Beaufort County Community College now has the budget flexibility to give some county-paid employees a raise.

At the July 11 Beaufort County Board of Commissioners meeting, commissioners voted to allow the college to spend its 2016-17 capital outlay funds, which are normally used for repairs, maintenance and new construction, on other expenses — primary among them is $137,000 for a 1.5-percent cost-of-living adjustment for BCCC’s county-paid employees that was originally included in the school’s budget requests, but was not approved by commissioners.

Commissioner Robert Belcher made the motion to make the change, leading to a heated discussion, with several commissioners pointing out if the money is used for cost-of-living adjustments, then the college will have no money for repairs and maintenance.

“We had budget talks,” said Commissioner Frankie Waters. “I can tell you, in the next six months, you guys will be back in here asking for money. We’re increasing the budget.”

“I’m not going to vote for the community college to give away their capital. … I’m not going to be very nice when you come back and ask for money,” Commissioner Hood Richardson said. “I see the footprint for disaster. … It’s policy — it’s terrible policy.”

BCCC President Dr. Barbara Tansey expressed her own reservations about the change, questioning how, if a cost-of-living adjustment is given to county-paid BCCC employees this year, the college will budget for the same next year.

“But how can I tell you not to vote for it when I’ve got to explain to my employees?” Tansey said.

“If we vote for this, you have no capital,” Buzzeo said. “This is not a fair proposal. It’s a trick: if we vote against it, we’re jerks; if we vote for it, we’re heroes. … If anything, we should be having a discussion on whether we want employees in the county to have a pay raise.”

During 2016-17 budget discussions, Buzzeo pushed for more funding for the community college, including for the cost-of-living adjustment for county employees, which would match that received by college employees paid through the state. BCCC originally requested more than $723,000 in capital outlay funds, but commissioners ultimately passed a budget allocating only a fraction of that amount, reasoning that the college could use money it has been awarded through the state’s Connect NC bond. The bond was passed by referendum during the March 15 primary and focuses on infrastructure for higher education facilities, state parks and water systems. BCCC was awarded $6.5 million through Connect NC, an amount commissioners have argued should be partially used for repair and maintenance.

Belcher made the argument that commissioners allowed Beaufort County Schools to use 2016-17 capital funds where necessary, and the college should be allowed to do the same.

Commissioners voted 4-3 in favor of Belcher’s motion.