Jones County commissioners approve senior services plan, audit contract and Extension agreement

TRENTON — Jones County commissioners approved funding plans for senior services, selected an audit firm and entered into an agreement to keep a Cooperative Extension family and consumer sciences agent fully based in Jones County during their regular meeting Monday.

The board met May 4 at the Jones County Agricultural Building in Trenton. Commissioners also approved a child care subsidy policy, a heat safety proclamation, an ADA transition plan update, a veteran service officer appointment and a 12-month extension for a subdivision plat application.

Commissioners approved the county’s Home and Community Care Block Grant funding plan for fiscal year 2026-27. Jennifer King, deputy director of administrations, said the plan includes $57,300 for congregate nutrition at the senior center, $63,790 for home-delivered meals and $34,800 for in-home aide services. The plan also includes $7,554 for the Senior Companion Program through Coastal Community Action.

King said the figures are based on last year’s funding and may change once the state budget is approved.

“Of course, we don’t know 100% what our funding amount will be until the state budget is passed,” King said.

The board also selected Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Co. to provide audit services after receiving two proposals. Finance Director Blake Batchelor said Mauldin & Jenkins submitted a proposal for $90,000 as a flat rate, including four major programs, with additional programs costing $5,000 to $8,000 each. Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Co., the county’s current audit firm, submitted a proposal of $55,000 plus $3,000 per major program for single audits.

Batchelor said using four major programs for comparison, the cost would be $90,000 for Mauldin & Jenkins and $67,000 for Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Co.

Batchelor said he and County Manager Kyle Smith recommended staying with Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Co. after considering the cost difference. He also acknowledged concerns about past late audit submissions.

“We’re confident we can move forward with them and get audits completed on time, understanding that we may need to be more diligent and on top of the audit firm throughout that process,” Batchelor said.

Commissioners approved the firm selection, the audit engagement letter and the fiscal year 2026 audit contract. Batchelor said the contract is not to exceed $73,000, which includes the base amount and up to six major program audits.

Commissioners also approved a cost-share agreement with The Filling Station for the family and consumer sciences agent position at the N.C. Cooperative Extension Jones County Center.

Smith said the position had previously been shared with Onslow County. He said Onslow County expressed interest earlier this year in having a standalone family and consumer sciences agent, and The Filling Station offered to partner with Jones County to support the position.

Under the agreement, The Filling Station will pay 33% of the salary contribution, Jones County will pay 33% and N.C. State University will pay 34%. Smith said the county’s current share is a little more than $27,000.

“She wants to work in Jones,” Smith said of the agent. “She would be 100% Jones County.”

The board adopted a state-required child care subsidy priority and waiting list policy. The policy sets priorities for limited child care subsidy funds, including protective services cases, Work First recipients and families in education or job training. It also establishes a waiting list process based on priority and application date.

“This does not create new funding, but ensures we remain compliant with state requirements and consistent in how services are being delivered,” the presenter said.

Health Director Adrian Smith presented a proclamation declaring May 18-22 as Heat Safety Week. Smith said the proclamation recognizes the increased risk of heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps, during the summer months.

Smith said heat-related illness can disproportionately affect older adults, pregnant people, people with underlying health conditions, outdoor workers, athletes, people without housing and low-income residents who may lack easy or affordable access to air conditioning.

Smith said she expects to bring an extreme heat action plan to commissioners in June and also plans to take the proposed strategies to the next joint leadership meeting for input from municipalities. Commissioners approved the proclamation.

The board also approved an ADA transition plan update. King said the plan outlines the county’s strategy for identifying and removing barriers to accessibility in public facilities, programs and services. She said the plan helps ensure compliance with federal ADA requirements and is often requested during grant applications.

Commissioners appointed Michael Chad Day as Jones County’s veteran service officer, effective immediately. Smith said Day was originally hired as a driver as part of a succession plan and is now fully credentialed to submit U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits claims on behalf of veterans.

Commissioners also approved a 12-month extension for a subdivision plat application tied to a proposed expansion near Davis Field Road and Highway 58. Smith said the Planning Board reviewed the request earlier that night and said additional roads and infrastructure must be completed before final approval is granted.

During the consent agenda, commissioners approved minutes, FEMA lot lease renewals, a vector and mosquito control contract, a janitorial and housekeeping services contract, a resolution requesting that the N.C. Board of Transportation name a portion of Highway 258 as Cecil Hargett Highway, East Carolina Workforce Development Board reappointments and budget amendments.

The meeting also included recognition of five Governor’s Service Award recipients. Mary Ann LeRay said the award program was created by the Governor’s Office in 1979 to recognize dedicated volunteers. The 2026 Jones County recipients were Shalante Williams, Joan Taylor, Hallie Powell, Timothy Coward and Celeste Cavanaugh. LeRay said the recipients’ known volunteer hours totaled more than 1,500, with a value of more than $50,000 to Jones County.

During commissioner comments, Commissioner Sondra Ipock-Riggs raised concerns about road and ditch conditions in eastern North Carolina and said the county should push the N.C. Department of Transportation for more attention to highway and drainage needs.

“You’re here to serve the people,” Riggs said. “And we need to write letters to them, DOT, and tell them east of I-95 is not recognized as counties for highways, ditches dug and anything else.”