The Board of Commissioners of the County of Stokes, State of North Carolina, met for a Regular Session in the Stokes County Administration Building in the Commissioners Chamber located in Danbury, North Carolina on Monday August 25, 2020 at 6:00 pm with the following members present:

Board of Commissioners Present: Chairman Andy Nickelston, Vice Chairman Ronnie Mendenhall, Commissioner Rick Morris, Commissioner Jimmy Walker, and Commissioner Ernest Lankford

County Administration Present: County Manager Jake Oakley, Assistant County Manager/Clerk to the Board Shannon Shaver, and Finance Director Julia Edwards

Chairman Nickelston called the Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order.

Commissioner Morris commented:

• Would like to give my condolences to Commissioner Mendenhall on the loss of his younger brother at too young of an age as well as all the other things he has been going through.
• I would like to pass my condolence's to the Joyce family as well as I heard that Mike Joyce's brother passed away yesterday.
• Welcome to everyone here tonight and watching virtual.

Commissioner Walker commented:

• I also offer my condolences to the Mendenhall family.
• They have been through a lot in the past couple of weeks.
• Good to see Commissioner Mendenhall here this evening.
• I want to compliment our staff.
• As I was coming to the meeting tonight I noticed how much better the building at the corner of 89 and Mountain Road looks.
• It is good to see things go from how that looked to how it looks now.
• Also want to compliment our Manager on helping us to make some good decisions.
• He has gotten us some good information together and helped us to make some decisions to move the county in the right direction.
• I haven't had a chance to tell him lately so I thought I would tell him now.

Commissioner Lankford commented:

• Appreciate the people that are out tonight.
• I know in these trying times it can be tough to get out.
• COVID-19 puts depression on everybody.
• It is hard to deal with.
• We have a lot of people that are having to stay in.
• I have been much in prayer for those that have special needs.
• I pray that God will lead us and show us the way through this and all things.

Vice Chairman Mendenhall commented:

• Good to see everyone out.
• I want to say thank you to everyone and my fellow Commissioners for their support during this difficult time for my family.
• For everyone that is watching or here in person, the number of cards, calls, and texts we have received have been amazing to us.
• I just want to say thank you.
• To lose a brother who was 9 years younger, and my mother breaking her arm all within 30 minutes of each other has been a trying time for my family over the past couple of weeks.
• I want to tell you that Stokes County has really come through for me.
• Thank you for coming out and being a part of our governmental process tonight.

Chairman Nickelston commented:

• I have been praying for Commissioner Mendenhall and his whole family for the Lord to give you comfort and peace.
• We are glad to see you here tonight.
• Good to see everyone here tonight.
• Good to see that we have a candidate for County Commissioners here tonight.
• Thank you to Sonya for being here and seeing how we conduct business.
• I usually don't talk much but I would like to take a minute to speak tonight.
• When I first campaigned I campaigned on infrastructure in the county and creating jobs.
• This was one thing that was at the top of my list.
• We are in dire need of internet.
• Our previous Boards have done all they can possibly do.
• $1.8 million dollars went out and we still haven't gotten very far.
• With that being said I would like to make the announcement tonight that between my family, a friend, and myself we have decided to partner with Stokes WIFI.
• We are going to be putting up the money.
• This will not be coming out of any taxpayer funds at all.
• We are going to put up the money to put internet through the whole county.
• I ask you to be with us as we go through this.
• I am hoping that in between 8-12 months we will have everything up and running; and the internet will be available at an affordable price.
• Once again this does not cost the taxpayers a dime.

County Manager Oakley commented:

• I don't know how I top that.
• That is great news.
• Congratulations. 
• This sounds wonderful.
• To think that we would have the ability to get everyone online, especially with what we are going through right now with our schools and virtual learning.
• Hope everyone is doing well.
• My prayers are with those that need it and I hope Commissioner Mendenhall and his family are doing okay.
• My condolences to the Joyce family as well.

Chairman Nickelston opened the floor for the Public Hearing for the 2021 Real Property Schedule of Values at 6:11 pm and noted that the purpose of the Public Hearing is to give taxpayers the opportunity to ask questions or address concerns relating to the proposed schedules, standards, and rules to be used in appraising real property in Stokes County.

Chairman Nickelston noted that there were no individuals signed up to speak and asked if anyone in attendance at the meeting wished to speak during the Public Hearing.

With no individuals signed up to speak and no one in attendance wishing to speak, Chairman Nickelston closed the Public Hearing at 6:12 pm.

Chairman Nickelston opened the floor for Public Comments at 6:12 pm.

With no individuals signed up to speak during Public Comments, Chairman Nickelston closed the floor for Public Comments at 6:13 pm. 

Commissioner Morris requested clarification on Budget Amendments #12 and #14 from Finance Director Julia Edwards.

Finance Director Julia Edwards noted that the funds were correct on both budget amendments but that budget amendment #12 would need to be corrected to take the DSS A/C Unit out of the description.

Phillip Robertson with the Mercer Group presented the Board with the draft report of the Salary Study via telephone due to COVID-19.

Chairman Nickelston opened the floor for any discussion/questions/comments.

After much discussion and full consensus of the Board this item was placed back onto the Discussion Agenda for the last meeting in September.

County Manager Oakley and Assistant County Manager/Clerk to the Board Shannon Shaver presented the following information to the Board with the request that these items be moved to the Action Agenda at tonight's meeting. It was noted that these items were discussed at the last meeting.

Assistant County Manager/Clerk to the Board Shannon Shaver commented:

• We spoke with County Attorney Browder concerning questions from the Board as well as the Office of State Budget Management.
• The changes by County Attorney Browder are reflected in the updated guidelines and application.
• The state concurred that we would have to request tax records as documentation to prove a financial loss due to COVID-19 and saw no issue with these being requested.
• We are requesting that these items be approved at the meeting on August 24th so that we may begin the process.
• We have also sent copies of the Interlocal agreements to all municipalities and upon approval we will send them the final copy for their review and approval before the funds are distributed.
• We are requesting approval at tonight's meeting on the Guidelines and Application for  Grants to Small Businesses/Non-Profits with $500,000.00 to be allocated at this time, the Interlocal Agreements, and the COVID-19 Advisory Grant Review Committee

After much discussion and full consensus of the Board these items were moved to the Action Agenda at tonight's meeting.

Assistant County Manager/Clerk to the Board Shannon Shaver presented an additional application received from Justin Duncan for the Hospital Operations Committee and noted that there were five applicants on the Action Agenda at tonight's meeting that were presented at the last meeting. It was noted that she confirmed with County Attorney Browder that if the Board wished to have alternates on the Committee that they would need to amend the By-laws to reflect this change.

After some discussion it was decided that the Board would not take action on the other appointments on the Action Agenda tonight. Commissioner Morris noted that the Hospital Operations Committee would meet and make a decision on the applicants prior to the next meeting.

Assistant County Manager/Clerk to the Board Shannon Shaver suggested that the Board nominate then new applicant so that she could advertise this and a vote could be taken at the next meeting.

Commissioner Morris nominated Justin Duncan.

Commissioner Walker moved that the floor be closed for nominations.

Commissioner Lankford seconded.

Chairman Nickelston opened the floor for any discussion/questions/comments.

The motion Passed and with full consensus of the Board this item was moved to the Action Agenda at the next meeting.

Assistant County Manager/Clerk to the Board Shannon Shaver presented a request from the Animal Control Advisory Board for the appointment of Susan Hathcock from Westfield NC to a vacant position on the board.

Chairman Nickelston opened the floor for nominations.

Vice Chairman Mendenhall nominated Susan Hathcock.

Commissioner Walker moved that the floor be closed for nominations.

Commissioner Lankford seconded.

Chairman Nickelston opened the floor for any discussion/questions/comments.

The motion Passed and with full consensus of the Board this item was moved to the Action Agenda at the next meeting.

County Manager Oakley presented the Lewis Purchase Agreement signed by all heirs and spouses for the property for the well/water tower on Wall Loop Rd and noted that upon the approval of the Board we will move forward with the preliminary work to be done to assess if this site is suitable. He requested that due to the 90 day timeline that this item be moved to the Action Agenda at this meeting.

Chairman Nickelston opened the floor for any discussion/questions/comments.

After some discussion and full consensus of the Board this item was moved to the Action Agenda at the meeting tonight.

Chairman Nickelston noted that there was an application received from the Board of Health for a vacant position presented at the meeting on August 10, 2020 and moved to the Action Agenda for August 24, 2020 for Tori Phipps. 

Chairman Nickelston opened the floor for any additional nominations.

Vice Chairman Mendenhall moved to close the floor for nominations.

Commissioner Walker seconded.

Chairman Nickelston opened the floor for any discussion/questions/comments.

With no discussion the motion Passed.

Chairman Nickelston polled the Board.

Commissioner Morris: Tori Phipps

Commissioner Walker: Tori Phipps

Commissioner Lankford: Tori Phipps

Vice Chairman Mendenhall: Tori Phipps

Chairman Nickelston: Tori Phipps

Chairman Nickelston noted that Tori Phipps had been appointed to the Board of Health as the dental representative.

Chairman Nickelston noted that this item was discussed at the last meeting and placed on the Action Agenda at the meeting on August 24, 2020. It is requested that If the Board elects to go out for bids for the demolition it is requested that we receive bids for the old prison as well as the Bullins property that the county purchased for consideration of the demolition of both properties.

Chairman Nickelston entertained a motion on the item presented at the last meeting.

Chairman Nickelston entertained a motion on the item presented at the last meeting.

The Board has been in discussion regarding the Solar Farm Moratorium. At the last meeting the Board discussed making the moratorium for solar farms of 50 or more acres and setting the time limit until the Planning Board could have ample time to create regulations. We discussed this with County Attorney Browder and he states that there needs to be a definite time on the moratorium. We have updated the moratorium to state 50 acres or more and a time limit of 1 year. The Board may change any of this information as these are only suggestions based on what has been discussed.

Chairman Nickelston entertained a motion on the item presented.

Chairman Nickelston entertained a motion on the item presented.

Chairman Nickelston entertained a motion on the item presented.

With no further business to come before the Board, Chairman Nickelston entertained a motion to adjourn.