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LEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> GIGI'S CREATIONS CATERING <br /> 143 CHARLOTTE AVENUE <br /> SANFORD, NC 27330 <br /> January 26, 2023 <br /> MINUTES <br /> Roll Call <br /> Present: Dr. Andre Knecht, Robert Reives, Cameron Sharpe, Kirk Smith, Bill Carver, <br /> Mark Lovick, Taylor Vorbeck <br /> CALL TO ORDER <br /> Chairman Smith called the meeting to order at 5:09 p.m. <br /> INVOCATION <br /> Representative Sauls led the Board in an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. <br /> PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE <br /> LEGISLATIVE UPDATE <br /> Update from Senator Burgin and Representative Sauls <br /> Senator Jim Burgin gave an update from the North Carolina Senate, which went back <br /> in session on the 25th. The Senator introduced four bills yesterday. He is the chair of <br /> Health Care and Appropriations, of Health and Human Services committees, and is <br /> also a member of the Appropriations/Base Budget, Finance, Pensions and Retirement <br /> and Aging, and Agriculture, Energy, and Environment committees. The Health Care <br /> committee is looking at mental health and working with Duke Lifepoint. The majority of <br /> people leave the county for their medical services. He's been having town halls with <br /> the Secretary of Health throughout the state. He noted that mental health issues in <br /> children have increased drastically during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. An <br /> Asheville doctor saw a 50% increase in the number of mental health issues in <br /> children. Over 70% of people using drugs have an underlying mental health issue. <br /> There are 400 North Carolinian children that are out of state getting treatment right <br /> now. In June, a 50-bed mental health hospital is opening through UNC Hospital in <br /> Butner. Over 200 people a day are being involuntarily committed, and every state is <br /> having these same problems. North Carolina is at the top of everyone's list for growth <br /> and Lee and Johnston counties are where people are looking. At the Central Carolina <br /> Community College's legislative breakfast on Monday, the college and attendees talked <br /> about what we must do to prepare for industries and getting the workforce ready and <br />