Lenoir County commissioners approve stop sign resolution, strategic planning contract

Lenoir County commissioners approved an all-way stop at Smith-Grady Road and Burncoat Road on Tuesday, along with contracts, grants, appointments and several budget-related items during their regular meeting.

The board also welcomed a new finance officer, recognized the retirement of a longtime sheriff's office employee, honored the late Eleanor Mills Harvey and proclaimed Constitution Week in Lenoir County.

Commissioners approved the all-way stop after a split discussion over whether additional four-way stops improve safety or slow traffic and commerce across the county. The resolution passed 4-2, with Commissioners June Cummings and Eric Rouse voting against it. Commissioner Keith King was absent.

NCDOT's Chris Smith said the intersection has a history of serious crashes. According to the agenda packet, NCDOT reported 12 crashes, 20 injuries and one death during a 10-year review period from Nov. 1, 2015, to Oct. 31, 2025. Smith said three additional crashes occurred after previous safety improvements, bringing the reviewed total to 14 angle crashes, one left-turn crash from a different roadway, 12 injury crashes, one death and 23 injuries.

Smith said the state had already tried lower-cost safety improvements, including larger signs, warning signs, bright strips and sign relocations. He said a roundabout was reviewed but estimated to cost $1.5 million to $3 million.

"Based on crash history, HSIP findings, sight-distance limitations and the persistence of crashes even after improvements, the division continues to recommend installing an all-way stop at this intersection," Smith said.

Rouse, who serves on the Lenoir County Transportation Committee, said the committee did not recommend the proposal. He said residents have complained about the number of four-way stops on roads such as N.C. 55 and N.C. 903, and he said navigation apps are pushing drivers onto secondary roads.

"Any loss of life is tragic, any accident is tragic, but we can't regulate ourselves out of people not paying attention," Rouse said.

Commissioner Mac Daughety disagreed, saying the Smith-Grady and Burncoat intersection is not a major commercial corridor. He said residents in that area requested the all-way stop because of crashes and speeding traffic.

"The citizens want this," Daughety said. "It is seldom that you find citizens that want a four-way. They requested this four-way because they are desperate to slow down the crashes and the traffic that is coming through their neighborhood."

Before the vote, Chair Linda Rouse Sutton clarified that the board was voting to authorize the all-way stop, despite the Transportation Committee's unfavorable recommendation.

The board also approved setting a public hearing for Sept. 21 on a special use permit request for a campground on parcel 8670 and a rezoning request to change parcel 18387 from agriculture/rural to commercial.

Commissioners granted Duke Energy a utility easement across county-owned property to provide residential electric service to 146 Futrell Lane. Assistant County Manager Adam Short said the property owner had been informed of floodplain restrictions and other requirements for future residential use.

The board approved the sheriff's office request to purchase 10 Dell laptops for patrol vehicles at a cost of $31,832. Sheriff Jackie Rogers said the laptops are needed for new deputies and are expected to be reimbursed once state allocation funds are received.

Commissioners also authorized a contract of up to $20,000 with Allies4Outcomes for temporary intensive support social work services. County Manager Michael James said the contract will help cover after-hours emergency calls and adult services work while the Department of Social Services manages staffing shortages and employee leave.

"This contract will help us assist staff for a 30-day period until that staffing stabilizes," James said.

The board approved a $58,000 agreement with Hayes Group Consulting for strategic planning services tied to the county's 2030 strategic plan. James said the county's current plan, built in 2020, needs a broader update that includes stakeholder interviews, department head feedback and long-term planning for the next four fiscal years.

"We wanted to do kind of a larger, robust planning process to prepare for the next four fiscal years," James said.

Commissioners approved an agreement of up to $92,000 with the 9th Judicial District Adult Accountability and Recovery Court and the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts. Audra Haddad said the one-year contract renews an arrangement in place since 2022 and supports the adult accountability and recovery court case coordinator position through grant funding.

Sutton praised the recovery court program, calling it a model for others.

"A lot of folks may not realize that what we have got is a model program here in Lenoir County," Sutton said.

The board also approved the fiscal year 2027 Rural Operating Assistance Program grant application for transit services totaling $191,568. The funding includes $83,236 for elderly and disabled transportation assistance, $14,637 for employment transportation and $93,695 for rural general public transportation.

Under appointments, commissioners approved second-reading appointments to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council for Cleveland Lovick, June Cummings, Jeffrey Cannon, Christie Hale, Jessica Drennan, Laura Beth Blalock and Suzanne Newsome.

Earlier in the meeting, James introduced Blake Batchelor as Lenoir County's new finance officer. Batchelor previously served as finance director for Jones County government and has experience with the town of Trenton.

"I've been very impressed so far with everybody I've met throughout the county and all the projects you have going on," Batchelor said.

The board also recognized Major Shawn Howard on his retirement from the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office. Howard thanked current and former sheriffs, county officials and his family, and reflected on a law enforcement career that began in 1999.

"When I first started this profession I never imagined that this job would have carried me the places that it carried me and enabled me to gain the experiences that I've been able to experience along this journey," Howard said.

Commissioner Preston Harris read proclamations honoring Harvey and recognizing Constitution Week. Harvey, who died June 19 at age 75, was remembered for her work in education, service through Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and influence on generations of students. Her husband, Nicholas Harvey Sr., and son, Nicholas Harvey II, accepted the honor.

"Every time someone shares an experience with Mom, that sustains our family," Nicholas Harvey II said.

Theresa Hardy and Glenda Alcock of the Mosley-Bright Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution accepted the Constitution Week proclamation. The week will be observed Sept. 17-23, with a bell-ringing event scheduled for 4 p.m. Sept. 17 at Harmony Hall.

Commissioners approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from the Aug. 17 meeting, the Harvey and Constitution Week proclamations, authorization of Howard's retirement badge and service weapon, tax relief applications, a $10 fee for county-sponsored rabies vaccination clinics, a position and pay classification plan amendment, a $4,491.77 purchase order to Whaley Food Service, several budget amendments and health department service agreements.

The board later voted to enter closed session to consult with an attorney and discuss a personnel matter.