[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6654762,"mediaKeyId","5443404-ac04885cb93154956a9e0ccc01bcf460","parentId",5443404,"title","Votes at a glance: Alleghany commissioners approve routine items, reappoint jury commissioner and award fee waiver","audioSeconds",89,"startMs",2309000,"endMs",2398000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5443404-ac04885cb93154956a9e0ccc01bcf460&start=2309&end=2398","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5443404-ac04885cb93154956a9e0ccc01bcf460/thumbnail_2309000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6654762/Alleghany-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-Alleghany-commissioners-approve-routine-items-reappoint-jury-commissioner-and-award-fee-waiver","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654762-37b48de1cdcd5a0fcffd6c6ae9d95b00/orig.mp4?Expires=1776049509&Signature=GKYskja0PtU4GdpxixqV7e3Vhv9Ms88O3D4Ot~8mO5iOzgfXkZmTYToqz7pddWEhZBbr8kxpIO~5CYYq3VfaKb~LOB1Zf0nBZbDqZY2ak0gnnFnXTM5fTFhO~Gt9FOYkTKaTMd5ZcvfkKHi6mHd1ppym8P~JDTIO~pjmtrATwhiWgMeiLidrUHBcFlnI75JKFwp4CCqF7Oph9MJq6x7ol09zzO53jyGu2~fjOqx1SZ983Lr815pGwZaj5s6Ngt45Y6my~UHAw~fvOVnVGOKiuuf1ZoSQJEu2NIRzmalLELRC~53l5FXTnXsg-Fr8GQOt7yLmTcVYLG-lftSBZ-x1Ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alleghany County","date","2025-07-22T01:28:01.317Z","article","The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners recorded several routine votes during its July 21 midmonth meeting. Key outcomes:

- Minutes: The board approved the July 7 meeting minutes as presented by vote of 4-1. One commissioner voted against approval and asked that the objection be noted.

- Jury commissioner: The board reappointed Cynthia Atwood as jury commissioner after a motion, approved unanimously 5-0.

- Transfer-fee waiver: The board approved a fee waiver request for a Clay Creek resident (Mr. Jones), who lost his house in a January fire and had no insurance. The waiver covered approximately 23 tons of disposal fees totaling $1,725; the motion passed 5-0.

- Line-item transfer for dispatch: Commissioners approved a line-item transfer to cover part-time and overtime salaries in the dispatch and emergency-management department; the board voted to approve the transfer (vote recorded as unanimous in open session).

- GRAMA grant / budget amendment for ball fields: The county accepted a late-awarded $20,000 grant for ball-field projects (described as recreation money) and budgeted the amount so it could be spent; the motion passed 5-0. Commissioners credited outreach by a commissioner and quick work by staff to meet a tight application deadline.

- Surplus vehicles and K-9 retirements: The sheriff’s office requested to surplus four vehicles and to allow retiring K-9s to go to their handlers as pets; this informational item will appear on a subsequent agenda for action to remove vehicles from county insurance and property lists.

Votes recorded at the meeting matched the items above; individual movers or seconders were not always specified in the open audio for each item. The county clerk will file the approved motions in the official record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alleghany County Commissioners Meeting, July 21, 2025, 10:00 am","oneSentenceSummary","The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners recorded several routine votes during its July 21 meeting, including a unanimous reappointment of the jury commissioner and approval of a $20,000 recreation grant amendment for ball-field work.","taxTitle","Alleghany County, North Carolina","taxId",74647,"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},6654766,"County finance director reports fiscal-year snapshot: revenues near budget, audit figures show fund balance after school allocation",207,1955000,2162000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5443404-ac04885cb93154956a9e0ccc01bcf460&start=1955&end=2162","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5443404-ac04885cb93154956a9e0ccc01bcf460/thumbnail_1955000.jpg","/articles/6654766/Alleghany-County/North-Carolina/County-finance-director-reports-fiscal-year-snapshot-revenues-near-budget-audit-figures-show-fund-balance-after-school-allocation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654766-67cd3fcf22c89e69eaa464aad3880949/orig.mp4?Expires=1776049509&Signature=HePpFkgzaiz72rgvyikGGUe~Mi3QU4vQh~FSSUm9zMs-V9hLiCvqCh8V~P56vD74dlrjGCF8tCMI9GrEquKgVanA0t-teERDKcCts7N~Dxzqz2nlvVMmjaROVAczmR3ad5wiBDJTm2aR8CbeikMxHc4~o~YxKJ0x9jOYOA1XGUY8Tiv58aWS-9hsDYmadz~uk7AtAJg47nQUM9wuAZ2kI~kuQhjBrjHaTG05GGO8YmwFY6iD3IC3dCyEYcT1qfLoD~tLunhWyUfSAdXm1jHl-p2M9lTWY0fXENnlSPSI4ilwZHJx0gdJHFXGawsW58NWDmcG1Pw8CvwCP~dbS7RuDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alleghany County officials presented a fiscal-year snapshot on July 21 showing revenues near the approved budget and expenditures finishing slightly higher, with the county closing the year with an operating shortfall before some expected receipts.

The county’s reported year-to-date revenue was $20,932,569.48, which county staff said represents 98% of the approved general-fund budget for the fiscal year. Year-to-date expenditures were $21,194,824.69, or about 99% of the approved general-fund budget. The presenter said the county’s checking account balance that morning was $5,805,522.21 and that a public savings account for Sparta wastewater plant distribution held $12,416,273.91; another represented bank balance shown was $14,393,913.18.

County staff said the net financial position for the fiscal year at that point was a deficit of $262,255.21, but additional receipts (including May sales tax and a further month of sales-tax allocation) were expected to reduce that gap.

The county previously appropriated $1.5 million to a new high school in the current fiscal year and had also taken on a $6,849,000 loan. County staff calculated an estimated fund balance tied to those decisions of $13,610,128; after accounting for other current-year budget allocations of $664,869 used to balance the budget, the staff estimate for the fund balance was $12,945,259.

Local sales tax receipts through May totaled $1,319,538.58 for the fiscal year, ahead of the prior-year comparison by roughly $100,000; local-option sales tax through May totaled $367,718.77 and was also slightly ahead year over year.

Commissioners asked for clarification on sales-tax trends and thanked staff for the report. No new appropriations or budget amendments beyond those already on the agenda were proposed during the presentation.","County finance staff reported year-end revenue of about $20.93 million (98% of budget) and expenditures of about $21.19 million (99% of budget), an audited general fund amount of $15.11 million and an estimated fund balance after a $1.5 million school appropriation and a $6.849 million loan.",{"_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},6654770,"County operations update: courthouse work, EMS base repairs, transfer-station recycling totals reported",310,1631000,1941000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5443404-ac04885cb93154956a9e0ccc01bcf460&start=1631&end=1941","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5443404-ac04885cb93154956a9e0ccc01bcf460/thumbnail_1631000.jpg","/articles/6654770/Alleghany-County/North-Carolina/County-operations-update-courthouse-work-EMS-base-repairs-transfer-station-recycling-totals-reported","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654770-e7ee62d6890c2f3d0613c1988e0687a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1776049509&Signature=iG4AHipRkGamzoNkYLL8OHAkfCvPpCHrhBTIMHy6C4oOmIkAdwXiAAQiMtmD5cP7jrEVy9CLCcYJ0gbCkRcpyiJWDa-CMDk6A3HPsh6JL1iKRt5U0y~iR-NkFEDgsYv8KF0YQ7y0x5RI~DicsW4c43v6JsAAoLn3FyHwRhceLFtS3KBxMlAxIvyXFnvE-E4Ber6hBodTs8gn3RZECoSRirFas5z9w~~J4bgTdVJtJ36a99sYXwUNtSSxh4aVcngLUwrzTCPrMWvqGRpATd~dMuccLhlvb7pqFqiNt7KZJTHv9DMIwfmpHKSNQWTz~d3uGiP6vlQySlIKw6uPN417xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County operations staff provided a facilities and services update to the Alleghany County Board of Commissioners on July 21, reporting several completed and ongoing projects and recent operational metrics.

David Spicer, senior project and operations, said an office renovation in the front of the administration building is finished and the Veterans Administration office has moved to a more accessible location. The vacated space will house the human-resources officer once furniture arrives.

Spicer said most courthouse work is complete but four rear windows remain; those windows are projected to be finished in August. The county is installing additional handrails and will add exit signage for fire-ground egress. Spicer also said the judge’s bench is being reconfigured and a handrail will be added from the main hallway to the clerk’s office.

At the county transfer facility, Spicer reported recent recycling and salvage metrics: 3.57 tons of commingled recyclables, 4.48 tons of cardboard and about 4.363 tons of scrap metal, which yielded $830.40 to the county. He also reported animal-control activity for the reporting period: five wheel checks by the assistant sheriff’s department, 13 dogs or cats picked up (nine caught in traps), one animal-at-large response, one attack, six bites, six quarantines, 128 service hours, 36 calls and 934 miles traveled.

Spicer said the EMS base renovation is nearing completion with most flooring installed and the county is awaiting delivery of an ambulance, which had an adjusted delivery date later in the month. He also said the driver’s license office (DMV) expressed that replacing carpet was not in their budget and signage would be a DMV responsibility, while the county installed handicap parking signage at one county building to improve ADA compliance for parking.

Commissioners asked questions and thanked staff for the work; no action items were taken beyond routine reporting.","County operations staff reported completed office moves, ongoing courthouse window work to be finished in August, EMS bay floor progress, and recent recycling and animal-control activity at the transfer facility.",{"_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},6654775,"County tax vendor says data collection underway for 2027 revaluation; sales show broad increases",485,928000,1413000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5443404-ac04885cb93154956a9e0ccc01bcf460&start=928&end=1413","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5443404-ac04885cb93154956a9e0ccc01bcf460/thumbnail_928000.jpg","/articles/6654775/Alleghany-County/North-Carolina/County-tax-vendor-says-data-collection-underway-for-2027-revaluation-sales-show-broad-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654775-8fda205abef17fb791797d93f8667bfa/orig.mp4?Expires=1776049509&Signature=YkVm-yKflLHJB9kM0zmiAcBA-CxDBkvWOaxPTrClFwya0OVjEry2TlqCh1dNGFdZrvB84-TqKEZoY6eDWkvAwdu7Rv06SS4Xihzslp9AC3WdXoBZQiAaaMyn16DixVWk3ARZMWn91HxsOCbv2VWlM1eRbTlH-TghuBMFzqp~OPBTrujBWXr~mnKPummtSy6WDS1ZlCyZySZRy2vLyc25SSqX59AM9zkHM-uuRQZNwcS1nrDzspSJ5SPH4yump-r5pf~VcfGOAXG3ENJ6U3mHUHIfOmJuUZZ5qQbRj~UuWix6-T~UMzQwOXW9tgMcKiFj1AxcpI9QWKLpZBTyZa4i6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A contractor assisting Alleghany County with its 2027 property revaluation told commissioners on July 21 that field data collection is under way and that reappraisal notices will be mailed in late winter or early spring 2027.

Joshua Clean, regional project manager, said the vendor has visited about 4,000 of approximately 15,000 county parcels and expects to complete physical data collection in January. He described reappraisal as a mass-appraisal process required by state law at least once every eight years to redistribute the tax burden based on current market values as of Jan. 1, 2027.

Clean outlined the four basic steps for revaluation: data collection, sales analysis and statistical modeling, creation of a schedule of values (a legally binding document that explains methodologies and rates), and mailing of notices followed by an appeals process for property owners.

He said field staff will use county-marked vehicles and wear high-visibility vests; most work consists of drive-by inspections, photographing visible features and correcting records when discrepancies are observed. The vendor also uses aerial imagery services (EagleView/ecometry) for difficult-to-access properties; the company does not use drones.

Clean cautioned that the project is still in its sales-analysis phase and declined to provide a confident overall percentage change in values. He did present several sales examples from 2025 showing significant increases relative to 2021 assessed values. Examples included:

- A house on Chair Lane assessed in 2021 at $145,500 that sold in June 2025 for $278,000 (an increase of about 91%).
- A new build in Piney Creek with a 2021 schedule value (because it did not exist in 2021) showing an implied 2021 value; it sold in June 2025 for $465,000 (a 123% increase relative to the 2021 schedule value shown).
- Multiple Sparta-area sales with increases from roughly 68% up to 141% compared with 2021 assessments.
- A commercial property assessed at $825,000 in 2021 that sold in June 2025 for about $1.1 million (about a 33% increase).

Clean said mass appraisal relies on sales ratios and other statistical tests to measure accuracy across neighborhoods and market areas. He also said taxpayers may appeal their values after notices are mailed.

County staff clarified the schedule of values will be published for public review before the board acts on it; adoption of the schedule is typically a formal, separate board action.

Commissioners asked whether aerial drones are used (no) and whether COVID-related market effects were influencing values (Clean said he was not with the company in 2021 and declined to ascribe statewide patterns but said local sales will determine values).

The vendor’s presentation and the examples shown signal notable market shifts in parts of the county between the 2021 assessments and 2024–25 sales; however, staff and the vendor emphasized the final county-wide impact will be determined after full sales analysis and model calibration.","Vendor reported field data collection for Alleghany County’s 2027 reappraisal has visited about 4,000 of roughly 15,000 parcels and expects to finish physical data work in January; early sales examples presented show notable increases in market prices in several areas.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6654780,"Alleghany commissioners debate whether minutes should name speakers after public-comments dispute",751,142000,893000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5443404-ac04885cb93154956a9e0ccc01bcf460&start=142&end=893","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5443404-ac04885cb93154956a9e0ccc01bcf460/thumbnail_142000.jpg","/articles/6654780/Alleghany-County/North-Carolina/Alleghany-commissioners-debate-whether-minutes-should-name-speakers-after-public-comments-dispute","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654780-e5cff624d87b79751f234bba26e3e7dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1776049509&Signature=BnTqG~36Eau4zY3yrAAIJCCQKkkukAj943t4RAnCvVDI6x0J4C94tuNxXYyDlbACtpl6VOhZ0juvDIXGX02-0M5IfjsIO0foph7xjIKk3EopULNXXD1j~HwhuSsq9WM9veK2OhgfvnCIMbB-ULSR1LIm4XnP6qKTAW8YAh~ZRundRpcjWx0DQ61MYKg1tv5yrggW5ipDQ4CtwPzEz3nkPEB4aPH08YoAHkCHBTGUnEpHd3grd35l98iKXe~uFPoo8r1DO8-zNEIuBxGsFPOSX0oZrU21Zk3VPtcMBMVFzQ6h5JT6XuPZCcg7-pMpwcelCYRu0s7fUoqO-7LW~O3CdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners on July 21 considered a motion to revise previously filed minutes after members of the public said their remarks naming Commissioner Greg Walker had been omitted.

The motion to direct the clerk to re-listen to the recording and insert Commissioner Walker’s name where it was mentioned failed for lack of a second. The board later voted 4-1 to approve the minutes as written; one commissioner recorded a “no” vote and asked that his objection be noted.

The issue arose during approval of the July 7 minutes when a resident and at least one commissioner said public commenters expected that references to individual commissioners would appear in the written minutes. “You can’t unring the bell,” said Commissioner Bobby Erwin, arguing that the written record should reflect what speakers said. The board’s attorney responded that state law requires minutes to be “full and accurate” but does not define the level of detail; the attorney said statutes require that minutes identify actions taken and proof of any conditions necessary to action, such as a quorum, and that additional discussion is often included but is not legally required.

Commissioners debated the policy balance between preserving a concise written record and ensuring the public can verify what was said. Several commissioners noted that a full audio or video recording is available online and that minutes are a distilled record prepared for approval by the board. One commissioner said individual board members do not have unilateral authority to change minutes and that any substantive alteration should be decided by a board vote.

After the failed motion to revise, the board moved to accept the minutes as presented and approved them 4-1; the meeting record shows “Bobby” cast the lone dissenting vote.

The discussion also touched on guidance for public-comment periods: county counsel reminded the board it may adopt reasonable rules governing conduct, time limits and group representation, but cautioned against rules that discriminate on viewpoint because of First Amendment protections. Several commissioners emphasized civility and the availability of recordings for full context.

The board did not adopt a new written policy on minutes or public-comment content during the meeting, and a commissioner said any specific change would require a future vote.

The question of whether to include named references to commissioners in future minutes may return to a later meeting if a member requests reconsideration.","A motion to revise June minutes to restore references to a commissioner named in public comments failed for lack of a second; the board then approved the minutes as written 4-1 amid a lengthy discussion about the legal standard for minutes and public-comment practices.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Alleghany commissioners approve routine items, reappoint jury commissioner and award fee waiver

County finance director reports fiscal-year snapshot: revenues near budget, audit figures show fund balance after school allocation

County operations update: courthouse work, EMS base repairs, transfer-station recycling totals reported

County tax vendor says data collection underway for 2027 revaluation; sales show broad increases

Alleghany commissioners debate whether minutes should name speakers after public-comments dispute