Meeting 11-02-2026 (Part 1)

Columbus County’s November 2, 2026 meeting included several spending and infrastructure actions. The board approved Change Order No. 3 and an amended capital project ordinance for the Livingston Chapel Road water project, increasing the contract by $119,887.73 to add service connections for 39 additional customers. It also authorized the sheriff or designee to execute the previously approved Crossroads Equipment lease and finance agreement for one 2026 GMC Silverado; the vehicle’s cost was described as just under $50,000. Budget amendments were approved, including a $400,000 state transportation grant for a service partnership with Bladen County, approximately $8,333 in additional state maternal-health grant funding, and $9,995 in earmarked donations for a sheriff’s office program. The board also approved pre-budgeted requisitions and pay requests above the county manager’s signing threshold.

The board approved a Duke Energy easement and finalized transfer of a former school property to the Town of Fair Bluff, excluding the senior center. It discussed federal agricultural land easement applications, including the perpetual nature of the easements and staff capacity to advance two of four interested farms; the transcript does not clearly capture the final vote on that item. Other discussion covered Trillium’s Medicaid and behavioral-health services, concerns about vape shops and possible enforcement or legislative responses, and requests for information about unsolved cases. No procurement action was identified in those discussions.