Duplin County commissioners approve routine items including tax-listing extension and opioid fund plan

Duplin County commissioners on Jan. 6 approved a package of routine motions by voice vote, including an extension of the county’s tax-listing period, two new lane names, a six-month opioid-settlement spending resolution and the purchase of a property for water department operations.

The board voted unanimously to extend the 2025 property-tax listing period to Feb. 14, following a presentation from Gary Rhodes explaining that listing forms were delayed by a software printing issue and that the extra time would give taxpayers two more weeks to list without penalty. Commissioner Edwards moved the extension and Commissioner Dye seconded the motion; the board approved it by voice vote.

The board also approved the minutes of the Dec. 16 meeting and the consent agenda (with the removal of one consent item). Commissioners approved two new lane names at the Cipher Green RV Park — Queen Kate Lane and Cipher Lane — on a motion by Commissioner Dow and second by Commissioner Branch.

On the opioid-settlement funds, the board adopted a resolution covering the Jan. 6–June 30, 2025 spending plan, with total planned expenditures of $252,183.03. The resolution keeps previously approved strategies, adds two part-time positions while eliminating one full-time position and increases naloxone purchases because of a drop in grant-supplied naloxone. Commissioner Branch moved to approve the resolution; Commissioner Garner seconded and the board approved it by voice vote.

The board approved an offer to purchase a parcel (tax ID 13-3263, parcel number 341413029253) for $430,000 to house administrative water department operations; a motion to approve was made by Commissioner Edwards and seconded by Commissioner Branch and carried by voice vote.

Separately, the board moved into a closed session under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.11 for personnel matters on a motion by Commissioner Edwards and second by Commissioner Garner; the board returned to open session and recessed the meeting.

The proposed text amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance to reduce accessory-structure setbacks from 20 feet to 5 feet received public comment and commissioner discussion but no board action; the item was left to “die” and to be returned to the planning board for further consideration if needed.

Votes at a glance

- Extension of 2025 tax listing to Feb. 14 — Mover: Commissioner Edwards; Second: Commissioner Dye; Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Lane namings (Queen Kate Lane; Cipher Lane at Cipher Green RV Park) — Mover: Commissioner Dow; Second: Commissioner Branch; Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Opioid-settlement funds resolution (Jan. 6–June 30, 2025; $252,183.03) — Mover: Commissioner Branch; Second: Commissioner Garner; Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Offer to purchase property for water department (Parcel 341413029253; $430,000) — Mover: Commissioner Edwards; Second: Commissioner Branch; Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Motion to enter closed session for personnel (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.11) — Mover: Commissioner Edwards; Second: Commissioner Garner; Outcome: Approved (voice vote).