BAYBORO – Surprise! For inmates at the Pamlico County Jail who have no health insurance (which is quite a few) county taxpayers are on the hook for their health care – a figure approaching half a million per year and growing rapidly. Right now most of that cash is going to a third-party purveyor known as Southern Health Partners.
In an effort to stem the rising tide, County Manager Mark Brewington told his bosses Monday night that he hopes to propose some alternatives – perhaps one that might rely more upon the county Health Department in cooperation with Sheriff Chris Davis, who oversees the jail. Early indications are that neither Davis nor the Health Department are crazy about the idea. Scary enough for you?
Topic #2. Pamlico County Schools wants to pursue a state grant of $32 million, which will tear down Fred A. Anderson Elementary, which now houses 4th and 5th graders, to build a new wing on to the newer Primary School building. Two years ago, school officials were awarded $60-plus million to build a new 6-12 school. However, to lock down that money, the commissioners had to come up with what is known as a ‘county match’ to the tune of $3.7 million – WHICH HAD TO BE BORROWED FROM AN AREA BANK WITH A 15-YEAR PAYBACK.
‘Matching funds’ requirements are always scary propositions for county officials.
Finally, the commissioners got a sneak peek at the newest set of property values derived from a recently concluded ‘reappraisal’ process that examined all 17,000 parcels. The last re-val occurred six years ago – and these latest numbers are truly STARTLING! One example: 2020 Assessed Value of $387,884 with a recent sale price of $770,000. Second example: 2020 Assessed Value of $1,061,177 with a recent sale price of $2.5 million.
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