Hood reports on the August County Commissioners' meeting | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Commissioners approved two programs having to do with nutrition for school children. Six thousand dollars is available from Healthy Carolinians and Vidant to be used to demonstrate a simulated healthy child's plate for 1650 students. There are about 7,000 students in the Beaufort County School System. A second grant from the Dr. Ann F. Wolfe Endowment in the amount of five thousand dollars will focus on obesity for the 600 students at Eastern Elementary School. The money from both grants will be used to buy supplies with volunteer groups providing the labor.

    The Beaufort Health Department presented a contract that was entered into on March 1, 2012 in the amount of $8,000 to be paid to Pitt County for providing a strategic plan for nine counties. The contract did not specify what he strategic plan was about. Commissioner Robert Cayton, also a member of the Board of Health, advocated for approval of the contract because the funding was pass thru money from a grant. The majority of the commissioners tabled approval because Commissioner Cayton failed to present enough information to know where the grant funds were coming from and the goal of he strategic plan.

    Tim Osborne, Executive Director of the Title IV Program, also known as the "Dead Beat Dad Program" received approval to change his contract with the County to comply with certain security provisions of the IRS data laws.

    Steve Murray, Resource Development Director for the Food Bank of the Albemarle requested and obtained a resolution designating September as "Hunger Action Month". Commissioner Richardson commented that there was a push and pull on food this month with one group promoting more food and another talking about obesity and the need for less food.

    Dr. Travis Burke, District Extension Director, presented the new Beaufort County Cooperative Extension Director, Rod Gurganus.

    Chief Deputy, Kit Campbell, requested permission to accept a Governor's Crime Commission grant in the amount of $43,544.97 for a Drug Diversion investigator. The County is required to provide a 25 percent match in the amount of $14,514.99 which will come from the confiscated drug money fund. The total sum of $58,059.96 will provide salary, supplies and overhead for one investigator for one year. The Drug Diversion Investigator will focus on the illegal use of prescription drugs. The public may report suspected violations to the Sheriff's Department. The position will be funded for one year.

    Van Lewis, Jr. with McDavid and Associates gave an up date on the grant application to link the two County water systems located on the North and South sides of the Pamlico River together. The County purchases water from the City of Washington on the North side and produces water from wells on the South side. Linking the two systems provides the opportunity to save money during peak demand and to provide the security of a back up to both systems during emergency conditions. Mr. Lewis is hopeful of the award being made within the next month or two.

    John Pack, Emergency Management Director, presented the Revised Emergency Operations Plan which will be available on the Beaufort County web site. This will provide better service to all fire chiefs and others who are involved with emergency operations.

    Commissioner Al Klemm presented an update on the status of he Re-write of the Economic Development Laws and Bylaws. Commissioner Richardson presented additional language limiting the involvement of the Director of Economic Development in his relationship with the Committee of 100. The wording intended to stipulate that there should be no interlocking relationships between the Committee of 100 and the Beaufort County Economic Development Council.

    Commissioner Richardson had several items. Richardson observed that the inventory of jail inmates shows only about 70 people incarcerated. Captain Ross, the jail administrator, disagreed and reported that she did not include those inmates who were charged with child support offenses. Richardson requested another report and pointed out that in order for him to make good decisions he had to have accurate information and all future jail inventories should include every person who was using a cell. Richardson pointed out there were more than 5 inmates who had been in jail for more than two years, some approaching four years. Each was charged with serious crimes, mostly murder. Richardson pointed out that this is not fair to the inmate or the County taxpayers. The direct cost for a four year inmate approaches 90,000 dollars plus medical and lawyer costs. Richardson observed the calling of these cases to trial is the responsibility of the District Attorney and these prisoners have been in jail too long without trial.

    Richardson asked the Board to consider loss control oversight of the Sheriff's Department. He requested a three person committee to study the situation. Richardson announced that he was not making a motion for the formation of such a committee so the Board could continue to discuss the situation.

    Jennifer Whitehurst, Register of Deeds, gave a report about the recent shut down of her office because of the failure of equipment. She requested the purchase of back up equipment. This item was referred to the Technology Committee for further study. Commissioners are concerned about shutting down the recording of documents when other offices requiring the services of the Register of Deeds are operating.

    In other business the Commissioners approved $ll,695.84 in travel expense, a slate of participants to the Southern Albemarle Commission, and a resolution honoring the North Carolina Symphony's 80th anniversary.

    The Commissioners set a public hearing on banning roadside hunting for the regular meeting on September 10.