The Bladen County Commissioners, at their Monday meeting, approved a request by the White Lake Fire Department to use $20,000 from their cash management account to purchase an upgraded tanker.

The funds will purchase a 3,300-gallon tanker to replace a 1,500-gallon tanker now in service at the department. According to the fire district request, the total cost of the tanker is $40,500. The upgraded tanker will enhance the department's ability to fight fire, particularly in areas without access to hydrants.

At an earlier meeting, commissioners had tabled the request because it was not accompanied by a signed approval from the Fire District Commissioners. The commissioners had last year agreed that they would not approve requests from fire department cash management accounts unless they were signed by the fire district commissioner chairman.

In tabling the issue, the commissioners agreed that they would take action as soon as the required documentation was furnished.

In other action the commissioners approved a contract for consultant services regarding revision of the county's hazard mitigation plan.

The contract requires that the company update the plan to comply with all state and federal guidelines. The contract requires the county to pay the consulting firm-Holland Consulting Planners, Inc.-not more than $22,500 for their work.

The cost of the project will be funded by a Hazard Mitigation Grant.

The proposed All Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan will be completed by the consultant in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, along with the planning guidelines included in the North Carolina local hazard mitigation planning manual.

On another topic, the commissioners voted to award the contract for replacement housing units in the Bladen County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to Prevatte's Home Sales.

Prevatte submitted the low bid for the doublewide mobile home units at $35,790. Other bids were received from D-N-D Homes and Leader Homes Sales.

The Lumber River Council of Governments, which administers the program for the county, had recommended that the bid from Prevatte's be accepted.

At the time of the vote, Commissioner Dr. Delilah Blanks asked County Manager Greg Martin to look into a complaints that at least one of the homes furnished by Prevatte's earlier had apparently been unsatisfactory.

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