County Commissioners hear jail project update

The Bladen County Board of Commissioners met on Monday night and heard an update regarding the county’s jail project from Bladen County Manager Greg Martin. He told the board the project is on schedule and on budget.

Martin told the board the final completion date for the jail is June 22 with the final state inspection being completed by July 21.

He told the board that the project has encountered a change. Martin said this is the first change order for the jail project and it will increase the cost to date by $81,293. The change order and additional expense is for a Muffin Monster grinder pump that needs to be installed for the jail’s sewer system.

Martin said such a pump was included in the original price but was removed from the value plan. He said when the application for the sewer hook up was presented to the Elizabethtown Town Board, the Muffin Monster grinder pump was included in the original application which was presented to the town. Martin said the town is requesting that the pump be included.

The plans for the jail call for each cell to have what are called sewer pits in place but the town is still requesting the installation of the grinder pump to prevent foreign objects from entering the town’s sewer system.

The board voted to approve the change order.

In other business, the board accepted bids on parcels of county-owned property. The first bid was for two parcels of land located in Bladenboro. Bladen County Tax Administrator Renee Davis said the previous owner, Mrs. Christian, made an offer and requested a private sale as per North Carolina General Statutes. The board voted approve the bid and allow a private sale to Mrs. Christian under the NC General Statutes.

The second parcel was a foreclosed property located in Clarkton. Ronnie McLean offered a bid of $12,210. The board approved the bid and the upset bid process will now be allowed to move foreword.

A third parcel located in Kelly was foreclosed on by the county in 2009. A bid of $2,400 was submitted. The board approved the bid and the upset bid process will move forward.