Amanda Bramble

The Martin County Board of Commissioners met to discuss the proposed FY 2019-20 Martin County Budget. The budget aimed to maintain services, absorb increased employment benefit costs, and minimize a tax increase, with a proposed 2-cent tax increase. Key points included funding for new staffing positions in various departments, budget requests from the Board of Education and Martin Community College, and funding for Bertie-Martin Regional Jail and youth detention. The budget also addressed economic development, rescue squad funding, capital outlay expenses, and water district finances. The meeting covered the county's savings, hospital fund, and future financial challenges due to declining population and debt service.

The Board of Commissioners addressed several key items, including a USDA Wildlife Agreement renewal, improvements to the USDA Agriculture Center, and a discussion on alleviating taxes for broadband providers. Budget amendments were approved for various purposes, such as refunding the 911 fund, increasing funding for the Tax Assessor's GIS mapping software, and appropriating funds for the EPA Water Grant and Soil and Water Strap Grant. Additionally, funds were allocated for purchasing Dodge Chargers for the Sheriff Department and installing fans at the Farmer's Market. The board also discussed and ultimately disapproved a request to allow the DMV Driver's License Office to open earlier due to security concerns. Mr. Drew Batts was appointed as County Manager effective May 19, 2025 and his contract was approved.

The Martin County Board of Commissioners met in a special session with the Martin County Board of Education to discuss the 2018-19 Martin County Schools Budget. Key topics included K-3 class size limitations, small county funding, charter and regional school enrollment, employment factors, and special needs and special populations expenditures. The Board also discussed a resolution opposing the reduction in the number of judges in the Second Judicial District, citing concerns over increased caseloads and the impact of the Opioid Crisis.

The Martin County Board of Commissioners held a meeting to discuss several key issues. The agenda included presentations on COVID-19 updates, Trillium's annual report, and reports from the Child Fatality Prevention Team and the Child Crime Prevention Team. The board addressed old business, including appointments to the African American Experience of Northeast North Carolina Board and approval of the Roanoke Connect Partnership Letter. New business included recommendations for the AWOS Installation Construction Project, special call meeting dates, employee incentives, and a resolution regarding a first offer to lease. Budget amendments were also reviewed and approved. The board entered a closed session to discuss attorney/client privilege, contracts and agreements, and personnel matters, before returning to open session to hire a new County Attorney.

The Martin County Board of Commissioners held a special session to address several key financial and project-related matters. Budget amendments were approved, including adjustments to the Emergency Telephone Fund, the Fire District Fund, and the General Fund, to account for various expenditures and revenue adjustments. The board also approved a contractor for special inspections and structural testing services for the new Martin County PSAP & Regional Back-up Facility. Additionally, the board entered and exited a closed session regarding attorney/client privilege.