Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Infrastructure And Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press Surry County on 'orphan' road repairs and school funding; commissioners promise follow-up
Summary
During public comment at the May 4 meeting, residents urged the Board to address poor conditions on Jarvis Plantation Road and to increase public-school funding. Commissioners discussed county and N.C. Division of Transportation roles and said staff had followed up with one resident; Chairman Bill Goins pledged county assistance where possible.
Several residents used the open-forum period at the Surry County Board of Commissioners meeting on May 4 to press elected officials for action on deteriorating private "orphan" roads and for increased public-school funding.
Public commenter Alvis Beach asked for follow-up from county staff regarding a recent visit to the Tax Department and a prior appearance at an April Board meeting. Sandra Swaim and Tony Kammer described poor road conditions on Jarvis Plantation Road and requested help maintaining the private road. Lizzie Morrison and Nichole Harrison spoke in favor of increasing allocations for public-school funding.
In subsequent discussion Vice-Chairman Eddie Harris and Commissioner Van Tucker raised the topic of orphan roads. Commissioner Van Tucker outlined the historical role and the separate responsibilities of the county and the North Carolina Division of Transportation in creating and maintaining roads. Commissioner Van Tucker asked County Manager Chris Knopf whether staff had followed up with Alvis Beach; Mr. Knopf confirmed the Tax Department had followed up and noted a letter to Mr. Beach had been included in meeting materials provided before the April 20 meeting. Chairman Bill Goins said the county would assist citizens with orphan-road issues and public-school funding "as much as possible from the County level," according to the minutes.
The minutes do not record any formal vote or directive that would change state maintenance responsibilities for private roads, nor do they specify additional funding commitments for schools. The Board later entered closed session and adjourned at 9:24 p.m.
The Clerk’s Office holds the official minutes and any referenced correspondence for public review.
