Catawba County News

BOC Meeting Recap: 1/20/26

Published: January 21, 2026

The January 20, 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting was called to order at 7pm. The agenda for tonight’s meeting can be found at https://bit.ly/3utv5SE.

BOC approved minutes from the Board’s Regular Meeting and Closed Session of December 15, 2025.

Appointments

Commissioner Setzer recommends Jeremy Lee to the Agriculture Advisory Board for a second term, with a term expiration of December 31, 2028. BOC approved.

Presentations

1 – Members of the Catawba County Youth Council were recognized followed by a presentation delivered by Council President Abigail DeHart and Secretary Saarah Majeed.
2 – The Commissioners presented a proclamation honoring retiring Budget & Management Director Jennifer Mace.

Public Hearings

1 – Public hearing to consider an application submitted by T. Cooper James and Associates to rezone three parcels totaling approximately 17.22 acres from R-20 Residential (R-20) to Planned Development–Conditional Zoning District (PD-CDRZ 2025-05) to allow for a shopping center development at the intersection of Sherrills Ford Road and Mt. Pleasant Road, utilizing the high-density development option (70%built-upon-area) in the Watershed Protection Overlay (WP-O).
BOC did not approve the request to rezone.

2 – Public hearing to consider approval of the Economic Development Agreement between Catawba County and Coley, LLC and the related resolution, and authorize the Chair to execute these along with any other necessary documents to complete the transaction. Coley, LLC has a unique direct-to-consumer furniture model that specializes in made-to-order furniture – and is produced entirely in its North Carolina manufacturing facility. Currently with a Claremont-based team of 60 employees, each piece is assembled and upholstered, maintaining high quality standards and supporting local craftsmanship. Coley LLC’s direct-to-consumer model sets them apart from others in the region, offering greater speed and flexibility in delivering custom furniture. In less than five years, the company’s rapid growth and success have led them to consider beyond their current 60,000-square-foot facility. BOC approved.

Consent Agenda

1 – The Finance and Personnel Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners adopt a Conflict of Interest Policy. The County has adopted Conflict of Interest Policies in the Personnel Code for financial and regulatory purposes. The proposed policy enhances the existing regulatory framework by establishing a consolidated policy applicable to elected officials and officials appointed by the Board of Commissioners to boards and commissions. The proposed policy provides guidance to identify and avoid conflicts of interest to ensure accountability and compliance with applicable laws.

2 – The Policy and Public Works Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners adopt the a resolution establishing project total cost, setting the Preliminary Assessment Roll, and scheduling a Public Hearing on the Preliminary Assessment Roll for Mountain Creek Ridge Subdivision Road Improvement Project, and authorize the Chair to petition the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to accept the following roads into NCDOT’s Secondary Road Maintenance Program: Mountain Creek Drive, Creek Bend Court, Stonemill Path and Falls Ridge Trail in Mountain Creek Ridge subdivision.

3 – Staff requests the Board of Commissioners amend the 2024 Urgent Repair grant project budget ordinance to appropriate $1,134 in interest earned for housing rehabilitation activities. Catawba County received a $131,798 Urgent Repair Grant in 2024 from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency. A total of $1,735 in interest has been earned to date. The Project Budget Ordinance needs to be amended so the County may expend the interest earned through the rehabilitation line item. This will help complete the repairs needed for the last house obligated as the grant is finishing up.

4 – Sheriff Deputy Michael Allen Brannon is retiring effective February 1, 2026 and has requested his badge and service weapon. In lieu of receiving these items at a Board of Commissioners meeting, he has asked that the weapon and badge be presented at a later date.

5 – Staff requests the Board of Commissioners approve 47 releases totaling $16,834.39, eight refunds totaling $5,979.15, and 63 Motor Vehicles Bill adjustments / refunds totaling $9,470.49 requested during the month of December.

BOC approved all 5 agenda items.

Manager’s Report

Budget Transfer - General Capital Contingency transfer of $8,130 to address a deficit in the Riverbend Park Culvert Replacement project. Due to FEMA approval delays since the project was originally scoped, the cost has increased from $183,000 to $191,130, necessitating the transfer.

Budget Transfer: Transfer of $16,673.90 from Contingency to repay the 911 Fund for expenses determined to be ineligible in the annual NC 911 Board audit, which took place after finalization of the County’s Fiscal Year 2024/25 Audit.

Adjournment

BOC adjourned the meeting at 8:35 pm.