Greene County commissioners approve USDA school financing application after contentious meeting with closed session

SNOW HILL — The Greene County Board of Commissioners approved applying for up to $14 million in USDA Rural Development financing Monday for school construction-related projects, including a new elementary school, relocation of administrative offices and a new bus garage, after one commissioner questioned whether the matter was appropriate for closed-session discussion.

The agenda packet included a resolution authorizing an application for financing through the USDA Rural Development Program to support construction of a new elementary school and relocation of administrative offices. The packet said Greene County Schools had been awarded $42 million in State Public School Building Capital Fund proceeds and that an additional $15 million was required to complete the project as planned.

At the beginning of the meeting, the board amended the agenda to move the USDA financing item from the county manager’s section to later in the meeting, after closed session. The board then approved the amended agenda.

Commissioner Derek Burress raised concerns about closed-session authority earlier in the meeting while commissioners considered minutes from previous meetings. Burress said discussions involving budgets or department pay did not meet the legal threshold for attorney-client privilege.

County Attorney Kevin MacQueen said if the board discussed personnel or property-related project matters, closed session could be appropriate.

“If the discussions were solely about the budget, then Mr. Commissioner Burress’ comments have merit,” MacQueen said, according to the meeting transcript. “But if we discussed other matters, including personnel, then I think we’re covered and we’re okay.”

The board approved the June 1 and June 15 meeting minutes by 4-1 votes, with Burress voting against approval.

Before the June 29 closed session, Burress again objected, saying the USDA school financing resolution was not a closed-session topic.

“I don’t know exactly what we’re talking about in closed session, but however, we’re there for the resolution ... to support the elementary school,” Burress said, according to the transcript. “That’s not a closed session topic.”

The board voted to enter closed session under attorney-client privilege. After returning to open session, Commissioner Robert “Bobby” Taylor Jr. made a motion to approve the USDA financing resolution, with changes.

Taylor’s motion added a new bus garage to the resolution and set the USDA financing request at not to exceed $14 million. The motion passed.

The board also reviewed a proposed local half-staff observance policy, which was brought forward after the death of a county commissioner. The draft policy would allow the board chair, upon request of the deceased’s family, to authorize U.S. and county flags at county facilities to be flown at half-staff after the death of a current or former elected county official. The proposed observance would last seven calendar days.

Burress said he could not support the draft because it was too narrow. He said state law allows recognition beyond elected officials, including prominent citizens, but does not define who qualifies as a prominent citizen.

Other commissioners raised concerns about how the county would define “prominent citizen” and whether that language could create disputes over who qualifies. Commissioner Robert “Bobby” Taylor Jr. said the county could “open up a whole can of worms” without clearer language, according to the meeting transcript.

County Manager Kyle DeHaven said the policy would be reviewed further and brought back to commissioners at a future meeting.

Commissioners also approved several end-of-year financial and project closeout items.

The board approved closing out the Trillium Inclusive Playground Grant capital project. The agenda packet said the project was completed, with a total cost of $515,861.73, including $33,747.96 in sales tax, resulting in a $16,291.23 refund to the general fund after expenses.

The board also approved closing out the sheriff’s office renovation project. The project involved relocating the sheriff’s office to the former elections building at 110 SE First St. in Snow Hill. The closeout included additional costs tied to a generator and other overages.

Commissioners approved closing out the Public Works capital project. The packet said the project had an initial budget of $918,634, a final budget of $940,878 and actual expenses of $939,643. The increase was attributed to unforeseen underground issues related to old tomato houses.

The board also approved an end-of-year budget amendment and authorized a $185,000 drawdown from the Public School Building Capital Fund lottery distribution for debt payment on Greene County Intermediate School.