Covington County commissioners approve routine items, grant sheriff deputies travel, authorize courthouse change order and parking work

Covington County commissioners on March 11 approved a package of routine administrative items, including minutes and payroll, authorized out-of-state travel for three sheriff's deputies, approved a retail liquor license for Shooter's Bar LLC and authorized multiple public-works actions including a change order for courthouse ramp construction and expansion of a parking area to accommodate county CAT buses.

The workshop, convened by the Covington County Commission, began as a brief meeting with no public hearings on the agenda. Commissioners approved the minutes from the February 2025 workshop and the Feb. 25, 2025 regular meeting and then approved accounts payable and payroll for February 2025 after a motion and second.

Why it matters: The votes implement routine county business and authorize spending or contract actions that affect County facilities and operations — including sheriff training, courthouse construction costs, and county transit parking — all of which have immediate operational impacts and budget implications.

Most substantive votes and actions

Out-of-state travel for sheriff's deputies: The commission approved travel for three deputies — Byron Smith, Kevin Barger and Clay Conway — to attend training in Biloxi, Mississippi. Commissioner Tommy moved to approve the travel; the motion was seconded and the recorded vote in the workshop transcript shows yes votes from Tommy, Ben and the Chair and no votes from Robbie and Lynn. The commission tied discussion to the sheriff's representation that the trip could be paid from the sheriff's contingency funds.

Liquor license: Commissioners approved a retail (package) liquor license for Shooter's Bar LLC (the former Adams Bar) on Highway 52 toward Kinston. Commissioner Ben moved to approve the license; the motion received a second and passed with no recorded opposition.

Solicit bids for surface treatment: The commission authorized county staff to solicit bids for countywide surface treatment (contract expiration noted as the 19th of the month). The request was presented by county staff (road/maintenance) and a motion to solicit bids passed after a second.

Courthouse ramp change order: The commission accepted a $33,589.03 change order from PH and J Architects for structural changes to a ramp at the county courthouse. The change order will be paid from the owner's contingency allowance; the transcript records the owner's contingency at $75,000. A motion to accept the change order passed.

Temporary arena staffing: Because the arena employee listed for the position has been medically unable to work, commissioners approved hiring a temporary worker for the arena until the individual's medical status is clarified. That motion passed following a second.

Parking-lot work for CAT buses and surplus storage: County staff presented two parking-lot options (base-only and capped surfaces) and recommended combining the two areas to address immediate needs for CAT (county transit) buses and to provide space for surplus county vehicles and sheriff trailers. Commissioners approved combining both sections and authorized the work.

Other items and fiscal notes

- The clerk noted unpaid 2024 taxes totaling $594; a tax sale was mentioned with an online sale scheduled for May 17 via GovEase. The commission did not act on abatements for solar installations because the applicant had not submitted required paperwork.

- Several routine consent items were approved during the workshop: minutes approval (Feb. workshop and Feb. 25 regular meeting) and accounts payable/payroll for February 2025 (packet pages 3–35). The commission also agreed to solicit bids for surface treatment (packet page 36) and to proceed with temporary arena staffing and parking-lot work.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes (Feb. 2025 workshop; Feb. 25 regular meeting): Mover: Ben; Second: Tommy; Outcome: approved (aye recorded; no opposition recorded).

- Approve accounts payable and payroll for February 2025 (pages 3–35): Mover: Lynn; Second: Robbie; Outcome: approved (ayes recorded; no opposition recorded).

- Approve out-of-state travel for sheriff's deputies Byron Smith, Kevin Barger and Clay Conway to Biloxi, Mississippi (training): Mover: Tommy; Second: (second recorded in transcript); Vote record (as recorded in workshop): Yes — Tommy, Ben, Chair; No — Robbie, Lynn; Outcome: approved (majority yes). Notes: Sheriff indicated the trip would be paid from the sheriff's contingency fund.

- Approve retail (package) liquor license for Shooter's Bar LLC (former Adams Bar, Highway 52 toward Kinston) (pages 37–41): Mover: Ben; Second: Tommy; Outcome: approved (no opposition recorded).

- Solicit bids for countywide surface treatment (packet page 36): Mover: Tommy; Second: Lynn; Outcome: approved.

- Accept change order for PH and J Architects (courthouse ramp structural change): Amount $33,589.03; funding source: owner's contingency allowance (stated contingency $75,000); Mover: Robbie; Second: Tommy; Outcome: approved.

- Hire temporary arena staff until incumbent's medical status is clarified: Mover: Robbie; Second: Tommy; Outcome: approved.

- Combine two parking-lot options and proceed with work to expand parking for CAT buses and county vehicle storage: Mover: Tommy; Second: Robbie; Outcome: approved.

What commissioners discussed but did not decide

- Abatements related to a solar project were discussed in prior presentations, but no paperwork had been submitted; commissioners stated they could not act until required documents are filed.

Meeting context and next steps

The workshop lasted roughly 19 minutes and covered several routine administrative and operational items. Several items will proceed to execution by staff (bid solicitation, change-order processing, temporary hiring and parking work). The commission noted that abatements for the solar project remain pending submission of required paperwork and that a tax sale via GovEase is scheduled for May 17 if unpaid 2024 taxes are not collected.

Ending: The commission adjourned after completing the workshop agenda and staff reports.