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Board approves budget amendment for sheriff equipment and a consent agenda that includes SRO arrangement
Summary
The Alexander County commissioners approved a budget ordinance amendment to account for federal equitable-share funds and to match a state grant for fiscal 2027, approved a consent agenda containing multiple items including an SRO agreement with the town of Tellersville, and voted to enter closed session on contracts and personnel.
County Manager Justin Mundy presented a single budget-ordinance amendment covering two items: an accounting increase to allow the sheriff’s office to purchase night-vision goggles using previously received federal equitable-share funds and an amendment to match a North Carolina Department of Military and Veteran Affairs grant round 2 for fiscal 2027. The board moved, seconded and approved the amendment by voice vote.
Sheriff Pinnell spoke during the consent-agenda discussion when commissioners raised questions about a school-resource officer (SRO) agreement with the town of Tellersville to cover Alexander Early College and parts of Alexander Central High School campus operations. The sheriff described operational coverage plans and substitution protocols for absences and said the superintendent was included in earlier meetings on the agreement. When asked how the SRO responsibility would be coordinated, the sheriff said the superintendent had been present during talks and “they would get the first call;” he added the department had set substitute positions so schools remain covered.
On funding for the sheriff's night-vision equipment, Sheriff Pinnell said the department would use drug-forfeiture funds for the purchase. He characterized the night-vision equipment as an appropriate use of those funds and that the department sought to cover the acquisition without asking the board for additional appropriations.
The consent agenda contained a set of routine items — tax abatements and refunds, minutes, a line-item transfer report, renewal of an economic-development lease, a resolution supporting increased recurring funding for juvenile-justice services, a DSS energy-program outreach agreement, county employee training and certification reimbursements, the SRO agreement language, an amendment to the prohibited-noise ordinance and surplus declarations for some duty weapons. Commissioners asked for clarification about the SRO coverage and the sheriff confirmed operational details; county staff said the agreement had not yet been signed and that they would forward the document to the county attorney for review.
Finally the board voted to enter closed session under North Carolina General Statutes 143-318.11(a)(5) and (6) to discuss contracts and personnel matters and adjourned for the closed session.
No roll-call roll was recorded for the votes presented in this meeting; motions were carried by voice vote as shown in the transcript.
