[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6559203,"mediaKeyId","3218149-a1095fee8a01915500ef23e6590e818c","parentId",3218149,"title","Onslow County approves volunteer fire department contract and highest-ever funding level of about $8 million","audioSeconds",528,"startMs",486000,"endMs",1014000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3218149-a1095fee8a01915500ef23e6590e818c&start=486&end=1014","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3218149-a1095fee8a01915500ef23e6590e818c/thumbnail_486000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6559203/Onslow-County/North-Carolina/Onslow-County-approves-volunteer-fire-department-contract-and-highest-ever-funding-level-of-about-8-million","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559203-c01741d931f8e3dffdd8be3be824fc90/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179751&Signature=epkeKbbqWSgKo-niF47D1UBvzgC0HQBjsFDvdK6YkLz-~t3HwLkC8wnMVoECi1rXemIOyP9Ds4gJlDytJ6JKojQ4p4tgRBm1~oLNqWoOb2saTm2EoinzNpP~3NH3hWnJTTFUOaOTqC~r3lf8FyIF4haV8TDTq2-u5tK1EcKBIxCl7Z5TYU8CZ-XmpeS~cpWfzd66eJ5FXCfZPIsqS855-NFwswVrQJq9hPxTX54MiOIA71cYnGcctg0fuM0kWVuYaEVe4AQq~kS9mtKxmNjV5h20HO00VFf4WG64Re-Zw44TXIpTBMJQdc29cQtyvB9jJeFMGCrAKML2nEB4-biYKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Onslow County","date","2025-05-07T21:47:31.473Z","article","Onslow County commissioners on May 5 approved terms of a contract and the funding levels (as shown in a closed spreadsheet) for nonprofit volunteer fire departments, with staff saying the package represents the highest level of county funding ever provided to those departments — approximately $8,000,000.

County staff described a multi-stakeholder negotiation process that included volunteer fire chiefs and three board members. Mr. Smitherman, a county staff member who presented slides, said the county's involvement and increased funding over the last decade have helped improve ISO ratings countywide from ratings around 9 to predominantly ratings of 4 and in some cases 3, a change he described as benefiting homeowners through lower insurance costs. He also noted that the board raised taxes by three cents in 2023 to provide additional funds for fire service.

Under the proposal, each volunteer fire department must return a signed contract and a list of excluded assets acceptable to the county manager by May 15, 2025. The county manager would then be authorized to execute the contracts upon receipt. Staff said the funding levels and contract terms appear in a spreadsheet that was not presented in open session.

Several commissioners expressed support and appreciation for volunteer fire departments, emphasizing the departments' role in emergency response beyond fires. One commissioner said he had \"wrestled\" with the proposal but ultimately planned to vote yes; other commissioners described the departments as \"essential\" and praised the improvements in service and insurance ratings.

The board approved the contract terms and funding levels by voice vote; the transcript records commissioners saying \"aye\" and no opposition.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Onslow County Board of Commissioners' Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved terms of a contract to provide financial assistance to nonprofit volunteer fire departments and funding levels that county staff said total about $8 million; departments must return signed contracts with excluded-asset lists acceptable to the county manager by May 15, 2025.","taxTitle","Onslow County, North Carolina","taxId",4261,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6559208,"Onslow County approves $150,000 purchase of Bynum parcels adjacent to Onslow Pines Park",94,381000,475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3218149-a1095fee8a01915500ef23e6590e818c&start=381&end=475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3218149-a1095fee8a01915500ef23e6590e818c/thumbnail_381000.jpg","/articles/6559208/Onslow-County/North-Carolina/Onslow-County-approves-150000-purchase-of-Bynum-parcels-adjacent-to-Onslow-Pines-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559208-474e6a807108cce12012d59076964bea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179751&Signature=RuvKZTnLlQArir5emRRozFqH9GyufXeVGN0dPUVl5U5wpgNw3dGSvHKSK09vZmsWazpsKoFn3WWaU1VqIUper0eW3rTUC-yLj4o3bh-uA3KRU-dvMskauPI3cPXox8M0JcflXsSl0J4Go~1zKG6ESfALg4RGth0vRpGFHCiey2bweXZm9LQgZVboBvBc51m3N7Pl2UOZslFjr1QjsQv3qFLvjqhCtvYIpfthE8bJ9x1iuSsbTPv00y7U95Rdvx2IzHMYC6-Vdfn88t9lCxCmtb3tRHoM9NvY2kRTkVT2TNE7Zad-BGurIDhx8sIg6oGKkXQj1uXmp8WPe9BkBeZizQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Onslow County Board of Commissioners on May 5 approved an offer to purchase two parcels owned by the Doris R. Bynum Revocable Trust, totaling approximately 22.8 acres, for $150,000. The parcels are adjacent to Onslow Pines Park.

County staff identified the parcels by tax parcel numbers 435618405437 and 435618408488 and said the negotiated purchase price for both parcels is $150,000. The offer to purchase included a 30-day due-diligence period during which the county may terminate the contract without penalty if concerns arise.

If the board's action is carried through to closing, the chairman is authorized to sign documents to place the parcels under contract on behalf of the county. The motion to approve carried by voice vote; the transcript records commissioners saying “aye” and no opposition.

No further details on intended park uses, funding sources for the purchase, or post-acquisition plans were specified in the transcript.","The Board approved purchasing two parcels totaling about 22.8 acres from the Doris R. Bynum Revocable Trust for $150,000, with a 30‑day due‑diligence period; the parcels are intended to be adjacent to Onslow Pines Park.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6559211,"Onslow County approves purchase of Morton property for sheriff's office, $6 million project ordinance included",276,100000,376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3218149-a1095fee8a01915500ef23e6590e818c&start=100&end=376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3218149-a1095fee8a01915500ef23e6590e818c/thumbnail_100000.jpg","/articles/6559211/Onslow-County/North-Carolina/Onslow-County-approves-purchase-of-Morton-property-for-sheriffs-office-6-million-project-ordinance-included","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559211-dc67deb49edee924f097d7c68ddf2251/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179751&Signature=acHEROP69Y~KXyk5TQ2TnRlsKshxM4D4434vYk7d7Y4tMW-c~aBsWirnM~eCFyr2FHyvXBAKeUbjGLmuK1h7wvPvGzv8v8Ty1LtlnO0HFY6FQ-O~aTWAlFbW9fcvY6ebJ~DI043hvmt-r3H-yvMYmuN1q6HGPM6wNWnum82M6X0KV-XIuVcaO6~9bg2uJRialkYcyYOIQ3TjfUDNAF6DVrZvn5EV1U7gDqANTWeOp9mJOqjGIxOxRAWvaZGhNylXry52KwZc3TS3iiK7oy6nlh3vrpH0ojhj7Lcb33lD~~AxCA9747~rw0AL7uPft7zpf7MlJTmdzeF~5PvYe53VYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Onslow County commissioners on May 5 approved the county's purchase of a building at 3950 Newburn Highway in Jacksonville for use by the sheriff's office and authorized a related project ordinance covering up to $6,000,000 for acquisition and renovations.

The purchase agreement with Morton Real Estate Holdings LLC lists a purchase price of $4,500,000, and the project ordinance totals $6,000,000 to include about $1,500,000 in anticipated renovations. The contract was previously signed by Mr. Warren, assistant county manager, but that signature was contingent on the board's approval. The contract includes a 60-day due-diligence period that began March 27, during which the county may terminate the agreement if issues arise.

County staff said some portion of the $6,000,000 could be financed through a bond sale the county is planning for later this summer or early fall. Mr. DeSounds, a county staff member who presented the item, asked the board to authorize the chairman to sign the project ordinance and any documents necessary to complete the purchase.

Commissioners and the sheriff discussed space needs. Sheriff Thomas and multiple commissioners described the county's current space constraints for the sheriff's office and characterized the purchase as a cost-saving alternative to constructing a new, larger facility. One speaker noted the county would save roughly $6,000,000 compared with a new build estimated at $12,000,000, and others described specialized needs the facility will meet, including evidence storage that requires regulated climate control for items such as DNA evidence.

The board voted by voice, with all members indicating “aye,” and the motion carried. No roll-call tally with named votes was recorded in the transcript.

The county will proceed with the due-diligence work and, if no issues are identified, finalize closing and renovation steps consistent with the ordinance and any applicable financing arrangements.","The Onslow County Board of Commissioners approved buying 3950 Newburn Highway from Morton Real Estate Holdings LLC and a related $6 million project ordinance to cover the $4.5 million purchase and up to $1.5 million in renovations; the purchase contract had a 60‑day due‑diligence period and was signed contingent on board approval.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Onslow County approves volunteer fire department contract and highest-ever funding level of about $8 million

Onslow County approves $150,000 purchase of Bynum parcels adjacent to Onslow Pines Park

Onslow County approves purchase of Morton property for sheriff's office, $6 million project ordinance included