Catawba County News

BOC Meeting Recap: 2/16/26

Published: February 17, 2026

The February 16, 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 January 20, 2026.

Appointments

Chair Isenhower recommends the following appointments to the Catawba County Planning Board, all with term expirations of December 31, 2029: Gina Sigmon to a first full term, Jamie Dugo and Bill Pekman to second terms, and Jeff Kerley and Brian Lutz to fourth terms.BOC approved.

Presentations

1 – Chair Isenhower presented a proclamation in observance of Black History Month to Catawba County NAACP President Jerry McCombs.

2 – Chief Financial Officer Mary Morrison presented the FY24-25 Financial Audit along with Paula Hughes, CPA, of Martin Starnes and Associates. BOC adopted the audit.

Public Hearings

1 – Public hearing to consider a proposed Economic Development Agreement and related resolution between Catawba County and Kooima Company, commit to splitting the 5% ($2,500.00) Building Reuse Grant match with the City of Conover, and authorize the Chair to execute these along with any other needed documents. BOC approved.

BACKGROUND
Project Kettlecorn involves State Steel, a long-established Iowa-based steel service center, and its wholly owned subsidiary, Kooima Company, a precision metal fabricator serving agricultural and industrial original equipment manufacturers.

2 – Public hearing to consider adoption of a resolution confirming the Final Assessment Roll for Mountain Creek Ridge subdivision road improvement and authorizing collection. BOC approved.

Consent Agenda

1 – The Finance and Personnel Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners authorize the County Manager to execute Engineering Agreements and all associated documents with Withers Ravenel for improvements at Village Center, Slanting Bridge Road, and Sherrills Ford Elementary Pump Stations.

2 – The Finance and Personnel Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners appropriate $4 million from the Water / Sewer Fund to the Claremont Regional Wastewater Infrastructure Project and authorize the County Manager to execute a project agreement and any associated documents with the City of Claremont.

3 – The Policy and Public Works Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners approve termination of a Lease Agreement dated September 30, 1970, between James P. Yount and wife, Mary B. Yount and Catawba County.

4 – The Policy and Public Works Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners designate Jason Williams as the Primary Agent and Brook Redding as the Secondary Agent to execute and file hazard mitigation applications on behalf of Catawba County residents for federal and/or state assistance related to Hurricane Helene.

5 – The Tax Administrator requests the Board of Commissioners to approve eight releases totaling $6,517.35, two refunds totaling $95.63, and 47 Motor Vehicles Bill adjustments / refunds totaling $4,687.74 requested during the month of January.

BOC approved all 5 agenda items.

Adjournment

BOC adjourned the meeting at 7:40 pm and entered into closed session with no further actions expected.