Accessibility Tools

Skip to main content

Alamance County Board of Commissioners’ Response

County attorney Clyde Albright has advised the Alamance County Board of Commissioners that, pursuant to state and federal law, Alamance County does not have the legal authority to move the Confederate Veterans Memorial at courthouse square. The monument in Graham is an object of remembrance as defined by North Carolina General Statute 100-2.1, which gives it different legal status than a statue of an individual person or a commemoration of a battle or event. The county manager neglected to obtain information about the legality of his opinion before he offered it.

The drafting and announcement of this open letter is troubling. Very few of the people who participated in this statement (four of the fifty-six) have contacted any one of the five commissioners in the past few months to discuss their concerns about the monument. We have learned that at least some of those whose support for this letter was sought were told, “Don’t tell the commissioners” about the effort to draft it. Mayor Baltutis waited until 9:40 am on Monday, twenty minutes before his press conference was to begin, to inform Chair Galey, which prevented her from being able to attend.

One may ask, why would the authors of this letter not want the commissioners to know that it was being drafted and circulated? Why was it done in secret and then unveiled at a press conference? This would lead an observer to believe that this “call to action” is political in nature. Its true purpose would not appear to be to persuade the commissioners, but to ambush them in as public a manner as possible.

We do not doubt that those who signed the letter are sincere in their beliefs and hope to see the county find a resolution to this difficult challenge. The best way to seek a resolution is not by operating in secret, drawing up in opposing lines, and engaging with the press. Alamance County deserves leaders who are willing to reach out and communicate with one another.

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

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 Questions Regarding the Reopening of ACE Speedway

Alamance County Government officials were puzzled by Governor Cooper’s comments regarding ACE Speedway during the media update on Tuesday, May 26, since no one from the Governor’s office has reached out directly to the county, even after the county requested guidance and input. Local governments across North Carolina have asked repeatedly to have a voice in how the COVID restrictions impact their communities. However, those requests have not been addressed.

Alamance County Government has repeatedly reached out to Governor Cooper and NCDHHS for guidance in how to assist ACE Speedway to operate in a safe manner.

Alamance County sent a letter to the Governor on April 20, requesting that a regional approach to reopening be considered and that local governments participate in decision making. The County has not received a direct response to its letter.

On May 11, 2020, Alamance County Government officials, Jason Turner of ACE Speedway, and Matt Gross, the Assistant Secretary for Government Affairs at the NC Department of Health and Human Services, participated in a conference call, discussing how ACE Speedway could safely operate during Phase 2. Mr. Gross stated that it was not known whether Phase 2 would begin on May 22 and that it was not known what capacity businesses such as ACE Speedway could expect, but it would likely be between 25-50% of fire code. A document entitled, “Precaution Requirements for ACE Speedway” was developed through collaboration between NCDHHS, the Alamance County Health Department, and ACE Speedway. Jason Turner assured Alamance County on multiple occasions that he intended to follow the recommended protocols at ACE Speedway.

After reviewing Executive Order 141 on Wednesday, May 20, Alamance County had questions about its applicability and enforcement. On Thursday, May 21, at 9:00 a.m., Alamance County Government officials, Robert Turner of ACE Speedway, and Matt Gross of DHHS participated in a conference call. Mr. Gross was made aware of Alamance County’s concerns and questions. He stated that, not being an attorney, he could not advise the county, and he promised to forward the county’s concerns to the Governor’s staff and that someone would get back to the county. Alamance County has yet to hear directly from anyone with the Governor’s staff, NCDHHS, or anyone
else in State government.

The health and safety of its residents continues to be the highest priority of Alamance County. Alamance County has investigated the precautions taken last Saturday night at ACE Speedway, and has verified the following: 2550 spectators on a 50 acre property (approximately 50% of fire capacity); rosters for contact tracing were provided; 10 feet distance between each car in the pit area; recommended masks and 6 feet social distancing in pit area; multiple hand sanitizer stations provided; precaution signage; Plexiglas partitions where appropriate; marks of 6 feet of spacing in lines and high traffic areas; one-way arrows for traffic through the restrooms; public announcements every 30 minutes to remind spectators to social distance and wash hands; restrooms and other public areas sanitized regularly; and limits on the number of people in the infield and outfield.

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.

PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE ALAMANCE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ REGULAR MEETING FOR MONDAY, MAY 18th, 2020

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Alamance County Board of Commissioners’ Regular Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 18th, 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. 

In order to comply with the Governor’s Executive Order 121, which places limits on mass gatherings to 10 persons, there is no meeting place where members of the public can 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:

Public Comments – On Sunday, May 17thfrom 12 pm to 9 pm the citizens are encouraged to submit or register for public comments for the May 18th, 7 p.m. County Commissioners’ meeting by two optional ways: 

  • 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 May 18th 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 May 18th 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 receive notification of any changes in the Commissioners’ Regular Meeting schedule.

This 14th day of May 2020.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING – MAY 18, 2020

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON WHETHER THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR THE COUNTY OF ALAMANCE, NORTH CAROLINA SHOULD APPROVE A PROPOSED INSTALLMENT FINANCING AGREEMENT TO FINANCE A PORTION OF THE COST OF VARIOUS PROJECTS.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of a public hearing to be held at 7:00 P.M., or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard, on May 18, 2020 for the purpose of considering whether the Board of Commissioners (the “Board”) for the County of Alamance, North Carolina (the “County”) should approve a proposed installment financing agreement and certain related documents pursuant to G.S. § 160A-20, as amended, for the purpose of providing approximately $2,200,000, together with other available funds, for the construction and other accomplishment of the Project hereinafter described.  The County would secure the repayment by it of moneys advanced pursuant to such proposed agreement by granting a security interest in a portion of the Project and certain related property.

The Project consists of (i) renovating, repairing, equipping and improving the County’s jail facilities, (ii) renovating, repairing, equipping and improving the County’s emergency medical services garage, (iii) renovating, repairing, equipping and improving the County’s courthouse facilities and family justice center and (iv) renovating, repairing, equipping and improving the County’s human services center.  

Public Access – Pursuant to Section 166A-19.24of the North Carolina General Statutes and the Governor’s Executive Order No. 121, which places limits on mass gatherings to 10 persons or less, and in order to ensure the health and safety of the Board, staff and general public, access to the public hearing is available in the following 3 ways:

  1. Our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/AlamanceCountyNC) will display the live commissioners meeting.
  2. Our Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/AlamanceCounty/) will have a post to the live commissioners meeting.
  3. There will also be a link on the county home page (https://www.alamance-nc.com) above the banner that will say “Click Here to watch Live Commissioners Meeting.”

Written Public Comments – Written comments regarding the proposed financing of the Project or any matter related thereto may be submitted on or before 9:00 P.M. on May 19, 2020 using any of the following options: 

  1. Public comment forms are available on the Alamance County website (https://www.alamance-nc.com) and may be submitted online.
  2. Written comments may be emailed to Tory M. Frink, Clerk to the Board, at tory.frink@alamance-nc.com.
  3. Written comments may be mailed to Tory M. Frink, Clerk to the Board, at Tory M. Frink, Clerk to the Board, County of Alamance, North Carolina 124 W. Elm Street, Graham, North Carolina 27253.

Oral Public Comments – 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 12:00 P.M. on May 18th.  Then at the appropriate time during the Commissioners’ meeting on May 18th at 7:00 P.M. the citizen will be called to submit their comments verbally by phone.  

Tory M. Frink
Clerk to the Board of Commissioners
for the County of Alamance, North Carolina

PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE ALAMANCE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ REGULAR MEETING FOR MONDAY, MAY 4th, 2020

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Alamance County Board of Commissioners’ Regular Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 4th , 2020 at 9:00 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.

In order to comply with the Governor ‘s Executive Order 121, which places limits on mass gatherings to 10 persons, there is no meeting place where members of the public can 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:

Public Comments -On Sunday, May 3rd from 12 pm to 9 pm the citizens are encouraged to submit or register for public comments for the May 4th, 9 am 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 May 4th 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 May 4th at 9 am 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 30th day of April 2020.

Alamance County Board of Commissioners Requests Regional Approach for Lifting Restrictions

Tonight, April 20, 2020, the Alamance County Board of Commissioners authorized Chair Amy Scott Galey to send the following letter to North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper asking him to consider a regional approach in reopening North Carolina following the COVID-19 shutdown.

Chair Galey states: “ I write to you today to request that you adopt a regional approach, leveraging relationships between local governments in targeted areas and releasing from statewide orders the many communities that data reveal are minimally impacted by the virus.”

As one resident commented to the Alamance Board of Commissioners, “We want a resolution and want to know that you are doing your part to go ahead and start the reopening under safe conditions.”

In response, Chair Galey urges Governor Cooper “…reach out to the leaders of the counties and cities where the virus has hit the hardest, starting with the 30 counties that account for 86% of the cases, asking for cooperation in approving local restrictions that continue stay at home orders.”

She also thanks Governor Cooper for his hard work throughout this crisis and hopes that future decisions reflect current data and draw on experiences as we all”…work together in moving forward with a regional approach.”

Please contact Chair Galey at Amy.Galey@alamance-nc.com with any questions.

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

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Alamance County Board of Commissioners’ Regular Meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2020 at 7:00 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. 

In order to comply with the Governor’s Executive Order 121, which places limits on mass gatherings to 10 persons, there is no meeting place where members of the public can 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:

Public Comments – On Sunday April 19th from 12pm to 9pm the citizens are encouraged to submit or register for public comments for the April 20th 7pm County Commissioner 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 April 20th Regular Meeting. ; or
  • Persons wishing to participate in public comments by telephone must provide the Clerk 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 Commissioner meeting on April 20th at 7pm 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 16th day of April 2020.

Amy Scott Galey, Chair

Alamance County Board of Commissioners