Catawba County News
BOC Recap: 5/4/26
Published: May 05, 2026
The May 4, 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 of April 20, 2026.
Appointments
Chair Isenhower recommends the reappointment of David Isenhower to the Alcohol Beverage Control Board for a fifth term, with a term expiration of April 6, 2029.BOC approved.
Chair Isenhower recommends the appointment of Danny Long to fill the unexpired term of Gina Sigmon to the Catawba County Planning Board, with a term expiration of December 31, 2029. BOC approved.
Chair Isenhower recommends the reappointment of Terry Corpening for a 2nd term and Garret Hinshaw to a 7th term to the Catawba County Economic Development Corporation Board, each with term expirations of June 30, 2029. BOC approved.
Presentations
1 - Proclamation declaring May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 12-15, 2026, as National Police Week.
2 – Graduates of the 2026 Civic Leadership Academy were recognized by the BOC.
3 – Proclamation declaring May 3-9, 2026, as Professional Clerks to the Boards of County Commissioners’ Week as well as recognizing our own Clerk Dale Stiles.
Departmental Reports
1 – Social Services: Staff requests the Board of Commissioners approve the Local Fatality Review Team Annual Report before its required submittal to the State of North Carolina. BOC approved.
2 – Facility Services: The Finance and Personnel Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners appropriate $10.821 million in General Fund fund balance supported by future debt proceeds towards expansion of the following Catawba County Schools’ middle schools: Arndt, Jacobs Fork, Maiden, Mill Creek, and River Bend, including establishment of a Construction Project Manager staff position. BOC approved.
3 – Finance: The Finance and Personnel Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners appropriate debt restricted General Fund fund balance of $27,808,553 to satisfy outstanding 2010 and 2011 Qualified School Construction Bonds debt due in fiscal year 2026. BOC approved.
Consent Agenda
1 – The Finance and Personnel Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners appropriate a total of $4,046,811 in current-year revenue over-collections and unearned incentives ($1,500,000 in sales tax, $2,000,000 in interest on investments, and $546,811 in unearned incentives) to address various one-time capital expenses and other economic development expenditures.
2 – The Policy and Public Works Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners approve the Second Amendment to the Tower Lease Agreement with Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless (“Verizon”), which allows Verizon to extend the lease term for the communications tower located behind the Justice Center for an additional ten (10) years.
3 – The Policy and Public Works Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners approve a Drainage Easement Agreement with NC DOT for a temporary construction easement, a permanent drainage easement and the removal of shrubbery on the property located at 2712 S NC 127 Hwy, Hickory, NC.
BACKGROUND
NC DOT is widening Highway 127 from Huffman Farm Road to Zion Church Road and has offered CVMC $27,525.00 for a temporary construction easement (0.147 acres), a permanent drainage easement (8.282 square feet), and the removal of shrubbery on CVMC’s property in Mountain View. The CVMC Board of Trustees first approved and recommended.
4 – The Policy and Public Works Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners approve a resolution declaring the CVMC-owned property located at 2050 Clark Way, Hickory (“Property”) surplus and begin the upset bid process, based on an offer to purchase by Lutheran Home Hickory West Property, Inc. (“Lutheran Home”) in the amount of $240,000.
5 – Sheriff Lieutenant Eric Page is retiring effective June 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.
6 - Sheriff Major Aaron Turk is retiring effective June 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.
BOC approved all 6 consent agenda items.
Manager’s Report
1 – Budget transfer to move $15,000 of funds to the Rescue Squad Property & General Liability line to cover minor operating budget overages related to unanticipated expenses earlier in the year.
2 – Budget transfer to move $10,000 of contingency funds to Lake Norman Marine Commission for expenses related to Commission operations. (Catawba County is serving as the fiscal agent for FY26.)
3 – Budget transfer from Special Contingency to move insurance claim dollars to the General Fund to purchase a replacement vehicle and equipment for one damaged in an accident.
Adjournment
BOC adjourned the meeting at 7:46 pm and entered into closed session with no anticipated actions to be taken.