The weather was cold, but the courthouse was unusually warm during the second County Commission meeting of the month. Commissioners quipped about holding the meeting in swimsuits while attendees chocked the doors open for extra ventilation.
A handful of members of the public came to observe. Here's what we saw discussed:
A report from the Board of Health
Health Department Director Melanie Dixon presents her report. (Photo by Lara Manetta)
Health Department Director Melanie Dixon reported on the last quarter of 2025. During that time, the Health Department saw 325 patients. With the new Advanced Practice Provider on staff, they hope to increase those numbers in the coming year.
Animal Services, which is now under the purview of the Health Department, had 483 calls in October, 253 in November and 324 in December. These included 10 law enforcement assists, nine bite investigations, and five rabies cases, including three submitted for testing.
Dixon raised concerns about the cat colony population in Oriental. "We're still receiving numerous calls for stray cat pickups," she said. "I did want to remind them, most of the board is aware, in 2017, Oriental had a possible rabies outbreak where we had to mass trap and euthanize several cat colonies. And the actual health director got involved in that and declared an emergency."
No change in tax valuation on boat
An appeal of a tax valuation was added to the agenda. A local tax payer wished to appeal the value of his 23-foot Grady White motor boat. The boat had been counted in a local marina, but was not submitted in the Pamlico County Personal Property Tax Listing.
The original assessed value of $19,350 had been reduced to $16,840 on appeal. However, the taxpayer did not agree with the assessed value.
The tax office reported that they would need a retail appraisal to further adjust the assessed value.
The taxpayer said an appraisal would be cost-prohibitive and asked the board to decide an appropriate value.
The board unanimously upheld the assessed value of $16,840.
Additional Notes
The commissioners quickly approved the consent agenda, which included the following:
A request to approve board releases.
A request to approve updated password and acceptable online use policies.
A request to approve a quote to remodel a bathroom at the Water Department at a cost of $14,900.
A request to approve a replacement vehicle for the sheriff's department at a cost of $55,000. The vehicle being replaced was totaled in a car accident on the Neuse River Bridge in New Bern.
The commission went into closed session to discuss a personnel issue and a legal matter.
The board also approved a mutual settlement and release between Pamlico County and CarolinaEast Medical Center for medical services.
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