Washington County commissioners approve agenda, contracts, budget transfers and property sales

The Washington County Board of Commissioners met Aug. 5 in Creswell and unanimously approved the meeting agenda and a slate of administrative actions, including property sales, budget transfers, an opioid-related resolution and the authorization to negotiate and execute an engineering services contract following a requested-for-qualifications process.

The meeting, held at Washington County Early College High School, opened with Chair Ann C. Keyes calling the session to order and County Manager/County Attorney Curtis S. Potter noting an addition to the closed-session items under NCGS 143-318.11(a)(5) for property acquisition. Commissioner Tracey A. Johnson moved to approve the agenda as amended; Commissioner John C. Spruill seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The Board’s actions clear a set of administrative and procurement steps that the county manager can follow without returning to the full board for each procedural item — from contract negotiation authority for engineering services to budget reallocations that affect department spending.

Key actions and votes at a glance

- Consent agenda approved (motion by Commissioner Julius Walker, Jr.; seconded by Commissioner John C. Spruill). Items included approval of July 1, 2024 minutes; FY25 salary schedule/pay tables effective 7/16/24; Language Access Plan for ESFRLP2023; NCDHHS-DSS MOU FY25; RESO 2024-026 (sale of 90 Cumberland St., Plymouth); RESO 2024-027 (sale of 134 Daisy Lane, Roper); and RESO 2024-028 (Opioid Resolution). Outcome: approved unanimously.

- RFQ evaluation and contracting authority (motion by Commissioner Tracey A. Johnson; second by Commissioner Carol V. Phelps). The Board approved the RFQ evaluation team’s priority list of firms and directed the County Manager to negotiate with firms in that order until a fair and reasonable contract is reached; it then authorized the County Manager to execute the engineering services contract presented, subject to County Attorney-recommended modifications. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- Reappointment to BCCC Board of Trustees (motion by Commissioner Julius Walker, Jr.; second by Commissioner Tracey A. Johnson). The Board approved reappointment of Linda West to the Beaufort County Community College Board of Trustees. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- Budget transfers and amendments (motion by Commissioner John C. Spruill; second by Commissioner Julius Walker, Jr.). Finance Officer Missy Dixon reviewed the packet of transfers and amendments included with the meeting materials. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- Personnel action: pay increase for County Manager/County Attorney (see below for details). Outcome: approved unanimously.

Closed session and personnel action

The Board went into closed session under North Carolina General Statutes cited by the county: NCGS §143-311(a)(3) (attorney-client privilege), NCGS §143-318.11(a)(5) (property acquisition) and NCGS §143-318.11(a)(6) (personnel). After returning to open session, Commissioner Carol V. Phelps moved to give County Manager/County Attorney Curtis S. Potter a 9% pay increase effective July 16, 2024; Commissioner John C. Spruill seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

What’s next

The Board also heard departmental and other updates (see separate coverage of facilities and public comment). Several of the approved actions authorize staff to finalize contracts and implement budget changes; the RFQ negotiations and any executed engineering contract will be subject to any modifications the County Attorney recommends prior to execution.

At the close of the meeting Commissioner Spruill moved to adjourn; Commissioner Phelps seconded and the Board adjourned by unanimous vote.