Craven County Board of Commissioners
Meeting - 18 March 2013
Debt Refunding- The proposal by Rick Hemphill, Assistant City Manager for Finance, was approved by the Board of Commissioners. This change in funding methods is said to have the potential to save tax payers $2 Million or more. This is to be accomplished by two methods, moving the payment due dates earlier in the fiscal year and changing from an installment payment method to revenue bonds.
National Flood Insurance Maps- The staff presentation on this subject was very poorly done. There were maps used as visual aids that were almost impossible to cipher. The explanation of how the changes might affect Craven County residents was entirely lacking. Ironically, there was news coverage on Fox News the very evening the Board of Commissioners adopted these maps explaining that new FEMA maps being adopted across the county are causing many homes to be included in flood areas that heretofore had not been, thereby requiring the owners to carry flood insurance where they had not been required to do so before, thus, allowing the government to collect more premium income. They also explained that many more homeowners are being required to rebuild to move their living space as much as twenty some feet higher. I think the BOC should ask a lot more questions before the Craven County FEMA flood maps are approved. The area they approved at this meeting covers only a small portion of Craven County that is on maps that mostly cover another county that is being re-mapped. Anyway, the conclusion adopted for the presentation went like this:
Required to Adopt
- Floodplain Measures
- Maps and Ordinance
- Must meet or exceed minimum requirements
- No new insurance policies
- Existing policies cannot be renewed
- Denial of Federal Assistance
North Carolina Medicine Cabinet Initiative-
This presentation was made by Tanya Roberts, recent candidate for the Board of Education. The program has the goal of disposing of unused prescription drugs that people have and have not stored in a safe manner. Drives are held using paid law enforcement officers standing in front of places like grocery stores, drug stores, etc., and accepting unused prescription drugs to be turned over to paid DEA agents to be taken somewhere to be safely disposed of. Commissioner Taylor asked why these drugs could not simply be taken to an incinerator like the one at Carolina East Hospital and be disposed of locally more cheaply. I liked that idea because it got rid of the feds, and frankly after some personal experience with drugs disappearing while in the tender hands of law enforcement personnel, I think there would be less chance of misuse using that method (I once worked in military support to law enforcement). Near the end of the presentation, Commissioner Dacey asked how the program was funded. Darn good question! His answer- GRANTS for the Neuse River Clean Water Grant Program. NOW I GET IT! No wonder any common sense question was frowned on as throwing cold water on a great idea.
These State and Federal taxes spent at the county level without going through the county administration are bankrupting the country. How many taxpayer supported staff, consultants, free lancers, agencies, etc., etc., are there? Heaven only knows.
Redistricting-
Approved, as is often the case, on the five to two party lines with Commissioners Sampson and McCabe objecting, but not making it clear as to why. Chairman Dacey rightfully objected to Commissioner McCabe's last minute vague complaints about the lines of his district after being involved closely throughout the whole process.
Herb Stuart Award-
This award was presented to Craven County staff for the excellent work by the Geographic Information ( GIS) developer in support of the Election Board. The information available to the election board through the GIS system is now nothing short of phenomenal! Soon more will be available to the public. This system will greatly reduce errors in voter ballot selection. THIS WAS AN EXCELLENT PRESENTATION in direct contrast to the FEMA Flood Map presentation.
Public Hearing- Tall Structure Ordinance.
Delayed again because of more information and suggested changes that will require another public hearing which is set for April Fool's Day at 7:00 pm.
Public Hearings-
The public hearing on the flood maps was like so many others in the past. There was just the presentation by the sponsors and no input from other sources. I think the BOC will regret not doing a better job of exploring the ramifications of this action on their part.
Transparency in Government
- The staff and sponsors continue to hand out material to the Board of Commissioners without making it available to the taxpaying citizens. It is often poorly done and just part of a dog and pony show as a snow job for people in the meeting room and the TV audience. Sometimes it is expertly done, but more often it is not. If these presenters were required to be open and clear to the public, the quality of their presentations would improve. They have gotten used to being given a pass by the Board.
Federal, State and other Grant Funding
- Again and again the Board of Commissioners accept almost any money the federal and state governments and anyone else will send them, with very little examination unless it requires a county "match." Now sometimes a 50/50 match seems acceptable.
Respectfully Submitted,
Hal James, Watchdog Committee Chairman
Coastal Carolina Taxpayers Association
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