County talks building, tearing down
Published 2:22 am Monday, November 7, 2016
Construction and demolition are two focal points for the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners’ agenda for the November meeting tonight.
Items for decision include a request by Beaufort County Community College President Dr. Barbara Tansey to allow the school to move forward on constructing a driving pad — training ground for first responders — which is part of a public safety training facility recently granted funds through the Connect NC bond passed during the March primary.
Public Works Director Christina Smith will present bids received for replacement of the Beaufort County Courthouse roof. Of the three bids received, Curtis Construction Co., out of Kinston, came in with the lowest bid of $279,756. In a letter to County Manager Brian Alligood, REI Engineers, which designed the roof, recommends the county accept the bid. A second bidder, Industrial Contract Services, proposed $402,800; a third, Hamlin Roofing Company, $760,603.
Smith will also request $21,600 for the design services of The East Group for the renovation of the old First South Bank building on West Second Street, which the county purchased last year. Plan for a new Financial Services Center and administration building include a county finance department office where all payments for county services, including tax and water, will be made, as well as a larger meeting room for commissioners with updated audio/visual equipment.
“This will allow a greater number of Beaufort County citizens to attend the monthly commissioners meeting and witness the process of county government,” the meeting’s agenda reads.
The building must be renovated to meet ADA requirements. Funding for renovation design was not included in the 2016-2017 budget and must get approval from the board.
On the demolition side, Smith will also request a fund balance appropriation of $84,606 for the demolition of the County Home Building on Highland Drive, the cost of which was not included in the 2016-17 budget. Of the three bids received, Dudley Landscaping of Washington gave the lowest bid of $117,600.
Also on the agenda is a request to appoint the Rev. Robert Cayton to the Beaufort County Community College Board of Trustees by the board’s Chairwoman Laura Staton. With the resignation of board member Cynthia Davis, who was appointed in 2014 and whose term expires in 2018, the board is in need of an experienced voice, according to a letter from Staton to Board of Commissioners’ Chairman Jerry Langley. Staton pointed out that Cayton has been instrumental in three presidential searches for BCCC and Barton College, a process the board is currently undergoing due to Tansey’s pending retirement.
“Reverend Cayton’s institutional memory is invaluable,” Staton wrote. “Such institutional memory is important for any board, but it is especially important to ours as we currently have eight board members with less than four years of experience.”
Other agenda items for decision include: approval of the purchase of three patrol vehicles for the sheriff’s office from Drug Asset Forfeiture funds; a county tax exemption request by the Belhaven Chamber of Commerce for a piece of property donated to the nonprofit; acceptance of a land donation to the county of 7.46 acres of waterfront property along Pantego Creek in Belhaven, adjacent to the 40-plus-acre Cooperage Tract also donated to the county.
Commissioner Hood Richardson has several items on the agenda including requests for: a resolution that the county not engage in any funding of spec buildings to attract industry; a forensic audit of Chocowinity EMS; allowing county employees with concealed carry permits to bring their weapons to work; and to introduce legislation to allow for recall votes of county commissioners.
The board will meet at the County Administrative Offices at 5:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.