Publicly funded higher education opportunities in Catawba County will be focus of a May 19 "drop in" information session at St. Stephens Elementary School.

You're invited to drop by at your convenience, between 5 and 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 19, in the cafeteria at St. Stephens Elementary School at 684 30th Street NE, northwest of Conover, to talk individually with representatives of Catawba Valley Community College, the Hickory Metro Higher Education Center, and the Center for Engineering Technology.  No formal program is planned from 5 until 6:30.  County officials and members of the Board of Commissioners will also be there to talk individually with citizens about a variety of services to northwest Catawba County, including plans to reopen the St. Stephens Park. Read more about the May 19 community event!

Catawba County Manager Tom Lundy has released his recommended Catawba County budget for fiscal year 2008-2009.

The recommended budget holds the County property tax rate stable at 53.5 cents per $100 of property value, as promised with the passage of the quarter cent sales tax. It funds debt payments for the current four year cycle of facility needs for the three public school systems and Catawba Valley Community College; needed water and sewer projects; additional public safety positions in law enforcement, EMS, the E-911 Communications Center and Animal Services, and the expansion of operating hours at County parks.  Recommended budget    County Manager’s Budget Message

The Catawba County Board of Commissioners' next meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 19, 2008 at St. Stephens Elementary School, at 684 30th Street NE, Conover.

The Board will hold a public hearing on the closeout of a Community Development Block Grant funded housing project, and consider approving a letter of commitment to include funding in the County's 2008-2009 budget for asbestos abatement at Hickory High School and the purchase of new mobile classrooms at Jenkins, Oakwood and Viewmont Elementary Schools, when it meets at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 19, 2008, at St. Stephens Elementary School at 684 30th Street NE, northwest of Conover.  Take McDonald Parkway south from Springs Road or north from I-40 and follow the signs to the school.

The Board will also receive the settlement report of recently retired Tax Collector Jackie Spencer, as required by State law, and consider a tax refund request. Full agenda

Catawba County to hold pet "Adopt-athon" on May 31.

The Adopt-athon will be held at the Animal Shelter, adjacent to and behind the Justice Center off Highway 321 Business in Newton, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2008. Animals at the shelter will be available for adoption, and pet owners can have their pets vaccinated for rabies and learn more about training for puppies, dogs and cats. Full story

The City of Newton has removed all mandatory water restrictions.

The Newton City Council is still implementing voluntary water use reduction measures.  Full story

The City of Hickory's modified water restrictions remain in place, allowing watering of lawns once a week and washing of cars twice a month, for water users in Hickory, Conover, Claremont, Town of Catawba, Brookford, Long View, Maiden, and the Mountain View and Sherrills Ford areas of Catawba County.  Full story  Duke Energy has updated its assessment of drought conditions.  Duke Energy drought information

Catawba County Foster Parents of the Year named.

John and Rhonda Henley have been foster parents for the past four years, fostering ten children, providing respite care on numerous occasions and adopting two children for whom they provided foster care.  Full story

Catawba County Social Services Director Bobby Boyd receives two high honors.

The National Network of Social Work Managers has presented Boyd with the Mark Moses Social Work Manager Fellow, while the Children and Family Association of North Carolina gave him its “Forget Me Not” Award for Excellence in Leadership.  Full story

Catawba County Finance Office honored for producing easily-readable annual report.

The Finance Office has received this national award for 26 straight years, placing it in the top 10% among finance offices across the nation.  Full story

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To learn more about Catawba County Government, go to www.catawbacountync.gov

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