Edgecombe County commissioners approve budget amendments, grants, contracts and call several public hearings

Edgecombe County commissioners on Feb. 3 approved a series of consent and action items including budget amendments, a memorandum of understanding with the town of Leggett, a policy addition for accounts-receivable management, a revised solid-waste permit policy, and several contract actions. The board also called public hearings for two separate special-use permit applications for its March meeting.

Budget and appropriations: The board approved five budget amendments, which county staff described as new funds for the health department, an insurance claim, additional detention-center pay-related revenues, and internal sheriff's office budget adjustments. The board voted by voice to approve budget amendments numbered 1 through 5.

Leggett fire station MOU: Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding to allow the town of Leggett or the Leggett Fire Department to handle remaining grant-funded land acquisition and site-preparation work tied to a $1,000,000 statewide appropriation. County staff said $125,000 of the state allocation was earmarked for land purchase and predevelopment; the MOU was reviewed by the state budget office.

Fiscal policy: Following audit recommendations, the board added a section on accounts-receivable management to the county's fiscal and procurement policies to formalize consistent write-off and review procedures across departments.

Solid-waste permit policy: The board approved an updated solid-waste permit policy that moves the active permit period from January 1'December 31 to March 1'February 28 to allow the tax office to produce a more accurate mailing list when distributing permits.

Construction and procurement actions: The board approved a notice of award for the Eagles Road waterline extension project, for which the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has provided $1,126,850 through the Viable Utility Program. Busco Contractors, Inc. was the low bidder at $522,800; the county approved awarding the contract contingent on NCDEQ's approval. Commissioners also approved a right-of-way agreement with Dominion Energy to support electrical infrastructure for Natron Energy at Kingsborough Business Park.

Contracts and change orders: The board approved a contract of $85,000 to repaint a portion of the local detention center (funded in the approved budget) and a $20,000 contract change order with Trash Hounds LLC to provide additional hauling services for solid waste.

Appointments and hearings: The board approved four appointments to the Human Relations Commission (Brandy Page Chappelle; Brianna Storm Baker; Abulene Ochoa; Lydia Hilslop) and called public hearings for two new special-use permit applications: an off-premise billboard at NC 42 West and Wilson County Road and a retreat center/wedding venue with overnight camping at Howard Avenue Extension and McNair Road. Both hearings were scheduled for the board's March meeting.

Administrative notes: County staff provided a financial report showing generally stable revenues and reiterated that water and sewer funds, solid waste, and public-safety spending were being monitored. The board also approved a right-of-way agreement with Dominion Energy and accepted contract actions noted above. Several items approved at this meeting were described as contingent on outside agency approval (for example, NCDEQ approval for the Eagles Road award).

Ending: Commissioners closed the regular session to enter a closed session for attorney-client privilege, economic development, and personnel matters. No final action on those closed-session topics was recorded in the open meeting minutes.