. You saw the financials. Financials are great. We've I don't know that many of you know exactly what has happened over the last three years in this county with the things that this board has accomplished with no tax increase. The list is extensive and and it's been all areas of this county. It's not been just Franklin or I mean we got the new high school. We've got new tracks. We're working on the wreck park. We're we did the clock tower. We did the wastewater treatment facility in Nanahala or we're in the process broadband. I mean it it just

goes and goes and goes. So, we all have the whole county at heart. And um and so whether you um you know, I'm not trying to gain any traction on anybody or anything because I believe in term limits. In November, I have served my four-year term. If I'm lucky enough to be reelected, then I'll serve another four years. The end of that four years, I think it's time for somebody else. So, you know, it's it's not trying to gain anything. It's trying to bring fairness in to potential candidates and make the citizens and the taxpayers of Mon County treated equally, whether you're in district 1, district 2, district three, and you've got the same opportunity every two years. So, at this time, I would like to make a motion that um we do a resolution, send it into the general assembly um asking for a local bill to approve um the redistrics of Mon County as three distinct districts and two at large seats.

What year would it start in 2018? 28. 28.

Second. I hear a motion by Commissioner Shur, second by Commissioner Breeden. Let me let me give you a few of my thoughts right here. Um, you know, the way a lot of our local counties have their elections, it's it's mindboggling to me. It's almost like every countyy's different. You know, in one county, they'll have the high vote getter serve as chair, second high vote getter serve as vice chair. And I believe that's Graham County. I may be mistaken. you know, other counties, you campaign as chairman, you get elected as chairman. Believe that's Jackson County. And uh you know, they have regions and precincts and electorals and I'm sorry, electorates. You know, you think it if it's broke, don't fix it. But if you really break it down, I I do think it's broke. I really feel like I have the opportunity to run every two years. And if somebody lives 10 miles up the road from me, they have to wait every four years. But I feel like what I'd like to see is a very wellthoughtout, a very detailed plan showing how the terms are going to be staggered. You know, there may be a period of time where some of our seats, you know, get elected for a two-year term. And just throwing it out there, we could potentially have district one, two, and three have one seat and one election. Two years, the other election is for two members at large, right? So every district has the opportunity to run every election cycle. But I think what I'd like to see is a very well thought out, very detailed timeline on how this is going to work. And I think that's kind of where I'm hung up is, you know, the concept is great, but I'd like to see this on paper. Maybe we bring Melanie up from the board of elections and we really have a very detailed plan. I think that would really help me. But I do feel like it's it's the right move and I do think it's fair. Well, here's a timeline. In 28, your seat will be the first one at

large. In 2030, the other district two, you will have to declare in the 2030 election as to whether you're running for district 2 or you're running for the atlarge seat. And um and if you decide to seek reelection in 2028, then you're going to run against everybody in the county. However, in your election cycle, you were voted on by everybody in the county anyways, and you won.

Well, I think that's the point I'm trying to make. So, just thinking off off the cuff here, if I have to pick which seat I'm running for, which the school board does, I know I would rather have two at large seats and the two high vote getters capture those seats. You know, if I decide to pick a certain seat, let's just say four candidates pick this seat and two pick this seat. You know what? To me, it's not calibrated. you know, if if each seat each area of the county is represented right in one election cycle, the next election cycle there's two members at large. And I feel like it's it's calibrated and I've put a little bit of thought into it. But again, going back to the timeline, I'll support this motion, but I feel like we have a public hearing next month. You know, I feel like somebody hopefully maybe yourself can create a very detailed timeline with options that that it's a good optic for the community to be able to see exactly how and exactly when.

Well, your staggering terms is that's how it's going to stagger. You're going to stagger your your two at large seats at two different election cycles. Okay. So,

I agree with chairman. I mean, it it really actually would help the public to it it'd be a good thing for the public to get the seat in detail. Absolutely. And I I don't know I mean I don't know all the ins and outs of this. Um I've studied a lot. I've I've thought about it for years. Um and it's it definitely needs to be fair. It needs to be clean. The people in the general public needs to understand uh and all that. And that would be the purpose of a uh public hearing. And I will try to get more in depth and details of this, but your staggered terms would be your 28 election and your 30 election and then every two years anybody in the county would be able to run for office. So,

all right. So, just for the record, will you clarify your motion? My motion is to send a resolution into North Carolina General Assembly um asking for a local bill to give us the approval to redistrict Mon County Board of Elections um in the county commission process. Um and it be three three districts and two at large. three distinct districts and two at large. The first at large seat would be on the ballot in 2028.

That motion was second by Commissioner Braden. Listen, I'm a little bit caught off guard and I'm sorry that that resolution is uh I assume what the public hearing is on next month. Am I right? So, if you're going to schedule a public hearing, you'd have to have a motion for the public hearing before con I mean, in other words, John's motion is to adopt this as is. Um if you're gonna if you you don't have to have a public hearing. If you wanted to have a public hearing on it, then you'd have to have a motion to hold a public hearing on it to vote on it at next month's meeting.

Well, this is just to send it to the state to see if they'll even approve this, right? No. Or this. This is it. So, what I'm saying is if you approve John's motion, then it's my understanding there wouldn't be a public hearing because it it had already been approved by the board. So, if you're going to have a public hearing, I think you'd have to to have scheduled the public hearing for next month and vote on the issue next month. If you are going to vote on this resolution to send to the state is just for them to approve the that we're going to go 32 and it comes back and we have to vote on it again or it

no no that becomes the general assembly act. So that becomes a local bill and it becomes law that this is what is going to happen. Then the the commissioners at that point then would have to implement the plan by redrawing the the three different districts so that there's equal population in each of I don't know say $15,000 or 15,000 people in each district um as opposed to the currents where you'd have three times the population in the district two as you do in one and three. So if you're if you're it's up to you all if you wanted to have a public hearing or not. Um, if you want to have a public hearing, then the then John's motion you'd have to put off till next month. If you didn't, you don't have to have a public hearing. Totally your call. But if you wanted to go ahead and send it to the assembly as it is, then you would vote on in favor of John's motion now.

But I think if you have a public hearing, you're letting the public know that you're interested in what they have to say. Uh, and I think that's a good thing. So, but if you got a motion on the floor, then we have a motion and a second on the floor. There is a second. Yeah, Mr. Breeden second the motion.

Um, well, and my biggie is like the term that you always use. I want to measure twice and cut once. I wanted an approval of this resolution to send to our state leaders to make sure this is what they're asking for without being a being a delay any further in this action. Um, and I want to make sure that they know that this is what we are seeking and make sure they're okay with it. So when they go down and present, it has to go through the rules committee and and to do a local bill to get it on the floor. And the the time is great, but I I'm just trying to get it to where at the next and I and I probably um well um so if we held a a public hearing next month, what's Did you say that that has to be turned in by March?

Has to be turned in by whatever resolution you pass has to be turned in by March. so they can submit it to their um bill drafting staff and then it would be voted on by the general assembly in April. I think we should give the public an opportunity to voice yay or nay.

Well, I just feel like a lot of the public doesn't really understand what we're talking about right here. I we all do. we've all, you know, ran for office, but I'm looking for a very comprehensive timeline that shows exactly which seat, you know, is up for election on which term and what year. And I think I'd like to see that cycle. And again, I support the intent here. I mean, I I would support a public hearing next month. And that's and if the and I would be okay with a public hearing next month as well. I think

um as long as it doesn't delay it. I mean I don't think I'm not going to change my mind, but I think it is important to get, you know, get the public input, but I also think it's important to take a look and maybe get with Melanie and find out like, hey, how can we actually implement this plan going forward? I mean, we've talked, you know, about what you just brought up that, you know, the two at large at one time or or just keeping them on the same cycles and redrawing the lines. you know, seems easy and fast. Um, so I mean I I would be perfectly fine either direction public hearing and still vote on the same day, right? Yes. Yes. Yeah. It wouldn't So that it wouldn't delay it at that point

because that would still put us ahead to where we can get this in by March, right? That's that's what I was told.

Right. and and and that's it's really we have time, but if we come in here next month and we have a resolution on the floor and we have a public hearing on it, who's to say that the state representatives approves that and they're not going to really look at this until they know that the board is all on on in favor of this resolution. So, we're sort of stuck between a rock and a hard place. Um, I've studied it for years. I know it's unfair and I know change is hard and change is scary and this is the right thing to do. Um, and once it's implemented, it's going to be a much greater people are going to appreciate it a lot more once it's implemented. The time frame is your seat would be at large 2030. You would either you would declare what seat at that time you're going to run for district two. On the application to run for county commissioner, I am seeking district two. The other one I am seeking at large. Anybody from Highlands, anybody from Nanahala, anybody from uh Otto, anybody from anywhere in the county can sign up for district two or or the atlarge seat. So the time frame is there, the timeline it it can't change. You're either going to run for your district, which you have to live in that district. If you're going to seat district two, you have to live in that district. If you're running for at large, you are going to go from anywhere

in the county to run for that seat. Um there's there's no other timeline that can be um displayed. Um so what's the other seat at large? The other seat at large. It would be one of these. Yeah, it'd be one of these. Okay. If and they're on the same election cycle. So, yeah.

All right. Um, so I mean I'm really my motion was um to get this thing moving forward so that the two state representatives can look at it and get their blessings on it before we have a um have a public hearing and on that particular

but if this when we were talking about it last month, it was to send this to the state to see if we could even get approved to do it and then we could have a you know public hearing if they approved it. Well, they didn't approve that. this resolution is going to be what it is. So, if we're going to have a public hearing, it's not going to be when they send it back because then it's, you know, it's the bill. So, I think we need to either say we're not going to have a public hearing or we're going to have one and it's going to be next month and we'll vote on it next month and we'll move forward because once they get it and they approve it, that's it. Well, that's what it is. They don't have to do this. I know. I mean, they can uh but but if they do, then we've taken the ability for the public to come up here and give us their thoughts on Yeah.

Well, and I and I'm fine with it. I mean, it's um And can we make a motion? I'm going to call the question. Okay. Um everybody good? We already have a motion on the floor, right? I got you. Well, I mean, and that's okay. We got a second, but I can retract my uh I was going to say you can my motion. Um I mean if that's I mean I I lean towards letting the general public talk about this as well, but I just don't want the time frame to go away. So if he withdraws his motion, then we can make it available for the public to be able to come here next month to do that and we can still vote at that point. We need a motion for a public hearing next month, but we have to do that before we can do the motion. So

he has to retract. I'll at this time, chairman, I would like to retract my uh motion. It's on the floor. Sammy. All right. Commissioner Sherwood retracts his motion.

All right. Then I'll make a motion we have a public hearing on February the 10th. All right. Have a motion by Commissioner Shields. Second. Second by Commissioner Antoine. Any further discussion? This was a tough one. All in favor, please signify by raising your right arm, stating I. I. Any oppose? Let the record 5. Thank you. All right. Glad to cross that one off. New business, discussion of the opioid funding process and establishment of a strategic planning committee. Manager Cable.

So, Mr. Chairman, you remember we did receive a $300,000 grant from Dogwood Health Trust that we announced I believe it was last month to set up our strategic plan and set our guidelines and facilitate some public input and get the process started to uh access the opioid funding that we've been receiving will continue to receive. Um, so tonight it was going to be my recommendation that you either by consensus or by vote, you appoint myself and one of the other commissioners to basically chair that committee, start putting some members together. Uh, I put a proposed membership uh, list in your packet uh, which would include some clinical care providers, some field care providers, um, law enforcement. We also wanted some people that had been affected by opioid abuse. Um, and of course representing from you all and then there may be other folks. We we wanted the general discussion that I've had with some folks is put people on there because they will have to make decisions and the reason you have to have this committee. Um, number one, you you have to come back with a with a plan for you all on how to spend this money because there's a lot of different options, a lot of different categories you can spend those funds in. uh you do have to have a resolution presented to y'all that y'all approve to to match those priorities. Uh there's some annual meetings you have to have. There's some public input you got to have. You got to facilitate those processes. Uh you also have to have a uh a financial report every year and you have to have a u a strategic report every year to see if you're actually doing the things that you that you say you're going to do. uh which is why spending this money is much more difficult than just saying, "Hey, we're going to give so much money to somebody." There there's a process to go through. Um we also want to be, in my opinion, be very careful. You don't want people necessarily making decisions on the direction we go that are going to be using the funds. You

want you want people that that can give you direction and help you get there, but you want to make sure that the people that are proving how we spend the money are not necessarily people that are going to get the money either. So, we have to be very careful how we do that. So, it's going to be my suggestion that you allow me and one of your other board members to to establish that committee, get that started, and then hopefully we can come back to you fairly quickly with a uh with a plan going forward. And I will give the board an update. You know, it is a significant amount of money that we do have in that fund. Um, but it's also also limited when you start looking at the options you can spend this on. Right now we have 2,78,000 and some change sitting in that opioid fund. That's also has to be a special designated fund. Um so that is a lot of money. However, when you start looking at the need out there and different agencies that that could help that that's also not going to go very far. So we have to be very strategic about that. So my my request would be for you to point the finger at me and tell me to establish a committee and a and another commissioner that might be willing to uh

I'd like to make sit on that committee to appoint Mr. Cave and Mr. Breeden to the strategic plan. I would you know I was thinking the same thing motion by Commissioner Young second by Commissioner Shields. Sorry. Any further discussion? Changes mind. No. All in favor, please raise your right arm, state I for the record. I Any opposed? All right, Tammy 5. Thank you. All right. Approve. Approval of consolidated human services agency board policies. Tammy Ke.

So in your packet, you had I think three policies that were the board of health policies. three of the board of health policies. Um, and we took those three policies and just changed the wording to reflect that it's now a consolidated human services agency board and changed the title up that was in the previous policies from health director to consolidated human services agency director. Um, and made the change that that position now reports to the county manager. um and has oversight by both the manager and the consolidated board. So that's the changes that were made and so those policies need to be approved by both this board and the consolidated board.

Thank you. I see that chairman Hickden in here tonight. Um any comments, chairman? Thanks for being here. All right, gentlemen. Do we need uh can we make one one motion one motion cover all three if we need independent motions? I think you can do it in one motion. All right. I'd like to make a motion that we approve the policy changes as presented. All right. Hear a motion by Commissioner Breeden. Second. Second by Commissioner Cheryl. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? Please raise your right arm. State I for the record. I

Any oppose? I'm standing 5. Thank you. All right. Helen Recovery Recycling Infrastructure Grant, Mr. Kade. So, Mr. Chairman, tonight I'd like for your approval to submit this grant application for the Helen Recovery Recycling Infrastructure Grant. Uh, it's designed specifically for from DEEQ for solid waste enterprises has a focus on recycling. Uh it's also specially appropriated by legislature for Helen impacted counties and obviously we weren't impacted as much uh with Helen as some other counties but it's also designed to build resiliency which is was where we're headed for and to actually boost our recycling effort. Um so tonight you have an application in front of you for a total of $2,995,500. Um part of that 601,500 is actually for the Carson Convenience Center. Uh which will go along with the funds that we've also have in our in our fund balance. We we've actually already purchased some of the cans for out there, the the dumpsters for out there. Uh we're also looking at some options. Uh originally the intent was put that convenience center toward the back back there closest to Parker Meadows. We're looking to see about an option if we can move it more toward the up front where number one, it's a little closer, but it's not as visible from the highway. And then that property in the back, there may be some recreation uses that we can tie into that. So, we're trying to tie all that together. Uh, but we wanted to make that a model recycling center. So, that's the other reason these funds will help us get there. Uh the other monies, the other $2.3 million, uh would be some improvements to the recycling building, a new BOR here, some new equipment, um which will really take a load off of us because we were talking about revenues last month on the enterprise fund. That's a significant

amount of money for us that we can do a lot of things with without having to adjust those fees anywhere. We already have a letter of support for Representative Gillespie. Uh repres or Senator Corbin's also going to write us a letter for that. We were very successful on the rec grant that we put in last month. So I anticipate us hopefully being very successful for this one. So I'd just like request approval to submit that application. All right, gentlemen. You heard the man. Um I'll entertain a motion. So move a motion by Commissioner Antoine. Second.

Second by Commissioner Breeden. Any other discussion? All in favor, please raise your right arm. State I for the record. I. Any oppose? All right, Miss Tammy. 50. All right, that's going to wrap it up. Just getting discussion regarding personnel matters. Sheriff Brent Hullbrooks. Gentlemen, ladies, I do have a personnel matter, but it's not what folks are thinking. Um, I've got a proposal um here to hand out for y'all.

The pay grade adjustment proposal that color Gentlemen, at the end of the day, that's uh it's my job to get out here and lobby for the employees at the sheriff's office. Uh with that being said, the Mon County Sheriff's Office respectfully proposes adjustment adjustments to our current pay grades within Muna system to bring our compensate compensation structure in line with comparable law enforcement agencies across Western North Carolina. These agencies are comparable to ours and most are the strongest competitors drawing in from the same limited pool of qualified applicants. In order to attract and retain top law enforcement professionals, our price structure must remain competitive and equitable. Our analysis of five comparable agencies. Transennsylvania Sheriff's Office, Franklin Police Department, Highlands Police Department, Swain and Jackson County Sheriff's Office showed that Mon County is significantly behind in compensation. For example, Jackson County pays both deputies and tensions officers equally with a started salary of $42,338. In Transennsylvania County, detention officers start at 42,494 while d deputies begin at 44,636. Uh, Mon County Sheriff's Office deputies start at 40,460 and detention officers at 36,699, which Yes, sir. while some pay ranges in Jackson County may initially appear lower than ours, that a agency grants full credit for every year prior of prior service to all positions. In contrast, Mon County only provides approximately half credit for years of service, creating notable pay

disparencies among employees with sim similar tenure and responsibilities. We have also we have also been informed by a member of uh Franklin Town Council that they are in discussions discussions of giving full credit of your ser for years of service in the upcoming budget. Additionally, there appears to be some inconsistencies um in how service credit is applied within our agency. For instance, one employee with 28 years of service is credit with only 15 steps while another with 20 years of service is only 13 steps. These examples represent represent a broader pattern within the sheriff's office where step placement and service recognition have not been applied. This inconsistency affects employee morale and f further widens the gap between our agency and comparable jurisdictions. So here's the proposal. We propose advancing de deputy paygrades by one level in order to be comparable and competitive with other agencies and elevate detention officers to the current deputy pay grade held by their sworn counterparts. uh setting detention officer pay and at the same level is something that should have been done in the prior countywide pay study, not under my supervision. Uh since I've been sheriff, detention officer positions are just as difficult and demanding as our sworn counterparts. Uh this change reflects a critical the critical responsibilities, professionalism, and risk shared across these positions. Current detention officers are two paygrades lower than a deputy. Additionally, CI uh civilian and nonsworn employees would advance by one pay grade to maintain fairness and consistency throughout the agency. These adjustments are not simply about increasing pay. There are they are a

strategic investment in long-term stability, morale, and performance of the sheriff's office. Competitive compensation ensures that the Mon County Sheriff's Office can continue to attract dedicated public servants, reduce costly turnover turnover, and provide the highest standard of service and safety to the citizens of Mon County. Mon County invests a significant amount of money in new employees and this investment continues as the employees career progresses. We don't want citizens of Mon County to to lose out of their investment due to employees leaving Mon County to go to other agencies. Outlined below, as you can see on the the graphs, are the current proposed pay grades for each positions as well as proposed new salaries. Um, item A lists the existing pay structure while item B presents the proposed revisions designed to strengthen our AY's competitiveness and com commitment to excellence. Now, I know you're going to have a lot of questions. So, I brought Jonathan and Adam along with me as well. I don't see Derek here. I don't see Derek Jones, but us four, we've been working hard on this. We basically did our own pay study in house and we've got all this information from these other agencies. Now, I know we're halfway through the budget and this is going to be costly, but with that being said, since we're halfway through, we do have some extra monies from um salaries, FICA, overtime, etc. that we can put towards this to put this in action. And do you have roughly, Jonathan, kind of what it it would cost? uh about 185,000 where we're at because until we the pay period uh that we're getting paid on Friday that'll change the numbers but right now we should be at 13 pay periods which is roughly 50% of what the salary cost are. So uh a lot

of this money would come from positions that we're currently short. You know we just recently hired our last position for the um road patrol uh young man we're sending to BL. So he's the last open position we had on the road. Currently we have um four positions open in the detention facility. Every time we get close we have people that leave. A lot of it it's not because of you know morale or or the work environment. It's a lot has to do with pay or better opportunities. Um both these um young people just left us. One to take a job as a pastor, the other to go to nursing. So, um, you know, if when you're making $17 and some change an hour, you know, it's tough to to fund those. So, we feel like, um, the pay should have been set at an equal rate, um, initially. I know, you know, Sheriff Holland and Warren Cave and some of the ones who were involved in that. And take for instance, a dispatcher. A dispatcher, you know, works the same 12-h hour shift as we they do. They work in public safety, but they're at the same pay grade as a deputy. So, the detention officers, you know, in my opinion, they have one of the hardest jobs in the county and they're two pay grades lower. I mean, $17 and something an hour and when you take out $800 for or 700 and something for family insurance, I I don't know how most of them make it, you know. So, we'd like them, you know, put at their uh equal power counterparts. So, you know, we thought about this a few years ago, going to the job fairs, you know, um Bunkham County and some of the other ones we saw were doing that first as far as paying them more cuz they they don't have a lot of the benefits that detention that the deputies do. You know, they don't get law enforcement retirement. They don't get a a take-home car. They don't get the 401k that the law enforcement, you know, all these things are set by general statute in North Carolina. You know, not locally by ours, but they're set on the state level. So the detention, you know, like for years when I was off patrol, I

worked I don't know how many Christmases. I could swing by my house and and you know, say hi to my kids and have a meal. The detention, they don't get to do that, you know. So we feel like their job is just as important. In a lot of ways, it's tougher. The liability in the jail is just as high, if not more, than a lot of our other positions. So we feel like they should have equal pay and that's why we're looking at raising them up. So if we do this, we raise the deputies one pay. grade it would be three for the um detention to get them on the same level. Um we the way we did it with the pay grades we found ones that are comparable to uh most of the agencies of course you know we can't compete with Highlands you know their starting pay is 47,000 a year but you know Franklin PD is uh right at 42 so we feel like that's a threshold for our starting pay you know that way we compare to most of the agencies and that's why we're looking at a pay grade 27 for deputies in detention which is right at 42,000. I'm sure you all are familiar with the grades and each grade is a 5% increase, you know, at the starting level of the county. So, we wanted to work within the um pay grades that were already established with the county. Makes it easier to uh for for Tammy and Lindsay and all that to work within that. And so, we look at these in comparison to other counties and that's where we feel comfortable with moving these pay.

Would it Lindsay? when it what make it easier. I mean this Oh, I'm waiting on you.

No, I mean I can't I mean this is the first I've seen this so I don't know, you know, to vet the numbers. I'm not sure. Um I do think there's probably ways that HR and finance could work through looking at pay grades and advancing them through but I guess we need direction from the board. Um, so uh it's hard to talk about this without anybody thinking or everybody thinking that you're against them, but I will I will tell you to start out with I am grateful for all emergency services and there's not enough money in the world for me to put a badge and a gun on my side and go down the road with blue lights on anymore because law enforcement, I know with my son being in law enforcement, how much disrespect there are for you. You can go out and do your job. The court system sends these people right back out. You go do your job again. And it's disheartening to see this. Um so the the court system is going to have to beef up the way that we deal with this. But going back to the 185,000 you're talking about and you said that's 13. Um so you're at the half of your budget cycle.

Yeah. the county as a whole is 185,000 is for you're trying to implement this now. Absolutely. Sure.

Okay. So, and I have I wasn't part of the pay study. The pay study came out and it was going to save Mon County and all their employees and everybody knew what the pay grades were going to be and the steps that were in place and the and the and I'm totally against a blanket pay scale. I I I can't I mean it's it's unfair to people that go above and beyond their call of duty, but you know what? You can't get paid for that when you're in a blanket pay scale. And there's no I I believe in merit pay. And but number one, um I saw it in Highlands. They raised their pay up to attract more people. Well, then when the other cities and the county started paying more, that some of those same people left to go get more money.

Sure. It's a revolving door.

It is. And and it's on the taxpayers's backs. The taxpayers can't um they can't recover from this. I mean, and and so the next thing you know, we're going to attract more people into this county because of pay. And then the people that's going to job it, if they're going to hop uh around, they're going to do it regardless. So if if somebody lives in Mon County and Klay County decides they're going to pay more than Mon County, and if you think that a dollar or a $150 an hour is going to save the world and you're driving all the way to Klay County, you've lost your mind. And and so when we do these studies, the studies is all inclusive. The studies are what does the cost of living in Jackson County? What are the perks? Does every officer in your department have their own take-home car?

Uh, we do. Yeah. Detention does not and admin doesn't. Sworn sworn.

So, sworn deputies all have take-home cars, so they have no cost to them to come to and from work. um and all this other I'm not against I mean there's not enough money from out there for me to do your job but somewhere along the line when you're in service you're serving others and and how do you do that? How do you get how do we get where you want to be without taking from the other people that can't give anymore? We have to we have to stay competitive within the market. Just like you and your business, you can't pay all your people less than every other, you know, same company as you around and expect to have the best employees. And people aren't in today's time staying in the county. I know you're saying Mon County. I had lunch with some officers yesterday. We went to um another agency and and I didn't realize it. two of these other officers that work for other agencies in Jackson County live in Mon County because it's been um and the recruitment's not like you know I had to take eight months I worked eight months part-time before a full-time position come open now we have full-time positions a lot of agencies do all the time so a lot of the agencies has went if you live in a surrounding county you can drive your your car home so we have officers that live in you know Mon County that work for

Swain Jackson the you know I talked to these officers yesterday great guys but they're making more money in their current job even though they're making county resident because we can't pay what this other agency does so I feel like it's a disservice to the county we lose out on good candidates because you know most of ours go to B and um here at SEC they have a small pool you know when I went to BL in 1997 we had to pay your own way you know you had to go pay your own way come out and apply for jobs because the you know everybody wanted to be the, you know, police back then. Nowadays, you don't see candidates out here rarely that aren't already being paid because you're having to do so much to recruit them and get the best candidate for making county. And I hate pouring money, you know, because it's not just the initial pay, but when we promote people to detectives or sergeants and things like that, we're paying for training throughout their entire career. And I hate losing them to other places, you know, but they have to be loyal to their family. I mean, we love them to be loyal to the county, but their family comes first. Yes, sir.

So, truth of the matter is, I mean, people are trying to make a decent living irregardless of what field they go into. I've been down there to the jail. I see what these guys got to deal with. And honestly, you know, as long as as long as we can fit this in the budget, I support this 100%. It's not an easy job what you guys have to do. People don't understand what y'all got to take home and deal with. And then when you go down to the detention center, you know, for those conditions, that's a really hard job to do. They're getting spit on, assaulted. You're in

that is an extremely difficult job to do for that pay. So, I'm just letting you guys know for me, myself personally, I support this because that's that's crazy, especially in ter if you look at Jackson County for what they're paying over there. And I know we're always complaining about money, money, money, but we can't keep good workers if we're not paying them. It's just not going to happen, you know. And we need people in the detention center. We need better. We need officers. So, that's my that's just my opinion.

Other thing, Sheriff, um I know, and I'm not telling you how to run your department. You were elected by the people to run your department. So, um um but I know in Michael's um job, the sheriff there requires all of his deputies to work the detention center. Yeah. They're they have to work based on his Is that New Hover or Brunswick? New Hover.

New Hover. And um and so you know if you're lacking people uh I mean I I don't want to get internal in your in your business but um it my concern through this whole process and I've already heard from another department that their department is not making enough money. Well, it seems to me like this pay study that was done years ago is getting ready to be thrown out the window because your department comes in, we approve you to go outside that pay study. This other agency that says, uh, we're not making enough money. Then the pay study's obsolete and how long it's been since the pay study, you know, through COVID years and everything else. I get it. I mean, we're all in this boat together and we all need to make as much money as we possibly can to survive. But I I

It's hard to It's hard to survive on 36 36,000. I I I understand 100,000%. But that is displayed when you sign up for this job. It's displayed. That's true. Or what you're going to be paid. But and we have to have people to fill the positions. I got ones open right now. Like I said, I got one guy that put the PAF and it's going to start on the 26th. I have three positions and nobody no qualified candidates, right? You know, I mean, we get ones every now and then, but they won't pass a background or things like that, you know.

Um but but it's, you know, so we have to have qualified candidates and that's what brings them in. I understand about the the the tension as well. Uh the chief deputy and I discussed that today about using road deputies to to do transports and court because we're having to bring prisoners over all the time, you know, and our courts are increasing. But what we run into is we're having to bring them in on their days off and that cost us time and a half overtime. So whatever their hourly rate is, we got to pay them time and a half per county regulations or you know um state regulations on overtime. So, we're going to have to it's either ask for a little pay on one end or we're going to have to ask for more overtime to to pay these positions.

When you're paying overtime, if you pay overtime and you put on a new deputy, the overtime is minimal compared to what that new deputy cost because then the benefit package kicks in and everything else.

Well, we're not talking a new deputy. We're just talking about But he was talking about Yeah. Um and so, but I agree you guys need to be paid fairly, but where I'm at with this, and I'm going to tell you perfectly straight up, we're going to be is we're in the middle of a budget year and we've turned people down that's come into this board asking for additional funds. Um, and I think it's unfair to the other people that um um that has come in and asking for money and we've turned them away. Thank you, sir. Let me ask you a couple questions.

How many vacancies do you currently have departmentwide? We have four four with the caveat of one's in the hiring process. We just turned a uh a um PA in them. So, so, but then I have three with no no potential candidates. Attention's where the I mean immediate that's where the immediate need is to be honest with you. Yes. Um, and that's why we're looking at, you know, the the larger jump and getting them on the pay. Yeah. Commissioner Breeden and I have had lengthy conversations about this step process. I mean, is that an easier fix? And I know that's a very large internal conversation, but you know, is is that a fix?

I I can answer part of that. We we've actually I'll be the first one to tell you that the the step process especially when you when you go between grades, you get promoted within and you give credit for service, it's very difficult to comp to to calculate. So we've actually already been looking at a way for service credit to make that a lot easier to understand, a lot more equitable across the board. So that's coming. Uh we we've played with some different processes for that to see how it plays out with all circumstances. Um and the steps are your your steps are really designed that they're they're designed to give you a 30-year career within a grade. So it's it's hard to apply steps toward years of service. It's almost like you're talking about two different things. So it it is complicated. And I will say that it's it's difficult to navigate and it's hard when you put all that together for it to be apples to apples sometimes with certain people. So I will tell you that's the case. Um

I guess the the question I have the theund and Jonathan you're really good with numbers. Don't so don't get me wrong. The 185,000 or whatever that was is that that's for half a year. That's that's from now going forward. Okay. Rough estimate. Yeah. Okay. And we we do have money because we have physicians that we're short. So we have money we can put towards it. Uh the only caveat is we're our medical expenditures for prisoners are more this year in the jail. So I'm going to have to take some of that money and move it towards that. We've been working on measures like through the health department working with them on the Medicaid system and stuff like that that we've

getting qualified inmates signed up for Medicaid. But um still having an issue like I said the medical expenditures and that's a that's you something you can't predict that that's an all-incclusive number that includes your your FICA your your 401k all that's everything. So and that's rough that's just a we wouldn't know until uh you know we're with the new steps aren't on the website anymore. work going on last year's um uh worksheets for that. But we, you know, we put money in towards that, you know, with the the colar we had, but until we go into Munice and plug in because each position, you know, we'd have to go and plug in the pay grade for that and Munis will give us the exact amount.

Is this really targeting kind of that entry level officer in the in the detention center or is this kind of across the board? It's across the board. It's for every employee minus me. I I don't want it. Every employee minus me. Feel like, you know, and I'm not the best in law enforcement, but but uh you know, the compression is really at that, you know, these lower numbers, you know what I mean? Not not trying to step on any of the upper enders, but really it's it's the the people that are starving are the the ones getting 350 bucks a week on a take-home paycheck. That's who's hurting. That's tough.

You can't raise a family at that. But I don't know. I mean, it translates to what 360 70,000 a year, right? I mean, is this coming up in our next budget, Warren Steps, or is this something that's

We we were planning on having some conversations about our salaries and our benefits and and trying to tie it all together. And obviously, we can we we work at your direction. So, you tell us when and what you want done. We we will put the pencil to the paper and see on our end. I mean, I don't really have any problem putting immediate numbers on those detention officers to try to help that right there. And I feel like if we have a comprehensive, you know, pay study coming up, but I mean, some of these baseline salaries scare me. As far as the rest of department, I wouldn't mind assuming.

I think you also have to keep in mind that these now the detention officers you can, but these deputies, you can't just hire anybody. I mean, these guys have to be certified. They got to, you know, you got to go through Bill, you got to do all those things. Um, so I think for me, I mean, we've talked about the pay study, we've talked about the steps, um, or the grades, but I think at, you know, after we get through this, I think as a whole, we need to address our whole system because, you know, like I just I just feel like we're missing some opportunities there. Um, especially with the steps to make sure that everybody's kind of on a level playing field and, um, but I would I mean, if if we we've got it, I would support this. I think it's um I think it's necessary. I think when you look at these numbers, like you said, it's kind of scary to see what people are trying to survive on. Um so,

so you say you have the money to do this now and by the lack of Well, we've got around 90 or $100,000 we probably probably spare. Okay. I I would say

I mean I don't want to oversp speak. Okay, be frank. There's probably nobody on this little table here that supports law enforcement more than me. I'm no secret. I'm married to it. However, I if you want us to do it, I think that's great. I would maybe recommend giving more direction to give us I mean HR time to look because you're going to throw off everybody's pay scale. Maybe look at breaking sheriff's department off and having their own pay scale if that's something you're going to do. Well, that's where I was going with my comment because I think that when we're talking about people that have to have a certification that we have to go out and recruit and hire whether that's don't do something like that, you're going to set up the whole entire county to come up here and ask you those things. I'm not trying to misspeak. Yeah, but we've got openings. Those folks and other other agencies

you do you do what you're doing. It passes. I'm great. I just I also took an oath and I have a responsibility to check numbers and it makes me a little uncomfortable to sit here unless you're going to say if it's in their budget, do it. otherwise use this pot of money. That's the direction I think we would need. Um, that's all I'm going to say. Like I said, if this is what you support, you don't have a problem with us, we'll do it. But I just think we need clear direction. This is the first time we've seen it. I don't know if HR's seen it, but like number-wise, I would really like to run them.

If you're good with it, give us direction. I I mean that's that's my overlooking statement was I'm very much supportive of all emergency services, but I said that the pay study was the entire county. Maybe it's time we do another pay study for the whole county. How sheriff, I've been want to ask you this. Since you took office, how many new positions have you hired? Five. Five. Okay.

Yeah, around five. Keeping our budget flat. I get it. So, we've had growth in the sheriff's department. Um, and it's I mean I get it, but I think it's wrong for the rest of the county employees. I think it's wrong for the taxpayers for one department to ask for additional funds when I know that we're going to be bombarded by other agencies in this county and and present this to me on a night with no idea what was coming. Um I mean I hate to feel like I'm not against you guys. I'm not against anybody, but I just don't think it's not fair. Um and and my my support would be to give them direction and bring this back um at a later date to see exactly what we need to do and how we're going to do it for everybody. Um I know that all these other counties um co ruined a lot of things um and and people are struggling. I mean, back before 2015, I had 50 employees. I have zero now. Nobody wants to work. So, I can't compete against the county. Why would you go to work with me? I don't have benefits. And um so,

we're hiring, John.

Put it up there 100%. start you out at the a wonderful price of $36,699. No way. Put him in the detention center. That's right. Hey, I feel like uh I don't know. I I wouldn't mind to have a month and look at this. Maybe we can put on the agenda for next month. Let let Warren and some of our staff check it out. But I feel like, you know, I feel like you've kind of got a split board here. And uh I think you do have support. I think I'd feel better, you know, letting it kind of settle a little bit. and uh come back and see us next month. All right. So So let me make sure we're clear. You want us to look at the whole proposal? You want us to focus on the entry detention andor deputies or

That's a good point, Warren. I mean, gentlemen, I don't want to give some options. The whole thing, I think it's important to know what the future costs are going to be. But I think I mean, I know personally just from what we are dealing with their detention officers need some money. I don't know. I I we're complete agreement. There's no doubt. So, I think we need to I just want to make sure it's there's no doubt. But I'm glad you brought that up because I think it's a good opening for us to start looking at some other things like breaking some of these departments out. Law enforcement, EMS, maybe even uh environmental health or environmental services because you have to have certifications. You've got to go through certain Sure. I'd like to see have these things. So I think it might make a difference to

and some departments the demand on the workforce in that department is very demanding but it doesn't matter whether your department is demanding or not demanding you're on the same pay scale. It it it it's just that blanket um pay scale to me just don't settle. Um cuz I'm great employees and I mean I I just wanted you to know his number is probably spot on. You're not gonna find anybody that does a better job. I agree. So that's not a stab. I just I would prefer to look at it. So I think if if you come up I'm glad to work with you all and I think you can do it all within munis by going into each one of our positions and changing the pay grade and then that will give you the numbers.

And and to answer your question, yes, it does help that you put it toward that MUN scale because that makes it a whole lot easier on us on the back end so everything works out. So yes, to answer your question by next month, we we we will have you some information by next month. Yes, I think we can off.

All right. Thank you'all. Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you. All right. You have the adjustment on the consent agenda. Any any other adjustments? Here a motion by Commissioner Breeden. Got it. I hear a motion by Commissioner Breeden. Second. Second by Commissioner Cheryl. Any other discussion? All in favor, please raise your right arm, state eye for the record. I. Any oppose? 5. Miss Tammy. All right. Um, appointments. Eric, you ready for appointments tonight? Yes. Um, yes, four seats consolidated health board

and actually we only have we're voting for one because the four seats would involve the professionals that we don't have applicants for. So we have one at large seat and we have a total of six applicants. Those are Richard Brady, Philip Gibson, Mark Hen, Lindseay Henderson, Deborah Prince, and Monica Sever. So, you're voting for one. I'm trying not to lick. I learned that. Thanks, sir.

Thanks, sir. I've always multiple choice. You had to create somebody. fail. Sure. I'm not already there, but okay. Um, Danny Antoine is Mark. Is it Hine? Hen

Hine. So, one for Mark Hine with Danny Antoine. Josh Young has a vote for Lindseay Henderson. John Shur has a vote for Mark Hine. Gary Shields has a vote for Lindseay Henderson. And Barry Breeden has a vote for Mark Hine. I think that's three to two. Is that your calculation? All right. So just need a motion of approving the appointment of Mr. Mark Hine. Motion by Commissioner Breeden. Second.

Second by Commissioner Shur. All in favor, please raise your right arm. State I for the record. I. Any oppose? All right. Miss Tammy 5. All right. The community advisory committee. Oh. Oh. May I ask a question? So that fulfills the general public on that board, correct? That Tammy, correct me if I'm wrong, but yes, we now have the general public fulfilled on the consolidated health services agency board. We are still looking for anyone listening. We're looking for a optometrist, a social worker, and a psychologist.

Um, so is it time for me to resign from my position? Yes. Right. If he this is his res this would fulfill his resignation spot. Is that right? That is my understanding. I if you wanted to wait till the January meeting so that we can verify that and make sure that that's correct. The January 27th meeting. That's fine. Okay. All right. Does that mean John has to go? But if that is the case, then when I get there, I will be a non- voting member at that meeting.

You have been reappointed to that board and the first meeting for that new board is January the 27th. So, all right, I'll be there.

Okay. Thank you, chairman. All right. All right. Community advisory committee, one open seat. I don't think I have that ballot. Do I?

There is not a ballot. Um if if you all recall from um I think it was the November meeting and I put the description in your packet. This is that um group the committee that works with the long-term care facilities and making sure that patients in those facilities are are getting adequate care and they have to go through that state training. um they have to then be approved by um not just the folks at the state but the folks in the region and it is just that general statute says that that the commissioners have to bless that. So there is one uh person Miss Allen who has completed that process and has been a we and we've been asked to appoint her to one of those seats. Make a motion to approve.

Hear a motion by Commissioner Shur. Second by Commissioner Breeden. Any other discussion? All in favor, please raise your right arm. State die for the record. I. Any oppose? All right, Miss Tammy, let the record reflect a 50 vote, please. All right, that wraps up appointments. Um, do we have a need for a close session? I don't believe I have one. No, sir.

All right. All right. Looking for a motion to adjurnn. Motion by Commissioner Breed and second by Commissioner Shields. All in favor, please state I. It was 7:26. I was trying to show you my phone and