Bladen County Commissioners held a Special Meeting Monday night, at the Powell-Melvin Ag Center on Smith Circle in Elizabethtown.
Eight of nine board members were present. Dr. Delilah Blanks did not attend.
The purpose of the meeting was to follow up on several issues and provide staff with guidance as the budget process approaches.
The first discussion related to a review of Phase IV proposed water project. The county currently serves nearly 6,000 customers and more are expected to be added over the next few weeks and months, including adding approximately 200 currently serviced by the Tar Heel Water Cooperation. Tar Heel leaders requested the takeover several months ago. The town and county are still working through the merger. It is set to happen soon.
Topics included, a system that will upgrade reading water meters. Currently, water meter readers travel the system and check each meter. LKC engineers proposed a system that would allow meters to be read automatically as the meter reader drove through the area at 55 miles per hour. There was a discussion related to a system where meters could be read automatically at the office. Cost of that is a consideration and the engineering firm will provide more information, including costs at a future meeting. The application process should begin soon.
Another issued centered around areas where there was a desire by residents to receive access to county water. Seven customers per mile are needed and must sign an agreement for the service, if it is to move forward. It was determined to continue promoting signups. The water system is paid for by users. USDA funding is available at terms in the 2% range, if the county qualifies and some grants may be available.
The engineering firm will return at a March meeting with more information.
Bradley Kinlaw, County Fire Marshall, discussed how water availability influenced fire insurance rates. He explained there are three types of water, wet hydrants, dry hydrants and certified water points. Water within 1,000 feet of a structure is used by some insurance companies to determine rates. It was also pointed out that a 4 inch water line will not support a water hydrant. A six inch water line is a must to support a hydrant.
Renee Davis, Bladen County Tax Administrator, reported there were two vacancies in her department. She proposed changes that would save over $35,000 per year. She proposed eliminating the Assistant Director position and hiring, what she described as a Tax Data Specialist. Another suggestion is to eliminate a full-time Appraiser position and hire a part-time appraiser, maybe a firm, and pay them on a per-parcel basis. Commissioners agreed to move forward with gathering more information but questioned if her proposed cost per parcel for the appraiser position was reasonable.
Grant Pait, Parks and Recreation Director, suggested plans for the next phase of an upgrade at the county park, by submitting a PARTF grant application. Pait proposed a new soccer field, the relocation of a picnic shelter, new pavement at the park, a dog park and an upgrade of the lighting system that has been in place since the construction of the park in 1979. The total request for all projects was $517,125. A PARTF grant could fund 50% of the cost. The dog park proposal was not a favorite topic of several commissioners. Pait explained that many visitors brought dogs to the park and it was better to have a place for them and PARTF favored dog parks and it could be a ‘plus’ for funding of the application. Despite concerns about the dog park, he was given permission to move forward with the application and submit his proposal later. The deadline for submitting a PARTF grant is May 2, 2016 and successful grant applicants will be selected in the fall of 2016.
Bladen County Finance Director Lisa Coleman provided an update on issues that will need to be considered come budget time. Included were changes in the retirement rates by the NC Treasurer’s office and another was cost increases related to the state health plan. She also mentioned a Public Citizen Survey seeking input, prior to the budget process.
Robin Hewett, Director of Computer Operations, informed the board that he had requested proposals for copier/printer services. The current contract expires this year. He expects proposals from several companies. He also indicated he had upgraded the audio in their board room. BladenOnline earlier requested permission to video meetings. The consensus was it was OK. There will be no cost to the county and BladenOnline agreed to share the videos with the county, if asked. BladenOnline would own the videos.
Greg Martin, County Manager, updated the board on the upcoming sales tax referendum. Martin reminded the board that the county cannot, by law, use county funds to promote the referendum, but can use funds to provide facts on the issue. The county has developed a single page “Quick Facts” for use by anyone who would like to have a copy. If the sales tax referendum passes, the board has promised to drop the property tax rate from 82 cents to 80 cents.
Martin provided an update on the Lock and Dam projects proposed for Lock and Dams at Elizabethtown and Tar Heel. Renovations have been completed at the site near East Arcadia.
The project is being promoted by groups outside the county and Bladen County will not participate in the costs.
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