WINDSOR – The parameters are in place for Bertie County to begin the 2008 Community Development Block Grant.

During their April 6 meeting, the Bertie County Commissioners adopted the budget for the program as well as approving program plans and policies and awarding rehabilitation contracts for the Scattered Site Housing Program.

Mike Barnette of McDavid Associates presented the articles to the board for their approval.

The total budget for the program is $909,500 of which $850,000 is coming from the Community Development Funds and the other $59,500 is being contributed by the county.

The budget breakdown is: acquisition ($72,000), water improvements ($40,000), street improvements ($314,000), clearance ($26,500), relocation ($105,000), rehabilitation ($140,000), administration ($84,500) and water ($127,500).

Barnette said the program included work on Spivey Lane off of Grabtown Road as well as $127,500 in water improvements in the Kelford area.

After the presentation, Commissioner Charles Smith made a motion to approve the budget with Commission Vice Chairman L.C. Hoggard III offering a second. It passed by a unanimous vote.

The board also unanimously approved the plans and policies on a unanimous vote following a motion from Commissioner Rick Harrell.

The bid award went to three companies. The Davis Company Inc. was awarded a $15,745 bid for rehabilitation of house number 08-01; Holland Construction was awarded rehabilitation bids of $29,975 on house number 08-02 and $74,000 on house number 08-05. The last bid went to Carolina Lead Abatement Inc. for $4,020 on house number 08-05.

The approval of the bids came on a motion from Smith that was seconded by Commissioner J. Wallace Perry. It was passed by a unanimous vote.

In other business, the board:

approved a $10 fee for fingerprinting done by the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office;

heard an update from Bertie County Manager Zee Lamb regarding the budget;

appointed Tammy Drake to the Nursing Home/Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee;

approved an audit contract with Pittard, Perry and Crone; and

convened as the Board of Equalization and Review.