[0:00] of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation

[0:08] indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

[0:16] » All right. Before we get started, um I'm just going to make an announcement that

[0:19] the Irongate subdivision final vote will be uh cast on September the 21st. So, if

[0:24] anybody's in the crowd for that, it'll be September the 21st when that final

[0:28] vote is taking place. So, um we've got an agenda here and entertain a motion to

[0:35] approve the agenda as presented. >> So moved.

[0:38] » Motion by Commissioner Carpenter. Any further discussion?

[0:42] All right. Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I.

[0:45] » I. Opposed. >> All right. The agenda is approved.

[0:51] All right. All right. I'll entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda as

[0:54] presented. >> So move.

[0:56] » All right. Motion by Commissioner Patton. [clears throat] Any further

[1:00] discussion? Hearing none. All in favor indicate by

[1:04] saying I. >> I.

[1:06] » Opposed. All right. The consent agenda is approved. All right. Now we'll go to

[1:11] National Emergency Management Awareness Month proclamation. Vanessa.

[1:24] » All right. Good morning, commissioners. >> Good morning.

[1:27] » All right. I'm going to read the proclamation. Wait, up here? All right.

[1:34] All right. National Emergency Management Awareness Month proclamation. Whereas

[1:38] emergencies and disasters can occur unexpect can occur unexpectedly posing

[1:43] significant threats to life, property, and the environment. And whereas Lincoln

[1:48] County Emergency Management dedicates countless hours to developing

[1:52] preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation programs to protect the lives

[1:56] and property of all persons living in our community. And whereas Lincoln

[2:00] County Emergency Management is charged with establishing and maintaining the

[2:05] capabilities necessary to effectively direct, coordinate, and support

[2:09] emergency and disaster response and recovery efforts. And whereas the

[2:13] mission areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery align

[2:19] with the core capabilities identified in the emergency operations plan. And

[2:24] whereas our emergency management serves the community by responding to

[2:28] emergencies and disasters each year, demonstrating commitment, compassion,

[2:33] and professionalism in protecting the public. Now therefore, be it resolved by

[2:38] the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners that August is recognized

[2:42] as emergency management awareness month in Lincoln County on the 17th day of

[2:46] August 2026. Thank you. And Mark How with emergency management is going to

[2:51] say a few words. Few words. All right. Before March starts, let's vote on this.

[2:56] » Okay. >> So, I'll entertain a motion to approve

[2:58] the National Emergency Management Awareness Proclamation. So, moved.

[3:01] » All right. Motion by Commissioner Cena. >> Any further discussion?

[3:06] » All in favor indicate by saying I. >> Opposed.

[3:10] » All right. It is approved. >> Right. You've got the floor, Mark.

[3:14] Thank you, Chairman Limeberger and members of the board for honoring

[3:18] emergency mana our emergency management team and for proclaiming August as

[3:23] emergency management prepare management awareness month. Emergency management is

[3:28] a profession that often operates quietly behind the scenes. Planning, training,

[3:34] and building partnerships long before a crisis strikes so that when the

[3:38] unexpected happens, our community isn't starting from scratch. This proclamation

[3:44] shines a vital light on our dedicated staff, first responders, and community

[3:50] volunteers who work to protect lives and property through preparedness, response,

[3:55] and recovery. Preparedness is a shared communitywide

[4:00] responsibility. We encourage every resident to use this

[4:04] month to take simple, proactive steps. Build a family emergency plan and

[4:10] exercise it. Put together an emergency supply kit and stay informed by

[4:17] connecting to Lincoln Alerts. Thank you again for recognizing our team and

[4:22] helping us build a more resilient Lincoln County. Thank you.

[4:27] » Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. And we're going to

[4:31] give them a minute to make their way down and then we're going to take a

[4:33] group picture. Appreciate you. They're going to make their way down and they're

[4:37] going to we're going to take a group picture over here. So don't don't go

[4:40] anywhere. >> Over here. [laughter]

[4:45] I got it.

[5:05] Alex over here.

[5:10] » Yes.

[5:13] » Wonderful.

[5:16] One, two, three. One, two.

[5:24] Thank you.

[6:21] All right, we'll move to item number four, public hearing for industrial

[6:24] center grant application. Mr. Danoff.

[6:34] » Good morning, commissioners. I'm here this morning to represent Lincoln County

[6:37] Existing Industry. Uh was formerly listed in your packet is AAA. The name

[6:42] of the company is Kirk and Mats. Kirk and Mats is located at 3390 Denver Drive

[6:48] and they manufacture high-end quality awards and trophies. The incentive

[6:52] request is to help support the addition of a building and additional equipment

[6:56] in their existing uh location. The agreement would read on our behalf on or

[7:02] before August 17, 2026, Kirk and M shall begin the addition of a new building and

[7:07] machinery. Within two years date of the agreement, Kirk and Matt shall make an

[7:12] investment in a new building and machinery of $925,000,

[7:17] which $92,500 will qualify for the incentive under the

[7:21] Lincoln County Industrial Incentive Grant policy. Within two years date of

[7:25] the agreement, Kirk and Mass will provide at least such a site at least

[7:29] three new jobs paying the average annual wage of grant for this type project.

[7:33] I'll add level one was added a few years back to help the small and middlesize

[7:39] industries with smaller expansion. Uh this is part of that level one

[7:43] agreement. I'll be able to answer any questions.

[7:47] » Anyone have any questions? All right, I'll open the public hearing concerning

[7:51] industrial incentive grant application. Um, having no one signed up to speak, I

[7:56] will close the public hearing and I'll entertain a motion to adopt the

[8:00] incentive grant application. >> So moved.

[8:04] » All right. Motion by Commissioner Mullen.

[8:07] Any further discussion? All right. Hearing none. All in favor indicate by

[8:11] saying I. >> I. Opposed.

[8:13] » All right. It is approved. Thank you. Thank you very much.

[8:19] » All right. Now we'll go to uh NC uh NC DOT Capital 5310

[8:26] purchase service grant. Miss Sain,

[8:36] » did you get that boy? Did you get that boy tucked away in college?

[8:40] » Gosh. >> Yes, I did.

[8:42] » Lots of tears. >> That is so hard. is probably one of the

[8:46] hardest things a parent can do is leave a kid at school, which I'm sure all of

[8:50] you understand. >> Congratulations on him going.

[8:52] » Thank you. Thank you very much. >> So, good morning. Um, this morning I'm

[8:58] here to present our FY28 um grant from from the North Carolina

[9:03] Department of of Transportation. It is our 5310 purchases of services grant.

[9:10] This grant we use in partnership with Veteran Services to provide rides to um

[9:15] Lincoln County residents that are 65 and older and or disabled individuals in

[9:20] Lincoln County who may be slipping through the cracks um since they don't

[9:25] qualify for any of our other transportation grants. This grant does

[9:29] capture that part part of the population. Um, in FY27, just to let you

[9:35] know, or I'm sorry, FY26, we provided 4,217

[9:40] rides with this grant. So, we we took people to cancer treatments. We took

[9:45] them to dialysis. We've taken them to doctor's appointments. We take several

[9:49] disabled individuals to UMAR for programming. Um, we served 454

[9:55] individuals throughout the fiscal year in FY26. So this is a very very good

[10:00] needed grant especially for people again who may fall through those cracks and

[10:04] not qualify for anything else. Um the grant is for $80,000. There is a 10% um

[10:10] local match that I have already budgeted for. So there will be no increase or

[10:15] further recommendations from me to um get additional funds for this grant. So

[10:20] just ask that you approve that and I will yield to any questions.

[10:24] » Any questions? All right. I'll open the public hearing

[10:28] concerning NC dot capital 5310 purchase. All right. Having no one signed up to

[10:34] speak, I'll close the public hearing and I'll entertain a motion to adopt.

[10:38] » So moved. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner Cena.

[10:41] » Any further discussion. All right. Hearing none. All in favor indicate by

[10:45] saying I. >> Opposed. All right. It is approved.

[10:48] Thank you. >> Thank you'all very much.

[10:52] » Next TLC combined grant application. Clay,

[11:03] » good morning. >> Good morning.

[11:04] » Um, I'm here to present the TLC grant application. It is the combined grant

[11:10] application. It's their 5311 funds. Uh, it will cover capital and administrative

[11:15] cost. The total request funding request is 327,334.

[11:22] The local match would be 476.99. This will cover administrative cost and

[11:27] the capital investment. It'll replace the computers and all of the um it'll

[11:33] upgrade the equipment in the vans as well. Uh this is for FY28

[11:39] and we just ask that y'all approve. Anyone have any questions for Clay?

[11:45] All right. I'll um open the public hearing concerning concerning TLC

[11:49] combined grant. Having no one signed up to speak, I will close the public

[11:53] hearing and I'll entertain a motion to approve.

[11:58] » So move. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner

[12:00] Carpenter. Any further discussion?

[12:04] All right. Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I.

[12:08] » Opposed. All right. It is approved. Thank you.

[12:11] » Thank you. >> All right. One number seven, planning

[12:14] board recommendations. Jeremiah.

[12:21] » Good morning, commissioners. Uh following the public hearings on August

[12:25] 3rd, uh we have a few legislative cases where the planning board provided their

[12:30] recommendations. I'll present those first and then we'll proceed to a couple

[12:34] of evidentiary uh hearings that for which the decisions were postponed

[12:39] pending the reasonzoning decisions. Uh the first case I have for you is zoning

[12:44] map amendment number 786. Troy Mottz was the applicant in this case. This was a

[12:48] request to reszone uh 1.76 acres from uh residential suburban to general business

[12:55] located about 200 ft south of Highway 150 and about 500 ft east of Lee Longing

[13:00] Road in Ironton Township. Not too long ago, Mr. Mottz had reszoned uh the

[13:05] corner at the intersection with 150 to general business. Uh this was a request

[13:10] to reszone this additional 1.76 acres also to general business. The planning

[13:15] board unanimously recommended approval and you have their adopted statement.

[13:21] » All right. Any questions for Jeremiah? >> Jeremia, do we know what's going to go

[13:26] in there? >> The applicant has stated he intends to

[13:29] build a gas station.

[13:36] » Thank you. >> All right. Any additional questions? All

[13:40] right. I'll entertain a motion to adopt the statement of consistency and

[13:42] reasonless as presented by the planning board.

[13:44] » Motion. >> Motion by Commissioner Mullen. Any

[13:48] further discussion? All right. Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I.

[13:53] [snorts] >> Opposed. All right. I'll entertain a

[13:55] motion to approve ZMA 786. >> So move.

[13:59] » All right. Motion by Commissioner Patton.

[14:02] » Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I.

[14:06] » I. opposed. All right, it is approved. Thank you, Jeremiah.

[14:11] » Next, we have zoning map amendment number 788. Beck Company LLC was the

[14:15] applicant in this case. Uh, this was a request to reszone uh an assemblage of

[14:20] parcels um totaling a little over nine acres from general business to

[14:24] residential single family and residential single family uh reszoning

[14:28] those to light industrial. Uh the property is located on the south side of

[14:33] Highway 150 at uh the interchange with NC16 bypass. Uh the planning board

[14:39] recommended approval of this unanimously. You have their adopted

[14:42] statement. >> All right. Any questions for Jeremiah?

[14:47] » Is this the same piece of property, Jeremiah, that we just voted on or close

[14:50] to it? >> Um are you referring to the gas station

[14:54] from a couple years ago? >> Yeah.

[14:56] » Uh that parcel is part of this assemblage. Yes, sir. Okay. Thank you.

[15:02] » Right. I'll entertain a motion to adopt the statement of consistency and

[15:05] reasonleness as presented by the planning board.

[15:09] » So moved. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner

[15:11] Carpenter. Any further discussion?

[15:15] All right. Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I.

[15:18] » I. Opposed. >> All right. I'll entertain a motion to

[15:23] approve ZMA 788. >> So moved.

[15:27] » Motion by Commissioner Carpenter. Any further discussion? All right. Hearing

[15:32] none. All in favor indicate by saying I. >> I. Opposed.

[15:36] » All right. It is approved. >> Next we have zoning map amendment number

[15:41] 789. Uh Riley Acorn being the applicant in this case was requesting the

[15:46] reszoning of a 1.03 acre parcel from neighborhood business to general

[15:50] business. Uh that property is located at 1769

[15:55] North NC16 business uh right at the intersection with Hickory Creek Drive.

[16:00] Uh the planning staff unanimously recommended approval of this request and

[16:04] you have their adopted statement in your packet.

[16:08] » Any further questions for Jeremiah? All right. I'll entertain a motion to

[16:13] adopt the statement of consistency and reasonless as presented by the planning

[16:16] board. I make a motion to adopt the statement of consistency and

[16:19] reasonableness as presented by the planning board.

[16:21] » All right. Motion by Commissioner Cena. Any further discussion? All right.

[16:25] Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I. I.

[16:28] » Opposed. All right. I'll entertain a motion to approve ZMA 789.

[16:32] » I make a motion to approve ZMA 789. Riley Iicorn. I hope I said that right.

[16:37] Applicant as recommended by the planning board.

[16:39] » All right. Motion by Commissioner Cena. Any further discussion? Hearing none.

[16:44] All in favor indicate by saying I. >> I. opposed. All right, it is approved.

[16:48] Thank you. >> All right, moving on to the special use

[16:52] permits. Uh the first one, uh SP number 536, Beck Company LLC, was the applicant

[16:57] in this case. Um this is the same property that was just voted to be

[17:02] reszoned, uh there at the intersection of NC16 bypass and Highway 150. Uh the

[17:08] applicant is proposing a building material sales operation there and so

[17:13] that requires a special use permit in the Eastern Lincoln Development District

[17:17] overlay in which that property is located. Uh so following the public

[17:21] hearing uh a decision was postponed until this morning pending the outcome

[17:26] of the reasonzoning and so you have the applicant's proposed findings of fact

[17:30] included in your packet and I'll be happy to answer any questions you have

[17:33] for me. >> All right, this is for SP 536. So I'll

[17:37] entertain a motion to approve the findings of fact as submitted by the

[17:39] applicant. >> So moved.

[17:41] » Motion by Commissioner Mullen. All right. Any further discussion. All

[17:46] right. Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I.

[17:49] » Opposed. All right. I'll entertain a motion to approve SP 536.

[17:54] » So moved. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner

[17:56] Patton. >> Any further discussion? All right.

[18:00] Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. Opposed. All right. It is

[18:05] approved. All right. And lastly, we have SUP

[18:09] number 537. This was a request request for a special use permit for a

[18:14] contractor's office. Um the property was uh just reszoned um earlier uh similar

[18:20] to the last request. Um following the public hearing for special use permit

[18:24] 537, a decision was postponed pending the outcome of the resoning proposal.

[18:29] Um, and so you have the applicant's proposed findings of fact included in

[18:33] your packet and I'll be happy to answer any questions you have for me.

[18:37] » Any additional questions for Jeremiah? All right. I'll entertain a motion to

[18:41] approve the findings of fact as submitted by the applicant.

[18:44] » Make a motion. Sorry. >> I'll make a motion to approve the

[18:48] findings of fact as submitted by the applicant.

[18:50] » Right. Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor indicate by

[18:54] saying I. >> I.

[18:55] » Opposed. All right. Entertain a motion to approve SP 537. I

[19:00] » make a motion to approve SP 537 Riley Ike board horn applicant based on the

[19:05] findings of fact. Right. Any further discussion? All in favor indicate by

[19:10] saying I. >> Opposed. All right. It is approved.

[19:14] » Thank you, commissioners. Yep. >> All right. Next, we'll go to Lincoln

[19:17] County Animal Services fee schedule amendment.

[19:28] Good morning, commissioners. >> Um, I am looking to make an update to

[19:33] our current fee schedule. Um, the proposed um, update is in your packet. I

[19:38] recommend approval as requested. Please let me know if you have any questions.

[19:43] » Anyone have any questions? Then I'll entertain a motion to approve

[19:47] the link county animal services feed schedule amendment.

[19:50] » So moved. All right. Motion by Commissioner Carpenter.

[19:54] Any further discussion hearing? None. All in favor indicate by

[19:58] saying I. I. Opposed. It is approved. Thank you.

[20:01] » Thank you. >> Y'all have a good day.

[20:02] » You too. >> All right. Next purchase authorization

[20:07] of a Stellar TM Max with HDI.

[20:13] » Good morning. Um so I'm here for um purchase authorization for one of our

[20:20] utility bed crane trucks. We currently have one. Um, it's a 2008 model. It

[20:24] already has 77,000 miles. This is very helpful with for our mechanics when they

[20:29] have to go on site and change um compactors, use any equipment um to put

[20:34] it in place. So, that's what I'm requesting.

[20:37] » Anyone have any questions? >> This is already budgeted, I'm assuming.

[20:41] » Yes. >> I thought so.

[20:42] » Yes. >> Thank you.

[20:45] » I'll entertain a motion to approve the purchase.

[20:48] » So moved. >> Motion by Commissioner Cena.

[20:50] » Thank you. Any further discussion? All right. Hearing none. All in favor

[20:55] indicate by saying I. I. Opposed. All right. That one is approved.

[21:00] » Thank you. >> Then the purchase authorization of a Mac

[21:02] rolloff truck. >> Um so this is something that was also

[21:06] budgeted for fiscal year 27. It is again a purchase authorization for a new

[21:11] rolloff truck. Um we do have several in the fleet. We like to keep two in for

[21:16] spares. Um, currently the two oldest ones that we have that may be ending

[21:21] their lives with us is um a 2017 model that has 365,000 m on it and a 2018

[21:28] model with 305,000 m on it. >> I'd say you got your use out of those.

[21:35] » Yes. [laughter] >> All right. Any further questions,

[21:39] comments? I'll entertain a motion to approve the purchase authorization of a

[21:43] Mac rolloff truck. >> So moved.

[21:45] » All right. Motion by Commissioner Cena. Any further discussion? All right.

[21:50] Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I.

[21:54] » Opposed. All right. It is approved. Thank you.

[21:56] » Thank you.

[22:00] » Bethl booster pump station relocation project. Jonathan.

[22:09] » Thank you, commissioners. Um I'm here today to just give you an update on the

[22:13] Bethl booster pump station. Um we have gone into bid for that. Um the bid is

[22:19] currently live. Um we will have a pre-bid meeting on August 25th, so next

[22:25] Tuesday. And then the bid opening will be September 10th for this project um to

[22:31] meet the state's guidance on um for that bidding and and the uh startup of that

[22:39] project. Any questions? >> Anyone have any questions for Jonathan?

[22:45] » All right. Thank you, sir. >> Thank you.

[22:47] » All right. Next, Lincoln County write- offs on collectible uh taxes. Diana.

[23:08] » Good morning, commissioners. This is the companion to the utility write-offs we

[23:14] did, I believe, in June. These are the general billing write offs. It's like um

[23:21] fire permits, uh various um bills that the county sends for uh collection and

[23:28] things like that. And these these have never been written off before because we

[23:31] just started doing general billing on the system probably three or four years

[23:34] ago. So again, these are going back uh 18 months and they are we are writing

[23:39] them off uh in accordance with uh generally accepted accounting

[23:42] principles. We will still pursue collection um once we hire the new

[23:46] collection billing and collection supervisor. We will give them this to

[23:49] them and they will use the debt set off process to collect whatever they can as

[23:54] long as in an individual's name and not a business's name.

[24:02] So I just need approval from y'all to write it off.

[24:06] » Any further questions or anything? All right. I'll entertain a motion to

[24:10] approve. >> So move. Motion by Commissioner

[24:13] Carpenter. Any further discussion?

[24:17] All right. Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I.

[24:19] » I. Opposed. >> All right. It is approved. Thank you.

[24:24] » All right. Next. Request to approve contract Central Square One Solutions.

[24:32] » Good morning, commissioners. Thank you for allowing us to be on the agenda uh

[24:35] for this presentation. Uh so this is a request to approve the contract with

[24:38] central square uh for our current records management system and our gel

[24:42] management system software that we've been utilizing since 2004. Uh so this

[24:46] contract will continue us out with support for them. Continue the upgrade

[24:50] of this system moving it to the cloud as well. So it's what we've currently been

[24:53] operating on. All the connections are currently established. This will include

[24:57] a connection to the as far as for a data dump from Hexagon to come over to make

[25:01] it easier for the officers writing the report and a much more streamlined

[25:04] version for them. And then funding for this, we've re requesting to reallocate

[25:08] funds currently from our vehicle budget um that we've saved some money on from

[25:12] purchasing some used vehicles that were completely outfitted from the city of

[25:15] Lincoln. Uh so approximately 400,000 that we save from that to move over to

[25:18] this uh to continue operating and still have us what we had um allocated for

[25:23] hexagon for for support and stuff along on that CAT system for it.

[25:29] Any questions for me? >> Only qu when does this contract take

[25:32] place? When does it go in effect? >> It'll go in effect once it's signed. We

[25:35] already currently operate on the system. Uh so it'll just be moving into the

[25:39] cloud within the next couple of months as far as for that migration process.

[25:42] And I guess the question was because we're not up to the 330 bid capacity yet

[25:46] because we hadn't finished our gel expansion, would would they not give us

[25:49] a discount for the meantime on that? >> We can see and current like it'll be

[25:54] operational as far as we're told Decemberish as far as physically having

[25:58] parts of those the jail operational inside of that expansion, but we can

[26:02] inquire on that. >> Worth the question.

[26:05] » Sure. Yes, sir. >> All right. Any additional questions?

[26:10] I'll entertain a motion to approve. >> So move.

[26:14] » All right. Motion by Commissioner Cena. Any further discussion?

[26:19] Right. Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I.

[26:22] » I. >> Opposed. All right. It is approved.

[26:25] Thank you. >> Thank you very much.

[26:26] » All right. Next. Sheriff's Office training facility range revised GMP.

[26:31] Mr. Fields.

[26:35] » Good morning, commissioners. >> Good morning. So, we're here to ask for

[26:39] your consideration and approval of the construction of Lane County Sheriff's

[26:43] Training Facility. This facility will be a two-story uh facility,

[26:49] 4,584 square ft, and it'll consist of, of

[26:54] course, lobby, restrooms, there's a classroom to accommodate 30 people. Um

[27:01] there's an office for the range master and an office for a training officer. Uh

[27:06] and a bullpen area for the instructors and storage equipment. Lower level would

[27:13] consist of weapons cleaning room, ammunition uh storage area, electrical,

[27:18] mechanical uh and range a range maintenance equipment room.

[27:24] The ranges are there's 18 lanes that range from 25 to 100 yards. Uh there's

[27:31] five lanes [snorts] uh rifle range to uh 190 yards. Um

[27:37] there's a 8 by8 shooting tower that is being has been designed and will be

[27:43] constructed to accommodate repelling uh exercises. Um the entire facility will

[27:51] be backed up uh generator back up. Um and

[27:58] we we have used decided to use the construction manager at risk delivery

[28:03] method and we have the contractor's representative here. If if you have any

[28:08] questions, he can help help answer some of those questions. Um they have

[28:12] provided a guaranteed maximum price of 6,829,782.

[28:24] I have a question as far as the grading for 1.6 million. I thought the site was

[28:29] pretty much graded and ready to go based off the gel expansion when we uh moved

[28:34] the retaining wall and did some of that initial work. is what's what's the 1.6

[28:41] for? >> Yes sir. So there is still some grading

[28:44] to be done. We had to shift the building um because of the the tower the

[28:50] communication tower. So we had to shift the building uh to get out of the fall

[28:55] zone for that and and so it's going to require some some additional grading.

[29:08] Okay. >> Just the only place we've looked at

[29:11] putting this facility grading amount is pretty steep and

[29:15] » Yeah. No, we we did look it's been quite a few years ago. Um there's the old

[29:21] landfill on Alen Road. Uh it was considered to put it there. Um but it's

[29:30] you know it's relation to the school. It's relatively close to a school and

[29:34] neighborhood, but it's close to a school right here.

[29:36] » Yes, sir. >> Okay.

[29:39] » I guess, you know, if we're spending $7 million, to me, I'd like to see if we

[29:43] got some alternatives to maybe put this into where we can open it up for

[29:46] recreational use. We got a ton of concealed carry people around in this

[29:50] county, and we're very prun. It'd be nice if we could do something like this

[29:54] to where all of our citizens could use it.

[30:00] I think one of the issues behind um not utilizing it for public use um was

[30:09] the liability aspect. If someone got hurt on the range, but that decision

[30:14] hasn't been made so about whether we're going to do it or whether we're not

[30:18] going to do it for public use. Um I would strongly suggest we don't allow

[30:22] anybody use the tower besides law enforcement officers. um understanding

[30:28] and I think we need to understand that this is not a facility that just our

[30:32] folks can use but it's a regional use for Lincolnington and our federal

[30:37] partners and our state partners as well but I don't see any reason why other

[30:41] than the liability issues um of having civilians coming to shoot on the range

[30:45] we're going to have a range master out there um it it'll just it'll just

[30:49] require a certain amount of time I know Gastonia does it so that's a decision

[30:54] that we can make after we get the thing built. I suppose

[30:57] » I was just thinking of we have one in ranking ranking park and ranking lake

[31:03] park and >> Gastonia and then you have one in

[31:05] Cleveland County. So I mean from a liability standpoint they're able to do

[31:08] it. So I'd rather if we're going to spend this kind of money is open it up

[31:12] for recreational purposes for >> all of our citizens. And that's why I

[31:15] wasn't sure what the location is that the ideal location or could we for$ 1.6

[31:21] million in grad. It's gives us a lot of opportunity.

[31:26] » Yes.

[31:30] » Yeah. I struggle with I mean, it's $7 million basically for something that's

[31:34] not going to get used full time. I mean, and I agree. It needs to be somewhere

[31:41] that we can uh the public can use it and at least um

[31:47] not recoup our money but further utilize it for the money that it's going to cost

[31:51] us to do it. >> Have we already started grading out

[31:54] there? >> Not not specifically for this project.

[31:58] » Okay. >> Yeah. Most of the work out there has

[32:02] really been done in relation to the jail expansion. Uh the only thing that really

[32:06] has been complemented by the the uh training facility has really been the

[32:12] wall contiguous run on the wall retaining wall which was there was two

[32:16] parts in the original plan. There was a part of it for the expansion and part of

[32:20] it for the range and they did see the benefit. I think some of the

[32:23] commissioners were part part of the observation of that to to basically join

[32:28] that part as one part of the project just so we wouldn't be basically paying

[32:32] for two parts that were going to end up being joined anyway.

[32:36] And to your point, Commissioner Mullen, um the county had looked at a couple

[32:41] areas for the training range and um ultimately uh the sheriff had really uh

[32:48] felt hesitation on the owl's den location and was more comfortable with

[32:53] looking at the area behind the current um facility to do the expansion just to

[32:58] help understand that's kind of where we we it was it was discussed, but

[33:02] ultimately that's what the request was.

[33:08] Okay. Any further questions? All right. I'll entertain a motion to

[33:13] approve the sheriff's office training facility revised GMP.

[33:17] » I'll make the motion to approve. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner Cena.

[33:22] Any further discussion?

[33:25] » Okay. Is that with Mark's uh about open to the public? Is that part of the

[33:30] motion? >> No. I think that's something we need to

[33:32] talk about and look at and decide once the facility gets built if it's

[33:36] conducive to that. Although we need to make sure that if that's what the

[33:40] board's decision is that we make there's no there's park there's plenty of

[33:44] parking there. So it wouldn't be beyond the re realm of possibility to have the

[33:50] public shooting there. >> Okay. Just wanted to ask that question.

[33:54] » Yeah, I got you. I think most folks want a um that I've talked to anyway want a

[33:59] trap and ski range and that's that's not conducive to that at all.

[34:06] All right. Any further discussion? All right. All in favor indicate by

[34:10] saying I >> I

[34:12] » opposed. No. >> No.

[34:14] » All right. It is a three to two in the no. Thank you.

[34:20] » Thank you. >> All right. Now this is public comment

[34:22] time. This is where the public is able to come and speak to the board. Um,

[34:26] you're able to speak for three minutes as an individual and five as a group.

[34:32] Um, first is Jeff Carpenter.

[34:37] And just a reminder, it's not a Q&A session. This is just your comments to

[34:42] us.

[34:47] » Good morning, commissioners. >> Good morning. uh here today on behalf of

[34:51] Lincoln County Farm Bureau. Um we want to thank you all for your service to our

[34:56] community and um we've uh previously I think sent all of you should have

[35:01] received a personal invitation in the mail to an elected officials

[35:04] appreciation breakfast be next Tuesday up at our board meeting the 25th up on

[35:11] uh here north of town just a little bit. So we'd like to have you. Um, our system

[35:16] of government relies on citizen involvement. All of you have stepped up,

[35:21] put your names on ballots and are serving here uh, to lead our county. And

[35:26] for you and all of your peers and other folks that serve in elected official

[35:30] capacities, we just want to take this opportunity to say thank you for your

[35:33] leadership. We know a lot of times it's a thankless job. You may have a lot of

[35:37] fair weather friends and um, uh, it's a tough job. We know you sacrifice time

[35:43] from your daily lives and your families and is a way of stepping forward, you

[35:48] know, to take on these responsibilities and we just want to let you know that we

[35:52] we thank you for that and we appreciate it very much and we just want to set

[35:56] aside. We have the other 364 days of the year to call you when we have issues

[36:01] that we want to talk to you about or to sway you one way or another try to

[36:05] explain to you, but this was the day that we've kind of set aside for not

[36:08] just commissioners but others as well to uh just to come for us to be able to say

[36:13] thank you just for a short period of time. So we hope you can join us. You

[36:16] should have gotten that uh invitation in the mail and otherwise if you can let us

[36:20] know so we can plan accordingly. But that'll be um next Tuesday the 25th up

[36:25] there at 8:00. So we hope to see you then and if not we certainly thank you

[36:28] and appreciate your service to our county and our community. So thank you.

[36:32] » Thank you. Next on the list is Dr. Edward Haynes.

[36:44] I'm Dr. Edward Haynes. This is Sarah Lart. We are with the Sky Bell

[36:47] Foundation. This is the third time in six months we are standing before you.

[36:53] I want to tell you a story. Sarah and I

[37:00] through the Sky Bell Foundation have driven over 88,000 miles.

[37:05] We have visited over 2,400 individual fire departments through 35

[37:11] states with our foundation. Along that journey,

[37:17] we have had meetings with commissioners, city council,

[37:23] mayors, congress people, governors,

[37:28] and one senator out of South Carolina. Some of those meetings we asked for.

[37:34] Some of those meetings they contacted us and asked for

[37:40] all about the volunteer firefighters in their state that they care about.

[37:48] The foundation is to improve the emergency care in every county.

[37:56] Now, I don't know whether you commissioners realize it or not, but in

[37:59] Lincoln County, you only have eight ambulances that run

[38:05] in the daytime and four at night to cover 300 square miles.

[38:11] You call on mutual aid from other counties, which puts a burden on their

[38:15] emergency services. How do I know this? We went and asked,

[38:22] but the Skybell Foundation was formed and designed to help with that.

[38:28] Though we've been promised that somebody from this commissioners, including you,

[38:33] chairperson, we would be contacted. We have yet to be contacted.

[38:40] I don't know whether it's a fact that you don't care about the volunteer

[38:42] firefighters who are twothirds of all firefighters across America.

[38:49] The devastation of losing volunteer firefighters can be felt in New York

[38:53] State which in the last five years have lost over 55,000.

[39:00] Can you imagine losing volunteer firefighters in Lincoln and Lincoln

[39:04] County?

[39:07] We're out there doing everything we can. We wonder why this group of

[39:11] commissioners haven't done anything to contact us to

[39:16] see what it's all about, to see if they want to be a part of it.

[39:21] And with your emergency services in such condition as it is with only eight

[39:26] ambulances, every second counts when the fire department arrives at an

[39:32] emergency because

[39:36] As we were told by Dr. Boyd, if two ambulances are

[39:41] sent out in the same area, the response over here is even longer.

[39:46] But that firefighter may be able to give enough aid to sustain that life until

[39:51] that ambulance can get there.

[39:56] I'm ashamed that we have been invited to speak in

[40:02] front of, as I said, governors, mayors,

[40:08] congress people, and senators, but little Lincoln's county commissioners in

[40:14] six months of promising to reach out to us, has failed to do so. I can only

[40:20] assume and take it that you do not care about your volunteer firefighters in

[40:25] Lincoln. And I wonder how many of y'all have visited

[40:29] your firefighters >> for three minutes. You're 45 group.

[40:34] » The group did not was not identified from the get-go. So you've got three

[40:38] minutes. So you're you're a minute over.

[40:47] Oh, >> leave it right on the desk there, sir.

[40:50] » All right. No one else signed up to speak for public comments. I will close

[40:54] the public comments and we'll move on to item 16, finance office reports. Miss

[40:58] Rios.

[41:16] Good morning again. [gasps]

[41:19] » This is the finance report back to May. Um we don't have June yet as we're still

[41:24] closing out June. Um we'll probably get that to you probably next month. Um but

[41:30] through May, which is 92% of the fiscal year, um the general fund investment

[41:35] earnings were 2.9 million. Uh we had um three more million in the poolled

[41:40] accounts, but that gets distributed between the general fund, the utility

[41:43] fund, solid waste, and the multi-year funds. Um we are over budget in the um

[41:51] interest revenue account, which is always a good thing. Um but we do have

[41:55] some adjustments that we do when we mark tomarket on the investments. So that

[41:59] will bring that number down. Um taxes budgeted through fiscal 26 were at 92

[42:04] million. They collection the collections through May were almost at budget and

[42:09] June is very small but I do believe we hit our budgeted amount. Sales taxes

[42:14] were at 37.6 million. We had received almost 31 million and we will receive we

[42:20] will pull back the sales taxes through the payments through September. Um,

[42:26] total revenues in the general fund in May were 95%, expenditures were 86. Um,

[42:30] utility fund revenues were at 94, expenses were at 77, and solid waste

[42:34] revenues were a little over 100% and expenses were at 82. Um, obviously the

[42:39] 27 budget was posted. We are in it now. The auditors will be here in about three

[42:43] weeks. So, we are working on adjusting and closing and um, actually paying the

[42:49] last of the 26 invoices. Um, as sometimes we do receive them late. We do

[42:54] have some this week that are still going in. So hopefully next month I'll get you

[42:58] June. It will be unudedited. It'll be unadjusted, but it'll be the what we

[43:03] have gotten at by now that we pull back to June. Are there

[43:09] any questions? >> Any questions?

[43:13] » Thank you. >> All right. Thank you.

[43:15] » All right. Next item 17, county manager report. Mr. May,

[43:19] » thank you. Good morning, Chairman. Uh just uh for the for some news updates.

[43:23] Last Tuesday, I attended the St. James Elementary School dedication ceremony.

[43:28] Uh the the new expansion is very impressive and I think we have some very

[43:32] happy teachers and very happy students. Uh lot of lot of good uh has come of

[43:37] that and I know we've got two more uh project update. The finance team had

[43:42] their due diligence call with the NC treasures office and our financial

[43:45] consultants Davenport last week on the limited obligation bond uh in regards to

[43:50] the Rock Springs and Kataba Springs expansion and my understanding every

[43:54] from based off that the process is moving along well no issues. Uh the

[43:59] county team uh along with some members of the airport advisory board met with

[44:03] our airport engineer last week to get updates on phase 2 improvements and the

[44:07] lighting rehabilitation. we're ready to go out for bid on the

[44:10] phase two hanger site development. Unfortunately, uh I know it's still

[44:15] there's I know there's still a lot of impatient uh in regards to the lighting

[44:20] rehab, but they did give us an estimated completion time frame for that for June

[44:24] to July of 2027 uh as it currently stands. So, just want

[44:28] to make the board aware of that. But, uh we had I think we had a a good meeting

[44:33] and those those projects are moving along. So, that pretty much concludes my

[44:38] report. Did you have any questions? Thank you.

[44:41] » All right. Next, county attorney's report.

[44:43] » Uh just a brief update. The ordinance was approved finally for parks and

[44:48] wreck. I think it's done for at least a while um at the last meeting. And then

[44:54] just a brief update on uh the abandoned structures in June. This board uh did

[45:00] approve me to take legal action. Um, but before I did that, we did send out

[45:05] 30-day notices, ask people to clean up the properties um that had been deemed

[45:10] abandoned by the chief building official. Um, none of those violations

[45:15] were cleaned up. So, in the in the next few weeks, I will be filing uh suits on

[45:20] that. Um, so we will get that moving. That's all I have to report. Any

[45:27] questions? >> All right. County Commissioner's report.

[45:31] Any commissioner have anything to report?

[45:35] » All right. Next, vacancies and appointment.

[45:38] » Mr. Chairman, I'd like to make the uh motion to we approve the following

[45:42] appointments for the board of health to reappoint Cammy Benton for her second

[45:46] term. Michael Watt for his first term and for the Lake Norman Marine

[45:50] Commission to appoint Robert Weller.

[45:57] » All right.

[46:01] That's in the form of a motion. Any further discussion? All right. All in

[46:06] favor indicate by saying I. I. >> Opposed. All right. Those appointments

[46:09] are approved. >> All right. Any other business to come

[46:12] for this board at this time? >> Close session.

[46:16] » All right. Next, we'll go into close session. Somebody read the reason for

[46:20] close session as as the motion. >> Mr. Chairman, I'll make a motion to

[46:25] enter in close session pursuant in North County General Statute 143-318.11A3

[46:32] to consult with the attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to

[46:36] preserve the attorney client privilege between the attorney and the public body

[46:40] which privilege is hereby acknowledged in pursuant to North Carolina General

[46:43] Statute 143-318.11A6

[46:46] to consider the qualifications competency performance character fitness

[46:50] condition of employment or condition of initial employment ment of an individual

[46:56] public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee.

[47:00] » All right, everyone understand the motion? Any further discussion? All in

[47:04] favor of any close session? >> I opposed. All right, we are now in

[47:09] close session.

[2:24:19] » [sighs]

[2:24:21] » All right, we're out of close session. Um, and we want to we adopting a

[2:24:27] resolution to allow the county manager to approve the excise taxes uh refunds

[2:24:31] so they don't have to come before the board um moving forward. And so I'll

[2:24:37] entertain a motion to approve. >> So move.

[2:24:39] » All right. Motion by Commissioner Patton. Any further discussion?

[2:24:43] » All in favor indicate by saying I. >> All right. So that is approved. I've got

[2:24:48] a few more actions. So I'll entertain a motion to adjust David Madden's county

[2:24:51] manager salary to $232,000 effective September the 1st, 2026.

[2:24:57] » So moved. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner

[2:25:00] Carpenter. Any further discussion? All in favor indicates by saying I.

[2:25:05] » I. opposed. All right. I'll entertain a motion to

[2:25:09] approve and adopt David's contract as presented.

[2:25:13] » So moved. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner

[2:25:15] Carpenter. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor indicate by

[2:25:20] saying I. >> I.

[2:25:22] » Opposed. All right. I'll entertain a motion to

[2:25:25] adjust Megan Gilbert County Attorney's salary to $189,000 flat.

[2:25:30] » So moved. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner

[2:25:33] Carpenter. Any further discussion hearing? None. All in favor indicate by

[2:25:39] saying I. >> I.

[2:25:40] » Opposed. All right, that passes and I'll

[2:25:43] entertain a motion to improve Megan's employment contract as presented.

[2:25:49] » So moved. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner

[2:25:51] Patton. Any further discussion?

[2:25:55] Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I.

[2:25:58] » I. >> That is approved. All right. With

[2:26:01] there's nothing else left to do, I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. I make a

[2:26:04] motion to adjurnn. >> Motion by Commissioner Carpenter. Any

[2:26:08] further discussion hearing? None. All in favor indicate by

[2:26:12] saying I. >> Opposed.

[2:26:14] » We are journed.

BOC Meeting August 17, 2026

Transcript