By Charlotte Smith
Monday, August 17, 2020, the Bladen County Commissioners held a regular scheduled meeting. All in attendance held a moment of silence in honor of the late Russell Priest who held the Bladen County Commissioner District 3 seat.
Pastor Tommy Puryear from Tar Heel Baptist Church offered a prayer for the county and the loved ones of the late Commissioner Priest before the pledge to the American flag was given by those in attendance.
Chairman with the Board of County Commissioners, Ray Britt, announced the local Democratic Party nominated Robby Priest, who is the late Commissioner Priest’s son.
Britt said about the nomination, “I personally will support that and I feel like a lot of other commissioners will support that.”
William Sellers with Eastpointe, accepted a proclamation by the commissioners stating August 31, 2020 will be Overdose Awareness Day.
Commissioner Charles Ray Peterson had an update from the Beaver Committee. “I think they are doing a really good job.”
Commissioner Dr. Munn-Goins said she did not see any beavers captured in the Kelly and Carvers Creek areas and other low lying areas.
Commissioner Peterson said the committee is asking citizens to report beaver issues in their area to the committee.
Peterson also reported, “We have a contract to help with the Kelly dikes, but the contractor we had backed out on us. A new contractor from Whiteville by the name of Worley is going to meet with the advisory board on Friday, according to Peterson.
Dr. Ophelia Munn-Goins asked about the Elwell Ferry. “It makes a long commute,” Dr. Munn-Goins reported.
Emergency Management Director, Nathan Dowless, said he would check and give an update on the ferry tomorrow.
Complaints about the clerk’s office and ditch clean up was also presented by Commissioner Dr. Munn-Goins.
Commissioner Michael Cogdell asked about the ditch flooding as well.
County Manager, Greg Martin said he had contacted N.C. Department of Transportation about the ditch issues.
Commissioners Bullock and Dr. Munn-Goins approved a COVID-19 proposal presented to the commissioners. The motion passed with a 6 to 2 vote. The no votes were from Commissioners Peterson and Gooden.
The next item for the commissioners to consider was a proposal to declare Public Health Crisis due to race relations.
Commissioners Cogdell, Bullock, Dr. Munn-Goins, and Trivette voted for the proposed declaration. However before the vote Commissioner Trivette said, “I haven’t heard about this being a public health crisis, but I’ve been doing some reading and asked a couple people.” Trivette asked Dr. Teresa (Terri) Duncan, Bladen County Health and Human Services Director to speak about the subject.
“People that have social predeterminate start out unequal. Living in a rural population we start out as an underserved population. It’s not just the African American population, but it’s all of the general population because we are in a rural area,” Dr. Duncan stated.
The motion for the declaration of a public health crisis due to race relations did not pass. Bullock, Cogdell, Trivette and Munn-Goins voted for the motion, Gooden, Britt, Peterson and Dowless voted against the motion.
Next W. Worley with the Maintenance Department of Bladen County Schools presented a request on behalf for Bladen County Schools for two air conditioner units. One unit is for Bladenboro Primary and one is for Plainview. Munn-Goins made the motion to approve and Commissioner Gooden made the second and the vote was approved.
Peterson said he wanted to ask a rhetorical question, “Why do we keep pouring money into Plainview?”
Cogdell retorted, you asked the question, “What do you think the answer should be?”
Peterson said, “There are 162 students there. Do the same thing we did with Booker T. Washington, move ‘em!”
Chairman Britt redirected the conversation to the next agenda item.
Renee Davis, Bladen County Tax Administrator presented the reports from the tax office. All tax matters on the agenda were approved by the commissioners.
“COVID has changed our whole life, so it’s changed our tax office too,” stated Renee Davis.
All tax item matters on the agenda were approved.
Below is the tax collection report Renee reported.
“They were trending in a positive direction before COVID and I just wanted to commend Renee for that,” Martin said.
Next the commissioners heard about property with back taxes owed coming up for future sales. View the presentation information below.
The Bladen County Department of Social Services gave an update on their employee trainings. The commissioners discussed with the Bladen County DSS representatives on strategies on how to retain employees in a career field that is hard to keep long-term employees. This is an issue across the country, the commissioner recognized.
Vicky Smith with DSS gave an update on two paybacks in the county’s social service department. “Things we are facing here in Bladen County, is not uncommon across the state,” she said.
Smith said in her eight years she hasn’t received a payback before.
The paybacks total about $8,500, which the county has to pay, according to Smith’s report. Peterson asked if the employee who made the mistake leading to the paybacks received any consequences. Smith stated the employee received coaching.
Some counties are purchasing insurance for the risk of paybacks, according to Martin.
Britt said, “I would check to see what the insurance cost would be if we find we can’t find retention with the staff.”
There is a COVID-19 assistance program for under insured North Carolina citizens beginning September 1, 2020 and end after the pandemic is over. The program provides funding for COVID-19 testing.
Dr. Duncan presented three renewal items and all were approved.
“I have some pretty good news. We have moved to a little bit of level and a decline in some of our metrics which will lead us from Phase II to Phase III.”
The State on Friday wants us under 5% of positive test rate and Bladen County had a 4% positive rate, according to Dr. Duncan. Dr. Duncan gave the following report on the COVID-19.
“Now is not the time to take our foot off the gas,” Dr. Duncan stated after her presentation.
Cogdell asked if it is possible for someone to get COVID-19 again after they have already had the virus. Dr. Duncan explained the thought is yes, they may be able to get the virus again.
Peterson and Munn-Goins asked about schools COVID-19 procedures.
Dr. Duncan explained the health department is working with the schools to make sure they are following CDC guidelines for cleaning and checking for COVID-19 symptoms.
Worley with the Maintenance Department of Bladen County Schools explained Bladen County Schools held a training last week on how to clean the buses and the schools.
Emergency Management Director Nathan Dowless said cleaning machines for the Schools are on order and should be here soon. The money to purchase the cleaning supplies came from the CARES act.
Lisa Coleman with the Bladen County Finance Department presented the financial dashboard to the commissioner.
David Howell, Bladen County EMS Director announced his partnership with Dr. Cathy Gantz, Bladen County Substance Abuse Task Force Director garnered a $199,000 grant for Mental Health and Substance Abuse training for EMS staff.
Commissioner Arthur Bullock asked if the grant would help with the EMS personnel salary.
Howell responsed, “Yes,” the funding may be used for salaries. The overall goal is to bridge the barrier.
Eastpointe and Bladen Community College have been consulted for the training needs, according to Howell.
Next the commissioners received an update from the Water District.
Kip Clary with with Bladen County presents a report stated there are about 550 customers in past due status and the county has lost about $70,000 due to the executive order 142 prohibiting collection of utilities.
Wayne Edge was reappointed and Pat DeVane was appointed to the Water and Sewer Board.
Tobermory Volunteer Fire Department advisory board members were reappointed.
County Manager, Greg Martin, gave an update. He reviewed the calendar for September.
Martin gave an update on the available county grants for businesses who have purchased personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also stressed the importance of encouraging everyone in Bladen County to submit a 2020 Census. Bladen County is currently at around 49% of citizen participation with the census, according to Martin.
The next county commissioner meeting will be held in September.
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