EDENTON — The Chowan County Board of Commissioners will tackle a mix of personnel, facilities improvements and long-term infrastructure planning when it meets Monday evening at the Chowan County Public Safety Center.

Commissioners will begin with a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, prior to their regular 6 p.m. session. According to the notice, “The purpose of this special meeting will be a closed session to meet in accordance with NCGS 143-318-11 (a) (6) Personnel.” The closed session will be held at the Public Safety Center, 305 West Freemason St., Edenton.

The regular meeting will follow at 6 p.m. at the same location.

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Long-term planning will be addressed as County Manager Kevin Howard presents estimated costs for various jail-replacement options. Over the past few years, commissioners have discussed the need to replace the existing detention center. Options explored have included constructing a new jail, developing a new regional jail with neighboring counties, or joining an existing regional facility.

Among the first items on the regular agenda is a discussion of the county’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration. George Lewis is scheduled to “provide the Board with suggestions for enhancing the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration to include a partnership between the County, Town and School System to hold future celebrations at the new John A. Holmes High School.” The proposal could expand coordination between local governments and the school system for future observances.

Commissioners will also consider a repair project at the DF Walker High School gym. The Board has been provided with a quote to repair the gym’s bleachers “using parts from the bleachers that are being removed from the John A. Holmes High School Gymnasium.” The cost for the repair would be paid using the remaining federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Another item returning to the agenda is the Bennett’s Millpond project. The project was originally put out for bids in January 2025. In February of that year, the Board reviewed two bids and requested the RFP be amended so the bids would reflect a more specific scope of work. Included in this month’s packet is a new RFP for 2026, and the Board will review and consider approval of the revised proposal before putting the project back out for bid.

Jacob Peele will present the annual Soil and Water report to commissioners, offering an update on ongoing conservation and resource management efforts.

The Board will also consider the purchase of a vehicle from the Sheriff’s Office fleet. Three trucks in the Enterprise lease program have reached the end of their leases. The county is interested in purchasing one Chevrolet truck with 64,000 miles for $23,000 for use by Soil and Water. Under an agreement with Perquimans County for shared Soil and Water operations, Chowan would pay half of the purchase price and Perquimans would pay the other half. Chowan’s portion would be $11,500, to be paid with remaining ARPA funds.

Finally, commissioners will consider the appointment of Claire Mills to the Trillium Health Resources Regional Advisory Board to fill the vacant seat.