Craven County commissioners approve expanding MPO planning boundary and move lead agency to county

Deanna Treble told the board on April 6 that the New Bern area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s long‑range transportation plan identified population growth and changing travel patterns—particularly in Havelock and Vanceboro—that justify expanding the MPO planning boundary to include all of Craven County.

Treble said the expansion would allow transportation planning to be centralized countywide, provide one point of contact for multi‑jurisdictional transportation questions, and enable a strategic, regional approach for all modes of travel. As part of the change, the board discussed moving the lead planning agency (the MPO fiscal agent) from the City of New Bern to Craven County and adopting a new memorandum of understanding to set membership, voting, and local‑match sharing.

Staff provided an example FY27 local share (about $23,000) and explained the local share would be split by prorated population each year; multiple towns have already approved the change and the county plans to present executed documents to NCDOT for finalization. Commissioners moved and seconded the resolution and approved the boundary expansion and agency transfer by roll call.

The board directed staff to prepare the official notification letter to the RPO/NCDOT and to prepare any required memorandum of understanding for signatures. Officials said they expect the county to assume lead planning responsibilities effective July 1 to align with the county fiscal year.

Next steps: staff will prepare the MOU and notification to NCDOT and present executed documents for signature.