Craven County commissioners approve multiple budget amendments, land purchase and service funding

The Craven County Board of Commissioners approved a series of budget amendments and administrative measures during its regular session on June 15, 2026.

Chairman Booker presided as the board voted unanimously to approve a $200,000 amendment to cover increased inmate health-care costs after Captain Chad Smith, chief jailer, described ‘‘persistent overcrowding’’ and rising medical expenses tied to a larger daily inmate population. ‘‘With every person that comes in our jail ... we’re required for all of their medical cost,’’ Captain Smith said, urging the board to act.

In other finance actions, the board approved a $275,000 amendment from the Water Department fund balance to account for inventory used in repairs, leak work and main-line repairs; county staff said much of the inventory is replenished when replaced and that efforts are made to recoup costs from third parties (for example, NCDOT contractors) where eligible. The board also approved a $147,000 amendment in the Register of Deeds office after Register Josh Kour reported a roughly 15% revenue increase driven by higher recording activity and certified-copy demand.

The board approved a $679,955 amendment tied to the county’s April 30, 2026 purchase of 3491 Martin Drive, adjacent to county-owned 3493 Martin Drive, to consolidate facilities maintenance operations. Mr. Hodges told commissioners the purchase included the price and costs for an environmental review and outside legal consultation; an appraisal had valued the property at about $650,000, he said.

County finance staff requested and won approval to appropriate $452,000 in additional ambulance-service fee revenue to remit to local rescue squads (breakdowns by squad were provided) and a $60,000 appropriation to remit fines and forfeitures to the school system. The board also approved smaller amendments including $24,000 to temporarily fund part of a grant-writer position and $33,399 in interest to support further work in the Craven County Industrial Park.

Several items were routine approvals: the Craven Area Rural Transit (CART) updated safety plan was adopted after Deanna Troupe said the plan follows the NCDOT template and clarifies assault definitions; human resources staff presented a 5% increase in the county’s self-funded health-insurance rates that will be passed to retirees under a personnel-resolution amendment; and multiple advisory-board appointments were made by acclamation.

All motions listed above were approved by roll call or voice votes as noted during the meeting; the board recessed to closed session later in the agenda for a personnel matter under the cited statute. The board adjourned after the closed-session motion was made.

Votes at a glance (items approved):
- Consent agenda (tax releases/refunds, air show lease, payment-in-lieu of taxes) — approved by roll call.
- Inmate health-care budget amendment: $200,000 — approved by roll call.
- CART public-transportation safety plan — approved by voice vote.
- Register of Deeds budget amendment: $147,000 — approved by roll call.
- Cypress Bay living-shoreline grant-administration resolution — adopted (see separate coverage).
- Water Department inventory/repairs amendment: $275,000 — approved by roll call.
- Facilities purchase/budget amendment (3491 Martin Drive): $679,955 — approved by roll call.
- Grant-writer short-term funding: $24,000 — approved by roll call.
- Industrial Park interest appropriation: $33,399 — approved by roll call.
- Rescue-squad collections appropriation: $452,000 — approved by roll call.
- Schools fines/forfeitures remittance: $60,000 — approved by roll call.
- Opioid settlement spending resolution (detailed allocations) — approved (see separate coverage).
- Human Resources: retiree insurance rate adjustment to reflect a 5% plan increase — approved by roll call.

Next steps: many of the amendments modify current fiscal-year allocations; the Martin Drive purchase will be reimbursed from planned borrowing in fall 2026 per the approved reimbursement resolution. Several items—particularly water-repair reimbursements tied to third-party claims—remain contingent on successful recoveries or future procurement actions.