BY NICOLE BOWMAN-LAYTON

Two studies regarding adding Chowan County to a regional jail will soon be underway.

The Board of Commissioners approved one study and learned about the second during the meeting held Monday in the Public Safety Center on West Freemason Street in Edenton.

Before discussing the regional jail studies, the board started its evening by meeting in executive session to discuss a lawsuit filed earlier this year by private citizens against the Town of Edenton and Chowan County Commissioners regarding moving the Confederate Monument on South Broad Street to behind the Chowan County Courthouse. No action was taken.

The updated complaint, which was filed April 4 in Chowan Superior Court, seeks preliminary injunctive relief against relocating the monument to another location, a declaratory judgment and a judge’s order declaring certain acts by the defendants Town of Edenton and members of its Town Council null and void, a copy of the lawsuit states. The court also extended the defense’s time to respond to the lawsuit by 21 days.

Regional jail studies

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve an agreement with Gates and Washington counties to conduct a joint feasibility study for a regional jail facility.

The agreement formalizes the partnership among the three counties and outlines shared responsibilities, billing procedures, and representation on a study committee. According to officials, the contract for the study was already signed, and preliminary work is underway.

Each participating county will appoint three members to a jail study committee: the county manager, a county commissioner, and a designee from the sheriff’s office.

“This agreement brings us together to look at what’s best for our region,” County Manager Kevin Howard said. “It’s about planning wisely and using resources responsibly.”

In a related update, Howard informed the board that the Albemarle District Jail — which serves Pasquotank, Perquimans and Camden counties — recently expressed interest in exploring the possibility of Chowan and Gates counties joining its facility. The district jail plans to conduct its own internal review in the coming months and is expected to present an offer that would include cost estimates and operational considerations.

“Both Gates and Washington counties are aware of this development,” Howard said. “Washington County, in particular, sees the regional study as critical as they evaluate their own facility’s future.”

County officials said both options — the regional jail study and potential Albemarle partnership — will be pursued simultaneously.

Commissioner Tony Shaffer said he recently spoke with Edenton Police Chief David LaFon regarding the regional jail system. LaFon expressed concerns about not being able to control who was hired at the facility.

Senior Center

Howard told commissioners that he will present some changes for the Chowan County Senior Center at the board’s next meeting.

While the center is under the Parks and Recreation Department, it has its own budget. Howard said the changes will be more positional, as current Parks and Rec Co-Director Shannon Ray is leaving for another position.

Commissioner Larry McLaughlin noted that the center’s board expressed interest in becoming independent again. Five years ago, the center was taken under the Parks and Rec supervision to the center maintain financial stability, according to previous reports.

Howard said the center has grown a lot during the past five years and needs more space than what is available in the E. A. Swain building.

DSS annual report

The Chowan County Department of Social Services (DSS) in Chowan County wrapped up another demanding year, navigating state mandates and tight deadlines while continuing to meet — and often exceed — service delivery goals, according to Director Tyeshia Phelps’ annual report.

The report, covering July 2024 to February 2025, outlines performance across programs like Adult Protective Services (APS), Food and Nutrition, Child Welfare, Work First, and Energy Assistance. Phelps emphasized that while small counties like Chowan are disproportionately affected by single missed cases, the agency consistently maintained service levels above 75% — and in many instances, achieved 100%.

A key topic was the upcoming rollout of the Rylan’s Law Dashboard, a state-mandated transparency tool that will publicly display each county’s compliance with state-mandated targets. The law, passed in 2017 following a tragic child welfare case, enforces performance benchmarks, particularly in child safety programs.

“We’re six strong in our home services unit,” Phelps said, referring to her staff, “and we make sure every foster child is seen each month. We hit 100% compliance for this fiscal year.”

Adult Services met or exceeded state goals for most of the year. Delays were usually due to circumstances such as unlocatable individuals or deceased clients — factors out of the agency’s control. In programs like Special Assistance for the Aged and Disabled, Work First, and Food and Nutrition, the county hit targets except for isolated shortfalls tied to end-of-month reporting cutoffs.

Phelps highlighted the challenges created by state-wide performance mandates, especially for small counties.

“One late application in a county like ours can drop our (compliance) percentage from 100 to 50 overnight,” she explained.

Commissioner Tony Shaffer and Chairman Bob Kirby praised Phelps’ leadership in the face of mounting administrative burdens.

“Her ability to manage and tolerate the excessive state accountability requirements is extraordinary,” Shaffer said. “She ensures services are delivered efficiently, even as paperwork piles up.”

As the state moves toward a regionalized oversight model and implements new technology like the Rylan’s Dashboard, Phelps remains committed to her team and community. “We don’t just meet numbers. We serve people.”

The DSS annual report will be made publicly accessible once the state dashboard goes live later this year.

Public Concerns Over Property Compliance

Washington noted that all he requested was a written summary of a phone conversation he previously had with a county official, but had not received anything. He drew a parallel to previous handling of similar concerns, accusing the county of a “wait and see” approach.

Later in the meeting, Howard noted that the county’s attorney, Lauren Arizaga-Womble, sent a letter to Washington last month and would follow up to make sure Washington received it.

Kirby noted that the resident was entitled to come before the commissioners and express his frustration. He asked Howard to make sure the resident understands what the county is doing in regards to their concern and why its doing it.

“We have to protect everyone’s rights,” Kirby said.

Howard noted that the county is looking into Washington’s concerns. “Unfortunately, government doesn’t work quite as fast as we might want it to, but we’re trying.”

Other items

In other news, the board:

• Approved the annual health insurance renewal and approved a service agreement with Pierce Group Benefits. Insurance rates will go up 7% for medical insurance and 5% for dental insurance. Items of note include that of the 147 people on the county’s insurance, six individuals account for a little over $1 million in claims. The other people count for a little over $700,000.
• Gave its approval of a retention incentive for 22 DSS staff members. The incentive will be paid through unallotted salaries.
• Approved spending $300 to cover the local match for the purchase of a computer through the Afterschool Plus Program.
• Approved spending $19,104.72 to purchase three Enterprise vehicles for the Chowan County Sheriff’s Office. They will replace older vehicles that will be sold as surplus.
• Approved several current fiscal year budget amendments.
• Discussed the upcoming budget cycle and the need for several committees to meet.

Board of Equalization and Review

The Commissioners also meet as the Board of Equalization and Review. This annual duty allows residents to appeal personal property tax valuations.

Tax Administrator Chris Hill addressed the board to clarify the scope and schedule of the review session.

“Every year, the board is required to meet to hear timely appeals from taxpayers regarding personal property,” Hill stated.

He noted that the appeal period officially opened with the evening’s meeting and will remain open until 5 p.m. May 5. As of Monday’s meeting, no appeals had been submitted.

Kirby recessed the Board of Equalization and Review until its next session at 6 p.m. May 5. Appeal forms were made available both in-person near the entrance to the Chowan County Sheriff’s Office in the Public Safety Building, and on the county website.

The Commissioners’ next regular meeting is scheduled for May 5.