Discussion concerning moving Beaufort County’s EMS program to the paramedic level is on the agenda for the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners’ retreat Feb. 20-21.

The annual retreat will be held at the North Carolina Estuarium, 223 Water St., Washington. The annual retreat allows the board several hours to discuss key issues and provide input to the budget-preparation process for the county’s 2014-2015 budget. The retreat begins at 1 p.m. with a working lunch that includes a presentation on Beaufort County Schools by Superintendent Don Phipps. That presentation will be followed by the discussion on the need to upgrade the county’s EMS program to the paramedic level, including the estimated costs for doing so. Feb. 20’s session concludes with discussion concerning commissioners’ budget priorities.

The Feb. 21 session includes a presentation on financial-condition analysis and the importance of capital (major building projects and equipment purchases) planning. Bob Heuts, the county’s economic developer, is scheduled to discuss economic development, the future of the Northeast Commission and working with Greenville and Pitt County on economic-development opportunities. Jim Chrisman, the county’s chief financial officer and assistant county manager, is slated to discuss the county’s financial picture, including investments, the county’s fund balance and recent audit, which gave the county the highest mark possible for its oversight of the 2012-2013 budget.

County Manager Randell Woodruff and Bryant Buck with the Mid-East Commission conclude the retreat with a discussion about the importance of comprehensive planning to help guide development and growth in the county.