Commissioners approve multiple street namings, hear bond-refunding update and enter closed session

Duplin County commissioners on Oct. 6 approved several street- and lane-naming requests and received administrative updates before adjourning into a closed session for personnel matters.

Street namings: The board opened public hearings and approved names for multiple lanes and streets: D D Lane (5800 block, Island Creek Township); Chong Venue Lane (925 Wind Bridal Road, Magnolia, Kenansville Township); Lions Lane (131 Graham Road, Wolfscape Township); and two streets in a development on S.N.C. 11 (Birdsong Drive and Cassidy Lane). No substantive public opposition was recorded during the hearings and motions to approve were carried after recorded mover/second statements.

Finance and administration: Staff reported a schedule for refunding the 2016 limited-obligation bonds. Proposals were sent to lenders with responses due Oct. 15, selection of lending institutions expected Nov. 3 and financing resolutions planned for the Dec. 1 board meeting. Staff estimated the refunding would save the county approximately $1,500,000 over the course of the issuance. The board was also notified of a joint meeting with James Front Community College and progress on personnel-policy review and local road striping (Penny Branch Road).

Closed session and recess: The board voted to enter closed session citing NCGS 143-318.11 for personnel matters (motion by Commissioner Garner, second by Commissioner Branch). After returning to open session, the board approved a motion to recess until the next morning at James Front (Williams Building, room 100) and adjourned for the evening.

No votes were recorded on ordinances or budget measures during this portion of the meeting; the namings and administrative updates were routine agenda items carried by motion and second.