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Pitt County commissioners approve resolution opposing House Bill 765, several appointments and agency actions
Summary
At its May 5 meeting the Pitt County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution opposing North Carolina House Bill 765, renewed a one-year USDA lease for county agricultural office space, approved an EMS franchise application and several appointments and organizational changes.
GREENVILLE, N.C. — The Pitt County Board of Commissioners on May 5 approved a series of votes, including a resolution opposing House Bill 765, a temporary one-year lease renewal with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for agricultural office space, approval of a non-emergency EMS franchise application and reappointments to advisory bodies.
Why it matters: The actions affect local service delivery (USDA presence, EMS franchises), board appointments and the county's stated policy position on a piece of pending state legislation that county leaders say would reduce local control.
Votes at a glance (selected items):
- Resolution opposing House Bill 765 — Approved. Introduced by Commissioner Nunley, the resolution mirrors guidance from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and cites loss of local authority over land-use decisions as the primary concern. The board approved the resolution by voice vote.
- USDA lease renewal (Agricultural Center) — Approved. The board authorized a temporary one-year renewal of the county's lease with the USDA for office space that houses the Farm Service Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and other USDA programs. County Manager Janice Gallagher told the board the federal government will pay market rent and that the one-year renewal gives time to assess whether the location should remain the county's permanent hub for those services.
- Carolina Transport LLC (non-emergency EMS franchise) — Approved. County staff said the applicant, Aaron Reeves, met application requirements; final operation will be contingent on establishing a physical location in Pitt County and medical-director approval as required by local ordinance and state rules.
- Cultural Arts and Recreation Advisory Council (rename and restructure) — Approved. Staff recommended renaming the Community Schools and Recreation Advisory Council and restructuring membership to one representative from each commissioner district (nine seats). The board approved the change and the proposed bylaws.
- Reappointments and nominations — Approved. The board reappointed Carl Wilson, Mary Moy and Veronica Robertson to the Human Relations Commission and nominated Steve Little to the Pitt County Planning Board to replace a vacancy.
Other routine approvals: proclamations for National Travel and Tourism Week and Economic Development Week; the March tax collection report; the March financial reports for general, solid waste and EMS funds; and consent items on the meeting agenda.
How the board voted: Most motions passed by voice vote or unanimous show-of-hands; individual tallies were not recorded in the meeting transcript for these items.
Context and follow-up: The USDA lease renewal came after local farming organizations and members of the county's congressional delegation sought to keep Farm Service Agency and related offices in Pitt County. County Manager Janice Gallagher said the county receives roughly $150,000 a year for that leased space and that a one-year extension will allow time to consider whether the county should continue as a host site.
The resolution opposing House Bill 765 reflects concerns about mandated zoning densities, limits on conditional zoning and potential liabilities for elected officials. Commissioner Nunley emphasized that land-use decisions should remain local.
Several items approved on May 5 will return for administrative follow-up (for example, the EMS franchise paperwork must proceed to state review and the USDA will complete lease paperwork).
