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Scott Efird Trent Hatley
Chairman Commissioner
Bill Lawhon Brandon King
Vice Chairman Commissioner
Mike Barbee Billy Mills
Commissioner Commissioner
Patty Crump
Commissioner
Stanly County
Board of Commissioners
Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 – 6:00 PM
1. Call to Order & Welcome
The Stanly County Board of Commissioners (the “Board”) met in regular session on
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 in the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room, Stanly Commons.
Chair Efird called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. with Commissioner Barbee giving
the invocation and leading the Pledge of Allegiance. County Manager Lucas
participated by phone.
Present:
Chairman T. Scott Efird
Vice Chairman Bill Lawhon
Commissioner Paul Michael Barbee
County Commissioner Patty Crump
County Commissioner Trent Hatley
Commissioner Brandon King
C ounty Commissioner Billy Mills
2. Approval / Adjustments to the Agenda
With no amendments to the agenda, Commissioner King moved to approve it as
presented, seconded by Commissioner Mills and passed by unanimous vote.
3. Public Comment
None.
4. Scheduled Agenda Items
A. 911/EOC Facility - Radio System Connectivity

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Presenter: Kyle Griffin, E911 Communications Director
As requested during the January 5, 2026 meeting, E911 Director Kyle Griffin and
Motorola representatives Jody Johnson and Zack Fallon were present to address
questions regarding the $499,833.16 funding request for the new 911/Emergency
Operations Center.
Director Griffin provided a recap of the request, noting that the 911/EOC facility requires
reliable and redundant radio connectivity to the County’s public safety network. Initial
engineering indicated that a single microwave path from either the Stanly Community
College tower or the Courthouse to the Airport would be sufficient. Based on that
assumption, staff originally planned to utilize funding from the North Carolina General
Assembly (NCGA) for the single microwave hop.
However, a detailed engineering analysis later determined that terrain, vegetation, and
reliability standards prevent either direct path from meeting the required microwave
performance criteria. It was determined that a second microwave hop would be
necessary to ensure telecommunicators could contact law enforcement, paramedics,
and fire departments. To mitigate these additional costs, staff bundled this microwave
project with the MPLS project already approved in the FY26 budget to achieve cost
efficiencies.
Funding Sources:
- $444,000: Budgeted FY26 funds (MPLS)
- $350,000: NCGA funding (Microwave)
After applying these funds, the remaining balance is $499,833.16. Motorola has
proposed a two-year lease financing option with annual payments in arrears which
would eliminate any additional fiscal impact in the current FY and spread costs across
FY27 and FY28.
Following the presentation, Director Griffin and the Motorola representatives addressed
Board questions regarding the lease-financing agreement, equipment maintenance, and
insurance costs. Other inquiries covered specific details of the preliminary quote, site
selection, tower limitations, and potential alternatives to avoid the funding gap.
Following discussion, Commissioner Mills suggested that the Board seek a second
opinion from an independent expert with no direct financial interest in the project. The
Board members agreed to this.
Director Griffin stated that he would have a representative from Mission Critical Partners
(MCP), an independent consultant and IT support services firm, attend the February
2nd meeting to answer questions.
Commissioner Mills then moved to table this item until the February 2nd meeting to

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ensure an MCP representative is present to provide further information. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Hatley and passed by a 7-0 vote.
B. Public Hearing - Economic Development Incentive Grant
Presenter: Elizabeth Kazimir, EDC Director
Director Kazimir noted that the purpose of the public hearing was to invite public
comment on a proposed incentive that will result in a five (5) year, 65% economic
development agreement between Stanly County and a property ownership group in the
City of Albemarle establishing operations in Stanly County.
The ownership group plans to invest an estimated $3 million in real property
improvements and create twenty-eight (28) new jobs with an average annual salary of
$107,893 over the next five (5) years.
It was requested the Board conduct the required public hearing, then approve the
economic incentive agreement as recommended.
Following the presentation, Director Kazimir responded to questions concerning the
type of business to be established, the number of jobs and average salaries associated
with those jobs, including the lowest paying positions.
Chair Efird then declared the public hearing open. With no one coming forward, the
hearing was closed.
Vice Chair Lawhon moved to approve the economic incentive as recommended,
seconded by Commissioner Hatley and passed by a 7-0 vote.
C. SCUSA FY27 Public Hearing Notice Revision
Presenter: Steve Dutton, Transportation Services Director
In December 2025, the Board took action to approve both the administrative local share (which
remains unchanged) and the local share of the capital grant request. At that time, the local share of
the capital grant was $19,057.
This revised request for vehicle tablets increases the local capital share by $2,355, bringing the
new total to $21,412. The revised total project amount is $214,120. This remains below the
$38,500 currently budgeted for the County's local share of capital in FY 25-26.
Approval from the Board of Commissioners is requested for this increased FY27 capital grant
request to include vehicle tablets for driver scheduling software needs.
With no questions from the Board, Chair Efird declared the public hearing open. With
no one coming forward to speak, the hearing was closed.
Commissioner King moved to approve the request, seconded by Commissioner Crump

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and carried by unanimous vote.
D. Consolidated Human Services Board Appointments
Presenter: Dolly Clayton, Human Services Director
The Consolidated Health and Human Services Board met on January 8, 2026, to
discuss Board vacancies, reassignments, and reappointments. The Board submitted the
following recommendations:
Physician Member Seat
Dr. Jenny Hinson’s term expired on November 6, 2025, and she did not seek
reappointment. The Board unanimously recommended Dr. Neal Speight, who currently
serves in a general member seat, to be appointed to this physician member seat
effective February 5, 2026, and expiring November 6, 2029. There are currently no
other qualifying applications on file for this position.
General Member Seat
To fill the vacancy created by Dr. Speight’s reassignment, the Board unanimously
recommends Jennifer Lehn to serve the remainder of the term effective February 5,
2026, and expiring November 6, 2027.
Pharmacist Member Seat
The Board reviewed two qualified applications for this vacant seat, Mr. Sean Pickler and
Sharon Efird. Following a majority vote, the Board recommends the appointment of
Sharon Efird effective February 5, 2026, and expiring November 6, 2029.
Veterinarian Member Seat
Dr. James Link recently completed a partial two-year term following Dr. Amy Jordan's
resignation. Dr. Link is willing to continue his service and is the only applicant meeting
the specific qualifications for this seat. The Board unanimously recommends Dr. James
Link for reappointment to a four-year term expiring November 6, 2029.
Consumer of Human Services Member Seat
Seena Koohestani is currently serving a partial term that expires on March 3, 2026. The
Board unanimously recommends Seena Koohestani for reappointment to a four-year
term effective March 4, 2026, and expiring March 3, 2030.
Following brief discussion, Vice Chair Lawhon moved to approve all five (5)
appointments as requested. Commissioner Mills seconded the request, which carried
b y a 7-0 vote.
E. Resolution - Internal Control Policy for ARP/CSLFRF Funds
Presenter: Jenny Furr, County Attorney
The Board of Commissioners has previously adopted extensive financial policies to ensure fiscal
stewardship, appropriate financial controls, and compliance with state and federal laws. These
policies have enabled the County to manage public funds responsibly and qualify for various

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grants.
The County has secured federal and state grants that require compliance with Uniform Guidance,
specifically those funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). To remain in compliance with
U.S. Treasury requirements, the County must adopt this additional ARPA Internal Control Policy.
The recommended policy establishes guidelines consistent with the Uniform Guidance for the
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Following the presentation, county staff addressed questions concerning how funds, if
received by the health department, would be utilized, as well as the prohibited uses for
these funds as outlined in the policy.
Commissioner King moved to approve the policy as presented. Commissioner Mills
seconded the motion, which passed by a 6-1 vote. (Commissioner Crump voted
against.)
Exhibit A
A Resolution Adopted by the Stanly County Board of Commissioners For
Internal Control of American Rescue Plan Coronavirus State and Local
Fiscal Recovery Funds
F. Stanly County - America 250 Comittee Funding Request
Presenter: Jenny Furr, County Attorney
The Stanly County America 250 Committee is requesting a one-time $10,000 grant for
FY 25-26 to cover essential outreach and engagement costs. These funds will support
event signage, printed educational materials, advertising, social media promotion, and
the production of commemorative magnets for distribution at committee events.
During the presentation, Committee Chair Bain Jones, Jr. addressed questions
regarding the specific allocation of funds, the maintenance of itemized records, and
whether other municipalities are also contributing financial support.
Following the discussion, Vice Chair Lawhon moved to approve the request. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Crump and passed with a 5-2 vote. (Commissioners
Barbee and King voted against.)
5. Consent Agenda
Vice Chair Lawhon moved to approve the consent agenda as presented, seconded by
Commissioner Hatley, and carried by unanimous vote.
A. Minutes
B. SCUSA Budget Amendment

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C. Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) — Appointments
6. Board Comments, Announcements & Committee Reports
Commissioner Barbee thanked everyone who attended the 911/EOC Facility presentation and
participated in the discussion. He also expressed his condolences to County Manager Lucas and
his family on the recent passing of his father.
Commissioner Mills also shared his condolences, noting the Board’s appreciation for the County
Manager’s dedication to the county. Commissioner Crump agreed with these sentiments, adding
her own condolences and prayers for the Lucas family.
Vice Chair Lawhon shared his sympathies as well, encouraging County Manager Lucas to take
the necessary time to be with his family. Chair Efird extended his thoughts and prayers,
acknowledging the significant impact the County Manager has on the Board and the county.
Additionally, Chair Efird wished his wife, Tracey, a happy birthday on Wednesday. He also
announced that the Board’s next regular meeting will be held on Monday, February 2nd.
7. Adjourn
Commissioner Crump moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner King,
a nd passed by unanimous vote at 7:01 p.m.
______________________________ ______________________________
T. Scott Efird, Chair Tyler Brummitt, Clerk