By: Charlotte Smith
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Recognizing the employees, Litter Sweep, financial reviews, 2015 tax revaluations, health rankings, a LIGHT Project, legislation affecting public health, preliminary Phase IV discussion for the Water District, County Board’s appointments, the County’s Calendar and more were all addressed at this month’s County Commissioners meeting.
First on the agenda was a matter of interest. Commissioner Bullock brought up the concerns about racial disparity in the jail. Commissioner Bullock submitted information to the board about a federal program with information about young men of color. Chairman Peterson asked that the information also be given to Sherriff McVicker.
Mary McKiver, Brittany Preston, Amanda Sykes, Faye Collins, Djuana Register, were presented with certificates of appreciation for their dedicated service to our county. Ann Marie Hinson, Donna Parnell, and Esther Babson were not present, but also given certificates. County Manager Greg Martin introduced the new Bladen County Public Library Director, Kelsey Edwards. The board adjourned for a brief reception to honor our Bladen County employees.
Sondra Guyton, Erin Smith and Steve Melson with Keep Bladen Beautiful addressed the board about “Litter Sweep”. Litter Sweep is a state wide bi-annual roadside litter cleanup event starting April 18th continuing through May 2nd and will be held again September 19th through Oct. 3rd, 2015. Guyton said, “Keep Bladen Beautiful members would like to encourage community members to pitch in and help clean up road sides or an area of interest. Volunteers can obtain supplies from the Department of Transportation County Maintenance Office.” Participates will be given certificates of appreciation. Keep Bladen Beautiful also has a Beautification Project this Saturday at Bladen Community College starting at 8 o’clock in the morning. Everyone is invited to participate.
Chris Ellis, Bladen County Tax Administrator along with Tim Cain updated the commissioners on the 2015 revaluations of tax values in the county. Cain said, “We are in the process of sending out re-notifications to tax payers at this point. We have sent out less than 2,000 we approximate to have less than 2,300 to send out, that represents less than a third than what we had eight years ago.” He explained, The rule of thumb is you have 5-10% of the evaluations going back for review. This revaluation was challenging not only because of the change in market, but also because of the lack of sales volume in the market. The sales volume is how they compare tax evaluations. When asked how many revaluations went up, Ellis said, “There was a no change given on 564, the remaining had a change which included some up and down.” Ellis continued, “Notices will be going out tomorrow morning and will go in mailboxes around Thursday or so.” The appeal process is still open. The appeal process will be open until the last day the Board of Equalization and Review meets to have an appeal heard. The loss due to the reevaluations is still undetermined at this time.
Bladen County Health Rankings was shared with the board by Cris Harrelson, Health Department Director. Bladen County moved up in the overall health rankings from number 91 last year to number 88 in the state.
Harrelson reported on a new project. “The LIGHT Project is a initiative that Columbus County has via a grant that will provide congregations and community members with diabetes and chronic disease workshops.” Harrelson explained. Columbus County Health Department reached out to us to help obtain base lines, ongoing data, sit on their advisory council, and provide referrals.” Harrelson then gave an overview of few current legislative proposal and how they may effect public health. House Bill 309 about unpasteurized milk, Senate Bill 346 about exemptions from vaccinations, and a Senate Bill about food stands. Harrelson was asked to provide more information about these items for the commissioners to review.
Randy Garner, the Water Department Head, introduced Tim Carpenter and Adam Kiker with LKC, to discuss the Preliminary Phase IV with the Water District. Kiker said, “Phase IV is really motivated by two issues, there is a need to address the age of your water meters in your system and for a considerable amount of time Randy’s office and his staff have been keeping a running tab on people interested in the project.” Phase IV will consist of completing meter replacements with a radio-read system, fill in water lines along the road side, production of a new well, and water line extensions. Bladen County will be able to capture more revenue and save on man power. Estimated cost is $1,610,000. There are grants out there to help with the cost of this phase. LKC and Bladen County staff members will continue to work on gathering information and present the board with their findings in a couple months.
The Commissioners appointed Ashley Taylor Dowless to the Elizabethtown Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustments. Amber Long was appointed to Keep Bladen Beautiful.
The County Calendar update was given by Greg Martin, County Manager.
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