The Onslow County Board of Commissioners will meet in a regular session at 6PM, Monday, March 21, 2022 in the Commissioners’ Chambers at the Onslow County Government Center, 234 NW Corridor Blvd, Jacksonville, NC.

The future of the Farmer’s Market and the consideration of a Veterans Treatment Court Pilot Grant will be presented to the Commissioners for action.

Commissioners will consider designating some of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to advance the deployment of high-speed internet to unserved areas of the County. A state program allows the County to participate in a grant administered by the State that can deliver fiber optic cable to the homes in sparsely populated areas where there is no internet. Commissioners will be asked if they wish to designate the ARPA funds for this cause and agree to participate in the program.

The Board will also be asked if they wish to accept a grant that would create a built in versatile virtual meeting space at the Main Library. Funding would come from the State Library which won the money also from the American Rescue Plan Act.

A $29-million grant to the Onslow County Ellis Airport will be considered for formal acceptance. The NC Legislature awarded the funds for the extension of the runway and other improvements. Commissioners will also be asked to award a contract that will improve the parking system administration at the airport., and to adopt a project ordinance for replacement of the 25-year-old system now in place.

A classroom at the new firearms and training complex for the Onslow County Sheriff’s Department is requested to be funded by a grant from the State. The $84,296 will also be used to purchase a new light source for the Crime Scene Investigation Unit.

The NC State Budget provided for $230,000 for the next two years to establish a Judicially Managed Accountability and Recovery Court. Designed to combat substance abuse, reduce repeated offenses, addresses mental, behavioral or medical related court workload, and increases the accountability of offenders, the grant will provide for a team-based approach to operation of the special court. Commissioners will be asked to consider acceptance of the grant funds and authorize the action to create the court.

The Onslow County Farmers Market has operated since the mid 1990’s with a partnership with the NC Cooperative Extension service and the Onslow County Farmers Market Association. In 2003, the Farmers Market moved to the current location on Richlands Highway. In January, the association was dissolved, and the Commissioners will consider an option to have Cooperative Extension to continue the operation. Fees from the vendors who sell at the market would be collected by the county and would help offset the cost of the market manager.

Assistance to the Schools in the form of helping to pay for school nurses, school social workers, health educators and mental health professionals could be advanced with a grant the NC Division of Public Health has offered to the County. Commissioners are to consider accepting the $225,924 grant that would pass through the County to provide the specialized funding for the school positions as part of state funding coming from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Onslow Health officials are also asking for a acceptance of the FY2023 Consolidated Agreement with the NC Department of Health and Human Services for operations at the Onslow County Health Department. The Commissioners are to consider approval of the agreement as part of their meeting.

A contract worth $1.1 million for a two-year period to the Methodist Home for Children would assist the Onslow County Department of Social Services with mental health and behavioral health services over that period. The contract grew out of a request for services and would provide for a Prevention Specialist, Comprehensive Clinical Assessments, and Intensive Family Preservation Services as well as Intensive Reunification Services. Commissioners are being asked to consider awarding the contract to the agency.

Commissioners are also to consider budget amendments and a rate modification for a 2013 installment purchase contract with PNC Bank. The net effect will save the County about $38,000.

A renewal of the Microsoft 365 suite of productivity programs would be authorized if the Commissioners accept a contract renewal. The funding is already provided for in the County budget and is presented to the Commissioners for consideration.

Items on the consent agenda, which are consider for approval in one motion, or for which any Commissioner can remove an item for further consideration, include approving certificates of satisfaction for participation in the Septic System Community Assistance Fund Program, and cancellation of the May 16 and July 6 Commissioners’ meetings.

The meeting also has a place for public comment where Citizens can address the board on any issue upon which the Board Commissioners has control for five minutes.