Board Minutes

October 3, 2005

A regular meeting of the Bladen County Board of Commissioners was held in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room of the Courthouse at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present:

Noise Ordinance

Approve Agreement with Advance PCS Regarding Prescription Drug Card Program:

ADVANCEPCS HEALTH, LP. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES MANAGED PHARMACY BENEFIT SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR MEMBER COUNTY

This Managed Pharmacy Benefit Services Agreement for Member County effective is entered into by and between AdvancePCS Health, L.P. ("AdvancePCS") and

{"Member Comitpl. Reference is hereby made to the Managed Pharmacy Benefit Services Agreement Consumer Card Program dated as of July l, 2005 (the "Agreement") among National Association of Counties ("Customei"), Member Count, and AdvancePCS under which Customer has engaged AdvancePCS to provide services to prescription drug plans for Customer and its Member Counties.

MEMBER COUNTY does hereby agree to be bound by, and to assume and perform, each and all of the terms, covenants and conditions of the Agreement as Member County (as defme+d in the Agreement) in the same manner and to the same extent as if it were a party thereto. Member County acknowledges and agrees that Customer and AdvancePCS may amend all or any portion of the Agreement, except with respect to the Initial Term, and Member County hereby agrees to be bound by any such amendment Customer shall give Member County reasonable notice prior to the effective date of any such amendment If such amendment is adverse to Member County or its Participants, Member County may, within ninety (90) days of receiving such notice from Customer, terminate its participation in the Agreement by giving prior written notice to Customer and AdvancePCS.

Customer and AdvancePCS, by their signatures hereto, accept and agree to Member County's parhicipation with the Agreement under the terms and conditions of ihe Agreement By signing this Managed Pharmacy Benefit Services Agreement for Member County, Member County acknowledges and agrees that the terms of the Agreement have been completely read, fully understood and voluntarily accepted and further agrees to be bound thereby.

NAOC k2 - vZ.doc (Q7106(2005) W=Clalm] Page 15 of 15

This document contains proprietary information of AdvancePCS, and may not be used for any purpose other than to evaluate entering into a relationship with AdvancePCS, nor may it be duplicated or disclosed to others for any purpose.

October 3, 2005

Economic Development Administration
Office of Chief Counsel
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room 7005
Washington, DC 20230

Via Fax: 202-482-5671 or Via Email edaregs@eda.doc.gov
Re: Comments on the Interim Final Rule
Dear EDA Chief Counsel:

We are writing to express our strong opposition to the interim final rules proposed by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) on August 11, 2005. We are specifically opposed to changing the governance and operational requirements for Economic Development Districts, increasing local costs for EDA planning and project development activities, and minimizing local government participation in local planning and development activities.

In general, we are most concerned that the interim final rules break the traditional partnership among federal, state, and local officials in advancing the economic interests of our local communities. The new rules are potentially punitive and without any appeals processes, especially with regard to the designation and future funding for Economic Development Districts (EDD). Most of the requirements for grantee performance measurements are very vague and open to varying agency interpretations among the different regional offices. In addition, the interim final rule appears to severely restrict the operational flexibility, future funding, governance structure and professional services of our EDD.

More specifically, we are adamantly opposed to the new requirements that shift the governing bodies of Economic Development Districts from the majority control of local government officials to unnamed private sector representatives. We support the active participation of our region’s business leaders and other key stakeholders in the EDDs, as required by current rules. We believe it would be harmful to our local economic development activities if local elected officials were removed from the governance structure and operations of the EDDs. This is particularly true since local governments pay the 50 percent local matching share required by EDA, are responsible for building and sustaining our public infrastructure, and have responsibility for land use and zoning issues.

We are very concerned about changes in EDA matching rates for all agency investments, including planning grants, public works investments and economic adjustment assistance. This policy change has potentially significant cost implications for local communities. Currently, each EDD must provide a 50 percent local match for their planning grant, with a potential waiver to a 75-25% rate. For our distressed communities, it takes a serious commitment and sacrifice from local government leaders to put up their share. However, our local officials recognize the benefits of working regionally to solve local problems, to build the professional technical capacity needed to pursue economic opportunities, and the community dividends that are achieved by participating in the Economic Development District. We fear the increased costs to our local communities for both EDA planning awards and infrastructure projects will put our future economic progress in jeopardy.

Finally, we are overwhelmingly opposed to efforts throughout the interim final rules that severely reduce the involvement and control of local government officials in strategic planning and development activities. This includes turning over the CEDS process in our region to private sector interests, removing local government control of the EDDs, restricting the operational flexibility and capabilities of our EDD and increasing the local cost burden for EDA projects.

Thank you for the opportunity to express our concerns on this important matter.

Sincerely,

Greg Taylor
Chairman

Commissioner Blanks advised that the Pleasant Union Baptist Church Gospel Singing Group recently won a gold medal at the State level. She extended an invitation to the Board of Commissioners to attend the Senior Citizens Banquet at Pleasant Union Baptist Church on Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. Dr. Blanks indicated that Representative Edd Nye will be the guest speaker.

Commissioner Tatum referred to an 1885 Bladen County map that he recently obtained. He indicated that it was very interesting to him and thought it would also be interesting to the Board of Commissioners.

EMERGENCY SERVICES:

Designation of Applicant’s Agent - Emergency Services Director Mitchell Byrd advised that Bladen County has been declared a recipient for disaster assistance for Hurricane Ophelia as it relates to category B (protective measures) assistance. Mr. Byrd requested consideration by the Board to appoint Bladen County Emergency Management and Emergency Services Director Mitchell Byrd as the applicant designee.

A motion was made by Larry Smith, seconded by Lewis Tatum to appoint Bladen County Emergency Management and Emergency Services Director Mitchell Byrd as the applicant designee.

Commissioner Charles Ray Peterson called for discussion. Mr. Peterson questioned what method is used to reimburse employees who worked during hurricanes. Commissioner Peterson asked the County Manager to research the matter and to respond to the Board.

Consider Date for Employee Appreciation Lunch – Mr. Martin requested consideration regarding the Employee Appreciation Lunch that has historically been held in November. A motion was made by James G. Smith, seconded by Delilah B. Blanks and approved to schedule the Employee Appreciation Lunch on Wednesday, November 9, 2005 from 11:30 a.m. through 2:00 p.m.

Consider Closed Session in Accordance with N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(1)(5) -Motion by Peterson, seconded by James G. Smith and approved to enter Closed Session in accordance with N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(1) Approve Minutes and (5) Real Property Acquisition.

A motion was made by W. D. Neill, Jr., seconded by Delilah B. Blanks and approved to enter Regular Session.

Commissioner Charles Ray Peterson advised that he would like for the Board of Commissioners to set a date to meet with the Board of Education as previously agreed upon.