Yadkin County's Board of Commissioners began their bi-monthly meeting to a crowded audience on Monday night as more of the county's residents attend meetings to participate and be involved in the county's governing process.

"I thank everyone for coming out tonight," was the collective comment from all the commissioners during the comment portion of the meeting.

Commissioner Chairman Kevin Austin said he hoped to continue having an open and transparent government and would continue to work for the people. This was echoed by the other commissioners as they welcomed students of Yadkin County schools who led them in the Pledge of Allegiance and the attendees who were being recognized for their volunteer service to the the county's residents.

Many members of the community such as the Red Hat Ladies, community business owners and leaders and YVEDDI employees and volunteers were recognized by YVEDDI's Brenda Holbrook for their dedication and tireless efforts.

Holbrook spoke to the commissioners on the food distribution effort in the county and announced that the next distribution will take place beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 26 at the Moose Lodge.

"The USDA distribution in Yadkin County is a welcome site to many of our residents," Holbrook said. "Without the food many of them receive, their pantries would be bare. The distribution process begins on Thursday evening with the packaging of the foods. We would welcome any of the commissioners to come and volunteer to help pack or with the Saturday distribution.

Commissioner Moxley told the board that he had helped with the distribution and that is was a well organized process, but that there were a lot of people working to make it run smoothly.

"There are three lines with several miles of vehicles waiting to move through to receive the food," Moxley said. "The distribution is needed to help residents who are struggling. The many volunteers are appreciated."

Thank you's continued throughout the meeting with County Manager Aaron Church voicing his thanks and appreciation to Yadkin County Finance Manger Lisa Hughes for her hard work in finding ways to save the county money and finding ways to receive reimbursements from grants that had not yet been refunded.

"I want to thank Lisa for all her hard work," Church said. "Through her efforts to find ways to save the county money, she has found a way to refinance the loan for the 5D project that will save the county $187,000. Through her diligence she has gone back to 2005 and looked through minutes of commissioner's meetings, records of several county managers and contract information and found an additional $118,000 in the U. S. 21 water line project. Together with Jim Haynes they discovered that the state owes us and has just not reimbursed us money from a grant on the project. That brings the savings to the county of over $300,000. These amounts may allow us to save jobs. This work was very hard and tedious and I just want to recognize her effort and say thank you."

Hughes explained that the new bi-weekly payroll was scheduled to begin next week with just a minimal of tweaking to the system left to do.

The commissioners voted unanimously to dissolve their relationship with the Northwest Piedmont Council of Government and to form and become a member of the new Piedmont Triad Regional Council and reappointed Chairman Kevin Austin as their representative on the council.

Church spoke to the board about providing mandatory ethics training for all Yadkin County department heads and being the first in the state to do so. Plans to schedule training are in the process and more information will be given to the county employees when the training is set.

A resolution to purchase two pieces of property, a .45 acre tract on Van Buren Street and a .91 acre tract on Hemlock Street was presented an approved by the board. The property purchase is for the intent of future criminal justice needs. The total purchase price for the two parcels will be $260,000.

During the commissioner comments, all commissioners thanked the ladies of the home extension for providing their meal prior to the commissioners meeting.

"I want to thank all those in attendance and gave Lisa Hughes a special thanks for all she does in working for the county," Commissioner Gilbert Hemric said.

"I want to thank everyone in attendance and thank Aaron (Church) for the hard work he does for the county and thank Lisa also for their due diligence," Commissioner Marion Welborn said.

"Again I want to thank everyone for being here," Commissioner Frank Zachary said. "I want to also express my appreciation to the Red Hats, and all the folks that help with the food distribution. I think it's nice to recognize those who give of their time and effort to help others. I too want to thank Lisa and Aaron for all they have a hand in doing for the citizens of the county."

Commissioner David Moxley also expressed his thanks.

"I think we had a good crowd here tonight," Moxley said. "I want to thank Lisa and Aaron for their work and for always having their thoughts on how we can save money. They are looking out for us.

"I also want to congratulate Tim Groce on his retirement," he said. I've known him for my whole life and he's always been in law enforcement. I also want to say that the food distribution is a very worthy cause for those who need it and that they really appreciate what they're given. I encourage anyone who has any free time to volunteer to help."

Board Chair Austin also expressed his thank to those in attendance.

"I want to commend this board on the way it works together," Austin said. "I think the citizens feel comfortable when they're in this chamber and they want to be a part of the process.

"I would like to believe our citizens have faith in their government," he said. "We are here for the people as their representatives."