[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6605542,"mediaKeyId","2985730-1f2b270a325ccb718b2391a6aa3cef43","parentId",2985730,"title","Votes at a glance: board adopts consent agenda; meeting adjourned","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",959000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985730-1f2b270a325ccb718b2391a6aa3cef43&start=959&end=959","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985730-1f2b270a325ccb718b2391a6aa3cef43/thumbnail_959000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6605542/Union-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-board-adopts-consent-agenda-meeting-adjourned","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605542-e292a39c831ab137627ebe85bd1d00cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160688&Signature=DMzWa5H66ynMFQFNZrWn5ZKd00HT2PsfCvQWNCTrYxcoqfAEcZ-ldNaHNes4-CchATgvo5XUx0o4b~YMGB5rMe2Ts-IZdzJsFWkpJMyqJOnD~DVGSZMS9rcBG3azoZmx~4zzKqm5e-It9iJm2k1F2E5zfskvtB~lh1HMQWmEPy4icXHwPD8iLqGtrLP9X9B90tY8GR4zyFLQc~mEWX5Yee8oA4fMgiKxZ9aAZngaAFNpUdYgJr2bnlo70Dv31phKQOf1T0kC-vlPJ2KvFMNGv8oOt07GfHolwnn32dxTSEjdOVEyd91hge6DuYEKBPNZxROLkGd9Jtc4swI194tO1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Union County, NC","date","2025-04-14T23:23:34.467Z","article","At the April 14 meeting the board took two recorded voice actions:

- Consent agenda: A commissioner moved to adopt the consent agenda as published. The board proceeded by voice vote; the chair called for \"all those in favor say aye.\" The transcript records the motion and the voice \"aye\" but does not show a roll-call tally or names of the motion's mover and seconder.

- Adjournment: At the end of the meeting the chair moved that the board adjourn; the motion carried by voice vote after the chair put the question and commissioners said \"aye.\" The transcript does not record a roll-call or vote counts.

The public transcript contains no further recorded formal votes on ordinances, resolutions or bond authorizations during this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners | Regular Meeting | April 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Union County Board of Commissioners adopted the published consent agenda and subsequently adjourned the regular meeting by voice vote. No roll-call tallies were recorded in the public transcript.","taxTitle","Union County, North Carolina","taxId",14197,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6605547,"Local resident asks Union County to help start support network for victims of road violence",159,454000,613000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985730-1f2b270a325ccb718b2391a6aa3cef43&start=454&end=613","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985730-1f2b270a325ccb718b2391a6aa3cef43/thumbnail_454000.jpg","/articles/6605547/Union-County/North-Carolina/Local-resident-asks-Union-County-to-help-start-support-network-for-victims-of-road-violence","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605547-2e57f75aaeacf477107cda6cec46b195/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160688&Signature=EudWfrAqSn6J3w~niQ7Znvwurnih1JMex40pe4NtvG0Qmh0O9z0c~Nw6rbTa6v-C93F1qSSul126a4hYJGydDOj9FaQCUtlTIXa7M7bSuj00VjK4m0o3Rcn39tMh4JgLYi4qt0C4Ianej9vgnDQuTsfO0rUNAQhYxc5m1jkAtbTNuuHfWyI301mPLfJ3-85zmvXy5DfOycKhDlAxseD432QHp9-ZS~cBQiEQ9CB7N9dFaipw5JhWroSdmT604fFenNbh9~3IsXXnJFI-pbrXNAzxG2NiQdXTADJf4MFdvsGP4DYrP0wy2zlE2RITIo1FwvkKrie0xRq35FSLfjUmJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the April 14 public comment period, David Counter of Indian Trail asked the Union County Board of Commissioners to support his proposal to create a network of support groups for survivors and families of road-traffic victims.

Counter described his personal loss in December 2021 when his wife, Lee, was killed in a multi-vehicle crash on the I-485 overpass between Mecklenburg and Union counties. \"In an instant her life was snuffed out,\" he said, and he described a subsequent period without support that prompted his proposal.

Counter said he had provided each commissioner a copy of his draft proposal and asked the board to consider helping create the first such group in Union County as a model for the state.

The board responded with condolences. Chair Merrill told Counter, \"On behalf of this entire board, I want to tell you how sorry we are for your loss,\" and said commissioners had received the materials and were committed to reading the proposal.

Ending

Commissioners thanked Counter for speaking and for preparing the materials and made no formal commitments beyond reviewing the draft.","David Counter, a Union County resident who lost his wife in a 2021 crash, asked commissioners to help create a network of survivor support groups in Union County; the board expressed condolences and said members received his written proposal and would review it.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6605552,"Union County staff outline FY26 budget outlook, CIP priorities and bond tax impacts after revaluation",5261,2205000,7466000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985730-1f2b270a325ccb718b2391a6aa3cef43&start=2205&end=7466","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985730-1f2b270a325ccb718b2391a6aa3cef43/thumbnail_2205000.jpg","/articles/6605552/Union-County/North-Carolina/Union-County-staff-outline-FY26-budget-outlook-CIP-priorities-and-bond-tax-impacts-after-revaluation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605552-e2a896d781789bf02785afe9f04c20e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160688&Signature=GJ9RUXg9sFNxzXNZ6WPAiFvph6GeSTNSX2x3-dBKu10PnxlbiWMgSeQf37p-QMxydD9XUMMSxZMSc1zYA~dVisLM--9hGQmkbHQpcQSsPrArgfITMMSs5PAN220u2MRHY-PGXWniVMyUQ5UG-FvCkUvvqb-K2INpN6B03gR6lQRYqJ5iwajmYfS4yEeKi73C2SAlELJSYX-X67MJXEV9c93SkB1sWPMAFwtkVNQGwfkN-c6I-wzbcoRfO-Aegop-YPbXc-w2n4ywUg9qRQXAzxybPcDYNpJzKecgxG6jLNOUtF5pSLiLWk9Eh3CI45QtnrXSKhImFAt3d5drdpZv9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Union County officials on April 14 outlined revenue projections, a proposed six-year capital improvement plan (CIP) and the tax-rate impact of upcoming general obligation bond issuances the county plans to sell in July.

Finance Director Beverly Lyles, Budget Director Jason May and Facilities Director Chris Boyd presented the county's capital requests and debt models and answered commissioners' questions about timing, priorities and tax impacts.

What staff told the board

- Revaluation and penny value: Jason May said the county is using a new penny value of $6,081,022 for modeling after the revaluation. The county's revenue-neutral tax rate calculation shown to the board was 41.59'cents per $100 of assessed value; the county's current tax rate is 58.85'cents.

- Revenue and timing: May said staff was finalizing third-quarter revenue and expense projections and planned to deliver a complete third-quarter report by May 1. He described ad valorem growth modeling based on four years of historical growth (about 4.119% used in the example) and cautioned that sales tax projections are volatile.

- FY26 capital requests and funding: Lyles said departments requested about $6.8 million in county general fund capital for FY26; she recommended funding one-time capital with unassigned general fund balance consistent with board policy that allows one-time fund balance for capital or debt reduction.

- Major capital projects: Facilities Director Chris Boyd reviewed proposed projects including Progress Building renovations (transportation office and training space contingent on federal transit grant), roofing replacements, fueling stations at three county locations, a Cane Creek Park outdoor recreation building and Patton Avenue parking and stormwater improvements. Boyd said the jail study is ongoing and the county had placed a placeholder amount for a future jail option but no final decision had been made.

- Public safety and other capital: Staff described ongoing, level-funded programs including replacement cycles for ambulances and SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) for fire departments, radio system upgrades to the 800-megahertz system for interoperability with first responders, and IT infrastructure replacements such as uninterruptible power supply (UPS) devices and annual aerial imagery (Pictometry) updates.

- Bonds and debt models: Lyles said the county expects to go to market in July to issue roughly $85 million in general obligation bonds, combining previously voter-approved school bonds and a South Piedmont Community College bond. She said the models assume a conservative 5% interest rate and do not assume any bond premium.

Tax-rate implications presented to the board

- Education debt fund: Using the updated penny value and conservative assumptions, staff estimated the additional tax-rate increase needed to cover the voter-approved school and college bonds would be about 1.82 cents per $100 of assessed value for FY26 above the revenue-neutral rate; staff estimated a sample homeowner with a $100,000 assessed value would pay about $18.20 more per year and a median-value home (presented at $450,000) would pay about $82 above revenue-neutral for education debt.

- Total debt funds: Lyles presented an estimated total tax rate for all county debt funds of about 5.41 cents per $100 with the education increase included; she emphasized that the county would continue refining models as additional data arrives and that premium from a bond sale is not guaranteed and should not be relied on in budget adoption.

Board reaction and next steps

Several commissioners thanked staff for the detail and asked for printed copies of specific slides and models. Staff said the next steps include completing the third-quarter report, returning bond-resolution language in May and presenting the manager's recommended budget and public hearings in late May and June with budget adoption planned for June 16.

Ending

Staff emphasized the models are conservative and that the county will continue to refine assumptions during May and June as the board prepares for FY26 budget adoption.","County staff presented fiscal projections, a six-year capital improvement program and models for upcoming voter-approved bonds; revaluation increased the penny value and narrowed the revenue-neutral rate, but staff warned voter-approved school and college bonds will require added debt service above revenue-neutral rates.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6605557,"Union County litter task force urges Keep America Beautiful affiliation, two staff positions and a cleanup grant pilot",1189,991000,2180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985730-1f2b270a325ccb718b2391a6aa3cef43&start=991&end=2180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985730-1f2b270a325ccb718b2391a6aa3cef43/thumbnail_991000.jpg","/articles/6605557/Union-County/North-Carolina/Union-County-litter-task-force-urges-Keep-America-Beautiful-affiliation-two-staff-positions-and-a-cleanup-grant-pilot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605557-0deb4ae44c064d437e0b79d2735b18d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160688&Signature=SwcS5rOMBbrca5-V1vhxxGsaVWMki8xn7d2KzfEEh8nuK~Wa9fcAZuxXTL-1nil4djqmxY6R5MKJJdryCEMLf4FCSq8k3gFdiIw3US~RAZ7vFPLO5mF7U3cMe4NbMse1lgQo5PFl6YVhD0obAlnKkEQyjjmHrLi5SzuA56Ouf3loGAkK9bkPAL5OVDRs7o5Qx4rSAMht5JIz5~EJIFDmhIdMzJnghphDcJirVcjbvms7gyY9WBFHiH~tv4Cj9U99dACniq-eS4aQFt9VFlGiI-TYwMLYDi-h1hE8gqEiD4efnPFuUDClj5M6R~r68oD7U6nuANeEsY68WJxwUzf2fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Union County Board of Commissioners heard a report April 14 from the county'appointed 2050 litter committee recommending the county affiliate with Keep America Beautiful and fund a coordinator, a field worker and a small grant program to help clean up illegal dumping on private property.

The committee chair, Scott Abramson, presented the recommendations and cost estimates. \"We are suggesting that 2 more resources be added,\" Abramson said, describing a litter coordinator and a field worker to be supervised by the county's solid waste director.

The committee said affiliation with Keep America Beautiful would provide program expertise and mentoring. Bjorn Hansen, senior planner, told the board the committee had heard from other jurisdictions about the program's recognition and support.

Why it matters: Committee members said a sustained, staffed program would make litter reduction more consistent countywide, strengthen enforcement coordination among the sheriff's office, code enforcement and environmental health, and reduce the burden on private landowners who face cleanup costs after illegal dumping.

Key details and costs

- Staffing: The committee proposed a coordinator (presented salary range $60,000'$70,000 plus benefits) and a field worker (presented salary about $50,000 plus benefits).
- Program materials: The committee presented a materials and marketing budget range of $30,000'$50,000 per year.
- Annual program cost: The committee presented a ballpark combined annual cost range of about $200,000'$250,000, to cover salaries, benefits and equipment.
- Startup and membership: Committee members described Keep America Beautiful'related fees including an initial setup fee and an annual membership (presentation cited a $1,650 start-up fee and a $1,000 annual membership).
- Vehicle and maintenance: Presenters noted the program would require at least one pickup truck and ongoing vehicle maintenance and fuel; staff said pickups typically last four to six years and that replacement, insurance and operating costs would be ongoing.

The committee also recommended creating a small grant program (a $5,000 pilot was discussed in committee-level remarks) to help landowners remove dumped items from private property and to reduce the incentive for landowners to absorb those costs themselves.

Board questions and enforcement

Commissioners and staff discussed enforcement and coordination with the sheriff's office. Commissioner comments and the presentation noted that state and local laws exist to issue fines for illegal dumping but that enforcement is infrequent; Sergeant Preston of the sheriff's office was recognized by the board for follow-up work on reported dumping sites. Committee members said a county litter coordinator could follow up on enforcement actions, camera placement and evidence collection.

Several commissioners asked for more detail about the Keep America Beautiful affiliation and the services the $1,000 annual fee would secure; Abramson described that affiliation as access to experts and program support and said the fee buys mentorship and resource access across the national network.

No formal action

The board received the report and discussed priorities and costs, but commissioners did not vote on implementing the recommendations during the April 14 meeting. Staff and committee members said they would return with additional information if the board asked for follow-up.

Ending

Commissioners thanked the committee and the community volunteers for their work and encouraged staff to return with supplemental cost information and implementation options for future consideration.","A county-appointed litter task force recommended affiliating with Keep America Beautiful, adding two staff positions to coordinate litter reduction and creating a small grant program to help landowners clean up illegal dumping. The board asked questions about costs and enforcement but took no formal votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: board adopts consent agenda; meeting adjourned

Local resident asks Union County to help start support network for victims of road violence

Union County staff outline FY26 budget outlook, CIP priorities and bond tax impacts after revaluation

Union County litter task force urges Keep America Beautiful affiliation, two staff positions and a cleanup grant pilot