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Beaufort County approves playground, hydrant, equipment and several contract awards in May meeting
Summary
The board approved a set of capital and procurement actions including a $614,792 playground purchase for Washington Elementary, $54,450 in ARPA funds for a Bath Fire Department hydrant, a $78,411 skid-steer purchase for Water Division, a $327,760 contract for a DSS standby generator, and other contract and reimbursement payments.
At the May meeting the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners approved multiple capital purchases, construction reimbursements and contract awards as part of routine but high-value county operations.
The board approved a $614,792.95 purchase of playground equipment for Washington Elementary School to outfit pre-K through third-grade play areas. Superintendent Mark Dayne said the purchase is time-sensitive to ensure equipment and installation are in place for the schools planned opening. The motion passed by voice vote.
The board also approved an ARPA-funded $54,450 award to the Bath Volunteer Fire Department to install a hydrant and paved apron off Highway 264 that will allow fire units from multiple districts to refill water off the roadway and use the site for training. Commissioners asked staff for contractor bids and a line-item breakdown; staff committed to circulate the contractor quote to commissioners.
Public Works received approval to buy a 2025 Yanmar compact track loader (skid steer) at approximately $78,411 (which included a $7,000 cash rebate). Staff said the skid steer replaces a 1994 backhoe and offers greater versatility and trailer-ability.
Facilities and procurement actions approved included: - A Coastline Electrical Construction contract award (~$327,760) to install a 200 kW standby generator and 800-amp automatic transfer switch at the Department of Social Services building, funded by transfers within the facilities capital projects budget. - Transfer of $47,545 from the Solid Waste fund balance into the solid-waste mega-site capital project to cover additional architect-design, stormwater permit fees and a planned electrical-line extension. - Reimbursement request #17 for Washington Elementary (Whimco invoice) totaling $3,252,190.90 (grant share $2,626,794.61; county match $625,396.29) was approved as submitted.
The board also awarded a one-year audit services contract to Thompson Price Scott & Adams for $61,500, approved the Motorola radio-console purchase under 911 grant funding (with a company price concession and grant reconsideration covering the increase), and authorized staff to transfer several sewer permits from the county to the appropriate municipalities.
Where votes were recorded by voice or hands, the board approved the items; minutes include the formal record of motions and the voice- or hand-raise tallies.
