Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

INVOCATION

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

WELCOME AND CALL TO ORDER

SPEAKERS FROM THE FLOOR

Each speaker will be allowed three (3) minutes to address the Board. Speakers from the Floor will last for a maximum of thirty (30) minutes.

2026-102 RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. JAMES DOUGLAS "DOUG" THORNE

Requested Action: Present a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Mr. James Douglas "Doug" Thorne. Sponsors: Commissioner Frankie T. Jones, Jr.

2026-345 PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 22, 2026 AS VETERANS SUICIDE AWARENESS AND REMEMBRANCE DAY

Background: WHEREAS, the men and women of our military and the veterans of North Carolina represent the highest tradition of selfless service to our county, state and nation, and their sacrifices deserve our eternal gratitude and our active support; and WHEREAS, suicide prevention remains a major public health priority for the veteran community. While the daily average reported by the VA has changed as data collection has improved, the number of veteran suicides remains a significant concern. September 22 provides an opportunity to remember those who were lost, support those who are struggling, and strengthen efforts to prevent future tragedies; and WHEREAS, military personnel and veterans continue to face a disproportionate and heartbreaking risk of death by suicide, with veterans nearly twice as likely to die by suicide compared to their civilian counterparts, and over 20 veterans and military members dying by suicide each day across the United States; and WHEREAS, since 2001, the United States has lost over 100,000 veterans to suicide - a number that exceeds the casualties of many of the conflicts in which these brave men and women served - and post-9/11 veterans continue to be at the greatest risk among the veteran population; and WHEREAS, North Carolina is one of the most military-connected states in the nation, home to Fort Bragg, Camp Lejeune, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, and many other installations, with hundreds of thousands of veterans, active-duty service members, and military families who call our state home and who are woven into the fabric of every community from the mountains to the coast; and WHEREAS, suicide prevention services are vastly underutilized by our military and veterans due to the deeply entrenched stigma surrounding mental health, suicide, and seeking treatment within the warrior culture of military and veteran communities, and breaking this stigma is essential to saving lives; and WHEREAS, the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance (SAR) Flag was created by United States Air Force Veteran Kevin W. Hertell in memory of his cousin, Senior Airman Robert McRae Dean of the United States Air Force, who died by suicide in 2016, and the SAR Flag now stands as a powerful national symbol of remembrance, hope, and commitment to ending veteran and military suicide; and WHEREAS, September is recognized nationally as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, making September 22 an especially fitting and powerful date to focus our collective attention on the unique and profound challenges faced by those who have served our nation, and to honor those we have lost; WHEREAS, it is the solemn duty of the county of Guilford to honor the service of our military and veterans, to remember those we have lost, and to ensure that every veteran in our County knows they are seen, valued, and never alone. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Guilford County Board of Commissioners, do hereby call upon all of our citizens, community leaders, businesses, faith communities, schools, and government entities at every level to join in recognizing Tuesday September 22, 2026 as Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day, to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and help-seeking among our veterans and military members, and to ensure that every veteran in Guilford County, North Carolina knows that compassionate and holistic support is available to them. ADOPTED this the 3rd day of September 2026. Requested Action: Proclaim September 22, 2026 as Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day. Sponsors: Commissioner Kay Cashion

2026-346 PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 11, 2026 AS PATRIOT DAY AND NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE IN GUILFORD COUNTY

Background: WHEREAS, on September 11, 2001, our Nation suffered a profound tragedy that forever changed our country when nearly 3,000 innocent men, women, and children lost their lives in coordinated terrorist attacks against the United States; and WHEREAS, we honor the memory of those who perished at the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and aboard United Airlines Flight 93, whose passengers and crew displayed extraordinary courage and selflessness in the face of unimaginable danger; and WHEREAS, we pay tribute to the firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, military members, and countless first responders who answered the call of duty with unwavering courage, many making the ultimate sacrifice in service to others; and WHEREAS, we recognize the resilience, compassion, and unity demonstrated by the American people in the aftermath of September 11, proving that even in the face of tragedy, our Nation's spirit cannot be broken; and WHEREAS, we remain committed to preserving the memory of those who were lost, supporting survivors and the families of the victims, and educating future generations about the enduring values of courage, sacrifice, service, and national unity. NOW, THEREFORE, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners, does hereby proclaim September 11, 2026 as Patriot Day and a National Day of Service and Remembrance, and encourages all citizens to pause in remembrance of the victims, honor the heroism of first responders, military personnel, and volunteers, display the American flag with pride, participate in acts of service within their communities, and reaffirm our commitment to freedom, justice, and the ideals upon which the United States was founded. Requested Action: Proclaim September 11, 2026 as Patriot Day and National day of Service and Remembrance in Guilford County. Sponsors: Commissioner Pat Tillman

2026-353 RECOGNIZE GUILFORD COUNTY LEADERSHIP AND DEPARTMENTS ON NACo AND NCACC ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS

Background: During the 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference held July 17-20, 2026 Both Guilford County Leadership and Departmental programs received national recognition for their achievements. NACo Past President J.D. Clark, recognized Commissioner Carly Cooke for her 2025-26 service as Vice Chair of the Mid-Size County Caucus. Subsequently, incoming NACo President George Dunlap appointed Commissioner Cooke to expand her leadership role and serve as Chair of the National Mid-Size County Caucus for the 2026-2027 term. In this role she will help advance policies impacting local governments and facilitate peer to peer discussions on challenges and opportunities facing counties across the United States. NACo Past President, J.D. Clark, also recognized Commissioner Kay Cashion for her 2025-26 service as Vice Chair of the Arts & Culture Innovation Council and her leadership in advancing awareness of the value and impact of arts and culture programs. Her work has highlighted how these programs enhance the quality of life, support job creation and serve as a powerful drivers of economic growth and vitality. Additionally, Guilford County Board members were selected for the following NACo leadership, policy and committee assignments for the 2026-27 term: - District 5 Commissioner Carly Cooke: Appointed President of the Mid-Size Caucus, member of NACo Board of Directors, reappointed to Human Services and Education Policy Steering Committee - At Large Commissioner Kay Cashion: Reappointed Vice Chair of Arts & Culture Innovations Council, Member of the Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC), Member of Resilient Counties Innovation Council, Member of Veterans and Military Services Advisory Council, member of Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee - District 6 Commissioner Brandon Gray-Hill: Member of the Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) - District 4 Commissioner Mary Beth Murphy: Reappointed to Immigration Advisory Council - District 2 Commissioner Alan Perdue: Reappointed to Telecommunications and Technology Policy Steering Committee - District 3 Commissioner Pat Tillman: Reappointed to Veterans and Military Services Advisory Council 5 Guilford County programs were also selected for national achievement awards in innovation: - Guilford County Budget Town Hall Series (General Achievement Award), presented in the Civic Education and Public Information category - Friends in Action SNAP/Medicaid Series (General Achievement Award), presented in the Human Services category - Guilford County Public Health - Community Shield Program (General Achievement Award), presented as the 2026 National Association of Counties and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Model Practice Award Winner - Statewide MWBE Impact Study (General Achievement Award), presented in the Community and Economic Development category - The Melvin “Skip” Alston Golf Classic Supporting Homeless Initiative (General Achievement Award), presented in the Community and Economic Development and GAGC Community Impact Award category Guilford County Commissioners also received statewide recognition for their years of service and were reappointed to key positions within the NC Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) during its Annual Conference held August 20-22, 2026. At-Large Commissioner Kay Cashion was inducted into the NCACC Hall of Fame in recognition of her distinguished leadership, statewide and national advocacy for local government initiatives and public service. Commissioners were selected for the following NCACC leadership roles: - District 8 Chairman Melvin "Skip" Alston: Appointed as At-Large member on the NCACC Board of Directors, reappointed as 1st Vice President of NC Association of Black County Officials (NCABCO) - District 1 Vice Chairwoman J. Carlvena Foster: Reappointed as President of NCABCO - District 5 Commissioner Carly Cooke: Reappointed to