[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6382484,"mediaKeyId","2126901-7cc783a0de61ad37dff3108c7179d9d8","parentId",2126901,"title","Votes at a glance: Key approvals and appointments from Jan. 13 McDowell County commission meeting","audioSeconds",204,"startMs",5246000,"endMs",5450000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126901-7cc783a0de61ad37dff3108c7179d9d8&start=5246&end=5450","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126901-7cc783a0de61ad37dff3108c7179d9d8/thumbnail_5246000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6382484/McDowell-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-Key-approvals-and-appointments-from-Jan-13-McDowell-County-commission-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382484-b94489bcf03af1fc6f9ee93452a350ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195655&Signature=HyJH1TQXClJKoRrg-KSD5MxmAmxc4NLcteqteiiQICgw66oDMKjcLDfHTWels6mAIqZTkM3ideLZhuh-0unJvzNaVM4SxxMg6yCOD~ef9MLal1XIfXt~ko2xAoSq9NmQNtp5WSMzbWmgJgEbRfiq5Sjc6lhk63By~c77yR5QkmOPAv04Wct7NqHgPdztO7hVsTJHU912z9L0ESlch6ADjoVksFMIAiv1vLESDWi73c05z629pfbea-MyFcML18DRmxelZ9dSgKDv6gaCjfHndGTQqKxkU5M~gI7XCDlfyVLzgjtLmCQ9BL-RKg7ARdVQbKzh5mJz2O-OSPdMjL2H-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","McDowell County, NC","date","2025-01-16T15:40:04Z","article","This Jan. 13 meeting included multiple formal votes and approvals. Below is a concise, itemized summary of actions recorded in the transcript and the board’s stated outcomes.

Votes at a glance

- Capital project ordinance amendment No. 3 (state-funded water project): Approved by motion and voice vote (packet references $11,000,000 in state appropriation for water projects). Staff noted multiple phases of the county water system project were active and funded by state grants.

- Budget amendments GF-8 through GF-16 and opioid fund amendment (Opioid F-1): Approved by voice vote; the board adopted the staff-recommended amendments as presented.

- Administrative items: Approved (leak requests for the NEBO water system; reimbursement resolution to finance two building-inspection vehicles; EMS write-offs for uncollectible accounts). Motion carried by voice vote.

- Appointments: Jonelle Bridal was appointed to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (mandated seat) and Betsy Watson was appointed to the America 250 Committee (late submission); motions to approve both appointees were approved by voice vote.

- Tax matters: Routine discoveries, releases and rebuilds were approved by vote.

- Employee leave policy: Board approved the parental leave policy with eligibility after 30 days and coverage for qualifying children younger than 18 (see separate article for details).

- Motion to send letter to FEMA and federal representatives: Commissioners approved a motion directing staff to send a letter urging faster action and full funding for recovery programs and OSBM private roads-and-bridges support.

- Motion directing nonprofit presentations ahead of budget: Commissioners approved a request that nonprofit recipients present to the board about past-year spending and outcomes before the June budget approval cycle.

Votes format and context: Most approvals were by voice vote; roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript. Where staff provided background memos, the board accepted the staff recommendations and moved forward with implementation steps.

Follow-up: Several items require administrative follow-up (finalizing agreements, completing reimbursements and financing steps, filing for FEMA reimbursement, scheduling nonprofit presentations). Staff indicated they will return with final documents and implementation details as needed.

Provenance: These votes occur throughout the Jan. 13 meeting and are recorded in the transcript items covering agenda approvals, budget updates and administrative items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","January 2025 McDowell County Board of Commissioners Meeting (NC)","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a set of administrative, budgetary and appointments items, including capital project amendments for water projects, several budget amendments, appointments to boards and committees, EMS write-offs, and a motion directing nonprofits to present budgeting outcomes ahead of the June budget approval.","taxTitle","McDowell County, North Carolina","taxId",52003,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6382489,"County approves parental leave policy with 30-day eligibility and coverage for children under 18",506,4738000,5244000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126901-7cc783a0de61ad37dff3108c7179d9d8&start=4738&end=5244","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126901-7cc783a0de61ad37dff3108c7179d9d8/thumbnail_4738000.jpg","/articles/6382489/McDowell-County/North-Carolina/County-approves-parental-leave-policy-with-30-day-eligibility-and-coverage-for-children-under-18","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382489-435db83f4b30196dcd73664bfbc0c25c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195655&Signature=NOrsgKxm8YBZNxK2NRNndvaTUi9LaT~c5q6mqmeMH7IUjlVv1MiHWKw7c1ketwcuuntp474adDSw5gDRFzq54C6-wOC5NaMpO4Vfcoxec4SYokyaOsSxUovkjirTJWf0flw~Fy894xInEtvSkPFxcRKyY3qooqe5AZWdTYANID~UxMUA6UUw9j-bQLNWG3rXVdNXVK3rRVQIWWfR8Brnkn-sMvT-62TkOfsoetupBIDhBYlUw~ZZq7Wx2swBZ4U1lK0SqaLTQbNFw7N3xKGq342BHnuo9OrQ5hlPZbyURDl5tu56kIHw9iYhY0lbspttkgklBf2F~Rzi3d6XnKffPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The McDowell County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 13 approved a county employee parental leave policy that staff had drafted using a local college policy as a model. The board’s action changed staff’s recommended eligibility criteria during debate.

What the board approved: The policy as adopted makes employees eligible for parental leave after 30 days of employment — aligning eligibility with the county’s existing 30-day health-insurance start for new hires — rather than waiting 12 months. The board also restored the policy’s original age limit for qualifying adopted children and births so the benefit applies to children under age 18 (staff had proposed lowering the qualifying age to 6 during earlier revisions).

Why it matters: Commissioners who supported the change said earlier access would better support employees who become parents through birth or adoption and that synchronizing leave eligibility with health coverage mitigates a potential gap in benefits. Other commissioners raised concerns that a shorter eligibility period could be open to misuse; the board debated but ultimately adopted the 30-day eligibility approach combined with the under-18 qualification for dependent children.

Motion and vote: A commissioner moved to approve the policy as revised (30-day eligibility; coverage for children under 18). The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The board indicated staff may return with clarifying language or further amendments if needed.

Implementation and next steps: County staff said the policy will be implemented consistent with existing payroll and benefits processes and that department heads should expect guidance on how leave interacts with payroll and budgeted positions. The county manager/staff will provide administrative procedures for applying the new leave benefit and will coordinate with the county’s human-resources and benefits administrators on implementation timing and communications.

Provenance: The leave policy discussion and vote are recorded during the meeting’s New Business portion under the employee leave policy agenda item.","The McDowell County Board of Commissioners approved an employee parental leave policy on Jan. 13 that makes employees eligible for the benefit after 30 days of employment (to align with health insurance eligibility) and extends leave coverage to children younger than 18. The board amended the draft policy during debate.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6382491,"McDowell County Sheriff recognizes drug enforcement team after large meth seizure",621,231000,852000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126901-7cc783a0de61ad37dff3108c7179d9d8&start=231&end=852","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126901-7cc783a0de61ad37dff3108c7179d9d8/thumbnail_231000.jpg","/articles/6382491/McDowell-County/North-Carolina/McDowell-County-Sheriff-recognizes-drug-enforcement-team-after-large-meth-seizure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382491-a713dd99f62b4d1f434bddfd8003c442/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195655&Signature=RjEYoNs56LfY4449vvBVWaOnRvqcPnTRj-xKTNMaZ0BhANkbeXPPQUMPptvHh7RijTQ2E3IGnXDWEw~x3bnGjAfjs~BtVZu1pLPiN95hRLIlEgSs5yWK82qmnu7X15eEIUi-NnvO2DyiUdKZaZXYd6GEZHYmUaxbAnEsXV4w9yiosmX-D5hvqtGJx04nldFx16L59T9JOGRr4IV-GgoZvDhb0o7gIklaHICf~cwZDjWCNXx3d7Qbu5hs9yRuinigsGZjsQXtzhbF9QoEQIg-Wp4E0zrDdcSdyIsjeLPN~gYFVHi2braCB7VeZkPMTDTQUIpLjGy5ryjSNmFpsIIiOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sheriff Ricky Buchanan used the Jan. 13 Board of Commissioners meeting to recognize members of the McDowell County Drug Enforcement unit for what he described as a major narcotics seizure on Nov. 13.

Buchanan told the board the county task force executed a traffic stop and later searched a suspect’s residence in a months-long investigation into methamphetamine distribution. He said officers seized an estimated 50 kilograms of methamphetamine (the transcript states “50 kilograms” and an additional pound seized later at the residence) and approximately 25 firearms. Buchanan described the street value of the seized methamphetamine as “in excess of $3,800,000.”

Buchanan thanked collaborating agencies that assisted in the operation, naming the Marion Police Department, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the DEA, and several county sheriff’s offices and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. He emphasized that undercover and surveillance detectives often do not receive public recognition because of the nature of their work and praised the command staff and unit for disrupting what he called part of an organization involved in distribution.

Recognition and employee award: The sheriff’s office also publicly recognized Rodney Coates (the sheriff identified him as facility maintenance coordinator) as the department’s 2024 employee of the year for facility and detention maintenance projects, including replacement HVAC units and renovation of detention showers and hot water systems.

Board remarks: Commissioners offered a letter of appreciation read at the meeting praising the sheriff’s office’s work to remove dangerous substances from county streets and acknowledging the risks undertaken by officers. Buchanan repeatedly attributed credit to the unit’s men and women and declined some personal credit in favor of recognizing those who worked the operation.

Provenance: The sheriff’s remarks and recognition occur under the appointments agenda item; details of the seizure were described by Sheriff Ricky Buchanan in the transcript during the meeting’s opening portion covering appointments and recognitions.","Sheriff Ricky Buchanan and McDowell County officials publicly recognized members of the McDowell County Drug Enforcement unit for a November 13 operation that county officials said seized a large quantity of methamphetamine and weapons.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6382496,"McDowell County emergency operations center reports progress and ongoing recovery needs 111 days after Hurricane Helene",1977,2245000,4222000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126901-7cc783a0de61ad37dff3108c7179d9d8&start=2245&end=4222","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126901-7cc783a0de61ad37dff3108c7179d9d8/thumbnail_2245000.jpg","/articles/6382496/McDowell-County/North-Carolina/McDowell-County-emergency-operations-center-reports-progress-and-ongoing-recovery-needs-111-days-after-Hurricane-Helene","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382496-b0ee4bf815b5d62bd7701a9bada86c07/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195656&Signature=nm9cFj2eeooDEf5HIIQ1mIdLvOL~RpwFE2X1K~OCuR8YldRIJkYYl0e4h-~ZIyRqWbBCK~tf1ZeVpM2qZzcDs8js5CGCw0rQ4U-mEyQrC6Mo4b1E05QftbnCZJOaRMlohmrD5VidLvW9kTLBmJLoKNKz7sWvNhEqu5IaaMavEGan2~62HsuCtzTGpujxhFiGWzc6JKIPs4T1HAlEg4K1WHB30ZK8Vx2cVzio7wSx4eqQffJJdstubSJKen1EJZz2onDFL6WGDGd9DzLMZcOAXRs8VpqRSlvN8dh5V5ADyn2rw39DIiy8k24mPZvAXMVtykYVhlwPVXzXrqpDcQpBqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","McDowell County emergency officials updated the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 13 about recovery efforts 111 days after Hurricane Helene, detailing debris removal, temporary housing placements, utility restoration timelines and several state and federal recovery programs currently under way.

Emergency Operations Center (EOC) director William Keller (title rendered in the transcript as the county’s emergency official) told commissioners the EOC remains activated and that county staff continue to push FEMA and state partners for faster recovery assistance, especially around temporary housing and private-road and bridge repairs.

Why it matters: Officials said many residents remain displaced, wells and septic systems are damaged across multiple communities, and significant debris remains in waterways and along roadways — all of which continue to limit residents’ ability to return to normal life. County leaders told the board they are advocating at the state and federal level for additional resources and quicker access to housing and disaster programs.

Key updates and details:

- Temporary housing and FEMA interaction: Keller said FEMA has placed 22 families in temporary housing in the county since the hurricane and 10 additional families were waiting for placement; the county’s own operations have placed 14 additional households in travel trailers since Jan. 2 under a state program. County staff said they are pushing FEMA for faster case management and for expanded temporary housing support. The county maintains a 24-hour disaster hotline (828-652-3241) for storm-related questions.

- Private roads and bridges program: The county briefed commissioners on North Carolina Executive Order No. 2 directing the state to stand up a private roads-and-bridges program through the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM). County staff said OSBM had engaged and the county expects an application process to be announced in the coming weeks; specific funding allocations were not yet disclosed.

- Utilities and communications: The county reported temporary bridge restoration work on US 221 North and Highway 70 West with potential openings by the end of January; major water infrastructure (hydro station at Lake James) has a phased turbine restoration schedule, with one turbine expected online in mid-February and additional units later in 2025. Frontier and other communications providers were rebuilding rural lines; Frontier’s restoration window for some locations was cited as the end of January.

- Debris removal and waterways: The county said 40,104 cubic yards of roadside debris and about 20,812 tons of river silt had been removed as of the report. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA had completed waterway assessments and about 22% of assessed points were initially determined ineligible; county staff said they are reviewing those determinations and will appeal where appropriate. The county reiterated that waterway work requires property owner right-of-entry and that no contractor will enter private property without permission.

- Hazard mitigation, buyouts and elevation programs: County staff described three recovery programs (elevation grants, voluntary acquisition/buyouts and landslide-specific assistance). They said so far the county had received 11 acquisition applications, 6 elevation applications and 14 landslide-interest submissions; staff said they will present more detail at a future meeting after additional state guidance.

- Recovery centers and community support: FEMA’s disaster recovery center in Marion remains open (lower level of the senior center, Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.–2 p.m.). The county operates two community comfort stations providing showers and laundry (Old Fort and the Woodlawn community). County staff credited volunteer organizations, faith groups and local nonprofits for significant on-the-ground assistance and urged continued donations and volunteer support.

Board direction and follow-up: Commissioners unanimously approved a motion to send a letter to FEMA and federal representatives urging faster action and full funding for state and federal recovery programs for the region; the board also discussed coordinating with state officials to ensure OSBM’s private roads-and-bridges program is implemented and funded. Staff said they would continue to advocate for extended FEMA case management and keep the board updated.

Provenance: The update and public discussion span the EOC presentation and the board conversation recorded under the “Atlanta update”/recovery briefing item in the Jan. 13 transcript.","The county’s emergency operations center reported ongoing debris removal, temporary housing shortfalls, utility restoration timelines and coordination with FEMA, US Army Corps and state agencies. Officials urged faster federal recovery action and detailed several programs and application pathways for residents.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6382501,"McDowell County and Marion move to back downtown hotel with joint incentive agreement",1257,941000,2198000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126901-7cc783a0de61ad37dff3108c7179d9d8&start=941&end=2198","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126901-7cc783a0de61ad37dff3108c7179d9d8/thumbnail_941000.jpg","/articles/6382501/McDowell-County/North-Carolina/McDowell-County-and-Marion-move-to-back-downtown-hotel-with-joint-incentive-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382501-fb51160fb097eeae6dd0043095396bce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195655&Signature=JSz4MW5uBsgGurJgMZNcXJBe9FZejLLjNWUM3-KWJ8JmPFrerznvYqu3H0sAzYsaPOwzw0OCDUw4dplxKPWD4AtwzD9gb59Y6nl7lr12iZPfx62j6aVexv2w-9yHguvZTryXsMA0zeYz6GST33pndIZK-V6sctLh3aGvPHO3EZizlVZEsr4gAmqWwAFkCS5jPFjRHYkYKCkr0lNhVvBS7olYyaavTwYQhctM-rHfYeSwlUeNXa5oix8~Isutft5-Rc3sYaeK9faiuIWnQaTzviv~y9k3QU~~yqM1PTtug2Rk-wU7gGTuCmeN7brzk4tJnLrHeI8ReBAL29lVywl9OQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","McDowell County commissioners voted on Jan. 13 to proceed with a joint incentive package with the City of Marion to support the redevelopment of a downtown Marion property into a four-story Marriott-branded hotel.

The vote followed a public hearing where county economic development staff and the developer described a project they said would replace a former bank at the corner of Fort and North Main streets with a roughly 75–100-room hotel, ground-floor retail and on-site parking. The developer and county staff described a private development valued at about $15 million to $20 million and said they expect roughly 10 full-time positions at opening.

County economic development consultant Chuck Abernathy and representatives from Benchmade Ventures presented project details during the public hearing that the board required under state law for the proposed incentive. Abernathy said the property is under contract with that contract expiring in about five weeks; staff asked the board to adopt an incentive agreement that would secure the property and structure performance-based payments if the project moves forward.

Why it matters: County and city leaders said the hotel would bring visitors downtown, increase lodging and sales tax receipts, and support local restaurants and retailers. City officials told the board the Marion City Council had unanimously and enthusiastically approved an identical incentive agreement at its most recent meeting.

What the agreement would do: Under the proposed terms already approved by Marion, each unit of government (city and county) would make three payments distributed across three fiscal years, totaling $499,000 from each entity (the packet lists the payments as performance-based and tied to construction/operational benchmarks). If the developer fails to complete the hotel by the negotiated deadline, the property would revert to city and county ownership under the agreement language presented to the board.

Developer presentation and numbers: Benchmade Ventures said it would develop the site for a Marriott-branded hotel (the presenters identified that Marriott is the operator/brand partner). Company representatives estimated direct hotel revenues of roughly $4 million annually and stated commonly used economic multipliers — that hotel guests spend additional dollars locally — to project broader economic impacts. One presenter estimated direct and indirect economic impacts in the tens of millions over time and described a roughly 14-month payback of the public contribution in projected incremental tax revenues.

Public comments and local support: During the public hearing several local stakeholders spoke in favor, including a commercial appraiser who performed the building appraisal, representatives of the Marion business association, the McDowell County Tourism Development Authority, and the chair of McDowell Economic Development Association. Speakers said a hotel would support downtown vibrancy and enable larger meetings and events that currently cannot be hosted because of limited local lodging.

Board action and next steps: A commissioner moved that the county proceed with the partnership and the board approved the motion by voice vote after discussion; the motion included updating the agreement to reflect a developer performance deadline of Dec. 31, 2027 (staff had noted an earlier draft packet showed July 1, 2027 and requested the later date). County staff said the purchase/closing timeline in the packet and the performance schedule are part of the negotiated agreement; the board instructed staff to finalize the updated incentive agreement consistent with the changes discussed. Officials said the county and city would structure the public payments as performance-based disbursements and that, if the project fails, the property would revert to local governments.

The board indicated they intended to proceed promptly to preserve the contract window and work with Marion to finalize the incentive documents; commissioners asked staff to incorporate the corrected construction deadline when the board signs the final documents.

Votes at the meeting: The board approved the motion to proceed by voice vote. No roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript; the board declared the motion approved and moved on to other business.

Provenance: Opening of the economic development public hearing and project introduction occurred when the board called item B (economic development public hearing) and during presentations by county economic development staff and Benchmade Ventures; public comment and the board’s motion and vote appear later in the transcript during the same agenda item.","After a public hearing, the McDowell County Board of Commissioners voted to proceed with a joint city-county incentive package to support a proposed 4-story Marriott hotel on North Main Street in Marion. The developer says the project would be a roughly $15–$20 million investment with about 75–100 rooms and at least 10 full-time jobs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Key approvals and appointments from Jan. 13 McDowell County commission meeting

County approves parental leave policy with 30-day eligibility and coverage for children under 18

McDowell County Sheriff recognizes drug enforcement team after large meth seizure

McDowell County emergency operations center reports progress and ongoing recovery needs 111 days after Hurricane Helene

McDowell County and Marion move to back downtown hotel with joint incentive agreement