Catawba County News

BOC Recap: 8/17/26

Published: August 17, 2026

The August 17, 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting was called to order at 7pm. The agenda for the meeting can be found at https://bit.ly/3utv5SE.

BOC approved minutes from the Board’s Regular Meeting of August 3, 2026.

Appointments

Commissioner Abernethy recommends the appointment of Ben Ridley to fill the unexpired term of Jody Street, with a term expiration of August 31, 2027. BOC approved.

Consent Agenda

1 – The Finance and Personnel Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners appropriate $48,000 in available fire district fund balance to the Bandy's Crossroads Fire Department for the one-time purchase of firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE) and portable radios.

2 – The Finance and Personnel Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners accept and appropriate the Soil & Water Conservation Commission’s grant funds in the amount of $375,000 to remove stream debris blockages in the county and authorize the County Manager to execute the required grant agreement.

3 – The Finance and Personnel Subcommittee requests the Board of Commissioners approve reallocation of $219,000 in previously appropriated funds from existing Hickory City Schools capital projects to support emergent project needs, as requested by Hickory City Schools.

4 – Tax Administrator requests the Board of Commissioners approve 18 releases totaling $51,159.51, three refunds totaling $321.51, and 63 Motor Vehicles Bill adjustments / refunds totaling $6,615.18 requested during the month of July.

5 – Staff requests the Board of Commissioners approve a resolution to retire drug interdiction K-9 Loki and transfer ownership of Loki to K-9 handler Jeremy Graham.

6 – Staff requests the Board of Commissioners appropriate $65,000 in revenue from the sale of County-owned land located at 245 East N Street, Newton to the existing General Renovations capital project. On July 20, 2026, the BOC authorized staff to initiate the upset bid process for disposal of the 2.53-acre County-owned parcel located at 245 East N Street in Newton, based on an offer to purchase from Ashure Ministry, Inc. The upset bid period has closed, and Ashure Ministry, Inc. was the successful bidder.

BOC approved all six items.

Attorney’s Report

1 - Staff request the Board of Commissioners approve the purchase of the real property located at 334 Southwest Boulevard, Newton, for $1,600,000.00 and appropriation of the funding necessary to complete the transaction. The County has entered into a purchase agreement with County Wide Insurance Agency Inc. for the purchase of the subject property, the former Western Steer in Newton, subject to the seller being able to clear certain title issues, for a purchase price of $1,550,000.00. The property is strategically located at the corner of 321 and Hwy 10 and provides access to the County’s existing parcels and flexibility for growth to expand public facilities, services, or infrastructure without being constrained by surrounding development. BOC approved.

2 – In the opioid litigation, Judge Polster ordered the Plaintiffs' Executive Committee to prepare a proposed short-form amended complaint to allow eligible subdivisions to add Pharmacy Benefits Manager (“PBM”) claims without preparing separate, lengthy amended complaints. Subdivisions, including Catawba County, may need to approve the amended complaints in order to add the PBM defendants. BOC approved.

Adjournment

BOC adjourned the meeting at 7:28 pm.