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Sexton elected chair as Washington County commissioners approve consent agenda and budget transfers
Summary
The Washington County Board of Commissioners elected William R. “Bill” Sexton chair and Tracey A. Johnson vice-chair, approved consent items and budget transfers that included CARES Act spending, and heard public complaints about roadside littering and a trespass dispute; the board discussed leasing Veteran’s Field in Creswell and moved to a closed session on legal and personnel matters.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 7 elected Commissioner William R. "Bill" Sexton as chair and Commissioner Tracey A. Johnson as vice-chair and approved a consent agenda and budget transfers, including administration of CARES Act funds.
The leadership votes came early in the meeting. Commissioner Tracey A. Johnson nominated Commissioner Sexton for chair; Commissioner Julius Walker seconded and the board approved the nomination by unanimous roll call. Commissioner Walker then nominated Commissioner Johnson as vice-chair, a nomination seconded by Commissioner Ann C. Keyes and approved unanimously.
The board approved a consent agenda covering meeting minutes, tax refunds and releases, the 2021 commissioners’ meeting and holiday schedules, and a NC DHHS/DSS memorandum of understanding. Commissioner Johnson moved the consent agenda; Commissioner Walker seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Finance Officer Missy Dixon reviewed budget transfers and amendments tied to departmental needs and CARES Act spending. County Manager and County Attorney Curtis Potter and Dixon told commissioners they had spent significant staff time ensuring CARES Act funds were spent and documented according to requirements; several towns, including Plymouth, did not request their full allotments amid tight deadlines. Commissioner Walker moved to approve the budget transfers and amendments; Commissioner Johnson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
During public comment, resident Stanley James of 948 Reno Road asked the county to address motorists discarding food and trash along state roads and said he had put up a sign reading, "cameras are coming and you will be fined if caught littering." Chair Sexton and staff acknowledged the problem; Manager Potter said an administrative assistant would research programs used by other counties to reduce littering.
Another resident, Herbert Moore of 1342 Roosevelt Avenue, told the board he was experiencing trespassing on his property and said people were "trying to take his inheritance." County Manager Potter advised Moore to contact the sheriff and consult his attorney and asked Moore to provide a written statement so county staff could look into the matter.
The board took several administrative actions: it appointed Commissioner Julius Walker as Washington County's voting delegate to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Legislative Goals Conference scheduled for Jan. 14–15, 2021; it approved the appointment of Marva Lloyd Redd, Ph.D., to a vacancy on the Pettigrew Library Board upon recommendation from Library Director Judi Bugniazet.
Commissioner Carol V. Phelps raised a request from Pocosin Charter School to receive Veterans Field in Creswell so the school could maintain mowing and upkeep. Commissioner Johnson and staff suggested the county explore a lease rather than an outright conveyance; Recreation Director (via Manager Potter) said the field had been used sporadically and recommended leasing with consideration of past county investment. Manager Potter said he and Recreation Director Fulford would work with the school and the town of Creswell and return a recommendation at the Jan. 4, 2021 meeting.
Other administrative updates included a bank conversion to Southern Bank with approximately 50% of county funds transferred, sale of old ambulances for roughly $5,000, and a planned purchase of an Emergency Management truck at about $20,500 with an expected 50% grant from SunEnergy 1 still pending. Potter said the draft audit should be completed by the end of the week and that staff will bring a Capital Improvement Plan and retreat dates for board consideration.
The board voted unanimously to enter a closed session for attorney-client matters and personnel pursuant to NCGS §143-318.11(a)(3) and (a)(6). After returning to open session, the board adjourned at 8:00 PM.
The board will revisit the Veteran’s Field request and present updated board-committee appointments and the draft audit at the January meeting.
