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Greene County commissioners approve audit contract option, set solar-farm moratorium hearing, make appointment and set budget retreat
Summary
Greene County commissioners at a regular meeting approved a five-year audit contract option, appointed Ray Johnson to the Greene County Aging Planning Committee, set a public hearing on a proposed moratorium on solar farms for March 3, 2025, scheduled a Feb. 18 budget retreat, and received an annual accomplishments report from county staff.
Greene County commissioners on an unspecified meeting date approved several routine and procedural items: they voted unanimously to accept a five-year audit contract option, appointed Ray Johnson to the Greene County Aging Planning Committee to replace former commissioner James C. Shackleford, set a public hearing on a proposed moratorium on solar farms for March 3, 2025 at 10 a.m., set a budget retreat for Feb. 18 at 9 a.m., and heard a departmental accomplishments report from county staff.
Administration recommended renewing the county's auditor under a five-year option; the presentation named Malden Jenkins and the county's local representative Leanne Vigacella as the proposing firm. In the motion recorded on the transcript, Commissioner Cherry moved to approve a five-year contract referencing Fort Howard of Baltimore, Virginia. The transcript does not record a separate clarifying statement reconciling that company name with the administration presentation. The board voted unanimously to approve the five-year option.
Appointments and hearings - Appointment: Ray Johnson was appointed to the Greene County Aging Planning Committee to replace former commissioner James C. Shackleford. The motion carried unanimously. - Solar-farm moratorium hearing: Commissioners set a public hearing on a proposed moratorium on solar farms for March 3, 2025, at 10 a.m. in the Greene County Operations Center, Commission Chamber; the motion carried.
Budget retreat and scheduling - The board set a budget retreat for Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 9 a.m. in the High Conference Room at the Government Complex and directed department heads to submit budget sheets by March 31. Commissioners discussed moving the retreat but ultimately scheduled the Feb. 18 session.
Annual accomplishments - County staff provided a multi-department recap of 2024 accomplishments, including securing more than $200,000 in economic development grant funding, expanding the county water system by about 200 new water services, completing the EPA-required lead and copper service line survey, reducing accounting monthly close time to within 10 days, and securing reaccreditation with honors for the public health department. The county manager noted that the senior center reported serving 33,652 individuals in 2024 but cautioned that the county counts include duplicated entries.
Closed session - The board voted to go into closed session under North Carolina General Statute authority for economic development and attorney-client privilege; the motion to enter closed session carried.
Ending: Most votes were unanimous; the board directed staff to follow up on the scheduled hearing and the auditor contract paperwork. Where the transcript contained inconsistent firm names in the audit discussion, the board requested the signed contract and further documentation be provided to commissioners before finalization.
