Lee County Commissioners debate chair removal rules, talk park costs and school funding concerns

On May 4, the Lee County Board of Commissioners discussed adding formal procedures to remove a chair and clarify board authority, but delayed action for up to 100 days. They reviewed stalled EMS negotiations, millions in park upgrades and parking shortages, and a school capital plan that could require tax increases to avoid long-term deficits.

The discussion on adding framework to the rules of procedure for voting out a chair began with a request for clarity on commissioner’s duties.

Outside council reviewed the rules of procedure for meetings.

Commissioner Taylor Vorbeck said the assignments for commissioners were not clear.

Board Attorney Whitney Parrish said assignments were more of a custom.

Vorbeck asked if the chair decided who was placed on boards, and Parrish answered it was written in the original that the chair decided. Vorbeck said the chair gave himself a lot of assignments. She wanted to know if it was required by law to serve on boards.

Parrish said “Sometimes our practices is what it is, and not written in there, but is something we can do.”

Commissioner Robert Reives said he thought commissioners should be able to add topics to the agenda and choosing topics should not be exclusive to the chair. He said it should also be in writing that during public comments that when public speakers are shut down, there should be a consensus instead of the decision being made by the chair alone.

Chair Kirk Smith asked why there was a request to change rules on procedure in the middle of the year. Smith then compared the removal of a chair to historic procedures.

The board discussed voting out a chair due to no confidence in the chair.

Commissioner Samantha Martin asked for a framework in the rules of procedure on voting out a chair.

The board voted to table updating the rules of procedure for up to 100 days.

EMS Provider

On May 18, the board will negotiate on the franchise agreement for First Health as the county emergency services provider.

The county was unable to negotiate terms with Med Ex Transport Services, Inc.

PARKS

The Lee County Athletic Park (LCAP) project was completed under budget, except for the final entrance paving. About $3.48 million remains after setting aside funds for the paving. While restricted by bond requirements, the remaining funds may support other park needs across the county.

The board voted to fund an additional parking lot, equipment for the LCAP (see image below), and the refinishing of the tennis courts at Kiwanis Children’s Park, totaling $1,480,275.

Parks and Recreation Director Joseph Keel presented updates and requests for the county parks.

There is a $1,009,000 problem with having 3,000 to 4,000 people at the Lee County Athletic Park. The park is overrun with people who are staying for 1.5 hours, and the park does not have enough parking spaces to accommodate all the visitors.

The county suggests adding 184 parking spaces at $1,009,000.

Also, the North Carolina Department of Transportation in District 8 has not been conducive to repairing the traffic light, causing back up when people try to leave the park.

Visitors to the park criticise the absence of shade.

To address the shade issue and run efficiently, the park requests $246,275 for updates.

The Tramway Road Park needs $285,000 in updates and grading services. It has not been updated since 2008.

In 2021, Horton Park had improvements. But for ADA access, it needs parking spaces. It needs to be demolished and rebuilt. The estimate for upgrades is $330,000 minus 84,625 in DOT reimbursements.

Dalrymple Park has been neglected and needs $490,000 in upgrades. Senior services regularly use this park. The dugouts need demolition and rebuilding, along with adding shade structures. The playground was installed on top of a sewer line and needs to be relocated. Parking is an issue.

In 2011, Buchanan Park had grading work. It has an issue on the softball field with fencing. The parking lot needs erosion repairs. The shelter is close to the creek, and the concrete pad has caved in, so when it rains, it is not usable. The recommendation is to demolish the shelter and build new on the other side of the field. It needs $672,600 in upgrades. “Last week, someone called and someone had set the playground on fire,” Keel said about having shut down the playground. “Buchanan’s is the absolute worst.” Thankfully, the county has insurance to cover the burned playground equipment.

The Kiwanis Children’s Park tennis courts need $225,000 to replace the membrane.

Martin said expenditure was the board’s responsibility. “We can, as my understanding, is we can take $3 million toward the general obligation bond.” She questioned paying for crucial repairs now and saving some for next year.

Keel said buying the equipment would save over $400,000 in operational costs.

Vorbeck said while she would like Buchanan Park to be upgraded, she questioned if it was used enough to justify the expense.

Keel said every park was being used through parks and recreation, and they needed a park available for rent on Monday through Thursday.

March visitors added over $200,000 in spending, which estimates spending about $50 per person in the county and does not include hotel stays.

The March 2025 visitor impact figures were not available for comparison.

“Is there a law that churches don’t open playgrounds to the public?” Martin asked about Grace Chapel Church.

Keel answered that he did not think so.

Churches are private property owners and may establish their own policies.

CIP Updates

The board presented Capital Improvement Project updates. View here.

Lee County Schools requested a long-term capital investment of about $148 million in projects, including a new elementary school, major renovations, and systemwide upgrades, with total financed costs exceeding $226 million.

Current revenues alone make these requests difficult to fund for the county. Small early surpluses quickly turn into multi-million-dollar annual deficits, reaching $6-8 million annually and over $50 million cumulatively without adjustments.

The plan requires extra funds from a quarter-cent sales tax and one-to-three-cent property tax increases. The projects can be done with new funding or with delays.

The Director of Library Services said the library’s video system was not working properly, and they had tried to repair the air conditioning earlier.

It was so steamy in the conference room that people’s foreheads were sweating and perspiration marked their clothing.

Central Carolina Community College’s broadcasting team was present and recording live as backup for the new library system.

The live video coverage had a constant humming noise in the background, and the black wall behind the seated board members resulted in shadowed faces, making it difficult to discern who was speaking. Plus, not all members spoke into their microphones.

The next meeting is May 18 at 6 p.m. at the Ruby McSwain Center, according to the county website calendar.

May 5, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers

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