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By Ena Sellers, Duplin Journal
KENANSVILLE – The atmosphere was joyful as approximately 30 people gathered at the County Office for the Board of County Commissioners’ monthly meeting on Feb. 5.
One of the highlights of the evening was the board’s unanimous vote to approve the construction of the new detention center.
Representative Jimmy Dixon made a ceremonial check presentation in the amount of $80,206,000 representing the cumulative total of the funding secured for Duplin County over the last two General Assembly budgets.
“For many years, we were at the lower end of the feed trough and not very much consideration,” said Dixon, explaining that Senator Brent Jackson, himself, and other colleagues in non-urban leadership positions have been able to secure funding for Duplin County.
“Every penny of this money that we have gotten for Duplin County could have gone through the competitive bid process and there’s billions of dollars that do go through competitive bids,” said Dixon, explaining that they get dibs on where to allocate about 15% of the funds available.
“We think that 170 people know better where the needs are, than career bureaucrats sitting in these places where you send your project request… so we have been able to convince leadership to let us spend some of the money. This is not new money. It is money that was going out… local representatives get significant input on where that money goes,” said Dixon. “It has been a long time since we have had a Governor sign one of our budgets. The current Governor … didn’t sign this one. But we do have a supermajority, and we were able to get around his veto.”
Dixon spoke about the many projects the county has been able to fund with the money secured and how Senator Jackson and himself coordinate to distribute the funds.
“The big jewel is that, cumulatively, we’ve gotten a little over $32 million for the jail,” said Dixon. “I was greatly influenced over the years by the need that we have had for a long time… I hope that is enough impetus to get the board in a position to where we can build the jail with the three pods on it and take care of our needs for some period of time… it’s been a great honor and a pleasure for me to be able to secure these funds to help you guys out.”
“The reason I can support these kinds of projects is because every bit of this is going to be put into something hard, something that has to be bought, and it is going to be bought more economically today than it would be later. Think about how long we kicked the can down the road on the jail.”
After the presentation of the ceremonial check, Sheriff Stratton Stokes took to the floor to say a few words.
“I know it’s been a long path, but through the leadership of Representative Dixon and also this board, we’ve made progress in a short period of time,” said Sheriff Stokes. “This is for all of Duplin County and like it says on the check, future generations, this has made a major impact for everybody and [will make an impact for] our kids and grandkids.
The next person to address the board was County Manager Bryan Miller. He presented the board with a detailed breakdown of the costs to build the new Duplin County Detention Center and requested authorization to enter contract negotiations with the certified low bidder, Daniels and Daniels Construction.
The total expense for the detention center project is $44,169,591, this amount includes the $40,223,100 for construction, $2,695,128 for engineer services, $1,000,000 for the road leading to the facility, $100,500 for the commissioning agents and $150,863 for the special inspection.
“The interest for the grant year-to-date is $1,372,335, an anticipated future interest of $1,000,000 while the detention center is being built. There are also three REDLG interest-free loans that we will apply for, and those total $2,360,000 each for a grand total of $7,080,000. The total revenues that we have for the project at this time are $41,752,335,” said Miller. “The difference being $2,417,256.”
Miller added that they have an unassigned fund balance of $35,849,716, praising the Board for an outstanding job with a healthy fund balance.
“Our recommendation for the detention center project is to utilize the grants, the red-leg loans, and appropriate $2,417,756 from our unassigned fund balance.”
Commissioner Elwood Garner made a motion to accept the loan bid for construction of the detention center, before it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Justin Edwards said a few words.
“I don’t think anybody in here really truly wants a jail but let’s face the fact, we have to have one. It is a part of life, it is a part of society, not everyone will buy it. But I think this is a step that our county has needed to take for many, many years,” said Commissioner Edwards. “I think this is a step that will benefit our taxpayers, myself, and our future taxpayers.”
All the commissioners echoed the sentiment, as one by one each said a few words.
“If anybody had ever asked me, are we going to be able to build this size jail and not raise taxes, I would have never believed it,” said Chair Edwards as he expressed his gratitude for the funding.
“We have the opportunity to put some things in place that are truly going to benefit the county as a whole and also help in terms of safety for our employees. So, I will be looking forward to seeing it go on the ground and hope we can continue to move forward together making these tough decisions,” said Commissioner Wayne Branch.
Commissioner Jesse Dowe added that “a lot of people have had their fingerprints on this endeavor” and he was thankful for everyone who was involved in the process including those who were not present.
Commissioner Garner shared that the jail project was near and dear to his heart. “The last time that the jail was adding on, my father was sheriff. He did what the commissioners would allow him to do … Now here I sit as a commissioner, and Sheriff, I am glad that we have been able to build you the 236-bed facility… I worked in the jail as a jailer for roughly 12 months, so I know what it is like to work there, 12-hour shifts. I think this new facility will allow things to happen much more efficiently and a whole lot safer.”
Sheriff Stokes told the Duplin Journal that he was thankful for everyone who worked hard to make this project come to fruition. Adding that it will benefit “the people of Duplin County and it should help us protect our inmates and our [employees] and our citizens, hopefully for the next three or four generations. It has been a long time coming, probably 20 years, but everybody has had their fingerprint on it. I am just thankful that it worked out tonight like it did.”
