Catawba County government provides necessary services to its citizens with honesty and professionalism at reasonable costs. Although the range of services is diverse, the following principles guide our efforts:

• Provide the least intrusive government that serves the best interest of all citizens.
• View elected and appointed officials as policymakers, and staff as implementors of policy.
• Encourage citizen participation in government and promote public trust and accountability.
• Administer a government that is competent and responsive to citizens' needs while understanding its obligation to taxpayers.
• Adhere to the community's strong work ethic, promoting high productivity with reasonable workloads.
• Foster an economic, social and physical environment that allows individual and corporate citizens to realize their potential.
• Encourage and recognize creativity, innovation, and teamwork among County employees.
• Encourage administrative decision-making at the point of service.
• Administer county government with compassion and fairness.