The Alexander County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution regarding multi-campus funding for the Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) Alexander Campus at the September 9th meeting.
The resolution will support CVCC’s application to the State Board of Community Colleges for a multi-campus designation that would result in approximately $600,000 annually being allocated to the college to support the expansion of programming, staffing, and facilities.
“We are excited about the future possibilities of expanding programming to meet the needs of all Alexander County residents and tonight’s resolution by the Alexander County Board of Commissioners was a critical step forward as we pursue a multi-campus designation for our Alexander Campus,” said Dr. Garrett Hinshaw, CVCC President. “We are so grateful for the partnership that we have established over the years with the county staff and Board of Commissioners in Alexander County, and look forward to strengthening our presence in the near future.”
CVCC’s offerings in Alexander County have steadily increased over the years with higher levels of enrollment and credentials being achieved at the center.
Commissioner Marty Pennell presented the resolution. “We are highly appreciative that CVCC continues to support our area,” said Pennell. “The trades are extremely valuable, and we have a lot of Alexander County students enrolled. As a board, we are proud to work with CVCC to help them further their goals of enhanced offerings and increased enrollment.”
Josh Lail, Commission Chairman, said the county enjoys a strong relationship with CVCC.
“We’re all very appreciative of our partnership with CVCC, and we hope this resolution provides the necessary support to encourage the state to provide multi-campus funding,” said Lail. “The Alexander Early College [housed at the CVCC Alexander Campus] was definitely a benefit to my oldest daughter, so I have seen firsthand the benefits that CVCC and the school system provide to our students and families.”
The resolution states that the CVCC Alexander Campus has shown consistent growth in student enrollment, program offerings, and community engagement, serving as a vital resource for local students seeking accessible, high-quality education close to home. The attainment of multi-campus center status for the CVCC Alexander Campus will enhance its ability to receive critical funding, expand its educational programs, improve facilities, and further integrate with the needs of the local community and economy.
In other business:
• A large crowd was in attendance for the monthly public comment period, for which two people signed up to speak. The speakers expressed their concerns about the proposed housing development off Bowman Court and Rink Dam Road regarding traffic, infrastructure, and more. A public hearing to consider the rezoning request from developer Taylor Morrison will be held at the Monday, October 7th meeting. To accommodate the many citizens who are anticipated to attend, the meeting will be held at the Alexander Central Auditorium at 6:00 p.m.
• Connie Kincaid, Business Development Manager and Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) staff liaison, announced that the Downtown Taylorsville Historic District has been 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. Kincaid noted that this is the first National Register Historic District in the county.
“The Historic Preservation Commission has dedicated a lot of time and effort to establish the Downtown Taylorsville Historic District,” said Chairman Lail. “We appreciate what you’ve done and what you’re doing to preserve the character of our community.”
In November 2022, the Alexander County HPC began working with ACME Preservation Services, which was hired to conduct the research required for the Downtown Taylorsville Historic District to be nominated for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Commissioners approved a rezoning request from H&E Estates LLC for 1.79 acres off Old Landfill Road. The applicant requested the property be rezoned from Residential District Two (R2) to Residential District Two Rural (R2R) for the purpose of building three housing units.
• Commissioners approved a resolution to allow the Alexander County Department of Social Services to apply for the 5310 Public Transportation Program Grant in the amount of $155,674 for fiscal year 2025-2026. David Moose, Consolidated Human Services Director, said the county applies for this grant program each year to provide transportation services for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.
• Commissioners approved a budget amendment for $21,008 to increase the Public Buildings budget to maintain operational security for public works functions.
Consolidated Human Services Board meeting
Following the regular meeting, commissioners convened the quarterly meeting of the Alexander County Consolidated Human Services Board.
• Billie Walker, Health Director, presented a public health update. She said the department is fully staffed except for a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the Behavioral Health program and a School-Based Dental Coordinator (temporary position). Walker said the accreditation process is going well, with March 1, 2026, beginning the 90-day notification period.
Emily Vick, Communicable Disease Nurse, presented the annual communicable disease report based on 2023 data. She said prevention and control of communicable disease is one of the most important functions of public health. For 2023, chlamydia (67 cases) and gonorrhea (17 cases) were the most prevalent in Alexander County and the state. Salmonella is the most reported food-borne communicable disease. No cases of Monkey Pox or H5N1 bird flu have been reported in Alexander County. Vick said flu vaccine for all ages will be available at the health department, with drive-thru flu shot clinics on the first two Fridays in October.
• David Moose, Consolidated Human Services Director, presented the senior center report. Bingo and birthday lunches fill up quickly each month. The center continues to offer evidence-based classes such as “A Matter of Balance” and “Tai Chi,” as well as a musician’s jam on YouTube Live on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. and a new “Cardio Drumming” class. The center will host a health fair on September 20 from 10:00 to 12:00 at East Taylorsville Baptist Church. Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7. For 2023, Medicare drug plan savings totaled $1,316,652, with savings of $153,603 from January through July 2024. The center’s average daily attendance for May through July 2024 has increased almost 54 percent when compared to the same time last year.
• Keri Jerrell, DSS Director, presented the social services update. She said the DSS vacancy rate is 13 percent for the past month, but they are still hiring qualified applicants for Child Welfare and Economic Services positions. Jerrell said steps have been taken to address the issue of staff turnover, which is a problem for almost all DSS agencies. There are currently 57 children in foster care, with 15 foster homes. There were no adoptions from February through July 2024. There are 12 wards in Adult Protective Services.
The next meeting of the Alexander County Board of Commissioners is set for Monday, October 7 at 6:00 p.m. at the Alexander Central Auditorium. 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.