Here’s what you missed at the Feb. 20 Brunswick County Board of Commissioners meeting
MEDIA RELEASE
BOLIVIA, N.C. – The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners met for a regular meeting this Monday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m.
Below is a quick recap of the actions taken on selected agenda items during the regular meeting. Residents can view an online and PDF version of the full agenda and accompanying reports at brunswickcountync.gov/agendas.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 6 at 3 p.m.
Meeting Recap
Note: Commissioner Frank Williams was not present due to illness.
VI. Presentations
- Social Services – Income Maintenance Caseworker Positions: The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved (4-0) 11 new full-time Income Maintenance Caseworker II (IMC II) positions in the Economic Services Division of Social Services to support the increasing number of Medicaid applications and recertifications it receives annually. The department received approval for seven additional IMC II positions this fiscal year, however a recent workload analysis has shown that the department needs 11 additional IMC IIs to process Medicaid (seven staff) and Food and Nutrition Services (four staff) applications and recertifications timely, accurately, and in accordance with state requirements. Current staff are working overtime to keep up with the workload. The fiscal impact of the 11 positions is approximately $113,947 for four months, including equipment and supplies. The County received 75% reimbursement for staff time working on Medicaid and 50% reimbursement for FNS staff time and equipment. The annual budgetary impact will be $275,511.
VII. Public Hearings
- Planning – Blueprint Brunswick 2040 Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Parks and Recreation Master Plan: The Board of Commissioners heard a presentation on the Blueprint Brunswick 2040 initiative and held a public hearing where 17 individuals spoke. The Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted (4-0) the Blueprint Brunswick 2040 Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Individuals can read the plans at brunswickcountync.gov/gov/blueprintbrunswick/plan-documents.
VIII. Administrative Report
- Administration – Healing Place of New Hanover County, Inc. Contract: The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved and executed (4-0) a service contract with The Healing Place of New Hanover County, Inc. not to exceed $198,000.00 for the remainder of this fiscal year. This request is funded in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. Per the contract, a total number of 20 beds will be reserved for Brunswick County residents: 10 for male residents and 10 for female residents.
- Utilities – Shallotte Water System Merger Agreement: The Board of Commissioners unanimously authorized (4-0) the chairman to execute the water service agreement with the Town of Shallotte and any additional documents necessary for conveyance, subject to county attorney approval, and approved a budget amendment in the amount of $2,027,461. At the request of the Town of Shallotte, the Board of Commissioners approved the consideration of a utilities merger assessment on Sept. 20, 2021. The study indicates that a merger of the Shallotte water system with the Brunswick County utilities system is feasible. Their report indicates a merger reduces the burden of operating and maintaining a water system by shifting the burden of system costs from a few customers and absorbing those costs into a larger system through economies of scale. The town has indicated its intent to approve the merger at a meeting in February 2023.
More information about Board of Commissioners meetings is at brunswickcountync.gov/board-commissioners.
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Media Inquiries
For media inquiries, contact the Communications Director at 910.253.2995 or email meagan.kascsak@brunswickcountync.gov.
Brunswick County Board of Commissioners holds regular meeting Monday, Feb. 20
Media Inquiries: Media are requested to contact Brunswick County Communications by noon the day of the meeting to help facilitate requests for interviews before or directly after board meetings. Brunswick County will post a recap of the meeting with actions taken at brunswickcountync.gov/news.
MEDIA RELEASE
BOLIVIA, N.C. – The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners will meet this Monday, Feb. 20 for a regular meeting at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.
The commissioners’ chambers are on the first floor of the David R. Sandifer Administration Building at 30 Government Center Drive in Bolivia (28422).
View the full agenda and accompanying reports at brunswickcountync.gov/agendas.
Agenda Preview
Below are a few selected items from the agenda that the Board of Commissioners will discuss and take possible action on during the regular meeting.
VI. Presentations
- Social Services – Income Maintenance Caseworker Positions: Request the Board of Commissioners approve 11 new full-time Income Maintenance Caseworker II (IMC II) positions in the Economic Services Division of Social Services to support the increasing number of Medicaid applications and recertifications it receives annually. The department received approval for seven additional IMC II positions this fiscal year, however a recent workload analysis has shown that the department needs 11 additional IMC IIs to process Medicaid (seven staff) and Food and Nutrition Services (four staff) applications and recertifications timely, accurately, and in accordance with state requirements. Current staff are working overtime to keep up with the workload. The fiscal impact of the 11 positions is approximately $113,947 for four months, including equipment and supplies. The County received 75% reimbursement for staff time working on Medicaid and 50% reimbursement for FNS staff time and equipment. The annual budgetary impact will be $275,511.
VII. Public Hearings
- Planning – Blueprint Brunswick 2040 Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Parks and Recreation Master Plan: Request that, after the public hearing, the Board of Commissioners consider adopting the Blueprint Brunswick 2040 Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Individuals can read the plans at brunswickcountync.gov/blueprintbrunswick/plan-documents.
VIII. Administrative Report
- Administration – Healing Place of New Hanover County, Inc. Contract: Request the Board of Commissioners approve and execute a service contract with the Healing Place of New Hanover County, Inc. not to exceed $198,000.00 for the remainder of this fiscal year. This request is funded in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. Per the contract, a total number of 20 beds will be reserved for Brunswick County residents: 10 for male residents and 10 for female residents.
- Utilities – Shallotte Water System Merger Agreement: Request the Board of Commissioners consider the conveyance of the water system from the Town of Shallotte, authorize the chairman to execute the water service agreement with the Town of Shallotte and any additional documents necessary for conveyance, subject to county attorney approval, and approve a budget amendment in the amount of $2,027,461. At the request of the Town of Shallotte, the Board of Commissioners approved the consideration of a utilities merger assessment on Sept. 20, 2021. The study indicates that a merger of the Shallotte water system with the Brunswick County utilities system is feasible. Their report indicates a merger reduces the burden of operating and maintaining a water system by shifting the burden of system costs from a few customers and absorbing those costs into a larger system through economies of scale. The town has indicated its intent to approve the merger at a meeting in February 2023.
Public Comment and Hearings
Most regular meetings include a time for public comment before the commissioners at the beginning of the meeting. Some meetings also have public hearings for specific issues. The public hearings are similar to a public comment period but pertain to one topic.
Individuals wishing to speak during a public hearing should sign up before the meeting starts on the form at the door dedicated to public hearings. This form is separate from the form used to sign up for public comments at the beginning of the meeting.
Speakers wishing to distribute any related documents, printed comments or materials to the commissioners should deliver at least eight copies to the county clerk at least fifteen minutes before the meeting starts.
More information about Board of Commissioners meetings and public comment policies is at brunswickcountync.gov/board-commissioners.
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Media Inquiries
For media inquiries, contact the Communications Director at 910.253.2995 or email meagan.kascsak@brunswickcountync.gov