[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_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",6370914,"mediaKeyId","2150687-b46260f0b2383f3010c44aab7c282ac7","parentId",2150687,"title","Votes at a glance: key actions from the Jan. 21 Cabarrus County commissioners meeting","audioSeconds",3097,"startMs",1379000,"endMs",4476000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150687-b46260f0b2383f3010c44aab7c282ac7&start=1379&end=4476","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150687-b46260f0b2383f3010c44aab7c282ac7/thumbnail_1379000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6370914/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-key-actions-from-the-Jan-21-Cabarrus-County-commissioners-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370914-cc2c5ff2d311552b34bac28b7f810b84/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153678&Signature=Cim4uCAHvbnnlDp~rrSmgtOPsUjU9jm32R~2JR0luLa~1fv~ApJBMKnkuJZrrmiB4vRYzw7XMaCqnJlXbVoYlLGt57J4jB-Kew3cDZZwlYo7GtjngbZu4tPlegV-jRiA2xI~jrjk~9FiZP6XkMbv7PyzDXFnp3qt5WESiIeaUDQ~cFvnT1LlK301gHvDGNZc2eqv~g4oYTwPd4OkA-kvlVB5rb3o8zCAUO1ndDDF6seXC6YeWB6SO3CgKtTJ-yH0SZ0tbVNjxmffL-vf56Wc0cKdKJhApLS~hrxYKxsuRLsHTRAusW2m6fne1gNCI89HbWWyiOmFF5LFw95bj~frUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cabarrus County, NC","date","2025-01-22T03:13:34Z","article","Below are the recorded motions and outcomes from the Jan. 21 Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners meeting. Where the transcript did not name a mover or seconder, the item is recorded with the outcome and the recorded tally.

- Black History Month proclamation (adopted). Motion to adopt proclamation recorded and passed by voice vote (unanimous; no names specified). The board recognized February 2025 as Black History Month.

- EMS budget amendment (Duke University grant): Motion to move $9,000 from a Duke University cardiac arrest grant into an expense account for CPR education and the Hearts and Heroes event. Motion passed (voice vote recorded as aye; no tally specified).

- NCDOT RAISE grant letter of support: Motion approved to authorize the chairman to sign a letter of support for a NCDOT RAISE grant application to replace two bridges in the county. Motion carried (voice vote; no tally specified).

- Appointments to the Cabarrus County Fair Advisory Commission: Two separate votes approved appointees to four-year terms (John Cline, Ashley Miller, Courtney Wyatt) and two-year terms (Sheree Deal, Barbara Strang, Jimmy Petty, Janet Stansil, David Plas). Both motions recorded as passing 3–1.

- Commission on Financial Efficiency: Motion to create the commission and appoint initial members passed 4–1.

- County attorney actions: Motion to conclude the appointment of Rich Cook as county attorney passed 3–1; motion to appoint Daniel Peterson interim county attorney for up to six months at $295/hour passed 3–1.

- Termination of the county manager: After closed-session discussion under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143‑318.11(a)(1),(3),(6), the board voted to terminate the county manager’s employment contract for cause; motion recorded as passing 3–1. The chairman was authorized to sign and deliver a termination letter.

- Budget and financing items: A request to table a financing/budget amendment to allow review of supporting invoices was approved (motion to table carried 4–0).

Ending: Several items passed with recorded tallies; other consent items passed by voice votes. For items with public controversy (Fair Advisory Commission, county attorney and manager actions) the meeting transcript contains extended public comment and closed-session deliberation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cabarrus County BOC Regular Meeting 01.21.2025","oneSentenceSummary","A quick roundup of formal actions taken by the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 21, 2025.","taxTitle","Cabarrus County, North Carolina","taxId",13706,"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},6370917,"Board creates Commission on Financial Efficiency and appoints four members as oversight body",1470,6722000,8192000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150687-b46260f0b2383f3010c44aab7c282ac7&start=6722&end=8192","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150687-b46260f0b2383f3010c44aab7c282ac7/thumbnail_6722000.jpg","/articles/6370917/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Board-creates-Commission-on-Financial-Efficiency-and-appoints-four-members-as-oversight-body","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370917-3206f2233ec20856617e59884064c1d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153678&Signature=EnT9A7DvY-7vNCBl-imMT~18~GBzwK46hZRhi-CnbjKLiy0gj-UqYemm9VnovcpF0yLBqENr3F9fseMqBGkrOfmYsmbdQUzoK0AaRX4z9VcGW1t1f9tz~Fr5BLSSaoRrz0wt~QB2Yh3wQ3Rh-QR4dqRny8t7nRSXjlh9Anij3ycivbJ18lB7cU~7Cs402ViY2xbbs77mF57zBty3NGUVO-xwH7N0w54lbRjGk6eGIyOj9IGcESXRXKRNlf8Qvu4gffopq0PG~AH-M2Yqj44DPmvHpNTDpfatMeo-LEqIEgRm~eV6q3mqMtK7O~Df~zKwg206r6GjhzXxKajapTvbBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners voted to create a Commission on Financial Efficiency and appointed four initial members on Jan. 21, saying the new panel will review spending and look for savings.

Commissioner Christopher Meissmer moved to form the commission and to appoint himself as chair along with Lee Schumann and Wes Honeycutt and Commissioner Christopher Meissmer (motion carried, 4–1). The motion recorded a 4–1 vote.

Schumann and Honeycutt introduced themselves to the board. Lee Schumann described a background in architecture and construction and said he was “willing to give my time because I want to help our county.” Wes Honeycutt, who described a background in financial services and applied statistics, said the county budget had grown rapidly — from $300 million in 2020 to $500 million in 2025 — and said he wanted to help taxpayers identify savings.

The vote followed lengthy discussion about transparency in appointments, the scope of the commission and whether the commission would scrutinize current contracts such as the county’s legal representation. Multiple commissioners and members of the public raised concerns about legal counsel rates approved earlier in the meeting; commissioners said the new commission would review budget and procurement matters but would be advisory and would not supplant staff responsibilities.

Ending: The board tasked staff to provide budget documents and records to the commission and to return with additional nominations if the commission needs more members; commissioners said they expected the panel to seek voluntary citizen participants and to report findings to the board.","The board approved a citizen commission to review county finances and appointed four initial members — including two volunteer financial specialists — after debate over transparency and legal-advisor costs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6370923,"Cabarrus board votes to terminate county manager after closed-session discussion",0,10779000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150687-b46260f0b2383f3010c44aab7c282ac7&start=10779&end=10779","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150687-b46260f0b2383f3010c44aab7c282ac7/thumbnail_10779000.jpg","/articles/6370923/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Cabarrus-board-votes-to-terminate-county-manager-after-closed-session-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370923-870d7e1a3688483b9c9ae591e2d01e88/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153678&Signature=YXTifzdCuHj1kGFFxZ5ll-vBJnM6UvMyBpZUeZn1eTUWtVP9eDmUe~xNdO2yPlp8gkz6nf3XsPCnh70FwEn5BGSxoBuRb6Re14JQR~2bugVShNUgi35oPGPmIGRmPhBmJidzSg4kyhzfEtCQ7Hqu909ltBYXvye1Oyf5nfxA0w85YYdafTadBOj4RaZwzr69XXe~lWRcbiDpvc8LkIXtiz6IioJSGljxez7RYrsAiWXPJUX92whZ7XZcGDpSwwiOS2u0WVJ1K3Z9GkbfRBf1VVytsADpqFZKIJBchChxjvCeJbkSNahDUC2v9NsAQlGE1MzHj5z8k~P2pSWSzL6Y8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After a closed-session meeting on Jan. 21, the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners voted to terminate the county manager’s employment contract for cause and authorized the chairman to sign and deliver a termination letter.

The board first entered closed session citing attorney-client privilege and personnel statutes (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143‑318.11(a)(1),(3),(6)). After returning to open session the Board voted on a motion “to terminate the county manager’s employment contract with Just Cause, effective immediately, and to authorize the chair to sign and deliver a termination letter on behalf of the board.” The motion passed by voice vote recorded as 3–1.

No additional public details about the specific grounds for termination were disclosed at the meeting; the board used the closed-session statutory exemptions to discuss personnel and attorney-client matters. Commissioners asked the county clerk, manager and legal counsel to attend the closed session as permitted by statute.

Ending: The board’s action is effective immediately; the board did not announce an interim manager at the conclusion of the public session. Additional administrative steps (notice and personnel processing) were delegated to staff.","Following a closed session, the Board of Commissioners voted 3–1 to terminate the county manager’s employment contract for cause and authorized the chairman to deliver a termination letter.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6370927,"Board replaces long-serving county attorney; Daniel Peterson named interim counsel",1693,5534000,7227000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150687-b46260f0b2383f3010c44aab7c282ac7&start=5534&end=7227","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150687-b46260f0b2383f3010c44aab7c282ac7/thumbnail_5534000.jpg","/articles/6370927/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Board-replaces-long-serving-county-attorney-Daniel-Peterson-named-interim-counsel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370927-36bcdaa45a5a235f2413014afed64f62/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153678&Signature=Gujvy1hZxWRk8zyDdVhPVpCX8M1wcBOrEUTRkdhRC9Sx-Wr7mn~9l~XOqES6IAfKTX3n-bT~Q~Ls6Kz39ohJ7G9i5Fd0V8cJMP8feuoPDCjq6ApAEUfKGoPqldGqioMFcnPSP20-qO4DuJRJ-KYffi4r0RAQHI2jiFgDwJpC8lqmrvqSCYDxaaRiRUVMrBELn~a0CGCa2OW9r-N12WmqTJKW~mP1IpJAhxSUN~AUViEwDPDYZZXcy5rzxo4I3G0WURaC0PiLQHUYfQxdOdh6Jn3o0QV33jN-ojd~Xm6xYBX~hWtutwrCvg3zJaFAXwYbDoVkX7I~5NgfRdsUxuh5Lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners voted on Jan. 21 to end the longtime appointment of County Attorney Rich Cook and to appoint Daniel Peterson as interim county attorney on a six-month engagement at a rate of $295 per hour.

Commissioners first moved to conclude Cook’s appointment “pursuant to General Statute 153A-114.” That motion passed by voice vote recorded as 3–1. The board then voted to appoint Daniel Peterson as interim county attorney for a period of no more than six months and authorized the chairman to execute an engagement letter including a $295 hourly rate; that motion carried by voice vote recorded as 3–1.

Commissioners and Cook discussed the rate difference during the meeting. Commissioners noted Cook’s long service and that he previously billed the county at $150 per hour; the board majority said they had reasons to seek different counsel. Cook told the board he is undergoing treatment for health issues but said he continued to perform county work and intended to continue serving if the board wished.

Peterson introduced himself to the board after the vote and said he is a Cabarrus County native and the town attorney for Midland. “It’s an honor,” he said, adding he would “earn your trust” and that the interim engagement could be extended or not after six months.

Ending: The board authorized the chairman to sign an engagement letter for Peterson and said staff would evaluate longer-term legal services and look for potential savings. Commissioners recorded that future decisions on counsel rates and procurement could be reviewed by the newly created Commission on Financial Efficiency.","The board ended Rich Cook’s appointment as county attorney and voted to appoint Daniel Peterson as interim county attorney for up to six months at $295/hour.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6370928,"Cabarrus commissioners appoint Fair Advisory Commission amid heated public criticism of chair pick",2693,2447000,5140000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150687-b46260f0b2383f3010c44aab7c282ac7&start=2447&end=5140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150687-b46260f0b2383f3010c44aab7c282ac7/thumbnail_2447000.jpg","/articles/6370928/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Cabarrus-commissioners-appoint-Fair-Advisory-Commission-amid-heated-public-criticism-of-chair-pick","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370928-a0a24cd3a5246e6bb898f30454359399/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153678&Signature=nAFnLJ9PgieeIDCaft~i28GxPerLdIMcJiLWu4H5ILfVdNuKN2dh7ZyaZ-fgSz-w048aKD7lTO6usp9K6mUcOz4v7Yi-ss4r6lEqDahwZvAFsuxma0wFRLJxvo8QQ2VKV-Vx2Aw6dF6qAXvqYfuLKgmGFiOBFF~Bm97TKIQfVG-NsSC9hi-lQnvLdKvdCM97rRc5OBJTAB7hv~zYBr6GV0pk8fFbRqDTu9U3TDiLs~NfQk6nYiTfbMByUe9c-TyjJ1kC8y~FWbJUW2vQVh3h9nF3YUmOL46AxfTonDImSn9VXbfNBeKRgQakBrlBawg0QmVGbXHApsGbMCrdPRrkcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 21 approved appointments to a newly created Fair Advisory Commission and named Marvin Bost as its chairman, drawing sustained public criticism and allegations that the pick prompted resignations in the county fair department.

The appointments passed on two separate motions. Commissioners approved John Cline, Ashley Miller and Courtney Wyatt to four-year terms (motion carried, 3–1). They then approved Sheree Deal, Barbara Strang, Jimmy Petty, Janet Stansil and David Plas to two-year terms with a residency provision (motion carried, 3–1).

The board’s vote followed more than an hour of public comment in which multiple fair vendors and former fair employees criticized the choice of Bost as chair and said the new advisory committee had created a hostile work environment. Vendor Ivy Almond told commissioners that Bost “has finally done this by embedding himself into your commission” and accused commissioners of repaying political favors. Livestock manager Matt Barrier said, “We, as your employees, refuse to work with this committee and its chairman.”

At the meeting Commissioner Christopher Meissmer, who helped place the item on a prior work-session agenda, defended the pick. He said he had checked with the sheriff and district attorney and found “no record of any charges, any trial, or any conviction” against Bost. Meissmer also described Bost’s recent attendance at a state fair convention and called the chair position a volunteer role with no authority to fire employees.

Several speakers urged the board to provide a transparent appointment process and to avoid perceived cronyism. Resident Mae Mack asked the board to “follow an open application process” and warned against creating an “echo chamber.”

County staff clarified during the meeting that the fair department currently has one full-time employee and some contracted positions; earlier public statements describing a larger department and a wave of resignations were not borne out in staff remarks. The board also said the Fair Advisory Committee had not yet held its first meeting.

Ending: Commissioners said they would take the concerns under advisement and proceed with the appointments. The board did not vote to remove or replace the chair at the meeting, and the advisory commission had not yet met by the time the session adjourned.","The Board of Commissioners appointed members to a newly created Fair Advisory Commission on Jan. 21 and named Marvin Bost chairman, prompting public allegations about his past, staff resignations at the fair and repeated calls for transparency.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key actions from the Jan. 21 Cabarrus County commissioners meeting

Board creates Commission on Financial Efficiency and appoints four members as oversight body

Cabarrus board votes to terminate county manager after closed-session discussion

Board replaces long-serving county attorney; Daniel Peterson named interim counsel

Cabarrus commissioners appoint Fair Advisory Commission amid heated public criticism of chair pick