[{"_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",6320212,"mediaKeyId","2359307-1f1121aac702ecf2962dd7f27721b13d","parentId",2359307,"title","Cabarrus commissioners face public criticism over appointment process; Shannon Lancaster appointed to Human Services advisory board","audioSeconds",3529,"startMs",331000,"endMs",3860000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2359307-1f1121aac702ecf2962dd7f27721b13d&start=331&end=3860","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2359307-1f1121aac702ecf2962dd7f27721b13d/thumbnail_331000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6320212/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Cabarrus-commissioners-face-public-criticism-over-appointment-process-Shannon-Lancaster-appointed-to-Human-Services-advisory-board","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320212-e6903c3483b6bed2cee468e3b7ed90a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035750&Signature=fWq2qSJOejJIA~qCs1rcwtnqi77CMwteHh-1nkKjBLCNEmlfjfFXARPYAot7O9t3yH9f9fJ7MWpFhKA3WPbvuLlayfyL7sYba480-sJmJoQdRg0O7tt~qaM1xlvK6Xoqft7lmDarhDjn2PPZ38VuQpk1~QBvGOZzR-RcphiRkqUh1QKaozO4IJ3yXrJaYA2jDOomOIf-4H94gZKaobEEeJnmzNiIXucBx6xAc-KNNNRB4iGapDj8Nd7FMLXtM-a75EcF1mliv~f9IkA~x-OprVelWuVouCOLmd40tyJvsWq57czeE2HB0DJyDFV4utxG4-Kwf9S07ucrQrQ48aJA0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cabarrus County (CabCoTV)","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","Public comments at the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners meeting on Feb. 18 pressed the board for more transparency in appointments and accused commissioners of steering seats to ideologically aligned candidates. During the meeting the board removed Marie Dockery from the Human Services Advisory Board and appointed Shannon Lancaster to finish the unexpired term, and it replaced a county representative on the Cabarrus Visitors Bureau with a sitting commissioner.

The concerns were raised repeatedly during the public-comment portion. Mae Mack told commissioners she opposed what she described as “intimidation and interference in board appointments,” saying the practice produced an “echo chamber” and warned voters would hold elected officials accountable. “Your efforts to ensure the appointment of community members that only hold beliefs or opinions that coincide with your own is detrimental to Cabarrus County,” Mack said.

Other speakers amplified that message. Nancy Hoffer, a retired teacher, said she had observed politically connected appointments and urged “transparency in this county, and all boards and committees and commissions.” Brendan O’Connor, a community-development practitioner and doctoral student at UNC Charlotte, said efficiency efforts should be done “in the light of day” and asked why a new Commission on Financial Efficiency and its appointments were not formed through an open application process.

Commissioners and staff described the process used for the Human Services Advisory Board nomination. Alyce Pugh, Assistant County Manager, said the nominee will complete an unexpired term through December 2025 and that the consolidated human services agency’s advisory board is an advisory — not decision-making — body. Pugh said the board’s chair and vice chair review applications and bring a recommendation for a vote, and that the Department of Social Services board voted unanimously to recommend Shannon Lancaster.

On motions, the board voted to remove Marie Dockery from the Human Services Advisory Board (motion and vote recorded during the meeting) and then voted to appoint Shannon Lancaster to fill the remainder of the term. The meeting minutes record the appointment motion as carrying 3 to 1.

Separately, Commissioners moved to remove Mike Downes from the Cabarrus Visitors Bureau slot and to appoint Commissioner Wortman to that vacancy; the removal was recorded as passing unanimously.

Why it matters: Appointments to advisory boards shape which perspectives advise county operations in areas such as human services, veterans’ services and public health. Several public speakers told the board that appointments made without a widely advertised process undermine public trust.

The board announced the first meeting of the newly formed Commission on Financial Efficiency will be held in the Governmental Center multipurpose room in mid-February; several commenters had said that meeting and the commission’s application process were not easy to find on the county website. Commissioners said they will consider improving online visibility of new committees.

The meeting proceeded to other agenda items after the appointments and public comment period.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cabarrus County BOC Meeting 02.18.2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public comments at the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners meeting on Feb. 18 pressed the board for more transparency in appointments and accused commissioners of steering seats to ideologically aligned candidates.","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},6320192,"Votes at a glance: actions taken by Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners, Feb. 18, 2025",3672,208000,3880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2359307-1f1121aac702ecf2962dd7f27721b13d&start=208&end=3880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2359307-1f1121aac702ecf2962dd7f27721b13d/thumbnail_208000.jpg","/articles/6320192/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-actions-taken-by-Cabarrus-County-Board-of-Commissioners-Feb-18-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320192-a6e3dbb46beefb5412b05a3132d50291/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035750&Signature=BJAXZPzL8j-mH3fp~qvpVYjGkzsf4sgMSnpRk8y1TQU~EaDiQ84uTXJsxsDvteJ8e9vpWK43HXu1ESmozeJcJM~ETNcyd9iXAD1Nf0CrSnVYPEssyYTIBNagvkMOoGiamw~HSm~KnTWsN1avU-fPJ3ayEGkfEI0z4TkP3FuwgBbkrzz1HAX2JepGs6QvzRRXHrGgE12FbqmpbYUlEJNI3MuS~8cirAfmeJQP6LqkdNNUoh1zo72Hwy81gHRU8Z0G4LXb1b4lwZqradLZa7Gq5AIyP8~LrVjRf1UyqeD5vXeAPsLQTlqVzfdHntXfI7gJ1eyE0NZSLBTOV~Dhv9k-0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners recorded the following motions and outcomes at its Feb. 18, 2025 meeting. This summary lists the motions as stated on the record, the stated outcomes and any vote tallies recorded in the meeting transcript.

1) Approval of minutes (motion to approve the minutes): Outcome recorded by voice as carried; no formal tally recorded in the transcript.

2) Approval of agenda with amendment (move tax administration/advertisement of delinquent taxes to new business): Outcome recorded by voice as carried; no formal tally recorded.

3) Consent agenda: Motion to approve the consent agenda carried 4 to 0.

4) Duke Energy right-of-way easement (Kannapolis City Schools — Fred L. Wilson Elementary): Motion to approve easement dedication and authorize Deputy County Manager to execute documents upon review; motion carried 4 to 0.

5) Fiscal year 2024 annual comprehensive financial report (audit presentation): Auditor presented the audit (unmodified/clean opinion). Presentation accepted for review; no formal vote recorded to adopt the audit at the meeting (auditor asked commissioners to review the full report in coming weeks).

6) Fund-balance/CIF transfer discussion: Staff presented unassigned fund-balance and calculated excess ($23,603,962) available for transfer to the Community Investment Fund per board policy; no vote taken. Commissioners directed staff to retain flexibility and revisit during the budget process.

7) Remove Marie Dockery from Human Services Advisory Board: Motion to remove Marie Dockery (resignation accepted/removed); transcript records the motion and later records “Motion carries 4 to 3” in the meeting audio. (Transcript contains inconsistencies; see provenance and audit below.)

8) Appoint Shannon Lancaster to Human Services Advisory Board to complete unexpired term (through Dec. 2025): Motion carried, recorded as 3 to 1.

9) Remove Mike Downes from Cabarrus Visitors Bureau slot: Motion carried 4 to 0.

10) Appoint Commissioner Wortman to Cabarrus Visitors Bureau vacancy: Motion recorded and carried; formal tally not specified in transcript.

11) Approve report of outstanding delinquent real-property taxes and order advertisement of liens (statutory action): Motion carried 4 to 0.

12) Motion to go into closed session per NCGS 143-318.11(a)(6): Motion carried 4 to 0; board entered closed session for the listed statutory purpose.

Notes on transcripts and tallies: Several voice votes and procedural approvals were recorded without named movers/seconders or full roll-call tallies in the transcript. In two motions (removal of Marie Dockery and appointment of Shannon Lancaster) the transcript contains differing or possibly misaligned tallies; these should be verified against the official minutes and recorded roll call.

For each of the items above, the relevant on-the-record excerpts appear in the meeting transcript and are provided below as provenance items.","Below are motions and outcomes recorded during the Feb. 18, 2025 Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners meeting, per the meeting transcript and on-the-record motions.",{"_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},6320196,"Commissioners approve easement for new Duke Energy transformer at Fred L. Wilson Elementary",84,2432000,2516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2359307-1f1121aac702ecf2962dd7f27721b13d&start=2432&end=2516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2359307-1f1121aac702ecf2962dd7f27721b13d/thumbnail_2432000.jpg","/articles/6320196/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-approve-easement-for-new-Duke-Energy-transformer-at-Fred-L-Wilson-Elementary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320196-a0dbe7f56b184cb1d030e1a6e18701dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035750&Signature=IUfHgJf3bexLE7iRFbvgrWGUBtNBX6OUHU9cYhWEwFB~fAgsLrnOH5G-dFWfsuLX0BD-7MezjNgdQC~hYIJNrQHpPQ620bG8LU-1J2yUgPTJtSBI1-UiCtqDKZnLlBofmcqqviMHxxUkBGP1A~0F~Tg5BQ7YNwIR7pq2DejhhIJ4RA0wSbnw-og-eSbqOJKYNghJDWYqVw3K3vzJR9pQkIQ~jdA-l8Nbchlbt0oE45jSOQ~MrAIq0IXe6oDXXzVlApaJ99kMY9~zSMVnD4f-8NVnXKjr6XdM81JsO-5MJCRwET4OBWC8XYCxX34gimJQTNlpcAFWMzZ1bdA5jZAI4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 18 approved a request to dedicate a right-of-way easement to Duke Energy on property owned by Kannapolis City Schools where Fred L. Wilson Elementary School is undergoing an addition. The board authorized the deputy county manager to execute necessary documents after county staff review; the motion passed 4 to 0.

Deputy County Manager Kelly presented the request and a map showing the location of the proposed transformer and associated lines. Kelly said the easement is needed to accommodate a new transformer and line routing tied to the school’s addition. The board asked no substantive questions and approved the easement and execution authority for county staff.

Why it matters: The easement allows the school addition to receive electrical service for the expanded building and is a routine land-management action tied to a school construction project.","The board approved dedicating a right-of-way easement for Duke Energy to install a transformer and associated lines on Fred L. Wilson Elementary School property; Kannapolis City Schools requested the easement for an addition project.",{"_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},6320201,"Board approves advertisement of delinquent property tax liens; tax collector outlines collection steps",299,4163000,4462000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2359307-1f1121aac702ecf2962dd7f27721b13d&start=4163&end=4462","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2359307-1f1121aac702ecf2962dd7f27721b13d/thumbnail_4163000.jpg","/articles/6320201/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Board-approves-advertisement-of-delinquent-property-tax-liens-tax-collector-outlines-collection-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320201-ca59f78c5bd705a880e5d0f3c80a08c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035750&Signature=IA4ZxEZghKKYrImLCPCcBHASUPk6H1Bksk0phNYbo33XXAsPCKGOzqnYRfL1N8-~U-pfvVwifZc7zpT~4a9QvvCx7ChREJS5FhZgacAZaZLVr6w6hr8LRhL0K4kHf-ccZBFXn5BJyACeziNW2UPw8QhofdhqHpFxhgbFdwN2LXv5NgEK2S2RuUOwYAVrzJxuaVW1J079ooCfbdUgbpoFR6wNja4JoiVLK9S8bFb1-5Fru1Hg~SBe0kmkPV9uPaditTqp43NoQQUtMgR9eapulWsYxx2NGjuPhinQggPImu4jpp3JJ8i2RXvSVXAugSJjAs~GRBNBnRsF8yGa2A1mvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 18 approved the tax collector’s report of outstanding real-property delinquent taxes and ordered the advertisement of liens, an action required by state statute. The motion to approve the report and order advertisement carried 4 to 0.

Administrator and tax-collection official David Thrift told the board the advertisement is a statutory step that provides notice to taxpayers and creates an opportunity for staff to work with taxpayers to resolve delinquency before any foreclosure action begins. He said the tax office sends delinquent notices, offers payment plans and seeks to keep taxpayers in contact with staff so matters can be resolved without property seizure.

“Your point of foreclosure is one of the [tools] a tax collector has. It is not the only means of collection that we have,” Thrift said, adding that the office’s goal is to work with taxpayers and not take property. He told commissioners that foreclosure is typically a later option after multiple collection steps and that a formal foreclosure is usually considered only after about two years of delinquency, although staff uses earlier interventions to avoid that outcome.

Why it matters: Advertising delinquent-tax liens starts a public-notice and collection process that can lead to additional collection remedies if accounts remain unpaid. Taxpayers who cannot pay are instructed to contact the tax office to discuss payment plans.

Commissioners asked whether staff has worked with taxpayers who cannot pay; Thrift said the office regularly establishes payment plans and assists taxpayers to avoid recurring delinquency. The board voted to accept the tax-collection report and to authorize advertisement of the delinquent liens, consistent with the statutory requirement.","Per state statute the board approved the tax collector’s report and ordered advertisement of outstanding real property tax liens. The tax collector said advertisement is a step in a multi-year collection process that usually does not lead to immediate foreclosure.",{"_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},6320206,"Cabarrus County audit: clean opinion; commissioners debate moving $23.6 million to Community Investment Fund",548,2577000,3125000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2359307-1f1121aac702ecf2962dd7f27721b13d&start=2577&end=3125","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2359307-1f1121aac702ecf2962dd7f27721b13d/thumbnail_2577000.jpg","/articles/6320206/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Cabarrus-County-audit-clean-opinion-commissioners-debate-moving-236-million-to-Community-Investment-Fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320206-34d0bb019931456f0ba4dce552aa635c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035750&Signature=Es0cdMS5YlIWJDorB9a5uCN0ZZvFNiLcprGVLYk8aUwjAspk8QOwaK5qvnOxs8y2c4We78GEDe3LKkfe5DcYmoAhW9OwVw0C62ZMA05sT662GwbHYtp92nwgb24Unx2NWl3I4cud6B3-7-6zsm~84P9CY0UES8Lle7W4-fYc-UdiVhpt~Rnxe2cmws9QwXxvVwDwXgV8iRaurbLGz2bEOx6NGAR2v4xC1N8Jv7QwsdHZfs-7C7ayTK3z9GOWbq2E~t9NWGpalskcziNEicLoA7GV7msxxOb7rsHSoLeSuPboFgIqmNlE6TscSVtaXQath7-geSkunYmr3Ip794eAPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cabarrus County officials received an unmodified audit opinion for fiscal year 2024 and reviewed fund-balance details at the Feb. 18 Board of Commissioners meeting. Auditor Matt Breyer of Martin Starnes and Associates told the board the county’s financial statements were “in accordance with GAAP” and that the audit included no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies.

The audit showed total general-fund balance of about $236 million and an unassigned general-fund balance of roughly $83 million. Accounting adjustments and commitments left an unassigned balance equivalent to about three months of operating expenditures (about 22% of annual expenditures), the auditor said. Revenues exceeded expenditures for 2024 by roughly $59 million; property tax revenue increased about 4% year over year.

Why it matters: Fund balance levels determine how much cash the county can deploy for capital projects without issuing debt, and how much it should hold as a reserve for economic volatility.

County staff and commissioners discussed moving the amount above the board’s 15% reserve policy into the Community Investment Fund (CIF) to finance capital and deferred-maintenance projects rather than borrowing. Finance Director Jim Howden said, per policy, transfers of unassigned funds above the 15% reserve threshold are typically moved to the CIF. Staff calculated the excess available for transfer at about $23,603,962.

Several commissioners urged caution. Chairman Meissmer said she would prefer leaving funds in the general fund to retain flexibility while the county finalizes its budget and resolves an approximately $7 million projected deficit. Commissioner Lindsay and another commissioner echoed that sentiment, saying it would be prudent to wait until the budget process concludes before moving the money into CIF.

No formal vote to transfer the funds occurred at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to retain flexibility and revisit the decision during the budget process. Finance staff confirmed there is no statutory deadline requiring an immediate transfer.

The auditors also reviewed major revenue and expenditure drivers: human-services spending rose about $6 million (reflecting increased federal and state grant activity), public safety spending rose roughly $8 million, and education-related current expense increased by about $7 million (mainly for Cabarrus County Schools). The auditors recommended commissioners and staff review fund assignments as part of the upcoming budget cycle.

The board thanked audit staff for their work and accepted the presentation for review; auditors encouraged commissioners to contact finance staff with questions as they examine the full annual comprehensive financial report.

The board moved on to other business after the discussion.","County auditors issued an unmodified opinion for fiscal 2024; commissioners discussed but did not vote on transferring approximately $23.6 million of unassigned fund balance into the Community Investment Fund, citing desire to retain flexibility while the 2025 budget deficit remains under review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cabarrus commissioners face public criticism over appointment process; Shannon Lancaster appointed to Human Services advisory board

Votes at a glance: actions taken by Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners, Feb. 18, 2025

Commissioners approve easement for new Duke Energy transformer at Fred L. Wilson Elementary

Board approves advertisement of delinquent property tax liens; tax collector outlines collection steps

Cabarrus County audit: clean opinion; commissioners debate moving $23.6 million to Community Investment Fund