[{"_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",6551737,"mediaKeyId","5329445-b85bfdd12c7d7d5c0bb073ae5d186bd4","parentId",5329445,"title","Votes at a glance: Ashe County commissioners approve consent agenda, personnel changes, STIP submissions and other routine actions","audioSeconds",82,"startMs",87000,"endMs",4235,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5329445-b85bfdd12c7d7d5c0bb073ae5d186bd4&start=87&end=4","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5329445-b85bfdd12c7d7d5c0bb073ae5d186bd4/thumbnail_87000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6551737/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-Ashe-County-commissioners-approve-consent-agenda-personnel-changes-STIP-submissions-and-other-routine-actions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551737-b8a39938a2d9f67b0b49d750a8369894/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136194&Signature=b2oW6mxNEkENOhgVq57~CKRSyAkbTrOHefb001UXsdHPowBFG0j8b~7cLUiZDaHSKLXu8sn6p2-iyFDdUJx7Z5TGlKVwVvVQzg2QrUwkVS33vusLECqxAEVOpm57AdDk-48Hhz4D4hRrAf7n3~aqkYmrsC-FkhHy95Pon5TJzIGp2WSBK06-Hl6SO1Aty0nLUKW7CxtETbpQZfrgJxR1dD-coCTqNkN-NwIKrbTwIHyDQZ7WYI3fDYwb0qD6h0MtnOGRTJ1R4HM41CeL~Sx~RAIcAA9tXpKvaVVXIqpweT0uHWOe3ffLwetfUcoT-MkulPpmC6jYtgkxUL~UXkmVwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ashe County","date","2025-07-07T00:00:00Z","article","The Ashe County Board of Commissioners recorded the following actions during its July 7 meeting (motions approved by voice vote unless otherwise noted):

- Consent agenda: Approved (minutes, board reappointments, and donation of filing cabinets to the Warrensville Fire Department were included). Outcome: approved.

- Adoption of the meeting agenda: Approved. Outcome: approved.

- Award of service weapon and badge to retiring Ashe County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Randy Lewis: The board approved declaring Lieutenant Randy Lewis’s service sidearm and badge surplus so they may be awarded to him after 28 years with the county and 37 years in law enforcement. Outcome: approved.

- Personnel policy updates: Approved (holiday-pay eligibility clarification; sick-note timeline change from three to five days and telemedicine language). Outcome: approved.

- Educational benefits policy: Approved. Policy provides up to $1,500 reimbursement per completed course upon submission of a passing transcript; county may recoup funds from a departing employee’s final paycheck if the employee leaves within the policy timeline. Outcome: approved.

- Submission of transportation projects for the 2028 STIP scoring round: Approved (see separate article for project details). Outcome: approved.

- Middle school roof bidding direction: Approved directing architects to prepare bid documents for the single-ply option as the primary bid with the alternative option included as an alternate. Outcome: approved.

- Selection of county voting delegate to the National Association of Counties (NACo) annual conference: Approved. Outcome: approved.

- Motion to enter executive session to discuss property as permitted by the statute cited during the meeting: Approved. Outcome: approved.

All recorded votes at the meeting were taken by voice and roll-call tallies were not provided in the public transcript. For motions where mover and seconder were not named on the record, the meeting minutes will contain the formal mover/second details.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ashe County - County Commission on 2025-07-07 9:00 AM - Jul 07, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its July 7 meeting, the Ashe County Board of Commissioners approved routine and substantive items including its consent agenda, personnel policy changes, STIP project submissions and direction to bid a middle school roof option.","taxTitle","Ashe County, North Carolina","taxId",45072,"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},6551742,"Commissioners and chair defend animal-control staff after public comment about 27 cats; board reiterates support for new shelter",268,2093000,2361000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5329445-b85bfdd12c7d7d5c0bb073ae5d186bd4&start=2093&end=2361","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5329445-b85bfdd12c7d7d5c0bb073ae5d186bd4/thumbnail_2093000.jpg","/articles/6551742/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-and-chair-defend-animal-control-staff-after-public-comment-about-27-cats-board-reiterates-support-for-new-shelter","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551742-f4d2003cdf4a0a477d7f9311525fdcc9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136194&Signature=choRdjiASOSb~t6rhjFaOczFNeHnC2eGKHJR4pFdMfby05BQWYQFncg80MlUzaQotx2J63-~2bElhwQBJWW~ix0tm4kF5Ju0FJL6AXBq5yyN-NH2IyIb0xxCxG6wiV6pr7zzu~n-crYUr6HJBGLLXjAa61V0xaKrTr16R9PmmB3fJNdYut7RlcHmg~UHBKuhrM1KWkG2mLutyc2vkuPf5jKV71xLavlqgUFvZ6puiNnzOuf7wqcMwE~pjhjSp8lL402~y~0AVNsuoEck~N-SHEh20GZAMUpBSYG7GrDk1SPM~hhW-un4QeiGFl8iut94EJXP8fYOazLDaaYcH2TVJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment at its July 7 meeting, a community member told the board that 27 cats had been euthanized in a single day. The board’s chair provided a detailed explanation to the public and defended animal-control staff, saying the number reported in public comment was technically accurate but lacked crucial context.

The chairman said animal-control staff had worked with a reluctant citizen who initially indicated they would surrender about five to ten animals but ultimately arrived with at least 30 cats and kittens; some animals were already deceased inside the carrier. “The 27 that remained were wild, feral, extremely ill and suffering from respiratory infections and unfortunately near death themselves,” the chairman said. He added admitting the animals to the shelter would have put healthy and adoptable animals at serious risk, and staff “were forced to make a heartbreaking but necessary decision.”

The chairman asked the public to consider that the outcome could not have been prevented by staff and thanked animal-control employees and volunteers for their work. He also told the board that members remain unanimous in their support for a new, improved animal shelter and reiterated the county’s commitment to spay and neuter outreach as a preventive measure.

The chair said county attorneys are engaged on an unrelated pool-roof legal matter raised during the meeting and declined further comment pending counsel’s input.

The board did not take formal action at the meeting on animal-control policy changes but emphasized support for staff and the goal of improved shelter facilities.","After a public comment said 27 cats were euthanized in one day, the Ashe County board chairman explained July 7 that more than 30 animals had been surrendered, some already dead, and that remaining animals were feral and seriously ill, creating an infection risk to other shelter animals.",{"_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},6551747,"Ashe County approves personnel policy tweaks and $1,500 education reimbursement program",225,355000,580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5329445-b85bfdd12c7d7d5c0bb073ae5d186bd4&start=355&end=580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5329445-b85bfdd12c7d7d5c0bb073ae5d186bd4/thumbnail_355000.jpg","/articles/6551747/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Ashe-County-approves-personnel-policy-tweaks-and-1500-education-reimbursement-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551747-d32b8539d2d6d581d80638659fb7869b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136194&Signature=I21kxvQVR-FUYC647U-Dz3tR5Vfq-Ey8R-ONWy3ZQx~UFcog5EANFMr2O4O5kqa~7mVKLFyJGMJ6jk6cRG3abP~B5XXFvR~3Zq18DCh3q1LcFpbq1qGCdHhaic-xX~72jSKxSqQO9zXe0IfS1zMyrYLHYpUPs8iWIrvk8dAuI9lQmB2KwtPjDx8IHOJfLrJxfDGMyKMgMIAKH5NmKxnfocNdZvaRrtFzSTgz~h-iXnidhzX7HDDh-px4UL-HOSuGAsRHymexY41mdff5EYzzSv9XYBBhkiUNZzW3acq7mMC-fWKTDJiXPVoC4DiThgBxwdVI7QqvHnFq3-IX3w~tPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ashe County commissioners approved July 7 two personnel-related items: clarifying holiday-pay eligibility for employees on leave without pay and changing the required timeline for a physician’s note for sick leave from three days to five days, with added language to accommodate telemedicine.

Kelsey, the county’s human resources coordinator, explained the holiday-pay clarification: an employee on leave without pay status on the day preceding a holiday is not eligible to earn holiday pay unless the employee actually works on the holiday. Kelsey also described the sick-leave change and said the policy adds telemedicine language because the county has seen an increase in telehealth use.

Separately, commissioners approved an educational benefits policy that will reimburse employees up to $1,500 when they submit a transcript showing they passed a course. Board members asked about recouping funds if an employee leaves; the policy, as explained in the meeting, allows the county to recover funds from a departing employee’s final paycheck if the employee leaves within a specified timeline.

Kelsey said awarding reimbursement after successful completion — instead of giving funds up front — is administratively simpler. Commissioners moved and approved both policies by voice vote.

No exact timeline or limit-by-year beyond the $1,500 per completed course detail was provided in the meeting discussion.","The Board approved clarifications to holiday-pay eligibility and raised the sick-note threshold from three to five days; it also approved an educational benefit policy that reimburses employees up to $1,500 after successful course completion.",{"_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},6551751,"Ashe County commissioners direct bid on single-ply option for middle school roof",395,1085000,1480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5329445-b85bfdd12c7d7d5c0bb073ae5d186bd4&start=1085&end=1480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5329445-b85bfdd12c7d7d5c0bb073ae5d186bd4/thumbnail_1085000.jpg","/articles/6551751/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Ashe-County-commissioners-direct-bid-on-single-ply-option-for-middle-school-roof","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551751-358de12364cef26ef044b1b2a5551253/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136194&Signature=VYjTgc9HTMElZRZDF-YYYRczw7mrgbMkbM~3zMejuuLFNrALtGEBFuenkoh35oGS2RKy6LbfrpaJobmSUkIvYMpbzG2Thq9GUoDxiEcwJT8xd4pqGXaLrUSU4tEsGQprtwmyMwyJqYqvTY~9H8IBXFf3e5qWOqFI~KhDt5JI0Jy8ktIqkPe12~c2U7OkWyCIUEpyXkGn5p1Le791-PcftlK3A5tnrEl2f-bO3EUWN7azZ0brzNIICiTabbCRshWu11FOVkAy5lpERJDukpfkXvoE9~8p6nr93GPsVGTbvUkkNeQpwlDC1Pm1LBt-2acyH7oHEUwehcU4WENLE-nkpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ashe County Board of Commissioners voted July 7 to direct architects to prepare bid documents for the middle school roof project with the single-ply option as the primary bid and the other option listed as an alternate.

Commissioner Mike Eldreth said the project has been delayed while the county and school board decide between two roof systems. County staff said architects recommended bidding both options so the county would have firm prices and a direct comparison. A county official reported preliminary estimates “between $1.5 and $2,100,000,” and commissioners emphasized that the project will not be priced definitively until contractors bid the work.

Board members discussed warranty lengths and long-term value. One commissioner expressed a preference for the lower-cost single-ply option, noting both options reportedly carried similar warranties in the architects’ presentations. County staff said the project must complete design and secure Department of Public Instruction approval before bids can be advertised.

Commissioners agreed to proceed with bids and to bring the bids back for a future funding decision. County staff said the school system has set aside $500,000 from public school renovation funds toward the project, and any additional funding decisions will await the formal bid results and subsequent board consideration.

Separately, commissioners asked about an unrelated pool-roof issue and were advised county attorneys are discussing that matter; no formal action was taken on the pool roof at the meeting.","After discussion with architects and school officials, commissioners asked architects to put the middle school replacement out to bid with the single-ply option as the primary bid and the other option as an alternate; cost estimates range roughly $1.5 million to $2.1 million.",{"_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},6551752,"Ashe County submits six projects for 2028 STIP scoring, including Jefferson–West Jefferson connector",343,571000,914000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5329445-b85bfdd12c7d7d5c0bb073ae5d186bd4&start=571&end=914","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5329445-b85bfdd12c7d7d5c0bb073ae5d186bd4/thumbnail_571000.jpg","/articles/6551752/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Ashe-County-submits-six-projects-for-2028-STIP-scoring-including-JeffersonWest-Jefferson-connector","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551752-9d10a995efd72240a22be78f0e776a1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136194&Signature=lmUmqA6oA5P9WSPTjASFY705mYYDU2FhzAkRHrTBfNOumVE4RRSU~CZ0CF7Z5gyPtSlYm-2l~9V0iCCSp5UPrIdKqninAP5p9i5DnMAG3MN~X9-XtYDJnCl~WIe3Y7YsWerAZ1ru9sTizbLzO~YhS6RU3XJN-tA5QCQpNTlC5rt-KDJ9JVPzoUtLd9YCYt0dybr8Ph0vHHEcTMmKcJ0PHqoTpV~Qa-Fnv3uXjhMQuhUtnURHcmlF5O7JvLnaWhJdDEU~w9sVtAYthbE-rUNisEEemIfIYB~25FRzUSlSUw70glrJ67~7Z~XN8uroc~wuVI1mXtHGt6UdYO2uFsA3OA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ashe County commissioners voted July 7 to submit six projects for evaluation in the North Carolina State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) scoring round for the 2028 cycle.

The proposal, discussed by county staff during the board meeting, includes a proposed four-lane Jefferson–West Jefferson connector with access management and stormwater improvements; intersection improvements at the McDonald's/Ingles intersection that could include a median and access changes; access-management improvements on U.S. 221 between the hospital and N.C. 16, including possible turn lanes; improvements on N.C. 163 from the West Jefferson town limits toward the county line; a pedestrian sidewalk project along the west side of Jefferson Avenue; and a terminal-building replacement at the local airport.

The county emphasized that submitting projects to the STIP places them into the state scoring process but does not guarantee funding. “These are the projects that we've come up with. Again, to set expectations, we may get none of these projects this go around,” said Adam (staff member). Projects are scored regionally and statewide based on factors such as accidents, traffic volumes and freight needs.

Commissioners discussed the McDonald's/Ingles intersection at length. One commissioner described possible improvements “similar to like a super street” with medians and controlled access to reduce hazardous left turns where several driveways and a nearby signal create conflict points. County staff also discussed a potential traffic signal at a county facility entrance but said that outcome “is yet to be seen.”

The pedestrian project would require a 20% local match. County staff said they have discussed cost-splitting with West Jefferson, the Blue Ridge Conservancy and the county should the sidewalk be selected for funding.

A county official noted that some submitted projects have scored poorly in prior rounds and that much of the region’s current STIP prioritization remains focused on storm and flood-related repairs. “Those projects go through the system, they get stored. So even if we don't get it funded, we'll at least know where these stand,” Adam said.

The board voted to submit the projects, and county staff said the towns that requested or support those projects will also vote on the package before final submission.

Planning and funding notes: the sidewalk carries a 20% required local match; the airport item is listed as a terminal replacement; the Jefferson–West Jefferson connector is described as a four-lane facility with pedestrian and stormwater components. The county cautioned that scoring and funding are determined by the state process and that storm-damage repairs statewide may affect allocations in this cycle.","Ashe County commissioners approved submitting six transportation projects to the North Carolina State Transportation Improvement Program for 2028 scoring, including a Jefferson–West Jefferson four-lane connector, intersection work at McDonald's/Ingles and a potential airport terminal replacement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Ashe County commissioners approve consent agenda, personnel changes, STIP submissions and other routine actions

Commissioners and chair defend animal-control staff after public comment about 27 cats; board reiterates support for new shelter

Ashe County approves personnel policy tweaks and $1,500 education reimbursement program

Ashe County commissioners direct bid on single-ply option for middle school roof

Ashe County submits six projects for 2028 STIP scoring, including Jefferson–West Jefferson connector