[{"_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",6526530,"mediaKeyId","3794923-454117f213f697b28c9085b720460111","parentId",3794923,"title","Person County commissioners instruct staff to prepare budget ordinance for 63¢ tax rate, approve several midyear budget adjustments","audioSeconds",7284,"startMs",1917000,"endMs",9201000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3794923-454117f213f697b28c9085b720460111&start=1917&end=9201","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3794923-454117f213f697b28c9085b720460111/thumbnail_1917000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6526530/Person-County/North-Carolina/Person-County-commissioners-instruct-staff-to-prepare-budget-ordinance-for-63-tax-rate-approve-several-midyear-budget-adjustments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526530-8fb2a4fc71b62bdee13a87511aee18fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870130&Signature=Wl-gBE1ufn0T2vJrDH5Mt0Gq9bWAp2Qv6RIzBtf5mbWCF7fJONxPb5i7oEONnNlc17eQv5ZHwPhcpHdGvwKWwEzoj9EWb12smh9g33DT1~qjbdW81NIe-0IXjDi9Fv5m1aoQ8wj2hgLp7719zPRUrXScdgvLBXfKQ4f3ObGBMczKolB~qi~phQsIk4QQx~gveTXHY~tqzRfaQxgWCQMWEyyoCtfAl06wWKwHHpN~zT2XrcKMQD8zFsIH8CokLR7BQyu9Nf~uNvmsP9V3L7is7GmoNbIe1txrvpYlwgZbS7hKxppVI-WrEjkr2HtHJ6VvicJG6TFpykHiD0J01Vv8Gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Person County","date","2025-06-07T04:43:03Z","article","The Person County Board of Commissioners on June 6 voted to instruct staff to prepare a fiscal-year 2025-26 budget ordinance that reflects a property tax rate of $0.63 per $100 of assessed value and approved a set of adjustments to the manager’s recommended spending plan.

The change follows a discussion of revenue assumptions and departmental requests during a budget work session. Commissioners agreed to raise the assumed property tax collection rate from 97.5% to 98.5% (a staff estimate presented during the meeting showed that a one-point increase from 97.5% to 98.5% would yield about $232,085 in additional revenue). The board also agreed to reallocate $50,000 from the Economic Catalyst Fund incentives line to an allocation listed as PCVIC, and to reduce the fund-balance appropriation accordingly.

Why it matters: lowering the advertised tax rate to 63¢ requires the manager’s office to prepare a formal budget ordinance reflecting the changes discussed by the board; that ordinance will be brought back for formal adoption at the next regular meeting. The adjustments approved at the work session affect recurring personnel and one-time costs that will carry into future budgets if not revisited.

Major decisions and votes

- Instruct staff to prepare a budget ordinance setting the tax rate at $0.63 per $100 of assessed value. The board moved and approved the motion; the chair called for the ayes and the motion passed. (Motion approved.)

- Increase the assumed tax collection rate from 97.5% to 98.5%. Commissioners agreed to adopt the higher, more conservative collection-rate estimate after staff reported the county’s current year-to-date collection rate was above 99%. (Adjustment approved.)

- Reallocate $50,000 from the Economic Catalyst Fund incentives line to the line identified in the budget as the PCVIC allocation. Commissioner Wilburn proposed the shift and the board approved it; Commissioner Wilburn recused from the vote on that specific allocation due to an identified conflict. (Adjustment approved.)

- Remove the proposed animal control supervisor position from the recommended budget. Commissioners voted on a motion to eliminate that position; the recorded vote was 4–1 in favor of removing the position. (Motion passed 4–1.)

Other budget-level items discussed

- Interest earnings: staff proposed and the board agreed to modestly raise the interest-earnings estimate used in the recommended budget (the finance officer and the board discussed moving the earnings assumption toward $1.2 million from a lower, more conservative figure). That assumption will be reflected in the ordinance staff prepares.

- Fleet and vehicle timing: staff reported delays in receiving vehicles ordered under a fleet-management arrangement with a private vendor; the board was told vehicles are arriving and that any undelivered items remain encumbered in the fleet fund until received.

- Personnel requests: the board discussed multiple department personnel requests (social services, public works/Person Industries maintenance, EMS assistant chief, sheriff’s office positions). Several requests were trimmed or deferred in the manager’s recommended budget; the board asked staff to model partial-year (midyear) start dates and other timing options in subsequent budget drafts.

Quote

“We will prepare the ordinance to reflect the 63¢ rate and bring it back to the board at the next regular meeting,” the chair said after the board’s final motion to instruct staff. (Chair’s first reference in the transcript is to the board’s action.)

What happens next

Staff will prepare a formal budget ordinance that reflects the rate and the adjustments discussed at the session; that ordinance is to be presented at the board’s next regular meeting for formal adoption. Departments were advised to be prepared to discuss timing for any midyear hires and to provide more precise revenue and expense backup for the adjustments the board directed.

Ending

The board concluded the work session by directing staff to prepare the ordinance and by setting the documents for presentation at the next regular meeting; commissioners signaled they expect follow-up detail from department heads and the finance officer ahead of final adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Person County Commissioners Budge Work Session 06/06/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Person County Board of Commissioners on June 6 voted to instruct staff to prepare a fiscal-year 2025-26 budget ordinance reflecting a tax rate of $0.63 per $100 of assessed value and approved a set of adjustments to the manager’s recommended budget.","taxTitle","Person County, North Carolina","taxId",73550,"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},6526513,"Board approves resolution appointing review officers under North Carolina law",41,1002000,1043000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3794923-454117f213f697b28c9085b720460111&start=1002&end=1043","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3794923-454117f213f697b28c9085b720460111/thumbnail_1002000.jpg","/articles/6526513/Person-County/North-Carolina/Board-approves-resolution-appointing-review-officers-under-North-Carolina-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526513-79215646b5d396811e8202b6a52a0af8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870130&Signature=LAcGv-TDGnBijL7t4LF647LnoqnvoNA-RXOBCuf~kcbqt0ppXq9Wh~grwVTiUUzQ98nZ5oR2Zshjx9EUSFzlyp8t7gEtZ2t2SCI1swk0u~d4C3Ajhxn2viYam5wA3Qiz5uFzdm-~cI3jZMh7MPqB5tguoKYMpzhOgwishKCKp~iCv2yu5G0iU-3JCdhO1RCUQmcbMGhxN-DgK4YolFmEBN3Pv7KGgsSd~3exS~3UsD5j75P1rMuhSZTXm2vuK~pjz20DWSlFhCL375xs2XhPzUh9duUxyl93nSS3LJVd2r0eHyw2wBUx0NR5CFII6Y5wjuz6X3VKMBWnSK2l9k0Ruw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Person County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution on June 6 appointing review officers to certify recorded deeds meet statutory requirements under North Carolina law.

Michelle Solomon presented the resolution and told the board North Carolina General Statute 47-30.2 requires each county board of commissioners to appoint a person or persons to serve as a review officer to examine and certify deeds before recording. Solomon said personnel changes since the board’s last resolution in October 2024 required an updated resolution.

The board moved to adopt the resolution, the chair called for the ayes, and the motion passed without opposition.

Quote

\"North Carolina General Statute 47-30.2 requires the board of county commissioners in each county by resolution to appoint a person or persons to serve as a review officer to review each plat before it is recorded to certify that it meets statutory requirements for recording,\" Michelle Solomon said while presenting the item.

What happens next

Staff will prepare and file the updated resolution and ensure the named review officers are designated with the register of deeds as required by statute.

Ending

The resolution passed by unanimous vote; the clerk and county staff will complete the administrative steps to implement the appointment.","The board unanimously approved a resolution to appoint review officers required by North Carolina General Statute 47-30.2 to review deeds for statutory recording requirements after county personnel changes prompted a new resolution.",{"_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},6526518,"Person County commissioners adopt 2025–27 strategic plan with minor edits; board removes community survey item",1463,11516000,12979000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3794923-454117f213f697b28c9085b720460111&start=11516&end=12979","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3794923-454117f213f697b28c9085b720460111/thumbnail_11516000.jpg","/articles/6526518/Person-County/North-Carolina/Person-County-commissioners-adopt-202527-strategic-plan-with-minor-edits-board-removes-community-survey-item","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526518-9c608fb768981bf531709478256be49b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870130&Signature=F6kuLNJH8ztO2qGB4-tqy4YNJs8LnxNSc4QcEQV6xrGTCm~CUgIC-VMX8-eyWyo11~iiW3Av78XuKcZu5N~o9Q0~S6Fjw5KPCZENvysQaowxbvcWxogVA7IOLw7~kSGpomI27PgkxMh9z~bQtOrLAx4fAhKpupVNbU-LpLu3QMBSOmxKpIFNRt3m7YDjqdpRfH0K8RillqHdM6y3H6rjn-ioBEK4VLHqSnHjLHIZ2Wz7k2c-MXZHlTFxwi-px1ADpTnG3A84iZ7GEmcgK89QQM6h3nt5NLGjgCADD3fYHHJxonv-~awDaw6r129uP33N9iwBM6L6FCs4QOXE1GZ7Xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Person County Board of Commissioners approved the county’s 2025–27 strategic plan during its June 6 work session, accepting manager-proposed edits to mission and core-value language and removing a previously proposed community survey item.

The county manager presented the suggested changes to the mission statement (proposed replacement of “facilitating” with “catalyzing” in places where staff recommended it) and to several core values, including suggested wording to emphasize family-friendly services and adherence to open-government statutes for transparency. Commissioners discussed whether to keep a line that said “communication is a priority” and agreed that language tying county practice to open-government policies and statutes was preferable.

The board also removed an item that had proposed a community-wide survey as part of the service-excellence goal. The manager and several commissioners said they were not convinced an outsourced survey would yield statistically representative community input and that staff could pursue alternative outreach methods. The board asked staff to continue implementing plan objectives and to incorporate suggested edits.

Quote

“I’m comfortable with the core values,” the county manager said while framing the suggested changes, adding that the edits aligned with earlier remarks the manager had made at the previous meeting.

What happens next

Staff will incorporate the approved wording changes into the published strategic plan and continue to report progress on plan objectives quarterly. The board approved the plan for the period 2025–27.","The board approved the county's 2025–27 strategic plan at the June 6 meeting, accepting manager-proposed wording changes to mission and core values and removing a previously proposed community survey objective.",{"_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},6526523,"Commissioners adopt revised organizational chart; direct staff to review Economic Development Commission governance",2295,9216000,11511000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3794923-454117f213f697b28c9085b720460111&start=9216&end=11511","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3794923-454117f213f697b28c9085b720460111/thumbnail_9216000.jpg","/articles/6526523/Person-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-adopt-revised-organizational-chart-direct-staff-to-review-Economic-Development-Commission-governance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526523-7dfcd1cd0f2337c3fa8e30d52a58ff04/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870130&Signature=nDa6QbtQCzbp5r0sUTq~FMX9IzivgCAfdQoNoquBOpWYZkvzI7Q~POtgmJqnyoulRxL7OkqYKpkefrGwnjrSDF-9QOt6oC8MVkVdLJJ1fGvbCtstKQtmPHeH1PsgrNb1I-PB3ZkcLX-FiDpTvRVYo2k0QRU1gos50YJfIL5rmNSaf~QJeGv5BI7~FtMSE3xnlWkRDW62L4KFDsUve3Ugskhiz3ksu-uMuSuL2nGEnf5KPSs6e7Q6OCKZ1~~YXCMiyPqz6yrnYel~DT4RWfJ1Yp9UYVQ7PNXD-9AcOfic6zzBc1cZGeLSwflim-fBAPd0ryMZdqWungQzPZ4npZDPPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Person County Board of Commissioners on June 6 approved a revised county organizational chart that places voters at the top and adds advisory boards to clarify reporting relationships. Commissioners also asked staff to study the governance relationship between the county and its Economic Development Commission and to return with options.

The revised chart replaces the label “citizens” with “voters” at the top of the graphic and places advisory boards appointed by the board of commissioners into a separate block to the right, emphasizing the appointment relationship. The county manager told the board the revision was intended to make clearer how elected officials and advisory bodies fit into county governance.

A separate governance question emerged during discussion: Commissioner Wilburn and others recalled a period in the 1980s and 1990s when the county’s local economic development function had a direct reporting relationship to an independent, board-appointed Economic Development Commission (EDC). Several commissioners asked staff to explore whether the county should revert to an arrangement in which the EDC has more direct oversight of the county economic-development director, rather than the position reporting to the county manager.

The board asked staff and the county attorney to review the EDC bylaws and to return to the board after the EDC meets on June 24; staff said it would come back with options and any legal implications for the July meeting cycle.

Quote

“This will help show how your leaders are selected,” the county manager said when introducing the revised chart, noting the change intends to show how elected officials are positioned relative to advisory boards and departments.

What happens next

Staff will review the EDC bylaws and prepare a report on the governance options and any required bylaw or statutory changes; the board asked that staff present findings after the EDC’s June 24 meeting so the board can consider changes at its July meeting.

Ending

The board adopted the organizational chart for inclusion in the manager’s recommended budget document and directed staff to return with a governance review regarding the EDC at a future meeting.","Person County commissioners approved a revised organizational chart that lists voters at the top and adds advisory boards; commissioners also asked staff to review whether the county’s Economic Development director should report to the EDC and to return with proposed bylaw or governance changes for consideration in July.",{"_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},6526527,"Person County staff: state-appraised utilities hard to predict; Moriah Energy Center adds ~$60M valuation for 2025",616,1065000,1681000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3794923-454117f213f697b28c9085b720460111&start=1065&end=1681","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3794923-454117f213f697b28c9085b720460111/thumbnail_1065000.jpg","/articles/6526527/Person-County/North-Carolina/Person-County-staff-state-appraised-utilities-hard-to-predict-Moriah-Energy-Center-adds-60M-valuation-for-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526527-b7843bc655fa1ef2076785d4f1819467/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870130&Signature=a3rxxZpeHOUnf8Mu52G0xHorhnUTBsRbLX3OqNv56Thu--9UsbsaYaqFSUXa7R6L36qPzThHAlJ8G361k6888sjS1TvunSzzJb2FIsiWPSEbGgI-XQLrxsbzIOffnNAtpMPddsScRmvgWG65AlAH7I~jhaTcWxtpyCNp8ua0JezfG1OL8QgdJ7feMOMkLoUdA9SiWvggmHhJcp6dev2LsTbvZImL8YpIls4Mj7Nb~qXUQncZA2d~zO7LWSfNszO2QAa7fPrI0g2DYxdJW0YBGgVTm-01AMPL8gw3b6~VT9N3s0~k9sEYyRkMqmMQtOSkR06gH3N1bTIeS53V79Cziw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff presented revenue projections and an explanation of state-appraised property valuations to the Person County Board of Commissioners at a June 6 budget work session, saying overall utility valuations are difficult to predict and that the county depends on state-provided income figures to allocate value to local jurisdictions.

Russell Jones, who presented the slides and answered commissioners’ questions, said state-appraised properties (utilities and similar company-wide appraisals) are valued using an income approach that relies on companywide net income. That means local investments do not automatically translate into higher local valuations until the company’s statewide income and the county’s share of it are allocated.

Jones told the board that Duke Progress (the county’s largest state-appraised utility player) was trending flat in mid-May reporting, while Moriah Energy Center—currently under construction—provided staff with information that staff interpreted as roughly a $60,000,000 valuation increase for 2025. Jones said state-appraised properties account for “just a little bit over a billion dollars of our $7,000,000,000 base.” He cautioned that state filings and income fluctuations (for example, a warm winter reducing demand and income) create uncertainty for multi-year projections.

Why it matters: State-appraised utilities can form a substantial portion of a county’s tax base. Because the state allocates company income statewide before apportioning to counties, local staff said it is hard to predict year-to-year changes even when significant investment is occurring locally.

What the county will do next: Jones said he contacts the state annually after May 1 (the reporting deadline for state utilities) to gauge expectations for the county’s September draft valuation report; the board was told staff will continue to monitor filings and report back. Commissioners suggested reaching out directly to utility companies for timelines and to the School of Government and peer counties for comparative data.

Quote

“They think about a $60,000,000 increase in their valuation for 2025,” Russell Jones said of Moriah Energy Center’s preliminary information to county staff.

Ending

Staff will continue to monitor state utility filings and provide updated estimates to the board; the county’s September report from the state will provide the more definitive number used for the adopted budget.","County staff told commissioners on June 6 that state-appraised utilities are difficult to forecast, but the newly constructed Moriah Energy Center is expected to add roughly $60 million to 2025 valuations; the county’s state-appraised utility base is about $1 billion of an estimated $7 billion total tax base.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Person County commissioners instruct staff to prepare budget ordinance for 63¢ tax rate, approve several midyear budget adjustments

Board approves resolution appointing review officers under North Carolina law

Person County commissioners adopt 2025–27 strategic plan with minor edits; board removes community survey item

Commissioners adopt revised organizational chart; direct staff to review Economic Development Commission governance

Person County staff: state-appraised utilities hard to predict; Moriah Energy Center adds ~$60M valuation for 2025