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April 17, 2006 - Regular Meeting Page 562 Zoning Commission. Also, he reported citizens from the Odell community were treated rudely at the October 2005 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Alex Porter of South Union Street in Concord complimented the Emergency Medical Services department. He thanked Board members for keeping the public comments portion of the meetings and urged them to continue to televise the meetings. Also, he said televising the work sessions was a good idea. He questioned the $1 million annual cost to house prisoners in Alamance County, stating a recent news article reported that the State reimbursed 90 percent of that cost. commissioner Carpenter reported the State only reimburses the County for sentenced prisoners that the State cannot house. She said the County is not reimbursed for all prisoners sent to Alamance County. Alan Bartnick of Union Street North in Concord expressed appreciation to the Emergency Medical Services department for their assistance when his daughter was hit by a car two years ago. He reported the cost of the jail project is now at $70 million with the Annex, which was originally budgeted to cost $10 million, at $14 million or a 40 percent increase. He stated $90 million for the project seemed expensive and there could be some savings if the County purchased flat land that could be used for 60 years. Mr. Bartnick also commented on a proposal to hold a bond referendum and expressed concern that the Board is not spending tax money wisely. Reverend Dennis Briggs of Concord read Jeremiah 23:23-24. He requested assistance with retrieving a $300.00 bond from the Clerk of Court's office, commented on Sergeant Horton's recent retirement and the failure of Sheriff's Office to carry out an order by Judge Johnson to allow him to retrieve his belongings. Harold Smith of Edinburg Drive in Kannapolis commented on the amount of projected expenditures for 2007 and said expenditures have doubled over the last ten years. He addressed last year's property tax increase and identified Board members who voted for and against the tax increase. He asked where all the money is going and said in his opinion there is a lot of wasteful spending. Mr. Smith suggested Mr. Day sit in the audience and give an account of how the money is being spent. Mr. Smith stated he was convinced that enough money could be saved to build two new schools. Mike Helms of Malibu Road in Mt. Pleasant commented on the number of e- mails he received concerning the Board's approval of a $30,000.00 settlement with Hartsell & Williams, PA. He stated Mr. Hartsell should be held responsible for the entire amount of the settlement. Carl Tyson, III, of Windrose Lane in Concord commented on the following topics: the excellence of County-owned Parks and Recreation system; videotaping of the Agenda Work Sessions to be shown on Channel 22; motions made by Chairman Carruth at previous meetings concerning the "public comments" portion of the meetings; holding Fletcher Hartsell, Jr. , accountable and responsible for entire amount of settlement; and lowering the tax rate for citizens before awarding incentive grants to businesses. Finally, Mr. Tyson referenced Article 5, Part 33, of Robert's Rules of Order regarding substitute motions and stated Chairman Carruth owed Commissioner Privette an apology. Chairman Carruth reported that Time Warner was making some changes in local coverage, including plans to close its Kannapolis studio. There was a general discussion concerning the closing of the Kannapolis studio, requirements in the franchise agreement with Time Warner, and proposed legislation concerning a statewide franchise. With there being no one else to address the Board, Chairman Carruth closed that portion of the meeting at 7:53 p.m. (E) OLD BUSINESS (E-1) Fo~er Bethel School Committee Update Sarah Morrison, member of Former Bethel School Study Committee, provided a progress report on the committee's work regarding the fate of the former school property. She reported approximately 40 Midland area citizens completed a survey to identify community needs and stated efforts were being made to balance the value of those needs with the repair/renovation costs.