WINDSOR – The new maintenance shop for Bertie County is nearly complete.

It is only missing one element – a heating unit.

On Jan. 14, the Bertie County Commissioners agreed to allow a transfer of funds to remedy that problem.

Maintenance Supervisor Anthony Rascoe appeared before the board asking to transfer $2,500 from his budget into the construction budget to complete the project.

“I was given an amount not to exceed and there were a couple of things omitted from the original bid that caused us to run a little short,” he said. “We need a heating unit to finish the project.”

Rascoe explained he was running under budget for the year and believed the money could simply be transferred from his operational budget to cover the cost.

He received a bid of $1,933.31 from R.E. Michel Company to install the unit, but asked for $2,500 in case there were any unforeseen costs.

Bertie County Manager Morris Rascoe said he agreed with the transfer, but that neither he nor Anthony Rascoe had the authority to move the funds as that was solely at the discretion of the commissioners.

Commissioner Ronald D. Wesson made the motion to approve the transfer with Commissioner John Trent offering a second. It was approved without objection.

In other business, the board:

• heard a presentation from The Pierce Group concerning becoming the county’s broker for employee benefits;
• listened to a request from Vivian Saunders to become the fiscal agent for the Lewiston Family Resource Center for one year;
• tabled an item dealing with the appointment process they will use concerning boards; and
• appointed a county safety committee.