Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

So,

This honorable court for the county of Rutherford is now open and sitting for the dispatch of its business. God save the state and its honorable court. The Honorable Judge Martell presiding. You may be seated.

All right, we've got a...

anyone introduce or bring with you?

I'd like to introduce my wife, Lisa. She'll be holding the Bible with us. All right, come on.

So what we'll do is this. There, switch sides for me here. Put them right here. And then you can put your left hand down. All right, so what I normally do is I will, well, I guess I should say, I'm Judge Martell, by the way. Nice to meet y'all. I'm your Chief District Court Judge. I'm from Rutherford County as well. Love these guys. So we've got a good commission. We've got some good people coming in. All right, so what I normally do is I'll go through it. I can do it a piece at a time, and you can go after me, or I can just read through it, and when you're done, you can say, I swear, and that's easier to do it that way. But I'll do it however you want to do it. Do you want to say each part of it, or do you want me to do it, and then you say, I swear? All right, we'll do it that way. Let me get my eyes on it, and we'll go through it. All right, so if you will repeat after me. Raise your right hand. All right. I, Scott Weber, do solemnly and sincerely swear... I, Scott Weber, do solemnly and sincerely swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the state of North Carolina and to the constitutional powers and authorities and that I will endeavor to support, maintain and defend the Constitution of said state. Do you want to do any pictures? You can do pictures now if you want to.

Do you want to do any pictures?

Come on. Somebody's got one.

Get them first.

Y'all do it first. Or not. Absolutely.

There's one of the guys

20 years. I feel a little old about that.

Congratulations.

Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. Yeah, congratulations.

Thank you.

Scott, congratulations.

Congratulations, Scott. Yes, sir. Thank you.

To order the meeting of the Board of Commissioners. Commissioners, the first item on the agenda is the Pledge of Allegiance. I'd like to recognize the special guest to lead us in the pledge. Mr. Scott Weber, would you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

Please join me in our pledge.

Thank you, Mr. Weber. Commissioner's next item is the agenda approval. What's the will of the board? Motion we approve agenda. Second. We've got a motion to second. Any discussion? Anyone want to call a question? All in favor, raise your right hand. Any opposed, likewise? It's been approved. Pardon me for a second. Commissioners, next item is 4589. This is a public hearing for Section 5311, ADTAP 5310, 5339, 5307, applicable state funding, our combination thereof. I need somebody to explain that to me. So we're opening up the public hearing now regarding transit. I'd like to recognize our transit director, Carrie Giles. Ms. Giles, welcome.

Good evening gentlemen. The federal government likes four-digit numbers is the best I can tell you. We are here tonight for a public hearing for our annual funding request or grant applications for both 5311 and 5310 funding. We do this every year. Wanted to share just a minute as I try to always tell our story and humanize transit side of it. We've had a booming year. For the last 15 years that I've been in transit, we have averaged right around 53,000 trips a year. Last year, I just ran the numbers as we closed out the last fiscal year, and we had over 70,000 trips last year, which is a remarkable feat, considering how flat it has been in that growth. So we are very excited about the growth, trying to hire as many more drivers as we can. So if you know anybody, let me know. I also wanted to share just briefly, just a few weeks ago, we had a lady call us. Her husband had just turned 60, had a sudden stroke, unexpected. Was the primary income for their family? He is completely unable to work and she's been unable to work because she's caring for him and we were able to work out a Situation where we can take him every day to his care, which is enabling her to go back to work they are at risk of losing their home because of this financial strain and and She was in tears realizing that we had a service that could really help her every single day Get her back to work and hopefully get some strength back to her husband and medical care that he needs That's just one of a ton of stories that we have but I always like to share What that means to our citizens? For tonight our grants. We have some large grants this year and Our administrative grant, the 5311 funds give us administrative funds as well as capital funds. Our administrative funds that we will be requesting through, they're FTA funds, but they funnel through NCDOT, is $338,884. That primarily includes some salary and benefits, marketing, and our vehicle insurance. There is a 15% match to that. We also have capital funds, which is $313,705, which includes one lift van, one minivan, some vehicle radios we haven't replaced in many, many years, as well as exciting our four new bus shelters that will be part of the federal raise grant with the town of Rutherfordton and Spindale, construction that will be going on essentially from Mi Pablito to Leadbetter Road area. And so we will have four pull-in and bus shelters along that main corridor, which will be fantastic. Our contribution was the bus shelters. So we have a 10% match on that grant as well. And then we are applying once again for 5310 funds, which are operating dollars, and that is specifically for our dialysis passengers. This last year we transported 2,724 trips to dialysis, and it's a $60,000 grant. It does have a 50% match. On that grant as our tradition has always been transit will cover all matches through our revenue There is no general fund required and we will as I said come out of our revenues each year We are requesting approval tonight from the hearing for both our resolution and there is also a 5311 certification that Allows the county manager to apply for these grants on behalf of the board

Thank you, ma'am. Are there any questions from the board or comments?

I appreciate you answering the questions before I ask them. I try. Anyone else?

Thank you, ma'am. Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a public hearing regarding this RID number 4589 on section 5311, 5310, 5339, 5307. I'd like to note the member of the public would like to speak regarding this matter. We are in a public hearing. Oh, we do. Public hearing, public comment.

Good evening. My name's Karen Federighi. I'm here to advocate for Rutherford Transit and their budget requests. Their service is so vital to our community. It helps the homeless get the services that they need. It helps the workers get to their jobs that they desperately need. It helps the shut-ins get out and not feel isolated. I know with the rising cost of living, inflation, I see that people Not many people can get their cars fixed. They're having trouble paying for gas And I've spoken with a lot of people and I in our community and I know They're gonna want to Take transit and hope that the services continue It's just a wonderful service that we have in Rutherford County and they deserve every single penny of It helps keep Rutherford County a beautiful, wonderful place to live. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Ladies and gentlemen, we are a part of the public hearing for 4589, ID number section 5311, 5310, 5339, 5307. As explained, is there anyone else in the member of the public who would like to speak on this matter? Finally, regarding this public hearing, is there a member of the public who would like to speak? Okay.

All right.

Thank you. We'll close the public hearing. The hearing is now closed. Commissioners, there's a resolution before you. What is the will of the board?

Make a motion we approve the resolution.

Second. Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir. We've got a motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing none, I'll call the question. All in favor raise your right hand. Any opposed, likewise. Carries. Commissioners, next item is 4588. This is a public hearing on 5310, Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disability Grant. I'd like to recognize our Senior Center Director, Tanya Garrison. Ms. Garrison. Oh, colleagues.

Good evening. I am here tonight to discuss our submission of a federal 5310 grant for public transportation, but it is a little different than Carrie's. We purchase services through Rutherford County Transit. We use these funds to purchase the services. Transit brings our seniors to the senior center, allowing them access to their nutritious hot meal. social engagement, and physical activity, all of which are the purpose and mission of the Senior Center. Transportation is a barrier to our older population. Last year, over 41,000 miles were driven for the Senior Center, and 15,000 were accumulated just for home-delivered meals. As of June 30th, 57,000 miles were used just from transit to the Senior Center alone. And we have seen an increase in the needs of these monies over the last several years. And with the growth of the Senior Center membership and the demand for services, We have increased our grant this year from $195,000 up to $250,000. And we do have the numbers to support that growth. And so we are asking this year for the fiscal year end, 2028, for $250,000, which will require a 10% county match of $25,000. And that will be placed into our senior center budget and used from there. Please consider the attached public transportation program resolution that you have before you for $250,000 with a 10% county match for approval.

Thank you, Director. Are there any questions or comments from the board?

So you're expecting a 20% increase in riders?

Yes, we had 7,900 miles just in August, and it's been hovering around that 76 to 7,900 miles per month. So if we take that over the next 12 months, 250 may not be enough, but it's a good estimate at what we're going to need for that year.

Any other questions or comments from the board at this time? Okay. Thank you, Director. Appreciate it. This is a public hearing. I'm going to ask three times if a member of the public would like to speak regarding this matter. One. Going twice regarding this matter. Before us, 5310 is a member of the public who would like to speak during this public hearing. I'm doing this because the attorney said I have to ask three times, so I'll do it one final time. Anybody like to speak regarding this public hearing? Hearing none, or seeing none, I'll close the hearing. Commissioner, public hearing is now closed. And speaking of the resolution before you, what's the will of the board?

I make a motion that we approve the public transportation program for fiscal year 2028 resolution. Thank you. We have a motion.

Second.

Yes, sir. We've got a motion and a second. Thank you, sir. Any discussion? If you're going to call a question, all in favor raise your right hand. Any opposed, likewise. Okay, carries. Thank you, Director. All right. Commissioners, the next item on our agenda is public comments. Deborah? Brought these up to me. I think we have three. I think maybe the lady that just spoke was Karen Berderai wants to talk about the... That was her? Yeah, transportation. Okay. So she's not doing public comment because she did a public hearing. So we'll have her back. Yeah, she's not here. Yeah, I saw her walk in. But she did sign up. Next person is Jonathan Terry. Mr. Terry, you have three minutes.

Good evening, gentlemen. My name is Jonathan Terry. I'm a husband and a father of two sons, as well as a pastor. It is a privilege to stand before you tonight, and I know that your time is valuable and your responsibilities are heavy. So I want to start by thanking you for your faithful service to our community. I'm here tonight to present a petition, which has been handed out, a petition on behalf of concerned citizens across our county regarding flock cameras or ALPRs, or automatic license plate readers. We are pleading for their complete removal. While these systems are framed as a public safety tool, they represent significant invasion of personal privacy, one that directly undermines our Fourth Amendment rights. We are paying thousands of dollars per unit to install and maintain a domestic tracking network that mirrors the surveillance apparatuses of authoritarian regimes like communist China. Furthermore, reporting from 404 Media reveals that data collected by these systems is shared across broad networks and used for off-site AI training, leaving sensitive movement patterns exposed to security vulnerabilities and widespread misuse, issues we've already seen in our own state. If we yield our constitutional protections under the guise of safety, we set a dangerous precedent for what comes next. As fathers, husbands, and community leaders, I ask you to uphold the Constitution and honor the will of the public by taking these cameras down. To turn this position into a positive moment for our county, I propose we hold a public fundraiser or raffle to support our local law enforcement where the winning citizen has the supervised honor of taking down the camera. And I will read an excerpt from George Orwell's 1984. The telescreen received and transmitted simultaneously any sound that Winston made above the level of a very low whisper would be picked up by it moreover so long as he remained within the field of vision with the metal plaque commanded he could be seen as well as heard there was no way of course of knowing whether you were being watched at any given moment how often or on what system the thought police plugged in on any individual wire was guesswork it was even conceivable that they watched everybody all the time but at any rate they could plug your wire whenever they wanted to You had to live, did live, from habit that became instinct. And in the assumption that every sound you made was overheard, and except in darkness, every movement scrutinized, Winston kept his back turned towards the telescreen. It was safer, though, as he well knew, even a bat can be revealing. Let's not allow this to become a future reality for our families. Thank you for your time, and God bless you.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Grayson Porter, good to see you. You have three minutes. You know that.

I love living here. This is just, that was wonderful. Government by the people is back again. Today, I'll comment on public surveillance systems. This comment covers any third party or government surveillance system where public data is collected for free with the intention of reselling it for profit. Getting rid of flock group and replacing it with Mr. Trump's axon is no solution. Being under constant surveillance is one thing, but on selling our data without any remuneration to us? To me, that's the biggest problem. Number one question anyone looking into this issue has to ask, why would our county subsidize any corporation's infrastructure build-out? Flock Group's business model is data collection. Flock Group contracts with local governments who don't know any better. They use a deceptive contracting process, and then they make us foot the bill for their cameras to harvest their real cash crop, our data. Then Flockroot makes millions from our data by reselling it without paying the people a dime for it. Getting the public's permission for this isn't really considered. The people create the data. If we weren't driving around in our cars, there would be no data for flat group to onsell. We never know who is buying, renting or leasing our data from flat group. Those agreements are not even visible to our county government. In 2020, When I started my escape from Fort Myers, Florida, there was an average of six cameras every single intersection. Our personal crash data was sold by the state to an insurance aggregator in Kentucky for $62 million a year without our knowledge or permission. We were forced into carcinogenic smart meters and terrifying-looking 5G masks, which also collect data Without any Lee County official asking our opinion, the corporations just did what they wanted. Rutherford County can do right by its citizens, and we can be partners in our own government. The public interface. At the end of each time that I come and talk to you guys, I'm going to start listing the government officials who do not respond to me via email as requested. Tonight's mention goes to Alan Holmes, Director of Public Affairs for the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. The issue, illegal, immoral, atmospheric open field experimentation in our local atmosphere from June 1st to June 15th, 2026 by a Canadian company operating out of Vancouver under a federal NOAA permit. Thank you.

Thank you.

All right, commissioners, next item on the agenda is the consent agenda. Is there an item you'd like to add or remove from the consent agenda? If not, what's the will of the board? Make a motion to approve. Make a motion to approve. We've got a motion. Do we have a second? Second. We've got a motion to second. Any discussion? If you're going to call a question, all in favor raise your right hand. Any opposed, likewise. Commissioners? Pardon me. Next item is for four six zero zero. There's a resolution of appreciation recognition for the joint emergency response to the downtown for city fire Resolutions before it's but I like to recognize how would you read that force?

Rutherford County Board of Commissioners resolution of appreciation recognition for the joint emergency response to the August 31st 2026 downtown for city fire Whereas on August 31st, 2026, a significant fire occurred along Main Street in downtown Forest City, creating an immediate threat to lives, businesses, property, and the historic downtown community. And whereas firefighters, emergency responders from Forest City and numerous multi-aid agencies throughout the county responded quickly and worked collectively under difficult and hazardous conditions to contain the fire, protect the surrounding structures and safeguard the public. And whereas this emergency required the coordinated efforts of the fire department, emergency medical services, law enforcement agencies, Rutherford County Emergency Communications, emergency management personnel, municipal and county personnel, utility providers, and other supporting agencies and organizations, and Whereas the professionalism, courage, training, cooperation demonstrated by these men and women exemplified the very best of Rutherford County's emergency response community and illustrated the importance of strong mutual aid partnerships across departmental and jurisdictional boundaries. And whereas Many responders work for extended periods under demanding circumstances, placing the safety and welfare of others ahead of their own comfort, demonstrating extraordinary commitment to public service. And whereas the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners recognize that an emergency of this magnitude is never the work of a single department or agency, but is successfully confronted through preparation, teamwork, communication, mutual assistance, and shared dedication to protecting our communities. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners hereby express its sincere Appreciation and profound gratitude to all the firefighters, emergency responders, dispatchers, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, emergency management staff, municipal and county employees, utility personnel, mutual aid agencies, and other individuals and organizations who assisted in the response to the August 31st, 2026 Main Street Fire in downtown Forest City. But be it further resolved that the board especially recognizes the spirit of cooperation demonstrated amongst the participating agencies. and commends each responder for the courage, professionalism, sacrifice, and teamwork displayed in protecting the citizens and businesses in the community of Forest City and Rutherford County. The Rutherford County Board of Commissioners extends its deepest appreciation to everyone who answered the call and who stands grateful for the dedication of the men and women who serve our communities each day. Thank you. Thank you. Adopted this 8th day of September, 2026.

Is there anybody, a member of that team here, would you come in so we can clap our hands and thank you all? Chairman, do you want to vote on it? We'll vote in second.

Okay.

Thank you, guys. Thank y'all.

We're not done here, gentlemen. Resolutions before us. What's the will of the board? Make a motion to approve. Second. Got a motion and a second. Any discussion? I think your resolution pretty much said a lot. And the teamwork was awesome. The training was great.

They seriously saved the whole downtown block.

Yeah, but throughout the years, we've seen all our folks train, work, and it's just all, it was a pinnacle right then. It was great. Any further discussion? All right, I'll call the question. All in favor raise your right hand. Any folks likewise? Okay. Resolution. Thank you. Thank you for reading that, Commissioner Hall. 4587, appointment to the Foothills Regional Commission. I'd like to recognize Hazel Haynes. Is there a clerk? Hazel.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A resignation has occurred for an appointment by the board to the Foothills Regional Commission. The policy of the commissioners is to advertise the vacancy, accept applications, and make an appointment at a future meeting, if the board so desires.

Mr. Will, the board. Make a motion we approve advertising the vacancy, accepting applications, and making an appointment at a future meeting.

Thank you.

Does the motion need a second?

Second. Thank you, sir. Got a motion and a second. Any discussion? Call the question. All in favor, raise your right hand. Any opposed? Likewise. All right. Thank you. Appointment to the Airport Appeals Board is next. Leave those haloed hands as well.

There are terms expiring on file appointments to the Airport Appeals Board as of October the 1st of this year You may wish also to approve advertising the vacancies accepting applications and making appointments at a future meeting Commissioners Wilson will the board Make a motion to approve advertising the vacancies accepting applications and make appointments at a future meeting Thank you, sir.

We've got a motion need a second. We got a motion second any discussion? I'm going to call the question. All in favor raise your right hand. Any opposed, likewise. Carries, thank you. Next one's appointment to the Transit Advisory Board. I'd like to recognize our clerk again, Hazel Haynes.

Two vacancies recently occurred on the Transit Advisory Board, one due to resignation and one was due to retirement. The vacancies were advertised and applications were accepted. Ms. Tanya Grayson, I'm sorry, Garrison, who is the senior center director, has applied to serve as a representative of a human services nonprofit agency. She would therefore qualify to serve on this unexpired term ending July 1st of 2028, if the board chooses.

Thank you, ma'am. Commissars, what's the will of the board?

Make a motion we approve the appointment of Tonya Garrison to the Transit Advisory Board.

Second. I think we've had a motion and a second. Any discussion? We're going to call a question. I'll favor it in your right hand. Any opposed? Likewise. Thank you. Commissioner's next item is 4584, a pullmate to the North Carolina Arts Council Grassroots Committee. I'd like to recognize Hazel Haines.

There are five vacancies that will exist on the North Carolina Arts Council Grassroots Committee as of October the 6th due to term expirations. Four of the currently serving members, Ms. Jessica Kever, Ms. Chandra Johnson, Ms. Amy Bridges, and Mr. Jonathan Jones, are willing to serve an additional term. These vacancies have been advertised and applications were accepted. The board may wish to make appointments to this committee and the additional vacancy will be re-advertised.

Thank you. Commissioners, what's the will of the board?

Make a motion we approve the appointments.

Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing none, I call the question. All in favor, raise your right hand. Any opposed, likewise. Okay, appointments have been made. Thank you. Commissioner, the next item is 4590. This is the Department of Social Services monthly update. I'd like to recognize our director, Ms. Tiffany Dodd. Director, good to see you again.

Good evening. Before you, you will have the Rutherford County DSS report of services. I would like to acknowledge that I have Susan Epley, the program administrator of economic services with me tonight. So before you are... the services report. I do want to report that we have seven families that will be for foster care, for foster homes. We have seven families that are starting a class October the 12th and two are ICPCs and what an ICP is is ICPC is the interstate compact and that means that it's a family that's in a different state that is wanting to become licensed to have a child that's in Rutherford County. That's probably a kinship, a family or a relative. We also have one kinship and that means that they have a child in their home that is of relative to them or they are very close to the and they are also going to be attending that class. So that's a total of 10 families. So we are super excited about that. So before you, we have the report. And if you have any questions or anything for me.

Director, is there anything in the report that stands out to you?

Everything from last month to this month is pretty much consistent.

It shows children in foster care went down year over a little bit?

It has. Some kids have returned home, and we're excited about that. So that is really good.

Or adopted out. Sometimes that's...

So in these numbers, it's going to be returned home.

Returned home.

Correct.

Are you seeing any concern about H-1 in the SNAP program? So...

We are concerned because in October, you know, we will start with the citizenship to have to verify that, which I do have Susan here if you guys want to ask her any questions and she can come up and speak very briefly. So we do have her in the room.

Why don't we do that in October?

In October?

Yes.

We can do that in October. All right.

That's when it starts, right?

The citizenship. The employment part starts in January of 27.

But benefits, you have to confirm citizenship starting October?

Correct.

All right.

Anything else?

Nothing else that I have.

Mrs. Young, you have your report. Do you have any questions? If you don't, there's a motion before you.

I'll say that I had a family reach out to me with some praises for you guys that had, I think it was a family member that had received a child that was going through some issues with the parents and they said, they spoke well of you.

Thank you. I really appreciate that. We are rebuilding and building relationships in the community and getting workers to where they need to be. So I'm very appreciative of that feedback.

Yes, ma'am. Well, thank you for what you do.

Thank you.

Commissioners, again, there's a recommended motion before you. What's the will of the board?

Motion we accept the monthly DSS report.

Second. Thank you. We've got a motion and a second. Thank you. Any discussion? If you're going to call a question, all in favor raise your right hand. Opposed, likewise. Okay. Carries. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Good to see you. We're under old business. Under old business, we have 4599, Tropical Storm Helene Update. And it seems like it's a long time ago. Since it's old business, we'll ask the Deputy County Manager, Finance Director, Paula Roach, to come up here and speak to this item 4599.

Over the past two years, we've taken three of the cash flow loans from the State Treasurer's Office that was done through the state legislation. In total, we have $4.6 million. What that was set up for was to help you float the money while you waited for FEMA reimbursements. Or in our case, that money has been segregated out and set in a bank account because the interest earned on that money is not restricted to any purpose. So what it's doing is where we had money out of $30, $35 million at one point, then this is helping to offset some of that lost interest revenue. I've also applied for around four Because if you had catastrophic damages within your county in the unincorporated areas, which the majority of our debris stuff was. So I've also applied for $2.7 million with that. May or may not get it. The other projects have been proportionally allocated to the different agencies, which are counties, towns, municipalities, everybody. So it's very likely we won't get the $2.7. We may get a portion of it. But once again, that money would be set aside for interest earnings. With this modification, because we had the catastrophic damage, then at such time, you either return the money at the later of the date of 2030, June 30, or when you receive the FEMA reimbursements. So at least this would, instead of us doing a 10% payment next June, 20% thereafter the standard terms, this extends it to one last payment. 2030 so that we can hold it and hopefully collect additional interest if the money is not returned to the county in that time period We are still advocating hard With the debris process and with the FEMA team and trying to do our best with what we can With the last of what's to come Appreciate you advocating this last week and going and speaking.

I

Yes, I was very honored to be able to be part of that meeting. I got invited by Representative Moore's office to be able to be with the FEMA director last Wednesday, I believe it was. And as we explained through our story and through our advocacy, a lot of times they may think they're helping us in Raleigh and Washington with trying to streamline some of the processes. They don't realize how it rolls down to the county level or to the city. So we ask for collaborative efforts, and as they do, continue FEMA reform. And the director joked that last year he was one that said FEMA has to exist. And the very next, he testified to Congress and he was fired the next day. I told him that I was appreciative of his return. A lot of emergency management staff in this region have been very pleased with his reappointment. And his presence back, he said he'd try not to get fired this time, unless he's doing something like that, advocating on behalf of everybody for their best interest. But at the end of the day, no state in the nation has enough money to handle a natural disaster. So we have to have something like FEMA in place, whether we get reimbursed tomorrow or in five years or 10 years. But we still have to know that eventually there's going to be some sort of return to the counties. do you know this is an offhand question i probably didn't come to this meeting with this number but do you know what is like to make us whole from what we have expended from the county funds there's less than six million dollars i think pending we can request the way that the first debris project everything that was obligated has been sent to the county with the exception of 2.6 million that was moved over for further review Of the other three debris projects, approximately 2% were set aside. And that $2.7 million are those four debris projects that have not made it to an obligated status. Because with this round four loan, when you get reimbursed for part of that project, you have to immediately pay back those funds. So what I selected to apply for were the items not yet even obligated or haven't made it through the federal process, that those will be the last ones in. And that would be the last money we would return back to the state. The other debris projects, those three, there's four. I think there's around $10 million in total of it. We receive 75% of that money. After we do closeout and they review invoices and such, then we can draw down the last 25%. If we choose to send a letter to the state, they will send us up to that last 10%. But we take that risk that as they review it, then there potentially could be a callback. So if we work to do that letter in the upcoming weeks, then we have been told by the state they can go ahead and advance us the last of that. So that's next on my schedule to at least draw down those monies. And that should be probably around $1.5 million.

Any other questions? I have one. We're going to round four now, right? This is coming from the state treasuries. Is there any talk? There was at the beginning, I thought, of turning these loans into grants to these counties that are impacted.

There is still hope that round one through three could be changed by the legislators to make those forgiven or to cover those things that FEMA may not have reimbursed. Round four has specifically been set up that it will be a payback. The first three, I think that's why they're moving the target, moving the payment date to 2030. Also enables us to give that a little more time to work through the legislators to potentially be done. There is precedent of a coastal event that they've done that before. So it's not that we're asking for anything new or different. And I did the calculation the last time that I sent my advocacy efforts to FEMA, then I had a number calculated in there as to through that one year period of time between when invoices were submitted to our $17 million payment that we got in February, one day shy of a full year between the expedited payment to that payment that we had lost around $1.6 million in interest income. So what I've been doing is still advocating, let us document and give you the lost income at least, and let us keep that portion.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Even if we can't keep the whole 4.6, I see where counties like Ashe and Avery, they didn't have the cash flow to pay the debris bills. They didn't have the cash flow to do temporary rent of facilities. Madison County was renting a facility for their courthouse and their operations. You've got Avery County, they lost their administrative building. The manager's office is on the second floor, so her office was not destroyed, but you can go in her office and the paper from September the 20-something is still laid on her desk, just where it was left right prior to the storm. Those counties that are dealing with that, that's where we continue to advocate not just how it impacts us as Rutherford County, but as it affects my peers, because a lot of us, and as we near the... anniversary of the two-year mark. There's a lot of us that you have a heavy storm at night, especially if you were in the Lake Lure and Chimney Rock in the Asheville, Hendersonville area. You never sleep again the way that you ever did after a storm because in the dark of night, you can't see where the water's at. You can't see what's next. And it's that you thought you could drive to higher ground with a flood, but in Western North Carolina, there was not higher ground to be found. And that higher ground to get to there and all the firefighters that were here with us tonight, they were all out there responding. We had ambulances trapped by fallen trees that morning. Those are the things that none of us will ever forget and were forever changed. I mean, I feel myself fortunate because I was in the Forest City area. Every other house had a downed power line or a downed power pole. which further inhibited some of our recovery. But even though I was without power for about eight days and I just took my shower with the generator and came to work, there were a lot of people that for three weeks, for six weeks, their lives were totally different. So that's where our advocacy and our stories do give those educated pauses, do give those legislators the reasons and the whys and what we're asking for. So that's just where we ask for these things to be reconsidered. And I said, if I can drive to Chimney Rock, however, I'll definitely next time will not go past the smoke house because I had not been up in that vicinity since pre-storm. To pass the smoke house and you pass the three or four houses that are half a house hanging off a cliff, to pass a one-lane bridge and not know when you're going to be able to turn around next. That's the part of Western North Carolina that's going to be three to five years out and will never be the same. It'll be a new norm, but will never be the same. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Sorry. My advocacy and my soapbox. But we will never be the same, sir.

Well, thank you for all your hard work that you've done for the two years. You and your staff. You've been definitely a leader, so thank you. Are there any other questions or comments from you? Commissioners, there's a recommended motion before you.

I'd like to have the will of the board. I make a motion that we direct the staff to submit the request to the North Carolina State of Treasurer's Office to modify the payment terms so that funds can be held until a later date to recover the lost interest earning from the FEMA projects and reimbursement timing with the request signed by the chairman and county officials in support of this action. I think you have a motion. Do we have a second?

Second.

Thank you, Commissioner. We've got a motion, a second. Any discussion? Anyone want to call the question? All in favor raise your right hand. Any opposed? You had your ten minutes.

Okay.

No, no, no. Budget amendments? No, no, no. You're still here. Commissioners, we're now on new business 4598. Budget amendments like to recognize our finance director.

Closing out last fiscal year with inmate medical bills that have been received and posted to June 30. We've got inmate medical that needs to be adjusted. Out-of-county inmate did not come in as high as what I had previously projected, so that will offset some of that. and the medical examiner with autopsy fees. Then those items need to be adjusted as we close out. We also receive some star donations for the grant that passes through the grant program, and it's for the Sheriff Teach and Abuse Resistant. It's what previously was the great program, and it's been reworked over the years. Primarily a summer-driven program with our officers and the SROs. The sheriff purchases with donations. They've also received donations for their office this year. In the current year budget, they've started receiving their first donation for Shop with a Cop. The purchases with seizure funds, the unauthorized substance tax distribution is segregated out because it's restricted by purpose. The library received a grant that will send two staff members to training for their conference. The college has requested funding from their capital reserve for some air handler units for a couple buildings and water source units. DSS, they received an allocation for their special children adoption program. The offset to the transfer into the general fund from the college capital reserve is listed there at the bottom. The next page, we received additional donations for the STAR program in the current year. There is an additional grant that's been received by Rutherford County Schools for the elementary for a chiller replacement renovation and generator at that facility. Transit, we budget based upon the estimated amount for the rope grant, and this adjust it to the actual grant award. And then the next bundle of amendments are those things that are restricted by purpose, things for our buildings that aren't complete as of June 30. or they're donated or restricted by nature that we're asking to be carried forward and reappropriated into the current year. DSS, their special children adoption funds have to be carried forward. The disaster adult and child welfare money. The airport had some repairs and maintenance that was in process at crossover of the fiscal year. And then transit, they had a van that was a total loss at the end of the fiscal year, this reappropriates the money to move it into this year when the van will be delivered.

Any questions or comments?

Of your general fund, I'll call it a bundle of items. Those are projects that weren't completed but were rolling into this next year. Is there anything that you did not anticipate or we did not see coming from the budget we just passed?

No. In the budget that we just passed, these line items, then I will show in that estimated column when you all get the line item reports as to, like, seizure funds. fully spent as to what was budgeted. Those are like worst case scenarios trying to project out fund balance for the end of the year. So most all of these would have been things that I go line by line and work through. Like I said, several of them are restricted by purpose. A large portion of that is the reappraisal contract that's being moved forward. Because we appropriated that money last spring, so that's $839,000 of it being moved over for those services to be finished up come January. But when you get the audit, then the fund balance will not be spent at the level that I was projecting because I show it as fully spent in our estimates. Yes. Then when we do these carry forwards, they're already taken into account of that number.

That's my question. Yeah. Thank you. Excuse me.

Thank you for this. The capital investment project ordinance that we have as part of this package is the college and the airport. Clarity.

The capital investment fund was established for this past fiscal year as part of the budget process. This is allocating two projects out of that set-aside money, the first of which is windows and doors for the administration building at the college. That will improve their energy efficiency as well as the integrity of the building. The other is for some mowing equipment that's needed, specialized equipment at the airport. And this is just the first allocation from that. So each time we make budget amendments, because they may span and cross fiscal years, they'll be presented like this separately from the other budget amendments.

Any questions from the board at this time? If not, commissioners, there's two recommended motions before you. At this time, entertain the will of the board. Make a motion we approve the budget amendments. Thank you. Got a motion. Do we have a second? Second. Thank you, sir. We've got a motion to second. Any discussion? If not, I'll call the question. All in favor, raise your right hand. Any opposed, likewise. Carries. Thank you. We have another item for you. What's the will of the board?

Make a motion we approve the Capital Investment Fund Project Ordinance Amendment. We have a motion. Do we have a second? Second.

We have a motion to second. Any discussion? If you have a call or question, all in favor raise your right hand. Any opposed, likewise. Carries. Thank you. Commissioners, next item is 4601, Memorandum Agreement, Courtroom Upgrades for Remote Proceedings. I'd like to recognize our other Deputy County Manager in Planning, Public Works Planning Director, Danny Surson.

Good evening, commissioners. Recognizing that you're familiar with the CRAVE project and what that means for the sake of the audience and those listening, I'll share what CRAVE is. But CRAVE is a courtroom audiovisual experience. It's North Carolina's administration of courts, standardized courtroom technology system. It integrates cameras, microphones, monitors, and remote participation technology. It supports modern court operations, including remote appearances by inmates, attorneys, witnesses, and other participants. while improving security and potentially reducing transportation costs. With Rutherford County already renovating the courthouse and construction of the fourth courtroom, now is the most practical and cost-effective time to install the necessary crave equipment. If we were to consider delaying it, I would fear that we would get beyond construction and then have to go in there and do renovations to a soon-finished construction project. We have approached AOC. We've approached our legislators asking for them to fund this particular crave equipment. It was attempted to be retrieved in the short session but was unsuccessful. They continue to look for this funding. However, I think the timing is critical that we may not be able to wait for a reimbursement even though we're hopeful that that reimbursement would come. So what reimbursement are we talking about? Well, we have a specified list from the AOC identifying about $80,000 worth of equipment that would work with this AOC Crave system. Staff has looked at this diligently. We've identified funding to be able to keep this construction project moving forward. to get the infrastructure installed while the GC is actively putting in conduits and has open walls and ceilings. So the staff recommendation before you tonight is to request your approval to authorize the manager, attorney, and staff to execute the MOA with AOC. I would like to point out that the MOA in your packet tonight does say Wake County, and that's because in our conversations with AOC. That is the most recent county that has taken this on and installed the Crave equipment. We have identified that and a few things that we have concerns, but with your approval tonight, manager, attorney, staff would be able to make sure that we get the proper Rutherford MOA and that we're not committing ourselves to anything unexpected beyond this $80,000 on the specified list of equipment.

Are there questions or comments from the board?

This $80,000 expenditure, is this for after it's installed? Is it going to be reinstalled once the construction is finished, or is this its home that it's going to go in?

Great question. This will be its home. Right now we're going to get all the infrastructure in place. This ADK pays for that equipment that is unidentified by AOC as far as funding, not to cause confusion. The list and specifications are clearly identified. The funding is not. So we will have that equipment. It will be purchased. It will be installed in the infrastructure that gets constructed and will be its home in that fourth courtroom. For everyone's information, courtrooms one, two, and three of our existing courthouse already has the CRAVE system. We were successful in getting the state to fund all of that equipment previously. This would just be the new fourth courtroom construction.

Okay. Any other questions from the board? All right. I'm craving to see what this recommended motion will do, but what's the will of the board?

I make a motion that we approve the Memorandum of Agreement negotiated by the county manager and Indy County Attorney, authorize the county manager, finance officer, and other county officials to sign and execute all documents in support of this action.

Thank you. We've got a motion. Do we have a second? Second. Thank you. We've got a motion. Second. Any discussion? You're going to call the question. All in favor raise your right hand. Any opposed, likewise. Okay. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Commissioner. So we'll get that underway. I'm trying to use the word crave. Commissioner, this next item is 4594. This is a resolution awarding Corporal Jeffrey Smith's sidearm and badge. We have a representative of the Sheriff's Office here. Good evening, sir.

Good evening, John. These were actually sent out previously, but this is a request for both Corporal Smith and Corporal Shane Root to receive their badge and firearms whenever they Retire, Corporal Smith has served in the Sheriff's Office as a sworn deputy with the Patrol Division, as an investigator with criminal interdiction, child support enforcement, and as an SRO at elementary, middle, and high school levels. He began his career in 2001 and is retiring October 11th of 2026. He served honorably and with integrity in all the positions he held. Corporal Root served as a sworn deputy with patrol, as an investigator with the Criminal Investigations Division, an investigator with forensics, an investigative corporal overseeing sex offender registry and concealed carry permits. Corporal Root started his career in 2005 and will be retiring November 1st, 2026. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Commissioner, we have two resolutions before us. Let's take them one at a time. Regarding the first one, what's the will of the warden?

I make a motion that we approve the resolution awarding surface sidearm and badge to Corporal Jeffrey Smith for the sum of $1. Second.

We've got a motion and a second. Thank you, sir. Any discussion? Hearing none, I'll call the question. All in favor, raise your right hand. Any opposed, likewise. Carries. Thank you. Commissioner's next item is 4593. This is a resolution for Corporal Jeffrey Smith's sidearm and badge. What's the will of the board?

Make a motion to approve the resolution recording the service sidearm badge to Corporal Shane Roop for the sum of $1. Thank you.

Thank you. We've got a motion and a second. Any discussion? If you're going to call a question, call in favor, raise your right hand. Any opposed, likewise. Carries. Thank you. Appreciate it. Ladies and gentlemen, I failed to mention this earlier, but the next action is for us to go into closed session, which will be held in here. So we're going to ask you to slide into the other room. I'm going to do that. Commissioners, look for a motion to go into closed session under attorney-client NCGS 1433181183. What's the will of the board? Make a motion to go into closed session. Second. We've got a motion to second. Any discussion? Hearing none, call the question. All in favor raise your right hand. Any opposed, likewise. Go into closed session.