[{"_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",6245681,"mediaKeyId","3222797-bb552bffa5ef062acbe80fb79f787dd0","parentId",3222797,"title","Commissioners reject initial offer for Bluefield Road property, reaffirm $1.5M minimum starting bid","audioSeconds",602,"startMs",2762000,"endMs",3364000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3222797-bb552bffa5ef062acbe80fb79f787dd0&start=2762&end=3364","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3222797-bb552bffa5ef062acbe80fb79f787dd0/thumbnail_2762000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6245681/Iredell-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-reject-initial-offer-for-Bluefield-Road-property-reaffirm-15M-minimum-starting-bid","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245681-9405d8a466a9f80ed829d95040de797d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153109&Signature=obmCeY03NRUbIzGXf71~ee1WChzmy3EXMoWx4TEGCDuDFw8Kq5OPEQXdgy3U7azyMUIV~aiq687duXmatpWifnol3PKklp15IE8tojQF-baChlnJfWQ6RK342qXuTMyDQnDXPhz2KzNFvBDuhbSChK4eeF~zT-quhXE5YhNqaGwDPAKBJtr3couXe7vbMI9XnPOijnfJfTQPQ51~HwwHAerqcN0DOR7RqACFs~X~H0NEzjlkWLGpslBhWIZyGO0~JB3wv1LMCZ7JWlOQNe4eafjigqKV869Y1agxgcmnGy8blu3A-WH8M8VYgjR6wvPffK5TKrCX4sEqCHsPVIuDVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Iredell County, NC","date","2025-05-07T12:24:11Z","article","The Iredell County Board of Commissioners rejected an initial offer to begin an upset bid process for the county‑owned Bluefield Road property, saying the county should maintain a previously discussed $1.5 million minimum threshold before engaging staff in the upset‑bid process.

Purchasing officer Antonia Stines presented the item and described the upset‑bid process, including prior rounds of bidding and typical advertising costs. Stines told the board that a recent four‑round upset bid had advertising costs totaling roughly $859 and that a nine‑round process in 2021 had additional costs; she also said staff time to administer upset bids can be substantial.

Commissioners debated whether the board should accept the offer as an initial bid or reject it and maintain the previously stated $1.5 million minimum. Commissioner Howe said the board had agreed previously to a $1.5 million starting point and that accepting a lower offer would waste staff time. Commissioner House/Howe moved to reject the offer as presented; the motion carried.

Other commissioners urged putting the property on the market to test buyer interest — noting past offers near $2 million — while some said the upset‑bid process is time‑consuming and that starting a public auction can help reach market value.

The board’s action preserves the $1.5 million minimum starting point previously discussed and stops the current offer from triggering an upset‑bid procedure.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS - May 06 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board rejected an initial offer to start an upset bid process for the Bluefield Road property, with members saying the county should hold out for a $1.5 million starting threshold and avoid staff time spent processing low bids.","taxTitle","Iredell County, North Carolina","taxId",13718,"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},6245686,"Board approves funding to replace voting equipment; elections staff say machines meet executive-order certification requirements",563,2359000,2922000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3222797-bb552bffa5ef062acbe80fb79f787dd0&start=2359&end=2922","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3222797-bb552bffa5ef062acbe80fb79f787dd0/thumbnail_2359000.jpg","/articles/6245686/Iredell-County/North-Carolina/Board-approves-funding-to-replace-voting-equipment-elections-staff-say-machines-meet-executive-order-certification-requirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245686-734d765582bbceb7968a63e0bddb247d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153109&Signature=D0l37xgc~vHmBy8SmYtfp2XZtMii1l14yn1UZjCRfaG0WwoxFFpEhKjcWOdWoevVdeJ-dMlNsB-YnfKiPLglLicWngFJqz7BPB61DFZg7b7lvnWPyJwuzczMwabc2AnUfGKCIDFwWRFUPfQIdM7eLhWz1uHGLdZ-if-NkpkjrnZZG~-D4iNU4cPjS35r7R6n0RLt42lglLWSGN0e5DCk8uVUgloajdE3Ksh-r-fSPPS3gCJ7wPIgpj7z47KInQz-fTiQ-~skv3A9o9NArJeXyRGi0MdpjbGVcG~~kVkwODKSE1AU6lKwYhsM8R18HzYLSkEDLmfzObfjNwYbyEs8uQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Iredell County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a budget amendment to replace the county’s aging DS200 voting equipment with DS300 tabulators after elections staff assured the board the proposed replacement complies with applicable certification requirements.

Elections staff told the board the current DS200 equipment is 13 years old and that the Board of Elections recommended replacing it with DS300 tabulators. \"We have been planning for it. We put funds in the budget this current year for half of the estimated expense, and we're coming to ask for to allocate the remaining estimated expense so that we can move forward now with replacing the voting equipment,\" elections staff said.

Board members raised questions about a federal executive order discussed in public debate and whether future recertification work would impose additional county costs. Elections staff responded that the executive order did not use the word \"compatible\" and that the vendor’s contract and the county’s annual maintenance agreement would cover any required upgrades. \"Yes. That is correct. We pay an annual maintenance...and that would cover that,\" an elections staff member said.

Commissioners praised the elections office for its work and emphasized the importance of election integrity amid national misinformation. The board approved budget amendment number 38 to fund the replacement; the motion to approve was made by Commissioner Help and passed without recorded opposition.

The county’s elections staff said they followed the required public processes and inspected certified systems in other counties as part of the procurement and replacement planning.","The county approved a budget amendment to replace aging DS200 voting equipment with DS300 tabulators after elections staff said the newer machines meet required certification and that contract maintenance would cover any recertification work at no extra cost to the county.",{"_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},6245691,"Iredell County manager proposes $343.8 million budget, holds tax rate at 50¢",1714,6170000,7884000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3222797-bb552bffa5ef062acbe80fb79f787dd0&start=6170&end=7884","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3222797-bb552bffa5ef062acbe80fb79f787dd0/thumbnail_6170000.jpg","/articles/6245691/Iredell-County/North-Carolina/Iredell-County-manager-proposes-3438-million-budget-holds-tax-rate-at-50","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245691-d0070e7f0645f77231db727578b07182/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153109&Signature=X3YkoSXEPiCPeP8RF~chN3vJ3U3EMeD5nxd5FQfs~dTkA~F86L-fA5iSzQ4XQrU8PDKsAIc2kkYMbk9~e-W6XExla6njGYNtERPx28NoVo6keGA6zU5t7gdhKNMP97eMvv8UOWeehUArsvlEbcBEDHIlOyGTwF233yPAx8p~XxA4fjFFiJFYQkRMd7Pf~X0IiB5cgYj1FnlJZS31ThcVDixHy9i~xEP98mG4NK-XwfcmcPvdWyv9fMzq9-YIzKXhIaT2CRBiLOzHbWkVEFp9h~1IIujOv23RZZXyAsnePF76I29iLzaIBsmM9AA8~0-7ej2hzKsC06M7pffqgIPd4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Manager Beth M. Milton presented the Iredell County Board of Commissioners with her recommended fiscal year 2025–26 general fund budget on Tuesday, proposing $343,847,360 in spending while retaining the current tax rate of 50 cents per $100 valuation.

Milton said the county had prepared the budget over five months and framed it as year three of a four‑year reappraisal cycle. She cited rapid population growth — an estimated 207,382 residents in 2025, up 11.51% from 2020 — and rising construction costs as drivers of increased demand for school facilities and county services. \"This fiscal year budget is year 3 of that cycle,\" Milton said, and added the county must balance paying cash for capital projects with service needs.

Key elements of the recommended budget include a $16,774,670 allocation for capital outlay, an overall general fund recommendation of $343,847,360, and an estimated unassigned fund balance of $112,012,162 (32.58% of the recommended fund balance). Milton proposed retaining the existing tax rate while noting major school and college projects have increased significantly in cost: she cited Wethers Creek High School’s budget increase from an anticipated $80 million in 2020 to a current estimate of $130 million, and said the county used a mix of limited obligation bonds and existing reserves to bridge funding gaps.

On personnel, Milton recommended a 3% across‑the‑board pay scale adjustment to support retention and recruitment and said the county was not recommending new positions in this budget cycle. \"This budget includes a 3% pay scale adjustment, which will increase all staff pay by 3%, as well as adjusting our starting pay by the same percentage to assist us in filling those vacant positions,\" Milton said. She said the county had already implemented a market study to guide longer‑term pay and classification decisions.

Milton said the county is exploring sustainable options to finance school construction, including a voter‑approved additional quarter‑cent sales tax that she estimated could raise about $8.5 million per year for school capital. She also summarized capital priorities including courthouse restoration, information technology upgrades, facility needs, and phased funding for the Mitchell Community College public safety training center and Parkertown Elementary.

Milton closed by warning that rapid residential growth concentrated in municipal jurisdictions complicates county planning and that state legislation which would restrict local authority could make those challenges harder to manage. The board scheduled budget work sessions beginning Monday the 12th, with meetings planned 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. across three days to review the proposal in detail.","County Manager Beth M. Milton presented the recommended fiscal year 2025–26 general fund budget of $343,847,360, keeping the tax rate at 50 cents per $100 valuation while citing rapid population growth, school cost inflation and capital needs.",{"_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},6245696,"Iredell County adopts resolution opposing House Bill 765, citing erosion of local control",2366,3222000,5588000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3222797-bb552bffa5ef062acbe80fb79f787dd0&start=3222&end=5588","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3222797-bb552bffa5ef062acbe80fb79f787dd0/thumbnail_3222000.jpg","/articles/6245696/Iredell-County/North-Carolina/Iredell-County-adopts-resolution-opposing-House-Bill-765-citing-erosion-of-local-control","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245696-4d357414464d6a30cc97998b63036516/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153109&Signature=fWEGj7Kjvw9K23FLMQFgutDrsfTNZXyOHDImifjEvPpiJLAy438XQ44~8-eOP3fYXPKAkH1S03rSorIkMR~oIHqrd2VI7ZcNew26sxatf0Zt1sF9l3hfJ0r-9f7bg~hjIHwiiu6O~rPn36yPsaxi2~KMHsyrpESuDHocUcWQ-G9eK2DY-Jbll0Vk3eAb4hxLasRA~KlATdU-tQrLC65OGDCFJswRnMQuF~dVQQT~jm3X4k5qHdfx2lSH9BP4h78ji7okAwLg-oXhznnSXDi659tdWVVubQycLfHoWSE1opnl4JtOkrmR7IaE0Vj6de4gfLs4KbgEnHUjuN9pu7E~2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Iredell County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday adopted a resolution opposing House Bill 765 of the North Carolina General Assembly, saying the legislation would \"undermine the fundamental authority for local planning and zoning\" and could expose local elected officials to civil liability.

County Manager Beth M. Milton introduced the draft resolution and told the board that the bill \"is still a, in my opinion, a bill that overreaches and does, one size fits all decisions that have to be applicable to all local jurisdictions.\" Milton said many jurisdictions were adopting similar resolutions in response.

Speakers on the board detailed specific concerns about the bill’s provisions and the legislative process. Commissioner Haupp — who also represents a multi-county district at the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners — said representatives on the House floor had mischaracterized the association's position and that the bill’s standing provisions and density mandates were of particular concern. \"This bill would override local decision making and remove elected county officials from the process of determining how their counties grow,\" he said, reading prepared remarks submitted by a county association representative.

Planning staff clarified aspects of the bill’s drafts, noting that earlier versions would have mandated residential densities and restricted the ability of local governments to impose standards such as sidewalks, architectural details or density limits. Commissioner Straub moved adoption of the resolution; the board approved it 5-0.

The resolution urges the General Assembly to \"leave planning and zoning decisions to locally elected boards and their citizens,\" asks lawmakers to terminate House Bill 765 and similar measures, and states that local governments should retain the ability to adapt state minimum standards to their community characteristics. The document also notes concerns about expanded standing and potential litigation costs for local government if trade associations or other parties are granted broader rights to sue.

Commissioners said they will send the signed resolution to legislators in Raleigh; staff and commissioners noted they had been actively monitoring changes to the bill and had participated in public conversations with state legislators and stakeholder groups.

The board adopted the resolution unanimously; the text will be forwarded to the county’s state legislative delegation and shared with regional associations.","The Iredell County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a resolution opposing North Carolina House Bill 765, saying the measure would undermine local planning authority, impose residential density mandates and expose local officials to personal liability.",{"_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},6245701,"Iredell County approves conditional rezoning of 12.19 acres along River Highway, bars use as a nightclub",2238,169000,2407000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3222797-bb552bffa5ef062acbe80fb79f787dd0&start=169&end=2407","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3222797-bb552bffa5ef062acbe80fb79f787dd0/thumbnail_169000.jpg","/articles/6245701/Iredell-County/North-Carolina/Iredell-County-approves-conditional-rezoning-of-1219-acres-along-River-Highway-bars-use-as-a-nightclub","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245701-203d4221e5de100d5827460de9c122db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153109&Signature=V8awbCVYY8gi3hAwTKZAQDRI13Y4L05GJt-gLi9NQMpK6LCYKyHcgWZuJWIFJMlKGxQntCZ8zTEP~mH7VBncFTq05fXj6q8aKL0GXfDTK-qE6s2JnfqFTkNVTPkB1idNWaUwJ71NaceBeO1SQZ0F-CdprOt-8yLqhh6shbdQOUc7ASagNaAkmns4rG~Z1~3adT7chQhPK8OtMwga5ZYNSOP5O7gu1clBcmn2wSrhvv2Q0lAJ8m8vfhu0cLYwA1imPxBa73~5VqoOydMVJ75uzXUthRAyhmjYuye3edri9ChMmi2hc75M2vRHPlDNEHK-0dqs9znvfUTJz1ZP~heD3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Iredell County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a conditional rezoning of roughly 12.19 acres along River Highway (also called 150), expanding the county’s 2045 horizon plan corridor commercial designation and excluding bars from the list of permitted uses.

Planning staff presented the request and said the property would amend the 2045 horizon plan corridor commercial designation and lies adjacent to existing commercial uses. \"The request we have before us tonight is to rezone a property that's currently RA ... to general business conditional district,\" Matthew Todd, planning staff, told the board.

The rezoning drew objections from nearby homeowners concerned about noise, traffic and open-ended uses that would persist if the land changes hands. \"We all have a lot of concern,\" said Luke Lambert, a property owner adjacent to the site, who asked the board to require conditions or a site plan to protect the residential area. Transportation engineer and resident Matt Sinn urged the board to consider noise mitigation such as a sound wall, noting that counties generally cannot control future uses once zoning changes hands.

Applicant representatives described the site constraints and development intent. William Allison of Piedmont Land Approvals, speaking for the owners Woodland and Waterview LLC, said topography and watershed rules would naturally push development toward the eastern portion of the parcel and away from adjoining homes and that the owners did not intend to \"pigeonhole themselves\" into only a few uses. Lynn K. Beeler, listed with Woodland and Waterview LLC, said the owners planned a boat-service-oriented convenience use and that she did not intend to operate a bar. \"I don't wanna limit it to a point where we can't have a convenience store,\" Beeler told the board.

Planning staff explained the mechanics and limits of the conditional rezoning. \"This is a conditional request. So they are limited to that list of uses that are in the application,\" Matthew Todd said, and added that watershed rules limit impervious coverage on the site to about 36% unless the applicant chooses a high-density option that would raise that to 50% with stormwater controls.

During the meeting the applicant agreed to remove bars from the list of permitted uses, and the board approved a motion by Commissioner Haupp to adopt the zoning map amendment, finding it consistent with the 2045 horizon plan, citing the property's proximity to other commercial uses and the conditions intended to protect surrounding property owners. The motion included the additional condition removing bars as a permitted use and passed without recorded opposition.

The county record shows the planning board had unanimously recommended approval prior to the commission hearing. The county staff noted that conditional rezoning limits the property to the listed uses unless a future owner returns to the rezoning process to expand them.

The decision changes both the zoning and the county land-use plan designation for the parcel; any future owner who wants additional uses beyond the approved list must apply for a new rezoning.

The full staff report and any signed modification excluding bars will be finalized and placed in the county record following the meeting.","The Iredell County Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 to rezone about 12.19 acres along River Highway (U.S. 150) from RA to General Business–Conditional, approving a narrowed list of permitted uses and removing “bar” as an allowed use at the applicant’s request.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners reject initial offer for Bluefield Road property, reaffirm $1.5M minimum starting bid

Board approves funding to replace voting equipment; elections staff say machines meet executive-order certification requirements

Iredell County manager proposes $343.8 million budget, holds tax rate at 50¢

Iredell County adopts resolution opposing House Bill 765, citing erosion of local control

Iredell County approves conditional rezoning of 12.19 acres along River Highway, bars use as a nightclub