Since the approval of the Alexander County Land Development Code in May 2024, county staff has been fielding requests from citizens who wish to change the zoning of their property. According to Alexander County Senior Planner Patrick Creech, NC General Statutes allow a large-scale zoning map amendment once 50 requests have been received.
At the April 7th meeting, the Alexander County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing to discuss the county-initiated rezoning case. A total of 67 parcels were submitted for rezoning, most of which involved allowing a singlewide mobile home on the properties.
Creech said the Alexander County Planning Board considered each request and recommended approval.
No one spoke in opposition during the public hearing. Commissioners approved the county-initiated rezoning case.
In other business:
• Creech also presented information about an NCDOT Multimodal Planning Grant that the county recently received. The grant will fund the development of a comprehensive Multimodal Network Plan that will establish a clear strategy for enhancing transportation for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. He said there will be surveys and other feedback methods to gather input from the public. To help develop the plan, a 12-person steering committee is being established with representatives from across the county. Those interested in serving on the committee should send an email to pcreech@alexandercountync.gov.
• County Attorney Ben Faulkenberry presented four proposals that were received for a broker/agent for the county’s property and liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. Members of the senior management team reviewed each proposal and ranked them according to services, local government experience, fees, and more. Commissioner Larry Yoder made a motion to select Surry Insurance, but the motion died due to lack of a second. Commissioner Ronnie Reese said he believes it’s almost too late to change brokers/agents this year, and made a motion to stay with Hiller-Ringeman. Chairman Marty Pennell agreed and asked staff to bring proposals before the board in early 2026. The board voted 3-1 in favor of Hiller-Ringeman, with Commissioner Yoder opposed.
• Commissioners approved three budget amendments as presented by Mr. Faulkenberry. The first amendment results in a net increase of $59,663 in the general fund and budgets for Catawba Valley Community Foundation grant funds for Alexander County Emergency Management, FEMA grant funds for Emergency Management, and insurance rebate funds for Human Resources. The second amendment increases general fund expenditures by $33,758 and budgets for federal grant funds for the health department, rental assistance funding allocations from the state for DSS, and a Library Services & Technology Act scholarship grant and state fiscal recovery funds for the library. The third amendment budgets for a $365,000 interfund transfer from the County Water & Sewer Fund to the Bowman Court Sewer Pump Station Project Fund.
• The Alexander County Household Hazardous Waste and Document Destruction Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the parking lot of the County Administration Building. The service is free for Alexander County citizens and farmers. Learn more here.
• Commissioners heard a report from Zack Shepherd, Community Relations Regional Director for Vaya Health. Vaya Total Care is a tailored plan for Medicaid recipients in which Vaya Health is responsible for health, behavioral health, and pharmacy care for adult and youth plan members. There is also a Vaya Total Care Perks for Plan Members, which are designed to support members with a variety of health and well-being services beyond the regular scope. The Healthy Opportunities Pilot can also provide additional support for eligible members in areas such as housing, food, transportation, and more. Shepherd said there is a “Hope 4 NC” grant program that funds mental health assistance and training activities in areas affected by Hurricane Helene. If you live in Alexander County and need mental health assistance, please visit www.vayahealth.com.
• During the public comment period, Tennille Baker expressed her opposition to the proposed incorporation of the Bethlehem community. As a business owner, educator, and lifelong citizen, she believes incorporation would include more taxes, fees, and red tape. Mrs. Baker said the county should take a stance on the incorporation issue or at least endorse a referendum to allow the citizens of Bethlehem to vote on the matter.
Paul Kelly encouraged commissioners to participate in the Special Children Adoption Incentive Fund (SCAIF), which is designed to promote permanent placements for hard-to-place foster children who are eligible for adoption. Mr. Kelly said that he and his wife adopted an 8-year-old boy from Alexander County who has special needs. He estimates their income has been reduced by 30 percent as they must spend extra time with their son to meet his needs. The SCAIF program would help with additional funding for families that adopt special-needs children.
The Alexander County Board of Commissioners will hold a budget work session on Monday, April 21, in the County Administration Building conference room. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 5, at 6:00 p.m. at the CVCC Alexander Center for Education (room #103). Regular meetings are recorded and can be viewed on the county’s Government Channel on Spectrum channel 192 or the county’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/alexandercountync. Meeting agendas, minutes, videos, and more are available on the county’s website at https://alexandercountync.gov/commissioners.