Opioid funding, AI limits, and flood task force approved at Jones commissioners meeting
TRENTON — Jones County commissioners approved opioid settlement funding agreements tied to Hope Mission of Coastal Carolina, adopted an internal artificial intelligence policy for county employees, and created a flood mitigation task force during the board’s March 2 regular meeting.
The meeting opened with an invocation by Commissioner Mike Haddock and the pledge of allegiance. With no public comment offered at the start of the meeting, the board approved the agenda and then viewed a North Carolina Association of County Commissioners video encouraging participation in upcoming district meetings and highlighting potential budget impacts tied to federal and state policy discussions.
Veterans transportation report highlights 46 trips, 4,764 miles
Chad Day presented an annual report on the county’s Veterans Transportation Program, describing it as a service that helps reduce transportation barriers for veterans traveling to medical appointments.
Day said the program provided 46 total trips between March 1, 2025, and Feb. 28, 2026, totaling 4,764 miles, with an average trip of 119 miles driven largely by trips to Durham. He listed destinations including Greenville, Wilmington, Jacksonville, Durham, New Bern, Washington, Richlands, Kinston and Pollocksville.
Commissioners discussed efforts to secure additional equipment, with the chairman saying county leaders had recently spoken with U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy about the possibility of obtaining a handicap-accessible van.
During the discussion, a commissioner asked about budget increases and raised concerns about how state resources are distributed to poorer counties east of Interstate 95.
Diabetes prevention cohort graduates five participants
A health department representative reported on the county’s diabetes prevention program, saying five people graduated in December 2025 and together lost 81 pounds. The presenter said participants’ A1C levels were in the normal range, below 5.7, and that recruitment was underway for a spring cohort beginning March 6 at Melissa Murphy Ministry in Maysville.
Opioid settlement agreements approved
Adrian Smith presented two agreements and a resolution related to opioid settlement funding. Smith said both agreements were previously approved, with changes tied to leadership at Hope Mission.
The board approved an agreement to place a part-time family mentor at the Department of Social Services, limited to 20 hours a week, to provide peer mentoring, case management, recovery planning, service connections and transportation support for individuals involved in child welfare who also have a substance use disorder diagnosis.
The board also approved an agreement for open referral recovery beds at Hope Mission, funding up to five beds with placements described as ranging from 30 to 180 to 365 days. Smith said the agreement set a rate of $55 per bed per night and included transportation support and access to clinical assessment and treatment.
Smith presented a three-year funding request totaling $150,000 in opioid settlement dollars, including $90,000 for the DSS family mentor program and $60,000 for recovery bed referrals. Commissioners approved the items.
AI policy adopted to limit confidential information sharing
Jennifer King presented an AI policy intended to set limits on what county employees are allowed to enter into AI tools. King said the policy is aimed at preventing identifying or confidential information from being entered into systems where information could be exposed.
County Attorney Ross Boucher said the goal is to reduce the county’s liability exposure, particularly for departments that handle sensitive information, including DSS and the health department. Commissioners approved the policy.
URP27 funding update raises questions about oversight
King also reported Jones County had been approved for URP27 funding in the amount of $165,000. She said the program has helped residents with urgent home repairs and described the grant as competitive, with 64 applications submitted statewide and 40 funded.
One commissioner questioned who oversees selection for the program and argued the county should have more visibility into who receives aid. King said the county processes local applications but that the program is overseen by a state housing authority, adding that demand for housing rehab assistance exceeds available funding.
Consent agenda approved with appointments, minutes, and budget amendments
The board approved the consent agenda, which included multiple sets of meeting minutes, revocation of a VAB advisory board membership, termination of a lobbying services agreement subject to ratification, planning board reappointments, a Shortway Brewing lease renewal, appointments to the recreation and economic development boards, RAAC appointments, and budget amendments.
Tax collection rate reported at 92.37%
Tax Administrator Fleming Jeffress reported the county’s 2025 levy was about $8.698 million, with about $8.034 million collected, leaving about $664,000 outstanding. Jeffress said the collection rate stood at 92.37%, compared with 91.21% at the same point the previous year.
Jeffress asked commissioners to set dates for the 2026 Board of Equalization and Review, which hears property tax appeals. He recommended convening April 7 and adjourning April 20, and commissioners approved the schedule.
Jeffress also received approval to advertise 2025 tax liens on real property, saying the county is required by statute to run the notice between March 1 and June 30. He said the county typically advertises around late April or early May to give taxpayers additional time.
A commissioner used the discussion to warn residents about what she described as misleading land purchase or lease offers tied to solar development, claiming some proposals promise large sums but delay payment and rely on lease-style terms.
Emergency management seeks ham radio equipment
Emergency Services Director Ryan Mills requested approval to purchase ham radio equipment for the county’s emergency operations center, describing it as part of a redundancy plan for emergencies and activations.
Mills said the purchase would use remaining fund balance from emergency management camper sales, with about $18,000 left available for emergency management purposes. Mills cited an estimated $2,000 packtor modem cost that was currently unavailable due to backorder conditions, plus additional equipment totaling $3,084.50, for a request of about $5,084.50. Commissioners approved the request.
Brunch bill ordinance changes Sunday sales time
Commissioners approved an ordinance allowing permitted establishments to sell malt beverages and wine beginning at 10 a.m. on Sundays, shifting from a noon start time.
Flood mitigation task force created
County Manager Kyle Smith presented a list of 10 members for a flood mitigation task force, created after a prior flood study meeting. Members included the county manager, board chairman, Commissioner Haddock, municipal representatives, county staff involved in emergency services and natural resources, and two private landowners and business owners. Commissioners approved the task force.
Easement agreement supports future sale of county lots
Commissioners approved an easement and right of way agreement related to county-owned lots in the Manning Estate area. Smith said the lots were conveyed to the county by Dr. Battersby, with access along Manning Lane via an easement across remaining Battersby property.
Boucher said the agreement does not convey property or add obligations for the county, but recognizes the right to sell adjoining acreage with the same easement rights. He said it could benefit the county by encouraging another private landowner to help maintain the street.
Legacy Acres subdivision moves forward with conditions
Commissioners conditionally approved the Legacy Acres subdivision plat after staff said the planning board had previously given preliminary approval but was waiting for the road to be completed to North Carolina Department of Transportation standards for an unpaved private road.
Boucher said the conditional approval was intended to ensure any required certifications are met before final approval is granted.
Hanbury selected for recreation and wellness center work
Smith presented results of an RFQ process for a recreation and wellness center and park project, saying seven firms submitted on time and five were disqualified for late submissions.
Smith said the county’s evaluation team selected Hanbury as the top-ranked firm, noting the company previously worked on the Summer Scholars project for the same site, which could speed onboarding. Commissioners approved moving forward, with staff noting the county would next negotiate professional services pricing, which would return to the board for approval.
A commissioner raised concerns about supervision and liability at county recreation sites, particularly involving children using playground equipment. Other commissioners and staff discussed signage, parental responsibility, and legal review.
Chiller replacement approved for incubator building
Commissioners approved a request not to exceed $14,000 for a chiller replacement at the county-owned incubator building leased by Shortway Brewing, after staff said maintenance costs have piled up over the past two years and vendors recommended replacement.
Smith said the county would seek additional quotes and aimed to act before summer. He said funds would come from a revolving loan fund restricted for economic development purposes.
Manager comments include utilities meeting, D.C. trip, and upcoming events
Smith said the next work session would be March 16, with the next regular meeting on Tuesday, April 7, due to an Easter holiday on the prior Monday.
He said a joint elected officials and leadership meeting is scheduled for March 24 with municipal leaders, the sheriff’s office, and the board of education, with discussion expected on utilities consolidation and the flood study’s final product.
Smith also referenced a National Association of Counties legislative conference trip to Washington, D.C., describing the meetings as productive. The chairman added that county leaders met with Sen. Ted Budd’s staff and briefly encountered Budd in an elevator, using the moment to press county priorities.
Smith also noted Trillium would hold a Thrive Luncheon in Jones County on March 27.
Commissioner comments highlight gun raffle, senior center, roads, and ICE rumor
Commissioner Haycock promoted a Pollocksville Fire Department gun raffle scheduled for Saturday, March 21, encouraging ticket purchases to support the volunteer department.
Vice Chair Dunn said he visited the senior services center, praised the meals and activities, and encouraged other seniors to participate, while also noting some equipment could use upgrades.
Commissioner Riggs criticized road and ditch conditions countywide, saying she had raised the issue repeatedly and arguing that ditch maintenance is necessary for flood reduction. Riggs also brought up a circulating claim that commissioners were “secretly negotiating” to locate an ICE detention center in Trenton near the former Jones High School site and asked other commissioners to confirm or deny it.
The chairman responded that he was not aware of any such plan and questioned the credibility of the message, noting names were misspelled.
A discussion followed about how road paving decisions are made through state transportation scoring and political factors, with commissioners citing recent paving in some areas while acknowledging specific roads remain in poor condition. Staff also provided an update on the county’s playground and fitness court projects, saying paving and fencing work was still underway and ribbon cuttings were expected in April.
With no public comment offered at the end of the meeting, commissioners voted to adjourn.
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