Posted October 9, 2024
The Granville County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, October 7 at the Granville County Convention and Expo Center. The meeting featured the recognition of Commissioner Tony Cozart for his lifelong service to Granville County and the State of North Carolina with the presentation of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, along with a recognition of service of Deputy Sargeant Craig Williams who retired in September after over twenty-six years of service to the Granville County Sheriff’s Office.
Chair Timothy Karan and NC Representative Frank Sossamon (Granville/Vance) presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award on behalf of Governor Roy Cooper and the State of North Carolina to Commissioner Cozart. Cozart was first elected to the Granville County Board of Commissioners in 1989 and has now served nine consecutive terms representing District 4, with his most recent term beginning in December 2020. Cozart received this distinction not just for his service on the Granville County Board of Commissioners, but also his years of service as an educator, a principal, Executive Director of Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start, Pastor of Cooks Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Franklin Vance Warren Opportunity Board of Directors, Masonic Home for Children Board of Directors, Commissioner of Central Children’s Home Church Basketball League, Moderator of the United Shiloh Missionary Baptist Association, and many other achievements that have served this county and North Carolina.
“Being a County Commissioner is one thing that has never grown old for me,” said Cozart. “Growing up, I learned hard work in the tobacco fields and working as a bag boy at 7-11. To my fellow members of the Board of Commissioners, you are like family to me, and I am grateful to all of you. I had wonderful parents; and God gave me a wonderful wife, wonderful children, and grandchildren that have stolen my heart. I love this county and have enjoyed all these years of service.”
Sheriff Robert Fountain, former Sheriff and Commissioner David Smith, and Lieutenant Todd Wilkins joined the Board of Commissioner in honoring Sargeant Williams. Sargeant Williams thanked former Sheriff Smith and Sheriff Fountain for their leadership and commended his fellow deputies that he served with over the years. Williams will stay on with the Sheriff’s Office in a part-time capacity and he also currently serves as the Chief of Police for the Town of Stovall.
Other business conducted on October 7 included:
– Recognizing Granville County 4-H in honor of National 4-H Week. This year’s theme is “Beyond Ready,” which highlights the preparedness, determination, and resilience of 4-H youth and how the program prepares them to tackle the challenges of adulthood.
– Introducing Assistant Finance Director Lindsey Davidson. Davidson began her tenure with Granville County in July 2024 and most recently served as Controller for Granville Health System.
– Introducing Deputy Clerk to the Board of Commissioners Jessica Todd. Todd began her tenure with Granville County in September and most recently served as an Economic Development Specialist for Vance County.
– Receiving a presentation from the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) regarding the Regional Transportation Safety Action Plan. CAMPO serves as the regional planning authority for much of southern Granville County.
– Approving a two-year contract extension with Aramark for meal services at the Granville County Detention Center at an estimated annual cost of $350,000.
– Approving the East Coast Greenway Feasibility Study that evaluates the feasibility of several future greenway routes that would connect Durham County to the Virginia State line through Granville.
– Approving the purchase of a laundry trailer by the Emergency Management Department using Capacity Building Grant Funding from the State of North Carolina at a cost of $109,377.80.
– Approving the purchase of a 25-ton HVAC unit by the Emergency Management Department using Local Emergency Shelter Capacity Grant funds from the State of North Carolina at a cost of $62,600.
– Approving a one-year contract extension with GFL for solid waste convenience site operations and the curbside, wase, collection franchise agreements for calendar year 2025.
– Appointing Laura Holden (Altec Industries, Inc.) to the Kerr-Tar Private Industry Council/Workforce Development Board.
– Approving Budget Amendment #4 for fiscal year 2024-2025 recognizing $15,180 in Library System revenue for the Recordings at Risk grant, recognizing $20,000 in Sheriff’s Office revenue for the Byrne Justice Assistance grant, carrying forward $98,539 in unspent Emergency Management revenue for the Emergency Management Performance grant, and appropriating $9,478 of fund balance to carry forward unspent budgeted Senior Services funds for the fiscal year 2023-2024 Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance Program.
– Approving a service agreement and support services with Motorola for the 911 Emergency Communications Department in the amount of $74,297.53.
– Approving a Mobile Communications America Vesta maintenance contract for the 911 Emergency Communications Department in the amount of $17,118.15.
– Approving the purchase of IT equipment for the 911 Emergency Communications Department primary and backup centers Computer Assisted Dispatch (CAD) equipment at cost of $34,865.58.
– Approving tax refunds, releases, and write-offs for August 22, 2024, through September 25, 2024.
– Approving revisions to the Travel Policy included in the Granville County Personnel Policy.
– Approving updates to the Emergency Management and Fire Marshal blasting permit application.
– Approving Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes from September 3, 2024.
The next meeting of the Granville County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Monday, October 21, 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 where you can sign up for the “Sunshine List” and follow the county on Facebook.
All meetings of the Granville County Board of Commissioners are now streamed live on YouTube! Subscribe to Granville County Government on YouTube to view the live videos on the county YouTube page. Archived recordings are available on the Granville County website.