Residents press Franklin County on revenue, corrections pay and homelessness during public comment

Several members of the public used the comment period to press commissioners on budget priorities, employee pay and homelessness services. Valerie Jordan Feofilla asked the sheriff to publish the county's contract with Flock Safety and said she wants more transparency on costs; she then urged salary increases for county employees and attention to the homeless.

"That $4,000,000 equals $7 in additional taxes to my husband and me based on our property assessment," Jordan said while urging the board to prioritize employees, seniors and people without shelter. She also said she would send the board material she previously shared with county staff.

John Jordan of Fayetteville questioned assertions that county revenue is flat and suggested modest annual tax increases to smooth budgeting. He also supported some use of Flock cameras for public safety but questioned whether the sheriff's office has the investigative capacity to manage the program and raised concerns about a memorandum of agreement with ICE that has led to local enforcement actions.