The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners approved a multi‑year public health grant and authorized a county health‑department vehicle purchase during the meeting.

Health department staff presented a Department of Justice or similar grant totaling $336,256 per year for three years (the meeting materials and discussion put the three‑year total at $999,865). Commissioners raised questions about syringe‑services language and whether the grant funds would create supervised injection sites; health officials said the grant covers harm‑reduction supplies (needles, alcohol swabs, wound care kits) and, importantly, the majority of funds will support behavioral‑health staffing (a behavioral‑health nurse and other behavioral‑health professionals) to reduce a wait list of roughly 25 people and expand care capacity. Staff said these positions would be contract employees under an existing public‑health alliance arrangement and would not add county FTEs; the positions would largely be paid from the grant. Commissioners requested a detailed line‑item budget and breakdown; the health director agreed to send the grant budget to the county clerk for distribution.

Commissioners voted to accept the grant and create the corresponding project budget.

Separately, the board approved purchase of a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox for the health department using Division of Public Health funds (no county general‑fund dollars). The vehicle will replace a surplus vehicle and was procured using the lower of two quotes; staff said the larger trunk and cargo capacity would support health fairs and outreach.

Both items were approved by voice/hand vote.