[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6699226,"mediaKeyId","2171675-b25f7cba404742dff6e9d94552ad20e8","parentId",2171675,"title","Gates County renews lobbyist contract; commissioners debate value amid water concerns","audioSeconds",1043,"startMs",1599000,"endMs",2642000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171675-b25f7cba404742dff6e9d94552ad20e8&start=1599&end=2642","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171675-b25f7cba404742dff6e9d94552ad20e8/thumbnail_1599000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6699226/Gates-County/North-Carolina/Gates-County-renews-lobbyist-contract-commissioners-debate-value-amid-water-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6699226-19f9b8cb969f8deae3c53fda565cae4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171141&Signature=hOw7022knkUqvkWD4maqJW1TCCC0Cq6M4dDm9e3VpfQ~n65or~3vO3hqN5KDTTMixwLiunAgbw6NSDTSVK7Eemq7BIvobyscu~tCab~r1tftkuaDyqID5qqdNlL9xnM2q1IWAnp-Ch3zoGYi-50Ln1lKxzc-m7N53rsFgeneE9FuEImnLHKdLDKLxY06wacg8epd6EDNpFNEPvpUu98XD5cbWDmT6WF9GAja3Z01yoLLoBQwT7wP2MYtZFrtBaGuY4aEzkwWIfzjVMfF7V7t4b0l-fbwDQ5N1Jfl90f8mJQfL8p1mBLLyO4Ml50s9RuFTG8202V0uGxD8UQmhFrQug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gates County","date","2025-01-01T05:10:31.597Z","article","The Gates County Board of Commissioners voted to renew its lobbyist agreement for the 2025-26 biennium with Bob Steinberg and his team, after hearing a summary of past results and a brief but pointed debate about priorities.

Steinberg, the county's lobbyist and a former North Carolina legislator, told commissioners his work and that of Jackson Stansell helped secure funding and advocacy for the county during the previous contract period. He listed results the county received, including $10 million for water and sewer infrastructure projects, $300,000 for the sheriff's office for vehicles and equipment, $400,000 for Gates County Schools, $200,000 for the ROTC cadet program and $200,000 for science equipment and supplies. He said the county paid $36,000 per year for the service (a $72,000 total cost for two years) and that he was not requesting a fee increase.

Several commissioners praised the returns; others questioned whether lobbyist intervention materially affects grant scoring and expressed concern that immediate local needs'notably long-standing fluoride issues in the county'should take priority over contracted advocacy. One commissioner said they would rather spend that money on bottled water or direct relief for students than on lobbying. Steinberg and others replied that lobbying helps secure discretionary or supplemental appropriations and provides rapid advocacy when issues arise in Raleigh.

After discussion the board voted to renew the agreement. The chair called for the ayes and recorded vocal support; one commissioner voiced opposition but the motion carried. Steinberg said he will work with the commissioners on a work session in January to develop a priority list for the next biennium.

The board did not specify a detailed work plan in the meeting minutes beyond a future work session; the contract renewal keeps existing staff access to Steinberg and his on-site associate for legislative advocacy in Raleigh.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","12-18-24 GC BOC 6pm Reconvened Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Board renewed a two-year contract with lobbyist Bob Steinberg (and partner Jackson Stansell) after commissioners discussed past results and local needs, including water fluoride concerns; contract cost remains $36,000 per year (two years $72,000).","taxTitle","Gates County, North Carolina","taxId",73548,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6699231,"Gates County approves reassessment schedule; denies vehicle value appeal",772,647000,1419000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171675-b25f7cba404742dff6e9d94552ad20e8&start=647&end=1419","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171675-b25f7cba404742dff6e9d94552ad20e8/thumbnail_647000.jpg","/articles/6699231/Gates-County/North-Carolina/Gates-County-approves-reassessment-schedule-denies-vehicle-value-appeal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6699231-805eca4502540b09579c7c46120d203c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171141&Signature=iwZ1-W4C1~fVeiR6PuwUZvMDMSAGYrXL~hOTVlaFFZxSBuIBFjPK5~5a7TRbF6kWNjGjt-U4eER8RVK18iH9Dci3kJqiWobFSoLOaMZytliLs7iVB4K~hIi9GEcFzdDFhUWroadh24FbSWKTKhIIKa9r7hk9hMAq8PXZeyHH16RDnzoxOF2UNPbo-Y59Vc9HQMFbpun-jVlZxOYBtAWRXFk9zIc7EHlWEF5bKjXOd8bWuUFqGhpbDeeGSTKnsfZWW-x6oveGDO6Nv5BnvPmEYmRyoLpw606ptfLEatt0SoW8FzK5s0GbTXo-yqivL4rt10jHrDKexbnS5xURoKxvVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gates County Board of Commissioners voted to approve two schedules tied to the county's upcoming property revaluation and then denied an appeal from a resident who sought to lower the assessed value of a recently purchased vehicle.

Chair Emily Truman said the board must approve the schedule of values that follows the county's revaluation, which is required every eight years. County tax official Taylor Powell presented a PowerPoint summarizing Department of Revenue guidance and standards used to value motor vehicles statewide.

Powell told the board that, under North Carolina law, the tax value for a vehicle in its first registration year is based on its sales price when delivered to the purchaser and excludes dealer fees and DMV charges. She cited the statutory framework (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 105-283 and § 105-330.2) and the Department of Revenue's vendor methodology, which uses reported dealer sales and median adjusted sale prices to set valuations for later years.

Truman emphasized that approval of the schedule does not set tax rates and does not itself increase taxes; it only establishes the valuation schedule and the notice and appeal process that will follow the revaluation.

After that presentation the board considered an appeal brought by Katie Sanford (not present at the meeting). Powell said the first-year value for a dealer-purchased vehicle is the vehicle's purchase price and that the mileage information Sanford supplied did not qualify her for a high-mileage reduction under current guidelines. Commissioners discussed whether they had authority to override the Department of Revenue's rules; Powell said the statutes prescribe valuation methods and that the resident's next avenue of appeal is the Property Tax Commission.

A motion to deny Sanford's appeal passed on a voice vote. Commissioners also approved the county's use-value schedule and county schedule as presented. No commissioner requested changes to the material Powell provided; the board recorded no roll-call vote in the transcript and the chair called for the ayes, which were recorded verbally.

Powell noted that property notices and an appeal period will follow the revaluation; the board did not set a tax rate at the meeting. The board's action establishes the schedule required to complete the countywide revaluation process.","The county commissioners approved the schedule of values tied to an eight-year property revaluation and denied an appeal by a resident seeking a lower vehicle valuation; officials cited state statute governing vehicle valuation and explained appeal rights.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6699236,"Gates County sheriff says suspect arrested after staged trap for alleged elder scam",450,420000,870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171675-b25f7cba404742dff6e9d94552ad20e8&start=420&end=870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171675-b25f7cba404742dff6e9d94552ad20e8/thumbnail_420000.jpg","/articles/6699236/Gates-County/North-Carolina/Gates-County-sheriff-says-suspect-arrested-after-staged-trap-for-alleged-elder-scam","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6699236-9008b9824c7fda269ca91f868a5ffb70/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171141&Signature=OWkNoygASl0ErqBWS0xDn9oA1~8wZHWreYe9CCt9mwwMQ4FKAh-7siygbz02xYmBK0qRuEPKJZLT0Yaj9OUOQqyIjue4u7OGEuTEqKJNF9yICM9FJk1Judo5ArfuWGiUNUvyxu0rJgElp5hgWFIlmuPLvoqqcAEdv6Adb90okt~hljO9FX2UziggvCz5Jmjw7KJ4LISkCR~igWWtzjQGEUs8w-nKgarZQg-QRwbTj51Vt0W3CmuftCqbgGpeU4bxAAtWF-c7ynk9fnR2g7nxfIt7oBHyOtr6TZw5uuaecZR09XvHq-3oxtFi3yw90inbGK0pAMf0V8nStL6foPW53Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gates County Sheriff's Office presented a video during the board's meeting and reported the arrest of a woman identified as Kelly Early in connection with an alleged scam that targeted an elderly Gates County resident.

Sheriff Ray Campbell told the Board that the victim, described as a woman in her 80s, received repeated calls and an email claiming a PayPal overpayment and was pressured to return funds. After about 17 calls the woman withdrew around $20,000 from a bank. Deputies set a trap and arrested a suspect who arrived at the residence in a 2025 black BMW, Campbell said.

Campbell said Early was initially held on a $1,000,000 cash bond and that a judge later added an additional $500,000 secured bond tied to a charge described as taking advantage of an elderly person for financial gain. \"So she's looking at a million and a half, but she will not get out,\" Campbell said in his update at the meeting. He added investigators believe the suspect did not act alone and described the operation as professional.

The Sheriff's Office urged residents who are targeted by scams to report them immediately and said investigators had concealed officers around the residence to make the arrest. A local television reporter introduced the video shown to the commissioners and summarized the sheriff's account as part of the meeting's public updates.

No formal board action was taken on the matter at the meeting; the sheriff provided the update and answered commissioners' questions. Campbell repeated a direct warning to would-be scammers: \"Don't come to Gates County because we will want you down.\" The Sheriff also encouraged victims not to be embarrassed and to report attempted scams promptly.

The sheriff said the investigation \"took a monumental leap\" and that prosecutors had filed multiple charges; he did not provide additional suspect names or other case details at the meeting.

Prosecutors and the courts will handle criminal charging and any public records requests about the investigation, Campbell said. The board did not vote on any law-enforcement budget or operational items tied to this update during the meeting.","The Gates County Sheriff's Office presented a video and an on-site update showing the arrest of a woman accused of twice pressuring an elderly resident to withdraw large sums of money; sheriff says investigation continues and suspects may be part of a wider criminal enterprise.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6699222,"Commissioners approve committee assignments; Nathan Berryman named to personnel board",306,2579000,2885000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171675-b25f7cba404742dff6e9d94552ad20e8&start=2579&end=2885","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171675-b25f7cba404742dff6e9d94552ad20e8/thumbnail_2579000.jpg","/articles/6699222/Gates-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-approve-committee-assignments-Nathan-Berryman-named-to-personnel-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6699222-607a8fd82360d51749fff43390d4f736/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171141&Signature=DNtW1GnPFjY~4dkvlt3ubNzIEXsRzseaEdab84lVUNOC1~kvQGWPpfedG3Uep-ZVaH2lVtic7OopyZYkjh0uRLNt9aQvs~WTEi~aNhChKOFF-gfeJe0RpBHEOUS5bv-TmR6LU0woKZZBL-NvnseqwwjXGWBgnN-EUuUfIKAp5OkmEaJQ~Jbhd9APzZ72ZvcZa4HXTx31efS3Aiq5eZLN4j0nUVyacpnxh0s3NWZUMZHkRhzDgw2CEIAY6pFMaE36ERWZOtdSzEvHphI9jGesFlb3-Ip~VY~KcY6GRV7DhdZ-iRKX3x6F60-5mZ2y8IERm9cIAAfa5nz6IUKhyQc40w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gates County Board of Commissioners approved a set of committee assignments and named Commissioner Nathan Berryman to serve as the second commissioner on the Gates County personnel board.

Chair Emily Truman reviewed the proposed assignments, which include representation on the Albemarle Commission, Albemarle Regional Health Services, Gates Aging and Adult Services, Gates County Board of Social Services, regional solid-waste authorities, the Broadband Action Task Force, Northern Regional Board/Trillium Health Resources, the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, and local advisory groups such as the Tourism Advisory Committee and the reentry committee covering Gates, Chowan, Hertford and Bertie.

The board voted to approve the assignments as presented. The chair then opened nominations for the personnel board (per county ordinance the personnel board includes the acting chair, one designated commissioner and the county manager) and received a nomination for Nathan Berryman. That nomination was closed and approved by voice vote; the personnel board will be composed of Chair Emily Truman, Commissioner Nathan Berryman and County Manager Scott Sauer.

Commissioners asked the clerk to check rotation rules for a second Albemarle Commission seat in case the seat allocation changes next year. No additional committee changes were made at the meeting.","The Gates County Board approved a slate of committee assignments for commissioners and nominated Commissioner Nathan Berryman to serve as the second commissioner on the county personnel board; assignments reflect regional boards and county advisory groups.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Gates County renews lobbyist contract; commissioners debate value amid water concerns

Gates County approves reassessment schedule; denies vehicle value appeal

Gates County sheriff says suspect arrested after staged trap for alleged elder scam

Commissioners approve committee assignments; Nathan Berryman named to personnel board