Gary Herman
ALEXANDER COUNTY, NC (April 2, 2019) – At the April 1st meeting, the Alexander County Board of Commissioners scheduled a public hearing for May 6th at 6:00 p.m. to receive citizen input regarding the creation of the Alexander County Consolidated Human Services Agency.
If approved, commissioners would abolish the Board of Health, Social Services Board, and the Senior Center Advisory Committee, and confer the powers of those boards to the Alexander County Board of Commissioners as the Consolidated Human Services Board. Commissioners may also appoint members of those boards to serve on an advisory committee.
These changes, which would become effective July 1, are possible by legislation enacted by the North Carolina General Assembly in June 2012. Approximately 40 counties in the state have already chosen similar methods for organizing and governing local human services agencies.
“This new arrangement will grant commissioners greater oversight over these critical programs in Alexander County, with the intended result of providing improved services to our citizens,” said Commission Chairman Jeff Peal.
In other business:
• Commissioners held a public hearing to discuss financing for the new Alexander County Services Center. Following the discussion, they heard a report from Robert Jessup, Jr. of Sanford Holshouser Law regarding a resolution supporting an application to the Local Government Commission for its approval of the financing agreement. If approved by the LGC, the loan would not exceed $2 million. County Manager Rick French said that while the building is almost complete, the county can borrow money pending LGC approval to reimburse its fund balance. The board approved the resolution presented by Jessup. Once the move-in process is complete, the building will house parks & recreation, soil & water, cooperative extension, tax office, register of deeds, geographic information systems (GIS), planning, building inspections, and environmental health, for a total of approximately 40 employees.
• Commissioners approved a rezoning request from Michael Jones, owner of MJ’s Automotive. Jones owns a 3.49-acre parcel, which has road frontage on NC Hwy. 16 North and Walker Foundry Loop. He requested that the parcel be rezoned from RA-20 (residential/agricultural) to H-C (highway/commercial). The Alexander County Planning & Zoning Commission considered the request at its March 7th meeting, and unanimously recommended approval. Jones plans to build an automotive repair shop and garage.
• Commissioners approved a resolution authorizing the sale of surplus real property by sealed bid. County Manager Rick French said the property is the former chamber of commerce building that is owned by the county. To sell the property, the county is required to solicit and accept sealed bids, which will be opened on May 3rd and presented at the May 6th commission meeting.
• RockyFest is set for Saturday, April 13 at Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area. The trail races begin at 8:00 a.m. at the multipurpose building (3645 Rocky Face Church Road, Hiddenite). Free rock climbing and rappelling classes are offered from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (online registration is full). The main events run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with live music, kids’ activities, food, arts/crafts vendors, and more. Featured musicians include: Sugar Loaf Ramblers (10:00), Todd & Charlie (11:00), The Ya Yas (12:00), Wood Family Tradition (1:00), and Shelby Rae Moore Band (2:00). Visit www.rockyfacepark.com/rockyfest for details.
The next meeting of the Alexander County Board of Commissioners is set for Monday, April 15 at 6:00 p.m. at the CVCC Alexander Center for Education (room #103). Meetings are recorded and available for viewing on the county’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/alexandercountync. The meetings may also be viewed on the Alexander County Government Channel on Spectrum channel 192.