Commissioners to Discuss Drought Help, Shelter Power Upgrades

In a meeting that was delayed due to a major rain event that shut down the county, Commissioners on Monday will discuss assistance to farmers hit hard by the drought earlier this summer.

Monday’s 6:30 meeting was called after this week’s meeting was cancelled due to the dangerous weather conditions.

The agenda item was added at the request of the board. Commissioners had previously discussed looking into possible assistance for farmers, after several months of below average rainfall led to significant crop losses across the county.

In other business, the board will hear a request from David Ransom of Emergency Service regarding a grant to install generator switches at four count shelter sites. The $375,000 match will not require a match form the county.

East, West and South Columbus, along with Edgewood Elementary in Whiteville, are the county’s primary emergency shelters in extreme weather events. The transfer switching systems will allow seamless changeover to generators if power is interrupted.

Ransom will also speak to the board about a change order fort the 911 Center project, specifically its backup power system. Materials and equipment will not be available in time to met the scheduled deadline for the start of the project, according to the agenda item. The delay will require the renovation be pushed back.

The sheriff’s office will also request permission to hold another auction to dispose of cars and other equipment that did not sell at the previous auction.

About Jefferson Weaver 2506 Articles
Jefferson Weaver is the Managing Editor of Columbus County News and he can be reached at (910) 914-6056, (910) 632-4965, or by email at jeffersonweaver@ColumbusCountyNews.com.