Plus a potential hotel tax and a new public records policy
Was this forwarded to you by a friend? Subscribe to get Down County delivered to your inbox.
The County Commission returned to the Patsy Sadler Room for their second August meeting. Here’s what was discussed:
Pamlico Rescue Service contract approved
The commission approved a new contract for ambulance services provided by the Pamlico County Rescue Squad. The new cost for services is $127,666.66 per month, up from $116,416 last year. The increase is in line with the average annual cost increase, which has historically been around 13% a year.
Ferry toll discussion continues
As many readers may already know, the General Assembly passed a budget that requires the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to begin charging tolls on all state ferry routes starting January 1, 2027.
County Manager Mark Brewington has approached other counties about submitting a joint resolution asking the NCDOT and the governor’s office to waive ferry tolls for vehicles registered in any county with a ferry terminal.
County residents can express their views on the ferry tolls at a listening session at Pamlico Community College in the Delamar Center at 6 pm on September 2.
New public record request policy
The commissioners voted in favor of a new policy to formalize the process of process public record requests. All requests will be directed to the Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners.
The policy allows the county to collect reasonable fees when necessary. The county will charge 10 cents a page for printed copies of records. Charges may also be incurred for record requests that result in excessive costs to the county, such as a request that results in employees working overtime.
Establishing a county-wide fire district
In an effort to make fire service access more fair and equitable, the fire departments in Pamlico County have asked to switch to a county-wide fire district model.
This model would help fill service gaps during the weekday hours when many volunteer firefighters are unavailable. It will also help assure that all departments in the county have adequate equipment.
The commissioners approved the request.
Cancer and health screenings for volunteer firefighters
Firefighting is associated with elevated cancer risk. Firefighters are 156 percent more at risk for testicular cancer, 28 to 43 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer and 46 percent more likely to develop breast cancer. In all, around two-thirds of firefighters will develop some sort of cancer over their lifetimes.
In an effort to help mitigate that risk for Pamlico County’s volunteer firefighters, the county is working on a program to offer complementary cancer and health screenings. The program will be paid for through sponsorships and grants.
Losing an Opportunity Zone
Pamlico County has had two federally-recognized Opportunity Zones (OZ) since 2017. However, the reauthorization of the program means the state will reduce the number to one. Approximately 20 OZ are being eliminated statewide. The commissioners have put off discussion on which OZ will be preserved until Commissioner Carl Ollison’s return.
Discussion of a county-wide occupancy tax
Commissioner Candy Bohmert raised the idea of a 3% countywide occupancy tax on lodging. Funds from the tax would be used to establish and run a Pamlico County Tourism Board.
Additional notes
The commissioners approved the following unanimously and without discussion:
- Approval of budget amendments.
- Reappointment of Robert Sadler to the ABC Board.
- An update of the county employee social media policy.
- Creation of a digital sign policy for county personnel.
- Entrance into an agreement with Ellkay, LLC
- Approval of ECU Health Community Connect (EPIC) Electronic Health Record agreement.
- Approval of the selection of Cornerstone to implement security upgrades at the Pamlico County Detention Center.
The commissioners went into closed session to discuss personnel and attorney/client privilege information.
Like our coverage? Set up a recurring donation today to become a part of our ultra-local visual storytelling.
