[{"_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",6244641,"mediaKeyId","3229154-684d9086b66f485337ab8ea20925c36a","parentId",3229154,"title","Hickory CFO reports higher revenues, hotel occupancy gains and planned equipment purchases; FEMA reimbursement expected this summer","audioSeconds",809,"startMs",2170000,"endMs",2979000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3229154-684d9086b66f485337ab8ea20925c36a&start=2170&end=2979","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3229154-684d9086b66f485337ab8ea20925c36a/thumbnail_2170000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6244641/Hickory-City/Catawba-County/North-Carolina/Hickory-CFO-reports-higher-revenues-hotel-occupancy-gains-and-planned-equipment-purchases-FEMA-reimbursement-expected-this-summer","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244641-dfc67394c0e5a32cb0bf1dd184593ec9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775918409&Signature=irYb0vWwFA6oustnsNKG60tBEZ9x2~Nz-1SuZCirJNuSTEF2QIlwCyIdYySvLaANUvzRQ8sDbpl2Lt7UePrHQZdR2l9igTAcHsVI1EyLdBF8x4iz-tN9MC5NP~gzBbp9qBCZq6J23ZvKMgcb6fhyailhDIXERWAoPDRS26lrvPxIbApfcIG0lKVaWDSg69p~cFxVKk4tRGAA92GfYpjZ2OeYaiz7LBcg1OEvibgpCTiXnccnPXxk~RAcKmAomJyB2uxaS4pv72GMzhIHPN1QT4zSojDSzsuLTs~zoukstcZwaxyUs0hqrgT2CBGy8e8gT6vRnNapKEuWzd28FdqRdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Hickory, NC","date","2025-05-07T15:51:03Z","article","Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Rodney Miller presented the city’s third‑quarter financial report on May 6, saying general fund revenue through March totaled “a little over $65,000,000” on a budget of $86,300,000 and noting several trending items including hotel occupancy tax gains, capital encumbrances and investment earnings.

Miller said occupancy taxes tied to hotel activity around the Hickory Metro Convention Center have exceeded expectations; “I’m estimating they’ll probably bring in about $3,000,000 in hotel occupancy tax revenue for this year,” he said. Miller attributed higher overall revenue partly to investment earnings and to proactive purchases and encumbrances to guard against anticipated federal tariffs on equipment.

On expenditures, Miller said the city had spent about $63.5 million through March and that general obligation debt payments for the year had already been made. He told council the city had “locked in pricing for some future fire trucks” and had issued purchase orders for Public Works vehicles to secure current pricing.

Miller reviewed enterprise funds: the water and sewer fund (budgeted at $43.2 million) had received about $31.6 million through March; Miller said the fund’s revenues exceeded expenditures by about $3.4 million through March but that the council had discussed significant future capital needs for water and wastewater.

On building activity, Miller said residential permitting and permit value were notably higher through April — “a 27% increase on residential” permit counts and nearly $100 million in residential permit value through the period — while commercial permit activity was down about 6–7 percent year‑over‑year. He also referenced the Microsoft data center sites in the area, saying when those facilities appear on the tax rolls “we’re talking billions.”

Council members asked about FEMA reimbursement for disaster costs related to the Helene response. A staff member reported that about $2,200,000 had been submitted for reimbursement and that the city expects to see that this summer. Miller and the city manager also reported the airport fund has stabilized with new hangar tenants and that the city is purchasing another garbage truck now to lock pricing ahead of tariffs.

Miller closed by reporting a weighted average yield of about 3.84% on city investments and more than $3 million in investment income year‑to‑date. Council did not take immediate fiscal action at the meeting; Miller’s report was received for information and council had opportunity to ask questions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hickory City Council Meeting - May 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Rodney Miller reported to the Hickory City Council on May 6 that general fund revenue through March was about $65 million on an $86.3 million budget, citing higher hotel occupancy tax receipts, investment earnings and capital encumbrances to lock in pricing.","taxTitle","Hickory City, Catawba County, North Carolina","taxId",3980,"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},6244647,"Central Latino honored with Rudy Wright International Service Award for regional outreach",603,952000,1555000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3229154-684d9086b66f485337ab8ea20925c36a&start=952&end=1555","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3229154-684d9086b66f485337ab8ea20925c36a/thumbnail_952000.jpg","/articles/6244647/Hickory-City/Catawba-County/North-Carolina/Central-Latino-honored-with-Rudy-Wright-International-Service-Award-for-regional-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244647-35e6d59e6cb8e1237478b71b567cf2e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775918409&Signature=cgCf3WByOOOv~YMLRFpbHlrE5xzKqfxkitxichsRHAkGkXs18KYI7qhkkRQgaFhncuQwHlwSDOYnUqcZ1DZVXp8~K1YciaDL2x0prBHfacv3drus6MS08GsO5pMI4H1BluT-ESXYHB-Av25MDOoymBZySGy1tPAOJwf460bbrDKTsYv3GbAwQuMB4qZn8RBA71gQkSQh5gQ6mtTazgizSplBExJ2B7kIuoF1-Dfz2bPS9aXqnV~kHmzhrBZq-PY7hajpMNaEv6Xg0SsaYAjjdAoivLxDrV43VPedJxDSwAaFp9Y5aG-Hd9oE66OGCBTyPVcZsf83hgG1pBNEcAiMOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Greater Hickory International Council presented Central Latino with the 2025 Rudy Wright International Service Award at the Hickory City Council meeting on May 6, recognizing the nonprofit’s work serving Latino residents across the four‑county Greater Hickory region.

Tracy Trimble, general manager of the Hickory Furniture Mart and a member of the council that selects the award recipient, described the award’s history and the organization’s programs. Trimble said the council transitioned to a nonprofit in 2023 and expanded to serve Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties.

Trimble recounted Central Latino’s services and history, noting the organization began from a bilingual vacation bible study and grew into a formal community organization providing legal and immigration information, English and Spanish instruction, job‑skills partnerships with local colleges and an after‑school program, Abriendo Puertas, that has operated since 2004. Trimble said the agency “connected with more than 10,000 Spanish and non‑Spanish speaking residents in just 2024 alone.”

Ginny Romero, Central Latino’s executive director, accepted the plaque on the organization’s behalf and said, “It is an honor and pleasure to receive this recognition.” Romero introduced board members Joanne Spees (board president), Martha Carrigo and Victoria Morales (AP program director) and encouraged residents to contact Central Latino via social media and its website.

Mayor Hank Gess and council members joined in thanking Central Latino and the Greater Hickory International Council for the award presentation. The item was ceremonial; the council did not take legislative action related to the award during the meeting.","The Greater Hickory International Council awarded Central Latino the 2025 Rudy Wright International Service Award for services including education, immigration assistance and the Todos Somos America festival; Ginny Romero accepted the award.",{"_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},6244652,"State fire marshal credits Hickory as staging hub during Tropical Storm Helene; honors local responders",1133,133000,1266000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3229154-684d9086b66f485337ab8ea20925c36a&start=133&end=1266","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3229154-684d9086b66f485337ab8ea20925c36a/thumbnail_133000.jpg","/articles/6244652/Hickory-City/Catawba-County/North-Carolina/State-fire-marshal-credits-Hickory-as-staging-hub-during-Tropical-Storm-Helene-honors-local-responders","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244652-d45038bce55e7bbd25716a306b273884/orig.mp4?Expires=1775918409&Signature=UF2OGJxwIYBbMHfcoFOOlLdXli~K5v0amrtthOKA42N8cS~vwMQrSwVkTvn0k0IqnANidJVuaPBeizA5HHlb3XK06lG61B-7mvIVO-0Xv7uy1l51XuoUFIKXwetosWKdc2CU1J6MxSzr0~ZP98MDtlRCXDiO4ZFEIUkorPYorNoyd~wHbc-KPNHxKzmkGLsM1foIRoh8Mbo55qVmikAXNBw~PnvGhWeCxK7MrecQA3r1HlnwJFnKZThqaPyd0L94qGMa6hXQCI2W8Cvxvoveg0cNDNJZkxLLYaw3H8felCn4sMYMmQEK6HJ3Z7PIkVqHREdCrq-snBBUB6qVMlPWxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor told the Hickory City Council on May 6 that Hickory served as a regional staging area during Tropical Storm Helene and that the city’s facilities, airport operations and local fire personnel helped support roughly 294 departments during the response.

Taylor said the State Fire Marshal’s Office, newly independent from the Department of Insurance, lacked the budget and personnel of larger agencies and relied on local partnerships. “We had 294 departments, basically, that we had to support during that time frame,” he said, adding that the state worked with local leaders to set up a base camp at a community college and to coordinate donations and logistics.

Taylor highlighted Operation Hilo at the local airport and a public–private approach to restoring communications and supplies. “I delivered the first Elon Musk Starlink with Operation Hilo to, Garrick Creek Fire Department,” he said, describing the delivery of satellite internet hardware that helped restore communications. He also described the city as “the central point of donations” for apparatus, turnout gear and air packs that were redistributed to affected departments.

Mayor Hank Gess and City Manager Warren Wood joined Taylor and local chiefs at the podium as Taylor presented tokens of appreciation to city staff and firefighters; Taylor specifically named Garrett Henshaw (the college president) and Fire Marshal Steven Craig for their on‑site support. Taylor described Craig as essential to field operations and presented him with special recognition, calling Craig an “honorary state fire marshal” for his role in keeping generators, trucks and logistics running at the base camp.

City officials thanked Taylor for publicly recognizing local staff and volunteers. The council did not take any formal action connected to the presentation; the remarks were part of the council’s presentations section.

The presentation emphasized the role of local government facilities and airport operations in disaster logistics and the importance of public‑private partnerships when state resources are limited.

Taylor’s presentation included operational details (use of community college space, airport staging, and distribution of donated gear) and the council accepted his recognitions and photographs. No further policy votes or budget actions were recorded during the presentation.","North Carolina State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor told the Hickory City Council that the city served as a key staging area during Tropical Storm Helene, delivering communications equipment and coordinating donations; he presented recognitions including an honorary designation for Fire Marshal Steven Craig.",{"_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},6244636,"Council votes unanimously to enter closed session for economic development discussion",97,2960000,3057000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3229154-684d9086b66f485337ab8ea20925c36a&start=2960&end=3057","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3229154-684d9086b66f485337ab8ea20925c36a/thumbnail_2960000.jpg","/articles/6244636/Hickory-City/Catawba-County/North-Carolina/Council-votes-unanimously-to-enter-closed-session-for-economic-development-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244636-b371e9dcd76da3666f4c6e91aa51b73f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775918409&Signature=Q9ABBYIGYaYXjl2YLLNtx4kgV5Qj6xclEyWCFN2KLmYPlXhgGw5UfqoPJmRR9mORRMuqXcAq7n8OhRU1nSsp~fzGDkpHLiNCwd5l8teNPybO0EV5moOgpBFGsCxIFDoY3cWWpTuanUzV0WvyQcRhgby5Iya7reO7OY1FGax20XwX8BgvZmTdftGWfjkGRRLQuJQiQvVo3EGr6-WUvq0ur71PT546skVGAK7-3Qxryk5xBdSyE6k7L0u0XYX5fi6-0~mrNBto~8XV8IFDkgTt3j9IK6Z33-17MmGujTb1kRudzJ5QdaS-TbDUfQ0vllgl-jkCk7EUUQUbjqKXJfc44w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A council member moved at the May 6 meeting that the Hickory City Council go into closed session to discuss an economic development matter not on the published agenda; a second was given and the motion carried unanimously.

The council voted verbally — “All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed, like sign? Alright. That carries unanimously” — and the meeting then recessed to closed session. The transcript records the motion, the second and that the motion carried unanimously; it does not record the mover’s or the seconder’s name in the public portion of the transcript, nor does it record any details of the substantive matter discussed in closed session.

No formal action (ordinance, resolution or vote with roll call) tied to the closed‑session item was recorded in the public minutes during the meeting’s public session. Any official decisions resulting from the closed session would be subject to the city’s public‑meeting rules and would appear in future public minutes if required.","At the end of its May 6 meeting the Hickory City Council voted unanimously to go into closed session to discuss an economic development matter that was not on the published agenda.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hickory CFO reports higher revenues, hotel occupancy gains and planned equipment purchases; FEMA reimbursement expected this summer

Central Latino honored with Rudy Wright International Service Award for regional outreach

State fire marshal credits Hickory as staging hub during Tropical Storm Helene; honors local responders

Council votes unanimously to enter closed session for economic development discussion