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.
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:
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.
RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina elections officials are looking for “democracy heroes” to work at polling places and early voting sites in 2020.
These local heroes will protect democracy, learn about the elections process, serve their communities and get paid in the process.
The State Board of Elections encourages voters of all ages to lend a hand to the democratic process in this important presidential election year. Election workers often consist of retirees and older members of a community – groups at higher risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To learn more and express your interest in working in the 2020 general election, fill out this election worker interest survey on the State Board of Elections’ website.
“Elections officials in many North Carolina counties are looking for election workers for the November 3 general election and the early voting period in October,” said State Board Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell. “Not all heroes wear capes. You can be a hero for democracy and our state in 2020.”
After completing the online form, your information will be forwarded to your county board of elections. You will be contacted if election workers are needed in your county.
The State Board is committed to protecting election workers’ health and safety. Appropriate protective equipment, including where applicable masks, gloves, face protection, and cleaning supplies, will be provided, and social distancing guidelines will be in place at polling places this year.
Election workers have an important role. They:
Staff polling places during early voting and on Election Day
Set up and close the voting enclosure
Check in voters and issue ballots
Assist voters upon request
Serve at the Help Table and perform research for voters who are not on the pollbook
To serve as an election worker, you must be a registered voter and serve in your county of residence. Other restrictions may apply. To check your registration status, go here: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/.
In North Carolina, high school students may also serve as election workers. To become a student election assistant, you must:
Be 17 years old by Election Day;
Be a U.S. citizen;
Reside in the district where you wish to serve;
Be enrolled in a secondary educational institution with an exemplary academic record as determined by that institution;
Be recommended by the principal or director of the institution; AND
Have the consent of a parent, legal custodian or guardian.
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:
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:
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:
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
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
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:
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”
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:
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
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.
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.
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.