Craven County commissioners approve ambulance franchise, transit grants, library lease and multiple budget amendments

The Craven County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 20 voted on a series of franchise approvals, grant applications and budget amendments, approving a nonemergency ambulance franchise, two state transit funding applications, several sheriff's office budget items, a county-funded water-main relocation to accommodate a North Carolina Department of Transportation paving project, and a 25-year lease to expand parking at the Cove City Library.

The board approved the ambulance franchise for Caroline Medical Transport after county staff and the county’s EMS advisory council reviewed the application. County emergency-services staff explained that under the Craven County ambulance franchise ordinance, any provider that picks up a patient within the county and delivers them elsewhere must be franchised with the county; providers based outside the county may still transport patients in or out of the county under their own contracts with clients.

Why it matters: the franchise formalizes which providers can operate nonemergency and convalescent transports originating in Craven County and ensures local oversight under the county franchise ordinance.

Caroline Medical Transport’s application was presented by county emergency-services staff, who said the company will start at a basic level for convalescent nonemergency transport with plans to expand care levels in the future. The board approved staff’s recommendation to grant the franchise.

The board also authorized county staff to submit two state transit grant applications administered by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Kelly Walker Cusser, representing CARTS, said the county received a State Maintenance Assistance Program (SMAP) allocation of $130,920 for fiscal year 2025–26; the application deadline is Oct. 24 and funds must be used by June 30, 2026. In addition, the county’s consolidated operating application under the Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) was allocated a total of $253,246 for the county: $100,276 for the elderly and disabled transportation component (ETP), $19,645 for employment transportation, and $133,325 for rural general public (RGP) service. The board voted to authorize the applications and required certified statements.

Sheriff’s office: budget amendments and operational updates Sheriff Hughes asked the board to approve two budget amendments tied to a multi-year COSAT grant awarded in 2023 and to cover employee payout costs following two retirements. Hughes said the COSAT grant, which has supported substance-use interventions in the jail, was originally $970,757; $469,881.99 has been used to date and about $500,875 remained. He requested a $240,162 amendment from the grant to continue services and to fund a part-time reentry coordinator position. Hughes confirmed contract services supported recovery beds (identified in the meeting as the Hope Recovery contract that funds roughly nine beds), and the board approved the amendment.

The board separately approved replenishing county funds to cover employee leave payouts required by the retirements: $52,960.84 and $45,188.77, respectively.

Water-main relocation for NCDOT paving Public works staff told the board that the North Carolina Department of Transportation plans to repave Gethsemane Church Road as part of its secondary road paving program. County water lines — approximately 3,900 linear feet of 4-inch main and 950 feet of 2-inch main — conflict with the paving work and must be relocated. NCDOT will fully reimburse Craven County for the relocation cost and related inspection fees. The board approved a budget amendment of $399,567 to authorize the relocation work.

Cove City Library lease and parking expansion Library staff presented a proposal to lease adjacent property to the Cove City Library to add a driveway and at least 15 parking spaces to improve bus and vehicle access. The proposed lease is 25 years beginning in January, with annual rent of $2,500 and a 5% increase every fifth lease year. The agenda included a budget amendment of $44,415 reflecting the full-term lease amount shown up front; the board approved the lease and related budget amendment.

Health department appropriation and equipment purchases Health department leadership requested a use-of-balance appropriation of $216,079 to cover a set of items and contracts, including credentialing support through an outside vendor (identified as Avanum Health), dental equipment, blood-draw chairs, an ultrasound machine for the high-risk maternity clinic, vision screeners, exam tables and EKG machines. Health staff said credentialing and rate negotiations for reimbursements with insurers (for example Blue Cross Blue Shield, United, Cigna) are expected to be handled by the outside vendor; the department also noted it now counts eight or nine providers, including behavioral health staff, who will benefit from credentialing support. The board approved the appropriation.

Surplus property and appointments County legal staff presented two jointly owned surplus parcels in New Bern and recommended initial upset-bid prices so the properties can be offered for upset bids; the board approved the recommendations. The board also made a series of appointments by acclamation to county boards and committees (nominations and outcomes were announced on the agenda and approved).

Meeting procedure and next steps After routine roll-call votes (each recorded vote on the items described above was unanimous), the board recessed for a 20-minute break and planned a work session to follow. Commissioners used the reports portion of the meeting to announce community events, including a veterans luncheon and local town halls.

Votes at a glance (actions approved) - Consent agenda (minutes, tax releases/refunds, Social Services and Sunshine Center budget roll-forwards, US Forest Service MOU, veterans service week proclamation, resolution honoring Lave Wallace Singleton): approved (6–0). - Approval of ambulance franchise for Caroline Medical Transport (item 2, emergency services): approved (6–0). - Authorization to apply for SMAP funds, $130,920 allocation: approved (6–0). - Authorization to apply for ROAP consolidated operating funds, total allocation $253,246: approved (6–0). - Sheriff: COSAT grant budget amendment, request $240,162 to continue services and fund part-time reentry coordinator: approved (6–0). - Sheriff: replenishment for employee payouts ($52,960.84 and $45,188.77): approved (6–0). - Water department: budget amendment $399,567 for Gethsemane Church Road water-main relocation (NCDOT will reimburse): approved (6–0). - Cove City Library: 25-year lease beginning January, annual rent $2,500 with 5% increases every five years; related budget amendment $44,415: approved (6–0). - Health department: use-of-balance appropriation request $216,079 for equipment, credentialing and other items: approved (6–0). - Surplus property (841 Pavey Avenue and 841 Bloomfield Street) initial upset-bid offers and authorization to proceed to upset-bid process: approved (6–0). - Multiple board and committee appointments by acclamation (nominations announced on the agenda): approved.

All votes listed above were recorded by roll call as aye from Commissioners Howard, Hunt, Mitchell, Smith, Vice Chairman Jones and Chairman Bucher.

Meeting context and notable details - Engagement level: Items were presented largely by department staff and produced limited public comment; discussion focused on implementation details (for example, NCDOT reimbursement for the water-main relocation and the scope and deadline for state transit grants). - Implementation risk: Several approvals (water relocation and library lease) depend on contract execution and, for the water work, NCDOT reimbursement; the transit grants require timely application by Oct. 24 and use of funds by June 30, 2026. - Follow-ups: staff will finalize franchise paperwork, submit the SMAP and ROAP applications by the Oct. 24 deadlines, complete contract documents for the library lease, and proceed with the water-main relocation contract as NCDOT obligates reimbursement.

Reported speakers and presenters at the meeting included Chairman Bucher; Vice Chairman Jones; Commissioners Howard, Hunt, Mitchell and Smith; emergency-services staff (Mr. Kite); Caroline Medical Transport representatives (unnamed in the record); CARTS representative Kelly Walker Cusser; Sheriff Hughes; county water staff and newly introduced Water Services Director Chris Mullis; library staff (Mr. Degan); County Attorney Mr. Grady; and Health Department Director Mr. Harrelson.

The board recessed for a short break and planned a work session immediately after the meeting to address additional items scheduled for the day.