This Monday evening the Bladen County Board of Commissioner held their regular meeting with a full agenda. The commissioners listened to reports, proposals, community members, made a proclamation, scheduled a workshop, and took action on several items.
USDA Representative Larry Sampson presented the USDA forms for obligation of funds regarding the detention and law enforcement center construction project. Sampson explained the loan would be a secured loan on all real property. The payments would be on an annual schedule with a four year term. The Commissioners were asked to adopt resolutions and a letter in reference to the USDA funding loan. All the actions the USDA requested were approved to be adopted by the Commissioners.
Dr. Robert Taylor addressed the Board of Commissioners on behalf of Bladen County Schools asking for $200,000 to assist with funding. The request was tabled until the next meeting. Read more about the request from Dr. Taylor, click here.
Emergency vehicles and how they are used was another hot topic at the Monday night meeting. Fire Marshall, Bradley Kinlaw asked the Board to consider accepting a trailer from Southeast Regional Advisory Committee (SERAC). According to Kinlaw, the trailer houses equipment such as masks, IV poles, wheelchairs and other equipment to support a disaster response. The commissioners approved the request.
However, Commissioner Author Bullock took the opportunity to address his concerns with the EMS Quick Response Vehicles (QRVs) being parked in the evenings and not serving Bladen County to their fullest capacity.
Commissioner Blanks also stated her concerns with reports about the response times to the East Arcadia and Tobermory communities. After discussion about possible changes that need to be made the commissioners decided to schedule a workshop with Kinlaw and other EMS personnel.
The commissioners also heard from Planning Department Director, Greg Elkins. Elkins requested amendments to two resolutions in support of a DWQ Water Resources Development Grant application to fund construction for the Butters and Richardson Drainage Project.
According to Elkins, the Butters and Richardson communities are frequently flooded due to a backed up ditch system that is in need of clean-out and upgrading of culvert pipes to an adequate size for water flow. Elkins explained the resolutions would change from engineering studies to construction which will include design work to assess the best means to address the flooding problem. The commissioners approved the resolutions in the amount not to exceed $4,000 and $16,000.
Other items that were covered:
– Mrs. Blannie Smith Hall received a proclamation to honor her 100th birthday from the Bladen County Commissioners.
– Renee Davis was appointed Intern Revenue Director / Tax Collector
– Commissioners approved Unpaid Tax Report and Annual Settlement for Years 2005 -2014
– Finance Officer, Lisa Coleman gave the July 2015 Financial Dashboard
– Commissioners approved agreements with Southeastern Biological Supply and CKS Productions requested by Health & Human Services Director Cris Harrelson.
– Bobby Kinlaw, Larry Hayes and Randy Coleman were appointed to the Highway Safety Committee.
– The Board of Commissioners approved a commitment in the amount of $50,000 matching funds to Bladen Community College.
– County Manager, Greg Martin, went over the calendar of events and informed the commissioners that Pastor Larry Hayes has changed the time of the 9/11 annual ceremony in an effort to increase attendance. This year’s ceremony will be held on September 11th at 6 pm on the court house lawn. It has traditionally been held at noon.
Share on social media using short link: https://bladencounty.org/?p=22708
About Author
