Minutes - March 19, 2012 Regular Meeting

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BK:00024 P&0804 No one present spoke in opposition to the grant application. Chairman Shook closed the public hearing. Commissioner Oldham moved to approve submission of the 2011 Scattered Site Housing CDBG Grant application as presented. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Hayes, Oldham, Parks, Reives, Shook, and Womack Nay: None Absent: Paschal The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously Dr. Linda Recio from Evergreen Solutions appeared before the Board to present the final performance audit for Lee County Government and financial review for the Lee County Schools. After the presentation, and discussion, Commissioner Womack moved to accept the performance audit for Lee County Government and financial review of the Lee County Schools as presented. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Hayes, Oldham, Parks, Reives, Shook, and Womack Nay: None Absent: Paschal The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously. The Board considered a request from the Agriculture Advisory Board and Cooperative Extension Office for a letter of support for the Lee County Farm Service Agency (FSA). Donald Nicholson, Chairman of the Agriculture Advisory Board told Board members one of the duties of the Agriculture Advisory Board is to advise the Commissioners on projects, programs or issues affecting the agricultural economy. USDA announced in January that it intends to close 259 offices, facilities and laboratories across the United States as part of an effort to save about $150 million a year in the agency's $135 billion budget. North Carolina is slated to lose 6 county FSA offices, one Food and Nutrition Services office and three Rural Development offices. As a result of this, Moore County's FSA office has been cited for closure. Mr. Nicholson stated a public hearing was held on February 1, 2012 in Moore County and all who spoke were adamant about not closing Moore County's office. During the hearing, several speakers suggested that USDA look at closing Lee County's office instead. The Lee County Area Farmers, Livestock Producers, and Farm Bureau will be writing letters of support for keeping Lee County's FSA office open. The Agriculture Advisory Board will also be sending a letter of support and are asking the Lee County Board of Commissioners to also send a letter of support. After discussion, Commissioner Womack moved to authorize the Chairman to sign, on the Boards' behalf, a Resolution in support of the Sanford FSA office and allow the Agriculture Advisory Board to send letters of support also. A copy of the resolution is attached to these minutes and by this reference made a part hereof. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Hayes, Oldham, Parks, Reives, Shook, and Womack Nay: None Absent: Paschal The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously.