Jones County commissioners approve grant application, update development rules
TRENTON - Jones County commissioners approved an application seeking about $5 million for housing improvements and a recreation facility, adopted changes to development regulations and called for stronger state action on road maintenance during their Oct. 5 meeting.
The board met at the Jones County Agricultural Building in Trenton. Its actions included new rules for campgrounds and tiny home parks, stronger cleanup requirements for solar facilities and changes to two county construction projects.
Commissioners authorized submission of a Community Development Block Grant Neighborhood Revitalization application after a public hearing. Jennifer King, deputy director of administrations, said the request includes approximately $1 million for housing work and $4 million for a recreation complex across from the high school that would also serve as an emergency shelter.
The resolution allows the county to submit the application and commits it to applicable state and federal requirements. Funding has not been awarded.
King said the county would try to minimize displacement during housing work and provide required relocation assistance if residents must temporarily leave their homes. No public comments were offered during the grant hearing.
The board also amended its solar energy ordinance to require notification of ownership or operator changes and additional information about equipment liens or other obligations affecting removal of equipment.
A key change prohibits using equipment salvage value to offset estimated decommissioning costs. The county attorney explained that counting salvage value could leave projects with little or no bond posted to cover cleanup, particularly early in their operation. Removing that offset would strengthen protections for the county and landowners, he said.
Before approval, commissioners accepted a wording change from “may not” to “shall not” to make the restriction more explicit.
The discussion also raised concerns about outdated contact information on solar farm signs and equipment left at operating sites. County staff agreed to consider those issues in future ordinance revisions.
Commissioners adopted a new ordinance regulating campgrounds and tiny home/park model parks. County Manager Kyle Smith said the ordinance allows those developments while setting local requirements.
The rules address emergency access, roadway widths, setbacks, utilities, cleanliness and waste disposal. Developers must submit a site plan for review by county staff and the Planning Board, followed by approval from commissioners.
A separate amendment defines a manufactured home park as a development on one or more tracts of property intended to contain three or more manufactured homes.
For county construction projects, commissioners approved a $32,664 reduction in the public works building project. Smith said changing the door system would reduce costs and allow the building’s lead time to be cut roughly in half, to eight to 10 weeks, according to the contractor.
The board also approved a $3,740.65 increase for the Brock Mill Pond recreational enhancement project to replace planned paper towel dispensers with stainless steel hand dryers.
Smith said the county-owned parking lot where construction is underway at Brock Mill Pond remains temporarily closed. A groundbreaking ceremony for the new public works building is scheduled for Oct. 19 at 11 a.m.
Commissioners conditionally approved an easement agreement with Duke Energy Progress to relocate a power pole onto county-owned property acquired through a federal hazard mitigation buyout. The relocation also requires Federal Emergency Management Agency approval.
Road maintenance drew an extended discussion during commissioner comments. Board members described overgrown vegetation, clogged ditches, drainage concerns and limited visibility along county roads, including N.C. 41 and U.S. 258.
Chairman Frank Emory urged taking the county’s concerns to higher-level transportation officials. Commissioners supported another letter outlining the problems and requesting a meeting, with previous correspondence and photographs suggested as supporting material.
Commissioner April Aycock also asked Smith to contact Duke Energy about vegetation on power lines and recurring outages during rain. Commissioner Sondra Ipock Riggs voiced opposition to COVID-19 vaccinations offered through the health department. The board took no action on vaccine services during the recorded public session.
Presentations highlighted county services and upcoming programs. Catrina McKinnon, regional vice president for Trillium Health Resources, reported that the organization served 397 Jones County members during the 2024-25 reporting period. She also highlighted Trillium’s support for the county’s inclusive playground.
Recreation and Parks Director David Mallard said the sixth annual back-to-school bash served 244 children with help from 32 community partners. Four fall sports had full rosters, and free adult fitness classes were planned for October at the new fitness court across from the high school.
King reported that the county received 53 completed applications for its latest housing repair funding round, which is expected to support repairs to 10 to 12 homes. She also said an approximately $24,000 American Heart Association grant purchased 17 automated external defibrillators, bringing the total obtained through the partnership over two years to 34.
Veterans Services Officer Chad Day announced plans for Operation Green Light in November and a veterans resource fair Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Civic Center. The county also recognized employees reaching five-, 10- and 15-year service milestones.
The consent agenda included meeting minutes, artificial intelligence policy updates, a digital inclusion grant project ordinance, a conflict-of-interest policy, certification of no overdue tax debts and budget amendments 12 through 20.
The next commissioners’ work session is scheduled for Oct. 19 at 7 p.m., followed by a regular meeting Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.
