With the recent completion of improvements at Bethlehem Park, county leaders and staff are discussing other parks and recreation needs. At Monday night’s meeting, the Alexander County Board of Commissioners heard a report from Recreation Director Jon Presnell and Public Works & Facilities Director Josh Mitchell.
Presnell said the department offers three athletic seasons in the fall, winter, and spring. In the fall of 2024, there were approximately 800 participants on 67 teams. In the winter, there were 75 basketball teams. This spring, there are 92 teams and 1,100 participants in baseball, softball, and soccer.
“Our participation numbers have been rising, which means increased usage at our local parks,” said Presnell. “Bethlehem Park turned out great. We’ve received a lot of positive feedback, but folks in other areas of the county are inquiring about improvements at other parks, too.”
Mitchell said he was asked to provide information about improvements at East Alexander Park. This 35-acre park was constructed in the mid-1980s and currently has three baseball fields, one soccer/football field, and a concession building. If commissioners decide to proceed with the upgrade at East Park, Mitchell said he would recommend a new concession/restroom building, a new playground, two additional soccer fields, lengthening one baseball field, additional parking, updated lighting, new fencing and backstops, a walking trail around the park’s perimeter, concrete walkways, and new restrooms at the lower field.
To help determine the cost and scope of the project, Mitchell said the county would need to do a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for an engineering firm. He estimated the cost of the engineering services at $50,000 to $100,000.
Commissioner Ronnie Reese asked about the condition of other county parks. Presnell said Dusty Ridge Park and Jaycee Park need some attention, but he believes East Alexander Park has the most needs at this time.
“Enhancing parks and recreation across Alexander County is a top priority, and we know East Alexander Park has a lot of users as well as needs,” said Chairman Marty Pennell. “Investing in this popular park would not only provide more opportunities for our families and youth, but also strengthen our sense of community and pride in the eastern part of the county.”
In other business:
• Fire Chiefs were invited to speak at the meeting to discuss their budget requests and needs for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Most of the eight volunteer fire departments requested a budget increase from the county’s general fund or an increase in their fire tax rate.
Chief Ashley Starnes with Bethlehem Community Fire & Rescue spoke first. The department had a total of 695 calls in 2024. They are planning a second fire station on Satellite Road, at a cost of $2.5 to $3 million. A minimum 8-inch water line is required to serve the new station, with an estimated cost of $125,000. Staffing for the new station will include $58,240 a year for one day shift and $34,944 a year for one night shift. They are also planning to purchase a new pumper/tanker at a cost of $967,649. The department requested a 1.7-cent fire tax rate increase.
Chief Donovan Howell with the Ellendale Volunteer Fire Department said they have 39 members, serving approximately 50 square miles. Their front-line engine is about 20 years old, and Howell said the department needs to be proactively saving for a replacement truck. He also said they want to establish a secondary station to improve fire insurance rates for citizens. Since 2024, the department has started saving $10,000 annually for a future station and $20,000 for equipment. Since 2018, the department has had a baseline salary of $60,000 funded by the county, with two personnel on duty from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. With rising costs and competitive recruitment, the department is asking for a budget increase of $15,000.
Chief Scott Mitchell with the Hiddenite Volunteer Fire Department said they have 35 volunteers and staff, with three personnel on duty from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, two of whom are funded by the county. The department had a total of 546 calls in 2024. Their newest engine is a 2008 model. In total, the department has four engines, one ladder truck, two brush trucks, three utility vehicles, and one air supply trailer. The department requested a $15,000 increase, or a 1-cent fire tax rate increase.
Chief Josh Chapman of the Sugar Loaf Volunteer Fire Department said they have 21 members, with four part-time paid personnel who are primarily funded by the county. He said the rising equipment costs and competitive salaries make operating the fire department a difficult situation without additional funding. Their newest engine is a 2009 model. The department requested a 3-cent fire tax rate increase.
Chief Matt Jordan with Taylorsville/Central Alexander Fire Department said they have 40 volunteer members, a part-time fire chief, and 10 part-time staff members. He said an increase in funding for staffing is their biggest priority in the short term. The department received 1,003 calls in 2024. Jordan said the department would like to expand its paid staff to 24/7 and begin to plan for full-time positions. The department requested a 3-cent fire tax rate increase.
Chief Coty Fox of the Vashti Volunteer Fire Department said staffing continues to be difficult on limited funds, with someone on duty every day except Sunday. The department has four engines, one tanker, one wet heavy rescue truck, and a brush truck. Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area is in their service area. They are currently in the process of obtaining property for a second fire station. The department requested a $21,050 funding increase, or a 1.5-cent fire tax rate increase.
Commissioners will hold a budget work session on Monday, May 12, at 6:00 p.m. at the County Administration Building, during which time they will discuss the fire departments’ requests.
• Commissioners approved a resolution to authorize the retirement of Alexander County Sheriff’s Office canine “Otter.” The resolution also authorized the sale of Otter to his handler, Dylan Adams, along with all associated supplies and equipment, for $1. Sheriff Chad Pennell said the canine has located more than 100 people during its career.
• Commissioners approved a text amendment to the county’s Land Development Code. Senior Planner Patrick Creech presented the proposed amendment regarding the addition of an alternate member to the Alexander County Planning Board who will vote in the absence of another member. Creech noted an absence is considered a “no” vote, and the alternate member could assist in that situation.
• Commissioners approved a resolution opposing NC House Bill 765, “An Act to Reform Local Government Development Regulations.” County Attorney Ben Faulkenberry said the bill was introduced in the 2025 legislative session to enact sweeping changes affecting local government planning, zoning, and development regulations. He said the bill, if passed, would harm the county’s ability to regulate development based on citizen input and direction, and place a burden on county staff. The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) is asking county governments to oppose the bill.
• Commissioners approved two budget amendments and a project budget ordinance. The first amendment results in a net increase of $41,050 in general fund expenditures and $8,325 in solid waste fund expenditures to budget for NC Emergency Management Deployment Grant funds, to transfer $5,000 to the American 250 NC project, and to transfer FEMA grant funds for cost of grinding storm debris from Hurricane Helene. The second amendment, which is a “book entry” required for financial presentation, results in a net increase of $125,000 in Opioid Settlement Fund expenditures to increase the Opioid Settlement Fund budget due to the requirements of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 96. The project budget ordinance appropriates $15,000 for the America 250 NC project in Alexander County, which includes a $10,000 grant from the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
• Faulkenberry provided updates on some county projects. The ARPA water line extension project began on Monday, May 5, on McAlpin Lane. The expansion at EMS Station #1 is underway. Zirrus received a $3,305,768 Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) grant from the NC Department of Information Technology to provide high-speed internet service to 394 homes and businesses in eastern Alexander County. A ribbon cutting will be held on Friday, May 9, at 10:00 a.m. to celebrate the reopening of Bethlehem Park. The 2025 Summer Concert Series kicks off on Saturday, May 10, at 7:00 p.m. at Alexander County Courthouse Park.
The Alexander County Board of Commissioners will hold a budget work session on Monday, May 12, at 6:00 p.m. in the County Administration Building conference room. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 19, 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.