Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Meeting. Madam clerk, would you call the roll, please?

Commissioner Mitchell? Here. Commissioner Smith? Here. Commissioner Howard? Here. Commissioner Hunt? Here. Commissioner Mason? Here. Vice Chairman Jones? Here. Chairman Booker?

Here. If you'll stand with me, our attorney Grady is going to give us a prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. So, remain standing.

Almighty God, Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, we humbly bow before you on behalf of those gathered here, individuals who find pleasure in serving the people of this great county. With thankful hearts for your goodness to each of them, we earnestly pray that you will take their minds and give them a new measure of wisdom. Take their hearts and fill them with your love for others, and take their wills and make them more obedient to your will. May your servants here proceed step by step, hour by hour, to meet the challenges you have given them so that in the end, the purpose that you have set out for this Board of County Commissioners may be accomplished for the enrichment of people across this land and to your honor and glory. This we pray in your holy name. Amen. Amen.

If you have not done so, would you please make sure your phones are on silent so as not to Commissioners, you have the agenda in front of you. I've been informed that item number nine is pulled. We will not be doing item nine tonight. So would someone like to make a motion to approve the agenda without item nine? Motion to approve.

Second.

I have a motion and a second. Madam Clerk, would you call the roll, please?

Commissioner Mitchell? Yes. Commissioner Smith? Yes. Yes. Commissioner Howard. Yes. Commissioner Hunt. Yes. Commissioner Mason. Yes. Vice Chairman Jones. Yes. Chairman Bucher.

Yes. First item on the agenda is a public hearing. Proposed issuance of 2026 limited obligation bonds. Craig Warren.

Good evening, Chairman, Board of Commissioners. I'm here tonight to introduce to you the public hearing to address the county's proposal to issue limited obligation bonds with the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $25 million. The proceeds from these bonds will finance various capital improvement projects within the county. These improvements will enhance governmental, judicial, library, maintenance, and social services facilities. Importantly, at this time, there is no projected increase to the tax rate to fund this staff service on this particular barring.

Okay. Is there a motion to open this public hearing? So moved. Second. I have a motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? The hearing is open. Is there anyone who would like to speak?

Ms. Chairman, we have one citizen that has signed up, Ms. Kelly Muse.

Good evening, I'm Kelly Muse. I live at 612 Matamoros Lane. I'm sure you all know where I live. I'm sure you saw the video feed at New Bern Live that was done at my home. I think it's real interesting, the topics that, or the projects that you all want to do. with this bond, you're taking care of your buildings, yours. Social services, judicial centers, public defender's offices. But you have got deferred maintenance with the school system for decades worth. And it is your job, and you are required by general statute to take care of those buildings. It is no secret that for the past 20 years, you all have not funded the school system the way you should. Craig Warren talks about there's not a tax increase. When you reassessed the citizen's property, or had that reassessed, and everybody's property values went up, everyone paid more in taxes. It's a cow when it gives milk, but we're gonna call it a pig. So Dean, you can sit there and shake your head no, but if my house went from $500,000 worth of value to $700,000 worth of value, it's costing me more. And as far as Craig Warren goes, I don't trust anything that he says because I have experience with him as a board of education member. So you all have a responsibility to the children in this county and you have neglected it for decades. And once again, As per usual, you're putting yourselves first. You got this one up here that's left her husband and you're not even for sure where she's living because she hasn't changed it on her voter registration. You got your sheriff's department or your sheriff ordering stuff and having it delivered to his home because I have the purchase orders to prove it and I've spoken to Mr. Jones about that. You've got him pulling his boat all over the county with a county-issued vehicle, and I didn't sign up for that either. And I'm not aware that anybody in this county signed up for that.

Is this a public hearing about the bond?

So, once again, you all are putting yourselves before everybody else.

Are there anybody else signed up?

No, sir, Mr. Chairman.

Okay. Anybody in the audience like to speak on this subject that did not sign up? Hearing none, I'll accept a motion to close the public hearing. So moved. Second. Motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Public hearing is closed. Thank you. Item number two, petition of citizens. no one signed up miss chairman okay no one signed up under agenda topics item number three chairman's privilege I'm going to take this time to turn this meeting over to the vice chair who is going to recognize someone Thank You mr. chairman thank you to the Board of Commissioners for allowing myself this opportunity

and which I am elected in and represent. I'm going to ask at this time if Mr. Kevin Manriquez will come forth.

And Kevin, if I said your name incorrectly, you can correct that for us. Thank you.

We're very proud of this young man, and I want to tell you just a little bit about him. And this is the letter that this Board of Commissioners signed by our chairman, Denny Booker, has signed to give to him. On behalf of the Craven County Board of Commissioners, we want to congratulate you on earning your Associate in Science from Craven Community College while still a junior at New Bern High School. This accomplishment speaks volumes of actual discipline and commitment to academic excellence. Balancing college-level coursework with your high school responsibilities is already impressive, and you've done so while actively contributing to your community. Your involvement on the varsity swim team and in multiple school clubs shows that your work ethic extends beyond the classroom. By organizing a donation drive at your church to support Venezuelan families, you help make a meaningful difference for people in need. We also would like, as the Board of Commissioners, to commend you for your passion that you have for civic engagement. He has been in contact with our state representatives here in Craven County, also Governor Josh Stein, and just demonstrates an admirable curiosity about public service and the decision-making processes that shape our community. As you look ahead to pursuing a degree in engineering, we are inspired by your commitment to using your talents to help others. Craven County and Eastern North Carolina thrive because of driven, service-oriented individuals just like you. Kevin, your accomplishments bring pride not only to your family and your school, but also to your entire community. We're confident that you will continue to excel and uplift those around you. On behalf of this Board of Commissioners, our chairman, Denny Booker, we please accept our sincerest congratulations and best wishes for the bright future that lies ahead. If everyone, let's give a round of applause. Kevin, do you want to say something to the Board of Commissioners? Come right here.

It's an incredible honor to be here. Again, I'm extremely grateful to be here in Craven County for giving me this amazing opportunity. I wouldn't rather be anywhere else. Again, thank you so much for everything. It really demonstrates how good of a community Craven County and New Bern are. Thank you so much.

If y'all don't mind, let's stand together and ask these parents to come forward.

Three, two, one.

Thank you. All right, thank y'all.

Do you want us to take some pictures with your camera?

Yes, please.

Okay, let's do that.

That would mean a lot to mom and dad.

Three, two, one. Thank you so much. Thank you.

Okay, item number four, consent agenda. Got a number of items, I'll run through those quickly. Number one, A is the minutes from the July 20th regular session. B is tax releases and refunds. C is register of deeds. Deed book presentation project rollover budget amendment. D is facilities fire panel service contract budget amendment. E is carts, approval of updated drug and alcohol policies.

Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Second. Second.

I didn't get to F yet.

We can read it.

F or G. F is CART's approval of Title VI program plan. Seven, under G, proclamation recognizing August as Child Support Awareness Month in Craven County. And number H, a resolution honoring Jorge Benitez upon his retirement as band director, if I believe. Is that correct, Chad?

I have like I.

at Havelock High School. So do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? Second. Now I'll take your motion. Madam Clerk, would you call the roll, please?

Commissioner Mitchell? Yes. Commissioner Smith? Yes. Commissioner Howard? Yes. Commissioner Hunt? Yes. Commissioner Mason? Yes. Vice Chairman Jones? Yes. Chairman Bucher? Yes.

Yes. Item D is facilities. A fire panel service contract budget amendment. And Zach Chenoweth is going to speak to us about that.

Good evening, board. This will be about the Havelock Pharmacy rollover. In October 2025, the Board of Commissioners authorized staff to complete design work and begin working on expanding the pharmacy within the Havelock Health Clinic. Over the next six months, the design was finalized, contractors were issued purchase orders, and the procurement of materials began. In June 2026, onsite work began with minor demolition and infrastructure relocation and installation. Work remains ongoing with staff and contractors, estimating a completion date of August 31st. This project is on budget and on schedule. The board is being requested to approve a budget amendment in the amount of $115,250 in order to carry over the unspent funds from FY26 into the current fiscal year and to complete this project.

Okay, questions for Zach, anybody? Hearing no questions, board, we're being asked to approve a budget amendment in the amount of $115,250 in order to complete the Havelock Pharmacy project. Motion to approve. Second. Okay, roll call, please.

Commissioner Mitchell? Yes. Commissioner Smith? Yes. Commissioner Howard? Yes. Commissioner Hunt? Yes. Commissioner Mason? Yes. Vice Chairman Jones? Yes. Chairman Booker?

Yes. Thank you, board. Thank you. Good night. Item number six under departmental matters is health department animal shelter donation funding transfer budget amendment. Scott Harrelson, Tanya Osler.

Welcome. Good evening. Good evening. We come with what was really a surprising donation. It's not unusual for us to receive donations for the shelter. They come in all the time. But this one was for $655,147. And it was a very... in fantastic gesture from the estate of Ms. Shirley Callahan and we would appreciate the board transferring these funds into capital reserve funds for some projects that Dr. Osler and her staff already have in mind.

Dr. Osler, welcome.

Welcome. Long time no see. Yeah. So we're really shocked and excited to have received this money. we are looking forward to using it to enrich the lives of the animals at the shelter hopefully to be able to put in some turf in our yard to be able to sanitize it and provide a play area that does not get a little muddy during the rain as well as doing some minor repairs to the inside and then hopefully some more enrichment activities for the animals we have in our care that's great what questions do we have

I have a question. Commissioner Mitchell. This is more for the county manager. This is a wonderful gesture, including a citizen here who decided to give locally instead of back to her alma mater or her husband's alma mater or anything else. Are we planning on doing any type of public announcement to make this give this the type of visibility that it deserves. I mean this is almost three quarters of a million dollars and obviously Ms. Callahan valued animal welfare. I think that deserves some PR. Yeah.

Absolutely. We will. Yes. I will get with Scott and Dr. Osler. We will make that happen.

Thank you other questions.

Yeah, I want to have a discussion at this time, too And I appreciate all the needs that you mentioned as you know, I'm a big animal advocate But being that we've put over two million dollars into the facility over the last couple years and continuing to do these renovations I'd ever get calls about Updating the facilities, but what I did get a call about almost every day is our lack of TNR program and so i was wondering if there could be maybe a discussion about using these funds maybe as a type of endowment and i know the government can't actually do an endowment per se but what if we do invest the monies and then we have perpetual income to support some type of tnr project for the county and fill that gap when i know that there's a need in every corner of our county every municipality every community this has got got a tnr Sparrow cat problem, if you will. And I would like to open it up for discussion on that, too, being that we are already putting over $2 million into the facility at this point.

That may not be a question for her. It may be a question for Jeff. Yeah, so what we're doing here

taking in the money that we received and putting it in the capital reserve account of course the things that dr osler mentioned with things that would have to come back before the board because they're not budgeted at this time so other considerations like commissioner hunt had that's up to the board and obviously staff has some recommendations where i think it's more money than we ever anticipated scott um at one time so i think that the the path is wide open in what we can do with this money so just to make sure everybody understands the money's going to go into an account we can draw from as needed correct and it'll be very specific when you're approving from this because it will be set aside in a capital reserve account for the animal shelter so we're designating this funding because it's designated by the person who gave it for the animal shelter yeah so yes and is there enough in the budget currently to do the project you mentioned the playground for the dogs and some of the other stuff

I sure hope so. I believe so. It should be well within that budget.

The current budget or this additional endowment?

So the projects that Dr. Austin mentioned are not budgeted now. They could be budgeted with this money or future budgets as the board determines the need.

Yes, ma'am. Mr. Howard.

E.T. asked my question. So we're good.

Okay. I do have a question now that nobody has any others. Okay.

they didn't give us any guidelines as to how the money was to be spent is that correct yeah my my understanding was the uh executives came in wrote the check and that was the end of it so That's pretty cool. Yeah, I think she trusts our county to make the right decisions.

County attorney. Mr. Chairman, I reviewed the decedent's will in another context. She made several donations along these lines to area agencies, and there are no restrictions whatsoever.

Okay. All right. Are there any other questions before we vote? Are you okay with what we're doing? We're putting it into an account?

Oh, I understand how it works, but I still want to continue that discussion because it's a need that I get called about every day, and this is an opportunity to fill a gap. Every day? Well, maybe I'll get three today and none tomorrow.

Okay. All right. I have a question of sorts, and I'm sure that you recognize the needs being there every day, but in our decision, I'm thinking, since I'm not fully aware of the situation, that your request should be highly considered, but I don't know that we could make, should make, a complete commitment not knowing what our priorities are at this point.

That's a little bit of my concern. We have a problem with that.

We'll have an opportunity. To deal with that. What if we commit to this? As they make requests, it'll come to us. Okay.

If I could address that. So what you're doing now is you're putting in what's called a parking lot. Basically, you're restricting it to the animal shelter for future use. I think, I don't want to speak for Dr. Officer and Scott, but there's enough money here to do the turf grass, which is a small amount, I think tens of thousands of dollars, to get that area done, plus the things that Commissioner Hunt suggested, and quite frankly, other things over time.

Thank you. So we'll have an opportunity to approve the projects if they're of any size.

Any other questions or comments?

It's a terrific gift, something we don't see every day. The animal shelter is a great place for that gift. Okay. Do I have a motion to approve?

Motion to approve. Second.

A motion and a second. Madam Clerk, call the roll, please.

Commissioner Mitchell? Yes. Commissioner Smith? Yes. Commissioner Howard? Yes. Commissioner Hunt? Yes. Commissioner Mason? Yes. Vice Chairman Jones? Yes. Chairman Booker?

Yes.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Okay. Item number seven, information technology. Robbie Evans is going to talk to us about cybersecurity rollover budget amendment. Robbie?

All right, thank you. Good evening, commissioners. I'm coming tonight to request a budget amendment. We received a cybersecurity grant for $100,000 back in August 2024. The request is to move remaining funds in that line to this year's fiscal budget in the amount of $22,620. to continue using for grant-approved cybersecurity tools.

Okay. So we're being asked to approve a budget amendment in the amount of $22,620. Are there any questions for him?

Could you explain the tools? Like, what are we, you know, generally?

Various tools, like we're working on a multi-factor authentication project for two-factor keys. We could use it to purchase those. Additional licensing that might have gotten missed during the year for new users. That kind of stuff. Thank you.

Anybody else? Okay, and do I have a motion to approve a budget amendment? So moved. Second. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Roll call, please.

Commissioner Mitchell? Yes. Commissioner Smith? Yes. Commissioner Howard? Yes. Commissioner Hunt? Yes. Commissioner Mason? Yes. Vice Chairman Jones? Yes. Chairman Booker?

Yes. Very good. Done. Item 8.

Thanks, Robbie.

Veterans Services, North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans, a fair rollover budget amendment, and help us out.

Good evening, Commissioners. I'm here before you to request some rollover funds. Back in April of this year, the Veterans Services Department awarded a $20,000 grant from the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. This grant was approved. The scope included expenses for travel, training, advertising, improvements to the client waiting area, and various other supplies for the office. All the funds could not be spent in FY2026, so we're asking for the approval for it to be rolled over. We've got an extension on the grant to run until December 31st of this year, so we're asking for the amount of $17,476 to be rolled over to this fiscal year's budget.

Okay. Just for everybody's information, This is the third or fourth one of these we've done tonight where we got the money last year, couldn't spend it, didn't spend it, couldn't spend it all. All we're doing is rolling that into this year's budget. So just so everybody understands that. Other questions? Chad?

Short span of time, do you guys have any, I see some vague things, but do you have any plans for the $17,000?

Yes. One is to revamp our office furniture in our waiting area that we've had in there for the last 10 years. Two, we're looking at doing some larger advertising in the Uber Now book and everything just to expand our footprint around. Our biggest obstacle is veterans knowing where we're at and what we do. That's our biggest challenge, and so if we can get the word out there more and better, that's what we're here for.

Yeah, you do get a 1980s vibe when you walk in there, so I think it's a good idea. Yeah.

He said he's been there 10 years, but we've owned it for 30.

Yeah, it was hand-me-down furniture when we got it.

You've gotten your money's worth. We have veterans that are scattered all over the county. Yes, ma'am. Including some very veteran-heavy communities themselves.

Mm-hmm.

Is New Bern now? the right vehicle to get the word out?

It's one of the few I've already looked at. I'm going to look at all avenues.

Okay, so you used it as an example.

That was just one of the examples that I've already looked at. When I was trying to spend this money before the end of the fiscal year, that was one of the ones I got prices on because I had the book in my office. I had someone call them and find out how much advertisement was just to get a plan of just starting the ball rolling to see where the money can go with all this. I thought about even looking at billboards and things like that.

Okay, thank you. That was my question. Is it going to be a lot of venues to get the word out? Yes. Thank you.

Any other questions?

I just had a comment. I think it shows good stewardship that they didn't burn 20K in two months. So they went through the process of looking for good ways to spend it and carrying it over instead of burning it up.

We were thinking about spending $20,000 on pencils, but we didn't do that.

Well, for everybody who is a veteran who needs the services of Veterans Services, just go to the Dairy Queen and look across the street. And that's where we're at. The best landmark in the county. Yep. We only have one Dairy Queen in New Bern, and it's across the street. That's it.

I have two comments. One, when you provide a CVSO in Craven County East building, everybody's going to know that they're there. I'll make sure of that. And then when we're done with this discussion, I have something to share with you before you leave. Okay. I would make a motion that we roll that money over. Okay.

Second. Motion to roll over 17-416. Roll call, please.

Commissioner Mitchell. Yes. Commissioner Smith. Yes. Commissioner Howard. Yes. Commissioner Hunt. Yes. Commissioner Mason. Yes. Vice Chairman Jones. Yes. Chairman Bucher.

Yes. Thank you.

Thank you. I have a comment. Yes. I wanted to share something with you before you left. So having just returned from the National Association of Counties Conference, one of the things that I did learn there that I want to share, I had planned to discuss it during my commissioner's comments, but I want to share with you in case you leave early. META is providing free AI glasses and training for veterans who are visually impaired and those that are blind. And it's a great, wonderful service, and I'd like to get that word out in any

means possible so if you could share that with the other county cdso's i appreciate it i could get some information from you it's on my county commissioner's page okay we have a fall conference coming up for our association and uh that would be definitely something we could put out there even trying to get them as out as a vendor wonderful and also just on this on the side note i will be speaking at the north carolina association of county commissioners uh conference that you guys are having in durham in a few weeks i'll see you then yep thank you thank you

Okay, before we go any farther, I need to recognize the guy sitting in the back of the room. Guy Smith is going to be one of our commissioners. He's going to be sitting in the seat where Commissioner Mitchell is seated and taking her area. And he has no opponent, so he's automatically going to win. So, welcome. Glad to have you here. Thank you, sir. Okay, appointments. Under pending, we got a few items here. Community Child Protection Team, Craven Aging Planning Board, Craven County ABC Board, Craven County Clean Sweep, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, and Recreation Advisory Council. For tonight, Emergency Medical Service Advisory Council. Four different people are seeking reappointment. We'll take those one at a time. First one is Lydia Monette.

Mr. Chairman, I nominate Ms. Monette.

Are there any other nominations for Cove City Rescue? Hearing none, she will be appointed by acclamation. Second one is Doug Ferguson.

Mr. Chairman, I'll nominate Doug Ferguson.

Okay, are there any nominations? That's the enlarged seat. Are there any other nominations for that seat? Hearing none, he will be approved by acclamation. Third one is Scott Cleland, Cherry Point Fire and Rescue.

Mr. Chairman, I know Scott. I asked that he be reappointed.

Okay, and are there others for that seat? Hearing none, he'll be reappointed by acclamation. And the last one is Mark Dale, REMS Fire First Responders.

I'd like to nominate Mark Dale, please.

Are there any others for that nomination, nominations for that seat? Hearing none, Mr. Dale will be reappointed by acclamation. And then we have Clint Bayesden seeking an appointment to fill a seat vacated by Tony Heckman, Carolina East Medical Center EMS. Excuse me, do I have a nomination for Mr. Bayesden?

I'm making a nomination.

Okay, are there others? Hearing none, he'll be appointed by acclamation. And then Tyler Rhodes seeks appointment... EMS First Responder Global Cellulose Fiber FKA International Paper. I will nominate him. And are there any other nominations for that seat? Hearing none, he will be appointed by acclamation. For Fire Tax Commissioners Board, REMS Township 8, Otto Simmons seeks reappointment.

Mr. Chairman, I ask that he be reappointed.

Okay. Are there others for that seat? Hearing none, Mr. Simmons will be reappointed. And then for the New Bern Board of Adjustment, this is an ETJ seat vacated by Sandra Gray.

And understand, Ms. Smith, you have a... Mr. Chairman, I recommend Attorney Tracy Cunningham Moore for that seat.

Okay. Are there any other nominations for that seat? Hearing none, she will be appointed by acclamation. Now that completes our current. We've got several for upcoming. Take a look at those and be ready to vote on those when they come up. Next item is the county attorney's report.

Good evening, Mr. Chairman. Commissioners, I have several items for you this evening, all involving county-owned surplus property acquired by the county through the tax foreclosure process. Mr. Chairman, would you like for me to jump in on the first one? Go right ahead. The first property is an initial offer on 520 Crawford Street within the City of New Bern. We've got a parcel ID number of 8012A290. The offer amount is $5,000. The sum total of the past due taxes and the cost of the original foreclosure were $8,442.49, and the tax value of the property is $6,000. As we end this jointly with the city of New Bern, I will note that the property sale has been approved by the city, and I would ask that the board consider doing likewise so we can get this one out for upset bids.

Okay. We've asked to adapt a resolution approving this transaction and authorizing upset bid process. for parcel 8012A290. Second. I have a motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? That one passes.

The next parcel involves another initial offer for property located at 827 Bloomfield Street within the city of New Bern. We have a parcel ID number of 8007128. The offer amount is $3,000, the original past due taxes and the cost of the tax foreclosure together. We're $2,764.82 and the tax value of this property is $6,000. As we own this one jointly with the City of New Bern, I will note that the City has given its approval to the initial offer and I would ask that the Board consider doing likewise this evening.

Motion to approve.

Second. Motion. Second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? All pass.

Item number C. Yes, sir. The third item and the third property is another initial offer for 813 Murray Street located within the city of New Bern. We have a parcel ID number of 8007151A. The initial offer amount is $3,000. The past two taxes and the cost of the original tax foreclosure together were $6,533.03. This property has a tax value of $6,000. As with the others, we own this jointly with the city of New Bern, which has given its approval to this initial offer, and I would ask that this board do likewise.

Motion? So moved. Second. Motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion passes.

Item number D. The last item is a final approval after the expiration of the upset bid period. The property is located at 1108 LaGrange Street within the city of New Bern. We have a parcel ID number of 8014194. We had an initial offer on this one of $3,200, but when it went through the upset bid period, there was one upset bid received in the amount of $4,000, so that becomes your last and highest bid. The original past due taxes and cost of foreclosure Together we're $2,023.08 and the tax value of this property is $6,000. As we own this one jointly with the city of New Bern, the city has given its final approval and I would ask this board to do likewise.

Okay. Motion to approve?

Second.

Madam Clerk, please call the roll on this one.

Commissioner Mitchell? Yes. Commissioner Smith? Yes. Commissioner Howard? Yes. Commissioner Hunt? Yes. Commissioner Mason? Yes. Vice Chairman Jones? Yes. Chairman Bucher?

Yes. That motion also passes, obviously. That concludes my report. Thank you. Appreciate it. County Manager's Report. Mr. Jack Veit.

Mr. Chairman, Commissioners, good evening. Pleasure to be with you tonight. I have three small things to mention to you. Today Shane released a press release saying we are finally live for our online permitting system through planning inspections. Been a long time coming. Chad and his team have worked very hard to get to this point. So you no longer just have to come in the office. You can now do it from your computer or your phone or whatever device you may want to use. They've worked again very hard on getting that. Hopefully it will be a big success. Today, some citizens may have received an email from a company called PayIt. PayIt is an online payment system that our tax office is going to be using. So if you've paid your vehicle taxes through DMV online, you're already a PayIt customer and you already have an account. So that's why the email went out. It's not quite live yet, but it should be here in the next few days. I think Shane's gearing up some press along that. But just to make sure citizens who got the email know it is a legitimate source and it will be the first time Craven County will have an official online payment portal available. taxes say the name of that again it's called pay it pay it it's all one word though so and it's that time I can't believe it we are a month after budget but we are due for a work session our normal fall work session so to go ahead and get calendar gymnastics out of the way I I looked at a date which would be your second meeting in October would be October the 19th we traditionally are usually October November timeframe um i just throw that out we normally would come for our day meeting and then just stay right after have lunch and work through whatever issues i've already heard one today which would be the animal shelter fund to have more discussion on that i'm sure there'll be other things gene will give you a facility update and maybe shane will give us a budget update and again things will pop up between now and then but just want to pull the board and see what october 19 work for your calendar so see one thumbs up

Everybody okay with that date?

Three, four, five, six. Waiting on one more.

Yep, looks like we're all good.

Okay, so we'll go ahead and get that scheduled and noticed, and Abigail will send you a reminder email a month out, okay?

Okay.

Unless you have questions for me, that's all that I have this evening.

Any questions for the county manager? Thank you. Item 13, Commissioner's Report. Let's start with Ms. Smith.

Nothing.

Nothing to report. Commissioner Ryan.

A couple items, sir. First, I'd like to thank the Havelock Chili Festival Committee for their donation to the Craven Pamlico Animal Shelter for a purchase of a cat and dog microchip scanning station. This will be the fifth one inside of Craven County, and it will be located in Havelock near the police department. The others are located outside of the fire station on Highway 101 in front of the county animal shelter. at the Fairfield Harbor Fire Station on Broad Creek Road and in front of Vanceboro City Hall. Not only is this a win for our animals and our families when their pets get lost, it keeps them safe and gets them home quicker, but it also takes the burden off of our animal control deputies so that they don't have to respond to so many calls. And so it's a win-win for everybody. So thank you, Havelock Chili Festival. Again, I'd like to reiterate that I just returned from NACO down in Louisiana, and META is providing free AI glasses and training to use those for veterans who are blind and those who are visually impaired both. A couple of items about the military and veterans, a couple more things. Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and FRC East continues to thrive and grow. More active duty and civilian support continues to move into Craven County every day. And it's exciting to get to meet some new people in support of our nation's defense. And then lastly, I hate to bring it up, but it's critical that everybody keeps this in their mind. Veteran suicide continues to be a tragedy, both nationally and locally. So I want everyone to know that the VA Veterans Crisis Line number is Press 1. They received just shy of 3,000 calls every single day. That's seven days a week, 3,000 calls about veterans in crisis. The national average is still over 17 veterans each and every day committing suicide. The number again is 988-PRESS-1. And sadly, we lost one of our own in Craven County recently. I want you to know that if you see or hear someone in crisis, you do not have to be the veteran to call that number. You can call to support your veteran. 988-PRESS-1. And that's all I have, Chairman.

Thank you. Next.

Last week I got to attend Governor Stein's 10th listening session for rural counties and we got to put out some of the things that Craven County is concerned with, at least in my particular case, my wife's concerns for the school board, and one in particular was how they fund the ATM and the way they support the number of schools and the funding, and also with an emphasis on connectivity for the parts of the county that don't have the last mile of internet and what that costs. And that's all I've got.

Mr. Howard.

I'll note one event I attended where our North Carolina State Treasurer was there. Niti Mitchell actually spoke at the event eloquently. But it is interesting to hear him talk about, you know, we were 50th out of 50 states in investments before he took over. And Mr. Briner, he managed...

Gosh, the former governor of New York. Bloomberg.

Bloomberg's multi-billion dollar account. So now we have someone very successful managing our investments for the state. And also note that the health care... where we were with health care in the state for state employees, he's turned that around too. So that was a neat event to attend. I also attended a second event that Commissioner Jones had put together, a farm roundtable about saving family farms. And it's just a critical issue in this state that so many family farms were hoping for a a great year this year, a perfect year. They almost needed a perfect year for some of them to even survive. And they didn't have a perfect year. You look at corn, a lot of those crops failed. So those farmers are going to be looking for insurance, which maybe covers 60% of their costs and does not cover their cost of living. We're in a critical situation where we may be losing family farmers. My great-grandmother, my great-aunt's land is farmed by one of the farmers that was at the roundtable because my great-uncle had passed away many years ago, a few years ago. But it's a critical issue. It's something we need to look at, even as a county, state, and federal government, making sure we save our family farmers. It's a national security issue. If you enjoy farmer's markets and true farm-to-table food, when that's gone, we will not have those things. Thank you.

Nothing to talk about, Kent.

Okay.

Anybody have anything else?

I do. Maybe we could put that last mile connectivity on our agenda for the workshop that we're going to have in October. That might be something we could address then as well. Thank you.

I would only add that it's getting dark right now, but if you look out toward the water. You see that considerable progress has been made. The islands for the parking lot are defined and I understand Mr. Hodges are going to be paving shortly and is that correct? Correct. Should be adding stone to it this week is the plan and then paving by the end of the month. So they're running on or ahead of schedule, which is most of us know is not typical for a construction project. So anyway, we're excited about it. It looks good. It's a great view and it's going to be a wonderful asset to our city and county and court system when we get that paving all done. And the project is scheduled to be finished from the end of the year, I believe. Is that correct? That's correct. Okay. All right, if I have nothing else, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn.

We got a petition of citizen.

Oh, yeah, we got one more thing. You got anybody?

Mr. Chairman, we have no one signed up.

I thought I saw that was blank. Motion to adjourn. Okay, have a second? Second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? We're adjourned.