Greene commissioners to consider USDA financing for school project
SNOW HILL — The Greene County Board of Commissioners will consider several capital project and school funding items when it meets Monday, June 29.
The board is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. at the Greene County Operations Center.
The most significant item on the agenda is a resolution authorizing county officials to apply for financing through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program to support construction of a new elementary school, relocation of administrative offices and relocation of the bus garage.
According to the agenda packet, Greene County Schools has been awarded $42 million in State Public School Building Capital Fund lottery proceeds for the project. The county says an additional $15 million is needed to complete the project as planned.
If approved, the resolution would authorize county officials and staff to prepare and submit an application to USDA Rural Development for financing not to exceed $15 million. The packet states the financing would support the construction of a new elementary school and the relocation of administrative offices. The resolution also says the project would allow the existing property to be repurposed for community and economic development initiatives.
Commissioners also are scheduled to consider a drawdown of Public School Building Capital Funds. County staff is seeking authority to draw down the last four quarters of lottery funds to assist with the annual debt payment on Greene County Intermediate School. The packet lists the requested release amount at $185,000.
Several capital project closeouts are also on the agenda.
Commissioners will consider closing out the Trillium Inclusive Playground Grant capital project budget ordinance. The packet states the project has been completed and the fund can be closed. The closeout resolution lists the total project at $515,861.73, with $33,747.96 in sales tax and a refund to the general fund of $16,291.23 after expenses.
The board also will consider closing out the capital project budget ordinance for the future Greene County Sheriff’s Office. The packet states the Sheriff’s Office project is complete and that the closeout increases the budget by $65,029 to account for a new generator and other overages. The project involved renovation of the former elections building at 110 SE First St. in Snow Hill for the sheriff’s office. The packet says the space currently occupied by the sheriff’s office would house a new courtroom after the move.
Another closeout item involves the Public Works building. The packet states the project’s initial budget was $918,634 and that the final budget was $940,878 after unforeseen underground issues from old tomato houses. Actual expenses came in at $939,643.
Commissioners also will review a proposed local half-staff observance policy. The item is listed for information only, with no board action requested at this time. The packet says the need for a local policy arose after the recent death of a county commissioner, when the county had no clear procedure for the honor.
Under the proposed policy, upon request of the deceased’s family, the chairman of the Board of Commissioners could authorize the U.S. flag and county flags to be flown at half-staff at county facilities after the death of a current or former elected county official. The observance would begin upon notification of the death and continue for seven calendar days from the date of death.
The consent agenda includes meeting minutes from June 1 and June 15, late present use value and property tax relief applications, releases and refunds and a budget amendment for Juvenile Crime Prevention Council administration.
The JCPC budget amendment would reduce the JCPC Administration budget by $680 and transfer funds to restorative practices, according to the packet.
Commissioners are also scheduled to consider an end-of-year budget amendment for fiscal year 2025-26. The packet says the amendment is intended to reconcile the budget and bring it into alignment with state statutes and county policy.
The meeting includes time for public comment. Speakers who sign up before the meeting begins will have up to three minutes to address the board.
The board is scheduled to enter closed session for attorney-client privilege under N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3).
