Alexander County experienced another year of progress and success in 2024. The year was filled with milestones that continue to move the county forward.
“As we reflect on 2024, this has been a year of progress and growth for Alexander County, and we have achieved a lot by working together for our community,” said Marty Pennell, Chairman of the Alexander County Board of Commissioners. “As we look forward to 2025, I am optimistic about the future of our great county as we continue working to improve the quality of life for our citizens.”
JANUARY
County Manager Shane Fox provided updates on numerous projects, including Wittenburg Access Area, Bethlehem Park, Bowman Court sewer project, Bethlehem water tank, water line project, and fire training facility.
In response to the challenges posed by drug addiction and the alarming rise in overdose incidents, Alexander County established the Post-Overdose Response Team (PORT) and Community Paramedic program. Shannon Childers, who has worked with Alexander County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for the past seven years, was named the PORT/Community Paramedic in October 2023. Since that time, he has provided “boots on the ground” support for overdose victims and their families.
FEBRUARY
Commissioners approved bids for the Bethlehem Park improvement project at the February 5th meeting. The total project cost is $2,355,000. The project is funded by $750,000 of state-appropriated money and $1,605,000 of article 44 sales tax money, with no local general fund tax dollars used.
Commissioners approved bids for the Alexander Industrial Park Sewer Extension Project. The project consists of 2,400 linear feet of 8-inch gravity sewer line on a 16-acre graded site. The total project cost is $452,330, funded by a $226,165 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission and a $226,165 grant from the NC Department of Environmental Quality, with no local tax dollars being used.
MARCH
During a closed session of the March 4th meeting, County Manager Shane Fox announced his resignation. Fox, who began duties in Alexander County on June 8, 2023, stated personal reasons for his resignation. He will serve a 60-day notice to complete the 2024-2025 budget process and to allow the county time to find an interim manager. Fox returned to serve as Town Manager in Blowing Rock, where he served for four years prior to his service in Alexander County.
At a special called meeting on March 21, commissioners appointed Ben Faulkenberry as Interim County Manager. The board met in closed session to discuss possible candidates for the position following Shane Fox’s resignation.
The county announced the 2024 Summer Concert Series on the Rotary Performance Stage at Alexander County Courthouse Park in downtown Taylorsville. The May 11th concert featured “Alabama Sunset,” the June 1st concert featured southern gospel favorite “The Whisnants,” the July 20th concert featured “The Extraordinaires” as part of an Independence Celebration, the September 14th concert featured “All My Rowdy Friends,” a Hank Williams Jr. tribute, and the September 28th concert featured “Tribute – A Celebration of The Allman Brothers Band.”
The Alexander County Board of Commissioners participated in a joint meeting with the Alexander County Board of Education on March 28 to discuss the 2024-2025 school system budget, which includes budget cuts to address a $1.5 million shortfall.
APRIL
Commissioners approved the 2045 Alexander County Comprehensive Plan as presented at the April 8th meeting. They were also presented a draft copy of the Land Development Code. The county must have a comprehensive plan to enforce zoning.
Alexander County EMS Director Jeffery Sigmon announced that local paramedics with the department can now administer whole blood to traumatically injured patients. Trauma is the leading cause of death for individuals up to the age of 45 years in the United States. Uncontrolled hemorrhage remains the number one cause of preventable death, according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma. EMS staff have been working on getting the whole blood capability in place for EMS since July 2022.
The proposed 2024-2025 county budget was presented to the Alexander County Board of Commissioners at a work session held on April 29. A highlight of the proposed budget is a two-cent property tax rate decrease, which would lower the tax rate to 65 cents per $100 of valuation if approved.
MAY
DSS Director
The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office unveiled a new mobile app, available for download on Apple and Android. The app provides news and weather updates, detention center inmates, most wanted, sex offenders, anonymous “submit a tip,” and more.
Keri Jerrell was promoted to the position of Director of Social Services, effective May 27. She has worked for Alexander County DSS for more than five years, serving as Program Manager for Adult Protective Services and Child Protective Services since April 2020. Before working for Alexander County DSS, she was a Family In-Home Intervention Social Worker in Mecklenburg County. Jerrell has worked in the social services field for more than 18 years, preceded by years of service in mental health and public health. A “meet and greet” was scheduled for May 30.
The grand opening of the new Wittenburg Access Area Swim Beach was held on May 24. Alexander County Commissioners and Duke Energy officials offered remarks to officially open the new swim beach and associated amenities. The revamped Wittenburg Access Area, located at 175 Wildlife Access Road in Bethlehem, now features a swim beach, outdoor showers, a changing area, restrooms, concessions, a park office, picnic shelters, a fishing pier, boat access, nature trail, and more.
The Alexander County Board of Elections was named one of only 32 programs nationwide to earn a Clearinghouse Award from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC). Also known as the “Clearies,” the awards program celebrates the hard work of election offices nationwide for programs in 2023. The Alexander County Board of Elections was an award winner in the Distinguished Voter Education and Communication Initiatives (small/medium jurisdiction) category with its “Inside Election Administration Article Series.”
JUNE
The Alexander County Board of Commissioners adopted the 2024-2025 budget at the June 3rd meeting. The new budget includes a two-cent property tax decrease, which will reduce the property tax rate to 65 cents per $100 valuation. The 2024-2025 general fund budget totals $56,616,494, a 2 percent decrease compared to the current year’s budget. The new budget includes a 5 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) for all county employees, a continued focus on public safety, capital projects, additional school funding, and more.
Commissioners approved a resolution to oppose the City of Charlotte’s interbasin transfer request from the Catawba River Basin. The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission approved an interbasin transfer for Charlotte in 2002 for 33 million gallons per day and for Concord and Kannapolis in 2007 for 10 million gallons per day, and is currently reviewing Charlotte’s request for an additional 30 million gallons per day. Alexander County and surrounding counties and municipalities are primarily concerned that the proposed transfer would limit the amount of water available to support growth in the area.
Alexander County Manager
The 10th Annual Vertical Mile Challenge Trail Race attracted almost 160 runners from across North Carolina and beyond on June 22 at Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area. There were 82 runners who completed the full VMC (8 laps, 16 miles) and 63 runners who completed the half VMC (4 laps, 8 miles).
Following an extensive search and interview process, the Alexander County Board of Commissioners selected William “Todd” Herms to serve as the new County Manager, effective August 12. Herms’ appointment was formally announced at a special meeting on June 26. Herms has 18 years of experience as a municipal manager in North Carolina, having served as the Town Manager for Maiden since July 2008 and the Town Manager for Badin from 2006-2008.
JULY
Commissioners approved a resolution to join the Kroger opioid settlement, which would result in an additional $40 million in settlement funds across the state. Alexander County will receive a total of $174,000 to be distributed over several years to help battle the opioid epidemic locally.
Commissioners received an update about the 16 West Main Avenue Project, which involves rehabilitating the county-owned 1919 building in downtown Taylorsville. Commissioners awarded the project to HALCO Contractors, which submitted a bid of $586,876. The project, funded by state and federal grants, includes commercial/office space on the ground floor, two one-bedroom apartments on the second floor, and storage space in the basement area.
Commissioners approved an amendment to the Sterling Road Community Development Block Grant project. The amendment adds $673,596 to the project budget to adjust for higher-than-anticipated cost estimates and the need to pave 379 additional linear feet of roadway. The project will utilize $1,318,640 in CDBG funds to rehabilitate homes and make street improvements on Sterling Road.
AUGUST
The Duke Energy Foundation announced that $50,000 in new funding will be available for Alexander County businesses through a grant awarded to the Alexander County Economic Development Corporation. The foundation awarded a total of $700,000 to community development organizations across North Carolina. The one-time Business and Workforce Support Grant administered by ACEDC will help small businesses and childcare centers in Alexander County thrive in the post-pandemic economic environment.
The NC State Board of Elections approved a petition from the Alexander County Board of Elections to modify the early voting plan for the 2024 general election. The modified plan moves early voting from the Alexander Senior Center to the CVCC Alexander Applied Technologies Center.
SEPTEMBER
Commissioners passed a resolution regarding multi-campus funding for the Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) Alexander Campus at the September 9th meeting. The resolution supports CVCC’s application to the State Board of Community Colleges for a multi-campus designation that would result in approximately $600,000 being allocated annually to the college to support the expansion of programming, staffing, and facilities.
A large crowd was in attendance for the monthly public comment period at the September 9th meeting. The speakers expressed their concerns about the proposed housing development off Bowman Court and Rink Dam Road. A public hearing to consider the rezoning request from developer Taylor Morrison will be held at the October 7th meeting at the Alexander Central Auditorium to accommodate the many citizens who are anticipated to attend.
The Downtown Taylorsville Historic District was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 10-acre district includes seven blocks north and east of the Alexander County Courthouse. The district includes 33 properties, 65 postal addresses, and 171,250 square feet of commercial and residential space with a total assessed tax value of $7,261,443. This is the first National Register Historic District in the county.
Christopher Platé was hired to serve as interim Economic Development Director. Platé is a seasoned economic development leader with nearly 30 years of experience, driving economic growth through strategic industrial and commercial recruitment at the county level in both North and South Carolina.
Alexander County declared a State of Emergency in preparation for the effects of Hurricane Helene. At the height of the storm on September 27, approximately 58 percent (11,300) of Alexander County homes were without electricity, and 174 roadways were compromised with downed trees and power lines. The Oxford Dam bridge was closed due to the volume of water being moved through the dam. That same day, Alexander County 9-1-1 Communications processed 190 emergency calls and 1,559 other calls while dispatching 580 calls for assistance. Eighteen (18) structures were damaged during the storm. Alexander County and the Town of Taylorsville issued a voluntary curfew from September 27 at 7:00 p.m. to September 28 at 8:00 a.m. Alexander County Government expressed appreciation to the many agencies involved in emergency response and recovery.
OCTOBER
The three new leaders in Alexander County were interviewed for a feature article, including Alexander County Manager Todd Herms, Taylorsville Town Manager Nathan Hester, and Alexander County Schools Superintendent Dr. Bill Griffin. The leaders shared their challenges, goals, priorities, and visions, while striving to work together for the betterment of the community.
Approximately 150 people were in attendance at the Alexander Central Auditorium on October 7 as the Alexander County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing regarding a rezoning request for a housing development in Bethlehem. About 20 people spoke during the public hearing to express their concerns about the proposed development off Bowman Court and Rink Dam Road. The developer, Taylor Morrison, requested that 213.55 acres on Bowman Court be rezoned from R-1 to R-1 CD as part of a planned development conditional rezoning to lower the building separation for townhomes from 30 feet to 20 feet. Following the public hearing, commissioners voted 4-0 in favor of the rezoning request.
Commissioners awarded a contract for the Paragon Films rail project to Keith Benfield Contractors, which submitted the low bid of $408,688. The 763-foot-long rail spur project is partially funded by a $222,375 Community Development Block Grant for Economic Development from NC Commerce.
Alexander County participated in Operation Green Light for Veterans again in 2024. The county administration building, services center, and courthouse park were illuminated in green from November 4-11. The mission is to show support for veterans of all military conflicts, as well as raise awareness about the unique challenges that many veterans face and available resources at the county, state, and federal levels to assist veterans and their families.
NOVEMBER
Commissioners approved a bid for the Bethlehem water tank project at their November 4th meeting. The board awarded the project to Locke-Lane Construction of Stony Point, which submitted the low bid of $4,758,200. The total project cost is $6,813,600, which includes a 750,000-gallon elevated water tank, 1,110 linear feet of water lines, a future pump station, planning and design, and engineering, The majority of the project will be funded by state grants totaling $4,648,248. A hydraulic study was performed on the Bethlehem water system in 2021, which showed that the system required additional water pressure – a problem that could be solved by installing an elevated water tank.
The Alexander County Christmas Parade Committee selected Mrs. Brenda Price as the 2024 Grand Marshal. Since 1982, Mrs. Price has served as a licensed foster parent to more than 200 children. In 2023, the Alexander County Board of Commissioners presented her a “Key to the County.” The 77th annual parade was held on December 7 at 3:00 p.m.
DECEMBER
Commissioners heard a favorable audit report for fiscal year 2023-2024 from Martin Starnes & Associates CPAs at the December 2nd meeting. The firm issued an “unmodified opinion,” which means they found no material misstatements that led them to believe the financial statements would be misleading to the reader. General Fund revenues were comprised of property taxes at 49 percent, local option sales tax at 26 percent, and restricted intergovernmental (federal and state grants) at 11 percent. In terms of General Fund expenditures, the four largest areas include public safety (34 percent), human services (25 percent), general government (17 percent), and education (16 percent). General Fund debt balance as of June 30, 2024, totaled $1,317,000 (law enforcement and detention center) which will be paid off in 2026. Available fund balance increased by $857,199, which brings the county’s fund balance percentage to 40.22 percent of total General Fund expenditures and transfers, for a total available fund balance of $21,535,929.
Commissioners adopted the new Alexander County Economic Development Incentive Grant Program guidelines. Existing businesses can qualify for grants with a minimum investment of $500,000, while new companies must invest at least $2 million to be eligible. All grants will have a five-year term which aligns with the time companies typically need to offset the financial impact of their investment. The program represents a strategic approach to fostering economic growth, retaining existing businesses, and attracting significant new investment to Alexander County.
Commissioners approved an economic development incentive grant for Piedmont Composites and Tooling. The Alexander County Economic Development Department began discussions with the local company in October 2024. The project includes approximately $7,500,000 in capital investment and is anticipated to create 6-10 new jobs. The Level 2 Economic Development Incentive Grant in an amount not to exceed $170,625 over a five-year period would begin in 2027. The project is contingent upon receiving grants from the State of North Carolina.
“Last year was a great year for Alexander County, marked by progress and achievements that strengthened our community,” said Chairman Pennell. “As we move into 2025, I am confident that our momentum will lead to even greater success and opportunities for our residents. The future of Alexander County is bright.”
Learn more about Alexander County at https://alexandercountync.gov and https://visitalexandernc.com.