[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6583105,"mediaKeyId","3076708-2812a30bc7d037efc183769dfed96a81","parentId",3076708,"title","Votes at a glance: appointments, audit contract, library plan and festival date approved","audioSeconds",3968,"startMs",3082000,"endMs",7050000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3076708-2812a30bc7d037efc183769dfed96a81&start=3082&end=7050","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3076708-2812a30bc7d037efc183769dfed96a81/thumbnail_3082000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6583105/Alamance-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-appointments-audit-contract-library-plan-and-festival-date-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583105-d0f7e7de562edd5bea120bfd464e57b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136166&Signature=IDSua4eeTUhZMzN8ZxOzgPkqOZ-pvTDqXebDftDOUeIPEYFUQ7BbJ8TENzLas8ClseRiPXcgt2uwza1uxTAFJftkCoa6JpR8TgJEaKeVVqNModLAPwSuAXroNve0N~E1CZZaGyoz7iD~Dsjw34dZoae-zXvtuVPbffYkqet-WeklrlPDBtoNyPSPeP62a52rvi4hCPIyqguo57JtHsaznF-0wgrUjrXmrVnsPyV8gC2qIEH7dLKG3tz~cCkw3OK9IDj6v4zds0XXMQ747H53X7CQBrbNJcT8DKLmf~tsz7E17xFZ523TxsWVsXLndM0ONvH3peFvi3TAUCaYh60PqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alamance County, NC","date","2025-04-22T00:54:14.85Z","article","The Alamance County Board of Commissioners recorded multiple procedural and contract votes during its April 21 meeting. Key outcomes include:

- Tax administrator appointment: The board appointed Brad Fowler as county tax administrator and tax collector effective April 22, 2025, and appointed him as tax assessor to complete the current assessment term (through June 30, 2025) and for the term beginning July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029. The motion as presented referenced North Carolina statutes cited in the motion: G.S. 105-349 (tax collector) and G.S. 105-294 (tax assessor). The board approved the appointment by acclamation.

- Audit services contract: The board awarded the county's multi-year audit contract (fiscal years 2024–25 through 2026–27) to Martin Starnes & Associates after an RFP process and approved the FY24–25 engagement. The county received four proposals and recommended Martin Starnes based on qualifications; the board approved the award by voice vote.

- Library committee appointment: The board appointed Shelby Fanning as the Mebane representative to the library committee, following the Mebane City Council's recommendation; action was approved by voice vote.

- Library strategic plan: The board adopted the proposed five-year strategic plan for the Alamance County Public Library system (required to maintain eligibility for certain state library aid). The motion to accept the plan passed by voice vote with the condition that related language discussed in the meeting be recorded (the board also approved the sticker policy addressed in a separate item).

- Balloon Festival date change: The board approved a request from AlcoVets to rescind the September proclamation for the Balloon Festival and instead schedule the county-recognized weekend on the third weekend in May (the presenter stated the change would begin in 2022 in the record as read at the meeting). The county noted AlcoVets will handle park improvements and related costs at no expense to the county; the motion passed by voice vote.

Votes listed above were recorded by voice or acclamation in the meeting record provided. Tally details were supplied for some items (see item-level actions below).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 21, 2025 Commissioners Meeting Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","At the April 21 meeting the Alamance County Board of Commissioners approved an appointment of a tax administrator, awarded audit services, approved the FY24–25 audit contract, appointed a library committee member, adopted the library strategic plan, and changed the Balloon Festival date.","taxTitle","Alamance County, North Carolina","taxId",3670,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6583109,"Commissioners approve $336,000 amendment to courthouse design contract from existing $37 million ceiling",942,2096000,3038000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3076708-2812a30bc7d037efc183769dfed96a81&start=2096&end=3038","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3076708-2812a30bc7d037efc183769dfed96a81/thumbnail_2096000.jpg","/articles/6583109/Alamance-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-approve-336000-amendment-to-courthouse-design-contract-from-existing-37-million-ceiling","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583109-6c771d79d6b1e2fd2ae9275c4018327d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136166&Signature=DvWMTFU2DiA73zRTGKqrL3qTWo9yLP68g0fjxpIzEHynHPcF9xu95gYnqouz6YY6m73~bkW8Ega6Gr7kLm7cOclbIq5jQ8brmSv~o2i5eO5WTNQruNcUzmkhcLp56xg1muPQYGLz0C7NNw~J-WmnELGJ0ZQY~cj~~uHLqw-PLn3MBH7KMoeNAzOldQ~Uvb0ZDsmy3~VDR0zJ7FnTPwh0T8AibMvIShwdnfFiy3q4hzl0O9bOoDJ6sEJ1wUt7Oh4CjdGymikYotXb-NyE~PoZOIBEus~J3RO8LYSFR0TR8dEb06zH--uVJXhei-ob8hBHPSBuSbPywBpBmGdz9oeQCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alamance County commissioners on Monday approved a $336,000 amendment to the county's design contract with CRA Associates to add audio-visual, security, telecommunications and plan-approval services for the new courthouse project. The motion passed 4–1.

County staff said the amendment breaks down to roughly $304,000 for audiovisual, security, telecom and acoustical consulting and about $32,000 for city and DOT plan approvals and erosion-control permits. Staff told commissioners that the $336,000 draws from the $37 million project ceiling the board previously approved and does not require an increase in the overall project budget.

Commissioners questioned the level of pre-bid budget detail and requested a one-page summary of previous approvals and major budget buckets for future reference. Staff said early approvals on the project had been conceptual and that a more detailed apportioning of design vs. construction costs would emerge as the design progresses.

One commissioner asked whether the funds would come from contingency or from another line item; staff replied that the approved $37 million ceiling had not been allocated with that level of granularity and that the county will work with the construction manager to apportion funds across design and construction as the project advances.

The board voted to remove the item from the consent agenda for discussion; after questions and a motion to approve, the vote passed 4–1. County staff said any contract over the county's $100,000 approval threshold requires the commission's approval. The county attorney recorded the vote as \"4 to 1.\" The lone dissenting commissioner voiced concern about further courthouse expenditures but did not block the approval.

Ending: Staff committed to follow up with a one-page overview of the original project approval and main budget categories so commissioners who joined the board more recently could review how the $37 million ceiling was established and apportioned.","Alamance County commissioners voted 4–1 to approve a $336,000 change order adding audio-visual/security/telecom and plan-approval services to CRA Associates' courthouse design contract; county staff said the funds come from the previously approved $37 million project ceiling and do not increase the project total.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6583112,"Survivors and advocates urge commissioners to let Family Justice Center seek no-match grant after board previously declined",793,1049000,1842000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3076708-2812a30bc7d037efc183769dfed96a81&start=1049&end=1842","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3076708-2812a30bc7d037efc183769dfed96a81/thumbnail_1049000.jpg","/articles/6583112/Alamance-County/North-Carolina/Survivors-and-advocates-urge-commissioners-to-let-Family-Justice-Center-seek-no-match-grant-after-board-previously-declined","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583112-e0a3be3d4875182bacb77a16f2f5be7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136166&Signature=otFwHfu4QtJd-6BrV5B5JxZDhhOAavmL8Oz4qPOwX4Je9lHQdUaOZjzClNrJi~-IC0vK45Wl-zuaUCpG6SeQRcqi~uZ3VxVXLliJj8ghes0hZDhzABlo-N-dVtHCcvuhczJ6LTdcv5OkBO2wYixC7k7UyheI-uYwcclC8kNeaGITFc76v~~ini5fz7KemHWDFyux~8ehm37S1Nbx3envrjZimpzBcA~XMSQ0N5ch6OU595FcX9DqLTTVnrn-FEzMyxT215v4xQB71HyR5GzBcY~34HXgq-LwEPqyjEHU0PizUBtqvVUvrHA8cPGpItbSkOkLxG3aD1RkW2vBHhnfTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A string of public commentators told the Alamance County Board of Commissioners on Monday that the Family Justice Center provides vital services to survivors of domestic violence and urged the board to allow the center to apply for a no-match grant the board had earlier declined.

Speakers described personal experiences and services provided by the Family Justice Center, including emergency shelter, referrals, therapy and help securing safety for adults and children. Several speakers said the center was the only domestic-violence service provider in the county and asked commissioners to approve the grant application and to provide county funding to replace any lost grant support.

Commenters named the grant from the Governor's Crime Commission (described in public remarks as a \"no-match\" grant, meaning it required no county cash match) and said the board's prior decision to decline that particular application left a gap in funding. Theresa Draughn, Jasmine Austin and Ebony Penix each described how services from the Family Justice Center had directly assisted them and their children; speakers said services ranged from safety planning to temporary shelter and child care during crisis.

Advocates repeatedly framed the issue as a matter of safety and life-saving services; one speaker told the board it is \"inconceivable\" to allow a person accused of domestic violence to sit on a board that votes to deny funding for survivors. Multiple speakers requested that the board either allow the center to apply for the no-match grant or provide matching county funding to replace the lost opportunity.

Board members did not take a public, roll-call vote on a new grant application during the portion of the meeting recorded in the transcript. Commissioners later discussed elements of the county's funding and the Family Justice Center in other remarks but no formal motion approving a new application appears in the record provided.

Ending: Advocates said they expected the county to revisit the funding decision; speakers urged the board to act in forthcoming agenda items or future meetings to ensure the Family Justice Center could continue services.","Multiple survivors and community advocates urged the Alamance County commissioners to allow the Family Justice Center to apply for a no-match grant and to restore funding lost when the board declined a prior grant opportunity.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6583115,"Alamance County approves library 'parental guidance' sticker policy and five-year strategic plan after heated debate",4679,742000,5421000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3076708-2812a30bc7d037efc183769dfed96a81&start=742&end=5421","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3076708-2812a30bc7d037efc183769dfed96a81/thumbnail_742000.jpg","/articles/6583115/Alamance-County/North-Carolina/Alamance-County-approves-library-parental-guidance-sticker-policy-and-five-year-strategic-plan-after-heated-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583115-5abdaf6223bbbdecdd047550afc8918b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136166&Signature=f2OlhxZrTpu9Yr1~jTPYKFfvENcSjgwyJr~XDqAWslA8U3m9OwFAaG2v0zR1nhPWJm7Y~xsoZCTvsDXE-XebzsOibGShNrKn2xBFftpYXQ6Cr6HnUGesAKTExQa3tJiqxfVzgcKn6cllDnN084e2n9UaIu1E-y4j5dAA974EyOqueVhXK2LfDOF72zx-LWdCJAJ9VlUGo0OLMvRYRsnrDoQAOaNyEHLn0SzG07FeH9GIabe0mfTnAw5~m6bAhppMFOz5G4DlZt8~xoj7DDGdxRE3sqjzVaAWv5ZlmkjOx2aubB7VqQmmsX3xZVqK5U5TzUsx7vAd3A~pNKAtHpx~NQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alamance County commissioners on Monday approved a policy allowing a uniform \"parental guidance\" sticker to be placed on library materials that have been challenged, and they adopted a five-year strategic plan for the Alamance County Public Library system.

Supporters and critics traded extended remarks during public comment and the agenda discussion. The board voted to adopt the sticker policy as amended to remove explicit references to the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights and to add a requirement that decisions be communicated in writing to library committee members and appear in committee minutes.

Library officials told the board the sticker will be small, uniform and viewpoint-neutral; it will indicate that a title has received a content review and direct patrons to a short index entry describing the reasons for any challenge. The review process begins with the library director or the director's designee, who responds to the requester and forwards the item to a review committee consisting of the library director, members of the library leadership team (branch managers and relevant staff) and the collection development librarian. An appeal goes to the library committee, whose minutes will include the committee's decisions so the public can review them.

County attorneys and library staff emphasized the team's goal of producing a defensible, constitutionally compliant process. Commissioners amended the proposed policy to strike language that tied the policy explicitly to ALA statements after one commissioner argued those documents were ideological; county counsel said removing the reference would not create a legal hazard for the policy.

Speakers at the meeting repeatedly said the intent is to help parents identify material they may want to review, not to remove books or limit access by age. The sticker is intended to be a notice only — library staff said the policy will not create age-based restrictions or a separate restricted collection.

Commissioners also considered the library's required five-year strategic plan, which the library presented as the result of community forums and consultant work. The board approved the plan. Library staff explained that the entries on the library website reflect the strategic plan, and staff said removing specific language from the strategic plan would remove it as a guiding policy; conversely, the current draft presented to the board does not include a standalone diversity/equity/inclusion initiative, so those items would not carry forward in the new plan unless added later.

The board approved the policy (as amended) and the strategic plan by voice votes. Commissioners also modified the appeals/notification language to require written notice to the requester and all library committee members and to include challenged-item decisions in the library committee minutes that follow the decision.

Library leaders said they will train staff on the new process and the review committee membership will include branch leadership and collection staff so review decisions are informed by librarians with subject expertise.

The board discussion also touched on related operational options that could be considered later, such as shelving placement or signage (for example placing certain titles out of reach of very young children), but counsel advised that blanket removal of access or age-based restrictions raises constitutional questions in public libraries.

The vote concluded the item and the board moved on to other business.

Ending: The county will publish the approved policy and the index of stickered items; library staff said they will share implementation details and training plans with the commissioners and the public in upcoming minutes and materials.","After extended public comment and board debate, commissioners approved a library content-labeling policy that adds a uniform \"parental guidance\" sticker and an appeals process, and they adopted a new five-year strategic plan for the Alamance County Public Library system.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: appointments, audit contract, library plan and festival date approved

Commissioners approve $336,000 amendment to courthouse design contract from existing $37 million ceiling

Survivors and advocates urge commissioners to let Family Justice Center seek no-match grant after board previously declined

Alamance County approves library 'parental guidance' sticker policy and five-year strategic plan after heated debate