KENANSVILLE — There may still be breath in the Duplin Events Center yet. The Center advisory committee presented a proposal to the Duplin Commissioners in May that would allow for the reopening of the facility and get it back up and running.

As directed in an earlier session of the commissioners, the advisory committee sought out someone to develop a business plan for operation of the center, and chairman Steven Williamson established a relationship with Dianne Johnson of Cannon Consulting to develop that plan.

According to the chairman, the plan presented by Johnson was very similar to what the committee was already doing. Williamson came before the commissioners to request that Johnson and her firm be allowed to execute their plan in the operation of the Events Center.

“What we are asking is to allow her (Johnson) to operate, manage and market the Events Center under that business plan. We are asking that you hire Ms. Johnson and Cannon Consulting for this purpose after discussing with the county attorney and drawing up the necessary contract for this to happen.”

He asked the board to direct the attorney to develop a contract so that Johnson could begin work on June 7. The contract would run through Dec. 31, at which time the committee could evaluate the progress to see if it would be a good match.

Commissioner David Fussell brought up concerns in regards to the supplement the county has to spend to support the operation of the Events Center. “According to the Evergreen audit, the operational expense for the Events Center coming from the county budget should be significantly lower each year. Can the center be operated for less than what was budgeted last year?”

Williamson countered with support from the county manager, Mike Aldridge, that the advisory committee was, in essence, having to start from the beginning, therefore expenses may be higher as a result. “We are asking for funds to carry us through the end of the year.”

Fussell went on to ask, “If we are cutting emergency services to one of our areas due to the current economic situation, how can we spend money on entertainment like the Events Center. Where are our priorities for our spending?”

Board member Reginald Wells then spoke up, saying the board had made the decision not to raise the tax rate or use any fund balance for the upcoming year, and as a result of those actions, the board has placed the county manager in a position to present a proposed budget that would cut such things as closing the emergency services station in one local community and shutting down other departments. “All those things we set in motion some time again. We set the precedent to not raise taxes or use fund balance. We started that. Let’s not go back and forth with these people who have worked hard to come up with this plan.”

Wells then moved that the board accept the recommendation of the advisory board to contract with Cannon Consulting for the Events Center’s management and marketing services.

Frances Parks said she would be proud to second the motion and the board voted 6-0 in support of the recommendation.

To contact Billy Todd, call 910-592-8137 ext. 117 or e-mail siobits@heartlandpublications.com.