We, the undersigned, strongly oppose Part V, Section 5 of Senate Bill 214, which would allow Franklin County to acquire property in Halifax, Vance, and Warren counties — including by condemnation — without the consent or approval of those counties’ Boards of Commissioners.

Under current North Carolina law (G.S. 153A-15), any county seeking to acquire property in the impacted counties of Halifax, Vance and Warren in Part V, Section 5 of Senate Bill 214, must first obtain approval from the Board of Commissioners in those counties. 

This statutory requirement ensures local oversight, accountability, and respect for county governance.

Senate Bill 214, Part V, Section 5 proposes that “notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 153A-15, the County of Franklin may acquire, including by condemnation, real property or an interest in real property located in Halifax, Vance, and Warren County, without the consent or approval of the other county’s Board of Commissioners."

This provision would deprive Halifax, Vance and Warren counties, and neighboring counties, of their lawful authority to review and approve such actions. 

It is entirely inappropriate for one county to seek local legislation that strips another county of its statutory rights and decision-making authority.

If allowed to stand, this measure could set a dangerous precedent — opening the door for other counties across North Carolina to seek similar authority to bypass local approval, thereby weakening local governance statewide.

We do not accept the provided explanation from Franklin County officials for such sweeping authority.

This measure represents an egregious, troubling, and unprecedented overreach that undermines the principles of local governance, weakens inter-county cooperation, and erodes public trust.

We express our adamant opposition to Part V, Section 5 of Senate Bill 214.

We respectfully and urgently call on the North Carolina General Assembly to strike Part V, Section 5 from Senate Bill 214 and preserve the rights of counties to govern their own land, resources, and communities.