===== PAGE 1 ===== # 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: ===== PAGE 2 ===== - 2. Total refunds for the month ending 9/31/26 in the amount of $3,416.18. - 3. Total NCVTS tag and tax refunds for the month ending 9/31/26 in the amount of $3,218.65. - 4. Total real and personal property discoveries for the month ending 9/31/26 in the amount of $2,274,124.19. - 5. Total motor vehicle discoveries for the month ending 9/31/26 in the amount of $0. - 6. Total EMS, EMD and EMS-MC additions for the month ending 9/31/26 in the amount of $1,942.83 - 7. Total EMS, EMD and EMS-MC refunds for the month ending 9/31/26 in the amount of $0. - 8. Total EMS, EMD and EMS-MC releases for the month ending 9/31/26 in the amount of $610.82. - 9. 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: ===== PAGE 3 =====
The Board of County Commissioners approved an amendment to the FY 2026-2027 Budget
Ordinance at their meeting on October 19, 2026.
FY27 CURRENT BUDGETINCREASE (DECREASE)FY27 REVISED BUDGET
DESCRIPTION
FIRE DISTRICT FUNDS (42-58)
DEPARTMENT: ARARAT FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
424438141130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX-21,00021,000
424438141700 INTEREST & FEES-100100
EXPENDITURES
425438155300 REFUNDS-100100
425438157507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES-500500
425438157500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION1,00020,50021,500
DEPARTMENT: BANNERTOWN FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
434438241130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX-56,00056,000
434438241700 INTEREST & FEES-250250
EXPENDITURES
435438255300 REFUNDS-200200
435438257507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES-1,2001,200
435438257500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION2,70054,85057,550
DEPARTMENT: CC CAMP FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
444438441130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX-17,00017,000
444438441700 INTEREST & FEES-100100
EXPENDITURES
445438455300 REFUNDS-100100
445438457507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES-500500
435438457500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION3,15016,50019,650
DEPARTMENT: CENTRAL SURRY FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
454438341130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX-37,00037,000
454438341700 INTEREST & FEES-100100
EXPENDITURES
455438355300 REFUNDS-250250
455438357507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES-1,0001,000
455438357500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION3,10035,85038,950
DEPARTMENT: FOUR-WAY FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
464438541130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX-38,00038,000
464438541700 INTEREST & FEES-100100
EXPENDITURES
465438555300 REFUNDS-7575
464438557507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES-1,0001,000
465438557500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION6,40037,02543,425
DEPARTMENT: FRANKLIN FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
474438641130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX-78,00078,000
474438641700 INTEREST & FEES-200200
EXPENDITURES
475438655300 REFUNDS-450450
475438657507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES-1,7501,750
475438657500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION8,50076,00084,500
DEPARTMENT: JOTUM DOWN FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
484438741130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX-17,00017,000
484438741700 INTEREST & FEES-100100
EXPENDITURES
485438755300 REFUNDS-7575
485438757507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES-500500
485438757500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION1,25016,52517,775
DEPARTMENT: MOUNTAIN PARK FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
494438841130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX-19,00019,000
494438841700 INTEREST & FEES-100100
EXPENDITURES
495438855300 REFUNDS-150150
495438857507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES-500500
495438857500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION2,00018,45020,450
DEPARTMENT: PILOT KNOB FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
504438941130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX-27,00027,000
504438941700 INTEREST & FEES-100100
EXPENDITURES
505438955300 REFUNDS-100100
505438957507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES-750750
505438957500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION2,20026,25028,450
===== PAGE 4 =====
DEPARTMENT: SHOALS FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
514439041130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX-14,00014,000
514439041700 INTEREST & FEES-100100
EXPENDITURES
515439055300 REFUNDS-350350
515439057507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES-500500
515439057500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION1,50013,25014,750
DEPARTMENT: SKULL CAMP FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
524439141130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX-36,00036,000
524439141700 INTEREST & FEES-100100
EXPENDITURES
525439155300 REFUNDS-5050
525439157507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES-900900
525439157500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION2,70035,15037,850
DEPARTMENT: SOUTH SURRY FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
534439241130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX-41,00041,000
534439241700 INTEREST & FEES-125125
EXPENDITURES
535439255300 REFUNDS-100100
535439257507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES-1,0001,000
535439257500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION4,40040,02544,425
DEPARTMENT: STATE ROAD FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
544439341130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX-14,00014,000
544439341700 INTEREST & FEES-100100
EXPENDITURES
545439355300 REFUNDS-7575
545439357507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES-500500
545439357500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION1,00013,52514,525
DEPARTMENT: WESTFIELD FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
554439441130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX-23,00023,000
554439441700 INTEREST & FEES-100100
EXPENDITURES
555439455300 REFUNDS-100100
555439457507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES-600600
555439457500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION2,65022,40025,050
DEPARTMENT: WHITE PLAINS FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
564439541130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX-27,00027,000
564439541700 INTEREST & FEES-100100
EXPENDITURES
565439555300 REFUNDS-350350
565439557507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES-650650
565439557500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION2,00026,10028,100
DEPARTMENT: PINE RIDGE FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
574439641130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX-28,00028,000
574439641700 INTEREST & FEES-100100
EXPENDITURES
575439655300 REFUNDS-350350
575439657507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES-750750
575439657500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION2,00027,00029,000
DEPARTMENT: PLEASANT HILL FIRE DISTRICT
REVENUE
584439741130 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX-300300
584439741700 INTEREST & FEES-5050
EXPENDITURES
585439755300 REFUNDS-5050
585439757507 MOTOR VEHICLE COLLECTION FEES-2525
585439757500 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION200275475
SCHOOL CAPITAL PROJECTS (992)
REVENUE
9924598043345 Lottery-County Schools-297,600297,600
EXPENDITURES
9925598051640 Project Construction-297,600297,600
===== PAGE 5 ===== 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 ===== PAGE 6 ===== 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. ===== PAGE 7 ===== 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