Pitt County will pursue federal mitigation grant and delay immediate dam work at Lake Glenwood

The Pitt County Board of Commissioners voted to pursue a federal mitigation grant and instructed the chair to sign a required letter of support to apply for FEMA/BRIC funding for the Lake Glenwood dam rather than immediately accepting the lowest bid to repair the structure.

Jeff Baer, who identified himself as pond manager for the Lake Glenwood Property Owners Association, warned the board removing the dam would shift stormwater onto downstream neighborhoods and change the lake’s function. "Lake Glenwood has become a stormwater retention pond that retains stormwater runoff and allows for sediment and pollutants from that runoff to settle," he told the board during public comment.

Staff presented preliminary cost estimates and funding scenarios. Michael Hardy told commissioners the construction and engineering estimate is "right at 2,771,000," with the FEMA program covering roughly 75% and the county’s non‑federal share estimated at about $692,000; management costs of up to 5% raised the total proposed project request to near $2,910,000. Ken Brand said decommissioning would require engineered plans and permitting, and he estimated engineering and permitting at approximately $95,000 before bids could set a final decommissioning price.

Commissioners were divided. Commissioner Manning said he did not favor using county tax dollars for what he described as a private development problem and suggested decommissioning. Commissioner Brown and others stressed public‑safety risks and the precedent that the county already had taken ownership: Brown said the county now has responsibility and favored pursuing grant funding while balancing fiscal stewardship. After discussion Commissioner McGraw moved to adopt "alternative 2" — pursue grant funding and have the chair execute the letter of support — the motion was seconded and approved.

Staff cautioned the board that the grant process will take time and could delay repairs; Trader Construction, the lowest bidder, extended its bid only until Aug. 18, a date staff flagged as a potential scheduling risk. Manager also noted that the park‑related grant funds for an all‑abilities playground must be spent by October 2027 and that scope changes might be required should the county delay work while pursuing outside funding.

The board directed staff to submit the application, prepare the chair’s letter, continue existing monitoring and mitigation contracts (including Foster Pond Management) and maintain partnerships to lower lake levels in emergencies while the grant application is processed. No final repair contract was authorized tonight.