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Scotland County is rethinking its approach to funding housing and mental health services as opioid addiction rises, sparking a vital conversation about efficiency and effectiveness.

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #OpioidAddiction #MentalHealthServices #HousingInitiatives
Counseling Programs Address Housing and Addiction with New Funding Approach
Programs aim to streamline funding for housing and mental health services amid rising opioid use.
citizenportal.ai
June 26, 2025 at 11:18 PM
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Scotland County is facing uncertainty as state bills threaten to alter property tax values, forcing the commissioners to prepare multiple budget scenarios for 2027.

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #BudgetPlanning #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernmentPolicy #PropertyTaxReform
Scotland County plans two-budget approach as state bills cloud property tax values
Scotland County commissioners were told state bills 889 and 474 could change which property revaluation the county must use, forcing staff to prepare multiple 2027 budget scenarios; the board agreed by consensus to pause a 5% sales-tax diversion to the fire fund pending a formal vote.
citizenportal.ai
June 13, 2026 at 4:29 PM
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Scotland County's Board of Health just took a bold step to combat youth tobacco use by adopting a Tobacco 21 resolution—could this be the game-changer North Carolina needs?

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #PublicHealth #LegislativeAction #YouthTobaccoUse
Scotland County Board backs Tobacco 21 resolution and urges legislative action
Board members voted to adopt a Tobacco 21 resolution supporting raising the tobacco sales age to 21 and aligning county efforts with statewide coalitions; Miss Holland cited state DHHS and national statistics on youth vaping and tobacco-related deaths.
citizenportal.ai
August 3, 2026 at 11:37 PM
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Scotland County's commissioners are facing a critical decision on the future of their aging jail—should they renovate, build anew, or team up with Richmond County for a regional solution?

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #ScotlandCountyJail #RegionalSolutions #CriminalJustice #PublicSafety
Scotland County commissioners agree to explore feasibility of regional jail with Richmond County
Board members acknowledged an aging, overcrowded jail and asked staff to contact Richmond County about funding a joint feasibility study to explore a regional jail or other solutions; debate focused on costs, timelines and impacts to courthouse operations.
citizenportal.ai
January 13, 2026 at 3:08 PM
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Scotland County commissioners have made tough budget cuts, eliminating two major projects while allocating funds to finish school tennis courts as they navigate financial challenges brought on by state revaluation changes.

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #EducationFunding
Scotland County approves amended 2026–27 budget after trimming two capital projects amid state revaluation changes
Scotland County commissioners on a June 11, 2026 reconvened meeting approved an amended fiscal 2026–27 budget by voice vote, removing two capital projects and directing $100,000 toward school tennis courts as officials warned state law (Senate Bill 889) and revaluation rules forced difficult trade-offs.
citizenportal.ai
July 2, 2026 at 6:45 AM
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Deercroft residents are rallying for a vital EMS substation, sharing heartbreaking stories of delayed response times that could mean the difference between life and death.

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #ScotlandCountyEMS #CommunitySafety
Deercroft residents deliver petition asking for EMS substation in Wagram area
Deercroft HOA president presented 116 signatures asking commissioners to approve a countywide EMS contract that includes a substation serving Deercroft/Wagram to reduce lengthy northern-county response times.
citizenportal.ai
September 9, 2026 at 2:10 PM
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After a heated debate on the future of emergency services, Scotland County commissioners voted to retain their county-run EMS, prioritizing local control over privatization.

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #CommunityInvestment #PublicSafety #ScotlandCountyEMS
Commissioners vote to retain county-run EMS after prolonged debate
After an hours-long vendor Q&A and resident testimony about northern response times, the board voted to continue county-run EMS and directed staff to pursue internal fixes rather than immediate privatization.
citizenportal.ai
September 9, 2026 at 2:03 PM
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Reverend Richard Tyson calls out the neglected state of East Laurinburg, where abandoned homes and a tent city pose serious health risks to the community.

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #PublicHealth #CommunityCleanup #HousingIssues
Residents urge county action on East Laurinburg blight and homeless encampments
Reverend Richard Tyson and neighbors told commissioners that abandoned homes, overgrown lots and a tent encampment in East Laurinburg are creating health and safety hazards and asked the board to apply nuisance enforcement and community resources.
citizenportal.ai
September 9, 2026 at 2:02 PM
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Providers are stepping up with innovative proposals to enhance EMS response times in Scotland County, but can they meet the tough questions from commissioners?

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CommunityPartnerships
Providers pitch responses to Scotland County EMS RFP as commissioners press on response times and staffing
Representatives from Atrium Health, Cape Fear Valley Health, AMR, Medex and AmeriPro outlined proposals to improve response times via system-status management, local partnerships and hiring incentives; commissioners questioned benefits, medical-examiner coverage and five-year fixed pricing.
citizenportal.ai
September 9, 2026 at 2:01 PM
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The Scotland County board is moving forward with exciting plans for a new eight-bay EMS headquarters and a crucial jail feasibility study, setting the stage for transformative public safety improvements!

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety
Board green-lights interviews for EMS headquarters design-build shortlist; recommends jail feasibility study contract
Staff recommended interviewing the top three design-build teams for a new eight-bay EMS headquarters and recommended contracting with Moseley for a jail feasibility study; commissioners agreed to interview top‑scoring firms and pursue negotiation steps.
citizenportal.ai
September 9, 2026 at 2:09 PM
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Scotland County is on the brink of a $40 million investment from Project Longleaf, promising 53 new jobs with great benefits—could this be the economic boost the area needs?

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#ScotlandCounty #MO #CitizenPortal #ManufacturingGrowth #InvestmentIncentives #JobCreation
Scotland County EDC approves estimate for ad valorem tax incentives tied to ‘Project Longleaf’
At a special EDC meeting Aug. 24, Scotland County heard a presentation from economic development staff on 'Project Longleaf,' a proposed 50+-year-old building‑products company that would locate on 90 acres and pledge a $40 million investment and 53 jobs; the board moved to approve the incentive estimate pending state announcement and final agreements.
citizenportal.ai
August 25, 2026 at 3:21 PM
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Scotland County has reported its first case of cyclosporiasis, a foodborne illness linked to fresh vegetables, raising public awareness about its symptoms and prevention.

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #CommunityEducation #CitizenPortal #PublicHealth #FoodborneIllness
Scotland County health staff confirm first local cyclosporiasis case; state reporting shows 561 cases
Health staff reported the county's first confirmed case of cyclosporiasis and cited the North Carolina DHHS dashboard reporting 561 cases and 16 hospitalizations statewide since May 1, 2026; staff said the local case likely did not originate in-county and distributed information to the public.
citizenportal.ai
August 3, 2026 at 11:39 PM
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Today's travel blog is about Scotland County. Yep. We have Scotland County in NC. I bet you can guess why.

#travel #blogs #scotlandcounty #nc #100counties

notjessica58.blogspot.com/2025/05/not-...
Not That Scotland
Traveling and thinking about books and things
notjessica58.blogspot.com
May 22, 2025 at 2:40 PM
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Scotland County is set to transform its emergency services with a $6.5 million grant for a new EMS headquarters, but careful planning is crucial to avoid potential repayment risks.

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment #PublicSafety #ScotlandCountyEMS
Scotland County advances RFQ for $6.5 million EMS headquarters, seeks state guidance on grant terms
County manager told commissioners the county has a $6.5 million legislative grant for a new EMS headquarters, site planning is complete, nine RFQs for design-build were returned, and staff will seek OSBM guidance about potential repayment risk if project scope changes.
citizenportal.ai
June 13, 2026 at 4:39 PM
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Scotland County's Planning Board has recommended a controversial rezoning and major subdivision plan, raising safety concerns among neighbors about potential hazards from up to 13 new driveways on a busy highway.

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #ZoningReform
Scotland County advisory board recommends rezoning and 17‑lot subdivision despite neighbor safety concerns
The Scotland County Planning Board voted to recommend approval of a rezoning (549-26) and related major subdivision (1029-26) by Bobby Campbell Jr. Neighbors urged caution over up to 13 driveways on Highway 79, sought recordable covenants and worried about rental conversion and property values; the board urged attorney-drafted covenants and sent both items to the county commissioners.
citizenportal.ai
June 13, 2026 at 4:33 PM
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Scotland County officials are grappling with alleged theft at recycling sites, prompting a potential end to their contractor and a shift towards in-house operations.

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #EnvironmentalSustainability #CitizenPortal #CommunitySafety #WasteManagement
Commissioners consider ending recycling contractor after alleged thefts; county manager to return plan June 1
Commissioners heard reports of scrap‑metal losses and alleged improper actions at convenience sites, discussed pressing charges and possibly terminating the contract, and asked the county manager to return a plan on June 1 for transitioning recycling centers to county operation if needed.
citizenportal.ai
May 21, 2026 at 6:39 AM
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Scotland County's proposed budget is raising eyebrows as it calls for $1.2 million from reserves and a 5% pay hike for staff amid concerns over revenue changes!

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #EmployeeCompensation
Scotland County budget draft would need about $1.2M from fund balance; board eyes 5% COLA
County staff presented a draft general-fund budget that would require roughly $1.2 million from fund balance to balance at current proposals, while the budget committee recommended a 5% across‑the‑board cost-of-living adjustment for employees and $300,000 for sheriff vehicles.
citizenportal.ai
May 21, 2026 at 6:36 AM
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Scotland County residents are raising alarms as property valuations soar, leaving many confused and concerned about their tax bills and the appeals process.

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #ResidentEmpowerment #CitizenPortal #TaxReevaluation #ScotlandCountyPropertyTaxes #CommunityOutreach
Scotland County officials outline reevaluation; residents press appeals, exemptions and timelines
County Manager April Snead told residents the county conducted a full property reevaluation covering about 22,000 parcels and explained appeals, exemptions and the revenue-neutral concept; dozens of residents said their values doubled and urged clearer notice and more time to appeal.
citizenportal.ai
April 8, 2026 at 10:10 PM
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Scotland County just appointed Amanda Holland as their temporary health director and is gearing up for a major health initiative with the CDC's NHANES survey—big changes are on the horizon!

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #ScotlandCountyHealth #CommunityLeaders
Scotland County Board of Health appoints Amanda Holland as temporary health director, approves NHANES partnership
At its April 6 meeting the Scotland County Board of Health voted to appoint Amanda Holland as temporary health department director (subject to required state approval) and approved participation as a regional site for the CDC27s NHANES mobile exam unit; the board also received an accreditation update noting conditional status with 114 of 147 activities met.
citizenportal.ai
April 8, 2026 at 8:27 PM
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Scotland County officials are grappling with soaring health insurance costs as they weigh proposals from two competing brokers, but a critical data access hurdle could delay their next steps.

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #HealthCareCosts #CitizenPortal #DataPrivacy
Scotland County hears competing benefits‑broker pitches; data access limits shape timeline
Two benefit advisers — Mark 3 and Pierce Group — briefed commissioners on options to shore up the county plan. Both said outside brokers cannot produce firm replacement bids without access to protected claims/census data or broker‑of‑record status, prompting commissioners to plan procurement work for later in the year.
citizenportal.ai
February 22, 2026 at 3:53 AM
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Scotland County is taking significant steps toward improving its jail and courthouse, weighing the pros and cons of a regional approach versus local expansion.

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #RegionalConsolidation #ScotlandCountyCourthouse
Scotland County approves feasibility study and asks for pricing on regional option
After a lengthy debate about capacity, governance and long‑term costs, commissioners voted to commission a feasibility study covering the county courthouse and jail and to request price quotes for both a local refurbishment study and a regional shared‑jail study to allow comparisons with Richmond County.
citizenportal.ai
February 22, 2026 at 3:51 AM
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Scotland County faces a staggering $4.3 million health insurance deficit, with rising specialty drug costs and high claimants putting the future of their budget at risk.

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #HealthCareCosts #CitizenPortal #PopulationHealth #ScotlandCountyHealth
Scotland County warned of steep health‑insurance renewal as advisers outline options
A Mark 3 advisor told Scotland County commissioners that three years of claims put the county roughly $4.3 million underwater and that available market responses put likely premium increases in the coming contract year well above typical budgets; commissioners heard options including staying in the current cooperative block, switching to self‑funding or joining a larger pool.
citizenportal.ai
February 22, 2026 at 3:43 AM
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Monarch Behavioral Health's mobile crisis team is revolutionizing emergency responses in North Carolina, providing 24/7 support and critical services for those in behavioral health and substance use crises.

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #BehavioralHealth #CrisisResponse
Monarch outlines 24/7 mobile crisis response for Robeson, Bladen and Scotland counties
Monarch Behavioral Health briefed the Scotland County Board on its mobile crisis team, which provides 24/7 on‑site evaluation, triage and linkage to local behavioral‑health and substance‑use resources and may perform involuntary‑commitment screenings in the field. Representatives emphasized the program’s limitations (no services in hospitals, jails
citizenportal.ai
November 5, 2025 at 3:24 AM
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Exciting progress on affordable housing in Scotland County! With over $12 million in grants secured, the IE Johnson project is set to deliver 55 new units to the community.

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment #SocialServices #AffordableHousing
SCAP updates commissioners on IEJ affordable housing: SHARP and NCOR grants to fund 55 units
Southeastern Community Action Partnership (SCAP) briefed the board on progress for the IE Johnson (IEJ) affordable housing project: a SHARP award for a first phase of 10 units (~$3.2 million) and an NCOR award for a second phase of 45 units (~$9.6 million), conditional commitments, environmental clearance and next steps including a project manager,
citizenportal.ai
November 5, 2025 at 1:42 AM
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Scotland County officials are tackling urgent issues of jail overcrowding and escalating overtime costs, pushing for a strategic plan to enhance staffing and operations.

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#ScotlandCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #StaffingSolutions #BudgetAccountability
Scotland County leaders press sheriff on jail overcrowding, overtime and staffing; request hiring, vehicle and incentive plan
County commissioners and Sheriff Ralph Kersey met Oct. 21 for their annual budget discussion. Commissioners raised concerns about jail overcrowding, sustained overtime payouts and vehicle maintenance; the board directed the sheriff and county staff to return with a hiring/retention plan, a vehicle policy and options for incentives at the next board
citizenportal.ai
October 23, 2025 at 2:52 AM