Catawba County News

BOC Meeting Recap: 8/18/25

Published: August 19, 2025

The August 18, 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 and Closed Session of August 4, 2025.

Appointments

Chair Isenhower recommends Vice-Chair Austin Allran as the voting delegate and Chair Randy Isenhower as alternate voting delegate for the 2025 NCACC Annual Conference on August 23rd, 2025. BOC approved.

Commissioner Beatty recommends the appointment of Stephen Wilson Blakely to the VFD Trustees’ Fireman’s Relief Fund, for a first term. BOC approved.

Commissioner Abernethy recommends the appointment of Michael McNally to the Social Services Board, for a first term, with a term expiration of June 30, 2028. BOC approved.

Presentations

1 - Healthy and Safe Community Strategic Plan Focus Area Update presented by County Manager Mary Furtado, Opioid SUD Program Coordinator Jamie Todd, and REACH Crew Chief Jason Powell.

In addition, Staff requests the Board of Commissioners approve appropriation of $162,266 from Opioid Settlement Fund to address the Catawba Valley Medical Center CARE Team Project. BOC approved.

2 – Economic Development Strategic Plan Focus Area Update presented by County Manager Mary Furtado and Economic Development Director Nathan Huret.

In addition, The Catawba County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and staff request the Board of Commissioners authorize the EDC to implement the Catawba Future-Ready Manufacturing Grant (FRMG) Pilot Program and re-allocate $100,000 in previously appropriated funds to support this initiative. BOC approved.

Public Hearings

Public Hearing to consider authorizing the County Manager to execute or assign agreements for acquisition of approximately 29.18 acres across seven parcels for a total purchase price of $3.65 million for development of a business park in Southeastern Catawba County, and authorize that any property-related reimbursements received from Catawba Valley Medical Center be deposited in the Southeastern Catawba County Business Park project. BOC approved.

Consent Agenda

1 - The Finance and Personnel Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners declare the following equipment surplus and approve the donation requests below:
a. A 2015 Chevrolet ambulance to Maiden Rescue Squad;
b. A Stryker Power System cot for ambulance to Catawba Rescue Squad;
c. A Stryker Power System cot for ambulance to Claremont Rescue Squad;
d. A 2015 Chevrolet ambulance to Catawba Valley Community College; and
e. Forty-seven (47) Motorola XTS2500 portable radios to Catawba Valley Community College.

2 - The Policy and Public Works Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners:
a. Award the construction bid for the Sherrills Ford Convenience Center Improvements to Randolph & Son Builders, Inc. of Pineville, NC in the amount of $1,144,743.35;
b. Authorize the County Manager to execute all documents associated with the project;
c. Approve a budget revision in the amount of $275,000.

3 - Staff requests the Board of Commissioners reject all bids received at the July 22, 2025 bid opening for construction of the Cooperative Extension Cattle Load-out and Education Facility.

4 - The Tax Administrator requests the Board of Commissioners approve 70 Motor Vehicles Bill adjustments/refunds totaling $5,166.87 requested during the month of July.

BOC approved all 4 agenda items.

Manager’s Report

County Manager Mary Furtado presented a timeline of community conversations and focus groups to discuss school facility needs.

Attorney’s Report

Staff requests the Board of Commissioners approve the purchase of approximately 0.13 acres located on Southwest Boulevard adjoining South Newton Elementary School and authorize the County Manager to execute all documents necessary to complete the purchase. BOC approved.

BOC adjourned the meeting at 8:45 pm and entered closed session.