Board of Supervisors - Regular Meeting

Good evening. Welcome to Psylvania County Board of Supervisors business meeting, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. It is now 7:25. Let me uh apologize. The board was in close session. We ran a little long. Uh, so I want to thank the public for their patience and also you all that came out tonight. Uh, madame clerk, would you call the role, please? Yes, sir. Mr. Bowman, here. Mr. Brown, here. Mr. Dalton, here. Mr. Dudley, present. Mr. Whittle, here. Mr. Ingram, here. Mr. Tucker, here.

Thank you. Would you join me now in a moment of silence? Thank you. If you're physically able, would you stand for our pledge of allegiance, please?

Pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to theublic for it stands one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Moving to agenda item five. Any items to be added to the agenda?

Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, I have um several here to do. Okay. Um I have a motion to revise the agenda as follows. Um one is add a resolution to number case number 2026-03-04 collective bargaining to new business as item 12B. The second one's going to be move item 7 I to unfinished business as item 11A. Third one is add authorization to advertise for potential revisions to PCC chapter 18 to the consent agenda as item 7J. All right, Madame Clerk, did you get those down to keep us straight?

Yes, sir. All right. Uh, read those back to me, Madam Clerk, in that motion. Then I'll ask for a second of support. All right. So, we're going to add the resolution 2026-03-04, collect a bargain into new business as item 12B. We're going to move item 7I to unfinished business as 11A. And we're going to add authorization to advertise for potential revisions to PCC chapter 18 to the consent agenda as item 7J. You all over it. All right. Uh, can I get a second of support for that? Thank you, Mr. Ingram.

Any discussion hearing? None. Cast your votes electronically, please. All right, the motion passes unanimously. That moves us down to agenda item number six. I'll ask for or entertain a motion to approve the agenda as amended. Mr. Chairman, I'll make that motion. Thank you, Mr. uh Bowman.

Second. Thank you, Mr. Brown. Any discussion on the motion? If not, cast your votes electronically. Motion passes unanimously. That moves us down to agenda item seven, uh, our consent agenda. I'll entertain a motion to approve our consent agenda with the changes. Mr. Chairman, I'll make a motion to u approve the consent agenda with the changes.

Thank you, Mr. Dalton. Support. Thank you, Mr. Whittle. All right. Moved and second that we will proceed with this consent agenda with the changes. Any discussion? Hear no discussion. Cast your votes electronically, please. All right. Motion passes unanimously. Presentations. This takes us down to agenda item number eight. Um, any presentations? Yes, sir. Mr. Ingram has

All right. If you'll set us up, gentlemen, follow us down to the main floor. If Sergeant Chad Aost and Investigator Janet Sergeant and investigator Monica Gibson, if you would please come forward while they're coming up. Last month, we honored a troop with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol who worked with our uh sheriff's office in the saving of a a life. And it was worth um recognizing these guys for doing such a good job and in essence for saving this lady's life. So, uh due to work schedules, they were not able to be here. So, we had the trooper come last month and we have our folks here this month. I'm going to read the coverall accommodation and I understand Sheriff Taylor gave you each one your own. Correct? If not, we'll cut you another one. But on on January 24th, 25th, 2026, members of the Pitts County Sheriff's Office responded to a missing person report involving an elderly resident who required daily medication. Through coordinated investigative efforts, deputies worked with regional partners to obtain critical information that led to the discovery of the missing woman after her vehicle had slid off an icy roadway during severe winter weather. And by the way, she was 81 years old.

Working alongside with the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Petrini County, I'm sorry, Caswell County Emergency Communications, and OnStar personnel, responding officers helped ensure the woman's safe recovery and return her to her family. This successful outcome was made possible through perseverance, professionalism, and strong inter agency cooperation. These actions of the the actions of these members exemplify exceptional commitment to public safety, effective inter agency uh collaboration, and the high standards of law enforcement service. Their efforts reflect great credit among upon themselves, the Pittsi County Sheriff's Office, and the community they serve. And if you would please give a round of applause to Sergeant Ios, investigator Janet Sergeant, investigator Monarch Gibson. And of course, this was given uh this day uh by our chairman, Robert M. Tucker, as well as myself. And so, um if any of you would like to step up and have something to say, we would uh surely entertain that. Um but you know, when things go wrong, you hear about it. when things go right, you don't hear about it. But we as a board just wanted to to highlight your good work and to thank you for participating in saving this lady's life. And I her family is extremely grateful and I found out much more about her other than her age, which I probably shouldn't have mentioned, but she's battling with cancer. So, had it not been for that, she'd have be here with us. But thank you so much. And so, if y'all would close in, we're gonna get a picture and let you go home.

Thank you. takes us now to agenda item number nine which is hearing of the citizens. Each person addressing the board under hearing of the citizen shall be a resident or land owner of the county or the registered agent of such uh resident or land owner. Each person shall step up give his or her name and district in an audible tone of voice for the record and unless further time is granted by the chairman shall limit his or her address to three minutes. No person shall be permitted to address the board more than once during the hearing of the citizens. All remarks shall be addressed to the board as a body and not to any individual member thereof. Hearing of the citizens shall last for a maximum of 45 minutes. Any individual that is signed up to speak during said section who does not get the opportunity to do so because of the aforementioned time limit shall be given speaking priority at the next board meeting. Absent chairman's approval, no person shall be able to speak who has not signed up to speak. Madame clerk, do we have anyone signed up?

Yes, sir. Who's our first speaker? Love. Miss Love, good evening and welcome.

Good evening. Happy St. Patrick's Day. Um, when uh I was in college, I had the privilege to work in the newspaper and education department at Lancaster newspapers in Pennsylvania with Dr. Sher Garrett who wrote the curriculum each year for the newspaper and education week. And I know newspapers aren't a thing really anymore, especially daily newspapers. And um it's kind of a shame, but we did one curriculum package that was messages and meaning which talked about all different types of media, whether it be television media, print media, magazines, newspapers, art. how to how children should look at that media and interpret it for finding the truth. I think we should really be able to revisit that these days, especially now that we have all of our news sources that seems coming from the internet. And when this was written, I looked it up and the main um internet providers, there were three at that time. Um and we had Prodigy, CompuServe, and AOL. And at that time, AOL had less than a million people subscribing. And at that time we used the internet for

reference material and searching databases, electronic bulen boards, chat rooms and email. Remember the ding? You've got mail. It's changed a lot since then. Now we have Facebook, Gossip Central, and we need to go back to sorting out the messages behind the different media sources to get to the true meanings and to separate the facts from opinion and facts from fiction. I'm really excited that the board of supervisors is doing the state of the county address. I think that is is wonderful. We need to have more face-toface interaction between our local government and people because the best form of getting the facts is, shall we say, straight from the horse's mouth. And I would love to see more opportunities to directly connect with our board of supervisors and would love to see town hall meetings where we can actually interact and have some give and take and discussions with you. Thank you.

Thank you. Who's our next speaker? That's all, Mr. Chairman.

That's it. All right. Thank you so much. This moves us down to agenda item number 10 A, which is reszoning public hearings. Pursuant to article 5, division six of the Pennsylvania county zoning ordinance, the board of supervisors has been empowered to hear and decide specific zoning issues and zoning map changes in support of said ordinance. In accomplishing this important task, the board is responsible for promoting the health, safety, and general public welfare of the citizens of Pennsylvania County. The board must ensure that all of its decisions and regulations be directed to these goals and that each be consistent with the environment, comprehensive plan, and in the best interest of Pennsylvania county, its citizens, and its posterity. Uh, public hearing case R-26-002, Mr. Warm. Mr. Honor, please. Case R-26-002. Charles WAC has petitioned to reszone 2.02 02 acres located on State Road 706, also known as Abbott Place in the Banister Election District from R1 residential suburban subdivision District to A1 Agricultural District to allow for a dog kennel, which would also be contingent upon the approval of a special use permit. Um once the property is reszoned to A1, all uses listed under section 35-178 are permitted. Uh the planning commission recommended the petition be granted on January 6, 2026. Last month at the board of supervisors

meeting, uh the board uh continued this resoning case until tonight uh to allow the petitioner, Mr. WAC to do further research and provide more information related to the proposed use. Mr. WAC, uh, Mr. Chairman, excuse me, we do have Mr. WAC here present tonight to represent the petition. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Arnold. It is um 7:42 and I'll open the public hearing in case R-26-002. Uh, Mr. Wulmarmac, anything to add? Come on up to the podium, sir. Yes, sir.

I did um more research like I was asked to do and um research how I'm going keep it clean and and how I'm going keep reduce the the noise, this the smell, the old and everything. I'm using different chemicals and stuff and everything I showed you in the package. That's what I'll be doing. Okay. Uh, quick question. Did you meet with or have a discussion with any of your neighbors? I talked to um a couple of them and I explained what I was doing. They seem to seem okay with it. Okay. All right. Thank you, sir. Anyone signed up to speak? Mr. McCcluster. Yes, sir. All right. Uh, Larry Ford. Last name is

Ford.

Ford. Mr. Ford. Good evening. Welcome. Good evening. My name is Larry Ford. The banister district petition against dog kennels. Neighbors against a dog kennel requested by Charles Warmark. Wulmarmac. We the undersigned are against a dog kennel for Charles Wmarmac. Larry T. Ford, Margaret Ford, Alan Henderson, Nanine Henderson, James Childris, Velma Fisher, Glattis Oliver, Jimmy Boxdale, Deer Boxdale, Honorable Jesse Boxdale, Iona Sparks, Rosa Emmens, Thomas Ellock, Tiffany Wagner, Joseph Wagner, KG Jones, Margaret Brandon, George Brand Brandon, Ella Witer, Jacqueline Coleman, Thicket Dillard. We, the neighbors that have signed the petition against a commercial dog kil in our residential neighborhood are still firmly against it. A residential neighborhood is not the place to breed dogs for sale. The waste product of dogs, feces, dogs urine, dog barking from a commercial dog commercial dog breathing enterprise is not compatible to a residential neighborhood. The residents in the neighborhood would be subject to a hellish noise and smell problem. All neighbors did not purchase their homes many years ago to live where they will be subject to a constant hellish noise and smell problem from a commercial enterprise doing business in a quiet residential neighborhood. People that

have worked hard to buy their American dream. A home would not build a would not build or purchase a home next to a commercial pig pin nor a commercial dog breeding business. On behalf of the neighbors on this road, Albert Place, I declare we should be able to live like any other residential neighborhood, free from a commercial dog breathing business with the hellish smell of dog feces, dog urine, and the hellish constant dog bargain. I truly believe this is a reasonable request from the many residents that have signed this petition. I would now like to read a letter from our honorable Jesse Boxdale. He lives on this road. He says in this letter, he sent this letter certified to

the chairman. Can you can you make it brief? Just can you make it brief? You're out of time. Yeah, I can make it brief. Uh, a dog count has no pace in a residential neighborhood where whether it's three minutes is complete. It's a board. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All right, Madame Clerk. Who's our next speaker? Tracy Love. Love.

Yes, I'm back. Tracy Love from the Stan River District. I know I'm not in this area where the dog kennel is, but I've looked at the revised plans and the petition letter from Mr. Charles Wak and have some serious concerns about his plan and I speak for the potential puppies. German Shepherds are large, intelligent, intelligent dogs. I agree that they lend themselves to search and rescue work when bred, raised, trained correctly and ethically. I was blessed to know a very talented search and rescue dog that worked in Alaska. I have over 20 years in dog sports, competed from Alaska to Florida and everywhere in between. I attend and judge world final dog events. I know many ethical breeders from many different disciplines. This setup would not be considered as a reasonable situation for breeding dogs. It is below the bare minimum to raise healthy puppies with a sound temperament. The minimum size of a welping box for a large breed dog is 48x 48 with pig rails to protect the newborn puppies from being smothered by the while the nursing. The kennel does not provide enough room for the welping box and the to be sheltered from the elements. A typically goes into season twice a year starting at 6 months. Ethical breeders will only breed their three to four times and only after she is at least 2 years of age. This kennel does not provide a way to prevent accidental breeding. If axel accidental breeding and overbreeding is not a concern, then this is actually a puppy mill. The building isn't insulated or temperature controlled as stated in the letter that he submitted. There are no details about this important how this important component would be accomplished. The material that um the

kennel is made of that he had listed there. The LP smart side lab siding and trim does not claim any properties of soundproofing on their website. A handwritten note on the bottom of the page does not magically create a soundproof product. To use the uh block line absorb panels that he had shared to soundproof the kennel building, it would cost approximately $4,250 for the panels, which would not soundproof the areas of the kennel box where the wild panels are. Anyway, to purchase 30 seconds remaining

of the black wine zorb panels to line the entire chain fence like he claims, it would cost over $34,500 in the panels alone. And on their website, it recommends that it's on uh wood panels, not chain link. Um got to wrap up on the summary document under financial and funding. I don't see how he can fund this. Um he doesn't have anything about funding is complete. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Who's our next speaker? That's all, Mr. Chair.

That's it. All right. At uh 7:50, I closed public hearing. Let me say this. Um, it's always tough to play Solomon and split the baby. Um, let me say to you, uh, Mr. Worm, we ask you to provide us with more in-depth information and with the with a plan and u you gave us a plan, but uh I I just don't see where it is it is sufficient nor sustainable. Uh, and to the opposition, I'm all about land owners rights. I will tell you that. Okay. I believe that uh people when they purchase their property, you know, everybody has the American dream. they they have to do what they they they they as long as it's within the framework of the actual zoning and the code and that sort of thing, you have a recommendation to approve. Uh but there's some gray area there, Mr. WAC and I am going to lean toward the opposition uh because of the gray area because your plan is not substantial nor sub sustainable. Uh so I'm going I'm going to make my own motion. I'm not going to ask any of the board to carry my water and I'm going to ask the board to support this motion

because it's in my district. I'm going to make a motion to deny this uh this petition. I will second it. Any discussion? Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Um, is it where we need to put the R-26 for the record? Do we have to do that? I think it's clear based on the the matters before that I think it's clear that's what we're we're dealing with. Okay, I think that motion will suffice. Mr. Bowman, thank you, Mr. Chair. The u I didn't get your name, sir. The second speaker that came with a petition, it's Mr. Ford.

Mr. Ford, where are you located? There you are. How many people signed that petition?

Okay. Thank you. That's all I got. Thank you, sir. Any other discussion? Any discussion? All right, gentlemen. and cast your vote electronically. Motion passes 6 to one. So that motion uh does pass. Mr. Wulmarmac to what I can say to you to give you some encouragement is u I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Mr. Chairman. I tapped the wrong one. That should be a yes. Okay. I'm sorry.

All right. We'll count that as unanimous vote. Can you correct that, Madam Clerk? Uh what I can do to encourage you, that does not prevent you from coming back, but if you need help in writing a plan and one that's viable and one that is sustainable, uh then we will certainly it doesn't stop you from coming back asking for permit. But based on what we have in front of us, we have to deny it at this juncture. All right. Uh, moving on. Case R-26-009. In the case of Robert Guthrie, Mr. Arnold, case R-26-009, Robert Guthrie Jr. has petitioned to reszone 32.64 64 acres located on State Road 900 Glennland Road in the Stanton River Election District from R1 residential suburban subdivision district to A1 agricultural district to allow the property to be used for a manufactured home. Once the property is reszoned to A1, all uses listed under section 35-178 are permitted. And on February the 3rd, 2026, the planning commission recommended by a six to zero vote with no opposition that the petitioner's request be granted. The staff summary and the planning commission's recommendation are enclosed in the board packet. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Guthrie is here to represent the petition tonight. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Arnold. It is now 7:55. We open the public hearing for case R- 26 09. Mr. Guthrie, anything to add? Thank you, sir. Anyone signed up to speak? No, sir. All right. It is 7:55. We close the public hearing. Mr. Dudley.

Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman. Um, in case R-26-00009, I make a motion to approve the reszoning of 32.64 acres from R1 residential suburban subdivision district to A1 agricultural district to allow for the property to have a manufactured home. That is my motion, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, sir. Support. I'll second that. Thank you, Mr. Ingram. All right. Any discussion? Gentlemen, cast your votes electronically. Motion passes 70. Thank you. In case R-26-010, Herbert Jesse Yates, Mr. Arnold, please. KR-26-010. Herbert Jesse Yates has petitioned to reszone 15.48 acres located on State Road 930 Sycamore Road in the Stanton River Election District from R1 residential suburban subdivision district to A1 agricultural district to allow the property to have a second single family dwelling on it. Once the property is reszoned to A1, all uses listed under section 35-178 are permitted. And on February the 3rd, 2026, the planning commission recommended by a six to zero vote with no opposition that the petitioner's request be granted. The staff summary and the planning commission's recommendation are enclosed in the board packet. And Mr. Chairman, uh Mr. Yates, unfortunately, is not able to be here tonight. However, u Mr. Yates's daughter uh Phyllis Mayhew is here uh to represent this petition should you have any questions. Thank you.

Thank you sir. It is 757 and we open the public hearing on case R-26-010. You said Miss Mayhew where you located? Thank you. Anything to add, ma'am? Nothing to add. Miss McCluster, anyone signed up? Yes, sir. All right. Uh it is 7:57 still. We'll close public hearing. Uh Mr. Dudley.

Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, um glad to see Coleman and his wife here this evening. Coleman does um serve on the Fire and Rescue Commission. So, thank you so much for your service. So, in case R-26-010, make a motion to approve the reszoning of 15.48 48 acres from R1 residential suburban subdivision district to A1 agricultural district to allow the property to have a second single family dwelling. Mr. Chairman, that is my motion. I'll second it. I'll second it. Thank you for the support. Who was that?

Mr. D. No, Mr. Bowman. Thank you. All right. Any discussion on the motion? Hear none. cast your votes electronically. All right, motion passes unanimously. This moves us down to agenda item 11 and we have something on 11A which is going to be move from consent. Is that seven I that was moved? Yes, Mr. Chair.

Okay. Thank you. Just I'm just trying to keep up here. 7 I would you read that for us, Madam Clerk? I apologize. Do you want the the title of what we're looking at or the the actual item that was moved from consent? That was the transfer of funds to establish budget line item for Pennsylvania Countyy's 250th Independence Day Festival. Thank you so much. All right. Discussion, gentlemen. Yes, sir. Mr. Little.

Um, Mr. Mr. Chairman, I just want to u kind of see where we are with this, how much how much we've already collected coming in to see what we uh see what I might be able to live with to approve help y'all with. All right. Before I have uh before I have Mr. shorter or Miss Vanderhide. I think well I don't I I think it's probably more palatable. But let me let me say this not only to this board, but let me say it to the public that's here and let me say it to those that are listening. We are a nation at war right now. And what we plan on doing on the 4th of July is we're going to celebrate our independence. Now, there is nothing more patriotic that we can do than to basically celebrate our freedom and the freedom that we enjoy. And right now we have our troops in the Middle East and they are following the lead of our defense department, our commander-in-chief. There are troops that gave the ultimate sacrifice right here in Pennsylvania County. You have people in Pennsylvania County that served in World War I, World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam War. You had people to serve in Vietnam. you had him to serve in the Middle East, uh, in Iraq,

uh, you know, on down to, um, Grenada and so on and so forth. Me personally, I was in the military. I came from a military background. My dad along with four of his brothers were in World War II at the exact same time. Thank God they all came home. My other side, there were two that were in World War II. They came home. I lost a cousin in the Vietnam War, had two others to serve. And what I'm proposing, and I don't think it's unreasonable, this steering committee has gone out, knocked on doors. I've met with leaders in the community, and the community has committed. Mr. Whittle and to the remainder of the board, I think we're closing in on $50,000. Miss Vanderhigh, you all correct me if I'm wrong. We set a goal of about 65,000 and all of the funds have not come in. We committed to this board that we would only appropriate $125,000 and what money we did not use, we would turn it back over to the actual general fund. So, we're not proposing to use all of the money, but I want to be able to give the children of the community a hot dog with where inflation is right now and we whether we want to admit it or not. And I don't intend to make a political speech here, but we're in the middle of a jobs recession. Gas prices are going to be approaching about that time of the year, mayhaps, $5 a gallon if they keep the streets of Hamoose closed. So, there are going to be children in

this community that will not be able to have any type of vacation, any type of social outlet unless we provided for them. And I think if we uh shy away from appropriating this money, which I'm not trying to be free and easy with the taxpayers's money, but one thing our children will either learn the definition of independence and freedom, hot dogs, baseball, and apple pie, or 20 years down the road, if we don't do a little bit better, they can learn the word solidarity when they have to stand against fascism and all these other things that are creep in because we have not really held these days sacred in terms of remembering them and celebrating them and that's where I am. So we to answer your question we have raised 50,000 with more commitments that have not come in yet.

Thank you. Yes sir. And I'm sorry I took the service. Yes sir. I'm sorry I took the long way around Mr. Whittle. Any other discussion?

We when we went down this path before and I know we've kicked the ball an extra month on it. The way I'm understanding it is the goal is almost met. How much I'm I'm assuming Mr. Short or somebody's fixing to tell us exactly what all has been allocated or or or what part of the ceremonies that will go on that day have already been sealed. I guess we should say how much have we spent. And then second would secondly with that would be are we capping this at 125 which is kind of where I'm at. And then you know however much we raise if we raise 70,000 and that's just that much more that don't come out of the taxpayer dollar. I don't want us to raise 75 and then just say well that's a tip we'll just slap that on top of the 125.

That's that's not what we proposed from the outset. Okay.

What we proposed from the outset was the fact that we wanted to appropriate set aside $125,000. We committed and I even asked the board of supervisors from this dis to help me and help the steering committee and be forwardfacing to the community and meet with people in the communities and help uh fund raise. I have met with leaders. I've met with the president of Hardgrave Military. I've met with Caesars. I've met with these general managers here. And this is how you fund raise. You can't do it just by uh mailing them a piece of paper. You have to be able to get there, shake hands, see the whites in their eyes, and and ask for the money. So, our proposal from the outset was to set aside $125,000. And I think the steering committee, we capped it between 125 and 140. Is that right, Mr. Shorter? Yes, sir. So that whatever money we raise, we offset that and anything we don't need of 125,000, we committed to turning it back into the general fund. The money that we're going to be using, we are in terms of setting that money aside being on the finance committee so that the public understands we have been very creative in terms of how we are doing it. We we have some money uh in a contingency fund that we can do this with. We had money to come in from um the solar farms. Okay. And we're going to use some of that money right at a million dollars as a pass through. Put it into the contingency fund. take it out what we need for this event. So, it does not burden the taxpayers. So, we've already

kind of covered those bases. But, I'm just asking I'm just asking uh this board to be as patriotic as I am. And then, you know, let's let's be realistic. We should be the ones leading the charge, man. you know, and I and I and and I hate to do this because I'm not all about embarrassing people because uh I I thought about maybe proposing that each supervisor's uh supervisor allocate 500 bucks out of your own pocket. Oh, excuse me. Fine by me.

And and forgive me, I wasn't invited on the steering committee when I seen it the first time. It was on a packet and that's why I've got some questions. And we're in a tax crisis. We know that going into the spring of the year here. And uh I think that I think it's going to help the public being more transparent in how this thing was developed and where it's going and how we're going to allocate the money for it. Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Mr. Bowman, did you have anything?

Well, I'm not sure. I was Mr. Chairman, I was going to hold this till my comments, but I certainly can read what I've got here that I'd like to propose. So, um, and and what you just mentioned there is exactly what I was thinking about. So, let me read what I've got here and and, um, take it for what it's worth. As our nation approaches the commemoration of the 250th birthday, I respectfully call upon my fellow elected officials in Pennsylvania County to join me in recognizing this historic milestone in a meaningful way. I am proposing that each of us contribute $250 in support of local efforts to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. This collective commitment will help fund programs, events, and educational initiatives that honor our nation's founding and strengthen civic pride across our communities. By particip participating, we not only commemorate our shared history, but also demonstrate leadership, a continued investment in the values that define our county and our country. I also welcome others to join in this effort as we work toward making the celebration memorable for the citizens of Pennsylvania County. And that would be a challenge I have to everybody on this diet. Um, Mr. Fitzgerald, I see you can take that message back to the school board. and all of our constitutional officers. Uh it's not a lot of money, but it's something I feel that we need to buy into as leaders of this county, and I'm willing to put that $250 out there today to Mr. Sharter. That's all I've got on that, Mr. Chairman.

All right. Thank you. Yes, sir. Mr.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I too am a proud veteran and likewise my family goes uh way way back to not only the Civil War but the first world war and this my daddy was a World War II veteran, one of the first to volunteer in 1941. uh this is a once-ina-lifetime opportunity and I think we would really miss the mark if we did not do something uh within reason on a grand scale and u you know realizing that with enough donations and it offsets the budget in essence you know it would be paid for by donors and so even if it wasn't you would only be talking about $2.97 per citizen to provide something for their fellow man and the children to really enjoy this Fourth of July. So, I'm very confident there'll be enough donations to offset that and um I think it's um like I said, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and um I'm going to support that. Any other discussion? I'll entertain a motion to pass the uh the the uh the matter.

I make the motion. Thank you, Mr. Bowman. I'll second it.

Thank you, Mr. Ingram. Any further discussion? Gentlemen, vote electronically. Motion passes unanimously. Thank you, gentlemen. And um everyone forgive me, but I get a little passionate about our our country and our patriotism. You know, uh when when you raise your right hand to protect and defend it, uh you never stop defending your nation. Okay. So, thank you all so much. And gentlemen, thank you all so much on the dis. All right. Uh let's see, see see we got to go to agenda item 12. Is that right? Firefly.

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Mr. Evans,

welcome, sir. And thank you for keeping me out of trouble. Thank you for having me. Uh, Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to to speak to the board just briefly on this matter. This is a matter that's been addressed uh as part of our our meeting last month and and there's been some additional information we wanted to make sure was clear to the board before the board took action. Uh the developer for the solar project, Firefly Energy Solar Project, was requesting a one-year extension to the special use permit issued by the Board of Zoning Appeals for utility scale solar facility located in the Dan River District. Uh, this board has previously granted an extension to the SUP in 2025 that extended that that extension expires July 1st of 2026. In 2021, the board entered into a sighting agreement with Firefly Energy relating to this project. The sighting agreement in place for the solar project provides for direct financial benefit to the county and resulting for the county residents. Historically, the board has treated these projects with favorable sighting agreements with preference and granted similar extensions on multiple occasions at at this stage. Uh, however, as part of the expected special use permit extension on this project, the Firefly Firefly Energy has agreed to wave certain of its rights under the current sighting agreement. Uh the first of which was addressed by the project developers at the board's work session in February. Firefly Energy has agreed that one that the one-year extension they are requesting will be their last extension. That no additional request for extension for the so solar special use permit will be made or granted by the board. The other rights that are potentially being waved by the developer relate to the payments anticipated under the sighting agreement mentioned previously.

The ziding agreement requires direct capital payments to the county at several benchmarks. First, at the issuance of the building permit, there is a payment of $562,000. Second, at the commencement of construction, there's an additional payment of $562,000. And then at the beginning of the commercial electric production, there is an additional payment of 1 approximately $1.12 million. Um, following that, there are additional annual payments that are then made over the next 35 years. Those annual payments total to just under $10 million. Under the siding agreement, that first building permit payment and the second construction capital payment are to be held in escrow, not to be released until commercial operations begin. If for for any reason the project does not reach commercial operation, those payments held in escrow under the current sighting agreement are to be divided between the county and the developer with 85% of those funds being returned to the developer. The county's long-term interests are best served in two ways. First, increased direct financial benefit for the county and second, increased protection against any adverse action by the developer. In this instance, in this sorry, in this instance, the developer has agreed to wave certain of its rights that it has under the sighting agreement as it relates to some of the direct capital payments in several ways. Instead of waiting in first, instead of waiting until the building permit is issued, a portion of that initial capital payment, approximately $70,000, will be paid at the approval of the terms to extend the SU. Those funds will be non-refundable. meaning that even if the project does not go forward for some reason, those funds remain with the county. The

advancement of that payment is contingent on the granting of the SU extension and anticipates the approval by the board of two utility easements needed for the project to cross the rail trail. The granting of those easements would normally be done without any issue for projects like this if they've moved to that stage. Now, functionally, based on the proposed uh action before the board today in its resolution, a second advanced payment of an additional $70,000 portion of the building permit capital payment referenced in the sighting agreement would be made upon the approval of certain construction special use permits for a number of parcels that are not part of the solar project itself, but are required to access the parcels on which the project is located that approval would need to be done by the board of zoning appeals. So the board is not involved with that action. No action would be needed be taken by the board directly. That second advanced payment, however, would also be non-refundable no matter what happens with the project moving forward. So those two advanced payments represent $140,625 of the initial $562,500 building permit capital payment. The remainder of that payment would be paid at the issuance of the building permit. The last waiver of rights to which the developers agreed or potentially agreed is relates to the percentage of distribution of escrow funds to the county if the project does not reach commercial operation. As mentioned previously, the current percentage that would be distributed to the county from those escrow funds if the project does not proceed would be 15% with 85% being returned to the developer. The developers agreed to have the first $140,625

of those funds, which are to be accelerated, as already mentioned, to be non-refundable, meaning 100% go to the county. If the project did not proceed for some reason, if the project did not proceed, the remaining balance of any funds to be paid into escrow from the building permit capital payment and the construction capital payment benchmarks would then be distributed 50% to the county and 50% return to the developer. I should I should mention the developer has fully intends to move forward with the project and the total value of the payments under the current sighting agreement as it stands would be just over $12.2 million if the project is completed and if the annual payments throughout the life of the project are are paid. But if for some reason the project is abandoned after construction and prior to the commercial operation, this waiver of rights that's before the board today would increase the value paid to the county of just over $464,000

with some of that being paid immediately. Considering that fact and considering the board action board's actions on similar projects in the recent past, it is the recommendation of county staff that the board pass the proposed resolution resolution today to approve the SUP extension for one year and the addendum to the sighting agreement allowing the developer to wave its rights as discussed. Approving the county moving forward with granting uh two utility easements as also discussed. Now, um, that there's a lot of moving pieces there. Hopefully, I've been somewhat clear as it relates to how it operates. Um, I can answer any questions the board may have about these terms. We also have representatives from the project that are here to answer questions if the board uh has questions for them directly.

Quick question. Do we need to open a public hearing case? No. Okay. There's no need for a public hearing. Okay. All right. Any questions for Mr. Evans. Yes, sir. Mr. Turtle. Matt, you're going to have to go back. I can't find it on the U uh read ahead here, but you mentioned $10 million. Yes. And that go back over that number again with me there. Is it for a year? Is it for the life of the the the agreement? Yeah. So the the original sighting agreement has a schedule for annual payments that the payments begin about uh just just under $500,000 a year and then taper off over the course of 35 years. Okay.

So it's a 35 year schedule. Um and the total payments over the course of 35 years is approximately $9.9 million. Okay. Yes, sir. All right. Thank you. That's what I wanted to hear. All right. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Any further discussion, questions for Mr. Evans? Thank you, Mr. Evans. Anyone here to represent Firefly?

Anything to add? Nothing. All right, gentlemen. Um, Mr. Brown, as I see it, we ask um Firefly to go and uh sharpen their pencil and come back and and tell us what's in it for us. and they've made uh a good offer. So,

they did they made a lot of uh a lot of ground up. This is probably um it's in my time in politics on the planning commission. Um this is a unique solar farm in the way that we have developed a way to to to negotiate in this way. I want to commend Dave Arnold and and Matt Evans. they've done a a rockstar job working with Firefly and negotiating a deal that I feel that uh puts us as as in the county um at a at a at a much better stakeholder. Um, so with that being said, I'm going to make a recommendation tonight to adopt a resolution number 2026-03-01 extending the special use permit to July 1st, 2027 and approving and authorizing the execution of the addendum to sighting agreement.

Thank you, Mr. Brown. Is there support for that motion? I'll second it, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Uh I don't know who beat who, but uh Mr. Ingram, thank you. We'll let you second that. All right. Any further discussion, Mr. Chairman? Yes, sir.

If you will, if you'll allow me. I am not a big supporter of extensions on solar farms. I think I've shared that before. I'm not a I'm not in agreement with this. uh even though um my u conart here he is he's supporting it. I just uh I look at this it's over 35 years. Uh who knows what's going to happen in 35 years and uh I'm I'm just you know the way it is. I'm I'm not going to support this. So thank you. Okay. Any other discussion? Mr. Chairman.

Yes sir. Yes sir. There was a similar project in my district that uh we graciously approved an extension and I think that we need to be fair and consistent and so that's why I had no problem with extending this but I do remember a certain board member long ago talked about solar revenue could build that jail. I'm still waiting for that day to come. So any kind of revenue that we can get to help in any capacity I'm for it. Thank you. Thank you sir.

All right. Any other discussion? If not, cast your votes electronically. All right. Motion passes 61. Thank you so much. Thank you, gentlemen, for being here this evening. All right. Um, let's see. Item 12B which is 7 J. Madame clerk, read that for me.

That is going to be resolution number 2026-03-04, collective bargaining. All right. Um I'm sure that the board has had an opportunity to read through that. We have Okay. That being the case, I'll entertain a motion that we pass that resolution. Second. All right. Who made that? Mr. Whittle. Thank you, sir. I'll second it.

Thank you, Mr. Dinger. Any discussion? No discussion. Hearing none. Cash the votes electronically. Motion passes unanimously. Thank you, gentlemen. All right, that moves us down to any matters from the work session. Mr. Evans. No, sir. Thank you. All right. Board reports, Mr. Dudley.

Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, thank you so much. Um, I've got several that um that I need to make. Um, condolences to several families. The family of Todd Hedgepath. Um, they do live in the Stanton River District. Todd was 61. He just passed away couple days ago um with cancer. Also to the family of Mike Smith um who passed away last month um pray for his brother Paul Smith and especially for Miss Jeanie Smith. uh she's going through a rough rough time of it right now. She actually found her son in the bathroom and had passed away. Um and also to the family of Marilyn Atkins Cook. All of these folks were Pennsylvania County residents and um you know, we just need to lift them up in prayer. Also, Mr. Chairman, uh I'd like for us to and I ask the entire county pray for the troops that we have that's in harm's way. uh pray for the president and his cabinet as well. Um they all need to be lifted up in prayer. So, Mr. Chairman, that's all I got.

Thank you, sir. Mr. Bowman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I only have a few items here and defer my time back to Mr. Whittle. uh attended the chamber annual meeting uh recently heard speakers from Pennsylvania County's own Ben Davenport and Tim Clark uh regarding the Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor and it's the future of the region. Uh if you get a chance and you can talk to those folks there, they'll be glad to talk to you about the u uh that concept and how that's going to play big into this region. Attended a number of budget meetings so far thanks to Mr. Tucker there and Kim Vanderhid and Garrett. Thank you all and Mr. Sharter for pulling those things together. They're very detailed. Uh it's taken a lot of time uh to to cipher through those, but well worth it. And uh and we've got a number of those still ahead of us. Uh look forward to getting to that final uh date to where we can approve the budget. uh and also attended the local emergency planning committee meeting in Danville and the West Pedmont Planning District meeting. And I would like to echo what uh uh was just said about their troops. Uh I too am a military vet, 30 plus years, spent a year in Vietnam. So I understand what those folks are going through. Uh it's it's tough not only on the troops that are on the ground or in the air, but also the families at home. So, um, make sure we keep those folks in our thoughts and prayers. We want this war to end quickly and get those folks back to their duty station where they belong. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. That's all I got.

Thank you, sir. Mr. Brown. Yep. Great meeting. Uh, thanks everybody for what they're doing and um with a lot of good things coming and um just I keep feel like I say the same thing last month, but I mean it's an exciting time to be in Pennsylvania County and um it's my rookie year here. I'm learning every month and and a lot more to learn, but I'm excited about it and looking forward to it. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Brown. Mr. Ingram,

thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm a rookie, too, Mr. Brown. So, uh just want to make a point. I am not um promoting solar. We uh we made some arrangements and amendments to that. So, we sort of rolled it back. I doubt very seriously if I'll ever vote for a new project, but I want I want to respect what we have in place and what's in the past. Having said that, we are truly a nation at war and um you know, we've lost some airmen, so please remember them. And u you know, as far as I'm concerned, if our troops get steak and lobster every night, that's okay with me. Um out my way, speaking of steak and lobster, Ruben Moore, uh who was the founder of Ruben's, which is a spin-off of Wimpies, uh he passed away 16 years ago, and uh want to remember him and his family. um a trooper uh John Weinbrunner, one of our local state troopers, was honored as the trooper of the year and that's for the entire nation. He was one of the four finalist and he received that honor. So that's a great uh great honor for John. Um we do have some excuse me exciting news um and some good stuff coming particularly at the Mega Park which is in my district and uh you'll hear more about that later on. I do encourage people to vote no to the redistricting efforts that um that is um not good. So anyway, uh just make sure you exercise your right to vote. Uh five years ago, we lost Corporal Wayne Grubs who was with the sheriff's office. Some of you probably remember uh Grubby, but we lost him five years ago. And I'll close out by congratulating Sergeant Coast, Investigative Sergeant, Investigative Gibson for doing such a fabulous job in saving that lady's life. And that's all I have, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ingram, Mr. Don. Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, thank you. Mr. Ingram, you got all my stole all my thunder. I copied off sheet when you won't look outside. Now, I want to thank everybody for coming out tonight, all the citizens. Thanks to all the staff, all the work they do. And as Mr. Brown said, there's some good things going on and I'm looking forward to it. And with that, everybody have a safe trip home. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Dalton. Mr. Whitt.

Thanks. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I just want to thank everybody for coming out and bless our troops. Bless our president whether you like him or not. Bless him. He needs it. He needs everybody support. Keep this thing going. I know the tax the gas is going up. He'll bring it down in a couple months maybe. We hope. And um let's um thank the staff for everything they do for us. Keep us going. Thank Mr. Sher over there. He uh keeps me pretty straight once or twice a week. And Mr. uh Ro I mean Matt Evans over there. He does a great job. Thank you, Matt. And um just thank everybody on the board. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Willow. Um let me let me just say uh I will be brief. I want to thank um all of my colleagues. You guys on this day, you all do a wonderful job. Um, you guys genuinely have the uh the best interest of Pennsylvania County on your heart and there there are times that we don't always agree on every issue, but um, you know, we at least uh, walk out of the room, we respect one another as men. We respect each other's opinion, and that is what is important. and we move on to the next issue in trying to solve problems for Pennsylvania County. Um, as I've made my rounds, um, there's a couple of dates I want people to kind of remember. On the 24th, yours truly, I will be, uh, giving a state of the county address to uh, to the county at large. It will be uh, live streamed. So, uh, it's going to be 8:00 Chattam High School. uh please be there or uh tune in if you will because I think it's important that we communicate to the entire county at one time the direction that we're going in as a community. Um also keep in mind on the uh 25th uh which is going to be that Wednesday at 5:30 to 7 at the community center you're going to have uh the first town hall for our comp plan. So, please be there if you have concerns or issues you may need to address. I want to express my gratitude uh to the staff that does a lot of heavy lifting uh for uh for for these guys up here. And you see uh

everything running kind of smooth where we are not the we're not the impetus or the genesis behind everything running smooth. It is the staff that does a lot of this research for us. There's never been a time that I've not asked for uh someone on staff to look up certain information for me to help us make uh great decisions that they've not come through. Um our economic development team, what a heck of a team. I I said it earlier in close session. you know, when they go to Richmond, it's kind of like uh David and Goliath. They walk in there, they're they're typically outguned, uh outmatched, the whole nine yards, but they walk out of the room with a win. And uh you know, so Matt and Katie does a heck of a job, uh along with Linda Green, our partners in the Danville community, Cory Bubet, uh and staff over there. So kudos and and listen stay tuned as uh everyone has said there are good things on the horizon and uh we're just looking for the day wherein you know a rising tide will lift all boats. Uh you know that that is very very true. Uh once once we get that liquid in here it's going to elevate a lot of uh livelihoods in the community and that's what I'm looking forward to. Mr. shorter. Thank you so much.

Yes, sir. I I'd just like to kind of piggyback on what's been said and and publicly thank the wonderful staff that we have working for Pennsylvania County every day. Um, and they do it without complaint and they do it tirelessly and sometimes uh any hour of the night and on the weekends and holidays and whatever. And I also like to thank you all for serving this county and being so supportive of the staff that you are and and thank you again for your service. Thank you, sir. Mr. Evans. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It's a blessing to be part of the process. The the future is bright and uh look forward to to many good