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The State Board of Elections has released information about election-related mailers, text messages, and phone calls here: https://www.ncsbe.gov/Press-Releases?udt_2226_param_detail=2224
The Alamance County Tax Office is pleased to announce the August 17th opening of a drive-through service at 378 Harden Street in Burlington (formerly Medicap Pharmacy). While no walk-in payments may be accepted at this location, drive-through customers may pay with cash or check. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are also accepted with a 2.5% convenience fee. The drive-through will be open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, beginning August 17th.
Walk-in payments will still be accepted at the county office at 124 West Elm Street in Graham. Due to COVID-19 safety measures, capacity for walk-ins is greatly reduced and wait times may be longer than usual. The Tax Office encourages citizens to pay via mail, drive-through, dropbox, or online to avoid long wait times.
Updated to correct location.
The Alamance Chamber has long been an advocate for small business and know they are key to a community’s economic health. We’re proud to be a partner in the organization and funding of a new Community Recovery Loan program.
The Chamber has partnered with Alamance County, the Alamance County Economic Development Foundation, and the Alamance Community Foundation to establish a small business revolving loan program for Alamance County businesses.
The program has been established through public-private funding from the Alamance County Economic Development Foundation and Alamance County Commissioners for $300,000 to initiate the program. The funds will be granted to the Alamance Community Foundation which will then work with Self-Help Credit Union to administer the loans. As a bonus, as loans are repaid, funds will be loaned out to new borrowers creating a revolving source of funding assistance for our business community.
“Many businesses in our community have been impacted by the Coronavirus and need a lifeline for recovery” said Mac Williams, President of the Alamance Chamber. “We are proud to announce this fund for local businesses to help them as they adjust and adapt their business not only to the current and post-COVID-19 economy but, importantly, for the longer term.”
Paired with the funding will be technical support from the Alamance Community College Small Business Center and Self-Help. The program wants to make sure businesses have not only the financial boost they may need, but also help to ensure they can address any business-related issues to maximize return on recovery efforts. Assistance can begin with help completing the application, then move to specific business issues such as legal, marketing or bookkeeping.
Want to learn more? Visit the Community Recovery Loan Program webpage for details, flyers in English and Spanish, and the link to apply.
Please share with business connections, associations, churches and other groups you think may be interested in the program.
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):
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.
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:
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
Total – $167,615,943
SOURCES OF FUNDS
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 District | Current Tax Rate | Proposed Tax Rate |
| 54 East | 0.0900 | 0.0900 |
| Altamahaw-Ossipee | 0.1400 | 0.1400 |
| E. M. Holt | 0.1175 | 0.1175 |
| East Alamance | 0.1050 | 0.1050 |
| Eli Whitney/87South | 0.0800 | 0.1100 |
| Elon | 0.1100 | 0.1200 |
| Faucette | 0.1100 | 0.1200 |
| Haw River | 0.1350 | 0.1350 |
| North Central Alamance | 0.1150 | 0.1150 |
| North Eastern Alamance | 0.1000 | 0.1000 |
| Snow Camp | 0.0950 | 0.0950 |
| Swepsonville | 0.0900 | 0.0900 |
An overview of the 2020-2021 proposed general fund budget includes:
This 3rd day of June 2020.
Tory M. Frink, Clerk to the Board
Alamance County
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:
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 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.
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.
Meals on Wheels received a grant that allows them to provide temporary
service for seniors affected by the Coronavirus. This benefits seniors age 60 and older in Alamance County that are no longer leaving home as they usually would, due to Covid-19.
If you or someone you know is in need of home delivered meals during this time, please give them a call at 336-228-8815.
BURLINGTON, N.C.– Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area opens to the public on May 22, 2020. The Pine Hill Trailhead is the first phase of development in the new park and includes 3.5 miles of trail. Hikers will enjoy rolling piedmont hills, abundant creeks and streams, and some of the best views in Alamance County.
Due to current social distancing requirements surrounding COVID-19, the park is open by reservation only. Visitors can secure a reservation at the park by visiting alamance.recdesk.com. Reservations are available to groups of 10 or less in 3-hour time slots during which they will have exclusive access to the park.
Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area is located at: 5075 Bass Mountain Rd, Snow Camp, NC 27349. For more information, visit www.alamanceparks.com.
Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area is located 8 miles south of the City of Graham in the Cane Creek Mountains Range, a Piedmont Monadnock range. The mountain range comprises the largest State Natural Heritage Area and the largest area of undisturbed woodland in Alamance County. The property contains four miles of streams and supports Piedmont Monadnock Forest, Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forests, as well as low elevation seeps. The area contains plants and animals found nowhere else in Alamance County and is home to the highest peak in North Carolina east of Greensboro at 987 feet.
Upon completion, the Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area will total over 1,000 acres. The development of the park will continue over the next several years.
The Cane Creek Mountain Natural Area is a partnership between The Conservation Fund, Piedmont Land Conservancy, and Alamance Parks. Funding support has been received from Clean Water Management Trust Fund, North Carolina Recreational Trails Program, North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and private donors.