A public hearing on the proposed 2009-2010 Catawba County budget is part of the Catawba County Board of Commissioners' next meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 2009 at the 1924 Courthouse at 30 North College Avenue in Newton, NC

The Board will hold a public hearing and wrap-up session on the proposed 2009-2010 Catawba County budget (see next story for more details) and consider accepting a $150,000 State grant to help fund the new biodiesel fuels research facility at the Catawba County Eco-Complex.

The Board will also accept an update of the current ten-year Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan, required by the State and prepared by the County’s Department of Utilities and Engineering; and consider proposed reductions to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council's budget for fiscal year 2008-2009 to reflect mandated State budget cuts and the same Council's annual plan for fiscal year 2009-2010; acceptance of a federal Justice Assistance Grant that would fund the purchase of additional 800 MHz radios for Sheriff’s Department patrol units; the awarding of a bid for construction of a utility bridge needed as part of the Southeast Catawba County Wastewater Collection System; whether to designate the County’s Director of Utilities and Engineering as the "responsible official" for the County as it works with State offices with regard to solid waste, air quality, land quality and water quality regulations; and place in the minutes of the Board of Commissioners that the Board, by poll of its members, authorized the County Manager to sign documents related to the receipt of federal grant funds, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, that will be used to fund a proposed Blackburn-Plateau Water Loop.   Full agenda

Catawba County's proposed fiscal year 2009-2010 budget may be viewed in its entirety online.

The budget holds the County property tax rate stable at 53.5 cents per $100 of property value. It addresses the impact of the recession through conservative revenue estimates and by holding the line on spending. Operating costs are down by 4%, sixteen positions are unfunded, staff has been reassigned to areas with highest service demands, and technology used to maximize available resources. No salary increases and no new programs and services have been added.  Recommended budget  County Manager’s Budget Message

Catawba County seeks low and moderate income home owners who need help connecting to water and sewer lines.

To be eligible for grant funds, a house must be owned and lived in by low-to-moderate income owners, or by low-to-moderate income tenants where the landlord also has low-to-moderate income.  Full story

Poster contest on Voluntary Agricultural Districts opens for young people, age 9-16. 

The contest asks youth to create a poster that will inspire the design for a highway road sign, to be placed in rural areas of Catawba County to show that farming is located in that specific area.  The deadline to enter is June 26.  Details

Learn Blackberry 101 at the Catawba County Library!

Feeling a little behind the times because the only blackberry you're familiar with is the kind you eat?  A how-to session about Blackberry communications (with the hand held computer) will be offered free on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 from 4:30-6 p.m. at the Catawba County Library in Newton.  Full story

Catawba County foster youth wins national honor for leadership. 

Steven Parker is one of only 100 young people in the nation to be named Outstanding Young Leaders of 2009 by FosterClub, a national network for youth in foster care. Full story

Catawba County Board of Health welcomes two new members. 

The Catawba County Board of Commissioners recently appointed Dr. Sharon Monday and Dr. David Kulesia to the Board of Health. Dr. Monday fulfills the statutory requirement for a veterinarian and Dr. Kulesia fulfills the requirement for a licensed optometrist.  Full story

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

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