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Columbus County commissioners approve routine grants, settlements and budget amendments including PFAS settlement and airport grant
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Summary
In addition to the referendum and opioid plan, the board approved acceptance of a $70,693 airport grant (with 5% match), a PFAS settlement acceptance, a $164,000 budget amendment for senior meals, and several budget amendments and requisitions.
During its April 20 meeting the Columbus County Board of Commissioners approved several routine but consequential items: acceptance of a North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Aviation grant, approval to accept proceeds from a Tyco Fire Products LP PFAS settlement, a budget amendment to fund congregate and home‑delivered senior meals, and multiple finance report amendments and requisitions.
The board approved the State Aid to Airports block grant of $70,693, which requires a 5% local match of $3,720.70 to be paid from transportation reserves. Finance director Heather Woody noted the grant is brought to the board because the county is the owner of the airport and the county manager is the authorized signer.
County attorneys presented a PFAS settlement related to minimal impacts at local sites and requested permission to accept funds to assess and remediate damage; the board approved accepting settlement funds for remediation activities. The Department on Aging requested a $164,000 amendment to fund congregate ($68,000 estimated) and home‑delivered meals ($96,000 estimated) through June; staff said the meals cost $6.62 each and are delivered by volunteers (mileage reimbursed). Commissioners approved that amendment.
Finance director Heather Woody also presented the March financial report, citing lagging sales‑tax receipts (56% vs. a 75% benchmark) and a $10 million year‑over‑year decrease in cash and investments driven by spending of preloaded grants and returned grant funds; the board approved several listed budget amendments and requisitions.
Several water and sewer district items were handled during a recess to the combined Water & Sewer District board meetings, including approval of an amended capital project ordinance for a water main; the boards then adjourned and the county board completed final comments and adjourned.
