Beaufort County public meetings in 2023

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will meet to handle general business and receive updates from various county departments. The agenda includes items for discussion or decision regarding finance, tax assessment, tax collection, and economic development.

• Service Recognition Award
• Legislative Updates for Elected Officials
• Finance discussion/decision
• Tax Assessor discussion/decision
• Tax Collector discussion/decision

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners is considering a request from Sheriff Hammonds to fund 12 full-time equivalent Deputy School Resource Officers. This funding includes salaries, benefits, operational costs, and vehicle purchases or leases for the period of January 1, 2024, through June 30, 2024.

• Funding request for 12 Deputy SRO FTEs and associated costs
• $966,186 total cost for SRO positions, vehicles, and operations
• $513,200 total requested amount after applying $452,986 in lapsed funds
• $300,000 for 6 equipped/outfitted Dodge Charger vehicles
• $57,200 for Allied Universal vehicle lease contract

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee will review the draft audit report for fiscal year 2022/2023. Members will also discuss travel policies and expenses, and receive an update on a fraudulent check case.

• FY 22/23 Draft Audit Report
• Meal Allowance / Travel Policy discussion
• Travel Expenses and Reimbursements
• Update on Fraudulent Check Case

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will decide on staffing and equipment requests for the Sheriff's Office. The body will also establish the 2024 meeting schedule and review board and committee appointments.

• Request for 12 SRO positions
• 911 Console Furniture purchase
• 2024 Commissioners Meeting Schedule
• Board/Committee Appointments
• Register of Deeds Budget Compliance discussion

Economic Development Advisory Committee

The committee is meeting to review current site and building developments. Discussions will include business retention, expansion, and recruitment activities.

• Review of site and building developments
• Business retention and expansion report
• Recruitment activity update

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners is deciding on funding requests for the Aurora Medical Clinic and solid waste site improvements. The body will also consider petitions to name two new roads and review various tax refunds and surplus items.

• Petitions to name roads Clearwater Drive and Edgewater Park
• Funding requests for Aurora Medical Clinic and Solid Waste Site improvements
• NC Railroad Company Build Ready Sites Grant
• Tax office refunds over $100
• K9 purchase agreement

Affordable Workforce Housing Taskforce

The Affordable Workforce Housing Taskforce is reviewing the results of an ECU Housing Study. The body is discussing how to identify feasible development areas and suitable public land for workforce housing.

• Review of ECU Housing Study
• Identification of feasible development areas by municipalities
• Identification of suitable Federal, State, County, or Municipal public land

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing regarding a road name and decide on a solid waste ordinance. The meeting includes several budget amendments for the Health Department and Department of Social Services, as well as grant applications for emergency services and economic development.

• Public hearing and decision for a road name
• Decision on a Solid Waste Ordinance
• NC Commerce Building Reuse Grant for Elite Trucks
• Building Resilient Infrastructure in Communities (BRIC) Grant for Emergency Services
• Health Department fee revision

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee will receive an update on the FY 22/23 audit and discuss county purchase order thresholds. The body will also review meal allowances, travel expenses, and fraudulent check activity.

• FY 22/23 Audit Update
• School Restricted Capital Payment for FY 22/23
• County Purchase Order Threshold Discussion
• Meal Allowance/Travel Policy and Reimbursements
• Fraudulent Check Activity

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will meet to handle conflict of interest disclosures and receive legislative updates from elected officials. The meeting also includes the presentation of service awards to county employees.

• Service awards for Susan Waters, Gail Griffin, Latisha Crawford Norman, Kristi Mclawhorn, William Mayo, Jason Hancock, and Lorie Girani
• Legislative updates for elected officials

Economic Development Advisory Committee

The committee is meeting to review new bylaws, membership, and meeting formats. The agenda also includes discussions on site and building reviews, BRE activity, and recruitment activity.

• Review of new bylaws
• Discussion of membership and ex-officio roles
• Review of sites and buildings
• BRE activity update
• Recruitment activity update

The group held an orientation meeting to review new bylaws and current industrial projects. No formal votes were taken, but the committee established a bi-monthly meeting schedule.

• Established new meeting schedule for the fourth Thursday of every other month
• Confirmed transition from an Advisory Board to an Advisory Committee

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners is holding a special called meeting. The primary purpose of the session is a closed meeting regarding economic development.

• Closed session for economic development with Director Brad Hufford

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will decide on reverting the Aurora Clinic to the county via a hospital lease amendment and address infrastructure for the Aurora Industrial Park. The body will also consider road naming petitions and a living shoreline project.

• Amendment to Hospital Master Lease Agreement to revert Aurora Clinic to County
• Aurora Industrial Park Infrastructure decision
• Wright's Creek Living Shoreline Project
• Petitions to name roads Alphin's Landing and Dusty Creek
• Health Department fee revision

Board of Commissioners

The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners will meet for a special called meeting to decide on a resolution regarding ferry service tolls.

• Resolution opposing tolls on ferry service

The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution opposing the imposition of tolls on the Bayview-Aurora ferry route. The resolution urges the legislature to remove Section 41.11C from House Bill 259, which would authorize tolling on all ferry routes in North Carolina.

• Approved resolution opposing tolls on Bayview-Aurora ferry route (unanimous)

Board of Health

The Board of Health will meet to discuss budget amendments and review board policies. The session includes a report on communicable diseases and a review of upcoming board appointments and term expirations.

• Annual Communicable Disease Report
• Budget Amendments
• Board of Health Policy Review
• Reappointments of Shelia Slade, Angela Biggs, and Stewart Ham
• Terms ending for Robert Belcher, Chris Padgett, and Marty Poffenberger

The Board of Health approved several budget amendments and updated fee schedules for postpartum care and environmental health permits. The Board also accepted its policy review without revisions and approved the May 16, 2023, meeting minutes.

• Approved May 16, 2023, meeting minutes
• Accepted Board of Health policy review with no revisions
• Approved postpartum care fee increase from $202.00 to $311.00
• Approved Environmental Health fee revisions including $35 engineered option permit filing fee
• Approved $132,764 Regional ARPA Workforce Funding budget amendment
• Approved $250 National Survey of Syringe Service Program budget amendment
• Approved $5,207 WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Funding budget amendment
• Approved $1,300 NC Minority Diabetes Prevention Program budget amendment

Affordable Workforce Housing Taskforce

The Beaufort County Workforce Housing Taskforce is meeting to approve previous minutes and review presentations. The session includes data on housing in the county and infrastructure maps.

• Approval of March 14, 2023, minutes
• Presentation from ECU Community and Regional Planning Department on housing in Beaufort County
• Presentation on infrastructure maps prepared by the Mid-East Commission

Board of Commissioners

The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners will vote on consent items including a $57,640.12 sole-source flu vaccine purchase from Sanofi Pasteur, surplus equipment, tax refunds, and appointments. They will also discuss and decide on an EMS 6 remount procurement, a solid waste update, and a county line review. Commissioner Richardson will lead discussions on school matters, cable TV services, and an election integrity resolution.

• Approve $57,640.12 flu vaccine purchase from Sanofi Pasteur (sole source)
• Approve tax refunds over $100 for vehicle overpayments
• Discuss and decide on EMS 6 remount procurement
• Discuss solid waste update and county line review
• Discuss election integrity resolution and school matters

The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a request for the state Geo Survey to resurvey the county line border with Pitt County. The board also approved a consent agenda containing 10 items, including various appointments and reallocations.

• Approved request for state Geo Survey to resurvey the county line with Pitt County (Unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda including Health Department surplus, influenza purchase, and tax office refunds (5-2)
• Approved appointment and reappointment to Washington Enlarged Board of Adjustment (5-2)
• Approved reappointment to ABC Board (5-2)
• Approved reappointment to BCCC Board of Trustees (5-2)
• Approved board minutes (5-2)

Affordable Workforce Housing Taskforce

The Affordable Workforce Housing Taskforce is meeting to review housing needs identified in an ECU study. The group will also examine maps detailing water and sewer infrastructure across the county.

• Review of ECU Study Plans for housing needs
• Review of county water and sewer infrastructure maps
• Approval of March 14, 2023 minutes

Board of Commissioners

The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the FY 2023-2024 proposed budget and consider a motion to reduce the property tax rate by $0.05 to $0.585 per $100 valuation. The board will also decide on several contracts, including the annual audit, jail health services, and EMS remount procurement, plus discuss a solid waste ordinance update and other items.

• Public hearing on FY 2023-2024 budget; adoption possible at this meeting or June 12 special meeting
• Property tax reduction request: lower rate from $0.635 to $0.585 per $100 valuation
• Audit contract with Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Co. for $58,000 (FY 22/23)
• Contract with AGAPE Health Services for jail health services
• Animal Control Department name change and EMS 6 remount procurement

The Board of Commissioners discussed a proposal to reduce the ad valorem property tax rate by $0.05 to $0.585. The motion was seconded but ultimately not approved following a debate over the county's fund balance and future capital obligations.

• Approved the meeting agenda (unanimous)
• Denied motion to reduce ad valorem property tax rate to $0.585

Board of Health

The Board of Health is meeting to discuss financial updates, including budget amendments and debt write-offs. The body will also review proposed fee revisions for fiscal year 2024 and the State of the County’s Health Report.

• FY24 Proposed Fee Revisions
• Budget Amendments
• Debt Write-off
• State of the County’s Health Report
• HRSA Rural Health Coordination Program

The Board of Health approved updated service fees for FY24 and a budget amendment for environmental health funds. The board also authorized a debt write-off and directed the Health Director to explore forming a community health task force.

• Approved FY24 fee revisions for clinical and environmental health services (all in favor)
• Approved $7,066 budget amendment for Environmental Health Food and Lodging Performance Funds (all in favor)
• Approved writing off $1,710 in uncollected fees (all in favor)
• Approved motion to contact County Manager and stakeholders regarding a health task force (all in favor)
• Approved March 21, 2023 meeting minutes (all in favor)

Board of Commissioners

The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners will hear updates on opioid settlement strategies and consider several consent items, including budget amendments, a $33,973.21 access control purchase for the Health Department, and a broadband installation contract with NC-DIT and Brightspeed. The board will also hold public hearings on a geographic monument naming and an economic development incentive for Project RX, and discuss a resolution opposing the removal of a Confederate memorial in Arlington National Cemetery.

• Opioid settlement strategies update
• Health Dept access control purchase $33,973.21
• Broadband installation contract with NC-DIT and Brightspeed
• Public hearing on Project RX economic development incentive
• Resolution opposing removal of Confederate memorial in Arlington

The Board of Commissioners voted against endorsing a petition to name a hill near Pamlico Beach 'Bluebill Hill,' citing a preference for a local name. The Board also approved a series of consent items including budget amendments and surplus equipment.

• Denied endorsement of petition to name geographic monument 'Bluebill Hill'
• Approved amended consent agenda including Health Dept and Public Works budget amendments (unanimous)
• Approved surplus items for Public Works, Health Dept, and Sheriff's Office (unanimous)
• Approved Tax Office refunds over $100 (unanimous)
• Approved JCPC Funding Plan (unanimous)
• Approved reappointment to DSS Board (unanimous)

Board of Commissioners

The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners is meeting to approve the FY24 Consolidated Agreement with the NC Department of Health and Human Services, which secures state and federal funding for the Health Department. The board will also decide on the procurement of an EMS 6 Remount vehicle and approve construction contracts for Public Works. Additionally, the board will hold a public hearing on a petition to name a road and discuss storm water rules.

• Approval of FY24 Consolidated Agreement between NC DHHS and Beaufort County Health Department
• Procurement of EMS 6 Remount vehicle by Emergency Services
• Approval of Public Works construction contracts
• Public hearing on petition to name a road
• Discussion of storm water rules and illegal trash dumping

The Board approved a consolidated agreement with the State of North Carolina for the Health Department and a subscription for electronic health records. They also awarded two roofing contracts for county buildings and authorized the bidding process for an EMS truck remount. Additionally, the Board voted to restrict the purchase of electric vehicles without specific approval.

• Approved Health Dept FY 24 Consolidated Agreement
• Approved electronic health record subscription at $2,480 per month
• Approved naming a private road Coastal Drive
• Approved bidding process to remount EMS box on new chassis (est. $140,000)
• Awarded $484,597 roofing contract for Tideland building to McClure Metal Specialties
• Awarded $80,305 roofing contract for Financial Services building to DLT Roofing
• Approved salary adjustment of $2,361 for Cooperative Extension administrative assistant
• Approved restriction to purchase internal combustion engine vehicles only without Board approval

Board of Health

The Beaufort County Board of Health is meeting to discuss the health department's budget proposal and consolidated agreement for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. The board will also review budget amendments for the 2022-2023 period and receive updates on community health and COVID-19.

• FY 2023-2024 Health Department Budget Proposal
• FY 2023-2024 Consolidated Agreement
• FY 2022-2023 Budget Amendments
• North Carolina Local Health Department Accreditation
• COVID-19 Update

The Board of Health approved the FY 2023-2024 proposed budget of $4,852,418 and the annual Consolidated Agreement. Members also approved several budget amendments for grants and subcontracts. The health department will no longer provide medical health services for jail inmates.

• Approved January 17, 2023 meeting minutes
• Accepted FY 2023-2024 Consolidated Agreement
• Approved FY 2023-2024 proposed budget of $4,852,418
• Approved $7,300 WIC Hyde County subcontract amendment
• Approved $147,749 Regional ARPA Public Health Funding amendment
• Approved $246,181.48 Trillium Opioid Remediation Grant amendment
• Approved $4,480 Care Management Equipment Funding amendment

Affordable Workforce Housing Taskforce

The Affordable Workforce Housing Taskforce is meeting to define the county's future vision and quantify housing needs. The group will discuss how to attract developers and identify available grants to support housing activity.

• Discussion on quantifying housing demand by geography and housing type
• Strategies for developer outreach including Town Hall and one-on-one meetings
• Review of infrastructure requirements such as water/sewer lines and zoning
• Identification of available grants and associated requirements

Board of Commissioners

The Board approved a three-year lease for a new economic development office and a contract for yard waste removal. Commissioners also authorized funding for courthouse IT upgrades and submitted several multi-million dollar capital requests to Senator Perry. A motion to block the Register of Deeds' notification system was denied.

• Approved 3-year yard waste grinding contract with Shavender Trucking (Unanimous)
• Approved $47,643 for courthouse IT upgrades (CRAVE and WAVE projects) from contingency (Unanimous)
• Approved 3-year lease for economic development office at 108 Union Drive (5-1)
• Approved surplus of 2009 Toyota Prius (Unanimous)
• Approved Health Department document imaging conversion (Unanimous)
• Approved Health Department budget amendment for Hyde County WIC sub-contract (Unanimous)
• Approved 39-month postage meter contract with Quadient (Unanimous)
• Approved project ordinance and budget amendment for Wrights Creek project (5-1)

Jail Committee

The committee is meeting to review current jail conditions, inmate population factors, and staff safety. The body will also discuss necessary future equipment and the timing for a final report to the Board of Commissioners.

• Review of jail facility options
• Assessment of current inmate population
• Evaluation of jail staff safety
• Identification of future equipment needs
• Timeline for final report to Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners will consider consent items including a $138,415 purchase order for a new E-911 communications recorder system, a resolution directing opioid settlement fund spending, and acceptance of $20,200.12 in additional opioid abatement funds. They will also hold a public hearing on closing a portion of Secondary Road 1516 and decide on several items including a sheriff's vehicle purchase, tax board dates, and a pay plan update. Presentations include the Trillium annual report and a drug awareness talk.

• Purchase order for Carolina Recording Systems LLC totaling $138,415 for E-911 recorder system
• Resolution to direct expenditure of opioid settlement funds from October 2022 appropriations
• Budget amendment to accept $20,200.12 from National Opioid Abatement Trust II
• Public hearing to abandon and close a portion of former Secondary Road 1516
• Sheriff's Office vehicle purchase decision

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners is conducting a planning retreat consisting of departmental updates. Various county directors and officials are presenting reports to the Board.

• Public Schools update from Superintendent Dr. Matthew Cheeseman
• Tax Assessor update including revaluation from Lloyd Salter
• Sheriff's Office update from Sheriff Scott Hammonds
• Finance and Administration update from CFO Anita Radcliffe and County Manager Brian Alligood
• Economic Development update from Director Brad Hufford

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners is conducting a planning retreat consisting of updates from various county departments. The meeting focuses on receiving reports from agency directors and department heads.

• Public Schools update from Superintendent Dr. Matthew Cheeseman
• Sheriff's Office update from Sheriff Scott Hammonds
• Tax Assessor update including revaluation from Lloyd Salter
• Economic Development update from Director Brad Hufford
• Finance and Administration update from CFO Anita Radcliffe and County Manager Brian Alligood

Economic Development Advisory Committee

The Economic Development Advisory Board is meeting to discuss priority activities and the purpose of the board. Members will also review the meeting format, frequency, and the board member list.

• Economic development update from Director Brad Hufford
• Discussion of Economic Development Priority Activities
• Review of Board Member List

The committee did not reach a quorum, postponing the approval of previous minutes. Members discussed the role of the board and agreed to redline the bylaws to redefine the board's purpose.

• Postponed approval of minutes due to lack of quorum
• Agreed to redline bylaws and redefine the purpose of the Advisory Board

Board of Commissioners

The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners will hold a regular meeting with a consent agenda covering routine items like surplus property, fee changes, and tax refunds. The board will also make decisions on sheriff's office salary adjustments and a vehicle purchase, a petition to abandon an old county road, and a coastal resilience grant. Several items are listed for discussion, including a proposed county police force committee and a resolution on public education.

• Sheriff's office requests promotion salary adjustment and special salary minimum rate for communications
• Petition to abandon an old county road
• NC Resilient Coastal Communities Grant application
• Health Department FY23 fee revision: COVID-19 vaccine administration fees set at $30.00
• Tax Office refunds over $100 totaling $1,534.67

The Board approved salary increases for three Sheriff's Office positions and a new $40,000 starting rate for telecommunicators. They also authorized a revised purchase order for eight police vehicles and a 911 communications system upgrade. A request for detailed budget and grant reporting was approved.

• Approved salary increases for Timothy Hickman ($99,500), Jeremy Hewitt ($88,896), and David Richards ($62,100)
• Approved $40,000 starting rate for telecommunicators and raises for six existing staff
• Approved revised purchase order of $288,795.92 for eight 2023 Dodge Chargers
• Approved purchase of IP logger and Motorola AIS for 911 center using state and county funds
• Approved moving forward with public hearing to abandon a portion of State Road 1516
• Approved contract for NC Resilient Coastal Communities Grant demonstration site
• Approved request for detailed reporting on grants, FTEs, and school capital budget items
• Denied resolution regarding public education re-commitment (2-3)