03/29/2024
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By: Erin Smith

The Bladen County Board of Commissioners presented the 2015 Annual Report on Monday night.

“It was a very productive year in 2015,” said Bladen County Manager Greg Martin as he read form the report itemizing the accomplishments.

Some highlights of the report include the county receiving the rural business enterprise grant, the sale fo the former winery located at the industrial park to Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery, the arrival of Carrol Poultry in the Bladenboro Industrial Park,  Southern Belle Organics purchased the former goat processing plant in Bladenboro and now process fruits and vegetables. 

Martin also told the board and those gathered for the meeting that Bladen County had successfully applied for and received funds from the very competitive Community Assistance Grant from Golden Leaf.  Three projects were submitted for consideration from Bladen Community College, Bladen County Schools and the town of Elizabethown submitted a water and sewer project. All were funded.

The Bladen County Sheriff’s office has also been busy. They have refreshed the design of the decals on the patrol cars and the light bars have been removed to increase fuel efficiency.  The department also has obtained an additional K-9 unit through private donations.

The Sheriff’s Office also created an honor guard unit that assists at funerals and special events.

The sheriff’s Office has also been busy enhancing the use of trustees, increased patrols at county schools, restructured the office and put a health and wellness initiative into place.

Martin said that the new detention center project got under way with the clearing of the land located on Smith Circle and a negotiating a contract for supplying meals to the jail.

Martin also said that 2015 marked the return of the use of inmate labor to the county. The inmates serve at the animal shelter, Bladen County Solid Waste, and the water department.

The 911 Call Center now has a computer aided dispatch system and E911 can now accept text to 911.

The Commissioners purchased the former White Lake Prison from the state of North Carolina and have turned it into a training center for the fire service, EMS service and law enforcement.

Martin said Bladen County EMS has refurbish ambulances to save taxpayer money  and have conducted classes with senior to teach hands only CPR.

The Bladen County Health department earned re-accreditation  and Bladen county home health began to streamline services and has begun an effort to advertise its services.

The Register of Deeds now offers attorneys the option for E-records.

The County Revaluation process was also completed. To read the entire report go to: http://bit.ly/215FLzo

In other business:

*The Board recognized Boy Scout Troop 600.

*The Board heard about a proposed drainage study from Kathleen Riely of the Cape Fear Resource Conservation and Development.

* The Board approved the Young Mom’s Connect grant application and memorandum of understand. They also heard an update from Marianne Valentiner regarding the 2016 Community Health Assessment.

* The board approved a proposed fee increase for rabies vaccines.

* The board approved the proposed budget calendar.

* The board approved the upset bid for county owned property and approved the reorganization of the tax department.

*The board approved an agreement with Gary Piner to serve as a contract real estate appraiser through June 30.

*The board heard from Veteran’s Affairs Director Larry Hammond regarding the office.

*The board approved a capital outlay request from Bladen County Schools in the amount of $111,377.39. A complete listing of items to be repaired can be found here: bit.ly/1oFgsGD.

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