Rutherford County

Meeting Minutes - Final

Board of Commissioners

Monday, March 2, 2026

6:00 PM

289 N. Main St. Rutherfordton NC 28139 Commission

Chambers

I. Call to Order

Chairman King called the March 2, 2026 County Commissioners' Meeting to order.

A. Pledge of Allegiance

Rutherford County Board of Commissioners led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

B. Agenda Approval

Vice Chairman Toney moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Benfield

seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was:

5 -

Aye:

Commissioner King, Commissioner Toney, Commissioner

Benfield, Commissioner Haynes and Commissioner Haulk

Nay:

II. Public Comments

Mr. Chuck Landever, a resident of the Bill’s Creek area and President of the Bill’s Creek

Community Center, expressed concern regarding discussions about proposed tiny home

developments and large-scale housing projects in the Bill’s Creek area. He stated that

companies are currently in the planning stages of purchasing property to install

approximately 600 tiny homes. He voiced his apprehension about the potential

overburdening of local infrastructure, including roadways, water systems, and emergency

medical services (EMS).

Ms. Pam Swan reiterated the unease previously expressed. She emphasized that

high-density housing in a rural area would place significant stress on existing resources.

Residents value their rural community and are deeply concerned about increased traffic,

public safety, and especially the impact on water availability. Ms. Swam highlighted the

proposal of approximately 600 tiny homes in one concentrated area and the number of

additional residents who would rely on local resources. She requested that opposition to

the project be entered into the public record.

Mr. Jason Toney addressed the Board regarding the transition of commissioners. He

expressed appreciation to the outgoing commissioners for their service to the community.

III. Consent Agenda

Commissioner Benfield moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Vice Chairman

Toney seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was:

5 -

Aye:

Commissioner King, Commissioner Toney, Commissioner Benfield,

Commissioner Haynes and Commissioner Haulk

Nay:

ID 26-4404

Minutes of February 2, 2026 County Commissioners’ Meeting

Attachments:

20260202 Minutes.pdf

ID 26-4409

Tax Refunds and Releases - March, 2026

Attachments:

Tax Refunds Releases March 2026.pdf

IV. Commissioner Reports

ID 26-4407

Audit Report

Attachments:

Audit Report Rutherford County FY25 ACFR - ISSUED.pdf

Deputy County Manager/Finance Director Paula Roach introduced Mr. Travis Keever of

Gould Killian, CPA who provided information on the Rutherford County financial audit for

year ending June 30, 2024.

Mr. Keever said an unmodified (clean) opinion was issued on the June 30, 2024

financial statements. No material weakness in internal control over financial reporting,

and no instances of material noncompliance with laws and regulations we rereported.

A single audit was performed over several major federal and state grant programs. A

clean opinion on compliance was issued.

The Local Government Commission extended the normal December 31 due date to

February 12 due to the Federal shutdown last fall/winter which delayed the release of the

Federal compliance supplement. The due date was missed by about 3 weeks simply

due to the volume of audit work required to audit the federal and state grant expenditures

that were incurred by the County.

A motion was made by Vice Chairman Toney and seconded by Commissioner

Haynes to accept the audit. The motion carried by the following vote.

5 -

Aye:

Commissioner King, Commissioner Toney, Commissioner Benfield,

Commissioner Haynes and Commissioner Haulk

Nay:

V. Commissioners/Appointments

ID 26-4402

American 250 Rutherford County Proclamation

Attachments:

America 250 Proclamation 2.pdf

Deputy County Manager/Public Works and Planning Director Danny Searcy told the

Board that an American 250 NC Committee has been formed in Rutherford County to

plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of

the United States and North Carolina's integral role in that event. Planning is currently

underway for that historic celebration. A resolution was presented for the Board’s

consideration proclaiming the year of 2026 as the 250th Anniversary of the United States

of American in Rutherford County.

Vice Chairman Toney moved to approve the resolution. Commissioner Haynes

seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was:

5 -

Aye:

Nay:

Commissioner King, Commissioner Toney, Commissioner Benfield,

Commissioner Haynes and Commissioner Haulk

Enactment No: RES 26-088

ID 26-4414

Resolution Honoring National Vietnam War Veterans Day 2026, America

250, and the Visit of The Wall that Heals

Attachments:

Vietnam Wall that Heals Resolution.pdf

Deputy County Manager/Director Searcy also presented Resolution Honoring National

Vietnam War Veterans Day 2026, America 250, and The Visit of the Wall that Heals for

the Board’s consideration.

Commissioner Benfield moved to approve the resolution as presented.

Commissioner Haulk seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was:

5 -

Aye:

Commissioner King, Commissioner Toney, Commissioner Benfield,

Commissioner Haynes and Commissioner Haulk

Nay:

ID 26-4405

Appointments to Transit Advisory Board

Attachments:

Transit Advisory Board Categories for Service.pdf

Transit Director Kerry Giles asked that the Board approve the appointment of three

applicants to fill the three vacancies on the Transit Advisory Board that must be filled by

certain classifications. Ms. Sharon Robbs has applied and could qualify under the

Public Human Service Agency for both Mental Health and Housing Authority. Though Ms.

Robbs has an address in Shelby, NC, she is a housing specialist with Partners’

Behavioral Health and covers three counties which includes Rutherford County. Ms.

Brittany Lawrence has submitted an application for the TAB and would represent Davita

Dialysis which is one of the agencies recommended by North Carolina Department of

Transportation. Ms. Nubia Sprouse has also submitted an application for the TAB. She

is a translator for Rutherford County Schools and works with families who transport with

Transit. She would fit a category under “Community Organization.

Commissioner Benfield moved to approve the appointment of Ms. Sharon Robbs

to the Transit Advisory Board to a term ending June 30, 2029, Ms. Brittany

Lawrence to a term ending June 30, 2029, and Ms. Nubia Sprouse to a term

ending June 30, 2029. Vice Chairman Toney seconded the motion. The vote on

the motion was:

5 -

Aye:

Commissioner King, Commissioner Toney, Commissioner Benfield,

Commissioner Haynes and Commissioner Haulk

Nay:

ID 26-4399

Appointment to Foothills Workforce Development Board

A vacancy exists on the Foothills Workforce Development Board. This vacancy which

requires that the appointee represent rehabilitation had been advertised and applications

had been accepted. Mr. Jackie Godlock applied for appointment. She would represent

the appropriate category.

Commissioner Haulk moved to approve the appointment of Ms. Jackie Godlock to

the Foothills Workforce Development Board to a term ending June 30, 2027.

Commissioner Haynes seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was:

5 -

Aye:

Commissioner Toney, Commissioner Benfield, Commissioner

Haynes, Commissioner King and Commissioner Haulk

Nay:

ID 26-4401

Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation

Ms. Susan Epley of the Social Services’ Department advised that April is Child Abuse

Prevention Month, a tradition formally established in 1983 after decades of efforts by

children’s advocates who pushed to create and change laws to protect those most

vulnerable in society. She asked that the Board proclaim April as Child Abuse

Prevention Month in Rutherford County.

Vice Chairman Toney moved to approve the proclamation. Commissioner

Benfield seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was:

5 -

Aye:

Commissioner King, Commissioner Toney, Commissioner Benfield,

Commissioner Haynes and Commissioner Haulk

Nay:

Enactment No: PROC 26-025

VI. New Business

ID 26-4406

Budget Amendments - March 2026

Attachments:

Budget Amendments 3-2-26.pdf

Quote 7005 Isothermal Community College President's Suite

P-610540.pdf

ICC Business Office Quote 11 FEB 2026.pdf

ICC Pres Suite Quote 11 FEB 2026.pdf

Johnson Paving Quote.pdf

Finance Director Paula Roach presented budget amendments for the Board’s

consideration.

Vice Chairman Toney moved to approve the budget amendments. Commissioner

Benfield seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was:

5 -

Aye:

Commissioner King, Commissioner Toney, Commissioner Benfield,

Commissioner Haynes and Commissioner Haulk

Nay:

ID 26-4410

Amendment to Revaluation Service Contract for 2027 Revaluation

Attachments:

Revaluation Contract for Commercial Properties Wampler Eanes.pdf

Vision Government Solutions - Rutherford County NC Amendment

RPW 260211.pdf

Tax Assessor Richard Lawson told the Board that due to recent staff turnovers in order

for the revaluation for 2027 to remain on schedule, it is recommended that the County

amend the April 2025 contract with Vision Governmental Solutions (previously known as

WamplerEanes Appraisal Group) for commercial property and expand the scope of work

to include residential property as well. The amendment would add related Residential

Property Services for an estimated 55,573 parcels at $14.57 per parcel for an additional

estimated cost $809,950. The amendment is contingent upon a budget amendment to

be presented also at the March meeting.

Vice Chairman Toney moved to approve the contract with Vision Government

Solutions and authorize the Interim County Manager, the Finance Officer, the

Clerk to the Board, and other County officials to sign and execute all documents

in support of this action. Commissioner Benfield seconded the motion.

5 -

Aye:

Commissioner King, Commissioner Toney, Commissioner Benfield,

Commissioner Haynes and Commissioner Haulk

Nay:

ID 26-4408

Resolution to Transfer Light Transit Vehicle to Isothermal Community

College

Attachments:

Transit Vehicle Transfer ICC.pdf

Transit Director Kerry Giles said Rutherford County Transit is requesting approval to

transfer one 25-foot Light Transit Vehicle (LTV) to Isothermal Community College.

Transfers to a state agency are allowable under NCDOT disposition guidelines. Although

Transit typically sells surplus vehicles to generate local match funds for replacements,

this request represents a strategic exception. ICC has established a new CDL training

program that provides a valuable workforce development opportunity. The program will

allow Transit to send current and prospective drivers, as well as members of the public,

to obtain their CDL license, helping address the ongoing driver shortage. This transfer

supports a mutually beneficial partnership to strengthen the local transportation

workforce. The vehicle has met its NCDOT-defined useful life requirements, and a

replacement 25-foot LTV has already been received and placed into revenue service. A

resolution approving the transfer was presented for the Board’s consideration.

Commissioner Benfield moved to approve the resolution. Vice Chairman Toney

seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was:

5 -

Aye:

Commissioner King, Commissioner Toney, Commissioner Benfield,

Commissioner Haynes and Commissioner Haulk

Nay:

VII. Information