ELIZABETHTOWN — For the second time in less than two years, Bladen County is without a full-time director of the Health and Human Services Department after the resignation of David Howard that became effective on Nov. 13.

County Manager Greg Martin verified that Howard had resigned, but did not want to get into the specifics of the circumstances.

On Monday, the Board of Commissioners approved the temporary hiring of Wayne Raynor as interim health director. Martin said the hiring was for a four-month period while the county searched for a full-time director. Raynor, who retired as the director of the Cumberland County Health and Human Services Department, also served as the interim director in Bladen County in early 2016 when the board searched for a replacement for Cris Harrelson and, ultimately, hired Howard.

Raynor will work three days a week and be paid at the rate of $55 per hour through March 2018.

“If for any reason we need to extend that, we’ll bring it back before the board,” Martin said.

In other business, the board:

— Renewed an agreement with Columbus County Health Department.

— Renewed an agreement with the N.C. State Laboratory of Public Health.

— Approved the use of the front lawn at the Bladen County Courthouse for use on Saturday, Dec. 16, by Women Encouraging Women.

— Approved a Homeland Security Grant Agreement for $76,000 for a regional rehab trailer.

— Approved a revised emergency assistance policy for DSS that primarily covers utilities or rent deposit/payment up to $300 one time only.

— Approved an agreement with Bladen County Smart Start for DSS to administer $192,000 for the organization.

The next meeting of the county commissioners will be Monday, Dec. 4, at 6:30 p.m.

W. Curt Vincent can be reached at 910-862-4163 or cvincent@bladenjournal.com.

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W. Curt Vincent

Bladen Journal