By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

The Columbus County Board of Commissioners is just one meeting and a vote away from adopting a series of rules and procedures.

Commissioner Ricky Bullard wanted the board to consider adopting a handbook published by the N.C. Institute of Government.

“I still feel more comfortable supporting the booklet that the rules were copied from,” Bullard said of county attorney Steve Fowler’s draft that is under consideration and passed its first reading Jan. 22.

“I would really like to see the book being the main bible here to keep us updated,” Bullard said. He added that the book was updated as the laws change and is easy to keep up with.

“It’s accessible to the public over the internet,” Bullard said.

“I can understand wanting it in an easier to read format,” Commissioner Bill Memory said. He suggested the county book be the drafted version in a book format and published it on the website.

“You can buy these books for $10,” Bullard told Memory.

“This is going to cost money,” Commissioner Amon McKenzie declared.

“I bought my own book, Mr. McKenzie. I didn’t expect the county to buy mine for me,” Bullard fired back.

Commissioner Sammie Jacobs said that he thought it was the “general consensus” at a prior workshop to go with the attorney’s drafted documents that includes specific policies adopted by the board as well as suggestions from the School of Government publication.

“That echoes things in the book, except for four or five things,” Chairman James Prevatte said.

“If you’re going to copy it page-by-page why not buy the book?” Bullard asked.

“It’s not exactly the same,” Jacobs said.

In other matters, the board also approved a touch-to-talk communication service contract for the Columbus County Public Transportation.

Director Charles Patton explained the system had great reception in various areas around the county and that the 16 radios can only talk with each other. The units also include GPS tracking devices.

A $150,000 grant for the County Airport was also approved. Director Phil Edwards said the match was not in this year’s budget but would come from the fiscal 2008-2009-airport budget.

The board approved a resolution calling for the state to move the N.C. 11 and Tar Heel Ferry Road Bridges up on the Department of Transportation’s priority list. Commissioner Bill Memory pointed out that several Columbus County residents travel the roads and bridges to work daily.

The $4.5 million in water bonds for Water District V were approved. Assistant Finance Director Bobbie Faircloth explained the bonds had already been sought and the vote was simply to proceed.