[{"_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",6586723,"mediaKeyId","5443433-c1c06da97448c46fd4304966cb3fa706","parentId",5443433,"title","Caller alleges child-welfare failures after infant’s death; commissioners hear public concern but take no immediate action","audioSeconds",166,"startMs",3110000,"endMs",3276000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5443433-c1c06da97448c46fd4304966cb3fa706&start=3110&end=3276","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5443433-c1c06da97448c46fd4304966cb3fa706/thumbnail_3110000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6586723/Person-County/North-Carolina/Caller-alleges-child-welfare-failures-after-infants-death-commissioners-hear-public-concern-but-take-no-immediate-action","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586723-ecf48a8cdd01ddfa36a5b8427bd5f36d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213309&Signature=hZrkMSEcyL7Hww2ZdtKmURX1yOEBS9b5Y5PWD68ihh2iRyrdWLtixEpidyIyR1XU3bcv5VVHm~Vn1maOjozOfMHExOcZdAjzYzkslYbHws0SrXWdeRR7h3ugY4LT1RqB1Ao6DoWKjyy-4YIsQ-8dw4~cnFQQdnwhk5VI9LU9gCC3VwMhLgj4VrBPjkAd8im3T59edl4ZIozrq~OtOvp~TfMsVuH1jiVcLkZYezyZJtGymSfyrB3viflsp9SlDQbMfNDwPgZ5wcoc~yLXp7TDNZm8Ws-3JI02w8dk11JyYWMT8~mGaoxZhTFdGxe24nFNgEJJ8w1jylFHrWSzpTaxkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Person County","date","2025-07-22T01:28:36.627Z","article","An advocate for child-welfare oversight told the Person County Board of Commissioners on July 21 that a one-year-old child named in court records, Kimari Morgan, died after being placed in an unlicensed foster home the speaker said had been used for months.

Amanda Wallace, who identified herself as the founder of a Durham-based organization and spoke during the meeting’s informal comment period, said she reviewed court filings and alleged the child had been placed with an individual whose foster license had lapsed and that the child’s mother and attorney were not present at a court hearing noted in the motion she cited. Wallace asked who in county government would be held accountable for alleged practice failures and named county staff by title as present in the meeting room. Her remarks raised questions about county Department of Social Services practice, placement oversight and court process as described in the public comment.

Commissioners did not take formal action during the public comment period. The record shows that the board allowed the one-minute-30-second speaker slot; staff members present included the human services assistant director, who was identified in the record and noted as attending. The board did not enter a related agenda item or a formal investigation based on the public comment during the July 21 meeting.

County staff and the board have statutory and legal responsibilities for child-welfare operations; any formal review, investigation, or policy change would require staff follow-up, a request by the board, or referral to the county’s human services director, county manager, or the state Department of Health and Human Services. The transcript records the allegation on the public record; commissioners and staff are expected to follow up as appropriate under existing procedures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Person County Commissioners Meeting 07\\21\\2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Durham-based advocate raised allegations during public comment that a 1-year-old child died while placed in an unlicensed foster home in Person County and accused the county’s social services practice; the board heard the complaint and requested staff follow-up.","taxTitle","Person County, North Carolina","taxId",73550,"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},6586727,"Person County accepts tax report, reappoints tax assessor and approves order to collect taxes",686,5180000,5866000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5443433-c1c06da97448c46fd4304966cb3fa706&start=5180&end=5866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5443433-c1c06da97448c46fd4304966cb3fa706/thumbnail_5180000.jpg","/articles/6586727/Person-County/North-Carolina/Person-County-accepts-tax-report-reappoints-tax-assessor-and-approves-order-to-collect-taxes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586727-5d2f859384bd7fa5ed264cf97f7f350c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213309&Signature=HH6lNZr3f9H9Xzi5FW14kSk-s7qExyknEfnX5l7MSY8xdGiE9Uj3SdeEqcOWtV6iaEB387c~5SIhkUPpnER5r7L9AmsI8cW3WSuEc58A-AESLprna5Bs68UzhVEVUqrmoGCDY-WwNM-J8m~yfYiRh8hVkUR5bHVmvD3Gw-4M2lZiLVx8HK6MS7EwgfHWXvlN8gWTDVzzXREybaQbjg2r2wNx8XNjaOnlc-v2bCq5VA~umJL45jZ~W5TtQ~wsEEjmRHJnCUmzWsd2uNm0Ke~u8rc09Eia3~SEbrUdHC6f5Z78p1B5nfH84ka~BnGydaSufXj6jzILUNpySa8e5AIpVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Person County Board of Commissioners on July 21 accepted the tax-collection report for the 2024 fiscal year, approved the annual order that empowers the tax office to collect property taxes, and reappointed Russell Jones as the county tax assessor.

Tax Collector Russell Jones presented the settlement report required by statute, summarizing collection numbers across categories: real and personal property, public service property and DMV-related collections. Jones reported an overall collection rate of about 99.5% for the combined categories and noted the office’s practices for improving collections, including delinquent notices, garnishments, bank attachments, debt set-off, payment arrangements, and targeted follow-up on older delinquencies. Jones said the office continues work on older years’ unpaid amounts and that some small balances remain where collection is legally infeasible.

The board voted to accept the report and, following staff request, approved the annual order to collect taxes, a procedural vote that gives the tax office the legal authority to pursue delinquent collections under state law (statute cited in staff packet).

Commissioners then reappointed Russell Jones as tax assessor and administered the oath of office. Jones noted staffing challenges over the next 18 months because of pending retirements and said he hoped to retain institutional knowledge and rebuild staff capacity.

Chair and commissioners commended the tax office staff for the high collection rate and for continuing to work through reappraisal and staff turnover while maintaining performance. The board’s motions were approved by voice vote; the clerk recorded the actions in the meeting minutes.","Commissioners received a tax-collection report showing a 99.5% collection rate for key categories, accepted the report, approved the annual order to collect taxes and reappointed Russell Jones as tax assessor.",{"_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},6586732,"Person County BOC discusses EDC oversight, creates Human Services advisory committee and dissolves UDO steering committee",1863,3303000,5166000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5443433-c1c06da97448c46fd4304966cb3fa706&start=3303&end=5166","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5443433-c1c06da97448c46fd4304966cb3fa706/thumbnail_3303000.jpg","/articles/6586732/Person-County/North-Carolina/Person-County-BOC-discusses-EDC-oversight-creates-Human-Services-advisory-committee-and-dissolves-UDO-steering-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586732-f8373537c5930062d306cfc478f71723/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213309&Signature=lWfGLQhyFzECvCveuyPG9vs9XHyYBEVFtBNY5i7BoIswmYcxNfhw1ps-aQsmajH0uEi7Wo~5LqJCpjojJkPus7YyeGeVbEJu1rjm00dsHQgy4ppI3grTMcFyN58wFSD4Ft9bKrHjeTUOSfsOpJ5t9Wtdvoal64SFkWt0ArSgSHXJzq2ZNVdI~BrnEo0j4m-sWDZMR3BCkcda1gZf6W0nmXx9iRfOp9E7ZgljHTS8OXf43Wn~fZoN8XlVWWxVHH2TyDDSIEdRuLcIUfpNGHVbbuRzaF~I4LFRaVBCzvxgN8GOa3M6xHNA8TJnxj2eZpsFsKlLTBq1j4Dpu0vwY6SWgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the July 21 meeting the Person County Board of Commissioners took several governance actions affecting advisory boards and county departments.

Economic development oversight: County staff briefed commissioners on a proposal to change the organizational structure so the Economic Development Commission (EDC) would have authority over the county economic development director. Staff said state statute (general statute 158) allows certain authorities to hire personnel \"within limits of appropriated funds\" but said questions remain about how budgetary authority would be handled under county budgeting rules. Staff and the county attorney said they were consulting the UNC School of Government and the county’s auditors and recommended more research before a final change. The board asked staff to continue the legal and budgetary review and return at the next meeting with clearer draft bylaws and budget language. Commissioners discussed desired edits to the EDC bylaws, including clarifying that the commission would provide direction to the director in the job summary and adding preferred special certifications to the qualifications.

Human Services Advisory Committee: The board agreed to create a new Human Services Advisory Committee to advise the consolidated Human Services department (social services, veteran services and related programs). Staff presented an example from another county and suggested a five-member advisory body as a starting point. The board directed staff to draft bylaws and a posting for appointments and asked that a draft be returned at the next meeting. Commissioner Royster disclosed a potential employer conflict and the legal counsel said her participation in a vote to create the committee would not be a legal conflict; the board offered accommodations if she preferred to recuse from later votes that posed an actual conflict.

UDO steering committee: Commissioners voted to remove and dissolve the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) steering committee, reasoning that the committee had completed the task for which it was created (drafting a new UDO).

Board members stressed the need to coordinate EDC changes with the budget office and county attorney to ensure compliance with state law and to consult the School of Government before approving final changes. Staff committed to returning with proposed bylaw language, a revised job description, and the auditor/School of Government input before any formal transfer of reporting authority would take place.","Commissioners debated moving the economic development director to report to the Economic Development Commission, agreed to form a five-member Human Services Advisory Committee, and voted to dissolve the UDO steering committee.",{"_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},6586737,"Person County reappoints environmental committee chair after public support, 3-2 vote",2383,2035000,4418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5443433-c1c06da97448c46fd4304966cb3fa706&start=2035&end=4418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5443433-c1c06da97448c46fd4304966cb3fa706/thumbnail_2035000.jpg","/articles/6586737/Person-County/North-Carolina/Person-County-reappoints-environmental-committee-chair-after-public-support-3-2-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586737-fa1c0a964a982ba3f86da800679bff95/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213310&Signature=UBog3uQtF9nVPkQad7TRBmtvL~kj3haC7hAtGh4JuGdIEfkmrmRtAC29aetCfZBKvQQpoN-QhNzgSWFbJH9K49P53XSrCLy31bzH4efFnkuEkKzyoM-iiv89NsYtieLtBACv0yvCq730km3dEO8KtmCwWVdTU-4xM9QNxkhqHWtyLQ2fCIf5XkJVNO-yFlalns7QbvBQf-ceWk-rTF1LmxAg~F3~JOesWubiY5w-mk214suPM5G83BBwl9SpEAG8fg6VqemfKcpqbEBOHF28yAgElUxS4tmKgZl3ekxu3YDKhX0n9ZGDrCnQXlDH~weJlIDfLFfcbMeZINZc1jtT0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Person County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 on July 21 to reappoint Bob Brower as chair of the Environmental Issues Advisory Committee after numerous residents urged the board to keep him in the role.

Dozens of residents and committee members spoke during the informal comment period and the appointments agenda item, praising Brower’s volunteer work, outreach, education and coordination of litter cleanups and school programs. Speakers said Brower’s leadership had increased public awareness and activity on environmental issues in the county.

Supporters included longstanding committee members and residents who cited Brower’s role in organizing volunteer events, public education and regular committee reports. Several speakers asked commissioners to keep an independent advisory committee in place and to reappoint him despite political differences over topics such as the Mariah (sic) Energy Center. Brower told the board he supported clearer, documented rules for committee removal and recommended the board review the ethical-responsibilities document the Board of Commissioners approved in January.

After public comment, Commissioner Royster (name recorded in the meeting) moved to reappoint Brower. The motion carried by majority voice vote; the clerk recorded the outcome as 3-2 in favor.

Commissioners who supported reappointment noted Brower’s long service and the committee’s public outreach; those opposed cited concerns discussed earlier in meetings (the record does not document detailed reasons for opposition during this session). The board instructed staff to follow normal appointment procedures and updated attendance and ethical responsibilities as appropriate.

The reappointment restores Brower’s seat for the township he represents and keeps the Environmental Issues Advisory Committee intact. The committee’s role, according to its bylaws, includes public education and advising the board on environmental matters.","After more than an hour of public comment urging reappointment, the Person County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to reappoint Bob Brower as chair of the Environmental Issues Advisory Committee.",{"_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},6586740,"Person County commissioners deny rezoning request for small Leesburg Road commercial lot",1056,932000,1988000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5443433-c1c06da97448c46fd4304966cb3fa706&start=932&end=1988","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5443433-c1c06da97448c46fd4304966cb3fa706/thumbnail_932000.jpg","/articles/6586740/Person-County/North-Carolina/Person-County-commissioners-deny-rezoning-request-for-small-Leesburg-Road-commercial-lot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586740-1c3d79c16f0854b50260dd10033b307d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213310&Signature=dJ5Uv6WcCb8YfySJF7zf8PNjIGP3KXilkXadOi7Vw3pSzoXYQlUnw9wMlUkt18t8Dbtja4LDTNghBMHuuoaH0cHvOh-zzOTGUt9maplAP-7RgL2mY1Ek47ImZN53s12IJgyKacpMjDCr9t3rTiQbL8w8brMHdvziIlHOwf5uthBwybr7-no5Epphwj8mzQux6BgxvauRryZxWDVFSNg~vL8zH1RGltDW2ZLJK~~Q~fOfMg~h~bxugC2KYtzlnd3m5H9Uts7dCFxgHpbSI43d5Gwt~DYAKAjHIr2QiIreWJ40j6YJPRyeaNEDtv~-JJZfIKPNglilDd--tIcXjuDCrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Person County Board of Commissioners on July 21 rejected a rezoning request for a 0.8-acre parcel at the Leesburg Road/DeLong Road intersection, voting 3-2 against changing the property’s zoning from residential to B-1 (highway commercial).

The petition, listed in the agenda as RZ-0125, sought to allow commercial uses at a site that has an existing storefront-style structure and has historically operated as a country store. Planning staff said the property is surrounded predominantly by residential zoning and lacks access to municipal water and sewer.

Planning Director Margaret (last name not specified in the record) told commissioners the parcel is considered a nonconforming site because it contains a commercial structure on residentially zoned land. She said the planning board unanimously recommended denial and suggested the applicant pursue conditional zoning if he wants to limit permitted uses.

The applicant, identified in the record as Mr. Munoz, told the board he hopes to open a small business with his son—describing plans to repair and sell automobiles—and pledged to meet county codes and neighbors’ concerns.

Neighbors who spoke during the public hearing urged denial. Tommy Yarbrough, who said he lives on Leesburg Road, warned about soils that he described as clayey and expressed concern about petroleum and oil spills reaching nearby properties. Karen Long, who lives on DeLong Road, said several similar auto-service operations already operate along the corridor and said she was worried about property appearance, outdoor vehicle storage and lack of screening or spill controls if auto services occur outdoors.

One commissioner moved to approve the rezoning and argued the parcel’s historic commercial use and its location at a highway intersection supported commercial zoning. The chair said he disagreed and did not find the request consistent with the Person County–Roxboro joint comprehensive land use plan. On a subsequent hand-count vote, the motion failed; a clerk later recorded the outcome as 3-2 opposed.

The record notes the lack of municipal water and sewer, the small lot size (0.8 acres), and DOT right-of-way constraints as factors that limit redevelopment and potential future uses. Planning staff reiterated that B-1 zoning is a general-purpose commercial district with many permitted uses and that conditional zoning could be used to restrict specific activities.

With the denial, the parcel will remain in its current residential zoning designation. The applicant and county staff were advised of options including conditional zoning or a revised application that could include specific use restrictions.

The rezoning request was the subject of the public hearing portion of the July 21 meeting and concluded before the board returned to other agenda items.","The Person County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 on July 21 to deny a request to rezone a 0.8-acre parcel on Leesburg Road from residential to B-1 (highway commercial). Neighbors raised concerns about traffic, spills and lack of water and sewer; the applicant said he planned an auto repair and sales business.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Caller alleges child-welfare failures after infant’s death; commissioners hear public concern but take no immediate action

Person County accepts tax report, reappoints tax assessor and approves order to collect taxes

Person County BOC discusses EDC oversight, creates Human Services advisory committee and dissolves UDO steering committee

Person County reappoints environmental committee chair after public support, 3-2 vote

Person County commissioners deny rezoning request for small Leesburg Road commercial lot