[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6561869,"mediaKeyId","3287118-630902edaaffa628c7814b7a36ce1b76","parentId",3287118,"title","Alleghany County trims sheriff's budget; commissioners discuss vehicle purchases and overtime reductions","audioSeconds",610,"startMs",5593000,"endMs",6203000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3287118-630902edaaffa628c7814b7a36ce1b76&start=5593&end=6203","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3287118-630902edaaffa628c7814b7a36ce1b76/thumbnail_5593000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6561869/Alleghany-County/North-Carolina/Alleghany-County-trims-sheriffs-budget-commissioners-discuss-vehicle-purchases-and-overtime-reductions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561869-45bd112fe8c94f31915e0acf4a854cf7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448219&Signature=k7Ci08oz37bTvMZ5Rt5UO~Bj9X7XALHl0sp9K~~HzIKWNPSe1GXTxK5t31NGgJ8rDJnu~f4XhLYD-uKjt600IXkwt1ROuzROx8-f4D5mtoYi5P3ws3DkazJKVG9bWOFWQsYwQsRVCB2-AYPXgs8BGFKXtDzD9rGGyHgcSruJSVTL-tT9sTxKFdhZTR0Jb25mifMTnAD5FRGccIhg9TKBSRnESUOHQzNZHt~5392NrwepqZQ7dogT9gupQIemU4SWeljix~dfheFfmGQ95Ee7UAfabfcB-eOO2YLslwVVwxCnQKSIa1ddSr1Ub50i1bCVXkvNrwmzKzHEFIdpl7s43g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alleghany County","date","2025-05-14T09:10:46Z","article","Alleghany County commissioners discussed proposed reductions to the sheriff's budget during the work session and asked the sheriff to meet with the board to explain options for covering staffing, overtime and vehicle needs.

County staff said the sheriff's office asked for four vehicles this budget cycle and the board funded three; staff also noted adjustments in computer equipment costs tied to vehicle installations. A staff summary presented a year-over-year reduction of roughly $43,000 in the sheriff's budget, though one commissioner referenced a $49,744 cut figure while questioning the effect on operations.

Board members emphasized they had tried to preserve funding for schools and the sheriff's department while looking across all department budgets for savings. The county manager said the board had discussed the need to find savings without creating a domino effect that would significantly impair smaller departments: \"We need to get that much money out of your budget. We don't care what line item it's gonna come from,\" staff said, urging departments to propose where cuts could be made.

Sheriff Shane Glenn was scheduled to meet the board at a subsequent meeting to discuss how to manage reduced overtime and part-time lines and whether vehicle plans or other line items could be adjusted. Commissioners also discussed turnover and natural savings from vacancies as partial mitigations.

The board did not adopt any final changes to equipment purchases or staffing lines at the session; it directed the sheriff to confer with the board on Thursday and return options for meeting the required savings targets without undermining public safety operations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alleghany County Commissioners Budget Meeting 5/13/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board reviewed the sheriff's proposed budget and directed cuts totaling roughly $43,000 (discussants also referenced a $49,744 figure); the sheriff will meet with commissioners to discuss impacts and potential reallocation options.","taxTitle","Alleghany County, North Carolina","taxId",74647,"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},6561872,"County manager proposes $90,000 small-business grant pool; commissioners raise oversight and return-on-investment concerns",433,3407000,3840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3287118-630902edaaffa628c7814b7a36ce1b76&start=3407&end=3840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3287118-630902edaaffa628c7814b7a36ce1b76/thumbnail_3407000.jpg","/articles/6561872/Alleghany-County/North-Carolina/County-manager-proposes-90000-small-business-grant-pool-commissioners-raise-oversight-and-return-on-investment-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561872-4dac31f39cf845f0825938d3ad1b1a9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448219&Signature=lu54DIk-~mRocIPA3XOZa5HBU2q06yzSJ24WU2-PDbapduPAx1G-xJUjuBZTh8M1HTfWMT2rTXPH6DoPXZO2RyN4u-OEqqh7svc~qSg8VyRXpEQiIaDZaRKHzmJVYm8CbOfKdWAH2N6IoP5vUFI~3dRl6zuCIlEZicnTG~IGXdBeoJU4US6MYmL-vvFM6pclhMPmJS0k-LLsSWkLLJn72o1SYcj-MYxMPXw-s2JSq6b9lRXhh2BRXVHCnPd7saDb58oOagFIxuGEeGZLfOqKXrjNLrdzlopYrMxO6RbIZfdU652iFtzwNVa9bfpeV~hGdPRuI34-H4TzykOZ1PutUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff presented a $90,000 economic-development proposal intended to seed business launches or expansions, prompting questions about oversight and expected returns.

The manager described the proposal as a pool of $90,000 that would supply grants for local businesses that submit viable business plans; a committee or an economic-development committee would evaluate applications and award grants to projects deemed sustainable. \"What do we think we need in the county? Who can we reach out to? Or who wants to if they could get a jump start, who wants to come into our county, and who do we want to have come into the county?\" staff said.

Several commissioners recalled past county investments in economic development (including a multi-year Chamber-funded effort and a grocery-store incentive) that resulted in limited returns, and they urged stricter contractual safeguards. One commissioner cited a $20,000 incentive to a grocery store that closed and later required contract enforcement to recover funds.

Suggestions included redirecting a portion of the proposal toward recreation or the county fair, and one commissioner proposed splitting the $90,000 so $10,000 would go to the fair and $80,000 toward ballfields. Other commissioners favored creating an application-review committee and crafting legally enforceable award agreements to limit county exposure.

Commissioners did not finalize the economic-development grant program at the session. Staff said they would continue to refine the proposal, including possible committee oversight and contract terms, and to consider alternative allocations if the board preferred different priorities.","County staff proposed a $90,000 pool to support local businesses through grants; commissioners recalled past grants with limited returns and asked for an ironclad contract and committee oversight.",{"_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},6561878,"County tentatively allocates $15,000 to fair, $75,000 to recreation practice fields in budget discussion",1691,2661000,4352000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3287118-630902edaaffa628c7814b7a36ce1b76&start=2661&end=4352","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3287118-630902edaaffa628c7814b7a36ce1b76/thumbnail_2661000.jpg","/articles/6561878/Alleghany-County/North-Carolina/County-tentatively-allocates-15000-to-fair-75000-to-recreation-practice-fields-in-budget-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561878-bc527bfcd4f62e00c3201649d2da22bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448219&Signature=ZzLnOg7lFUPyoneF7fKA-qZ41SjnbuN31HuiVdjdeZ6N-Y4CXRtBpHjPyA89Kcbwr-3cM~sPHv4uZOxVheuKjDltXQ0xsElKjoDmxPF1UZtJodjhieExn2eumv7Trd9J4OIXsLOIz~LhdSxfUKPOOTJwuiLCZfEPWLYyeY~uEQ15e1IsHwO7s28XWjo9SwOXc7F83tnFEeIG9iKh4PZ05mwYqJM5HslSr~xNvoJ2RRZcCMlg4D2o2AAXdWJSwRzI3N7qP7UxjQAZQGGZth8jNsOIlYszVQg60maHGRhKBpnxGiJiSZP6eUxfqnbSka5S5YITexGpF0HmjVvW3qo3lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alleghany County commissioners and staff shifted portions of a proposed $90,000 economic-development/recreation allocation during a budget work session, tentatively directing more funding to local recreation infrastructure and the county fair.

During discussion about how best to use proposed economic development and recreation dollars, a commissioner summarized a preliminary agreement: an additional $15,000 for the county fair and $75,000 directed to recreation practice fields (recorded in the meeting as a split of a $90,000 proposal). The board indicated that allocation on the meeting screen and continued reviewing other budget sections.

The recreation discussion included data on revenues and participation. Staff said actual program revenues for youth soccer, Little League and youth basketball were below projections (for example, soccer revenues were reported at 44% of projection and Little League at a lower percentage), and commissioners and recreation staff said participation numbers must be verified before further equipment or capital purchases are made.

Commissioners and staff emphasized that the county's immediate goal is to fund practice fields (smaller-scope infrastructure) rather than a multi-million-dollar sports complex, and they described ongoing coordination with the school district on potential joint sites. \"We're working closely with the school board,\" a commissioner said, and staff described a proposal that could enable practice fields to be available for use as soon as next spring if planning and procurement proceed quickly.

Members of the board said they favored clearer, measurable participation reporting from the recreation director before committing larger recurring funds to equipment. The board did not adopt final capital contracts or specific construction plans in the session; the allocation recorded on the screen was entered as the board's working direction for the proposed budget.","Commissioners agreed in a preliminary budget discussion to increase funding for the county fair and to direct $75,000 toward recreational practice fields; staff and commissioners stressed the need for measurable participation data before larger capital outlays.",{"_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},6561881,"Alleghany County commissioners debate raising their pay after comparison with similar counties",650,1226000,1876000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3287118-630902edaaffa628c7814b7a36ce1b76&start=1226&end=1876","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3287118-630902edaaffa628c7814b7a36ce1b76/thumbnail_1226000.jpg","/articles/6561881/Alleghany-County/North-Carolina/Alleghany-County-commissioners-debate-raising-their-pay-after-comparison-with-similar-counties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561881-daaaa9428bd5181b674ddb0a12557791/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448219&Signature=OFSks4BvTg~bJj0RUq~FNFRs6iYs2YbTcWi3JQH-h-ITuQ04pLkbkCoLhYB9ZYjd5ao~A0SP6ELzs0d4wHZYRup5fZFZUo49fc2VYXvGh4XBY4D8LsLPD12Aimwg-dwr1v1wJSnWeBEQ0lHh9663ec-YG6c60BDTquM5hXOUjP2puM1LxJf-iDS64k0hwBvXwTbuTs05HIkFQiMRax~3IvNlDUb5ddz-Dl7Pjp1B3wc09ISOgzNyrhSE~Bi5LBv9Sz8Fsrma2CruPg-k12wRASNCCGttmwBr5YbNtPIpqQaMJCmT-OT3ZQG1aHrMgZCL3QtMQUqVJ8Rv9Z6u~txl4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alleghany County commissioners considered a staff review that compared commissioner pay across 20 North Carolina counties of similar population and found Alleghany at the low end.

Finance staff said the comparison showed higher averages in peer counties and recommended increasing board compensation to move toward the midpoint. Staff cited figures that would raise annual compensation toward roughly $9,000 for board members and $10,750 for the chairman among the peer group.

Commissioners expressed mixed views. One commissioner said, \"I didn't run for this office for the money,\" and opposed a substantial raise on principle and public perception grounds. Another argued the county should be \"within reach of the norm\" and that modest increases reflect time and travel costs commissioners incur.

Board members discussed current pay mechanics: the chairman receives a monthly stipend of $400, other members $250, and an additional $45 monthly, with meeting pay processed monthly. Several commissioners noted time demands of the work and said compensation does not drive their service; others said increases should be balanced against other county needs and the appearance of conflict.

No motion was adopted at the session. Commissioners asked staff to present the comparative data formally at a future meeting and to provide a clear listing of proposed figures so the board could decide whether to place an adjustment in the proposed budget.","County staff presented a comparison showing Alleghany commissioners currently paid below peers; a proposal to raise allowances drew mixed reactions about perception and fiscal priorities.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6561882,"Alleghany County commissioners question Social Services public-assistance budget amid unpredictable foster-care costs",1198,0,1198000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3287118-630902edaaffa628c7814b7a36ce1b76&start=0&end=1198","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3287118-630902edaaffa628c7814b7a36ce1b76/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6561882/Alleghany-County/North-Carolina/Alleghany-County-commissioners-question-Social-Services-public-assistance-budget-amid-unpredictable-foster-care-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561882-b6b8dc65433f7e85dafb51143ba9f0b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448219&Signature=HODJn6IVhAbKtdWeHkRN0bF~OhBML78z7cvsZM62qf~NYnT1zt2QMUJIkZ38eueSM-F606TRmdZMAnB7HdbmrPx4QGqfcMw7U-Z5fOCA3QAlXSzzXG7as5qBbS78pi4qzFqswVsvPWiLIYfIhthy8pvahrmItc2FaPpF0PDNgAnwSb5-yF09f-huJMt47E7llm7RQOyp0Vx3P5ST3QTTjro5JjQnAp1LZ9teBGKhmvCEiSr0m7H5BEeRgzF47mOs0nUyc0rm57KXsn04~1eTNJdkXUZcltvpnrCXPlcQazsTRcWCEBfOHIzn8niPl9EVBVk3jxC5c0x5seGca3RxrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alleghany County commissioners and staff spent a significant portion of a budget work session reviewing the Department of Social Services (DSS) public-assistance line and the county's exposure to foster-care and other reimbursements.

Commissioners focused on the fact that the county is responsible for roughly 36% of a public-assistance account referenced in the budget documents and that the DSS director's originally submitted request had already been reduced. \"If we reduce that section on the expenditure side, we do have to reduce the revenue,\" the county finance staff said, describing how expenditure reductions in that detailed public-assistance section must be matched by lower revenue estimates.

The discussion matters because the public-assistance section is largely reimbursement-driven and distinct from the county's general operating fund. County staff said the reimbursement structure means money budgeted in those DSS lines cannot be freely transferred to operating or general-fund purposes. \"Each separate line in that detailed section represents something different,\" finance staff said, noting items may include foster care, foster-care transportation, food assistance and winter fuel assistance.

Commissioners and staff emphasized the uncertainty in foster-care demand. A county board member who also sits on the Social Services board said foster-care caseloads are volatile: \"It may be a low number. It may be an extremely high number. There's no way to predict that.\" County staff added that when DSS runs short on reimbursement-eligible spending, the county must make up the difference.

Staff provided several figures during the review. They said the DSS submission had been reduced by 40% from the originally entered amount and that the county had received about 75% of the revenue anticipated for the current year in that reimbursable section (approximately $2.256 million projected). Staff also noted a rollover in the adoption-assistance fund of $132,556 identified in the documents.

Commissioners requested more detail before final decisions. Staff offered to log in to the budget system and return with line-by-line revenue and expense breakdowns, and one commissioner asked staff to review the last five years of DSS activity to calculate averages that might inform contingencies.

County staff also pointed to a $79,000 item in the DSS operating budget that had not been transferred correctly in the budget process and said that specific error would need correction.

The board did not take a formal vote on DSS lines at the session. Commissioners directed staff to provide detailed line-item revenue and expenditure breakdowns and to identify where any required corrections (including the $79,000 item) should be made ahead of the next meeting.","At a budget work session commissioners and staff discussed constraints on reallocating public-assistance funds, uncertainty in foster-care caseloads and a 40% reduction already applied to the Department of Social Services request.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Alleghany County trims sheriff's budget; commissioners discuss vehicle purchases and overtime reductions

County manager proposes $90,000 small-business grant pool; commissioners raise oversight and return-on-investment concerns

County tentatively allocates $15,000 to fair, $75,000 to recreation practice fields in budget discussion

Alleghany County commissioners debate raising their pay after comparison with similar counties

Alleghany County commissioners question Social Services public-assistance budget amid unpredictable foster-care costs