# Meeting 09-21-2026 (Part 2)

The Columbus County Board of Commissioners held a meeting on September 21, 2026, which included several procurement and budget-related discussions. Key procurement actions included approval of grant applications such as the NC DOT 5311 and 5310 transportation grants, a $950,000 CDBG NR housing grant application with no county match required, and emergency services grants totaling over $1.2 million in state funding. The board approved a contract with Waters Contracting for the Columbus County Transportation Building Expansion Project, supported amendments to fire and EMS contracts allowing flexible fund allocation, and authorized multiple lease agreements including opioid counseling office space and temporary office space for the attorney's office. Budget amendments were approved to allocate funds for new leases, cooperative extension, recreation grants, public utilities, and sheriff's office auction revenues, with assurances that these would not impact the county's fund balance. Additionally, the board discussed a proposed 90-day moratorium on data centers, setting a public hearing for October 5, 2026, to consider this matter. The meeting also covered updates on the quarter-cent sales tax referendum intended to fund emergency services, schools, and parks, emphasizing that the tax increase would be minimal and primarily supported by visitors to the county. Overall, the meeting focused heavily on grant approvals, contract awards, budget amendments, and policy discussions affecting future procurement and county funding.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure, Public Safety
**Topics:** Grants & Funding, Contracting Vehicles
**Published:** September 21, 2026

### Sources
- [Meeting 09-21-2026 (Part 2)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4OnqKk86ic) - Columbus County