Board Minutes

September 8, 2005
Special Session

The Bladen County Board of Commissioners met in Special Session at 10:00 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room of the Courthouse for the purpose of mediation with the Board of Education. The mediation was regarding the lawsuit Bladen County Board of Education v. Bladen County Board of Commissioners File No. 05-CVS-461 and 05-CVS-502. The following members were present:

Chairman Taylor called the meeting to order. County Attorney Leslie Johnson advised that Court Appointed Mediator Andy Little had called his office and advised that due to car problems, he would be arriving late.

A motion was made by Billy Ray Pait, seconded by Larry Smith and approved to enter Closed Session in accordance with N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) Bladen County Board of Education v. Bladen County Board of Commissioners.

A motion was made by Lewis Tatum, seconded by Larry Smith and approved to enter Regular Session.

Chairman Taylor declared the meeting recessed until 12:00 p.m.

Chairman Taylor reconvened the meeting at 12:00 p.m.

Mediator Andy Little provided opening remarks and at the waiver of the Board of Education and Board of Commissioners, no general session was held.

Chairman Taylor advised that the Board of Commissioners would meet in the Historical Room and the Board of Education would meet in the Planning Board Room (B8) of the Courthouse.

Mr. Little gathered information from the Board of Commissioners and started the mediation process between the two Boards.

Both Boards reconvened in the Commissioners Meeting Room.

A motion was made by Charles Ray Peterson, seconded by James G. Smith and approved to amend the FY 05 budget to add $200,000 to Current Expense and $135,000 to Capital and that the Board of Education and Board of Commissioners have committee representatives meet on a quarterly basis as previously agreed upon for the purpose of improving communications.