[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6075943,"mediaKeyId","2978507-a0a16299d39f77b426e2a906d927cdaa","parentId",2978507,"title","Commission approves proclamations, multiple board appointments and a stipend for health director; accepts resignation","audioSeconds",2437,"startMs",182000,"endMs",2619000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2978507-a0a16299d39f77b426e2a906d927cdaa&start=182&end=2619","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2978507-a0a16299d39f77b426e2a906d927cdaa/thumbnail_182000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6075943/Rowan-County/North-Carolina/Commission-approves-proclamations-multiple-board-appointments-and-a-stipend-for-health-director-accepts-resignation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075943-7d8e4cb6394e55ce53929e741bdd4d0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776070356&Signature=g2eIHc1yr~fyjlLoPJoLfmrYQaZOcVTwTpn7Z1ooZ4SULuN~m~tp8vWBMulXhrGcNF2VaLtIRTZ6wxvFhrCEoLWOO5d6JiYXxnk2bpCufOLq0wOWB0vAUrGiPmfOm2qmyCVfBZjmAez6iOyhO65GtO5yXEZnGZxhWkDPsi3K73CnLRS4-xHvi5jWI5oF1vIGROxCvYG3xUiJerc1lkd3qWZjFS5JGkGavNeZqwfvBwg~Z4A3QdqMs7Q7oH1YmJrPkb2Bj--9UacAuksXmciLdOI~GN~c4piDW5IugfR36NZw11qPPsN~vQH6DxwSJVQG9c0br9akt8MovM1Aq6oZOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rowan County, NC","date","2025-04-08T17:31:11Z","article","The Rowan County Board of Commissioners adopted several ceremonial proclamations and administrative items on April 7, 2025.

Proclamations: Commissioners approved a proclamation recognizing National Public Health Week in April 2025 and a proclamation recognizing Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 13–19, 2025). Public-health and telecommunicator representatives attended and briefly addressed the board.

Appointments and resignation: The board approved a slate of volunteer appointments and reappointments across multiple boards and committees, including applicants for Boston Heights Volunteer Fire Department Board of Trustees, Cleveland County Volunteer Fire Department, Historic Landmarks Commission, Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee, Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) representatives, Mount Mitchell Volunteer Fire Department, Rockwell Bridal Volunteer Fire Department, South Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department, Union Volunteer Fire Department, and others. The board also accepted Gene Bieber’s resignation from the Rowan County Housing Authority.

Closed-session stipend: After a closed session authorized under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.11(a)(1) and (a)(6) (to consider closed-session minutes and consult with counsel regarding personnel), commissioners approved a $6,654 annual stipend to be paid each August for the next three years to the county health department director to support pursuit of a PhD. Each year’s payment carries a three-year clawback tied to that payment.

Adjournment: The board recessed into closed session and later reconvened; the meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Commissioners Meeting - April 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board adopted proclamations recognizing Public Health Week and Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, approved multiple volunteer board appointments, accepted a resignation from the Rowan County Housing Authority, and approved a three-year stipend for the county health director following closed-session action.","taxTitle","Rowan County, North Carolina","taxId",14196,"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},6075948,"Commissioners create farmland preservation fund, allocate up to 50% of deferred taxes (capped at $100,000)",355,1748000,2103000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2978507-a0a16299d39f77b426e2a906d927cdaa&start=1748&end=2103","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2978507-a0a16299d39f77b426e2a906d927cdaa/thumbnail_1748000.jpg","/articles/6075948/Rowan-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-create-farmland-preservation-fund-allocate-up-to-50-of-deferred-taxes-capped-at-100000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075948-114e41e7e4a2efdcc38ba8fc3517ce7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776070356&Signature=MHs3dzHH7~UDEV04n8zIRsLlfTMXUGx4ZKDLu0db7mvqeWdDy2zWp4TCrr0V2eillcSjNwI4c9VEixDRg~1N5GwZsjdL6rQLPZK~CT44q~F5-4avwlzI2gKSfLc28AbY-vet3Tooj8ESM6BAuLYNUp~ARG4FkGMmQnYWbPJhzNq1zg8PDtCjKyqZh6QnGmrTj3MeC6Qr943OcJRxCTYdCRivtKBkBND-UjTICgCMXOQeDddx-1KJaCs6X~cGs9qewR2FxSUJBMyWXZiaaZfTHXaTIH15~7XC7Vnzs8pbIGAsAYqnE2AI6GhMuJf11IZJpAQO03Badh5bIqCb9sl38A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff described a proposed Farmland Preservation Fund policy to commissioners on April 7, 2025. Staff said many farmers want to place land into conservation easements but face prohibitive transaction costs, including surveys and legal fees. To assist, the proposed policy would set aside part of the county’s recaptured present-use-value (deferred) taxes when farmland exits the present-use valuation.

Staff said the policy would move 50% of collected deferred present-use-value taxes as defined in North Carolina General Statute 105 into a deferred-revenue account for farmland preservation on an annual basis, not to exceed $100,000 in any year. The full amount of recaptured taxes would still be recorded in county accounts; the policy sets aside up to half of those amounts for preservation expenses.

Presenters noted that annual receipts are uncertain: in some years there may be no recapture revenue and in others receipts could be substantial, so the policy is designed to be applied year-by-year and to be available as needs arise. Staff also said the county would not be purchasing land; the fund is intended to help cover costs associated with placing farmland into conservation easements, not to acquire properties.

At the meeting staff said roughly 13 farms had expressed interest in the program, and that the policy would be effective April 7, 2025 for the 2024–25 budget year (July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025). A commissioner moved to approve the Roaring County Farmland Preservation Fund policy; the board approved the measure by voice vote.

Staff said budget managers will report annual availability and farmers will request expense funding when ready; the county did not set a multi-year commitment beyond the annual cap and year-to-year allocation approach.","Rowan County adopted a farmland preservation fund policy that directs 50% of collected deferred present-use-value taxes, up to $100,000 per year, into a dedicated deferred-revenue account to help farmers pay costs of conservation easements; policy effective April 7, 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},6075953,"Commissioners approve TEFRA hearing resolution for Novant Health bond financing",181,1504000,1685000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2978507-a0a16299d39f77b426e2a906d927cdaa&start=1504&end=1685","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2978507-a0a16299d39f77b426e2a906d927cdaa/thumbnail_1504000.jpg","/articles/6075953/Rowan-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-approve-TEFRA-hearing-resolution-for-Novant-Health-bond-financing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075953-1a3c404e690f38114850272e56730dd0/orig.mp4?Expires=1776070356&Signature=SFM1NQYZfzoFccwH2F58OPjkG1IxOaLU6KXcdRIy9z6K0ExI2R~b1BsE2wXJxlPYGQIRg0uIS-z2cGT4aNkifu2ZkghlCHNzSBqGDwvSTxnYmh7YUncb-dXLnay2aHPd8v5dE3d8sU0yq-Ud7TpMVmB1gSlcRdr9NR08zjaBb5N7jECg4vtYrsdZ~SJE4KynMlwI25ZFzZZOmIt0uw415XJXaBUWIogyShyir6aKpKsnlmS6C-IprDXIkHfFjISf07asmq5Wl9s1xfrL56OYihW8Ux0L5K6SHj1Qd6IXe-HWm1cvoatiFS4-eN0N9IQbY7BzHuU1ubcRN7nneqTJfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alan Robertson, managing partner at Roberts & Bradshaw serving as bond counsel, explained the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) requirement for a public hearing when tax-exempt bonds issued by an entity will finance projects in a jurisdiction. Robertson said the bonds would be issued by the National Finance Authority, a New Hampshire-based governmental issuer, with Novant Health and affiliates as the ultimate beneficiaries and that some proceeds will fund improvements at Rowan Medical Center.

Robertson clarified the county would not incur financial responsibility by approving the TEFRA resolution. \"The county has no financial responsibility by virtue of taking action,\" Robertson said, and that identical approvals were being sought from multiple jurisdictions where Novant operates.

The board opened the public hearing; no members of the public testified. A commissioner moved to approve the resolution of support; the board approved the resolution by voice vote.

The county’s action was limited to conducting the TEFRA hearing and approving the requested resolution; Robertson and staff said the approval does not create a county debt or obligation related to the bond issuance.","The board held a TEFRA public hearing and approved a resolution supporting issuance of tax-exempt bonds that will finance Novant Health improvements, including at Rowan Medical Center; county staff said the county bears no financial obligation for the bond issuance.",{"_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},6075958,"Rowan County agencies outline child-death drivers, commissioners proclaim April Child Abuse Prevention Month",716,672000,1388000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2978507-a0a16299d39f77b426e2a906d927cdaa&start=672&end=1388","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2978507-a0a16299d39f77b426e2a906d927cdaa/thumbnail_672000.jpg","/articles/6075958/Rowan-County/North-Carolina/Rowan-County-agencies-outline-child-death-drivers-commissioners-proclaim-April-Child-Abuse-Prevention-Month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075958-9a229cf90ead5f6d91c5d8e067bb25c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776070356&Signature=KE5vK7b1d3m1LPR3M5ki21T6Y7wEz2RMRulqrlEZhUcTeaD9vEhZdtrGvS77M8S06Pt4VVchXJnRgNQpOj16KNFdSHzDFImSKTmYGqQ0yyMpHAFsU-QmgSm-OyrVqzdJbABV7ib18~QSRxJ2qrzu2j9~EMYOM4f0jbAtCEVoIMgUEjFbajVGKRsyPnU0zuQR-RRH4vYj1bUZluPJJMFDbhsOmjQ-zREwox48yjTvxAtpWZRkPuuDY3c7kdK6GCXY1GZaNMIYqwz0IXSd9FMRqdKNN91DXGj8Dfv9RihnEIA4BCe3qBuzVGaGtQuo0wu~yygmPhKV6p1EzLTWGbRDtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Amy Brown, executive director of Smart Start Rowan and chair of the Rowan Community Child Protection Team, presented the CCPT’s 2024 annual report to the Rowan County Board of Commissioners on April 7, saying the report lists participating agencies, case reviews, identified needs and community recommendations. \"Page 2 shows that Rowan County has a wide variety of team members from many child serving agencies across the community,\" Brown said.

Sean Edmond, representing the Terry Hess Child Advocacy Center, described the center’s services and new resources, saying Terry Hess served \"over 235 children and their families here in Rowan County\" in the past year and announced the opening of Robin’s Loft, a dedicated space to expand on-site mental-health and family-support services. \"At Robins Loft, children who have experienced trauma can receive on-site evidence based therapy in a calm, welcoming environment,\" Edmond said.

Josh Sutz, deputy director of the Rowan County Department of Social Services, reviewed trends in child-protective-services reports. He said CPS reports declined slightly in 2024 but have trended upward since 2020, and that substance use continues to be a significant contributing factor to abuse and neglect. Sutz also reported Rowan County had notable results achieving timely permanence for children entering DSS custody in 2024, with many children placed with relatives or reunified.

From the CCPT’s child-fatality review of 21 cases in 2024, panel members identified unsafe infant sleep as a top cause of infant death and cited prenatal tobacco or vaping use as linked to prematurity and poor outcomes. Public-health speakers described local prevention work that includes safe-sleep education at pediatric visits and distribution of safe-sleep equipment, and state-level cessation resources such as the NCQUIT line.

Following the presentations, a commissioner moved to adopt a proclamation recognizing April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month in Rowan County. The board approved the proclamation by voice vote.

The report, presenters said, contains community recommendations for prevention and a request that the board adopt the proclamation and consider the listed recommendations for future action.","Local child-serving agencies presented the Rowan Community Child Protection Team 2024 annual report identifying safe sleep and substance use as leading contributors to child fatalities and abuse; the board adopted a proclamation declaring April Child Abuse Prevention Month.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves proclamations, multiple board appointments and a stipend for health director; accepts resignation

Commissioners create farmland preservation fund, allocate up to 50% of deferred taxes (capped at $100,000)

Commissioners approve TEFRA hearing resolution for Novant Health bond financing

Rowan County agencies outline child-death drivers, commissioners proclaim April Child Abuse Prevention Month