By Nicole Bowman-Layton

EDENTON — Questions about change orders at the new John A. Holmes High School and revisions to Chowan County’s newly adopted budget highlighted Monday night’s meeting of the Chowan County Board of Commissioners.

On July 13, 2026, the board received an updated financial report on the nearly completed $85 million school project after an Edenton resident urged commissioners to more closely scrutinize project expenses. Commissioners also scheduled a public hearing to amend the county’s Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget following the enactment of Senate Bill 474, which delayed implementation of the county’s 2026 property revaluation by one year.

Resident questions project oversight

Edenton resident Hal Murray opened public comment by praising Chairman Bob Kirby for previously questioning project expenses before expressing concern over what Murray described as a pattern of costly change orders at the new high school.

Murray said commissioners have approved 26 change orders totaling approximately $4.76 million, not including smaller change orders that can be approved administratively.

Among those, he pointed to a landscaping change order originally presented at more than $80,000.

“There was virtually no discussion on the matter,” Murray said. “The commissioners unanimously approved more than $80,000 for landscaping. Why was this request approved? In my opinion, because the dollars were there in the contingency fund. If the money exists, spend it.”

He also questioned change orders for approximately $60,000 in classroom door function locks and more than $200,000 for additional access controls and security cameras.

“The commissioners are to be admonished for not scrutinizing this and other requests more closely,” Murray said.

Later in the meeting, Finance Director Cathy Smith presented commissioners with an updated financial report showing the school construction project remains well within its authorized budget despite the additional expenditures.

Smith reported total project expenditures of $79,358,256, leaving approximately $5.64 million remaining from the project’s $85 million budget.

She also distributed an updated summary of approved change orders and explained the project’s remaining contingency funds.

While approximately $2.7 million technically remains in contingency, Smith said about $2.5 million consists of USDA loan proceeds that have not been borrowed and would require approval from both the Board of Commissioners and Board of Education before they could be used. The project’s construction contingency fund, without the loan, now stands at approximately $203,000.

Commissioner Larry McLaughlin asked Smith to clarify exactly how much contingency remained available for construction expenses.

County officials explained that although the USDA contingency remains available if necessary, the county hopes it will never be needed.

“If we don’t borrow it, we don’t need to pay it back,” Kirby said. “If we don’t need to pay it back, you don’t need to pay interest on the loan.”

Smith also noted that approximately $62,400 of a landscaping change order of more than $80,000.

Edenton-Chowan Schools Superintendent Tammi Ward clarified that the amount represented only the portion of the work that needed immediate approval.

She said approximately $18,200 in additional landscaping work — including discussions about relocating trees planted near the building — remains under review and will return to the board if necessary.

“It will not go over that total that was first presented,” Ward said. “We’re anticipating —or hoping — it will be under that.”

Commissioner Ellis Lawrence said change orders are common on projects of that size.

“I find it virtually impossible to have an $85 million building and not have unforeseen conditions, design changes, material or labor shortages,” Lawrence said.

McLaughlin agreed that the process can be frustrating, not because change orders occur, but because county commissioners are asked to approve funding without participating in the day-to-day management of construction.

“We’re really not involved in direct understanding of what’s involved with the building until it comes here,” McLaughlin said. “At which point we’re asked to approve additional expenses out of the contingency.”

Kirby noted that many of the decisions now being discussed occurred before Ward became superintendent and praised both the current school administration and Board of Education for guiding the project through its final stages.

He also noted that constructing the school on the existing campus added complexity to the project.

“The community overwhelmingly said they wanted” the school built on the current site, Kirby said.

Budget hearing scheduled

Commissioners unanimously scheduled a public hearing for 6 p.m. Monday, July 27, to amend the county’s Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget following implementation of Senate Bill 474.

The legislation delayed implementation of Chowan County’s 2026 property revaluation by one year, requiring the county to revise its budget using 2022 property values and adopt a different tax rate that will generate the same amount of revenue.

The proposed budget amendment and supporting documents are available on the county’s website ahead of the public hearing.

Appeals can still be filed next year

Board Clerk Susanne Stallings reminded commissioners that the Board of Equalization and Review would hold its final appeal hearings Wednesday, July 15.

She explained that anyone who appealed their 2026 property valuation this year will not have to repeat the process when the delayed revaluation takes effect next year. Those decisions will automatically carry forward.

Property owners who did not file appeals this year, however, will still have an opportunity to challenge their property valuations next year when the revaluation officially becomes effective.

Librarian thanks county

During public comment, Chowan County Librarian Anna Louise Kallas thanked commissioners and county staff for their support as she prepares to become regional librarian of the Pettigrew Regional Library on Aug. 3.

“It’s been an honor to serve this county,” Kallas said, thanking commissioners for their continued support of Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library and its programs.

She also thanked Commissioner Tony Shaffer for his service on the library board and said she looks forward to continuing to work with county leaders in her new role.

Commissioners later reappointed Shaffer to another term on the Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library Board. Chairman Kirby praised his service, while McLaughlin remarked that he had attended the board meeting earlier that day and had “never seen so many people so actively occupied all through the library.”

“It was amazing to see how invigorated the library is,” McLaughlin said.

Grant supports women in agriculture

Commissioners also approved a pre-application allowing Chowan County Cooperative Extension to seek a $25,000 Albemarle Community Trust grant to expand its Together We Grow program for women in agriculture.

Commercial horticulture agent Sarah Richardson said the first workshop filled all 30 available spaces within 24 hours and focused on stress management and strengthening support networks among women involved in farming.

Tax collections remain strong

Tax Administrator Chris Hill reported the county collected 97.72 percent of its 2025-26 property tax levy by June 30.

Of the $16.58 million levied, approximately $346,577 remains outstanding.

Hill said the county expects collections to approach 99 percent through its normal collection process, including payment plans, wage garnishments, bank attachments and foreclosure proceedings when necessary.

Commissioners approved the annual tax settlement and authorized collection of current and delinquent taxes.

In other business

Commissioners approved a resolution updating the Tourism Development Authority’s governing document to remove outdated language providing compensation for board members. County officials said members have long received lunch during noon meetings in lieu of compensation.

The board also approved travel for Chairman Bob Kirby and Commissioner Ellis Lawrence to attend the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners annual conference. Kirby was designated as the county’s voting delegate, with Lawrence serving as alternate.

Commissioners reappointed Craig Miller to the Chowan ABC Board and Dr. Alex Kehayes to another term on the Chowan County Department of Social Services Board.

Following recent legislation adding Chowan County to the Albemarle District Jail Commission, commissioners appointed Kirby to represent the county on the regional board.

During public comment, Edenton resident Dr. Charles Kaplan also proposed development of a public dog park, suggesting county-owned property near the fish hatchery on East Queen Street as a possible location. He said a dog park could enhance quality of life for residents while attracting visitors and supporting local businesses.

Revised Chowan County budget ordinance

Revised FY 2026-27 budget with 2022 valuations