An Onslow Veterans Service Officer will soon be embedded in the Jacksonville Vet Center to help veterans get their benefits to receive services there. The embedding was approved by the Onslow County Board of Commissioners in their regular session Monday, May 2, 2022.

Commissioners were asked to approve the embedding to speed assistance to veterans in need. The Jacksonville Vet Center provides counseling sessions and referrals for military veterans and their families. The Onslow Veterans Services office aids veterans to get benefits and does referrals.

Onslow Veteran Services Director Joe Duane notes that Onslow has the fourth largest veteran population in the state. Growth and expansion of the County services are needed to meet the demand. With most of the issues being time sensitive for veterans who are seeking counseling, delayed appointments could result in a decreased, total loss or delay in receiving their Veterans Affairs compensation or Pension benefits.

Having an Onslow Veterans Service Officer at the Jacksonville Vet Center in the Branchwood Shopping Center could allow for immediate claims assistance to veterans who need treatment as well as services to those veterans who cannot easily travel to the Onslow County Government Center.

The Commissioners unanimously approved the arrangement between the County and the Jacksonville Vet Center.

In other action, the Commissioners approved work to expand the County landfill. A cell at the landfill is predicted to have about three years of remaining capacity. To continue operations, construction needs to begin on a new phase to expand the capacity. This phase would provide for about 10 acres of additional land for landfill operations. Commissioners were asked to approve a firm to provide drafting and finalizing the construction documents, assisting with the bidding process, and providing project management and technical review services.

The Commissioners unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding and authorized the County Manager to sign on behalf of the County.

Commissioners also approved a public hearing for the proposed budget for Onslow County on Monday, June 6 at 11AM.

The Board also approved a renewal of a contract with Addiction Consulting and Training Associates. The company provides services to the County in the form of a full-time case manager within the medical unit of the Onslow County Detention Center and a grant monitoring service for a US Justice Department Grant.

The Commissioners made five appointments to boards. Pamela Thorton and Eliane Bixiones were given three-year terms on the Library Board of Trustees. Gary Lankas, George Hitch and Robbie Yates were appointed to the Motor Vehicle Valuation Review Board.

Commissioners presented three proclamations during the meeting. They recognized Older Americans Month, Emergency Medical Services Week and National Foster Care Month.

Consent items approved at the time of the agenda adoption included, past board meeting minutes, Releases & Refunds and receiving the Tax Collectors Report for March 2022.