Charles Chrestman

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LUMBERTON — The Robeson County Board of Commissioners will be asked Monday to provide Robeson Community College with $341,000 so the school can pay its bills for the months of May and June.

In a letter to interim County Manager Ricky Harris, RCC President Charles Chrestman said that as of May 1 the college had expended all of its county funding for 2011-12 operations and maintenance. Without approval of the $341,000 supplemental budget request, the college cannot pay its May and June bills, Chrestman said.

Chrestman stated in his letter that the projected expenses for operations and maintenance for the current fiscal year will be about $2,283,362. The college’s original request for county support was for $2,221,098.

According to Chrestman, who will address the commissioners Monday, a large portion of the additional expense has been for repairs to aging HVAC systems and increases in energy costs.

The commissioners will also be asked to support the creation of a BUILD — Brothers United in Learning & Development — program in Lumberton. BUILD is a non-profit with a mission to assist youths by teaching them job skills, social skills and to give them an outlet where they can attain positive results through homework assistance, mentoring and training, according to Nathaniel Stubbs, the organization’s executive director.

In a written description of the program, Stubbs said that his organization needs seed money to secure the site of its future home at 150 Eden Ave. He said the organization’s target market is youths ages 8 to 18 who are performing below state academic standards and are at risk for dropping out of school.

“We will also reach out to local businesses and communities to help us help our children,” Stubbs said. “We want this to be a community effort as we will be seeking volunteers to help us manage the various programs offered through BUILD.”

On Monday the commissioners are also expected to:

— Recognize employees who have worked for the county 30 or more years.

— Hold a public hearing on the Robeson County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan & Resolution.

After the regular meeting, the commissioners will hold a budget work session.

The meeting will be held beginning at 6 p.m. at the county administration building on North Elm Street.

Reach staff writer Bob Shiles at 910-272-6117 or bshiles@heartlandpublications.com.