Archive for February, 2024

Opioid Settlement RFP Solicitation

Posted March 1, 2024

In July 2021, an historic $26 billion agreement was passed by the courts that will help bring desperately needed resources to communities harmed by the opioid epidemic. The agreement resolves litigation over the role of four companies in creating and fueling the opioid epidemic. To maximize funds flowing to North Carolina communities on the front lines of the opioid epidemic, the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) allocates 15 percent of settlement funds to the State and sends the remaining 85% to NC’s 100 counties and 17 municipalities.

As a result of the opioid settlement, Granville County government will receive at least $6,896,563 over an 18-year period.

Before spending settlement funds, every local county or municipality must first select which opioid mitigation strategies they would like to fund. A MOA between the State and local government directs how opioid settlement funds are distributed and used throughout our state. To ensure that funds are used effectively across the entire state, the MOA documents several evidence-based strategies that settlement funds may be limited to, including twelve specific strategies (see below).

After surveying community members, assessing the current landscape of opioid-related prevention, treatment, and recovery services, and consulting with public health experts, the Granville Opioid Advisory Committee has determined the following three strategies to deserve priority in the review of proposals: Evidence-based addiction treatment, Recovery Support Services, and Post-overdose response team.

Prioritized strategies:

– Evidence-based addiction treatment: Fund local programs that offer Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and other evidence-based addiction treatment to people with opioid use disorder.

– Recovery support services: Recovery support programs provide a range of support services to people who are in recovery from drugs, such as peer support and assistance in accessing health care.

– Post-overdose response team: Post-overdose response teams follow-up with a person who has recently overdosed. They provide support, education, and connections to healthcare and treatment.

Total funds available: A total of $1,000,000 is available in 2024 for vendors to implement their proposed strategy(s). Only proposals with one-year implementation plans will be awarded. The Granville OAC will consider no-cost extensions for programs that demonstrate success during their first year of implementation. We require a cost-conscious, clearly appropriated budget using population-level data to support planned expenditures. The Granville OAC has the liberty to fund proposals on a partial basis.

As demonstrated in Figure 1, a larger amount of settlement funds are available to support proposals during the first few years of the opioid settlement distribution plan, with the amount available in every future year being smaller than the prior year. While it is the hope of the Granville OAC to use future settlement funds to support programs that have demonstrated success, a limited amount of funding will be available to do so. Because of this, priority will be given to proposals that can demonstrate sustainability plans which do not strictly depend on future settlement funds (see Section 3.4 for more information).  

Number of proposals awarded: The Granville OAC’s goal is to fund as many projects as possible to maximize the impact of these funds throughout the community. The Granville OAC will fund at a minimum three proposals, with at least one proposal per priority strategy. It is the intent of the county commissioners to distribute this amount across several different proposed initiatives. Thus, we expect that many proposals will request less than $1,000,000.

Overview of Award timeline:

– RFP Solicitation Release Date: March 1, 2024

– RFP Informational Webinar: March 15, 2024 (Follow this link to join)

– Application Deadline: May 1, 2024

– Expected Award notification date: August 1, 2024.

– Expected Performance Start Date: September 1, 2024.

– Period of Performance Duration (Months): 12

Download the full RFP and Application Template

Download the Budget Worksheet Template

Board of Commissioners Meeting Notice – March 4, 2024

Posted February 29, 2024

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet at the Granville County Convention & Expo Center, 4185 Highway 15, Oxford, NC on Monday, March 4, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. for the regular scheduled meeting. 

Any questions should be directed to Debra Weary, Clerk to the Board, at 919-603-1307 or emailed to  debra.weary@granvillecounty.org 

March 4, 2024 Agenda

March 5 Election Results may be Later than Usual

Posted February 28, 2024

As a result of recent changes in state law, in-person early voting results will be reported later than usual on election night for the 2024 primary. This, in turn, may cause Election Day results to be reported later as well.

Previously, county boards of elections could tabulate early voting results before the close of polls, then report those results almost immediately at 7:30 p.m. on election night. Under changes made in Session Law 2023-140, Section 29, county boards must wait until 7:30 p.m. to “close the polls” on early voting tabulators and begin the process of counting and reporting results of ballots cast during the early voting period.

This process will take an estimated 30 to 60 minutes – and possibly longer in some counties – before unofficial early voting results can be posted publicly on the State Board of Elections’ Election Results Dashboard.

Because the March 5 primary will be the first election held under the new law, election officials do not know exactly how long it will delay the reporting of results. State Board staff will monitor the situation throughout election night and assist county boards of elections if necessary.

“Those who watch election results in North Carolina have come to expect a large chunk of results very soon after polls close,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “That will not happen this year, although the State Board and county boards of elections remain committed to providing unofficial results as quickly as possible. We ask for patience from voters and candidates as election officials comply with changes to election laws that affect election night processes.”

Unlike early voting results, absentee-by-mail results can be tabulated before the polls close under state law. Those absentee results will likely be the first to appear publicly for any given county when the polls close. They will include all absentee ballots returned to the county boards of elections before Election Day. Under state law, ballots returned on Election Day are approved and added to the vote totals during the 10-day period after Election Day known as the “canvass.”

Another law change in Session Law 2023-140, Section 35, requires absentee ballots to be returned to the voter’s county board of elections no later than 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Previously, a ballot that was put in the mail by Election Day and properly postmarked could be counted if it arrived by the third day after Election Day. That grace period no longer exists. Now, absentee voters should place their ballot in the mail with sufficient time for it to arrive at the county board of elections by Election Day.

The election is far from over on election night. Election night marks the beginning of the statutorily required vote-counting and auditing processes after every election, called “canvass.” Canvass is the process of ensuring votes have been counted correctly and required audits have been completed, culminating in the certification of results during meetings of every county board of elections.

By law, these canvass meetings will be held by each county board of elections at 11 a.m. Friday, March 15. The State Board will meet at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 26, to finalize primary results. (Canvassing votes. N.C.G.S. § 163-182.5)

Ballots that will be counted and reported publicly by the end of election night include:

– All votes cast by voters during the in-person early voting period, excluding provisional ballots, which must be researched by county boards of elections after the election to determine voter eligibility.

– All absentee-by-mail ballots received by the county boards of elections before Election Day.

– All Election Day votes, excluding provisional ballots, which must be researched.

Ballots that will not be counted and added to unofficial results on election night, but instead will be considered during the canvass period, include:

– By-mail absentee ballots that are received by county boards of elections by on Election Day.

– Overseas and military absentee ballots that arrive by mail to the county board of elections by 5 p.m. March 14.

– All provisional ballots, which must be researched after the election to determine voter eligibility. For more, see Provisional Voting.

County boards of elections will add any eligible ballots from these categories to the results during the post-election canvass period.

For more details on election night reporting in North Carolina, see Election Night Reporting Timeline.

Tourism Mini-Grant Call for Applications

Posted February 28, 2024

The Granville Tourism Development Authority (TDA) is seeking qualified grant applicants for the 2024 mini-grant program.

The Granville TDA’s mini-grant program seeks to assist Granville County organizations and agencies in the promotion and marketing of events and activities that encourage tourism and create an economic impact. Funded projects should create visitor spending with a goal of helping stimulate events/activities that can grow and eventually thrive on their own merit, without direct funding. Any approved funding should be considered as a supplemental resource only.

Eligible organizations include Granville County-based community groups, nonprofit organizations, and municipalities or recognized communities located within Granville County. For-profit groups cannot apply for grant funding unless the event’s revenue will benefit a community-supported organization.

Priority will be given to projects that encourage out-of-county visitors, with primary consideration given to those that promote the Granville TDA’s mission of marketing the area as a travel destination. The tourism industry’s definition of a “visitor” is an individual trekking outside of 50 miles to attend an event or activity. Events planned for off-peak times may receive higher priority.

Total funding of any event, project or program will not be greater than 25 percent of the total project budget and will not exceed $5,000. Included with the request can be a one-time artist/entertainment allowance of up to $1,000.

Grant applications will be accepted until May 1, 2024, for inclusion in the upcoming fiscal year budget (July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025). The Granville TDA Board of Directors will review applications and make recommendations for approval during their June board meeting. Award recipients will be notified after July 1, 2024, when the new fiscal year begins.

Applications are available online or through the Granville County Tourism Development office located at 124 Hillsboro Street in Oxford. Those interested may also contact Angela Allen, Tourism Director, at (919) 693-6125 or angela.allen@granvillecounty.org.

Draft Granville County Trail Study

This study examines the feasibility of a greenway trail connecting Downtown Oxford to the Virginia state line as part of the East Coast Greenway. The project team has identified three potential trail alignments and is asking for public input on identifying the best alternative. Thank you in advance for your time spent reviewing the document!

Read the full draft study at this link.

Please send comments or questions to lucylaird@altago.com by April 15. 

The project team will also be available to answer questions in person at an Open House from 5:30-7 pm on March 27 at the Orange St. Community Center in Oxford. We hope to see you there!

9th Annual Veterans Appreciation Event

Posted February 26, 2024

For the 9^th consecutive year, Granville County veterans are invited to a free afternoon of information, entertainment, and refreshments courtesy of the Granville County Veterans Affairs Committee.

On Saturday, March 9 at 1 p.m. the doors of the Granville County Convention and Expo Center will open for the program “I Am the American Flag”, with guest speaker Mark Pace, local historian and North Carolina Room Specialist at the Richard H. Thornton Library.  Attendees will learn things about the flag that will surprise, inspire, and make you think.  Early arrivals will have the opportunity to browse information and resources from veteran-related groups and organizations.  The 2 p.m. program will also feature JROTC cadets from J. F. Webb and Granville Southern high schools and a pinning ceremony and recognition of each of the armed forces followed by a tasty meal.

Come spend the afternoon with fellow vets to learn, share, and be recognized.  It’s the Veterans Affairs Committee’s way to say a sincere “Thank You for Your Service.”

For more information, contact Lyn Breisacher at 919-339-8352 or the Granville County Veterans Service Office at 919-693-1484.

Board of Commissioners Retreat Notice – February 23, 2024

Posted February 22, 2024

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet at the Granville County Convention & Expo Center, 4185 Highway 15, Oxford, NC on Friday, February 23, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. for the second day of their annual retreat.

February 23, 2024 Agenda

Any questions should be directed to Debra Weary, Clerk to the Board, at 919-603-1307 or emailed to  debra.weary@granvillecounty.org 

Absentee Ballot Deadline – Tuesday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Posted February 20, 2024

Reminder from the Granville County Board of Elections!

The deadline to return absentee ballots for the upcoming primary and Board of Education election is Tuesday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. Only ballots received by this deadline are valid. Please remember this is the deadline for the county board of elections to RECEIVE your ballot and not the deadline to mail them.

For more information about absentee voting, please visit the NC State Board of Elections website: https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-mail

Advertisement for Bids – Triangle North Water Line Extension

Posted February 19, 2024

Sealed bids for the project entitled Granville Business Park – Phase 1 Water Main Extension will be received by the Granville County until 2:00 p.m. local time March 26, 2024 in the Conference Room of Granville County Administration Offices located at 104 Belle Street, Oxford, North Carolina. At said place and time, all Bids that have been duly received, will be publicly opened and read aloud.

The project generally consists of construction and/or erection of approximately 7,500 linear feet of 16-inch water main, 5,300 linear feet of 4-inch water main, 80 linear feet of 6-inch water main, and 50 linear feet of 10-inch water main with valves, hydrants, and related appurtenances.

A pre-bid conference will be held at 10:00 am local time March 13, 2024 in the Conference Room of Granville County Administration Offices at 104 Belle Street, Oxford North Carolina. Interested parties are invited to attend this meeting to review the plans, ask for additional information or clarification, and visit the project site.

Information and Bidding Documents for the Project can be found at the following designated website: https://www.questcdn.com

Digital copies of Bid Documents are available for purchase at www.mcgillassociates.com for a fee of $50.00 per set. These documents may be downloaded by selecting this project from the “Bids” link and by entering Quest Project Number 8868564. For assistance and free membership registration, contact QuestCDN at (952) 233-1632 or info@questcdn.com. Neither the Owner nor the Engineer will be responsible for full or partial sets of Bidding Documents, including any Addenda, obtained from any source other than QuestCDN. Each Bidder shall be responsible for the review of all addenda for the project and shall acknowledge the addenda on the bid form.

Each bid shall be accompanied with a cash deposit or certified check drawn on a bank or trust company insured by the FDIC or a Bid Bond prepared on the form of Bid Bond contained in the Bidding Documents or a Surety Company’s standard form and properly executed by a corporate surety licensed under the laws of North Carolina to execute such bonds. The amount of the bid bond shall be equal to five (5) percent of the total of the bid. The bid deposit shall be retained by the Owner if the successful bidder fails to execute the contract or fails to provide the required bonds, as stated above, within ten (10) days after the proper notice of award of the contract.

Bidders must comply with the requirements of the State of North Carolina and be appropriately licensed as a Contractor as provided in General Statutes Chapter 87.

Neither the Owner nor the Engineer will be responsible for full or partial sets of Bidding Documents, including any Addenda, obtained from any source other than the Owner’srepresentative, McGill Associates, P.A. Each Bidder shall be responsible for the review of all addenda for the project and shall acknowledge the addenda on the bid form.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, to waive informalities, or to reject non-conforming, non-responsive, or conditional bids. The Owner reserves the right to award a contract to the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder or bidders, taking into consideration quality, performance and time.

Granville County has adopted a “Minority Business Participation Outreach Plan” (MBPOP). The goal of Granville County in adopting its Plan is for the expansion of participation by historically underutilized businesses (HUB) in construction projects as defined in GS 143 -128.2 (g). Equal access and opportunity to participate in all aspects of construction projects shall be provided to HUB. It is the policy of the Granville County to award public building contracts without regard to race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, age or disabling condition. Each bidder shall make a good faith effort and shall document such efforts to utilize minority businesses and comply with the Granville County’s plan.

Board of Commissioners Retreat Notice – February 19, 2024

Posted February 16, 2024

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet at the Granville County Expo & Convention Center, 4185 Highway 15, Oxford, NC on Monday, February 19, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. for the first day of their annual retreat.

February 19, 2024 Agenda

Any questions should be directed to Debra Weary, Clerk to the Board, at 919-603-1307 or emailed to  debra.weary@granvillecounty.org