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Votes at a glance: Craven County commissioners approve budget amendments, property conveyances and appointments
Summary
At its March 17 meeting the Craven County Board of Commissioners approved multiple budget amendments for the health department and jail, confirmed property conveyances after upset-bid processes, extended a fire-protection five-mile rating to cover several properties, and appointed multiple board and commission members by acclamation.
At its March 17 meeting the Craven County Board of Commissioners voted on a series of budget amendments, property conveyances, a change to a fire-protection rating area and multiple board appointments.
Votes at a glance:
- Budget amendment: additional $155,000 for the county 340B pharmacy program. The board approved an increase to recognize higher-than-expected pharmacy revenue and to adjust the budget. Roll-call vote: Commissioners Howard, Hunt, Mark, Mitchell, Smith, Vice Chairman Jones and Chairman Bucher all voted yes (7-0).
- Budget amendment: $84,000 for hospice prescription drugs. Health department staff said an unusual cluster of patients using pain pumps drove the request. Roll-call vote: unanimous yes (7-0).
- Updated health department fee schedule to align local fees with changing Medicaid reimbursement rates (approximately 30 line items). Roll-call vote: unanimous yes (7-0).
- Budget amendment: $100,000 to cover out‑of‑county inmate housing (boarding inmates due to jail overcrowding). County staff said 48 inmates were currently housed out of county; commissioners approved the amendment by roll call (7-0).
- Fort Bonham (Fort Bonneville) Fire District: change to the description of the county’s five‑mile rating to extend coverage to a small group of properties on Griffin Road that previously fell outside the five‑mile boundary. The board approved the change (motion passed; vote recorded as aye).
- Consent agenda (minutes, tax releases and refunds, Eagle View Pictometry, a separate budget amendment and the military service-of-the-quarter resolution): approved by voice vote.
- Surplus property and conveyance actions: the board approved three actions related to tax‑foreclosed parcels: the initial offer and advertising for upset bids for 206 Hollywood Boulevard (Havelock) and final conveyances after the upset‑bid period for 1009 Main Street (parcel 8007121, New Bern) and 1013 Main Street (parcel 8007119, New Bern). Each item was approved by the board; the 206 Hollywood Boulevard item will be advertised for upset bids as required.
- Appointments: The board appointed multiple members to local boards and commissions by acclamation, including Melissa Riggle (airport board), Mark Gatlin and Lee Allen (Board of Adjustment), Chuck Strickland (EMS advisory council), Pam Hawkins (Farmers Market Board) and several fire tax/relief board appointments listed on the agenda. One requested appointment (to fill the vacancy created by Angela Montemerlo vacating a seat in Township 6) was deferred for later consideration.
Details and voting records for roll‑call items: Commissioners recorded their votes by name when a roll call was requested; where the clerk called the roll the record showed unanimous approval from Commissioners Howard, Hunt, Mark, Mitchell, Smith, Vice Chairman Jones and Chairman Bucher.
Why it matters: The votes adjust the county’s budgets to cover operating needs for health services and short-term jail housing costs, confirm disposal or transfer of tax‑foreclosed properties, and maintain staffing of local advisory boards and fire tax districts. The jail‑boarding amendment underscored ongoing capacity pressures that commissioners said may require a future expansion.
Ending: Several items were approved by voice vote or acclamation with no further debate. One appointment was deferred; commissioners said they will return to that vacancy at a later meeting.
