Onslow County Board of Commissioners have unanimously approved an economic development proposal that will sell about 16 acres within Burton Park with the agreement that the investment would provide substantial property tax revenues and provide for at least 100 new jobs at above the County’s median income.
The action came at the regular meeting of the Onslow Board of Commissioners Monday, April 18, 2022.
The arrangement will sell the land to Trask Land Company with the company making an estimated $13-million-dollar investment on the land in buildings and related items. The County has the option to abate the yearly payments so long as the investment by the company produces the jobs and taxes.
County Attorney Brett DeSelms presented the item to the board indicating that the cost of the land is $928,500 being forgiven for the development of the project and the creation of the jobs. When fully developed after four years, the development would produce about $90 thousand would be collected each year in new taxes, as there are no taxes generated from the property currently.
The Board also approved the purchase of the City of Jacksonville Fire Station Number 4 located with the Onslow County Emergency Operations Center. As the County is expanding the Emergency Operations Center, more space is needed, and the purchase of the Fire Station will provide for additional space. Additionally, the City of Jacksonville has indicated that the station was initially built without bunk rooms and that a relocation nearby would provide a more modern and efficient station.
The County would pay $1 million from the Federal American Rescue Plan Act for the building and the 8.8 acres of land on which the County currently leases from the City. The station would not be vacated until October 2023 in order to give time for the relocation of the facility.
Commissioners also unanimously approved rezoning a 5.13-acre site on NC Highway 172 in the Sneads Ferry area from Rural Agriculture to Highway Business. The property owner indicated he wanted to compliment the Onslow County Stump Sound Park which is next to the property. Staff indicated that the rezoning is in conformance with the Sneads Ferry Master Plan.
The Board received a report from the Onslow County Community Child Protection Team. The required report to the Commissioners presents causes of early childhood deaths and the actions taken to help lessen those deaths.
Three proclamations were presented: One for County Government Week, another for National Coin Week and the third for the Month of the Military Child.
Commissioners are also approved a request by Duke University to participate in a randomized trial designed to improve care of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the state. Duke would provide funding for the project which is designed to improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates.
Jenifer Kiefer was appointed to the County Board of Equalization and Review, which hears property tax owner appeals on the value of their property was approved. Anna Gaskins was appointed as the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction representative to the Holly Ridge Planning Board and made the appointment of Craig Chamberlin to the Coastal Carolina Community College Board of Trustees.
Commissioners approved several Consent items including past board minutes, an appeals procedure policy for their work as the Board of Health, as well as a new Orientation and Training policy for the Board to follow. The Board also approved the delegation of certain duties to the Health Director and consider the award of a service side arm to the widow of a now deceased former Airport Police officer.