The Alexander County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Justin Mundy as the new County Manager at the November 3rd meeting.
Chairman Marty Pennell said he is very pleased with the county manager selection. “Choosing a county manager is a difficult process, as we put a lot of time, effort, and thought into this,” said Chairman Pennell. “Justin is from Alexander County, he lives in Alexander County, and he goes to church in Alexander County. I’m excited to see some fresh ideas as we work together.”
Vice Chairman Larry Yoder said he’s glad that a local resident will be leading county operations. “I’m glad we are able to hire an Alexander County native and resident with the skills and ability to do the job. Justin loves Alexander County and will do an excellent job,” said Yoder.
Commissioner Kent Herman added, “Justin is a true professional, and he knows the culture of Alexander County. I look forward to working with him.”
Commissioner Ronnie Reese said he was impressed by Mundy’s interview. “Justin is the best choice for the job. I’m really excited about him starting in his new role,” said Reese.
Commissioner Josh Lail noted the quality of the applicant pool. “We had nearly 30 applicants for the position, and I’m very pleased with where we ended up. There’s an advantage to knowing the people of Alexander County,” said Lail.
Mundy then addressed the board and the audience. “I want to thank God for this opportunity. This feels like coming home in a way, because I’ve always worked outside the county,” said Mundy. “I will not take this job lightly, and I will work hard every day to make Alexander County better.”
Following remarks, Mundy posed for photos with his family and commissioners.
Read the official County Manager announcement at https://bit.ly/mundy-county-manager.
In other business:
• Commissioners approved a rezoning request as presented by Planning Director Patrick Creech. Heather and John Dillow requested that a 1.359-acre parcel off Sulphur Springs Road be rezoned from R2 (Residential District 2) to R2R (Residential District 2 Rural) to move forward with the permitting process for a singlewide mobile home. The planning board recommended approval of the rezoning request. Creech also announced a vacancy on the planning board with the upcoming departure of long-time board member Bud Caywood. He expressed appreciation to Caywood for his service and dedication.
• Brit Wilkinson, Correction Enterprises Woodworking Supervisor, presented information about the woodworking and upholstery plants at the Alexander Correctional Institution. Vice Chairman Yoder and county staff recently toured the facility, and asked Wilkinson to make a presentation to the board. Wilkinson said inmates staff the two shops (56 inmates in woodworking, 24 in upholstery), learning job skills that help them re-enter society upon release. The plants primarily produce office furniture including desks, conference tables, display cases, office chairs, bedroom furniture, metal fabrication, and more. CVCC provides instructors for the two plants. Wilkinson said the goods they produce can only be sold to state and local governments. Learn more at www.correctionenterprises.com/furniture.
• The board approved four budget amendments and one project budget ordinance as presented by County Attorney Ben Faulkenberry. The first budget amendment results in a net increase of $45,240 in general fund expenditures to increase the sheriff’s office budget for personnel expenses for special assignments, to increase the medical examiner budget due to a state fee increase, and to decrease emergency management grant revenue. The second budget amendment results in a net increase of $165,782 in general fund expenditures to increase the health department budget for additional grant funds, to increase the DSS budget for administration and social worker enhanced preparedness skills training, and to increase the DSS budget to use adoption enhancement special funds for the DSS adoptions program. The third budget amendment results in a net increase of $101,384 in general fund expenditures to adjust the general fund budget for personnel costs. The fourth budget amendment results in a net increase of $35,750 in general fund expenditures to budget for professional services fees for the development of a master plan for East Alexander Park improvements and the county’s 5% local match for the NC Commerce Building Reuse Grant for the Urgent Care of Mountain View project. On a related note, the project budget ordinance is for the Urgent Care of Mountain View renovation project, totaling $183,750 which includes a $175,000 grant from NC Commerce and an $8,750 local match from Alexander County.
• During the public comment period, Adrian Appling addressed the board regarding a noise complaint in the Alexander Industrial Park. Appling, who lives about one mile away from the industrial park, said the noise is constant, even throughout the night. He presented pages of signatures from his neighbors to the county attorney, who will investigate the matter.
• Commissioners approved nine road names as presented by 911 Addressing Coordinator Sara Milstead. They include: Brushy Meadow Lane, Burton Reid Drive, Camden Way, Cardinal Drive, Crotts Lane, Faith Drive, Paw Paw Lane, R D Homeplace Lane, and Red Dirt Lane.
• Commissioners rescheduled the December 1st meeting for December 8th.
• Commissioners approved the consent agenda, which included: tax abatements & adjustments totaling $2,739.76 and tax refunds of $17,155.62; minutes from the October 6th regular meeting and October 9th special called meeting; appointment of Ben Faulkenberry and David Moose (alternate) to the Western Piedmont Regional Transit Authority Board; line-item transfer report for October; NC Community College System FY 2025-2026 budget request sign-off form for CVCC; 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting schedule; 2026 holiday schedule; and contract with CHA Consulting for design services for the East Alexander Park renovation project.
The next meeting of the Alexander County Board of Commissioners is set for Monday, December 8, 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.