Edgecombe County commissioners declare May as National Older Americans Month

Edgecombe County has officially recognized May as National Older Americans Month, a resolution passed during the recent Board of Commissioners meeting on May 5, 2025. This initiative aims to honor the contributions of older adults to the community and raise awareness about the issues they face. With nearly 10,000 residents aged 65 and older, making up 21.2% of the county's population, the resolution emphasizes the importance of supporting this demographic.

Deputy County Manager Natalie Best presented the resolution to Deborah Coley, the director of the Office on Aging, who highlighted various events planned for the month. These include a breakfast on May 15, a "Super Seniors" event on May 21, and a Senior Awareness program on May 29, focusing on safety and community engagement. Coley noted the significance of honoring seniors, especially those over 90, and shared that the county has three centenarians still actively driving.

In addition to the resolution, the meeting addressed updates to the county's personnel policies. A proposal to increase community service leave from four to eight hours annually was approved, allowing employees to engage in a broader range of civic activities. This change reflects the county's commitment to fostering community involvement among its workforce.

The commissioners also discussed updates to job descriptions within the county's compensation plan, including the addition of new positions aimed at improving operational efficiency. Notably, the reinstatement of a Deputy Director for the Department of Social Services was debated, with some members advocating for further review before approval.

Lastly, the board reviewed House Bill 765, which proposes significant changes to local zoning and planning authority. If enacted, the bill would limit counties' ability to impose stricter regulations than state law, potentially impacting local governance and development decisions.

The meeting underscored Edgecombe County's dedication to its older residents and the importance of community engagement, while also navigating the complexities of personnel policies and legislative changes that could affect local governance.