More than two years after the pharmacy card issue was first raised, the subject is back on the agenda for the Tuesday, Jan. 2, meeting of the Moore County Board of Commissioners.

The board will convene at 2 p.m. in the historic courthouse in downtown Carthage for its first regular meeting of 2007. Three new members were sworn into office at the Dec. 4 meeting -- Larry Caddell, Jimmy Melton and Cindy Morgan.

The first item on the new business section of the agenda pertains to reimbursement for payments made or billed for retired employees who formerly received drug card benefits.

The issue came to light in late 2004 when some holders of drug cards abruptly learned that they were no longer eligible for the benefit.

Three public hearings are on the agenda, all called by the Planning Board. They involve such things as a conditional-use district rezoning request, minor changes in subdivision regulations, and consideration of the extraterritorial jurisdiction expansion policy.

TAX SETTLEMENT -- The 2006-2007 tax settlement will also be presented during the meeting.

The board will also be asked to adopt a resolution formally charging the tax administrator with collecting the 2006-2007 tax levy and for delinquent taxes from previous years.

The board will be asked to adopt a resolution supporting formation of task forces for the Moore County Summit, a collaboration of community leaders.

Also on the agenda are contracts between the county and the Cameron, Crains Creek, High Falls, West End and Westmoore fire departments to provide protection within fire service districts.

Because the board has three new members and is newly reorganized, reassignment of committee appointments will be discussed. The board will name a commissioner to act as legislative liaison with the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.

Appointments will be made to the Planning Board and the RSVP Advisory Committee.

Prior to the regular meeting, the board will hold a two-hour work session to discuss pending issues, according to Chairman Colin McKenzie.

HOLIDAYS -- Board meetings are usually held on the first Monday afternoon and the first Monday night of each month with special meetings called at other times as needed.

The schedule differs in January because of holiday conflicts.

The first meeting in January is moved from Monday to Tuesday at 2 p.m. because of the New Year's Day holiday. The second meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 6 p.m., because Monday the 15th is the Martin Luther King Jr. observance.

SPEAKER -- North Carolina Democrats pared down their list of prospective House speaker candidates by two this week.

Rep. Bill Faison of Orange County and Rep. Hugh Holliman of Davidson County announced that they are withdrawing from the race. That leaves five candidates, including Rep. Joe Hackney of Orange County, whose 54th District includes Cameron Precinct and half of Carthage Precinct in Moore County.

Holliman said he plans to run for majority leader, a position presently held by Hackney, but did not endorse a candidate for speaker. Faison said he will support Rep. Dan Blue of Wake County for the speakership. Blue is a former speaker.

Democrats are jockeying for the prestigious office, presently held by Jim Black of Mecklenburg County, who has decided not to seek a fifth term as speaker. House Democrats are expected to make their decision at a Jan. 10 caucus.

Florence Gilkeson can be reached at 947-4962 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.