Board of Commissioners Meeting Recap – June 17, 2024

Posted June 20, 2024

The Granville County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, June 17 at the Granville County Convention and Expo Center. The meeting featured the recognition of a Creedmoor resident who has reached an athletic milestone only achieved by a select few across the world, several long-serving county officials, and a Deputy Sheriff who recently showed heroism in the line of duty.

Kechia Brustmeyer-Brown of Creedmoor was recognized for achieving “Six-Star” status in the Abbott World Major Marathons. She is one of only 17,000 people to have ever successfully finished the six major marathons held across the globe. Three are in the United States (Boston, Chicago, and New York City) and the other three are in Germany (Berlin), Japan (Tokyo), and the United Kingdom (London). Brustmeyer-Brown was also recognized by Rep. Frank Sossamon on behalf of the North Carolina General Assembly and John Tayloe, Regional Director for United States Senator Ted Budd. Sen. Budd presented Brustmeyer-Brown with a US Flag that had been flown over the US Capitol in Washington, DC.

Debra Weary was recognized for her service to Granville County as Clerk to the Board of Commissioners. Weary totaled twenty-five years of service to the citizens of Granville through her work with Granville County government and Granville County Public Schools. All members of the Board of County Commissioners expressed their gratitude for Weary’s service and Chair Timothy Karan emphasized her desire to “stay out of the limelight, while remaining humble and contributing so much to the success of Granville County.” Weary was also honored by Rep. Sossamon and Sen. Ted Budd and she too received a US flag that had flown over the Capitol Building.  

Outgoing Finance Director Steve McNally was also honored for his years of service to Granville County as Finance Director. McNally’s service to Granville County citizens totaled twenty-one years between his time with Granville County government and the City of Oxford. Commissioner Rob Williford spoke about McNally on behalf of the Board of Commissioners and commented on his tireless work ethic and contributions to several major projects including the Law Enforcement Center and the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant used for the expansion of the Granville Athletic Park.

Commissioner Tony Cozart was recognized for reaching a tenure of thirty-five years as a member of the Granville County Board of Commissioners. First elected in 1989, Cozart has since been reelected eight times. A retired school administrator, Commissioner Cozart currently serves as the Executive Director of Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start. Commissioner Jimmy Gooch spoke on behalf of the Board of Commissioners about Cozart’s achievements and emphasized Cozart’s commitment to public service and his profound impact on Granville County throughout his life. Cozart spoke about the comradery, friendship, and teamwork he feels and thanked his fellow Commissioners for this “truly touching honor” and their shared love of Granville County.

In the last special recognition of the evening, Sheriff Robert Fountain honored Deputy Jonathan Massey for his valor and life saving actions during a recent emergency call on Sterling Creek Lane in southeastern Granville County. A citizen present at the incident notified Sheriff Fountain of Deputy Massey’s actions and commended Massey’s ability to stay calm under pressure, for exercising sound judgment, and showing bravery that saved the life of an individual in mental distress; all while ensuring the safety of others. Sheriff Fountain stated that Massey’s “exceptional bravery contributed to saving a life and offered hope for a brighter future to a person in need.”

Other business conducted on June 17 included:

– An update from Granville County Cooperative Extension Commercial/Consumer Horticulture Agent Johnny Coley on the Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Program.

– An update from Cooperative Extension Agriculture/Animal Service Agent Kim Woods on the Farmland Loss and Preservation Program.

– An update from Kim Woods on the Agricultural Advisory Board who will host a “Keeping the Farm” workshop to educate landowners on October 29.

– An update from Vaya Health Regional Director of Community Relations Elliott Clark.

– Approval and funding for automatic renewal of equipment and software maintenance and support agreement for the Board of Elections with Election Systems & Software, LLC.

– Approval of a landfill operations contract with Huff Soil Conservation, Inc for an annual fee of $1,320,000 and $76,200 for ancillary services. Huff Soil Conservation, Inc was previously selected for this contract negotiation following a Request for Proposals (RFP) process.

– Approval of a bid from Webb-Harrell Construction Services Corporation in the amount of $73,800 for asbestos abatement and demolition of the former Granville-Vance Public Health facility on Hunt Drive in Oxford.

– Approval of a preventative maintenance and repair services contract with Hoffman Mechanical Solutions for a not-to-exceed amount of $13,648 for HVAC systems at the South Branch Library and Granville Early College facilities located on South Campus Drive in Creedmoor.

– Appointing David Sella (District 3) to the Granville County Board of Adjustment.

– Appointing Gary Kuhn (District 5) to the Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Advisory Committee.

– Reappointing Hal Muetzel and Norman Wilson to the Kerr-Tar Workforce Development Board/Private Industry Council.

– Reappointing Allen Winston and appointing Joe Stallings to the Research Triangle Regional Partnership Board.

– Appointing Commissioner Hinman as voting delegate for the National Association of Counties Annual Meeting scheduled for July 12-15 in Hillsborough County, Florida.

– Authorizing the County Manager to execute contract amendments needed for any additional Volunteer Fire Departments who agree to provide Medical First Responder services in Granville County.

– Authorizing the County Attorney and County Manager to take the necessary steps to transfer a lot in the Triangle North Granville Business Park to Vance-Granville Community College, subject to the restrictive covenants of record.

– Approval of Budget Amendment #12 for fiscal year 2023-2024.

– Approval of Budget Amendment #13 for fiscal year 2023-2024.

– Approval of Project Ordinance Amendment #4 for Granville Athletic Park Phase III.

– Approval of Project Ordinance Amendment #5 for the Law Enforcement Center.

– Approval of a correction to realignment of Assigned Fund Balance for Economic and Physical Development.

– Approval of tax refunds, releases, and write-offs for May 21, 2024, to June 5, 2024.

– Approval of a refund request for tax overpayment due to a clerical error.

– Approval of an agreement to terminate the existing lease for an irrigation pond servicing the Granville Athletic Park.

– Approval of a School Resource Officer agreement with Oxford Preparatory School.

– Approval of the following meeting minutes: February 20, 2023, February 24, 2023, May 8, 2023, February 19, 2024, February 23, 2024, May 6, 2024, and May 11, 2024.

The next meeting of the Granville County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Monday, July 1 at 7:00 p.m. at the Granville County Convention and Expo Center.

To stay informed about upcoming meetings of the Board of Commissioners, visit the Granville County website at www.granvillecounty.org where you can sign up for the “Sunshine List” and follow the county on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GranvilleCountyGov.