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PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE ALAMANCE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ REGULAR MEETING FOR MONDAY, JULY 20, 2020

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Alamance County Board of Commissioners’ Regular Meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 20, 2020 at 7 p.m. in the County Commissioners’ Meeting Room located on the 2nd Floor of the County Office Building, 124 West Elm Street, Graham, NC 27253. 

The health and safety of its residents continues to be the highest priority of Alamance County.  Under the Governor’s Executive Order 141 Section 7, governmental operations are exempt from the prohibition on Mass Gatherings.  In recognition of the Governor’s Recommendations to Promote Social Distancing and Reduce Transmission, there will be limited seating available.   In order to ensure the health and safety of the Board, staff and general public, access to the regular meeting is available in the following 3 ways:

Public Comments – On Sunday, July 19th from 12pm to 9pm citizens are encouraged to submit or register for public comments for the July 20th  7 p.m. County Commissioners’ meeting by two optional ways (Please click here https://www.alamance-nc.com/commissioners/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/01/Public-Comment-policy-Revised-1-22-19.pdf  to review the Public Comment Policy): 

  1. A public comment form will be available on the Alamance County website for any persons wishing to submit written comments prior to the start of the meeting.  These written comments will be entered into the record and minutes at the July 20th Regular Meeting.; or
  • Persons wishing to participate in public comments by telephone must provide the Clerk to the Board with their name, address, topic to be discussed, and telephone number by calling 336-290-0403 and leaving a message.  Then at the appropriate time during the Commissioners’ meeting on July 20th at 7 p.m. the citizen will be called to submit their comments verbally by phone. 

All County policies regarding the 3-minute limit per comment and number of public comments in the 30-minute period will apply.  A copy of this Notice shall be posted on the bulletin board located outside of the Commissioners’ Meeting Room on the 2nd Floor of the County Office Building.  A copy of the Notice shall be sent to all parties who have requested and receives notification of any changes in the Commissioners’ Regular Meeting schedule.

This 17th day of July 2020.

Interim Health Director

The Board of Health is pleased to announce that they have completed the Interim Health Director search after a competitive application and interview process. The Board offered the position of Interim Health Director to Alexandria Rimmer, MPH, and she has accepted the position. Rimmer will assume the health director duties beginning July 31, 2020 at 5pm.

Rimmer is currently employed by the Health Department as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist. She has been employed with the Health Department since 2018. She holds a Master of Public Health degree from Liberty University.

“I am truly honored to be offered this opportunity to lead the health department during this transition,” said Rimmer. “I am eager to assist the department in a leadership capacity as we continue to respond to COVID-19 and also remain dedicated to our other public health functions.”

The Board of Health has formed a Search Committee and will be meeting in the coming weeks to begin the process to appoint a permanent Health Director.

Alamance Fire Sprinkler Incentive Program

The Alamance County Inspections Department is excited to announce the first participant in the Alamance Fire Sprinkler Incentive Program! Concept Builders of Burlington is pleased to take advantage of the program with a home they are building at 1025 Soapstone Trail in Snow Camp.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, “Home fire sprinklers can dramatically reduce the heat, flames, and smoke produced in a fire. Properly installed and maintained fire sprinklers help save lives.”

To encourage home fire sprinkler installations, the Alamance County Inspections Department created the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Program in order to promote public safety, raise awareness of the benefits of home fire sprinkler systems, and help defray the cost of their installation in new homes. This program discounts the cost of a new home permit by 50% when a non-required home fire sprinkler system is installed. There is also no fee charged for the plan review or permit for the sprinkler system itself.

The Inspections Department wishes to promote public awareness of this important safety feature via our incentive program. Per the NFPA, United States fire departments responded to an estimated 1,318,500 fires in 2018. These fires resulted in 3,655 civilian fire fatalities and 15,200 civilian fire injuries; most or all of these could have been prevented if homes were protected by a residential fire sprinkler system. Fire sprinklers are required by law in all new residential construction in places like California, Maryland and Washington DC. The hope is that residents will become more
informed about this important safety feature.

For more information about the Sprinkler Incentive Program, please contact Robert Key, Inspections Director at Robert.Key@alamance-nc.com or visit https://www.alamance-nc.com/inspections/.

Health Director Stacie Saunders Resigning to Join Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services as Public Health Director

June 26, 2020 – Alamance County Health Director Stacie Saunders has announced she is resigning her position at the Health Department effective July 31. Saunders will join the Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services as Public Health Director effective August 3.

“This is an incredible health department and I am so proud of the work we have done together including improving access to birth control methods, committing to better birth outcomes by making Centering Pregnancy our standard of care for maternity, expanding Children’s Dental Health Clinic services to schools, and combating multiple communicable disease threats, including the current novel coronavirus pandemic,” Saunders said of her time in Alamance. “This health department is filled with dedicated individuals, committed to serving the people of this community. It has been an honor to serve alongside these public health champions every day.”

Saunders began her public health career at Alamance County Health Department in 2007 in a grant-funded position aimed at reducing infant mortality. Saunders has served as the Public Health Director for Alamance County since 2014.

The Alamance County Board of Health will appoint an interim Health Director in the coming weeks.

COMPUTER APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE AT ALAMANCE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES

The Alamance County Public Libraries will begin offering computer appointments beginning Monday, June 29, 2020. Computer sessions will be limited to one hour per day. Session times are as follows:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday

  • 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
  • 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday

  • 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The library is not open to the public at this time as access to the building is for computer use. To schedule your session, please contact your branch by phone:

  • May Memorial Library: 336-229-3588
  • Mebane Public Library: 919-563-6431
  • Graham Public Library: 336-570-6730
  • North Park Library: 336-226-7185

For more information, please visit https://www.alamancelibraries.org/2020/06/24/computer-appointments-available/.

Century Link Outages Affect Calls to Alamance 911 Center

Please be advised that Century Link/AT&T is experiencing outages that affect 911 service for residents in the Gibsonville area. Some residents are unable to use their landline or internet service phone to call 911.

Alamance County urges customers in this area to use a cell phone or find alternate options to contact the Alamance County Communications Center (911) in case of emergency.

Century Link/AT&T is currently unable to give estimates for time of repair, but staff are working to restore service as quickly as possible.

Alamance County will continue to provide updates as new information is received.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING: PROPOSED BUDGET OF ALAMANCE COUNTY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021

The Alamance County Manager has submitted his proposed budget for fiscal year 2020-2021 to the Alamance County Board of Commissioners.  A public hearing on the proposed budget ordinance will be held on Monday, June 15, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the Alamance County Historic Courthouse located at: 1 Court Square, Graham, NC 27253. 

The health and safety of its residents continues to be the highest priority of Alamance County.  Under the Governor’s Executive Order 141 Section 7, governmental operations are exempt from the prohibition on Mass Gatherings.  In recognition of the Governor’s Recommendations to Promote Social Distancing and Reduce Transmission, there will be limited seating available at the Alamance County Historic Courthouse.  Pursuant to Executive Order 141 Section 4, press will be permitted to attend. All interested citizens wishing to comment on the budget can do so in the following ways:

Oral Comments – Citizens wishing to make oral comments may attend the public hearing on Monday, June 15th at 7:00pm at the Alamance County Historic Courthouse, Graham, NC.  (There will be limited seating available.)

Additionally, persons wishing to submit their public comments orally during the meeting, may do so by telephone.  These persons must provide the Clerk to the Board with their name, address, topic to be discussed, and telephone number by calling 336-290-0403 and leaving a message no later than 9:00 P.M. on June 14th.  Then at the appropriate time during the Commissioners’ meeting on June 15th at 7:00 P.M. the citizen will be called to submit their comments verbally by phone.  

Written Public Comments – Beginning June 4th, citizens are encouraged to submit written public comments for the June 15th budget public hearing: 

  1. A public comment form will be available on the Alamance County website for any persons wishing to submit written comments prior to the start of the meeting.  Written comments received prior to the start of the June 15th meeting will be entered into the record and minutes at the June 15th   Regular Meeting.

The proposed budget ordinance is available online on the Alamance County website:

https://www.alamance-nc.com/finance/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/06/Managers-Recommended-Budget-2020-21-Message-Ordinance.pdf  where it shall remain available until the budget ordinance is adopted.  Copies are available in the offices of the Finance Officer and the Clerk to the Board for public inspection from 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday-Friday. The following is a summary of the proposed General Fund Budget:   

EXPENDITURES

  • General Government – 10,751,597
  • Education & Education Debt – 66,743,861
  • Human Services – 33,174,278
  • Public Safety – 39,338,441
  • Support Services – 6,141,977
  • Community Services – 8,686,053
  • Non-Education Debt Service – 2,779,736

Total – $167,615,943

SOURCES OF FUNDS

  • Property Taxes  – 100,104,666
  • Federal & State Funds – 23,808,570
  • Sales Tax – 24,633,643
  • Fees & Charges – 11,097,500
  • Interest Earnings – 700,000
  • Other Revenues – 2,483,021
  • Designated Fund Balance -1,288,543
  • Appropriated Fund Balance – 3,500,000

Total – $167,615,943

The recommended General Fund Tax Rate is $0.67 per $100 of assessed valuation.  Recommended tax rates for fire districts are:

Fire DistrictCurrent Tax RateProposed Tax Rate
   54 East0.09000.0900
   Altamahaw-Ossipee0.14000.1400
   E. M. Holt0.11750.1175
   East Alamance0.10500.1050
   Eli Whitney/87South0.08000.1100
   Elon0.11000.1200
   Faucette0.11000.1200
   Haw River0.13500.1350
   North Central Alamance0.11500.1150
   North Eastern Alamance0.10000.1000
   Snow Camp0.09500.0950
   Swepsonville0.09000.0900

An overview of the 2020-2021 proposed general fund budget includes:

  • Fiscal year 2020-21 budget totals $209,166,397
  • Property tax rate is recommended to remain at $0.67
  • Property tax revenue is projected to increase due to overall tax base growth by 2.5% or $2,458,374
  • Sales tax revenue is projected to decrease by 20% from projected FY 19-20 amounts.
  • Makes use of $3,500,000 in appropriated fund balance for operations, $1,518,539 less than the previous year’s allocation
  • Uses $1,066,719 in designated funds from sources including revaluation, performance management savings, etc. and $221,824 for grant matching funds
  • Reduces proposed general fund spending by $14,101,278 from budget retreat requests, and $4,289,171 from previous fiscal year general fund spending
  • Eliminates County CIP funding, limits capital equipment to public safety only
  • Provides funding for the Alamance County Capital Finance Plan for ABSS’ and ACC’s proposed bond costs and paygo projects at a reduced level for ABSS due to decreased restricted sales tax revenue
  • Eliminates the 2.0% merit increase for County employees
  • Freezes hiring for 25 full time employee and 5 part time employee positions
  • Adds one new School Resource Officer employee funded by ABSS contract
  • Accommodates required $884,968 increase for employee retirement costs and retiree insurance
  • Reduces education operations spending by $500,000
  • Recommends approval of fire district tax increases for Faucette, Elon and Eli Whitney VFDs

This 3rd day of June 2020.
Tory M. Frink, Clerk to the Board
Alamance County

Alamance Soil and Water Farmer Conservation Assistance Program

The Alamance Soil and Water Conservation District anticipates receiving its cost share allocation from the State to assist with nonpoint source pollution control from agricultural activities. The funds are available to assist farmers to install conservation practices which help decrease the amount of sediment, nitrogen, phosphorus, chemicals and other pollutants in the surface and ground waters of our state.

The District anticipates to receive funding for the program year 2021 in July, 2020. Landowners and operators of existing agricultural operations may apply for cost share assistance to install conservation practices such as grassed waterways, sowing crop fields to grass or trees and livestock exclusion. Funds may also be available to assist farmers who have an inadequate water supply that may be hauling water to livestock and vegetable fields.

Applications for assistance will be accepted starting in July. With limited funding expected, farmers and producers are encouraged to contact the Alamance Soil and Water Conservation District office as soon as possible, the contact information is as follows:

ALAMANCE SOIL & WATER, 209 N. GRAHAM HOPEDALE ROAD, BURLNGTON, NC 27217-0185
PHONE 336-290-0380

PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE ALAMANCE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ REGULAR MEETING FOR MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2020

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Alamance County Board of Commissioners’ Regular Meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 1, 2020 at 9 a.m. in the County Commissioners’ Meeting Room located on the 2nd Floor of the County Office Building, 124 West Elm Street, Graham, NC 27253. 

The health and safety of its residents continues to be the highest priority of Alamance County.  Under the Governor’s Executive Order 141 Section 7, governmental operations are exempt from the prohibition on Mass Gatherings.  However, in order to follow the Governor’s Recommendations to Promote Social Distancing and Reduce Transmission, there is no meeting place where members of the public can safely be physically present.   In order to ensure the health and safety of the Board, staff and general public, access to the regular meeting is available in the following 3 ways:

Pursuant to Executive Order 141 Section 4, press will be permitted to attend.

Public Comments – On Sunday, May 31st from 12pm to 9pm citizens are encouraged to submit or register for public comments for the June 1st 9 a.m. County Commissioners’ meeting by two optional ways: 

  1. A public comment form will be available on the Alamance County website for any persons wishing to submit written comments prior to the start of the meeting.  These written comments will be entered into the record and minutes at the June 1st Regular Meeting.; or
  2. Persons wishing to participate in public comments by telephone must provide the Clerk to the Board with their name, address, topic to be discussed, and telephone number by calling 336-290-0403 and leaving a message.  Then at the appropriate time during the Commissioners’ meeting on June 1st at 9 a.m. the citizen will be called to submit their comments verbally by phone. 

All County policies regarding the 3 minute limit per comment and number of public comments in the 30 minute period will apply.  A copy of this Notice shall be posted on the bulletin board located outside of the Commissioners’ Meeting Room on the 2nd Floor of the County Office Building.  A copy of the Notice shall be sent to all parties who have requested and receive notification of any changes in the Commissioners’ Regular Meeting schedule.

This 28th day of May 2020.

Alamance County’s Response to ACE Speedway

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5/22/20

Upon learning that ACE Speedway intends to reopen on May 23, Alamance County has decided not to prohibit its reopening during Phase 2 of Governor Cooper’s plan to reopen North Carolina.

Over the past month, ACE Speedway has communicated extensively with the Alamance County Department of Public Health regarding recommended precautions in an effort to reduce potential exposures. ACE plans to implement several precautions, including screening attendees and providing rosters to the Health Department to facilitate contact tracing, in the event it is needed. In addition, ACE will maintain 10 feet distance between each car in the pit area, recommend masks for crews and 6 feet social distancing in the pit area, provide alcohol hand sanitizer solution at multiple areas (minimum of 10 stations) on infield premises, and provide precaution signage at the entrance, bathrooms, tech shed, and fuel and tire areas. Areas will be marked off in the grandstands to support social distancing. Bathrooms will be disinfected regularly and high touch areas will be disinfected every hour. Special precautions will be taken when dropping off wheels to be mounted and picked up and at fuel drop off. Plexiglas partitions have been installed where needed. The number of persons in the infield and outfield have been limited.

County Attorney Clyde Albright said, “The Exemptions listed in Section 4 of Executive Order 141 include activities constituting the exercise of First Amendment rights, which include the right to peaceably assemble. This exemption retroactively applies to earlier Executive Orders. Significantly, the Governor’s language in the Exemption has changed from ‘order’ to ‘strongly urges’. The Governor recognizes that he may only urge people engaged in exercising First Amendment rights to practice social distancing and other disease control measures. He cannot Constitutionally limit the number of people who can peaceably assemble under the First Amendment. The Temporary Restraining Order

issued last Friday by United States District Judge James C. Dever, III, in the lawsuit Berean et al versus Governor Roy A. Cooper, held that the earlier Executive Orders violate the freedom to attend worship services protected by the First Amendment. Because the right to peaceably assemble is also a First Amendment right, if Alamance County were to attempt to restrict the operation of a business not otherwise restricted by Executive Order 141 then such action may itself be in violation of the First Amendment.”

Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson stated, “When I took my oath of office, I swore to uphold the United States Constitution. I will not enforce an unconstitutional law. Upon hearing the opinion of the County Attorney, I do not intend to stop ACE Speedway from opening on Saturday, May 23.”

All Alamance County residents are strongly encouraged to follow the recommendations to promote social distancing and reduce transmission, including maintaining at least six feet from other individuals, wearing a face mask, using hand sanitizer, frequently washing hands, and remaining home if sick. Alamance County is committed to protecting the health and safety of its residents, while recognizing that Americans have freedoms guaranteed by the United States Constitution.

Media inquiries should be directed to County Attorney Clyde Albright at Clyde.Albright@alamance-nc.com or Health Director Stacie Saunders at Stacie.Saunders@alamance-nc.com.