Bertie County commissioners move to assume control of Social Services Board, schedule Nov. 19 public hearing

The Bertie County Board of County Commissioners voted during a regular meeting to assume direct control of activities previously conducted by the Bertie County Social Services Board and to dissolve that board.

The chair read North Carolina General Statute 153A-77 and moved that the commission "assume direct control of any activity heretofore conducted by the Bertie County Social Services Board by the adoption of a resolution assuming and conferring upon the Bertie County Board of County Commissioners all powers, responsibilities, and duties of the Bertie County Social Services Board, which will be dissolved." The motion included a notice that a public hearing would be held with 30 days' notice; the chair later stated the hearing would be held on Nov. 19, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the county commission chamber. The chair said the action was "effective today."

According to the transcript, the motion was recorded as moved by "vice chairman Hargett" and seconded by "mister Michael White." A voice vote was taken; multiple commissioners responded "Aye," and the chair declared the motion carried. The board did not discuss details such as transitional staffing, budget adjustments, or how case responsibilities would be transferred in the minutes recorded in the transcript.

The board set the public hearing to give 30 days' notice and to consider adoption of the resolution at that hearing. The transcript does not specify further implementation steps or funding sources; those details may be provided at the Nov. 19 hearing or in subsequent staff reports.