Votes at a glance: Columbus County commissioners approve leases, project budgets and set hearings; refer two Tabor City PDs back to planning

Columbus County commissioners approved multiple administrative and budget actions and set a new public hearing while also referring two Tabor City planned development (PD) applications back to the planning board for additional review.

Key votes and outcomes

- Referred Coleman Tract PD back to the planning board for additional information and a development agreement. Motion by Commissioner Bullard; second by Commissioner Scott Floyd. Passed on voice vote.

- Referred JT Service Tract PD back to the planning/zoning board for additional information and a development agreement. Motion by Commissioner Bullard; second by Commissioner Scott Floyd. Passed on voice vote.

- Set a public hearing on an amended code enforcement ordinance for Sept. 15, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. Motion by Commissioner Byrd; second by Commissioner Felison. Passed.

- Adopted a proclamation recognizing Dr. Chris English of Southeastern Community College for enrollment growth. Motion and passage by voice vote.

- Approved a letter of intent with Foundation Forward regarding the Charters of Freedom. Motion passed.

- Approved the lease of office space at 106 Courthouse Square to the Columbus County Literacy Council. Motion by Commissioner Featherson; second by Commissioner Byrd. Passed.

- Approved a capital project ordinance for a transportation building expansion, $357,000. Motion by Commissioner Byrd; second by Commissioner Chris Smith. Passed.

- Approved a contract with Coastal Dental Health Staffing for a temporary dentist (funded in FY25‑26 budget) while permanent staffing is recruited. Motion passed.

- Approved automatic lease renewals for Columbus County senior centers (Bolton, Chadbourn, East Columbus, Tabor City). Motion passed.

- Approved contract and requisition with Coastal Architecture for automatic transfer switches at emergency shelters ($68,600 grant‑funded). Motion passed.

- Authorized participation in opioid settlement matters related to STACKER and to include Purdue bankruptcy funds. Motion by Commissioner Pedersen; second by Commissioner Bullard. Passed.

- Approved several personnel and position adjustments within DSS (including unfreezing a foster care social worker position and other reclassifications) as recommended by the department and county manager. Motion by Commissioner Byrd; second by Commissioner Felison. Passed.

- Approved finance signatory authority for county manager Edwin H. Madden Jr. for August and September 2025 requisitions. Motion passed.

- Approved the July 2025 financial report, budget amendments and requisitions. Motion by Commissioner Bullard; second by Commissioner Featherson. Passed.

Board context

The meeting combined routine consent items, community proclamations and budgetary authorizations with two extended public hearings on PD rezonings in Tabor City. After hours of public comment on flooding risks, cemetery access and sewer availability, commissioners chose to return both PD applications to planning for more documentation before final action.

Speakers relevant to these votes

- Commissioner Bullard (mover of PD referrals) - Commissioner Scott Floyd (second for PD referrals) - Commissioner Byrd (mover to set code enforcement hearing) - Commissioner Felison (second to set code enforcement hearing) - Commissioner Featherson (mover on Literacy Council lease) - Commissioner Chris Smith (voted on project ordinance and participated in discussion) - County manager Edwin H. Madden Jr. (administration) - Gary Lanier (EDC and planning director) and other county staff for planning, DSS and finance presentations

Provenance

The votes are recorded in the meeting record at the end of the public hearings and during the consent and administrative agenda sections; the record shows each motion, the maker and a second and that motions carried by voice vote where recorded.