County accepts $1.98 million zero‑interest loan for Southside Water Treatment Plant expansion

Beaufort County commissioners approved a resolution accepting a $1,980,000 funding offer from the North Carolina Division of Water Infrastructure for expansion of the Southside Water Treatment Plant and approved associated contract change orders.

Public Works staff said the county received a funding offer letter dated March 12 that specifies a $1,980,000 loan at 0% interest for 20 years. Christina (Public Works) asked the board to approve the required resolution and the contract change orders so the Division of Water Infrastructure can finalize the award. "We received a letter and a funding offer package … dated March 12," Christina said, and she attached the offer to the commission packet.

Commissioners confirmed the board had previously approved supplemental funding requests in February and that the current action is to accept the formal offer and proceed with contract adjustments. "This is the same thing that we talked about and approved at the last meeting… there's really nothing new in this," one commissioner said.

By approving the resolution and change orders the county authorized staff to accept the loan and proceed with the project; commissioners asked staff to ensure the contract documentation is filed with the Division of Water Infrastructure and to return any final implementing documents to the board as required.

Ending: Staff will proceed with signing the funding offer and the associated contract change orders and return final documents to the board for the record.