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13519
Surry County Board of Commissioners Meeting of October 19, 2026
The Surry County Board of Commissioners met at 6:00 p.m., October 19, 2026. The meeting was held in the Board Room, Historic Courthouse, Dobson, N.C.
Board members present in-person for the meeting were: Chairman Bill Goins, Vice-Chairman Eddie Harris, Commissioner Melissa Hiatt, Commissioner Mark Marion, and Commissioner Van Tucker.
Others present in-person for the meeting, at various times, included:
Chris Knopf, County Manager Sandy Snow, Assistant County Manager Amber Armbruster, Deputy County Manager Howard Jones, County Attorney Andrew Wright, Administrative Officer Byron Isaacs, Emergency Management Coordinator Brandi McMillian, Interim Finance Officer Sharon Schueneman, DSS Director Wendy Harmon, DSS Foster Care Supervisor Denise Brown, Grants, Special Projects, and Legal Manager Richie Parker, Surry Communications
Chairman Goins called the meeting to order.
Commissioner Melissa Hiatt delivered the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Goins requested the Board review and approve the October 19, 2026 agenda.
Upon motion of Commissioner Marion, seconded by Commissioner Hiatt, the Board voted unanimously to approve the October 19, 2026 agenda.
Chairman Goins requested the Board review and approve the October 5, 2026 meeting minutes. Upon motion of Commissioner Tucker, seconded by Commissioner Hiatt, the Board voted unanimously to approve the October 5, 2026 meeting minutes.
Chairman Goins requested the Board consider the consent agenda. Chris Knopf, County Manager, reviewed the consent agenda.
Upon motion of Commissioner Marion, seconded by Chairman Goins, the Board voted to unanimously approve the consent agenda:
Requests from the County Manager:
- Approve the following from the Tax Department:
- 1. Total releases for the month ending 9/31/26 in the amount of $8,600.09.
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- Total refunds for the month ending 9/31/26 in the amount of $3,416.18.
- Total NCVTS tag and tax refunds for the month ending 9/31/26 in the amount of $3,218.65.
- Total real and personal property discoveries for the month ending 9/31/26 in the amount of $2,274,124.19.
- Total motor vehicle discoveries for the month ending 9/31/26 in the amount of $0.
- Total EMS, EMD and EMS-MC additions for the month ending 9/31/26 in the amount of $1,942.83
- Total EMS, EMD and EMS-MC refunds for the month ending 9/31/26 in the amount of $0.
- Total EMS, EMD and EMS-MC releases for the month ending 9/31/26 in the amount of $610.82.
- Total EMS, EMD and EMS-MC collections for the month ending 9/31/26 in the amount of $14,393.13.
- Approve accepting all state budget directed grants from S.L. 2026-61 (HB268) and S.L. 2026-41 (SB 257).
- Approve to allocate $21,823.36 of Chairman Goins discretionary Invest in Surry funds to the following nonprofit organizations for the stated purpose in each application: Yokefellow Ministries: $6,000
Blue Bear Café: $5,000
Mount Airy Public Library: $5,000
Reeves Community Center Foundation: $3,283.36
Helping Hands Foundation: $2,540.
- Approve a Financial Services Agreement with the Northern Surry Foundation for Better Health, INC. d/b/a Northern Hospital Foundation.
- Requests from the Interim Finance Officer: Approve Budget Amendment #5 for FY27:
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The Board of County Commissioners approved an amendment to the FY 2026-2027 Budget
Ordinance at their meeting on October 19, 2026.
FY27 CURRENT BUDGET INCREASE (DECREASE) FY27 REVISED BUDGET
FIRE DISTRICT FUNDS (42-58)
DEPARTMENT: ARARAT FIRE DISTRICT
DESCRIPTION
REVENUE
4244381 41130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX - 21,000 21,000
4244381 41700 INTEREST & FEES - 100 100
EXPENDITURES
4254381 55300 REFUNDS - 100 100
4254381 57507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES - 500 500
4254381 57500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION 1,000 20,500 21,500
DEPARTMENT: BANNERTOWN FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
EXPENDITURES
4354382 55300 REFUNDS - 200 200
4354382 57500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION 2,700 54,850 57,550
DEPARTMENT: CC CAMP FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
EXPENDITURES
4454384 55300 REFUNDS - 100 100
4354384 57500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION 3,150 16,500 19,650
DEPARTMENT: CENTRAL SURRY FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
EXPENDITURES
4554383 55300 REFUNDS - 250 250
4554383 57507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES - 1,000 1,000
4554383 57500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION 3,100 35,850 38,950
DEPARTMENT: FOUR-WAY FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
EXPENDITURES
4644385 57507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES - 1,000 1,000
4654385 57500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION 6,400 37,025 43,425
DEPARTMENT: FRANKLIN FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
4744386 41700 INTEREST & FEES - 200 200
EXPENDITURES
4754386 57507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES - 1,750 1,750
4754386 57500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION 8,500 76,000 84,500
DEPARTMENT: JOTUM DOWN FIRE DISTRICT
4844387 41700 INTEREST & FEES - 100 100
EXPENDITURES
4854387 57507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES - 500 500
4854387 57500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION 1,250 16,525 17,775
DEPARTMENT: MOUNTAIN PARK FIRE DISTRICT
4944388 41700 INTEREST & FEES - 100 100
EXPENDITURES
4954388 57507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES - 500 500
4954388 57500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION 2,000 18,450 20,450
DEPARTMENT: PILOT KNOB FIRE DISTRICT
5044389 41700 INTEREST & FEES - 100 100
EXPENDITURES
5054389 55300 REFUNDS - 100 100
5054389 57507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES - 750 750
5054389 57500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION 2,200 26,250 28,450
4344382 41130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX - 56,000 56,000
4344382 41700 INTEREST & FEES - 250 250
4354382 57507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES - 1,200 1,200
4444384 41130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX - 17,000 17,000
4444384 41700 INTEREST & FEES - 100 100
4454384 57507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES - 500 500
4544383 41130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX - 37,000 37,000
4544383 41700 INTEREST & FEES - 100 100
4644385 41130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX - 38,000 38,000
4644385 41700 INTEREST & FEES - 100 100
4654385 55300 REFUNDS - 75 75
4744386 41130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX - 78,000 78,000
4754386 55300 REFUNDS - 450 450
REVENUE
4844387 41130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX - 17,000 17,000
4854387 55300 REFUNDS - 75 75
REVENUE
4944388 41130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX - 19,000 19,000
4954388 55300 REFUNDS - 150 150
REVENUE
5044389 41130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX - 27,000 27,000
DEPARTMENT: SHOALS FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
5144390 41130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX - 14,000 14,000
5144390 41700 INTEREST & FEES - 100 100
EXPENDITURES
5154390 55300 REFUNDS - 350 350
5154390 57507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES - 500 500
5154390 57500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION 1,500 13,250 14,750
5244391 41130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX - 36,000 36,000
EXPENDITURES
5254391 55300 REFUNDS - 50 50
5254391 57507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES - 900 900
5254391 57500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION 2,700 35,150 37,850
REVENUE
5344392 41130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX - 41,000 41,000
EXPENDITURES
5354392 55300 REFUNDS - 100 100
5354392 57507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES - 1,000 1,000
REVENUE
5444393 41130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX - 14,000 14,000
EXPENDITURES
5454393 55300 REFUNDS - 75 75
5454393 57507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES - 500 500
REVENUE
5544394 41130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX - 23,000 23,000
EXPENDITURES
5554394 55300 REFUNDS - 100 100
5554394 57507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES - 600 600
REVENUE
5644395 41130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX - 27,000 27,000
5644395 41700 INTEREST & FEES - 100 100
EXPENDITURES
5654395 55300 REFUNDS - 350 350
5654395 57507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES - 650 650
REVENUE
5744396 41700 INTEREST & FEES - 100 100
EXPENDITURES
5754396 55300 REFUNDS - 350 350
5754396 57507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES - 750 750
REVENUE
5844397 41130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX - 300 300
5844397 41700 INTEREST & FEES - 50 50
EXPENDITURES
5854397 55300 REFUNDS - 50 50
5854397 57507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES - 25 25
99245980 43345 Lottery-County Schools - 297,600 297,600
99255980 51640 Project Construction - 297,600 297,600
DEPARTMENT: SKULL CAMP FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
5244391 41700 INTEREST & FEES - 100 100
DEPARTMENT: SOUTH SURRY FIRE DISTRICT
5344392 41700 INTEREST & FEES - 125 125
5354392 57500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION 4,400 40,025 44,425
DEPARTMENT: STATE ROAD FIRE DISTRICT
5444393 41700 INTEREST & FEES - 100 100
5454393 57500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION 1,000 13,525 14,525
DEPARTMENT: WESTFIELD FIRE DISTRICT
5544394 41700 INTEREST & FEES - 100 100
5554394 57500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION 2,650 22,400 25,050
DEPARTMENT: WHITE PLAINS FIRE DISTRICT
5654395 57500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION 2,000 26,100 28,100
DEPARTMENT: PINE RIDGE FIRE DISTRICT
5744396 41130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX - 28,000 28,000
5754396 57500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION 2,000 27,000 29,000
DEPARTMENT: PLEASANT HILL FIRE DISTRICT
5854397 57500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION 200 275 475
SCHOOL CAPITAL PROJECTS (992)
REVENUE
EXPENDITURES
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Chairman Goins declared the meeting to be an open forum and invited members of the audience to address any matters of civic concern.
Debra Culler spoke in opposition to the Surry County Sheriff's Office use of Flock Cameras and discussed privacy and data tracking concerns.
Seeing no additional speakers, Chairman Goins closed the open forum.
Richie Parker, Surry Communications, presented on Surry Communications commitment to provide internet and other communication solutions to residents and businesses in Surry County. Mr. Parker also announced that Surry Communications recently received a national NTCA Smart Rural Community Showcase Award for the downtown Mount Airy Wi-Fi network improvements.
Sharon Schueneman, Social Services Director, provided a bi-monthly update and discussed the foster care program. Ms. Schueneman stated that there are currently 176 children in Foster Care in Surry County.
Wendy Harmon, DSS Foster Care Supervisor, discussed the challenges and success stories in Foster Care.
Commissioner Tucker asked if staff could determine the most contributing factor to the high foster care numbers.
Ms. Harmon discussed many overlapping factors making cases complex, but that substance use or substance abuse is the most common contributing factor among most cases.
Commissioner Marion discussed the complex adoption process and asked about updates to the processes.
Vice-Chairman Harris asked staff to compare Surry County foster care statistics with other comparable counties.
Brandi McMillian, Interim Finance Officer, provided a monthly finance report.
Chris Knopf, County Manager, presented NC Department of Agriculture and NC Forest Service's request to amend the most recent contract with the County. A memo from NC Forest Service addressed NC General Assembly approved salary increases for NC Forest Service employees, which would result in the County's 40% share of the personnel cost to increase by $11,864, an overall increase from $75,139 to $87,003.
Chris Knopf, County Manager, presented a request from Keith Kiger, Chief Building Inspector. The memo from Mr. Kiger informed the Board that due to Senate Bill 257, the NC General Assembly approved new fees required for all building permits issued in the State. The State fees include an additional $25 for residential permits, $10 for all trade permits, and $100 for
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all commercial permits. The County will be required to collect these fees and remit to the State quarterly. The new inspection fee schedule will take effect on January 1, 2027.
Upon motion of Vice-Chairman Harris, seconded by Commissioner Hiatt, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the new state building inspection fee schedule.
In General County Business, Commissioner Hiatt addressed the need to appoint a member to the Mountain Valley Hospice Board, a seat in which Chairman Goins will vacate at the end of his term.
Upon motion of Chairman Goins, seconded by Commissioner Tucker, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Vice-Chairman Harris to membership on the Mountain Valley Hospice Board.
Commissioner Hiatt invited the public to attend a ribbon cutting at the Willow Tree, a new child advocacy center located in Dobson.
Commissioner Tucker thanked everyone in attendance. Commissioner Tucker also thanked DSS staff for their presentation and asked for additional data related to foster care participants, comparing Surry with other counties.
Wendy Harmon, DSS Foster Care Supervisor, responded to Commissioner Tucker's questions and discussed the adoption process, specifically how Surry County places eligible participants.
Commissioner Marion discussed attending a successful fundraiser for Hospice of Surry County.
Vice-Chairman Harris thanked both Senator Eddie Settle and Representative Dan Kiger for their financial support to Surry County. Vice-Chairman Harris stated that Senator Settle obtained $500,000 for 20 different local non-profit sub-recipients, and Representative Kiger also provided $450,000 for equipment for the Surry County Sheriff's Office.
Chairman Goins thanked everyone for attending the meeting.
Upon motion of Commissioner Marion, seconded by Vice-Chairman Harris, the Board voted unanimously to enter closed session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(3) legal, pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(4) economic development, pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(5) real estate, and pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(6) personnel.
The Board returned from closed session.
Upon motion of Chairman Goins, seconded by Vice-Chairman Harris, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Commissioner Hiatt as Chairperson and Secretary, and Vice-Chairman Harris as Vice-Chairman and Treasurer of the Mountain Valley Hospice Board.
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Upon motion of Commissioner Hiatt, seconded by Chairman Goins, the Board adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m.
All leases, contracts, agreements, resolutions, ordinances, amendments, and documents referenced in the minutes are kept in the Clerk's Office or in the department office in which they are associated.
Bill Goins, Chairman Board of Commissioners
Andrew Wright, Clerk to the Board