Catawba County News

BOC Meeting Recap: 8/4/25

Published: August 05, 2025

The August 4, 2025 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 of July 21, 2025.

Appointments

Chair Isenhower recommends the reappointment of Jeffrey Bronnenberg for an eighth term to the Alcohol Beverage Control Board, with a term expiration of August 31, 2028. BOC approved.

Commissioner Beatty recommends the appointment of Tamara (Tami) Hefner to an unexpired term to the WPCOG Aging Advisory Committee, with a term expiration of June 30, 2026. BOC approved.

Presentations

1 - Catawba County Youth Voices NCACC Youth Delegate Presentation. Introduction by 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent Lisa Ortiz and Presented by 4-H Juntos Participant and Catawba County Delegate Zaira Mendoza.

2 - South Fork Passage State Trail Resolution Presentation. Presented by Carolina Thread Director Bret Baronak. BOC adopted the resolution.

Department Reports

Economic Development Corporation
The Catawba County Economic Development Corporation and staff request the Board of Commissioners consider approval of an amendment to the Economic Development Agreement between Catawba County and Gusmer Enterprises. BOC approved.

Public Hearings

Staff request the Board of Commissioners hold a public hearing and adopt a proposed resolution authorizing submission of a grant for the enhanced mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilities (Federal Section 5310) to the NC Department of Transportation. The goal of the Section 5310 program is to improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities by removing barriers to transportation services. Catawba County has received 5310 Grant funds since FY 2013. BOC approved.

Consent Agenda

1 - The Finance and Personnel Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners accept and appropriate grant funds in the amount of $ 37,993 to the Catawba County Library from a Federal IMLS, Library Services Technology Act (LSTA) EZ Grant.

2 - The Finance & Personnel Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners:

a.) Approve a bid award for construction of the Agricultural Resource and Education Center to Neill Grading and Construction Company, Inc., of Hickory, North Carolina, in an amount not to exceed $4,016,250; and

b.) Authorize the County Manager to execute contract documents for this project.

3 - The Finance and Personnel Subcommittee and the Board of Trustees of Catawba Valley Medical Center request the Board of Commissioners approve two easements on CVMC property, one for Duke Energy and the other for the City of Hickory.

4 - The Policy & Public Works Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners adopt the Assistance Policy and Procurement/Disbursement Policy, Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) Administration Agreement, and Project Budget Ordinance for the 2026 North Carolina Housing Finance Agency Urgent Repair Grant of $165,000.

5 - The Policy and Public Works Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners:

a) Award the bid for construction of the Blackburn MSW Unit 4 Advance Site Work and Utility Relocation Project to Mountaineer Contractors, Inc. of Kingwood, WV in the amount of $2,075,882.50;

b) Authorize the County Manager to execute all documents associated with the project; and

c) Approve a budget revision in the amount of $1,075,882.50.

BOC approved all 5 agenda items.

Manager’s Report

1 - Budget Transfer: $988 from Special Contingency to NCEM Cybersecurity Grant to recognize a grant from North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM). Budgeted a 10% increase but the increase was 15%, which brings the total amount for FY26 $20,473.

2 - County Manager presented a Strategic Plan update.

Attorney’s Report

1 - Staff requests the Board of Commissioners approve termination of the Economic Development Agreement between Catawba County, Poppelmann Properties USA LLC and Poppelmann Plastics USA LLC. BOC approved.

2 - Staff requests the Board of Commissioners approve a resolution authorizing the County Manager to execute all documents necessary to enter into opioid settlement agreements with Purdue/Sacklers and eight generic opioid manufacturers, to execute a Supplemental Agreement for Additional Funds (SAAF-3), and to provide required documents to Rubris, the Implementation Administrator, in order to facilitate the settlements. BOC approved.

BOC adjourned the meeting at 8:20 pm and entered closed session.