Greene County Commissioners Highlight Community Values with Focus on Youth, Infrastructure, and Leadership
On Monday, October 6, 2025, at 10:00 AM, the Greene County Board of Commissioners met at the Greene County Operations Center for a session reflecting the community’s spirit in this rural North Carolina county. The meeting focused on youth development, infrastructure planning, and recognizing local leadership.
National 4-H Week Proclamation
The meeting began with a proclamation for National 4-H Week, presented by Carly Taylor, 4-H Agent from the Cooperative Extension department. Themed “Beyond Ready,” it celebrated 4-H as America’s largest youth development organization, serving six million young people nationwide through hands-on programs across over 100 public land-grant colleges and universities. The proclamation highlighted 4-H’s growth from agricultural roots to fostering skills in science, leadership, and community service, aligning with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture goals.
Chairman Bennie Heath proclaimed, “Now, therefore be it resolved that I, Bennie Heath, chairman of the Greene County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim October 5 through 11, 2025, as National 4-H Week throughout Greene County, and encourage all citizens to recognize 4-H for the significant impact it has made and continues to make by empowering youth with the skills they need to lead for a lifetime.” The board unanimously approved it, reinforcing county support.
Following the passage of the resolution, Taylor thanked them, saying, “Thank you. I just want to say thank you always to the county and all the commissioners for all your support of the 4-H program.”
Comprehensive Transportation Plan
Greene County, partnering with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), the Eastern Carolina Rural Planning Organization (RPO), and local municipalities, has released a draft Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) to address transportation needs over the next 25 to 30 years. This plan covers highways, bike and pedestrian routes, public transit, and rail improvements, incorporating two years of input from community stakeholders and local staff.
The draft is available at https://greenecountync.gov/ctp2025/ for public review. A 30-day comment period ends October 31, 2025, with feedback accepted via email to trey.cash@greenecountync.gov. Public meetings are scheduled in the Commissioners’ Chambers, 312 SE 2nd Street, Snow Hill, NC 28580: Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM, and Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM. All interested parties are invited to attend and submit comments.
Consent Agenda
The board unanimously approved the consent agenda, including the minutes from the September 15, 2025, regular meeting, late property tax relief applications for exemptions or exclusions, and refunds for overassessed items like junked mobile homes, ensuring compliance with North Carolina statutes.
Public Comments
Mr. David Brown, representing the Browntown community, presented a congressional resolution recognizing the area’s annual Benefit Day. The resolution was secured by U.S. Congressman Don Davis, a Snow Hill native and Democrat representing North Carolina’s 1st District, and was entered into the Congressional Record on the House floor in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Brown stated, “We had Congressman Don Davis do a resolution on the House floor in Washington, D.C., and the committee wanted me to present this to you.”
Chairman Heath responded, “Thank you very much, Mr. Brown. We truly appreciate it.” The resolution was presented to the county manager on the board’s behalf.
County Manager Proposals
County Manager Kyle DeHaven presented three items. First, he proposed a $375 donation for the 2025 Operation Santa Claus Project at Caswell Developmental Center in Kinston to provide holiday gifts for adults with disabilities. “This is the annual request from Caswell Developmental Center for their 2025 Operation Santa Claus Project. We have donated in the past, and this is a request of the Board’s wishes,” he said. The board approved it.
Second, he recommended reappointing Gloria Artis to the Jury Commission for two years, as requested by the Clerk of Court, to ensure impartial juror selection. The motion passed unanimously.
Third, he proposed reinstating the Property Appraisal Supervisor role to the Position Classification Plan, omitted due to vacancy, requiring certification from the North Carolina Department of Revenue for managing appraisals and tax exemptions. “A position is requested to be re-added to the current position classification plan… to be included in the salary study, as well as in the case a member of the department qualifies for the position,” DeHaven explained. The board approved it.
Commissioners’ Report and Recommendations
Chairman Bennie Heath announced a Greene-Lenoir United Way fundraiser to be held on October 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Senior Citizen Center. The event will feature a $10 combo box including two hot dogs, chips, a brownie, and a drink, with condiments available such as chili, mustard, ketchup, and onions. In response to a question about red hot dogs, Chairman Heath confirmed, “We understand the red hot dog,” adding that orders are due by Wednesday, October 8. Proceeds will benefit the Greene-Lenoir United Way, and both checks (made payable to Lenoir-Greene United Way) and cash will be accepted.
Commissioner Bobby Taylor reminded the Board about the Free Union Church’s annual golf tournament at Cutter Creek Golf Club on Friday. Commissioner Heath added details, noting that the event will begin around lunchtime, with a barbecue dinner scheduled for about 5:30 p.m.
Commissioner Derek Burress requested two updates. First, he requested that the staff give an update on missing road signs. Second, with a salary study currently underway, he requested a presentation to the Board on the County’s pay structure and the potential for a merit-based step increase system. “I’d like a presentation to be given to the Board for information purposes, to ensure the County covers all its bases when considering staff pay increases,” he said.
Burress also asked about an email the County Manager sent to the Commissioners about an hour before the meeting. “What is this ORBIT thing? I don’t understand?” he asked. County Manager DeHaven explained that ORBIT is the North Carolina Retirement Systems’ online portal for managing pension benefits.
Vice Chairman Jerry Jones honored Mark Suggs, executive vice president of Pitt & Greene Electric Membership Corporation since 1983, for his June 30, 2025, election as president of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC), managing $38 billion for 1,000 rural electric cooperatives. “Congratulations to Mark Suggs. He was recently elected as the president of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, which is a pretty big honor for a young man from Greene County,” Jones said.
Closed Session
Following Jones’s remarks, the board entered a closed session per the agenda under N.C.G.S. § 143-318.11(a)(4) for economic development and § 143-318.11(a)(3) for attorney-client privilege. No action was taken after the board reconvened.
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