Columbus County Commissioners Meeting

COLUMBUS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

127 W. Webster St

Whiteville, NC 28472

 AGENDA

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

5:30 P.M. Commissioner Photos

5:45 P.M. – Closed Session

6:30 P.M. – Regular Session

1. Meeting Called to Order: Chairman Ricky Bullard

RECESS REGULAR SESSION and enter into CLOSED SESSION in ACCORDANCE with N.C.G.S. § 143-318.11(A)(3) ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE and N.C.G.S. § 143-318.11(A)(6) PERSONNEL 

2. Closed Session in Accordance with N.C.G. N.C.G.S. § 143-318.11(A)(3) Attorney-Client Privilege and N.C.G.S. § 143-318.11(A) (6) Personnel.

RECESS CLOSED SESSION and enter into REGULAR SESSION

GENERAL ACCOUNT: 

Regular Session Resumes at 6:30 P.M. 

3. Invocation: Commissioner Barbara Featherson

4. Pledge of Allegiance: Vice Chairman Giles E. Byrd

5. Approval of Agenda, Tax Refunds & Releases:

           a. 9/3/2024

6. Board Minutes Approval:

            a. August 19, 2024 Regular Session

7. Public Input

8. Proclamation – Suicide Prevention Month: The Columbus County Chamber of Tourism Director Joan McPherson is requesting adoption of the proclamation declaring September as Suicide Prevention Month and to provide resources available to aid in suicide prevention. (Joan McPherson will be available for any questions the commissioners may have.)

9. Proclamation – Adoption of the Proclamation for National Preparedness Month:

Emergency Services Director David Ransom is requesting adoption of the proclamation declaring September as National Preparedness Month. (David Ransom will be available for any questions the commissioners may have.) 

10. Administration - Employee Spotlight: County Manager Eddie Madden will recognize Kendra Graham from Veterans’ Services as the Employee Spotlight.

11. Presentation – Owner Matthew Locklear will Present Services Offered by Land Bridge Medical Transport: Owner of Land Bridge, Inc., Matthew Locklear, will present medical transport services his company offers. (Matthew Locklear will be available for any questions the commissioners may have.)

12. Administration – Approval of the Letter to Request a Peer Review Process of the Tax and Finance Offices from the NC Association of County Commissioners Resource and Outreach Office: Assistant County Manager Nick West is requesting approval of the letter requesting a peer review process of the Tax and Finance Offices from the NC Association of County Commissioners Resource and Outreach Office. (Nick West will be available for any questions the commissioners may have.)

13. Transportation – Approval to Establish a Public Hearing for the 5311 & 5310 Transportation Grant Applications for FY26: Transportation Director Joy Jacobs is requesting to establish a public hearing on September 16th, 2024 at 6:30 P.M. or as soon as can be heard for the 5311 & 5310 Transportation Grant Applications for FY26. (Joy Jacobs will be available for any questions the commissioners may have.)

14. Soil and Water Conservation District – Approval to Increase Beaver Bounty: Soil and Water Conservation District Director Morgan Hayes is requesting approval to increase the beaver bounty from $60 to $80 as an incentive to encourage more trappers to join the program, this will ensure timely and efficient service to the citizens of Columbus County. The FY 24/25 Budget does have sufficient funds to cover the increase. (Morgan Hayes will be available for any questions the commissioners may have.)

15. Health Services – West Nile Virus Update: Health Services Director Kim Smith will give an update on the West Nile Virus. (Kim Smith will be available for any questions the commissioners may have.)

16. Health Services – Approval of the Health Services Budget Amendment: Health Services Director Kim Smith is requesting approval of the following budget amendment:

            a. Duke Endowment - grant funds received

17. Finance – Approval of the FY 23/24 Audit Contract with Mauldin & Jenkins: Interim Finance Director Heather Woody is requesting approval of the FY 23/24 Audit Contract with Mauldin & Jenkins. (Heather Woody will be available for any questions the commissioners may have.) 

18. Finance – Approval of the Professional Services Agreement with Ryan Marlar aiding the FY 23/24 Audit: Interim Finance Director Heather Woody is requesting approval of the professional services contract with Ryan Marlar to assist with the FY23/24 audit and closing, effective August 26, 2024. (Heather Woody will be available for any questions the commissioners may have.)

19. Finance – Introduction of the NC Fellow Intern from the LEAD Program: Interim Finance Director Heather Woody will introduce the new NC Fellow Intern Elijah Dobson. (Heather Woody will be available for any questions the commissioners may have.) 

20. Appointments/Re-Appointments/Replacements: Staff is requesting appointments, re-appointments or replacements to the following boards, committees and councils.

Legend: EB                            = Entire Board

Listed Zone #                         = Individual Commissioner

Zone I:                   Barbara Featherson                              Zone V:                  Brent Watts

Zone II:                  Chris Smith                                           Zone VI:                Ricky Bullard

Zone III:                Giles E. Byrd                                         Zone VII:               Scott Floyd

Zone IV:                Lavern Coleman

RECESS REGULAR SESSION and enter into COLUMBUS COUNTY WATER and SEWER DISTRICTS I, II, III, IV and V BOARD MEETING

21. Water and Sewer Districts I, II, III, IV, and V Combination Minutes: 

a. August 19, 2024 Regular Session

22. Water and Sewer Districts I, II, III, IV, and V - Approval of the Amended Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for all Water Districts: Public Utilities Director Harold Nobles is requesting approval of the amended Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for all Water Districts to include the Asset Inventory Assessment Plan, the Buckhead Community Water System Improvements Project as well as the Asset Management Plan. (Harold Nobles will be available for any questions the commissioners may have.) 

23. Water and Sewer Districts I, II, III, IV and V - Approval of LKC Engineering Firm as an On-Call Firm and Contract: Public Utilities Director Harold Nobles is requesting approval of the LKC Engineering Firm as an on-call firm for all water districts and the associated contract pending approval of the County Attorney Amanda Prince. (Harold Nobles will be available for any questions the commissioners may have.)

24. Water and Sewer Districts I, II, III, IV and V - Approval of Signatory Authority and the Resolution to Apply for the Asset Management Plan (AMP): Public Utilities Director Harold Nobles is requesting permission for signatory authority regarding all grants and the approval of the resolution authorizing application for grant funds in the amount of $50,000 for an Asset Management Plan (AMP) for the water systems. (Harold Nobles will be available for any questions the commissioners may have.)

25. Water and Sewer District IV – Approval Application Documents and Resolution for the Buckhead Community Water System Improvements Project: Public Utilities Director Harold Nobles is requesting approval of the application documents and Resolution for the Buckhead Community Water System Improvements Project. The County plans to apply for grant and loan up to the amount of $15,089,282.20 to complete a water distribution system, water tank, well, and emergency interconnect with the Town of Bolton. (Harold Nobles will be available for any questions the commissioners may have.) 

26. Water and Sewer District II - Approval of Signatory Authority, Resolution to Apply for Asset Inventory and Assessment Plan: Public Utilities Director Harold Nobles is requesting permission for signatory authority regarding all grants and the approval of the resolution authorizing application for grant funds in the amount of $150,000 for an Asset Inventory and Assessment Plan (AIA) of the water system. (Harold Nobles will be available for any questions the commissioners may have.)

27. Water and Sewer District V - Approval of Signatory Authority and the Resolution to Apply for Asset Inventory and Assessment Plan: Public Utilities Director Harold Nobles is requesting permission for signatory authority regarding all grants and the approval of the resolution authorizing application for grant funds in the amount of $150,000 for an Asset Inventory and Assessment Plan (AIA) of the water system. (Harold Nobles will be available for any questions the commissioners may have.)

ADJOURN COMBINATION MEETING of COLUMBUS COUNTY WATER and SEWER DISTRICTS I, II, III, IV AND V BOARD MEETING

28. Comments: Commissioners and County Manager.

29. Adjournment