Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

[Music] meeting to order. Um, first uh topic of business tonight. We pledge allegiance to everybody. Please, if you don't mind, would you please 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. All right. At this point, uh we'll do a uh please join me in a moment of silence. Thank you.

All right. First up is our agenda approval for this evening. Um, I'll need to add a 6F and that will be that'll be closed session for attorney client privilege in regards to potential property acquisition. Any other changes, additions, or alterations? K. Yes, chairman. Item 6G, property disposal. Same topic. Session. Yes, sir.

Board. Any additional discussions or any other changes need to be made? So that'll be adding 6F closed and 6G closed both in regards to property and that'll push uh the German well stay as number seven. All right. This time I uh will make a motion that we approve the agenda as altered. Motion by Vice Chairman Hensley. Any discussion? Did you make a motion? I did. I said second by Vice Chairman Hley. Did I not say motion?

Oh, did I? I'm sorry. Motion by me, second by Vice Chairman Hley. My brain said that. I guess my mouth didn't. I apologize. Thank you for correcting me. All right. Um and uh so we got a motion to second. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? We have an agenda. So first item uh on the agenda beyond the agenda approval now is consent agenda. That includes um some tax refunds and releases, our fiscal year 2526 force service contract resolution altering the regular meeting schedule for the Madison County Board of Commissioners, and just for clarification for those watching online or watching at home online or anybody here in the room, um the last three meetings of this year will be in our new temporary courthouse. So, we will move from this location over to the new temporary courthouse and we'll be back into some semi-normal normal digs over there. Um, uh, 2B is a Golden Leaf Foundation grant closeout authorization for the Madison County Industrial Park. Uh, E resolution authorizing opioid settlements and fund funds agreement. Uh F is county surplus property resolution and G is the approval of our August 12th regular meeting minutes and August 26 special meeting minutes. Um at this time I'll entertain a motion we approve the consent agenda.

So move motion by Commissioner Garrison. Is there a second? Second. Second by Commissioner Wyatt. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? All right. Consent agenda passes. Up next on the agenda tonight is public comment. We've got five people signed up for public comment. Uh first up is Cassie Flegger. Cassie, please come on up to the podium here and um please state your name and what community you're uh you live in and you got three minutes sent to address the board. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Is it Oh, okay. It is working. You're good. You're hot.

So tiny. Um, my name is Cassie Flagger. I live on Bay Street in Mars Hill and I'm coming tonight for this kiddo who is a student, second grader at Marcel Elementary School. Damon, come say hi. Say hi. Okay. Um, so I'm just here tonight to um celebrate some of the achievements that we've had in the Madison County schools. um we had good ratings, good scores um on those state reviews and that was super exciting to hear that from Mr. Hoffman. Um but I'm also concerned about the budget for schools. Um you know 100,000 or what was it like 17th um of the funding that was asked for was what was approved. And so we had a request of 838,000. Um and without increas requested increases that we've lost like a significant amount of money um to support the schools for the exceptional children program um and then also for um you know all the inflationary stuff for staff. Um, I know that for myself, we have probably the best second grade teacher in the county. She's amazing. Um, and like I know that she has spent a ton of money out of her own pocket for very basic things. Um, as a mom, I'm happy to do that and to support um, in every way that I can, but I also like to do that with my taxes um, so that it's across the board. I'm reaching into child in our school system. Um, so I'm I'm just nervous about this and worried

about it for the his future. Um, you know, I want him to be in Madison County schools. I grew up in Mon County schools. I like the what we have to offer here and we have a great elementary school. Um, but I'm concerned about the funding and really want us to look further, see if there's anything in the coffers that can help supplement that very big difference in the budget. Um, and essentially that's it. Um, but please invest in our kiddos.

Thank you. Up next on the uh signup sheet is Will is Alier. Hey Will, come on up.

Please introduce yourself.

Hello, my name is Will Alshare and I live in Mars Hill kind of close to town hall. Um I am also a parent in Madison County. I have two kids are nine and 10. They go to Mars Elementary and um we really enjoy all the things Madison County provides for kids for age. Um my oldest kid um does girls on the run. my both of them were in arts club and um they just enjoy everything that they get to do with their friends and all the wonderful teachers we have you know and um you know I I could speak for a lot of parents who are tired and busy to come you know try to speak for the concerns that we all have when we hear about such a large shortfall and the education budget you know especially when it was brought you know to you guys' attention back in April In many instances, a lot of people would have, you know, quite a hard time trying to, you know, explain those kind of shortfalls that they would have. And, you know, it would be nice to get answers on that, but I can understand the complexity of explaining those things to every parent in Madison County, but I do want to come here and speak for all the concerned parents when, you know, we say that we really enjoy having place for our kids to be safe at. But how are we supposed to feel with these kind of shortfalls and no way to really get solid answers on where this money may come from? Like how how are we going to make up this shortfall? Is there not enough in the county reserves? You know, how are we going to actually have to, you know, fill these things? You know, you can imagine that can create some nervousness in the community when information like that is there. You know, I won't get specific on the

numbers. I'm pretty sure everyone knows the numbers, what was approved, what was asked for, and all that good stuff. [Music] you know, and if Madison County doesn't address that shortfall, we worry that possible cuts to staff, you know, could really maybe harm the future of what we can offer future generations of children, you know, and you know, as parents, that's that's a scary thought. You know, I'm pretty sure most not everyone here has kids, you know, having to worry about their future, how it's going to be funded, and what we can do to make that better and be nice. Um, appreciate you guys hearing me. Thank you very much.

Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. Up next, I'm afraid I'm going to butcher the first name. Show Landis. I know I didn't pronounce that right, did I? All right. Oh, my name is Chiois.

That was close. I was sorry about that. Hope everyone here is enjoying this cool late summer weather. Finally getting into the back to school routine uh for a good start to this school year and getting ready for the opening of deer season this weekend like I am. Living up living and growing up in Madison County is truly a blessing that only a few people in this world get to experience. Some discover the jewel of the Blue Ridge later in life and are still lucky enough to join our community, call it their home, and be a part of our communities. If you're like me, the word community is what makes Madison County so special. Our communities are our glue, the network that hold us together during the best of times and the worst of times. One week after graduating from Madison High School in 2011 with honors, I left my community and moved to Northwest Georgia and attended Barry College on a full ride working scholarship. The college's 27,000 acre campus was home to an enormous deer population boasting seven deer to every one student. Now that's a whole lot of deer. I quickly fell in love or excuse me, I quickly felt like a tiny fish in a vast ocean as I was suddenly taken from my element and transported into a new world and life entirely. I met my peers from across the country and across the world. My first roommate was an exchange student from Indonesia. Adjusting to college life on a somewhat rural feeling campus. While at first seemed like the most daunting challenge of all, I soon learned it was the least of my worries. Having graduated Madison High School with honors, transferable credits, and multiple A Techch classes, I thought the transition into college academia would be difficult. But what I experienced was a true eye opener about my roots and where I came from. I was behind. I felt that my previous academic achievements were small potatoes compared to that of my classmates. Many of whom were from the suburbs of Atlanta, from California, and places I'd never heard of. Some students had

attended private school, others public school, but few seem to have come from poor rural communities like I did. To say that I struggled academically would be an understatement. I had not been taught how to study. I had no internet growing up, and suddenly I have the world at my fingertips constantly. I had not been taught time management. I did not know that you needed to read chapters from the textbook before going to class or you would be behind. After tutoring, summer classes, and changing my major, I surprised even myself by graduating on time with a degree in business marketing from a naturally accredited business school. I was able to learn from experts with experiences all around the world, creating an experience that is mine for a lifetime. I say all this to say that even as one of Madison Countyy's honor students, I was still at a huge disadvantage when it came to academia in the real world. Because of my love and appreciation for my community and the beautiful landscape that surrounds it, I chose to return to Madison County to bring my experiences and what I had learned back to help support and grow where I call home. Now, as a parent of children in Madison County public schools, I am deeply concerned about the lack of funding that the Madison County Commissioners have allocated for our public schools this year. It seems to have been clearly communicated from leadership within the county schools that there was an urgent need for increased funding to sustain essential programs, operations, and support systems that the students

your time. I'm sorry. I guess I'm sorry. I didn't hear I was listening. You're so engaging. I'll come back next time for the other half. All right. Thanks. Thanks, Miss Landis. Uh, up next is Graham Frell. Am I pronouncing that correct?

Of course, Graeme rhymes with name. Sorry. But that's fine. I respond to most anything. All right, I understand. and I live in South Marshall and uh I'm just real happy to hear parents talk about the schools and school budget because I'm one of many citizens who are proud of the quality of education provided by Madison County Schools to our That's the microphone that your paper's bouncing off of.

Thank you for guiding me on that. So, uh and I'm deeply committed as a parent, grandparent, and an educator. In fact, I go to all the board of education meetings and I'm amazed at the the spirit uh and the teamwork that both the staff and the teachers and principles have shown. Uh last meeting there was just lots of enthusiasm about the start of the school year but the deep concern around uh the quality may suffer if we don't get enough funding. So, in April of this year, the Madison County Board of Education approved a local budget and submitted it to to you, the commissioners. And the for the first time in two years, there was a request of $838,447 to overcome funding hurdles. This was a reasonable request following year with no requested increases that led to much belt tightening. It included uh 250,000 to offset the yearly shortfall in funding to the exceptional children's program due to the state aotments being far short of what's needed in Madison County and almost 590,580 to support deficits caused by inflationary costs related to staff benefits uh and to increasing numbers of students enrolling in private schools through the opportunity scholarship. Last year the county lost $90,000 due to this scholarship program. These are fixed costs. So the question is if we don't get money from u the county where is that money going to come from? And with only providing 101,700 just 12% of the request uh that means there's still a shortfall of $737,000. Now, that may not seem like a lot of

money to some, but it's a lot of money to the school system, something that they really, really need. Uh, isn't there enough money in the reserves to be able to cover this? Uh, you know, a budget is a projection. So it's a commitment even if you don't have all the funds in hand now at least you can show commitment to the school system by funding the full request which was done I think in a very reasonable way. So you know we really worry about what might these cuts be and what is it going to do for the future of our children. Our children are our future and we need to invest in them and I'm counting on you to reconsider the uh small amount of money that you provided in request in response to the request. So, thank you.

Thank you, M. And our final individual signed up this evening is Sarah Skully.

Hey, my name is Sarah Skully. You may recognize me as your friendly neighborhood reporter. Um, I volunteer as a multime media journalist for WNC Grassroots Media, which is a nonprofit started up after Helen, but I also wear other hats. I'm an Army veteran. So, I'm the public affairs officer for the Marshall American Legion. And I am on the communications committee for MARK, which is the Madison Alliance for Rebuilding Communities, our long-term recovery group for Madison County. So, with all of that, I'm on a subcommittee for our oneyear anniversary of Colleen. And Connie has asked me to give you a little bit of what we're thinking about doing. We have another meeting tomorrow, but here is our choir that's going to be coming up. The theme is community and connection. Um we have the mayor speaking at noon at the courthouse steps that Saturday followed by a senior from each of the high schools mix and NHS and then a couple more community leaders with some music that will then bring us back to the brick project. Yeah, the building community brick project at the old Marshall Jail. The National Historic Preservation Society has given a grant to Josh Topus and they are going to be doing individual code bricks to build an 8 by8 structure. Um that is like a art piece in homage to Helen. Um every building or business that is able to be open is hosting something of their own. So the one on the courthouse steps is what is going to bring everybody together and then dispersed out um to as many fundraisers or bands, um, food. I think there's a vendor market.

Yeah. And y'all, thank you. Thank you, Skillet. All right. This time, I'll entertain a motion to public comment be closed. Does that concludes all the signed up speakers? To garrison. Oh, that was you. Okay. So, we got a motion by Vice Chairman Hley. Is there a second? Second. Second by Commissioner White. Any discussion? Was that Garrison? I got it. I'm I've got I'm stopped up. I can't hear good right now. My bad, guys.

All right. So, that was Garrison with the second. Any discussion hearing? None. All in favor? All right. Public comment is closed. At this time, uh, we'll move on to, um, uh, item number four, which which is our Constitution Week proclamation. And we have Constitution Week 2025 proclamation. Whereas the Constitution of the United States of America, the guardian of our liberties, embodies the principles of limited government in a republic dedicated to rule by law. And whereas September 17th, 2025 marks the 238th anniversary of the framing of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention. And whereas it is fitting and proper to accord official recognition to this magnificent document and its memorable anniversary and to the patriotic celebrations which will commemorate it. And whereas public law 915 guarantees the issuing of a proclamation each year by the president of the United States of America designating September 17th through September 23rd as Constitution Week. Now therefore, I, Matthew Wel, as chairman of the Madison County Board of Commissioners, by virtue of the authority vested in me as commissioner for North Carolina of Madison County, do hereby proclaim the week of September 17th through September 23rd as Constitution Week and ask our citizens to reaffirm the ideals the framers of the Constitution had in 1787 by vigilantly protecting the freedoms guaranteed to us through this guardian for our liberties. So, in witness thereof, I here unto set my hand and cause the s the seal of Madison County to be affixed this uh ninth day of September, 2025 uh and the year of our Lord, I'm sorry, this ninth day of September and the year of our Lord 20125.

At this time, I'll make that in the form of a motion that we approve the proclamation. Is there a second? Second. Second by Vice Chairman Hensley. Thanks for making that easy, y'all. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? All right. Proclamation has passed. I don't have one of those extra loud pens that I can sign it with like like president does, but uh we'll make it work out here after the meeting. All right. Up next on the agenda tonight is finance officer Gary Ledford with uh Come on up, Madam Finance Officer. Yes, sir. And first topic of discussion is budget amendment number two.

Yes sir. So before you find budget amendment number two with this amendment please note the recording of donations to the sheriff's office outreach program in the amount of $9,800. find the moving of funds in the emergency management 911 and animal shelter salary lines for various reasons including adding funds to the temporary salary line for on call emergency management personnel. We received four additional payments toward the opioid settlement fund for a total of 144,56287 addition. Once again, we're transferring funds from our fund balance. These funds were received in FY25 as insurance payments for the Hot Springs Library and for the sale of capital land. Also see the recording of additional revenue generated by the corent sales tax in amount of $63,34.88 and all these amendments are pending approval. This time I'll entertain a motion that we approve budge amendment number two. So move

motion by commissioner Wyatt. Is there a second? Second. Second by Vice Chairman Hensley. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor. All right. Budget amendment number two passes. And uh up next is 5B, our financial report. Yes sir. You will see that we are 16.66% 66% way into FY26 budget year. You'll see for our general fund, we've received 8.67% of our revenues and our expenses are at 14.92%.

Tax bills went out. So hopefully we'll see an improvement there. mine today. Any questions in regards to financial report of finance officer? I think you're off the hook for tonight. Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you, ma'am. Up next, and I know she's freezing cold tonight cuz it's pretty chilly in here. Yeah, Carrie is probably the most uh warm-blooded person you'll ever see. I guess I guess that's how it is. Warm blooded, right? All right. Up next on the agenda is item number six, county manager, Colonel Rod Honeyut.

All right, I'm going to start from the public chart on the top left, the very top left corner, 18 finger worksheets. Six have been closed. Two up hidden. the nine of the county and one with FEMA. Draw attention to three and five attorney laws approved the language this week for the Benoy contract for an an additional agenda item for work s work safety and hours to the Benoy contract. You'll now see that start moving through the FEMA portal number seven Bernard Park. Every angle is on site there. They're projected to be done in 19 days. uh that 21 day time frame down to number 14 that's now out of the county and in the FEMA portal uh for significant amount of money there about 1.9 million no change to the water um and personal property debris removal I do want to bring your attention to a map you have in front of you uh that map shows you waterway uh progress what's ineligible no present pending uh for the commission to FEMA pending FEMA review in progress and the brief clears. We continue to host our Monday 3:30 meetings that includes all FEMA the smart task force from western North Carolina and the FEMA debris task force.

Colonel, are they still paused? No, they went back in the water about seven days ago, last Monday.

Okay. uh and they will pause for mapping and criteria deliberations I guess is the best thing to say. Uh FEMA has adjusted their their original guidance to now it's critical infrastructure plus or minus 1,000 ft on either side of that infrastructure. The original guidance was anything debris would be the hazard. They've narrowed their scope and they're putting another microscope on what they're doing. Uh they have the contractor and the smart team have committed to any waterway or tributary in our smaller tributaries to inform us before they put machines in it uh to make sure that we're being good stewards and not overwhelming the environment with some kind of machine going into it. And right now, Shut Laurel or Laurel River has no FEMA approved sites, but I'll keep you informed as we go forward as they continue to work that. So, I'm going to transition onto the back of the map real quick. Just overview. Hot Springs, 19 FEMA worksheets. They have eight flow, zero peling, 11 with hot springs, and zero FEMA. We went down to Marshall, 23 worksheets, zero closed, four pending, and 15 with FEMA. And why that's important, the very bottom of the chart, 60 countywide projects, 14 FEMA funded, 24 pending county and municipality action, 22 pending FEMA action, total $87 million, and to date, we've received 2.5 million to the county. That's big volumes one year afterwards. Um, a lot of hard work, but there's still a lot of work to do.

So, repeat repeat that number again. So, I we we've got countywide projects is 87,873,547 basically $548 by the time you round up. Yes, sir. So,

and on the far right, FEMA has paid out 2.2 All right, going back to the front. Couple highlights. Temporary courthouse next door. Sidewalks are being concrete being poured. Pavement will start next week. Uh and the lines the following week. AV internet and furniture is complete. As mentioned earlier, the next commissioner meeting will be in the new facility hazard mitigation grant program for citizens who have applications to sell their property uh to the state for mitigation. We've had no progress there since 6th April. The criteria for each of the homes used to be 600,000 is now 300,000. The state has had to go back and look at each one of these homes. As you recall, the last time we had a home in this, it took five years. We're now approaching a year with very small progress in that category. Talk to the state and a FEMA. It's just going to be a slow process. It's not going to turn out the way anticipated. So, for clarification, they could I just make sure I understood you right. They could have previously applied for up to 600,000, but now the cap is going to be 300,000.

That's the FEMA guidance right now.

Sorry, Colonel. Carry on.

All right, moving over the radio tower upgrade. You have a packet in front of you. Special use permit application support Hampton Madison County learn communication capability. We are still pinning a date. uh to present this to the town of Marshall. It's been a very complicated process with a lot of information required to put this forward. What we thought was about a two document requirement that turned into about a 25 document requirement uh with safety restrictions, engineering restrictions, and we're close. We've got four more do outs uh after a second review and we will knock those out this week uh with the vendor Zetron and the radio community uh communications group. So your questions I'll move to next week. We have a pending timeline to satisfy the zoning requirements for town marshall and for them to bring before their next meeting. They're going to hold a special meeting for us right now.

If that don't happen, when is the next their next meeting? First Monday in October.

We'll be as soon as we get to them. Covered arena soil testing for 144 microp piles are complete. We're pending two cost estimates from the vendor. One cost estimate of 1.2 million. exactly what that will purchase in terms of covered arena sidewalks and lighting and 175 by 300 for the package. Regardless of the package we pick, we need 90 days for construction once they start. We anticipate getting those two quotes this week. I spoke to the vendor today. They wait some electrical numbers before they can wrap up. 213 water project

and Colonel those including lighting and potential expansion of length or something. Yes sir. Sidewalks. Sidewalks. Two sidewalks and lighting is in RFQ. Okay.

What about the issue if they get that done in 90 days that the press boxes? So phase two uh will bring the fox will bring the press box construction to the light. Um we know that the press box now is higher than the sil and there's designs in phase two to put it at the end of the bill on a catwalk but that'll be part of phase two and there's money set aside from TDA for phase two. So I'm guessing there's going to be a pretty significant timeline gap between those where we're going to come up in spring of next year without that bill. Are we going to have a temporary press box set up? What's the

I think once they start work, we can start the phase two bidding and almost have it done and ready to move in as soon as they're done. And it won't be that significant as far as the press box. Just watch that plan.

Simultaneous work both lanes. and manage it. Make sure it does 213 water project the Marcel portion which is contract B. 90% of the water line has been installed. The water tank is under construction right now. The pads on the ground. All the equipment is there. Pump station should be complete in the next two weeks. The Marshall part is part A water line is 20% complete and that's 4,000 to 25,000 ft. Pending two property acquisitions. One of the property acquisitions we think will close this week, the next one the following week and we'll talk about that a little more in close session. The good news right now we're ahead of schedule under budget for both A and B. That's good.

Phase two, just to recap some Marcel's 9% complete and construction on the tower water tower commence and Marshall's 20% complete. Yes sir. Thank you.

I think it's phase two. That's talking about the courthouse. We have restarted courthouse meetings with the stakeholders. Uh tomorrow yesterday we sent out all the programming notes to all the directors. Uh tomorrow will be a discussion with the directors and then we will start having meetings with Lenoi to verify the programming as we move forward into the construction and the design element for phase two. do also want to hit real quickly on March on March on October the 3rd at 3:00 the county will host Hurricane Helen recovery tribute right now Matthew County High School law enforcement officers public safety officers the mayor from Mars Hill the mayor from Mayor Haney Mayor Norton are participating to give remarks He will be able to present reward awards from Congress Evans office, the public service safety committee board, the board of commissioners and NCACC presidents coin some of our members as we move forward this we will start populating that on social media to make sure we get attendance. Uh and that will be at the fairgrounds before the fairgrounds and the community there starts the fall festival later that evening. Jim your questions guidance that completes my update before we move to the next tab.

No questions. You want transition to tap 6B county surplus property county has received one bid in the amount of $3,000 for pin number 8778-61-9041 that's 44 4.8 acres valued at $54,048. Right now we're asking the board uh to accept that and to begin the HubS bid process. All right. So at this point, gentlemen, we have three options before us. We can either accept the bid and begin the upset bid process. We can outright deny the bid at this time or we can make the counter offer. What was what is the will of this board?

What was back taxes on that? I tried to look that up. I get you that answer. I looked it up and it's knowledge of what the terminology was on to understand it. Jeremy's looking it up. If we stall long enough, we might have Yeah, it's going to just show that because that was paid that was at the courthouse steps transferred.

Well, even looking back like 2017, I was just curious how long we had been trying to tax So, just a reminder to the board and the public, if we do accept the bid and begin the upset bid process, if we're still not content with the with the uh figure we set we end up with once the upset bid process is over, we still have the ability to reject at that time. The property's in a secluded area range between that and branches. I'm not sure the accessibility to all. I guess we know that, do we? you as I say it again. I didn't want to I didn't want to interrupt. Um that property is kind of remote looking between Recctor Branch and Anderson branch. Do we know if it's if there's rightway accessibility to it or

No, I'll follow up on the tax information and rideway information. I should have asked this before today. I probably good idea if we add it on here anyway. Probably good idea to add it anyway on the bottom of these. There's no question.

So it may be only valid property owners based on accessibility as we go ahead and if this is a tenative bid motion that bid process. So, we have a motion by Commissioner Garrison to accept the bid and begin the upset bid process. There is a second by Commissioner Wyatt. Any discussion or questions? Bill, you want to ask your question?

Okay. Um, any disc any other discussion at this time? Hearing none, we'll move to a vote. All in favor of putting this well, excuse me, of accepting the bid, moving on with the upset bid process. All right, passes. going to transition to item 6 C and I'm going to request that the county attorney this be more than happy to. So the HCA settlement agreement was one of the agreements that you approved by Sen at last month's meeting. Uh, one of the provisions in the settlement agreement was that um, each of the plaintiffs in that lawsuit, which were Madison County, Bunk County, city of Asheville, and a town of the bar were entitled to uh, have two people who would receive receive information that the advisory committee to HCA would be entitled to receive certain confidential information. As background, when HCA purchased the mission system, under the agreement, HCA would receive recommendations from this advisory committee for a certain term of years. And the advisory committee basically passes on to HCA things that they hear in the community, things that would be beneficial to the community at large for HCA to address. Presently, all of that information is

confidential between the advisory committee and HCA. as part of a settlement. The local governments wanted at least to have a seat at that table to know what was going on between the advisory committee and HCA. The fear being that they were in cahoots with each other and nothing would really get presented to HCA that was meaningful. So out of the settlement agreement, uh the plaintiffs were entitled to have access to that information. Uh so that if if the counties needed to address any of those concerns that they would have the ability to do that. The key to this is that there's a seat at the table, but the confidentiality blanket still covers that information. Uh so what I would recommend would be that this board would appoint two of those people and it should come from either your membership or your staff. So that we would have control over the confidentiality of that information as well as to what the substance of it is. Um, you don't necessarily have to do anything with it, but it will give you a seat at the table to know what's going on at HCA. They're required to have the advisory committee meetings at least once a year. You may not have to attend the meetings. You can get the information. you can look at it and you think there's

something pertinent that needs to be addressed then you can attend whoever they want to appoint it can be one of you two Mr. Honeyut and I um spoke earlier about it. He and I would both be more than happy to sift through that information and share it with you and we would know that it would maintain its confidentiality. That be my motion.

Second. So, we have a motion by Commissioner Garrison that we appoint uh County Attorney Donnie Laws and County Manager Colonel Rod Honeyut uh to be the representatives to that HCA board. And uh so there was a second by Commissioner Hensley, correct? By Vice Chairman Hensley, sorry. Um any discussion? Appreciate both of you being willing to do it. imperative we do continue to have a seat at the table and know what's going on. So both of you are pretty knowledgeable about the situation. So Colonel, you sure you got time for this? We got time.

So we have a motion to second. Any additional discussion at this time? Hearing none, we'll move to a vote. All in favor? Transition the last item for open session item 6D. That's the county board appointments. dealing the first two of the agriculture advising boards and right now we do not have an application for either of those two spots. I recommend that you table this one until we have receipt of applications and that the soil and water department has had time to reach out and get applicants.

All right. And those recommendations need to come uh from the soil and water board of supervisors. And we're looking specifically for anybody that may be in the room or at home watching online. Uh we need a representative for the Spring Creek Hot Springs region and they are also in need of a representative for the Shelton Laurel region.

I talked to Marus Mallister. He said he'd do it. So I don't see we need another application since he's already on there. He's already serviced and on that appoint as has uh he's already one of the appointees on that board. Um so this would just be reappointing him. Are there any restrictions in their bylaws that we need to be aware of? Yes. What's stated on your form that the board of supervisors needs to make a recommendation.

Okay. So we need that board. we need. So, uh, Commissioner Briggs, please reach out to the soil and water board of supervisors and have Mack reach out to them as well and make sure that they're aware that the bylaws require that the recommendation come from from their board.

Mr. Griggs, I'll see the director tomorrow and I'll make sure that she's tracking that. So we So at this time then considering we don't have anyone from the soil and water board supervisors uh to advise I would I will move that we pay table those two positions until we reach uh reach a future meeting. Is there a second? Second second by Commissioner Garrison. Any discussion

hearing none. All in favor? All right. Those two positions are taken. Um we currently have a board of health uh we actually have two board of health vacancies. One uh was created due to the resignation of the MD from the board of health. Um at this time I will move that we uh reappoint Dr. Shannon Dowler as the MD on the Madison County Board of Health. Is there a second? Second.

Second by Commissioner Garrison. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? All right. Um that creates a opening as for a citizen for the board of health. And at this time, I'll entertain a motion to fill that citizen slot. of the Madison County Board of Health. Mr. Chairman, I move that we appoint Jessica West to that board as a citizen position. So, we have a motion by Vice Chairman Hensley to appoint Jessica West to the board of health as citizens as in the final remaining citizen slot. Is there a second?

Second. Second by Commissioner Briggs. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? All right, those two spots are taken care of. Um, next up is Economic Development Advisory Board appointee Lee Mrath. Uh, Commissioner Garrison. Um, you were at the last Economic Development Advisory Board meeting. Um, do you have is Lee willing to continue to serve? He is. is actually currently vice chair and they're making some readjustments for that board as well. We'll see coming up in the days ahead with some additional recommendations for vacancies.

Okay. So, at this point, we um do I take that in the form of a motion? I do. So, we have a motion by Commissioner Garrison to reappoint Lee Mrath to the Economic Development Advisory Board. Is there a second? Second.

Second by Commissioner Wyatt. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? All right. Up next is our Mountain Area Workforce Development Board. Uh this position has become vacant and we have a recommendation from Land of Sky and that recommendation I'm sorry there is not a recommendation from Land of Sky. Um basically that is a seat vacated by Sam Hutchkins from French Broad Electric. So, at this point, um, we need someone for the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board, and we do not have any applications for that spot at this time. So, at this time, I'll entertain either a motion from the floor to appoint somebody or uh standing with our normal policy that we would table that spot until we have an applicant.

Any requirements on that? No. Uh the let's see to the best of my recollection it's been a while since I served on that board. Um to the best of my recollection they just have to be um business sector in the business sector in the county. So an employer essentially employer in the county I believe a nonre preferably non-governmental employee employer of the county. All right. So at this time I'll make a motion that be tabled second.

Second by Vice Chairman Hensley. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor. All right. Up next is a vacancy due to resignation due to health issues on the tourism the TDA tourism development advisory board. Um at this time we are uh seeking legal advice on um how to best address that issue. There are some uh items that we need to clarify in regards to that. So I will move that that position be tabled until a future meeting. Is there a second? Second.

Second by Commissioner Garrison. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? And our last uh September board vacancy is a transit rider slot on the transportation advisory board. I know the transportation advisory board is currently trying to recruit one of their riders to serve on that board. It is a requirement that it be someone who utilizes the transportation system. And at this time, we have not uh been able to secure a um application from any of the transit riders. We're still working through regular riders to uh try and find somebody that would be willing and capable of serving. So at this time I will move that that position be taken as well.

Second. Second by Commissioner Wyatt. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? All right gentlemen for your upcoming board vacancies. Two economic development board vacancies coming up. Five parks and wreck board vacancies. Three planned board vacancies. two wershed review board vacancies and we have two animal control board vacancies that we need guidance from from that board

that are held over from last month your questions and guidance that completes every item tonight. Anybody have any anything else before we make a motion to go into close session? Hearing none. At this time, I will move that we go into close session pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11 uh a uh A6 for personnel and A4 for land. Is there a second? Second.

Second by Commissioner Wyatt. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor?

All right.

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

That's

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] Heat. Heat. [Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] All right. At this time, I entertain a motion that we return to open session. So motion by Commissioner White. Is there a second? Second.

Second by Vice Chairman Hensley. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? All right. Colonel, you've got a motion for us. Yes, sir. Gentlemen, requesting the board approve putting the Sprinkle Shelton building at 15 Bridge Street as surplus property to begin the upside bid process. So move. Motion by Commissioner Garrison. Is there a second? Second. Second by Commissioner White. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? Colonel, when will we when will we officially make that public? Because we know that there's some folks interested in that building immediately. Immediately. Yes, sir.

All right. So any anybody up here, anybody that's had anyone reach out to them, we need to uh make sure that they are aware question. That's all we have tonight for the no additional business to come before this board. I'll entertain a motion. We adjourn. Motion by Commissioner White. Is there a second? You want me to second? Second by Commissioner Briggs. Any discussion? Hearing none.