Gov. Bev Perdue will describe the "State of the State" in person to the Moore County Chamber of Commerce Thursday.

She will be present for the event from 1 until 2:30 p.m. in the St. Andrews Room at the Pinehurst Resort. Her appearance is part of the Cham-ber's annual series of events examining conditions within the county, state and federal governments. Time Warner Cable is co-host with the Chamber.

A notice from the Chamber says there is no cost to attend the Thursday event, but reservations are required because of space limitations. Light refreshments will be served. Those planning to attend are asked to notify Jessica by e-mail to jjohnson@moorecountychamber.com.

AUDIT - An unqualified opinion and a cooperative staff were among the positive points cited in the audit report presented to the Moore County Board of Commissioners Monday night.

The audit, prepared by the Martin-Starnes & Associates firm, of Hickory, reports an unreserved fund balance of $18.9 million, or 23.1 percent of the general fund for the 2010 budget year.

Crystal Waddell, the certified public accountant making the presentation, pointed out that the fund balance exceeds the 8 percent minimum recommended by the Local Government Commission.

CHAPEL - The village of Pinehurst controversy concerning a church building project spilled over into the county commissioners' meeting Monday.

Doug Middaugh brought up the subject during the public-comment period held at the beginning of the board meeting.

Middaugh referred to a letter from The Village Chapel board of trustees asking the county to make water system improvements needed for the chapel to carry out a building addition.

In his comments, Middaugh asked the county to deny the request because it "is in reality, nothing but a request for an unwarranted direct subsidy to the chapel by the MCU (Moore County Utilities) customer base."

He said that MCU policy requires that an entity pay for new infrastructure as needed by that entity. (Middaugh gave the example of the Dormie Club, which paid to run a water line from Eastwood to its new development on N.C. 73.)

Moore County Public Utilities furnishes water and sewer services to the village.

ZONING - The Moore County Planning Board will consider a proposed amendment to the zoning map at a Thursday meeting.

The board will convene at 6 p.m. in the historic courthouse in Carthage.

The Rhetson Co. has requested a general use rezoning of almost six acres of a 45-acre tract on Lobelia Road from Rural Agricultural to Rural Business.

During the regular meeting, the board will also consider proposed text amendments to the zoning ordinance regarding height exemptions for silos and the use for feed processing. Also on the agenda are an undate on the unified development ordinance, discussion of a manufactured home/minimum housing code for accessory dwelling units, update of the hazard mitigation plan, and a low impact development presentation.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at florence@the-pilot.com.