Jones County commissioners approve mixed beverage referendum, advance Brock Mill Pond project
The Jones County Board of Commissioners approved several major items during a special meeting Monday, including placing a countywide mixed beverage referendum on the November ballot, advancing an $870,000 recreational improvement project at Brock Mill Pond and opposing proposed federal grant administration changes that county officials said could create significant financial risks for small counties.
The July 13 meeting also included updates on emergency communications, agriculture, tax collections and county programs. Commissioners also approved a new consulting agreement for state and federal representation.
Mixed beverage referendum headed to November ballot
Commissioners approved a resolution requesting that the Jones County Board of Elections place a countywide alcoholic beverage referendum on the November general election ballot.
County Manager Kyle Smith said the referendum would allow voters to decide whether establishments in Jones County could serve mixed beverages in addition to beer and wine.
Smith said the issue was raised after the owners of a new Mexican restaurant, identified during the meeting as El Mariachi, asked about being able to serve tequila, margaritas and other mixed drinks.
“This was put on the ballot once in 1974 and once in the year 2000 here in Jones County,” Smith said.
County Attorney Mike Ham said a referendum is required. He also noted that a mixed beverage referendum had previously passed in Maysville and that Pollocksville is also planning to place the issue before voters this fall.
The motion passed, with Commissioner Sondra Ipock Riggs voting against it.
Commissioners approve Brock Mill Pond project contract
The board also approved awarding the Brock Mill Pond Recreational Enhancement Project to Farrior and Sons Inc.
The company submitted the lowest bid at $938,000. After value engineering, the proposed contract was reduced to $870,000.
Smith said the county is still waiting for approval from state and federal agencies for amendments to the project's scope before work can begin.
The project is supported by a $400,000 state Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant and a $300,000 federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant.
Smith said a previously planned camping area on Azalea Island was removed from the project because the county could not obtain the emergency access needed through adjacent property. Recreational features were instead added to county property across the road.
Planned improvements include permanent restrooms, a permanent concession stand and additional recreational amenities.
Smith said the county's expected local contribution is approximately $170,000 to $200,000. The county has also received a land donation and a previous $35,000 contribution from the Harold H. Bate Foundation, and officials plan to seek additional foundation funding.
The county is facing a Jan. 31, 2027, deadline connected to the state grant.
“We certainly don't want to revert these funds back,” Smith said.
He described the project as an example of the county using state and federal grants to reduce the burden on local taxpayers.
County objects to proposed federal grant changes
Commissioners approved sending a letter to the federal Office of Management and Budget opposing proposed changes to federal grant administration rules.
Deputy Director of Administration Jennifer King said county officials are concerned the changes could allow federal funding to be stopped during an ongoing project.
That could leave Jones County responsible for completing a project with local dollars or abandoning it before completion, she said.
“We rely heavily on grant funding in Jones County,” King said.
She said the proposed rules could be especially difficult for small counties with limited tax bases.
Riggs said the county should take a stronger position against accepting financial responsibility for projects if outside funding is withdrawn.
County Attorney Ham said the proposed changes were still in the public comment period and that sending a formal letter of opposition was the appropriate action available to the county at that stage.
County officials said the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners is also advocating on the issue.
Jones County Community Closet receives statewide award
King announced that Jones County has been selected to receive a 2026 Civic Excellence in Innovation Award from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners for the Jones County Community Closet.
King said, to her knowledge, it is the first time Jones County has received the award.
The Community Closet distributes donated clothing and has provided assistance to people from six counties.
King credited the Harold H. Bate Foundation, county employees, school volunteers, community service participants and residents who donated clothing.
“We have helped a lot of folks through that community closet,” King said.
The award is expected to be presented during the association's annual conference in August.
Emergency communications project comes in under budget
Emergency Services Director Ryan Mills presented a contract for an upgrade to the county's VHF paging system.
The project had been budgeted at $175,000, but the contract approved by commissioners totaled $119,020.83. Mills said the amount does not include electrical work that may be needed.
“Right now we are way under budget,” Mills said.
The board also approved updated annual lease agreements with Maysville EMS, Comfort EMS and Pollocksville EMS and approved an updated contract reflecting Phillips Crossroads EMS' transition from an ambulance service to a quick response vehicle operation.
Tax collection rate increases
Deputy Tax Administrator Kelly Corey reported that Jones County collected 96.58% of its current tax levy for the fiscal year ending June 30, compared with 96.06% the previous year.
The county also collected approximately $268,646 in prior-year taxes.
Commissioners approved the annual tax settlement and tax releases for the fiscal year.
Urgent Repair Program to offer $165,000 in grant funding
Commissioners approved policies for the county's 2027 Urgent Repair Program.
King said the program is funded through the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency and provides urgent home repairs for low-income residents, primarily older adults.
The county expects to receive $165,000 in grant funding, with no county funding required.
Applications are scheduled to open Sept. 1.
Jones County Extension reports on agriculture and community programs
Family and Consumer Sciences Area Agent Sarah Ware told commissioners she began serving Jones County full time July 1 after previously dividing her time between Jones and Onslow counties.
Ware said her programming has included nutrition, food safety, food preservation and life-skills education.
Her Locally Delicious program served approximately 80 pre-K children at four schools and libraries during the past year.
Ware also provides Safe Plates food manager certification training, which she said is equivalent to ServSafe certification. Commissioners discussed the possibility of working with Ware to address food service certification issues affecting breakfast service at the county's senior center.
Jones County Extension Director and Agriculture Agent Jacob Morgan said persistent drought and high temperatures have severely affected the corn crop.
“The dry weather and the high temperatures have severely limited the corn crop in Jones County,” Morgan said.
He said recent rainfall has helped other crops recover some ground.
During the past year, Jones County Extension also offered 12 continuing education classes totaling 21 hours for pesticide license holders.
County approves lobbying and consulting agreement
Commissioners approved a consulting agreement with King and Co. at a cost of $3,000 per month.
Smith said the firm will represent Jones County at the state and federal levels and assist with appropriations, grant issues and other funding priorities.
Smith said the agreement would give the county a more consistent voice in Washington and Raleigh.
State funding includes money for emergency services and transportation
During his comments, Smith outlined several appropriations affecting Jones County.
He said the funding includes:
$125,000 for Maysville Fire and EMS.
$3.5 million for the N.C. Department of Transportation maintenance yard in Jones County.
$100,000 for critical communications equipment and upgrades.
$20,000 for a water and sewer hydraulic model connected to the pressure sewer force main along N.C. 58 South.
$30,000 in recurring funding for the county's veterans service officer.
Smith said the appropriations did not fully meet the county's requests, particularly for water and sewer infrastructure.
“I would be lying if I told you I was satisfied, but it's certainly more than we had,” Smith said.
Resident raises concerns about broken water line and property conditions
During public comment, Maysville-area resident Stacy Jones asked the county to address a broken water line near her father's home on Hills Road in the Long Point community.
Jones said the leak has persisted for more than six months and has caused the road surface to remain wet and become increasingly soft.
“At some point, that road is going to give away,” Jones said.
She also raised concerns about trash, abandoned vehicles and sanitation conditions at a nearby property.
Smith said county staff would investigate the water leak and coordinate with NCDOT because the road is state maintained. He said the county had previously cited the nearby property under its solid waste ordinance and may need to consider other enforcement options.
The board later voted to enter closed session under the attorney-client privilege provision of state law.
