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January 22, 2007 (Regular Meeting) Page 228 Association of the US and Canada (GFOA) for the FY 2006-07 budget document. She said the award recognizes that the publication meets the criteria to serve as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communication device. She stated this is the ninth consecutive year Cabarrus County has received this award which is very helpful when obtaining ratings on debt financing. After acknowledging the hard work of Ms. Lee and Becky Crabtree, Budget Analyst (who was not present), Ms. Dubois presented the award to Ms. Lee. (D) INFORMAI, PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Carruth opened the meeting for Informal Public Comments at 6:97 p.m. He stated each speaker would be limited to three minutes. Mike Tallent of 3070 Midland Road in Midland thanked the Board for having a study done on the old Bethel School property. He commented on the length of time the property has been vacant, future property costs, the need for County services in southern Cabarrus County, impediments to using county services offered in Concord and Kannapolis and the use of the facility by the Town of Midland. He stated the County should operate the facility and asked the Board not to turn a blind eye or a deaf ear on Southern Cabarrus County. Thierry Wernaers of 728 Loch Lomond Circle, Concord commented on a resolution introduced by Commissioner Privette proclaiming English as the official language of Cabarrus County. He stated he has not met a single person who disputes that English is the official language of Cabarrus County and asked why the Commissioners are wasting their time on such a resolution when there are more important issues to debate. He also pointed out that one of the studies onthe North Carolina Research Campus identifies the need to produce documents in multiple languages to accommodate an influx of researchers and scientists to the area. Jerry Williamson of 92 Marsh Avenue, Northwest, Concord, briefly commented on the following topics: providing services for the people of Midland; the hiring of six Sheriff's deputies at a cost of $138,000.00; the cost of the County Manager's salary and benefits; leasing the Historic Courthouse to the Cabarrus Arts Council; hiring an attorney for the Department of Social Services; etc. Marlynn Burns of 10039 Hunters Trace Drive, Concord, provided the Board with the following information: the laws governing voluntary annexations, a copy of an e-mail exchange with David Lawrence of the School of Government concerning the annexation of Lake Don T. Howell and the Court of Appeals' decision on the Town of Valdese verses Burke County. She reported the schools continue to be overcrowded and the roads are deadly in the Odell area. She said the Odell community anticipates pressing for corrective legislative action on the annexation, but wanted to come before the Commissioners one more time before doing so. She asked the Board to engage the City of Kannapolis and have the annexation correctly classified as a satellite annexation or a contiguous annexation. Brian Koomen, of 2180 Woodstream Rd, Harrisburg stated it is imperative that the County pass a resolution declaring English as the official language of Cabarrus County. He said when his Father legally migrated to America from Holland after World War II, he did not know English; but he quickly learned the importance of learning the language in order to become a productive citizen and member of the community. He said even if the resolution is symbolic, he asked that it be adopted for the following reasons: it is the first step for the County to come together, to help everyone understand that learning English is something that is expected and is not meant to alienate, but to make citizens part of a productive community. With there being no one else to address the Board, Chairman Carruth closed that portion of the meeting at 7:03 p.m. (E) OLD BUSINESS (E-1) Construction Project Update - Sheriff's Office and Detention Center Scott Milligan, Project Executive with Turner Construction, provided an update on the progress. of the Sheriff's Office and Detention Center Project. He said slab work is ongoing but should be completed by February 8; Corban Avenue is closed for work on the tunnel extension; grading for the walls is nearly completed; pre-cast installation should begin soon and the stone walls are going up around the parking area. He invited Board members to stop by and tour the construction site.