Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

meeting regular Craven County Board of Commissioners regular session Monday June 15th madam clerk you do the roll call please

Commissioner Howard? Here. Commissioner Hunt? Here. Commissioner Mason?

Here.

Commissioner Mitchell? Here. Commissioner Smith? Here. Vice Chairman Jones? Here. Chairman Bucher?

Here. If you would stand with me, we're going to do the Pledge of Allegiance. But prior to that, our attorney, Mr. Grady, will give us a prayer.

Lord, your word tells us that you give us strength to the weary and you increase the power of the weak. You are our place to go when we are empty and our second wind when we are worn down. How do you restore the weary warrior? If we wait on you, you will refill us. If we look to you, you will guide us. If we listen to you, you will lead us. You make broken wings soar and weak legs sprint. King David often calls you a fortress. You are a place of rest and peace no matter what comes to our gates. Strengthen us today, God, as we acknowledge you and be our fortress of peace when we run to you. We proclaim these things in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

We welcome everybody today, and if you have your cell phone with you, make sure it's on silent, please, so as not to interrupt the proceedings. Commissioners, you have the agenda in front of you this morning. Are there any changes, corrections? If not, I'll entertain a motion. Motion to approve consent agenda. Second. We have a motion and a second to approve the agenda. So would you do a roll call, please, Madam Clerk?

Commissioner Howard? Yes. Commissioner Hunt? Yes. Commissioner Mason?

Yes.

Commissioner Mitchell? Yes. Commissioner Smith? Yes. Vice Chairman Jones? Yes. Chairman Bucher?

Yes. Item number one on our agenda today is the consent agenda. There are three items on there, the tax releases and refunds, the air show lease, and the budget amendment payment in lieu of taxes. Do I have a motion? Motion to approve.

Second.

I have a motion and a second. Roll call, please.

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

Yes. Next item on the agenda, item number two, would be Sheriff Chip Hughes. I'm sorry, Chad Smith coming with Sheriff Chip Hughes.

Thank you, Chairman, Commissioners. Today we're coming forward with a budget amendment for inmate health care. As you all know, we've had quite a few discussions about the amount of inmates we house on a daily basis and what we're directly responsible for. Obviously, every time they cross the threshold of our facility, we're required for all of their medical costs. So I've asked our chief jailer, Captain Chad Smith, to come do the presentation.

Okay. Good morning, Commissioner. Mr. Chairman. Good morning. Good morning, Chad. Just to make everybody aware, we've been well overcrowded for a little over a year now and with every person that comes in our jail, we're responsible for medical as the sheriff said that's prior or present medical care. So we just we're sitting probably right at 100 over right now.

That would be 100 with a K after it. Yes. Okay, so. And we've got what? Two weeks to go.

Inmate count is what I'm talking about.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. So with obviously with everybody in our jail and being over, the cost goes up from what we originally asked for. So we're needing the budget amendment to meet those needs.

Okay. So, Mr. Chairman, I make a motion that we approve the budget amendment in the amount of $200,000.

Second. Okay. Motion to approve $200,000. I have a motion and a second. Madam Clerk, would you call the roll, please?

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

Yes. And while you're both up here, is there anything you'd like to share with us? Not with us necessarily, but with the public?

No, just thank you for the support. You know, as our population in the jail continues to grow, we also look to part of this as we're having to push into other counties as well. So, you know, additional bed space is certainly needed. You know, unfortunately, if we did 100 or 150 beds today, they would be full. So it's a growing problem, but the option is not for us to back off and let up and not take criminals into custody. So we're going to continue to do that, but it does present.

And it seems there's no end of people who need to be put in custody.

You know, unfortunately, yeah, we do run into that daily.

Commissioner Howard. Just a quick question for public clarification. When a prisoner goes for medical care, it's 100% paid for by the citizens. Is there anything charged to the inmate?

Yes. If they have insurance prior to coming into jail, we ask those questions. If they're truthful about it and we can get that information, yes, that can be filed as well.

But if they don't, then it's 100%.

That's 100%, yes.

Okay. We do have part of our hospital lease covers, what, first? $100,000.

I think it is the first $200,000. First $200,000. First $200,000.

Yeah. And that gets eaten up pretty quick, yes. Very quickly. Commissioner Hunt.

Gentlemen, am I correct when I say that building that you have now, it was built for... future addition to it? The floor plan already allows for that?

I think the space allows for add-on. The space that's already there? The grounds. The grounds.

So it was designed and developed for expansion. So that would make it easier?

I mean, it would be a heavy lift anyway, but yes. I believe that, you know, that's one thing about out there. Of course, I wasn't here when it was put together, but expansion in regards to the detention center was thought. thought out pretty so that i don't think that's a tough thing to do but it's you know it's going to be a lengthy process i'm sure if y'all choose to go that route but you'd still have to expand the perimeter fence and all that sort of thing yeah uh yeah there's some there's some that would be part of the expansion yes sir okay anybody have any other questions thank you very much gentlemen i appreciate it chairman thank you commissioners yes sir

Okay, item number three, CART's public transportation. Deanna Trouble.

Good morning. Good morning. CART's public transportation agency's safety plan describes the policies, procedures, and requirements to be followed by management, maintenance, and operations personnel to provide a safe environment for CART's employees, customers, and the general public. This policy creates the framework to identify, mitigate, resolve, educate, and train on hazards, incidents, threats, and safety. This policy is a template from NCDOT Integrated Mobility Division and meets both state and federal rules and regulations. As part of the process to update the policy, frontline employees, our drivers must be given the opportunity to review and offer input prior to approval by the Craven County Board of Commissioners. The biggest change in this update is in the definitions, identifications and procedure related to assault on transit workers. This updated plan was given to our drivers for review, and the plan was discussed at a driver's meeting held on May 21st, 2026. And that concludes my presentation.

Okay, we're being asked to approve this new updated transportation agency plan. Do I have a motion? Motion to approve. Second. I have a motion and a second. Excuse me. Are there any questions?

Do you have much assault on the drivers?

So this policy is in line with federal law, which is better defining what assault means. But towards our drivers, no. Assault can be physical or verbal. Yes. And so I would say no. But now that we have that definition, yes. Yes, ma'am.

Thank you. Any others? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Plans approved. Thank you, Deanna. Item number four, register of deeds. Mr. Josh Core. Morning, Josh.

Good morning, commissioners. Good morning. This morning, I actually have the pleasure of bringing a good budget amendment to y'all today. This is the type that we all want to hear about where we have an increase in revenues. Just to give you a brief context, not to take up too much of your time, but during COVID, the real estate market kind of went crazy and then cooled off a little bit. It cooled off a couple years ago. and since then we've seen the same linear growth every year we predicted that growth and we put that into the budget but the growth that we've seen this year is 15 higher than what we budgeted for so um just to be clear we are a service organization we don't take money from the tax rate we we pay for things by the money that we bring in for the services we offer so that is a not just a 15 increase in revenue that's a 15 increase in the amount of work that my staff has to do and we have the same amount of staff to do it with so this is good news for the county because we have extra money coming in but this will lead to ongoing conversations if these continue which current predictions are that these will continue to go up into how we can do ongoing business and be able to keep up with the amount of revenues that we're bringing in. So today we're moving in two separate line items, a total of $147,000 from the revenue line items to the expenditure line items so that we can pay the state the amount of money that we owe them.

Okay. Do I have a motion? Second.

Second.

A motion and a second. Any questions? Okay roll call please.

Commissioner Howard.

Yes.

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

Yes. Okay Josh that's good news keep it coming.

Commissioner quick question have you seen any increase in anything other than real estate because I know you guys do more than that.

Yes, we saw 4,000 more certified copies given out than the previous calendar year, which is somewhere, and I'm doing the math in my head, somewhere around 20%, 25% increase over the year previous. We saw 50% to 80%, and again, I don't have the numbers in front of me, more marriage license than the year previous, which... is, again, somewhere around a five to 10% increase. Pretty much across the board, everything we do, we're seeing an increase on. There's a couple minor things that went down, but they're well overshadowed by the amount that we've seen go up.

So for your marriage certificates, previously you guys had to do by schedule, but you've allowed Since your tenure, folks just kind of drop in and get a marriage certificate, correctly?

Yes, and that has improved the amount that we're seeing because essentially it makes it easier, but the unfortunate problem is that each marriage license can take approximately 30 minutes for our staff to do. So I have an entire staff member burn up for an entire 30 minutes during that time period, and they can't do any indexing, recording, anything like that.

Thanks, Josh.

Absolutely.

Okay, thanks, Josh. Item number five, planning. Brody Brown. Brody, good morning.

Good morning, Board. Good morning. The Cypress Bay Homeowners Association would like to request that Craven County act as a grant administrator for a proposed living shoreline to be located within the Cypress Bay subdivision in order to seek a grant from the North Carolina Water Resources Development Grant Program to support the Neuse River stream restoration in Craven County. The Soil and Water Department would like to request that the Board of Commissioners approve a resolution stating that Craven County would serve as the grant administrator in order to proceed and apply for funding. The resolution would need to be adopted by the Craven County Commissioners. The cost for this living shoreline project is estimated at around $190,000, which includes material, labor, and permitting. In your packet is a map showing the location of the proposed living.

Just for everybody's information, Brody, where in respect to Havelock, etc., is this?

So this is on the south side of the Neuse River between Clubfoot Creek and Adams Creek.

Okay. All right. Any questions for him? Do I have a motion?

I would make that motion.

Second. I have a motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion passes. Thank you. Thank you. Item number six is the water department. Elliot. Elliot's not here. Craig, are you going to come up and do that? Mr. Chairman, I'll.

Yeah, Mr. Thomas got called up this morning at the water plant. Okay. Commissioners, this is the water inventory budget amendment. Item number six, the Craven County Water Department maintains an inventory of water meters, taps, and other materials essential for system maintenance and repairs. At the end of each fiscal year, an entry is made to account for the cost of the inventory used during these repairs. Additionally, departments incurred unexpected costs related to leak repairs, pressure testing, and general maintenance of the water supply system that were not included in the original budget. As a result, these expenses, the board's requested to approve the following budget amendment amount of $275,000. Roll call vote is necessary. And as you can see on your budget amendment, it goes from the water department's fund balance, not the general fund balance, to tap insulation and then mainstream pairs of water system.

OK. Do I have a motion? So moved. Questions?

Yes. Are any of these water leaks caused by NCDLT and their upgrades that they're doing in Craven County? Some of them. Are we going to be able to recoup any of those funds from NCVOT?

We can. It depends on the location of the line and how all that works, if it's located correctly. But we do, every time we have an injury to our system, we do try to recoup the cost. I would say we're successful most of the time, but there are times where the locate's not accurate, and we do use a third party for that.

So a definite maybe?

No, it's a yes. It's just there's certain times where we don't qualify for the program. But we ask every time.

So most of this is reimbursable stock. Whenever it's issued out or given to a customer, it's reimbursed for the billing system through the water department.

Yes, sir. So to use Commissioner Hunt's example, so if a DOT contractor hits one of our six-inch lines, then we have a piece of six-inch line in our shop. We take that six-inch line from inventory, place it in the field, then we've got to replenish the inventory.

Is there a big lead time for normally, like... Most of the commercial industry goes with just in time when we're carrying a stock. I assume there's a significant lead time.

There is. The larger the pipe, the longer the lead time. And then there's the frequency of items that we just keep a certain amount on stock so we're not churning to the store all the time. Thank you. Yes, sir.

Any other questions? Okay. Roll call, please. We have a motion and a second, so I'll roll call.

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

Yes. Okay. Approved. Next is facilities 3491 Martin Drive. Budget amendment. Mr. Hodges. Good morning.

So in 2024, the Craven County ABC Board transferred property at 3493 Martin Drive to Craven County Government. That location previously housed the ABC Distribution Warehouse administrative offices. Since that time, the facility's maintenance department has relocated the majority of their personnel and functions to that location. Parking soon became an issue there, so staff reached out to the neighboring property owner at 3491 Martin Drive to inquire about working out a parking arrangement. The owner of that property then stated that he was ready to retire, close his business and sell the property. The county began negotiations with the owner and after a few months of due diligence and analysis, the transaction was completed and the county closed on the property on April 30th, 26. Going forward, the plan for the property is to fully consolidate the maintenance facilities department into both buildings. This relocation is strategic because it places the department in a centralized location to all the county facilities and allows for on-site condition storage and a primary loading and unloading site for large shipments both in the normal course of business and disaster-related as needed. Additionally, this will vacate the current maintenance offices on New Street that could be used for future court and judicial services related offices. The Board has requested to approve the following budget amendment in the amount of $679,955 This amount reflects the purchase price of the property along with specialized environmental review and outside legal consultation all associated with the acquisition of 3491 Martin Drive. Additionally, the board's requested to approve the reimbursement resolution that is necessary to reimburse the county's general fund from the future borrowing that is planned in the fall of 2026. And a copy of everything is included in your attachments.

All right, Board, we've been asked to approve a budget amendment in the amount of $679,955. Move to approve.

Just had a question, if that's okay.

Let's get a motion and a second.

Okay. Question. Go ahead. What's the market value of the property?

The market value, when we had an appraisal done, the market value was right around $650,000. Okay.

Okay. Yes, sir. When you consolidate the department there, you're not going to create another parking problem with more people moving in.

No, sir. This resolves all that.

We've already bought and closed on this. We're just making a budget amendment to approve that. Yes, sir.

I have one question. Yes, ma'am. You said outside legal fees. Why do we have to have outside legal fees?

When we were doing our due diligence, we had an environmental study because of the previous use of the property. They found some chemicals in the soil and that we wanted to make sure we were dealing with environmental consultants to make sure that we were covering our bases and that we were covering any future liability that could potentially arise.

Any other questions? Okay, I think I have a motion and a second. Roll call.

Wait, wait, wait, wait. I made the motion. I don't know who made the second. Tim made the second.

Thank you. Roll call, please.

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

Yes. Thank you, Jean. Okay, item number eight, finance. Grant writer funding budget amendment. Shane Diggins.

Good morning, Board. Good morning. Thanks for inviting me up here. I noticed Julie Cox is here. She might have something to add to this, but during the May work session in 2025, the Board of Commissioners agreed to partially fund a grant writer position by distributing funds through the Craven-Panico Library System to partners in education. The board has requested now to approve the attached budget amendment in the amount of $24,000 to allow the county to pay to budget that partial position through the end of this fiscal year. And as a note, for the next fiscal year, we did include that in the budget up front, so this will not be needed next time around. This is 30% of the salary of their...

executive director okay thank you for that are there any questions mr. chairman I just make a statement and I'm not trying to speak for miss Cox but her and I did talk prior to today I think there is a good working relationship with a grant writer and um she feels like that um some of the concerns that we may have had in the past have been addressed and uh she's stepped up in a vital part of the team now very good good to hear okay you'll have a motion i'll make a motion second have a motion and a second roll call please commissioner howard

Yes.

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

Yes. Thank you, Shane. And the next item is item number nine, economic development. Mr. Jeff Wood.

Good morning. Come forward today asking for a budget amendment of $33,399. This is for us to be able to put the interest from the $2.45 million grant we received in 2024 to improve the Craven County Industrial Park. This has been an exciting project over the last few years. This money has allowed us to break up lot 9 and 10 into seven different lots. We've already sold two of those lots to end users. One of those is Craven Glass. Then also a developer is also looking for us to be able to put together more product that I need. In addition to that, we've purchased nearly about 100 acres of property, which we desperately needed because the park is full. And so Do you want to say really quick? Thank you to obviously the Assembly, specifically President Tyson and Senator Brinson for what their leadership and help would ask. Get these funds. Also want to thank the Southeast Partnership with the Kramer Alliance. You added $100,000 into this effort in addition to this grant. And then, as always, Team Craven stepped up, whether it would be Craig and his team at finance, Chad planning, especially the engineers, did a phenomenal job. Admin probably annoyed the heck out of Jack every day trying to ask him questions about how to make sure I spend a state grant correctly. And then maintenance and Zach, they've all been fantastic. And thank you guys for allowing me to do this project.

I would only add that... I don't think the general public just isn't aware of the economic development engine that this is and how it fuels employees, which fuel homes, which fuel cars and groceries, furniture, everything else that they need. So this is an exciting, exciting transaction and we're really thankful to the state for this grant. Any comments or questions?

I have a comment. I just want to say thanks, Jeff, for what you're doing. Even while we were in Raleigh talking to our legislators, we were getting information from Jeff, and the legislators even commented on how that communication with you is constant. you know, jobs and economic development in our county. Um, and you see the fruits of that with some of these employers that come to the industrial park. So thank you for maintaining those relationships and even live at the moment we were there just given us updates. So thank you for that. Okay.

Do I have a motion motion to approve a motion in a second to approve the, uh, additional funds of 33,000? Uh, could we have a roll call please?

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

Thank you. Yes, thank you. Mr. Warren, item number 10.

Good morning, Board. Good morning. I have two amendments on the agenda for you this morning. The first one is for rescue squads. The ambulance service fees billed and collected on behalf of the following rescue squads are expected to exceed our original budget projections. Additional revenue has been generated from the higher call volume in addition to increased ambulance service fees set with the 2026 budget. It is estimated an additional $452,000 and fee revenue will be needed to appropriate to continue remitting the portions to the squads of their collections. Estimates by squad are $52,000 for New Bern Craven Rescue, $47,000 for Fort Barnwell, $90,000 for Bridgeton Rescue, $95,000 for Vanceport Rescue, $28,000 for Cove City and $140,000 for Township 7. At this time the board has asked if they will approve the following budget amendment so we can continue allocating these funds to the squads.

Okay, good news. Do I have a motion?

I'll make that motion for $452,000 budget amendment.

I'll second. Motion and a second. Roll call, please.

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

Yes. Thank you, Board.

Item B. Second item is for schools. The school system here, fines and forfeitures. As of to the end of May 2026, the total fines and forfeitures we have collected are remitted to the school system. amount to $500,278 in our own track to exceed our original budget projections by approximately $60,000. So as we are here at the end of the year, we are requesting a budget amendment for an additional $60,000 to account for the remainder of the year and continue passing all these decisions. Okay.

I have a motion. Motion to approve. Second. I have a motion and a second. Roll call, please.

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

Thank you. I just have one question. Does this go to the general fund for the school? They just give it over to them and they can use it however they want? That's correct. It passes over to their local current expense fund.

Thank you. I have one question as related to the fire department and rescue squads. I've observed the trucks near where I live. They're in New Bern. And they are quite superior to what I've seen in the county. And considering that we are continuing to develop the county with larger buildings, like with schools and factories and such, do we have anything, say if something happened in Vance, It would take a while to get one of those trucks from New Bern to get out there. Are we looking for, is there a need for us to get trucks that are more capable of pulling off I may be completely way off, but I'm just...

I think you're talking about maybe like the mutual aid or the system itself being one whole system where one truck responds. If all the trucks in one squad are deployed, another one comes, whether it be from New Bern or Havelock or any of the other squads.

But what I'm thinking is, and I may be way off, but what I'm thinking is if something, say farm life, and this is absolutely, I don't want to think that, but if something like farm life was on fire, The truck in that area that I have seen is small, so is Cold City and maybe Jason needs to address this. Do you know what I'm talking about?

Yeah, Commissioner Smith, I can. So, no, in the rural parts of the county, they do not have the trucks that have ladders on them.

They have the ladders and the traffic strip.

They only have them, you know, Bridgeton. Bridgeton Tribe Community has one. Uh-huh. I think out here to West New Bern and Township 7. But finance officer was correct. They started something in Craven County now. Every time a fire call goes in, most of the time they'll go ahead and call for mutual aid from other departments.

So it comes from like Greenville?

Well, no. So if you've got a fire in Vanceboro and they see that it's something more than what the Vanceboro Fire Department can... fight, then they'll call Tri Community or Little Swift Creek. And they're there with just a few minutes time. So financially, with the amount of income that these firetacks are generating for these small districts, they could not afford to buy these trucks. But when you take a Tri Community or Township 7, they all can come together. The response time is not that bad.

Sorry, I missed the difference between fire and EMS. You were asking about fire. Yeah.

And the rescue squads are generally, it's the opposite. They're pulling from Bridgeton and other townships into Newport. I mean, the operator's one system.

Yeah, I'm not referring to the rescue squad.

Sorry for misunderstanding your question. Okay.

Thank you.

I think we finished that one, didn't we? Thank you.

Did we do a vote?

Did we vote?

We didn't do a little vote. You didn't vote.

I didn't?

Did you say aye or nay?

Aye. Okay, I guess I was looking at the next item. Number 11, opioid epidemic response. Kaitlyn Godley. Kaitlyn, good morning.

Good morning. Thank you. So the fiscal year 26-27 budget adopted by the Craven County Board of Commissioners includes opioid settlement funds for opioid remediation efforts. The memorandum of agreement between the state of North Carolina and local governments on proceeds relating to the settlement of opioid litigation requires the board to also adopt a resolution to specifically indicate that it is an authorization for expenditure of opioid settlement funds. It must state the specific strategy or strategies that the option that the county intends to fund pursuant to the MOA's option A or option B using the item letter and number exhibit item listed in exhibit A or B of the MOA to identify each funded strategy and it must state the amount dedicated to each strategy for a period of time. So the resolution in front of you includes and organizes the opioid settlement funds to identify which strategies are authorized. by the board for funding. The resolution indicates the following amounts to be expended for the following strategies. $126,513 for collaborative strategic planning, $200,000 for post-operative response team, $50,000 for recovery support services, $283,450 for recovery housing support, $16,000 for naloxone distribution and $110,000 for reentry programs. So that's before you for your review and approval.

Okay. Thank you for that. Do I have a motion? So moved. Second. And a second. Are there any questions? No questions. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? motion passes thank you how are you doing i'm doing good how are you good good thank you for coming thank you human resources amber parker good morning chairman board

The county self funded health insurance plan will experience a 5% rate increase for fiscal year 2627 and the rates of retiree insurance paid by the county are specified in the personnel resolution based upon the fiscal year 25-26 rates. The increase will be passed along to be paid by the retirees unless the personnel resolution is amended to reflect the new rates. A proposed amendment to the personnel resolution is provided for your consideration.

Okay. Any questions for Amber on this one? I have a question.

Okay. There's been some conversation about provider changes in the future. Yes. Would that impact this at all? Is that irrelevant?

They will have the new provider network also, so it isn't going to affect the rates for this year, but we will have to communicate to the retirees also that we'll have a new provider network.

Okay, thank you. Any others? Okay, do I have a motion? So moved. Second. And a second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it.

Thank you. And thank you from me and from the Human Resources Department for the COLA and everything that you all do for all of the employees of Craven County. Thank you.

Thank you, Amber. Okay, item number 13, appointments. You'll see that under pending. Community Child Protection Team, Craven Aging Planning Board, Craven County Clean Sweep, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, and Recreation Advisory Council. Under current, we have three people for the Coastal Regional Airport Authority. First one is Melissa Riggle, seeking reappointment.

I'll nominate Melissa Riggle for the airport authority.

Do we have any other nominations for that seat? Hearing none, she will be appointed by acclamation. Mark Eckert seeks reappointment.

Mr. Chairman, I would nominate Mr. Eckert.

Okay. Are there any other nominations for that seat? Hearing none, he will be appointed by acclamation. And third, Mr. Jason Jones is seeking reappointment. I'll nominate Mr. Jason Jones. Second. Okay. Are there any others looking for that seat? No? He'll be appointed by acclamation. Under the Havelock Planning Board, Alfred Gray seeks reappointment.

Sir, I would make that nomination, and he'd be reappointed.

Are there any other nominations for that seat? Hearing none, Mr. Gray will be reappointed. It looks like the next one, Thomas McCarthy wants to vacate a seat, and Sue Boyer wants to fill the seat, if I have that correctly.

You do. And I would make that motion. Sue will do a good job.

Are there any others for that one? Hearing none, Ms. Boyer will fill the seat of Mr. McCarthy. Under juvenile crime prevention, Melissa Ward seeks reappointment. I'm sorry.

Before you get too far on that one, also Mr. McCarthy wants to switch to Ms. Boyer's alternate seat. So we need to get him appointed there. All right.

So do you want to make that nomination also? Yes, sir. Okay. So we have a nomination for Mr. McCarthy to switch to the alternate seat. And are there any others? Hearing none, he will be appointed by acclamation. Thank you. County Manager. The next one is the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council. Melissa Ward seeks reappointment.

I recommend that we...

Okay. Any others for that seat? Hearing none, Melissa Ward will be reappointed. And under NACO Primary Voting Delegate 26th Annual Conference, Commissioner Sherry Hunt seeks appointment. I'll nominate Commissioner Hunt. Okay, are there any other nominations? Hearing none, she will be appointed by acclamation. Nursing Home Advisory Committee, Beth Powers, Beth Powers, that's harder to say, seeks reappointment. Are there any other, would anybody like to nominate Miss Powers? I would nominate Miss Powers. I'm not sure if it's a Mr. or Miss. Are there any other nominations for that seat? Hearing none, Powers will be appointed by acclamation. Under the New Bern Board of Adjustment, We need to fill the ETJ seat vacated by Sandra Gray on fulfilling the term limit. And you'll note that there's a list of people who would qualify And as I understand it, they have to live within that ETJ. Is that correct? So there's a long list there. We're not going to take time to go over it today. Please look at that list. If you see someone there that you think would qualify and would be interested, we need to contact that person and see if they would agree to do that. Quite a long list. I have a question. Sure.

On that list, some of the mailing addresses are like New York and New Jersey and all that. Would they be disqualified?

Yes, they have to live in that district. They should be eliminated.

And Mr. Chairman, also, is this mainly out towards Rocky Run, Deerfield area? Yes. there from rocky run that we had put in there he's already in there I can't think of his name right this second I can't think of his name I can't think of his name at this moment Ballard yeah is he still on there yeah he turned him out okay all right okay we'll check that all right well we'll deal with that at an upcoming upcoming meeting

And you'll see under the upcoming ABC Board and Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council appointments will be coming up in the future. Takes care of appointments. Item number 14 would be the county attorney's report.

I have no report this morning.

Okay. No report. Next would be the county manager's report. That's your bite.

Morning, Mr. Chairman, Commissioners. Thanks for the opportunity to present to you this morning. I have a red tie on because the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup last night, and I think that's why everybody's tired this morning because they didn't get over to about 1130. But go Carolina Hurricanes there. Also, we're approaching July 4th, and I would like to, Mr. Chairman, see if the board would consider a resolution honoring the nation's 250th along with the Independence Day holiday. If I could read into the record a proposed resolution.

That would be great.

proclamation recognizing Independence Day in Craven County whereas on July 4th 1776 the Second Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence affirming the 13 American colonies resolved to form a sovereign nation founded on the principles of liberty and justice and whereas the United States of America was born from the courage vision and sacrifice of patriots who believed that government should derive its power from the consent of the governed and that all individuals are endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And whereas Craven County has and continues to play an integral role in American history as the site of North Carolina's first state capital, and whereas Craven County is home to the world's largest Marine Corps air station, Cherry Point, which has played a critical role in American military history for over 80 years, and whereas Craven County is home to the U.S. Navy's Fleet Readiness Center East, providing long-term sustainment of naval aircraft, And whereas for 250 years, Americans have come together on Independence Day to honor our founding ideals, celebrate our freedoms, and reflect on the ongoing responsibility to safeguard democracy for future generations. And whereas the Fourth of July serves not only as a commemoration of our national birth, but also as a moment to unite our community in pride, gratitude, and shared purpose. Whereas the Board of Commissioners recognize the dedication of service members, veterans, first responders, and public servants who have worked to preserve and protect the freedoms we cherish. And whereas in 2026, the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding, we reaffirm our commitment to the founding principles that have guided our country, state, and nation, excuse me, that have guided our county, state, and nation throughout our history. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that the Craven County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of its residents, does hereby recognize and celebrate July 4th, 2026 as Independence Day, and encourage all citizens to take part in activities that honor our history, reflect on our shared values, and celebrate the enduring spirit of the United States of America. Adopted this the 15th day of June 26th, if the board chooses.

Okay, board, do we have a motion to adopt that? Motion to approve. Second. Motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. Thank you. That's an exciting time coming up. Coming up very quickly.

It is. And just to caveat on that, there's a lot of very interesting events. As you remember, we partner with the Tourism Development Authority. There's all types of events going on. Some have already happened. Some are planned. I think the 4th of July itself is going to be a great day, including some fireworks I hear at the end. Anyway, just to catch the board up on a few things since we last met, we have adopted a budget. We are beginning very rapidly, as Amber presented to you this morning, making the plans for next year to implement it July 1st. We're very excited about it. I think as the dust has settled, so to speak, it's a budget that probably doesn't Have anyone completely satisfied? But I don't think anyone's too upset about it either. I think it solved a lot of the challenges, but most importantly, provided the discipline we talked about throughout the process, tightened the belt when we had to, and still funded things in a manner that allowed them to move forward. So last week, Commissioner Hunt, Commissioner Howard, Commissioner Mason, I had the opportunity to be in Raleigh for county advocacy days. I thought it was a great experience. We met with all our legislators and some other legislators that we just happened to bump into. We spoke with our partners at the Association of County Commissioners and other counties across the state that face similar challenges to us. I thought the mood was pretty good. We had a very distinct list. And I want to thank Shane and Josie new budget office and policy office. I think they did a great job of providing materials to our legislature. Um, I know I saw Chad here. I could only think that it helped, but we were struggling to get one of our grants across the line and that was our CDBG housing revitalization grant. It had been, um, had a little challenge in the scoring, not our fault, but we had worked very hard to get that resolved. And Friday, if many of you would have noticed, we got $950,000 cleared by, um, Department of Commerce. So that was really good. I think the themes this year, obviously, we're still waiting to see what the state budget will look like. There was a lot of moving parts to that when we were there. I didn't hear a distinct deadline, even though I would tell you most legislators are excited about getting it done. I think that was universal. Obviously, policy, there's a lot of pieces of policy out there, some very big, some very small. We focus primarily on the policy that directly affects Craven County, and one of those is the down zoning bill that Senator Brinson has introduced. We worked very closely with him while we were there to try to determine what it would take to get that bill across the line. It's very important to the protection of the air station at Cherry Point. Just to give you an example, there are new aircraft that are coming in and with the current down zoning laws, we are unable to amend our zoning to meet that new aircraft dimensions. It seems fairly simplistic, but it is a bigger issue at the state level. And we just push that it's national security, it's economic development, it's the growth and sustainment of Eastern North Carolina. I think that message is very clear to our Eastern North Carolina legislators. We just got to make it clear across the state, right? And when you start talking about the billions of dollars that flow into all counties in Eastern North Carolina for the military and how important an asset, Commissioner Mitchell, I'm probably preaching to the choir here, but how important an asset that whole network is to the state of North Carolina. it's there. So I'll get off my soapbox. I don't know that we made a lot of progress on that, but we certainly advocated for it and we'll continue to work with Senator Brinson to get that bill across the line. Other than that, you know, we're continuing to work. We've got a lot of work to do here with Mr. Warren and Mr. Diagon as we move through to get the new budget. But that's all I have for you today unless you have questions for me. Okay. Thank you.

Commissioner's report. We'll start on my left. Commissioner Smith.

I don't have anything today. Thank you. I have a couple things, and I do have a question for Jack. I was going to ask you, with Mr. David Peterson retiring from Trillium, I was curious to know if we could put together some type of resolution or letter of appreciation for all of his many years of dedicated work support for our most vulnerable population, right? Our mental health, people that need mental health needs, our IDD, our TBI, traumatic brain injury patients, our recovery individuals. He supported these individuals through more than three decades.

and um i'd like to say thank you and congratulations on his retirement formally i think we can certainly do a letter of appreciation would that be appropriate yeah if the board wants to just give us the we'll get something drafted up for for your signature

What's the move to the board? A resolution or a resolution? Whatever the chairman says. Okay, so we can put that together. Okay, we, our illustrious staff can put that resolution together.

Thank you, thank you. And then I have a couple other things to mention. So the National Purple Heart Association is hosting its convention here the third week of July, but One thing I'd like to highlight in particular is on July 15th at 13.30 or 1.30 p.m. outside of this building, there's going to be a Purple Heart Monument Remembrance Ceremony. That's 16th.

The 16th? 16th at 1300, 1 o'clock. Okay.

July 16th?

Yes.

Complete with shooting and everything.

I'd like to put that out there and invite everybody to attend, because I think it's very important that we remember those men and women whose shoulders that we have stood upon. And we need to get clarification on it, because that's what I had on my calendar was the 16th, but then when I went to double check, I found another place where it said the 15th.

Okay, well, we can check that. What is the time?

One o'clock.

One o'clock?

One o'clock on the 16th. My son will be laying a wreath for his grandfather.

1 p.m. on the 16th.

And I believe Sheriff Hughes is already working on traffic parking.

Yeah, and our guard will be assisting with the laying of the wreath as well.

Okay.

Okay, and the last thing I'd like to mention is I'm very proud of the work that the Cypress Bay Homeowners Association has put into getting this grant for the living shoreline out there. It's taken many years for them to acquire this, and this living shoreline's particularly important because what it does is it improves our FEMA score as far as flood mitigation goes, and if everybody recalls last year, Because we had improved so much on our FEMA score, Craven County residents were able to receive a discount rate on their flood insurance. And this is just one additional thing that will help continue to put that, move that in that same direction. So I'd like to express my gratitude to the Cypress Bay Association for doing all this work for so many years. It's a benefit to everyone in Craven County. And that's all I have, Mr. Chairman. Okay, thank you. Mr. Chairman, I would have confirmed.

It's July 16th at 1 p.m. is the wreath-laying ceremony.

16th. That's what I had the first time.

Everybody got that? 16th at 1 p.m. Okay, thank you. Commissioner Hurst. Commissioner Mason.

Commissioner Mason, okay. I'd like to reinforce that we were well prepared for our trip to Raleigh and we did the best we could. It seemed as though they were kind of caught up in the budget and a lot of the things we were asking for that did not directly relate to the budget were going to be worked on probably next year. But it was good. We were well prepared and they were very receptive to everything we suggested. Very good. And I'd like to thank the city of Bridgeton, town of Bridgeton, for their blueberry festival. It went really well. And I always had the honor of representing the county commissioners in the dunk tank for Bridgeton. So that's all I have. Okay.

Mr. Mitchell? Nothing? Nothing.

I won't go back into advocacy days. As usual, I think it was very effective and our staff was well prepared, so we thank you for that. I will have a town hall tonight focusing on constituent services. Mr. Strong will be there. I had a lot of questions last time about drainage, stuff like that, but the primary focus, at least the initial focus, will be the Department of Transportation. Obviously, with the Highway 70, improvements, road closures, all the things going on. My constituents had a lot of questions, so Chad helped me invite them there. And we'll also have Mark Seymour with Recreations, which will also be nice. We'll give an update on the park there next to Blue Water Rise, so we'll get that update. So it should be another last month. I don't think you were there, Chad, but it was standing room only. We had maybe five or six people standing up in the back, so we can only hold a certain amount in the fire department. Hopefully that tonight will be the same, so everyone is invited.

Okay, Vice Chair. Mr. Chairman, two or three things. First, I've been talking to a number of commissioners across eastern North Carolina that I'm friends with, and all of our local governments are having great challenges budgetary-wise. We were not the only ones. But to listen to some of the other commissioners talk, I just got to reiterate once again, you know, we're truly blessed with the staff we've got to be as prepared as they were coming into budget. A lot of these Board of Commissioners, they, they get in there and they are having to do a lot of the The legwork that staff has already spent countless hours on, and a lot of them have not passed budgets, even as of today. They're still debating that. So one more time to our staff, thank you, thank you, thank you for what you do. And to this board for working together. You do a great job, Mr. Chairman, in leading us. Second thing I want to recognize today, we've got a young lady. She's a graduate from New Bern Christian Academy, Ms. Jessie Cox. She's here shadowing her mother this morning, Ms. Julie Cox. But Jessie is looking into careers, and I think that her mother has encouraged her in a lot of different ways, but definitely one is to to look into maybe something with county government. She might be looking at other options too. So we welcome you, and she's a fine young lady. Last thing I would say also to those that are prayer warriors, some of you got some rain this weekend, but rural Craven County did not. we've not seen no rain in three weeks um our corn crops i rode extensively over the weekend um they're they're critical and um for those that are prayer warriors we we need a miracle of rain uh if not we've got thousands and i say literally thousands of acres of corn that will be dried up this week. We will not pollinate. So I do ask you for that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

I only have one thing, and that is Commissioner Mitchell, who was on the board of the community college, and I attended the community college ribbon cutting of an exciting new building that opened this week. I don't know if it opened this week, but it was officially open. It's a corporate training center that can seat I think it said 500 people in classroom style and a very exciting first new building built on the campus in almost 20 years. So that was a nice event and it's a welcome addition to the community college and what they do. Do you have anything you want to add to that?

I'd like to commend the community college leadership for doing a great deal of innovation, establishing new programs, new workforce development programs, new buildings that meet the community's needs while being financially responsible, staying on budget, and causing no additional expenses to the taxpayers. So we are blessed with their leadership.

We're blessed with leadership here and at the community college, so we thank them. Michelle, do you have anything you'd like to share with us today?

I'll share real quick. Next month I'll be reporting the end of fiscal year numbers to you, and I know that you'll be well pleased. We have, I reported to Jeff this morning that our collection rate today is ahead of where we were last year. And the board needs to know, we, in the last month, almost two months, certainly earned my pay on a certain delinquent taxpayer. And no way could we have achieved that without the help of Erie Grady. He really came in. We had the lock arms and really old firm, but he came through.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you for what you do. I would just add to what I believe you said about the staff that we have and the cooperation. I was in the company yesterday of, I won't name names, or cities. but it was a person who was in one of our local cities here talking about the conflict that goes on within that leadership in that particular town. And it was a young lady who was describing it to me. She said, how do you get along in your group? And I said, we don't always agree, but we get along. and so she was just kind of shaking her head so we are fortunate here that we have a good relationship across the board so thank you for everybody for making that happen and doing that okay board uh we're asked to go into closed session uh mr attorney we're going to do the personnel

Mr. Chairman, just the personnel statute, we do not separately need the attorney-client privilege statute. So just 143.318.11a.6. I move that we go into closed session.

Second.

Motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Okay, we will go into closed session after a short recess.