Natalie W. Bess

The regular meeting agenda included a discussion regarding flood map changes with Steve Garrett from the NC Department of Public Safety. A public hearing was scheduled to consider personnel-related technical corrections to the County Ordinance Chapter 19 Article III Section 19-75 concerning Longevity Pay, with a recommendation to approve the corresponding ordinance amendment for consistency with the Personnel Policy. Action items involved approving budget amendments (1-3), calling for public hearings regarding amendments to the CDBG-NR Program and technical corrections to the County Ordinance on the use of County buildings, both set for April 6, 2026. The Board also considered approving a Declaration to observe March 12, 2026, as National Girl Scout Day, setting the open date to convene as the Board of Equalization & Review for April 6, 2026, and approving afterlists & releases. Departmental reports covered Water and Sewer, Financial Summary, Solid Waste, and the Child Fatality Prevention Team. The Manager's Report addressed recent retirees recognition, major events, workforce development indicators, TDA financial reports, follow-up on septic system requirements, and the BOC Retreat Draft Agenda. The session concluded with an executive session concerning Economic Development.

The agenda for the meeting included a scheduled appointment with Steve Garrett from the NC Department of Public Safety to discuss flood map changes. A Public Hearing was set to consider personnel related technical corrections to County Ordinance Chapter 19 Article III Section 19-75. Action items included approval of budget amendments 1-3, calling for a public hearing regarding amendments to the CDBG-NR Program, and calling for a public hearing on technical corrections to the County Ordinance related to the approved use of county buildings. The Board was set to consider declaring March 12, 2026, as National Girl Scout Day in Edgecombe County and to approve the open date to convene as the Board of Equalization & Review on April 6, 2026. Departmental reports covered updates on water and sewer, a monthly financial summary, the solid waste report, and the Child Fatality Prevention Team Report. The Manager's Report included recognition of recent retirees and follow-up on septic system requirements. The session concluded with a closed session for economic development matters.

The meeting began with safety instructions and a prayer. The commissioners proceeded to swear in the new Commissioner for District 7, Mr. Elder Woodlet. Following a brief recess, the board approved the minutes from the previous meeting, including a special meeting from October 2nd. The main focus of the session was the public hearing concerning a proposed text amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to add data center and crypto mining operation uses within the M2 general industrial district. Discussion covered proposed standards such as setbacks (100 feet minimum, increasing to 500 feet near residential properties), required buffers, and maximum noise levels (60 dBA during the day, 50 dBA at night for these specific uses). Staff also presented on current noise level readings in existing industrial areas for comparison and proposed specific language changes related to electrical usage attestation.

The special meeting commenced with safety instructions for emergencies, including evacuations, tornado warnings, and active shooter protocols. Key agenda items involved revising the regular meeting schedule for 2026, proposing the February meeting be moved to February 16th. The board also approved two budget amendments: one to adjust the funding received from DSS for the transportation program based on the final contract amount, and another from the Sheriff's office to appropriate insurance claim funds into a vehicle supply line. Contract approvals included Change Order Number Eight with AR Chess for modifications required by the fire marshal on the animal shelter construction contract, and a $60,000 contract with Oakley Kier for a space and needs assessment of county buildings to improve space utilization. A sole source approval contract with 3B Scientific Group was also approved. Following these actions, the board moved into a closed session to discuss economic development.

The meeting commenced with public comments, where several citizens voiced strong opposition to a proposed data center project in Kingsboro and Edgecombe County. Concerns centered on environmental impacts, including water usage (estimated at 1 to 5 million gallons daily), noise, pollution, and the use of lithium-ion battery systems posing fire risks, citing issues at facilities in Ohio and Oregon. Speakers argued that the project benefits large corporations (like Google and Amazon) at the expense of local health, property values, and resources, emphasizing the lack of transparency and necessary environmental studies from the proposer, ESS. One speaker requested action on a recycling center issue at Dickens Road, indicating topics outside the data center discussion were also present.