[{"_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",6333449,"mediaKeyId","2302739-e94561cc98076575736f9ab0fca12502","parentId",2302739,"title","Votes at a glance: Caldwell County commissioners adopt resolutions, advertise tax liens and approve consent agenda","audioSeconds",8134,"startMs",284000,"endMs",8418000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2302739-e94561cc98076575736f9ab0fca12502&start=284&end=8418","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2302739-e94561cc98076575736f9ab0fca12502/thumbnail_284000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6333449/Caldwell-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-Caldwell-County-commissioners-adopt-resolutions-advertise-tax-liens-and-approve-consent-agenda","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6333449-d72b6c0eb8b9fe5881f709c868f3a2fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775211013&Signature=dD~AoMorzepl1KbRXegV2ngFAf30xALNPjXY-F62V4MmK6Kjwbv8B7kpDqR7O5AslPKD06MP0BAVF2ExTW8khAV-S82m6dvrxl3ZR2q5pStAP7NSBg3jXYVD~gUckLxUNVeRo9AFyHMJs3P9KdmsgupoO4-0GXN8Yf6faUbKPunizF0Qlpzp9tLHwYUY2p-dQAGTSKqEVXXqa9PCkmGGgkVzKMfEFJtEUWpPhnfyZX48ta23kWGZekrlTrG~dlnwcqu5L~MMQEkuDnq4NVRid9F8PexWyEYe5gvz9b3-rjWdXTnSbsuPtcmDJtKsUHf30lmkLY2YsHhORssVpnogaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Caldwell County, NC","date","2025-02-11T22:07:47Z","article","Key formal actions at the February 2025 Caldwell County Board of Commissioners meeting:

- Adopted the meeting agenda (voice vote, carried).
- Adopted a resolution honoring Dr. Roger Lim (unanimous).
- Adopted a resolution of appreciation and portrait placement honoring County Attorney David Steven Lackey for decades of service (unanimous); the board presented a plaque and will place the portrait in the courthouse.
- Adopted a proclamation recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month (unanimous).
- Authorized the tax office to advertise 2024 liens on real property. Tax administrator Josh Engel reported 5,220 delinquent accounts totaling $2,672,865.75; the board voted to start the lien-advertising process (unanimous).
- Adopted a temporary hiring and reclassification freeze (unanimous). The resolution prohibits new hires, new position allocations and classification changes while preserving merit/longevity pay and exempts the sheriff, register of deeds, board of elections, public health and department of social services from position reductions.
- Approved the consent agenda, which included: health-department budget revisions (Hurricane Helene funds and Community Care Physician Network grant), 9-1-1 Motorola maintenance budget revision, interim-manager salary appropriations, multiple sheriff's-office grant applications (Governor's Crime Commission, Governor's Highway Safety, and an ESD K‑9 grant), DSS Work First Block Grant continuation, ratification rescinding the winter-storm emergency, appointment of Wayne Rash to transit authority (interim manager designee), appointments to the board of equalization and review and to the council on aging, and the appointment of Heather Cox as deputy finance director for purchase-order signing authority. The consent agenda passed by voice vote (unanimous).
- Approved minutes and adjourned (unanimous).

Votes were recorded as voice votes in which the board answered \"aye\" and no oppositions were announced on the floor. The meeting minutes and departmental materials contain the full list of agenda and consent items and the county will publish them online.

Ending: Several of these items trigger administrative follow-up: the tax office will proceed with lien advertising, staff will implement the hiring freeze, and several grant applications will be submitted for competitive review.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Caldwell Commissioner's Meeting 2/10/25","oneSentenceSummary","At its February 2025 meeting the Caldwell County Board of Commissioners adopted ceremonial resolutions, authorized advertising 2024 tax liens, approved a temporary hiring freeze and passed its consent agenda including appointments and grant applications.","taxTitle","Caldwell County, North Carolina","taxId",52182,"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},6333454,"System 3 ministries outlines youth rallies, seeks county support after 2,000 attendees in 2024",572,1135000,1707000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2302739-e94561cc98076575736f9ab0fca12502&start=1135&end=1707","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2302739-e94561cc98076575736f9ab0fca12502/thumbnail_1135000.jpg","/articles/6333454/Caldwell-County/North-Carolina/System-3-ministries-outlines-youth-rallies-seeks-county-support-after-2000-attendees-in-2024","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6333454-371676b0bb1b0f729411acff66cac4bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775211013&Signature=UkQUT34SO76oOMOLYctP-NZKLExWNGVcHS-OH0kf8qZPQCrOrNwtuNdlQScx630QOZofxZta6MqAd8PQvISPKYW-yQZ~YDjBnnl4fbmP~PCRIHIZ5crGeM4GOq4Z981qfBAl8lmdvVAa8Dj3OEC9fPjRQKKoTstPUSaaVOMjVDOh~z1szGpnw2vVakABW13cI~t0wK3ydia2-NyuCpvCcymDt90w4TC0WisfQAnZtcncSelhhjlcbNB0zgzPI1~pqCKuKkRq5H2tZq8ZZ6~cx~UiXkokfzLREse80yiPgWIf3-gc27GmV4VWoLiroZkoVnX5gShgKuwoMUvHovYLuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of System 3 Student Ministry presented to the Caldwell County Board of Commissioners during the February meeting to describe their youth rallies and request county support or help identifying funding opportunities.

Gary Hamby, speaking for the group, said System 3 began events in late 2023 and held four rallies in 2024 that drew more than 2,000 attendees. He said recent rallies included food distribution, free T-shirts and speakers focused on what the group described as biblical principles and \"hope\" for young people. Hamby said the ministry gave away food to high-school football teams and recorded 25 professions of faith at a recent event.

Hamby asked commissioners to consider the ministry for future county grant opportunities or cooperation with local churches and sponsors; he said System 3 is exploring potential grant funding and partnerships and would provide materials to commissioners for review.

Commissioners thanked Hamby for the presentation and the ministry's work; no county appropriation was proposed or approved during the meeting.

Ending: System 3 officials left materials with the county and said they will follow up on potential grant paths and collaborative opportunities ahead of their 2025 event schedule.

","Representatives of System 3 Student Ministry told commissioners they held four rallies in 2024 with more than 2,000 attendees and sought county cooperation or funding avenues to expand youth outreach in 2025.",{"_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},6333459,"Neighbors, landowner clash over private shooting range in Thornfield; some call for noise-ordinance changes",787,4477000,5264000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2302739-e94561cc98076575736f9ab0fca12502&start=4477&end=5264","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2302739-e94561cc98076575736f9ab0fca12502/thumbnail_4477000.jpg","/articles/6333459/Caldwell-County/North-Carolina/Neighbors-landowner-clash-over-private-shooting-range-in-Thornfield-some-call-for-noise-ordinance-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6333459-d0f44fa51d7afa5ecf93ecbd27f8a866/orig.mp4?Expires=1775211013&Signature=M7XC7qGuX1hM1tun7sB0dRn2y5BZhO6ySxjEAz0gmIZgjcZvpS~XkDIKfj8yIodxZOxH8iwGf2O4TRSUYySK6JQiK~hy50lKHB8UP0MJqIkCyFT6eFOletv43XCL8pwAj28VayMb8uC2Gpbifg1rAZQW19kyxyESD4phZSPaHxBG3WLWNDnoWDL1N70GAbNKIFBDM8dLSADFqvHD9IfdLWth3DALCsqD-ohX72fTS~UOaleUoAYjx8k5lmXnTnolm7kEXB58iex2KjnAoq-GSMIVmxB-18RDZQlsXmBhPtSNG3OFcluY~lavdpveAkR9PHQHwPN2t5wAWhd-96sr8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public comment at the Caldwell County Board of Commissioners meeting focused on a long-running dispute over a private shooting range that adjoins the Thornfield subdivision.

Neighbouring residents said repeated, prolonged Sunday shooting sessions make outdoor activities impossible. \"It's a huge nuisance to people on Sunday afternoons trying to cook out with their families,\" said Angie G. Woods of 2447 Thornfield Drive, adding she and others have recorded rattling windows and continuous rifle fire that she said lasted four to six hours on some weekends.

Dean Wilkie, who owns acreage adjoining the range and said he bought his property for \"peace and tranquility,\" asked the commission to consider a noise or nuisance ordinance that would limit hours, rounds or the number of shooters on private land.

The landowner and range user, Brock Gates, said the farmland was marketed to his family as a gun-range property and defended shooting activity. \"Whenever this actually was sold to us in our family, it was actually marketed as a gun range,\" Gates told commissioners. He and other supporters said they use suppressors and safety precautions, and called enforcement attempts an inefficient use of sheriff's resources.

Brent Esher and Stuart Tucker spoke in favor of Gates, describing the shooters as safety‑conscious and saying the frequency of use had been intermittent. Esher noted law-enforcement responses had not resulted in successful prosecutions.

Sheriff's Department involvement was discussed: a resident said deputies had issued citations that prosecutors later dismissed given how current statutes are written. The meeting record shows no change to the county code or new law was adopted; commissioners heard the competing claims and accepted public testimony for consideration.

Ending: Commissioners did not vote on an ordinance change during the meeting. The exchange made clear neighbors want limits on prolonged shooting on Sundays while range supporters insist their use is lawful; the board left the matter for further staff study and possible future action.

","Residents near Thornfield Drive told commissioners Sunday-afternoon shooting from a nearby private range has become a frequent nuisance; the landowner defended his property rights and said the lot was marketed as a gun range. No ordinance change was proposed at the meeting.",{"_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},6333464,"Caldwell County commissioners approve hiring and reclassification freeze while budget set",215,7725000,7940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2302739-e94561cc98076575736f9ab0fca12502&start=7725&end=7940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2302739-e94561cc98076575736f9ab0fca12502/thumbnail_7725000.jpg","/articles/6333464/Caldwell-County/North-Carolina/Caldwell-County-commissioners-approve-hiring-and-reclassification-freeze-while-budget-set","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6333464-0ea531859cc988103aeaca045dcb2b4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775211013&Signature=UCmi0uEaH6-TBFEfv6c9DKOV-dPnpN75DMIVzDMs0G8cb28Fx7zPy5ulpXJtadFIo9CglzxrwTH0fLUbmk2HafMLQS-kueWBw0sgLS-iZnkT4fL0T3jFLo3nzgb8T6LdfJcalwzvVaVeab~JqnIUvguh2WVktx6d97bEtU1xNAYLrN0T5KsnqBwgz7d91uwhLFT1hNP1myNh0zKNrNn1qIYO13ivRNNo77zE89JYTIrWKC128IbV7wiXoOTNdZ7-3aDy3lBpUDsjvilDfFM-pmvElU~03tqXrYHF-j0JYc0v1iIuR8tHZoqtsL8r88gjL4cicflvdtUYwsZfETlBNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its February 2025 meeting, the Caldwell County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a temporary hiring and classification freeze intended to hold county personnel costs steady while staff finish budget work and the board sets a new tax rate.

The resolution, adopted immediately, directs that no new employees be appointed or hired, no new positions allocated, departments not be reorganized, and existing classification plans and pay ranges not be modified. The measure preserves merit and longevity increases. The resolution explicitly exempts the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, the register of deeds, the county board of elections, the public health department and the department of social services; the exemption language also bars reducing those entities' allocated positions.

Commissioners said the move is meant to provide predictability in advance of final budget adoption. The resolution cites North Carolina General Statute 153A-76 as authority for the board's ability to reorganize county government and set positions.

The motion to adopt carried without opposition.

Ending: The freeze is effective immediately and remains in effect until the board rescinds or replaces it. County managers and human-resources staff were ordered to implement the directive and to track any exceptions later presented to the board.

","The board adopted a resolution placing an immediate hiring and classification freeze to keep expenses predictable while the county finalizes the 2025 budget and tax rate; the resolution exempts several offices including the sheriff and social services.",{"_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},6333469,"Caldwell County tax administrator outlines 2025 revaluation; commissioners pledge to lower rate as appeals begin",2688,1935000,4623000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2302739-e94561cc98076575736f9ab0fca12502&start=1935&end=4623","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2302739-e94561cc98076575736f9ab0fca12502/thumbnail_1935000.jpg","/articles/6333469/Caldwell-County/North-Carolina/Caldwell-County-tax-administrator-outlines-2025-revaluation-commissioners-pledge-to-lower-rate-as-appeals-begin","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6333469-888c9a4403b27fed38784761e1263a2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775211013&Signature=mQ5gNkVV~OBfLxfzANuKv~unpcVULCJjy~P1ACJ4VK7OQEzxVnjYtOtOfFn0Bz1EENcThBJGteUFC5WraAAyEyXLNoeaF4Di524zCyai3u0ntCLVdPA-jFNMlvF7YhZdKuhaRQak1J97Sa55inYKukOV6q0EiZkh0bs9irMSQr5HWApoNBB~UTZD8pqgdjQ-kilMA6m6vK53n8326bvxdov9ghJOL9bEqm7LmibEIyGLsXfdCMyjiWG5gyf~Qz1RaILFxOK8bTdr4Xd7p~jVH9UeDSXLbItZDX2sZ1QSeTCkcx-Nzj~6z10njX7MHjfMQXkG7~0NG-ADtPsRYYmTGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the February 2025 meeting of the Caldwell County Board of Commissioners, tax administrator Josh Engel presented the county's 2025 revaluation process, the market data that drove it and next steps for property owners who wish to appeal.

Engel told the board the county has 52,568 parcels, of which 49,547 are residential, 2,850 commercial and 171 industrial. He said data from the multiple listing service showed the county's average sale price rose from about $188,005 in August 2020 to about $319,389 in August 2024; median sale price climbed from $160,000 to $255,000 over the same span. Engel said North Carolina law requires counties to maintain assessments at market value and explained the sales-ratio rules that push many counties to do revaluations more frequently.

\"All property, real and personal, shall as far as practicable be appraised or valued at its true value in money,\" Engel said, reading the statute's market-value definition to the board. He said counties with populations over 75,000 must reappraise sooner if their sales ratio exceeds statutory thresholds and reported Caldwell's assessment level coming into 2024 was approximately 52 percent, a figure that required action under state law.

The announcement prompted extended public comment. Several residents described \"sticker shock\" after receiving revaluation notices and urged the commissioners to minimize tax increases for retirees and households on fixed incomes. \"It's terrifying when you think about it,\" said Marleece Lessing, a Lakeside of Granite Falls resident, describing the prospect of higher property bills for people on set incomes. Tyler Sanders, who lives in the Oak Hill community, told commissioners his property value roughly doubled and asked for more public education ahead of revaluations.

Commissioners and county staff repeatedly emphasized the difference between assessed value and an actual tax bill. Chairman Church and county finance staff said the board intends to set a lower tax rate when it adopts the budget, with county officials repeatedly promising to seek a rate that moves the county toward revenue neutrality. Caldwell County Chief Financial Officer Tony Hilton said the tax rate is set by elected officials and that values are only one component of a property tax bill; he declined to give a firm reduction amount but said the board expects to reduce the rate when it adopts the budget in June.

Engel walked through timing and appeals: January 1, 2025 is the revaluation effective date; notices were to be mailed by Jan. 31; property owners may request informal reviews by providing recent appraisals, closing statements or other documentation; formal appeals will be heard by an appointed board of equalization and review. Engel said the county had received more than 450 informal review requests at the time of the meeting and that the county planned to convene the board of equalization in April and extend the appeals window into May to ensure property owners have time to file.

During the presentation Engel also highlighted hurricane Helene damage review procedures: owners with unrepaired storm damage as of Jan. 1, 2025 were urged to contact the tax office for adjustment consideration.

County officials told the public that, while assessed values rose in many cases, the commissioners intend to lower the property tax rate at budget adoption to reduce the out‑of‑pocket impact on taxpayers. Engel cautioned that the final change in individual tax bills depends on each property's new assessed value, the final tax rate the board approves and other taxing jurisdictions such as municipalities and fire districts.

The board did not adopt the tax rate at the meeting; commissioners approved the schedule for appeals and later, as part of other actions at the meeting, authorized advertising liens for delinquent 2024 taxes (see \"Votes at a glance\").

Residents were directed to the tax office for informal reviews and given an appeals phone number (828-757-1429). Engel said the county will post the revaluation presentation and related documents on the county website.

Ending: The board scheduled follow-up steps in coming weeks: staff will receive appeals, the board of equalization and review will hear formal appeals in April and the commissioners will set the tax rate during their June budget adoption process. The county emphasized residents should use the formal review channels if they believe their assessment is incorrect or inequitable.

","County tax administrator Josh Engel told commissioners that a 2025 countywide revaluation reflects sharp market gains and legal requirements; residents raised concerns during public comment about sticker shock and fixed incomes. The board said it will seek to lower the tax rate while appeals proceed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Caldwell County commissioners adopt resolutions, advertise tax liens and approve consent agenda

System 3 ministries outlines youth rallies, seeks county support after 2,000 attendees in 2024

Neighbors, landowner clash over private shooting range in Thornfield; some call for noise-ordinance changes

Caldwell County commissioners approve hiring and reclassification freeze while budget set

Caldwell County tax administrator outlines 2025 revaluation; commissioners pledge to lower rate as appeals begin