Gary L Herman
ALEXANDER COUNTY (June 8, 2022) – A public hearing on the proposed 2022-2023 county budget was held at the June 6th meeting of the Alexander County Board of Commissioners to allow public comment and discussion. No one from the public offered remarks.
County Manager Rick French presented the proposed budget at the May 16th meeting. He summarized the information at Monday’s meeting, noting that the proposed budget totals $52,385,587. The proposed budget includes a 4-cent property tax decrease, which would reduce the tax rate to 75 cents per $100 valuation, if approved. The proposed budget includes no tax increases in fire districts and no fee increases for building inspections, zoning, or fire inspections. The City of Hickory is proposing a 3 percent increase in water rates, pending approval of the Hickory City Council.
Mr. French said the proposed budget now includes a revision for the Department of Social Services to fund a salary package approved by commissioners on May 2, among other things. The revised budget also includes additional funding for all volunteer fire departments, a quick response vehicle (QRV), and the conversion of a Soil & Water position from part-time to full-time. Also, water and sewer connection fees will increase in January 2023.
The County Manager said he has been in contact with the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) to discuss a proposed ¼-cent local sales tax which would help provide funding to fire departments, rescue squad, and other emergency services. Mr. French said the sales tax request would have to go through a legislative process with consideration during the General Assembly’s long session in January 2023.
Commissioners will hold a budget work session on Monday, June 13 at 5:00 p.m. in the downstairs conference room in the county administration building. The budget is scheduled to be adopted at the June 20th meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the CVCC Alexander Center for Education.
In other business:
• Commissioners presented a “Key to the County” to Danny Dyson, who recently retired from his position as Alexander County Clerk of Court. Dyson served a total of 36 years in the clerk’s office, with 23 years as Deputy/Assistant Clerk of Court and 13 years as Clerk of Court. Commissioner Larry Yoder presented the award to Dyson, saying, “We appreciate your service to this community. You’ve been an active citizen in many ways and the contributions you’ve made are obvious.”
• County Manager French presented a sales tax update, noting that the regular sales tax received through May 2022 totals $5,013,240.36, which is an 8.75 percent increase from the same time last year. The new sales tax, which is earmarked for economic development, public education, and community colleges, totals $1,437,743.46, which is a 13.44 percent increase from the same time last year. Commission Chairman Ronnie Reese commended citizens for supporting the local economy by shopping locally.
• Cody Bowers, Building Inspector, presented information about a nuisance case at 1078 Willie McLeod Road. Bowers said that two letters were sent to property owner Judy Cale, who lives several hours away, regarding numerous complaints about large amounts of trash in and around the property as well as overgrown vegetation. The first letter was mailed in October 2021. Bowers said he also spoke on the phone with the owner about the issue. Bowers said the condition of the property has not improved following the communications. Commissioners ordered an abatement in 30 days.
• Commissioners adopted an updated Alexander County Comprehensive Plan. The NC General Assembly requires that local governments have a reasonably maintained comprehensive plan in place by July 1, 2022. Alison Adams, Director of Community & Regional Planning with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, presented the item for approval.
The Alexander County Board of Commissioners typically meets on the first Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in room #103 at the CVCC Alexander Center for Education. The next regular meeting is set for Monday, June 20 at 6:00 p.m. Regular meetings are recorded and can be viewed on the county’s Government Channel on Spectrum channel 192 or on the county’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/alexandercountync. Meeting agendas, minutes, videos, and more are available on the county’s website at https://alexandercountync.gov/commissioners.