Alexander County Manager Justin Mundy presented the recommended 2026-2027 budget at the June 1 meeting of the Alexander County Board of Commissioners. Following discussion of the budget proposal, a majority of the board voted to direct the county manager to prepare an updated budget that includes a 5-cent reduction in the current property tax rate, lowering the rate to 60 cents per $100 of valuation.
The recommended budget totals $62,798,329. Major general fund expenditure categories include public safety at $20,971,975 (33 percent), human services at $13,819,973 (22 percent), general government at $9,858,205 (16 percent), and education at $8,900,361 (14 percent). Major general fund revenue categories include property taxes at $26,867,346 (43 percent), sales taxes at $14,766,000 (23 percent), fund balance appropriated at $6,136,231 (10 percent), sales and services at $5,886,933 (9 percent), and state grants at $3,529,732 (6 percent). The county’s general fund remains debt-free; however, water and sewer fund debt service for FY 26-27 totals $934,000.
Major capital outlay items included in the recommended budget are the EMS Station #2 project ($341,243), courthouse chiller replacement ($200,000), four vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office ($191,732), paving and HVAC replacement at the CVCC Alexander Center ($190,000), various departmental vehicle replacements ($168,000), buildings and grounds improvements ($146,000), and animal services renovations and a spay/neuter clinic ($100,000).
“We’ve discussed this budget for many hours, ensuring it is both realistic and fiscally sound,” said Chairman Larry Yoder. “Our county manager has worked diligently with department heads and the Board of Commissioners to identify the county’s needs and priorities. Overall, I think the county is in outstanding shape.”
The county manager’s recommended budget included a 2-cent reduction in the property tax rate; however, Commissioner Marty Pennell said he believes the county should provide more of a tax break and recommended a 5-cent rate cut, which would be equal to about $100 in savings on a $200,000 home. Following discussion, the board requested an updated budget reflecting a 5-cent reduction.
The Board of Commissioners will hold a final budget work session on Monday, June 8, at 5:30 p.m. in the county administration building. The budget is expected to be adopted at the board’s June 15 meeting.
In other business:
• Shannon Childers, Alexander County Post-Overdose Response Team (PORT) Community Paramedic, provided a program update to the board. The program’s goal is to help residents address substance use and mental health challenges by connecting them with the resources and support needed to improve their quality of life.
The PORT/Community Paramedic Program was established in 2023 utilizing Opioid Settlement Funds. The current team consists of two community paramedics, one full-time peer support specialist, one part-time peer support specialist, and three volunteers. Childers said the program’s success has been the result of strong collaboration among county government agencies, private organizations, and nonprofit partners.
Since the beginning of the program, Childers reported that overdoses in Alexander County have decreased by 48 percent, while overdose-related deaths have declined by 71 percent. He also noted that fentanyl use has decreased by 70 percent in the county. Alcohol and prescription medications are now the two most commonly encountered substances.
He said the PORT team has also established a new coalition called SUPPORT (Substance Use Prevention Post-Overdose Response Team), bringing together area mental health providers and nonprofit organizations to identify gaps in services, strengthen partnerships, and develop programs that support recovery.
Childers said Alexander County is planning for a drug treatment court, a local reentry council, and additional early intervention and wellness initiatives designed to assist individuals struggling with substance use disorders and mental health challenges.
David Moose, Consolidated Human Services Director, presented a resolution to direct Opioid Settlement Funds spending for fiscal year 2026-2027. The resolution authorizes $431,090 to continue funding the PORT Program through June 30, 2027, and $15,000 for harm reduction vending machines. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolution.
• Commissioners approved the Walk & Bike Alexander County Multimodal Transportation Plan. The plan was presented by Patrick Creech, Alexander County Planning Director, and Kenny Armstrong with McAdams, the consulting firm that guided the county through the planning process.
Creech said the plan serves as a long-range guide for improving transportation options for pedestrians and bicyclists throughout Alexander County. Development of the plan included over one year of research, public input, and coordination with community partners.
Armstrong explained that a transportation plan is important as it helps position the county for future funding opportunities through the North Carolina Department of Transportation. NCDOT projects look to local plans to determine the needs and priorities of the community.
The plan, which can be read at https://alexandercountync.gov/wp-content/uploads/pdf/planning/walk-and-bike-alexandercounty_draft.pdf, makes a number of recommendations to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety and increase multimodal connections, including expanded sidewalks, safer intersections, greenways, and areas where roadway shoulders could be widened to better accommodate bicyclists.
The plan also identifies six priority projects, including NC Highway 16 South sidewalks, Liledoun Road sidewalks, a connector from Bethlehem Park to Bethlehem School, a connector from Stony Point School to the community, NC Highway 90 sidewalks from the golf course to downtown Taylorsville, and 7th Street SW sidewalks.
Implementation of the plan will be a long-term effort involving Alexander County, Town of Taylorsville, NCDOT, and other partners as funding opportunities become available.
• Commissioners approved a rezoning request as presented by County Planner Amy Bucknum. The request was submitted by Jeremy Simpson, owner of Southern Rentals LLC, for a 3.65-acre parcel located at 2000 NC Hwy. 16 North. Simpson requested the property be rezoned from R2R (Residential District 2 Rural) to MU (Mixed Use) to allow the addition of a small retail store. Bucknum said the rezoning is consistent with the Alexander County Comprehensive Plan. The planning board recommended approval of the rezoning request.
• Alexander County Public Information Officer Gary Herman received the North Carolina City & County Communicators (NC3C) Chris Coulson Lifetime Achievement Award. NC3C President Adam Gaub and Past Presidents Annette Privette Keller and Dana Kaminske formally presented the award at Monday night’s meeting. The award recognizes communicators whose service, leadership, and commitment to excellence have made a lasting impact on local government communications throughout North Carolina.
• Commissioners approved three budget amendments as presented by the county manager.
The first amendment increases the health department budget for grant funds, and increases the library budget for grants and donations.
The second amendment budgets for the close-out of the Bethlehem Park capital project and transfers the remaining general fund contribution back to the Article 44*524 sales tax cash account.
The third amendment budgets for the close-out of the project fund for the 2023 State Appropriations Act – Directed Grants to Local Governments and transfers remaining local funds back to the general fund.
• During the public comment period, Dennis Cain of GreenLea Circle in Bethlehem expressed his concerns about noise coming from the construction project off Rink Dam Road. The Alexander County noise ordinance doesn’t allow operation of construction equipment between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Mr. Cain said he has heard construction noise as early as 6:20 a.m. County staff will investigate the matter.
Clerk to the Board Jamie Starnes read a letter submitted by Patrick Wike for the public comment period. Wike provided some thoughts on ways to enhance the budget process.
• Commissioners approved the consent agenda as presented by the county manager, including: tax abatements and adjustments of $11,851.39 and tax refunds of $1,443.86; minutes from the May 12 meeting; appointments to the planning board; line-item transfer report for May; resolution to approve the Contract Signature & Delegation Authority Policy; and the Home & Community Care Block Grant for FY 2026-27.
Consolidated Human Services Board meeting
Following the regular meeting, commissioners convened the quarterly meeting of the Consolidated Human Services Board.
• Billie Walker, Health Director, said the health department has advisory board vacancies for an optometrist, a nurse, and a dentist. Staff vacancies include Administrative Assistant II, Licensed Clinical Social Worker – Behavioral Health, and Processing Assistant III – Dental.
Walker presented the annual Child Fatality Prevention Team (CFPT) report. The local team reviewed five deaths that occurred in children who resided in Alexander County in 2024. No system improvements or needed resources were identified during these reviews. The end-of-year performance report was completed and submitted to the state.
New windows were recently installed at the health annex building, which will be more energy efficient, increase comfort, and reduce noise.
Upcoming activities include Camp Med on June 2, Hygiene Education with Pre-Trial Release & Recidivism Reduction Services (RRS) on June 4, ACHS Open House Social Media Presentation on August 18, Senior Center Health Fair on September 18, County Wellness Fair on September 29, and an accreditation site visit on October 29.
• Trena Riddle, DSS Economic Services Program Administrator, provided updates on HR 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). She said able-bodied adults ages 19-64 who receive Medicaid expansion who do not meet an exemption will be required to complete 80 hours a month of activities such as employment, job training, or community service. There are 2,446 Medicaid expansion clients in Alexander County, and the new bill will require redeterminations every six months instead of every 12 months, increasing the DSS workload. HR 1 also affects the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), with county reimbursements to be reduced from 50 percent to 25 percent.
The staff vacancy rate is 7 percent for the past month, with Child Welfare and Economic Services applicants being hired.
There are 50 children in foster care, with seven children in Links and five children in the 18-21 program. One foster home is currently in the licensing process. Three adoptions have been completed. There are 14 wards in Adult Protective Services.
Staff recently competed in a food drive for the Christian Crisis Center.
• Kristy Hunt, Senior Center Director, said that assistant director Vicki Martin recently retired. Brianna Fox has been named the new assistant director, and they will hire a new activity assistant soon.
The Senior Medicare Patrol Grant was increased to $16,800 this year, allowing for shred events on March 27, May 14, and May 22. Operation Medicine Drop was part of the March 27 event, with 25 pounds of medication collected.
Hunt said the musician’s jam has continued to grow, both in person and online. Evening jams are scheduled for June 30 and July 28. The annual senior celebration was held on May 15 in conjunction with the Unifour Senior Games, with 132 participants. Upcoming events include a blood drive on June 5, an Elder Abuse Awareness Seminar on June 17, Senior Summer Sale on July 18, an NC Works Job Fair on July 31, and Ice Cream Social & Grandparents Day on August 6-7.
From January through April, Medicare drug savings totaled $220,721. Participation at the center continues to rise, with 30,589 visits as compared to 23,215 visits during the same period last year.
The next regular meeting of the Alexander County Board of Commissioners is set for Monday, June 15, 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 additional information are available on the county’s website at https://alexandercountync.gov/commissioners.