Commission approves courthouse inspections contract, appoints volunteers and authorizes settlement up to $350,000

The board approved several non-routine administrative items at the April 28 meeting.

By unanimous vote the commission authorized the county manager (or his designee) to execute a professional services contract with ESP Associates Inc. for special inspections and materials testing related to the Gaston County Courthouse 5th Floor project. Staff said the work will be paid from project funds and the contract motion was moved by Commissioner Hovis and seconded by Commissioner Kiger.

The board also considered and approved a pulled consent item to renovate space for the Building Inspections Department; staff (Mr. Skiba) confirmed the project is funded from the Building Inspections enterprise fund and design work has been completed. The commission approved related appropriations with no general-fund draw.

A slate of appointments and reappointments was approved unanimously, including reappointments and appointments to the Personnel Advisory Board, Local Emergency Planning Committee, Workforce Development Board, Child Fatality Local Review Team and Equalization & Review Board.

After a closed session, the board authorized the county manager to execute a settlement agreement to resolve outstanding litigation with a payment not to exceed $350,000 and to appropriate general fund balance to fund the settlement; the transcript records the voice tally as 6–1 in favor. County counsel presented the recommendation for settlement and commissioners moved and seconded the motion.