Halifax County commissioners adopt emergency resolution opposing Senate Bill 214, part 5, section 5

Halifax County commissioners on short notice approved an emergency resolution opposing Senate Bill 214, part 5, section 5, saying the proposal appears to strip statutory rights from Halifax and nearby counties and is moving quickly through the General Assembly.

The resolution, presented by attorney Rollins and included in the meeting packet, drew repeated statements of concern from commissioners and county staff about the bill's timing and potential legal effects. "We have had no word — radio silence," Attorney Rollins said when describing unsuccessful attempts to get information from a Franklin County counterpart. Commissioners were told the bill had cleared committee and was scheduled for action in both the House and Senate on Tuesday.

County staff and elected officials said they were coordinating a broader regional response. "They are going to be coming out resolutions doing the same thing that we're doing here tonight," the chair said, listing municipalities and local bodies that planned to take similar actions. Commissioner Silver said he had spoken with leaders of the Haliwa Saponi tribe, who are "strongly opposed" and likely to issue their own resolution, and reported receiving 50 to 60 calls from citizens across Halifax, Warren and Franklin counties opposed to the measure.

Ms. Denton, a county staff member, told the board that because the matter is a local bill "if it passes, it cannot be vetoed by Governor Sun," and that county managers and other counties were watching the language and preparing responses. She also said the county's managers' association had discussed the bill on its weekly call and that additional counties might sign on or hold meetings.

Commissioners moved quickly to formalize their position. Commissioner Bearsdell made the motion to adopt the resolution; Vice Chair Davis seconded. The board approved the resolution by voice vote. The chair said letters prepared by staff — addressed to Roxanne Bragg, chair of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners; Representative Rodney Pierce; and Senator Norman Sanderson — would be sent under the chair's signature and asked for approval to forward them. Commissioner Silver moved to approve sending the three letters; Commissioner Webb seconded and the motion passed on voice vote.

Members discussed ways to amplify public opposition. Vice Chair Davis suggested using the county 4-H bus to bring residents to Raleigh on Tuesday to observe the legislative process and register opposition in person, and commissioners agreed to try to organize such participation. Several commissioners thanked state legislators who had opposed the bill at earlier stages; the chair specifically thanked Senator Sanderson for voting against the measure when it first came up.

The board concluded its business by approving adjournment motions and set its next meeting for May 4 at 9:30.

Votes at a glance: the resolution opposing Senate Bill 214, part 5, section 5, was adopted by voice vote after a motion from Commissioner Bearsdell and a second from Vice Chair Davis; the three letters to Franklin County and state legislators were approved by motion from Commissioner Silver and second from Commissioner Webb. (Detailed roll-call tallies were not recorded in the meeting transcript.)