GOVERNMENT NOTEBOOK: Public hearings set for day-late meeting

Public hearings top the agenda for the Craven County Board of Commissioners meeting set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Normally, the board meets on Mondays, but the meeting is offset by a day because of the Labor Day holiday.

Before taking action on three items, the board will gather comments and information from the public in regard to the Qualified School Bonds issue, an Economic Development Performance Grant opportunity, and an industrial park property sale.

The Qualified School Bonds issue centers on interest-free or low interest financing to accomplish school building renovations and upgrades. The program is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act and will provide more than $2 million of financing for bathroom renovations, windows and doors, roofing, chiller replacement and energy management system replacement. Various work will take place at seven Craven County public school campuses. Loan repayment will come from normally budgeted capital outlay over the next 10 years.

The second scheduled public hearing is in regard to an Economic Development Performance Grant for Brunswick Corp./Hatteras Yachts. The county has offered Hatteras an approximately $30,000 performance grant, to be paid in increments  as the company achieves certain accomplishments, like an incremental increase in employee count and making capital investments to its facility.

The commissioners also will hold a public meeting in regard to the sale of a parcel of land at the Industrial Park to American Tower. The company plans to erect a communications tower on the site.

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In lighter business, the board is scheduled to approve a resolution naming the Sgt. Justin R. Edwards family the Military Family of the Quarter.

Edwards is an active duty U.S. Marine stationed with MWSS-271 at Cherry Point air station. His unit actively supports New Bern’s 300th Jubilee festivities, and Edwards and his wife are active volunteers within the community, according to agenda information. The couple has three children.

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In his report to the board, County Attorney Jim Hicks plans to discuss issues regarding ordinance code amendments. The three issues regard adult establishment regulations, general penalties and the 2009 Permit Extension Act.

P. Christine Smith can be reached at 252-635-5666 or pcsmith@freedomenc.com