WINDSOR – The Bertie County Board of Commissioners will again contract with the Choanoke Public Transportation Authority.

During the June 4 meeting of the board, the commissioners unanimously accepted a contract with CPTA presented by Bertie County Manager Morris Rascoe and Aging Director Venita Thompson.

Thompson reported the contract contained a rate increase from $8.82 per unit to $9.61 per unit.

Commission Vice Chairman J. Wallace Perry asked for the definition of a unit and Thompson said when a person was picked up at one place and dropped off at another it was considered one unit.

“If they take someone to the center and drop them off that would be one unit,” Thompson explained. “If they take them back home, that would be another unit.”

Thompson added that it was the first increase in two years.

Commissioner Rick Harrell asked Thompson for a total annual cost. Thompson explained she didn’t have exact figures with her at the meeting, but suggested it was in the neighborhood of $25,000.

“Do we have any choice,” Commissioner Norman M. Cherry Sr. asked.

The board agreed that the services must be provided.

Thompson added that most of the cost was covered under a grant and did not directly cost the county.

Harrell then made the motion to accept the contract with Cherry offering a second. It passed by a unanimous vote.

In other business, the board:

• agreed to a scrap tire recycling and disposal contract;
• held a public hearing regarding the Rural Operating Assistance program;
• named Commission Chairman L.C. Hoggard III voting delegate to the state and national conferences with Commissioner Charles L. Smith as the alternate; and
• convened as the Board of Equalization and Review.