After a previous meeting full of conflict due to a debate on the Lenoir County budget, the county commissioners were in sync at this week’s meeting.
The commissioners unanimously agreed to approve each proposal presented in Monday night’s meeting with limited discussion needed. It was a far cry from the June 3 meeting when the commissioners passed the budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year by a contentious 5-2 vote.
The first post-budget meeting lasted less than an hour, half of the time it took to adjourn the previous one.
“I expected a smooth meeting from the beginning, and that’s exactly what it was,” County Commissioner J. Mac Daughety said. “It wasn’t hard to agree with any of the proposals.”
The Lenoir County 2012-13 Secondary Road Improvement Program was amongst the approved proposals. The N.C. Department of Transportation has plans to resurface the pavement on Paul’s Path Road in Kinston and widen it from 20 to 26 feet. The changes to the 1.5-mile roadway should be made by spring.
The commissioners also agreed to purchases being made for the sheriff department, including a 2013 Chevrolet Impala to replace a totaled vehicle in La Grange, a maintenance contract with security electronics in the new jail and vendors needed to provide the supplies to the officers.
The passing of proposals weren’t surprising to County Manager Mike Jarman, who expected a relatively easy session.
“Every now and then, you’ll have items that may need to be discussed and will draw different opinions,” Jarman said. “In this case, everyone was in agreement throughout and usually it’s easier for that to happen when it comes to improvements.”
The monthly status report was also given on the Community Development Block Grant N.C. Catalyst Project. The performance schedule is on in the fields of rehabilitation, reconstruction, temporary relocation and clearance, along with improvements in sidewalks, drainage, streets, sewers and water. The CDBG Scattered Site Housing Assistance Project is also on schedule in the fields of reconstruction, temporary relocation and clearance.
The commissioners reappointed Debbie Burrell and Bruce Parson to the Eastern Carolina Workforce Development board for an additional two years. Also, Michael Hill, Nelson Dawson, Michael Morris, Randy Smith, Alton Roberson, Rodney Smith, Tom Davis, Greg Herring, Christopher Seymour, Clayton Sutton, B.H. Casey, Jr. and Jerry Tyndall were all appointed to the Agricultural Advisory Board, with the terms lasting until June 2014.
The commissioners also voted on canceling the July 1 meeting because it falls on the same week as Independence Day. The next county meeting will be held on July 15.
“Many people are usually on vacation in July, so we don’t anticipate anything other than a force of nature that couldn’t be handled on the third Monday,” Commissioner Chairman Reuben Davis said. “We don’t believe waiting until then will be detrimental to the county.”
Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.