Did you miss the Wake County Board of Commissioners’ meeting on Monday, Oct. 3? Here are the highlights:
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The Board of Commissioners proclaimed that Sept. 15–Oct. 15 will be National Hispanic Heritage Month – Mes de Herencia Hispana – in Wake County each year to celebrate the many histories and cultures of Latin American nations. Read the proclamation online.
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Another proclamation declared October Breast Cancer Awareness month in Wake County to help educate people of all genders about the importance of early detection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information about screening guidelines and breast health practices, outlined in the proclamation.
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The Board unanimously voted to make #WakeGlowGreen the week of Veterans Day. For Nov. 7-13, Wake County buildings will be illuminated green as part of the national Operation Greenlight campaign showing support for our service members. Some hardware stores around the county will be offering discounted green bulbs to make it easier for citizens to participate. The bipartisan effort is to raise awareness for veterans’ needs for increased support once their service has ended. Learn more about Wake’s work on Project Greenlight here.
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On the consent agenda, the board awarded a $20-million construction contract for the new Beech Bluff County Park, to be built in southeast Wake County. When it opens in spring 2024 it will be the first new county park in 15 years. The board agenda item with renderings and details is available here.
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Wake County Public School System staff updated the board about a potential land purchase to be used for a new high school in Morrisville. The 33-acre plot in the Cedar Fork township is currently owned by Wake Tech. Morrisville has had a rapid population increase and the two closest high schools, Green Hope and Panther Creek, are already overcrowded. The school district’s goal is to build a school in Morrisville with room for 1,200 students. Because the land is half the typical size lot used for a high school, the district will work with Morrisville to upgrade nearby athletic facilities – including a baseball field, track and tennis courts. Wake County staff helped negotiate a purchase price of $3.6 million, which Wake Tech paid for the land in 2011; currently, that is well below market value. A complex collaboration between WCPSS, Wake Tech, the Town of Morrisville, the Town of Cary and Wake County will allow all parties to achieve long-standing goals and improve citizens’ quality of life. Details, maps and initial timelines are available in the presentation online. The Board of Commissioners can vote on the purchase when it comes before them for a second reading during a future regular meeting.
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The Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to add two days of paid wellness leave for full-time Wake County employees to keep supporting Team Wake’s mental wellness. The new leave aims to encourage proactive use of mental health supports, without stigma. The benefit will take effect in 2023. The staff presentation is available online, as well as information on why the new type of leave supports the county’s commitment to employee health.
Want to dig deeper into the board meeting? The full recording of the meeting is available to watch online, with the meeting called to order at the 48:48 mark.
The Wake County Board of Commissioners’ next regular meeting will be Monday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m. in Room 2700 of the Wake County Justice Center.
