By: Erin Smith
The Bladen County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday night and heard several updates.
The first update the board received was from Adrian Lowery, Business Services Coordinator of the Lumber River Council of Governments, regarding a 2015 Single Family Rehabilitation Program.
Lowery said the county has received $170,000 to rehabilitate or provide assistance to three homes in the county.
“This is not so much a rehabilitation program as it is an energy program,” said Lowery.
He explained the program focuses on energy efficiency verses actually remodeling a home.
Lowery said the homes that are considered for this type of program are only moderately deteriorated.
He also told the board that mobile homes are not eligible for this program while modular homes can be approved.
Lowery told the board that the maximum amount that can be spent on a home is $45,000 and the minimum that can be spent is $5,000.
He also said the program requires a loan or deed of trust. Lowery told the board that income verification is required and the person cannot more than 80 percent of the minimum income. If the person earns more than that, they are unable to apply.
The board was also scheduled to hear an update on the facility needs study of Bladen County Schools, but the item was tabled due to the fact the Dr. Heavenridge, who was scheduled to present the study, had a family emergency and was called away.
The board also received the financial update from Finance Director Lisa Coleman.
The board heard from Computer Director Robin Hewett regarding video and recording of the commissioners meetings. He told the board that one company had given him a proposal that included high resolution cameras that came to a total of $7,300. Hewett told the board that the county staff have also contacted Evans Computers to present a proposal and they expect that proposal soon. He also told the board the staff was also doing some test recording of the meeting.
Commissioner Delilah Blanks also brought back up the issue of the tabled facilities study. She told the board that the Board of Education has many needs and these needs are going to come up again during the budget and planning. Blanks said, “We have a referendum coming on the ballot for sales tax that is not being looked at for education purposes. It is being used to lower the property tax rate.”
Blanks said the sales tax issue is causing division on the board.
“We need to get a better understanding of what their goals and objectives are,” said Blanks of the Board of Education.
Commissioner Charles Ray Peterson cut Blanks off and pointed out the tabled agenda item was an information item regarding a study the Board of Education is required to perform.
“Tonight there was no money requested,” said Bladen County Manager Greg Martin.
He added that the study just presents the facilities needs of the Board of Education.
“The report basically states the condition of the buildings and shows the needs based on population,” said Martin.
Commissioner Michael Cogdell added that the study shows how old the buildings are and pointed out that some buildings were built in the 1920s and 1950s.
The board also made several advisory committee appointments.
Martin announced that Monday, Jan. 25, is the first meeting of the Bladen County Strategic Planning Committee.
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