Rutherford County

Meeting Minutes - Final

Board of Commissioners

Monday, April 6, 2026

6:00 PM

289 N. Main St. Rutherfordton NC 28139 Commission

Chambers

Call to Order

Chairman King called the April 6, 2026 meeting of the Rutherford County Board of

Commissioners to order.

5 -

Present:

Commissioner Donnie Haulk, Commissioner Alan Toney,

Commissioner Michael Benfield, Commissioner Hunter Haynes and

Commissioner Bryan King

A. Pledge of Allegiance

Mr. David Guy led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

B. Agenda Approval

Commissioner Michael Benfield moved to approve the agenda. Vice

Chairman Alan Toney 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

III. Consent Agenda

There were no public comments.

Consent Agenda Items approved were:

A. ID-26-4423 Minutes of February 26, 2026 Special County Commissioners’ Meeting

B. ID-26-4422 Minutes of March 2, 2026 County Commissioners’ Meeting

C. ID-26-4435 Minutes of March 26, 2026 Special County Commissioners’ Meeting

D. ID-26-4424 Tax Refunds and Releases

Refund amount totaling $5,059.61

Releases greater than $100 totaling $15,278.65

Releases less than $100 totaling $320.88

(A copy of these tax refunds and releases is typed in the Minute Book.)

Vice Chairman Alan Toney moved to approve the Consent Agenda.

Commissioner Michael Benfield seconded the motion. The vote on the motion

was:

5 -

Aye:

Commissioner Haynes, Commissioner Benfield, Commissioner

Toney, Commissioner King and Commissioner Haulk

Nay:

ID 26-4423

Minutes of February 26, 2026 County Commissioners’ Special Meeting

Attachments:

20260226 Minutes.pdf

ID 26-4422

Minutes of March 2, 2026 County Commissioners’ Meeting

Attachments:

20260302Minutes.pdf

ID 26-4435

Minutes of March 26, 2026 County Commissioners’ Special Meeting

Attachments:

20260326 Special Meeting Minutes.doc

ID 26-4424

Tax Refunds and Releases - April, 2026

Attachments:

Tax Refunds Releases April 2026.pdf

IV. Commissioners/Appointments

ID 26-4429

National Day of Prayer Proclamation

Attachments:

National Day of Prayer Proclamation.pdf

Vice Chairman Toney presented a National Day of Prayer Proclamation for the Board’s

consideration and moved its passage.

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

Haulk to approve proclamation.The motion carried by the following vote:

5 -

Aye:

Commissioner King, Commissioner Toney, Commissioner Benfield,

Commissioner Haynes and Commissioner Haulk

Nay:

ID 26-4436

Resolution Recognizing April 12 - 18, 2026 as National Public Safety

Telecommunicator Week

Attachments:

Telecommunications Week.pdf

In recognition of the important contribution of telecommunications personnel in the

public safety community, Communications’ Director Scott Schiefelbein asked that the

Board recognize the second week in April as NPSTW (National Public Safety

Telecommunicator Week). A resolution depicting this request was presented.

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

Benfield to approve resolution. The motion carried by the following vote:

5 -

Aye:

Commissioner King, Commissioner Toney, Commissioner Benfield,

Commissioner Haynes and Commissioner Haulk

Nay:

V. New Business

ID 26-4430

Budget Amendments - April 2026

Attachments:

Copy of Budget Amendments 4-6-26.pdf

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

consideration.

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

Benfield to approve budget amendments. The motion carried by the following

vote:

5 -

Aye:

Commissioner King, Commissioner Toney, Commissioner Benfield,

Commissioner Haynes and Commissioner Haulk

Nay:

ID 26-4431

2026 Audit Contract

Attachments:

Rutherford County FY26-FY28 Proposal.pdf

Rutherford County Eng Letter 2026.pdf

Rutherford County Audit Contract 2026.pdf

Finance Director Paula Roach presented 2026 Audit Contract with Gould Killian CPA

Group for the Board’s consideration.

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

Toney to approve contract with Gould Killian CPA Group. The motion carried by

the following vote:

5 -

Aye:

Commissioner King, Commissioner Toney, Commissioner Benfield,

Commissioner Haynes and Commissioner Haulk

Nay:

ID 26-4434

North Carolina Department of Transportation Right-of-Way Acquisition

Offer

Attachments:

Offer Letter Revised.pdf

FRM5-S (002).pdf

Gencor-CADD Map Revised 2-5-2026.pdf

Gencor-Plan Sheet 13 Colored Revised.pdf

Planning and Public Works Director Danny Searcy said the North Carolina Department

of Transportation had presented an offer to purchase property described in Deed Book

2067, page 516, Rutherford County Registry that contains approximately 5.109 acres of

which approximately 0.007 acres is being acquired as right of way, leaving

approximately 5.102 acres remaining on the right with access to West Main Street (US

221A). Also being acquired is a Permanent Utility Easement containing approximately

0.062 acres.

The total contingent offer ($25,250.00) includes payment for the improvements and

appurtenances described as Asphalt, Concrete Curb & Gutter.

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

Haulk to approve offer. The motion carried by the following vote:

5 -

Aye:

Commissioner King, Commissioner Toney, Commissioner Benfield,

Commissioner Haynes and Commissioner Haulk

Nay:

ID 26-4426

Lease with Jingoli Power, LLC

Attachments:

Lease - Notice of Intended Lease of Ten Years or Less for April 6

Resolution April 6 - final

Lease Proposed - Jingoli Power LLC - Final

Henson Road Easement Survey

County Attorney Richard Williams told the Board that a notice has been published that

the County intends to enter into a lease with Jingoli Power, LLC for 15.36 acres of the

103.67-acre parcel owned by Rutherford County known as Henson Road Property.

(Address 311 Henson Road, Tax Parcel 1610404). The proposed lease has a term of

60 months with the option to renew for an additional term of two years with annual rent

payments to be $27,000 per month for a total annual rent of $324,000. A resolution

approving the proposed lease was presented for the Board’s consideration.

A motion was made by Commissioner Haulk and seconded by Commissioner

Benfield to approve resolution. The motion carried by the following vote:

5 -

Aye:

Commissioner King, Commissioner Toney, Commissioner Benfield,

Commissioner Haynes and Commissioner Haulk

Nay:

VI. Commissioner Reports

ID 26-4433

Tourism Development Authority Report

Attachments:

Tourism Development Authority April 2026 Comissioner Meeting.pdf

Tourism Development Authority Director Don Cason provided the quarterly update on

the TDA for the Board's information.

VII. Closed Session

Closed Session - ATTORNEY CLIENT NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3)

ID 26-4425

At 6:50 pm, Commissioner Michael Benfield moved to go into Closed Session for a

discussion with the County Attorney. The County Manager, the Deputy Clerk to the

Board, and the County Attorney, would be included in the session.

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

Toney to go into Closed Session. The motion carried by the following vote:

5 -

Aye:

Commissioner King, Commissioner Toney, Commissioner Benfield,

Commissioner Haynes and Commissioner Haulk

Nay:

Agenda item - Remnant Defendent

ID 26-4437

A Resolution authorizing participation in opioid settlements and execution of all required

documents for 'Remnant Defendants' was presented by County Attorney Richard

Williams for the Board's consideration.

A motion was made by Commissioner Haulk and seconded by Commissioner

Benfield to approve the resolution.The motion carried by the following vote:

5 -

Aye:

Commissioner King, Commissioner Toney, Commissioner Benfield,

Commissioner Haynes and Commissioner Haulk

Nay: