[{"_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",6212534,"mediaKeyId","3684134-9ded60688eb623bde5f1914c9e2b4af1","parentId",3684134,"title","Nash County manager presents FY2026 balanced budget; school classified staff press commissioners for pay help","audioSeconds",4877,"startMs",8799000,"endMs",13676000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3684134-9ded60688eb623bde5f1914c9e2b4af1&start=8799&end=13676","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3684134-9ded60688eb623bde5f1914c9e2b4af1/thumbnail_8799000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6212534/Nash-County/North-Carolina/Nash-County-manager-presents-FY2026-balanced-budget-school-classified-staff-press-commissioners-for-pay-help","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212534-dc06ce2832879f21db7d2815c68f78ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178449&Signature=F~NB2JqnCSD1hmPSJ63VPm6DcHpZVjt~4nwSFJxATC18anrzOmQPLVjmI9LltBpXm41Bjb5fMBRpcQzB2lwpWpXEK9koI9wnEq9mG2ML-f2CttMHQj65sLJvo6oIWnSrfxdw3hLQylvAG0y~77~xoLpePQ~gJEFqGG73p0Z1fixLoIc1yjS0MgIS0lfsen1ZaIN7IoEMciuYwomKQ0MyaMkUmpmmG6Ixno7Ui09how-u4tD3QuJQn7joc6wqReh0rNTmRctRxpy6lOu-NFDl64rTdYA9aMtWxZ1timFHyanyAe1QKUW9FY0CCr6GKyMNC~odFwkWjzvSU6LxQYydfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nash County, NC","date","2025-06-05T12:03:07Z","article","County Manager presented the recommended fiscal year 2026 budget to the Nash County Board of Commissioners on June 2, followed by a public hearing in which multiple Nash County Public Schools classified employees urged higher pay and other supports.

The manager described the FY2026 plan as balanced and fiscally conservative while targeting local priorities: employee wages (a recommended 2.5% cost‑of‑living adjustment for full‑time and permanent part‑time staff effective July 1, 2025), a new merit pay system beginning Jan. 1, 2026, technology and vehicle replacements, public safety staffing and capital projects. The general fund proposal totaled $128,123,693, a 2.1% increase over FY2025, and the overall county budget was $146,445,372. The manager said the recommended budget assumes a 98% collection rate and a tax base increase of about 3.27% from 2024 valuations and remains based on the existing 63¢ per $100 valuation tax rate.

The manager summarized personnel additions and benefits proposals: eight new positions across the county including IT support for Social Services, a coordinated health services position, a finance specialist, a recreation program supervisor and two senior patrol deputies; a 2.5% COLA; and initiation of a market‑based job study to cover a third of positions in FY26. The budget also contains an increase in retirement rate costs tied to North Carolina retirement rate changes.

During the public hearing dozens of school employees and substitutes urged the commissioners to do more for classified staff who work as bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians, aides and other roles. Thelma Harris, a school bus monitor, told the board she had brought nearly 200 postcards from school employees who could not attend the hearing and asked commissioners to hold another hearing at a time when more staff can attend: “I have a simple request today. I know you all have discussed an additional meeting if more discussions were needed. And I'm asking that you hold another public hearing on the budget at a time that my colleagues can be here. You should hear them.”

Several speakers described long service, low hourly wages and the difficulty of recruiting and retaining staff. Alicia Hayman, who identified herself as a 27‑year employee, said: “As a 27 year veteran of Nash County Schools ... I'm making $18 an hour.” Bus drivers and substitutes described repeated short‑notice calls, lack of substitutes and longer morning call‑in windows that leave some routes understaffed.

After public comment, commissioners discussed the budget and the requests from school staff. The board did not adopt the budget at the hearing; the manager said the formal budget ordinance will be presented at the June 16 meeting. The board gave direction to the manager to coordinate with Nash County Public Schools and county legal staff to collect specific information on (1) the cost to provide a $500 one‑time bonus to classified school staff and (2) the options and costs to place school resource officers (SROs) in schools. Commissioners asked the manager to return with cost estimates, legal guidance about how county and school funding could be coordinated, and clarity about which funding streams (state, grants, county) could pay for SROs and classified pay adjustments.

County and school officials said they will continue to exchange information before commissioners consider final action on the FY2026 budget at the June 16 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","6.2.25 Commissioners' Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Nash County manager presented a recommended FY2026 balanced budget that keeps the county’s 63¢ tax rate while proposing a 2.5% cost‑of‑living adjustment and a new merit pay system; public school classified employees urged higher pay during the public hearing.","taxTitle","Nash County, North Carolina","taxId",5684,"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},6212538,"Nash County commissioners deny Wildlife Road conditional rezoning after public outcry over water, traffic and density",4626,1975000,6601000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3684134-9ded60688eb623bde5f1914c9e2b4af1&start=1975&end=6601","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3684134-9ded60688eb623bde5f1914c9e2b4af1/thumbnail_1975000.jpg","/articles/6212538/Nash-County/North-Carolina/Nash-County-commissioners-deny-Wildlife-Road-conditional-rezoning-after-public-outcry-over-water-traffic-and-density","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212538-25d86dfe1c7238549bd17d7e5f209787/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178448&Signature=nYyB9EM5nVOvRKWnpGbjSmrvankWATYgufNngrNThXLOCBM78vx8HI8dacu59bbrQRPBIjkvQSAkirkasmeE3Bveaq~FzqG7iSO4tdEfNKCbcEfCRvLtA9SYQXDTmkxak~mvki82QFpdpjPi4rhkCXxZqeJK~nelPnZE195A9i89ef6VgOUF9VgYlMr-lvFffiPyHxvbR-bTspw4CE6xyv6qCREfj1P6cYYBibICZwGpJMnihjXsX--IWFQllAXcBrl2rVJiXu0ePsVR3FhDYIrWcBK23Y0LtYotWPP1Oh0IIQM7N7TbTm1aOHvJ7OCwA6CM~zJ75Z2lnuzGKHTtZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nash County Board of Commissioners on June 2 denied a conditional rezoning request, CZ250501, for the proposed Wildlife Road subdivision after an hour‑plus public hearing and technical review. The 4–3 vote rejected a developer plan to rezone roughly 151 acres to an RA‑30 conditional zone to allow 122 new residential lots.

The decision capped a contentious review that divided county staff, the Technical Review Committee (TRC) and the planning board. Senior planner Aaron Chalker briefed the board on the request, saying the developer sought to reduce the minimum lot size from 40,000 square feet to 30,000 square feet and to rely on on‑site wells and septic systems where county water is not available. He noted the TRC recommended approval subject to conditions while the planning board recommended denial 6–1, citing a projected increase in traffic on the Dead End Wildlife Road that the board said would be incompatible with the surrounding area.

The developer and his engineer defended the plan in the hearing. David J. Geiger, representing Little Bear Creek Properties, told commissioners the company had closed on the property and argued the RA‑30 proposal “closely aligns with Nash County’s land use plan” while preserving open space at the site’s northern end. Engineer Justin Brown described the project’s comparative layout and gave the board NCDOT‑based trip estimates, saying the plan “equates to about 1,220 vehicle trips per day.”

Residents who live on or near Wildlife Road urged denial and stressed impacts on groundwater, emergency response and wildlife. “We are opposed as most people here from Wildlife Road to this development,” said Bruce Everett, who said the community is worried about groundwater and septic impacts. Other speakers described long emergency‑response travel times to Castellia, concern about existing volunteer fire protection, and potential damage to wetlands and established timber tracts.

Chalker and the developer repeatedly noted the conditional rezoning would bind the development to the submitted sketch plan and a set of proposed development conditions if approved, and that the proposal had been designed to avoid direct impacts to riparian stream buffers. The developer’s team also presented an alternate layout using 40,000‑square‑foot lots, which they said would produce fewer lots but reduce conserved open space.

After public comment and board discussion, Commissioner Bellfield moved to deny the rezoning; Commissioner Leggett seconded. The motion to deny carried by a roll‑call style result recorded as 4–3. The board’s formal motion cited compatibility and traffic concerns raised by the planning board as reasons supporting denial.

The denial leaves the property under its existing A‑1 agricultural zoning, preserving the existing 40,000‑square‑foot minimum lot standard unless the developer pursues a new application or an alternate plan.","After a split recommendation from county boards, the Nash County Board of Commissioners voted 4–3 to deny a conditional rezoning that would have allowed a 122‑lot subdivision on Wildlife Road, citing neighborhood compatibility and traffic concerns raised by residents and the planning board.",{"_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},6212519,"County renames assistant utilities post, raises pay grade and sets starting salary after closed session",97,10891000,10988000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3684134-9ded60688eb623bde5f1914c9e2b4af1&start=10891&end=10988","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3684134-9ded60688eb623bde5f1914c9e2b4af1/thumbnail_10891000.jpg","/articles/6212519/Nash-County/North-Carolina/County-renames-assistant-utilities-post-raises-pay-grade-and-sets-starting-salary-after-closed-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212519-89fe16b84adc676cdf0723464395cfed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178448&Signature=E8hM5MH2wXIEnuum1l1RTp424JIysvcsupEcCOA-wBaNnOXxHlxi-PY4hRxR0-thscYqovHKB1yf7pdmGIS~QuWNQ99AJX2bGiZdea8lZDCywhF3EcB9whbmPfGee6jVX6ZU~KeQJ8z7-F4iIUY~jvjovVYiyWdzt53Ch28TlB~iE5XCEtprdLO-09V1t8zDkrzC0dDSf2Z1wEbG8P3ooVLmWSQqlU033IGtremMzagA~cuK~zS8xnDZsho1BCia09BJAbWG2ENLBiikFIlEJwnlSnObgIZzOHsEwVGGy~QIMyxPDUNY-LCOrX-ih2eC4WQwhjShOFMYy2gQXbJ7FQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After a closed session on June 2, the Nash County Board of Commissioners approved a personnel change in the Department of Public Utilities and Facilities. The change renames the existing assistant director position to deputy director of utilities and facilities and raises the pay grade.

Commissioner Davis described the personnel action to the board on reopening, explaining the pay‑grade change and the recommended salary band. He said the new pay grade would shift the position to Grade 124 with a range that tops out near $137,003 and that the board would set a proposed starting salary of $101,000 for the newly titled deputy director. Davis moved the change, Commissioner Howard seconded the motion, and the board approved it.

The board directed staff to implement the title and pay‑grade changes in the county personnel system.","Following closed‑session negotiations, commissioners approved renaming the assistant director of public utilities and facilities to deputy director of utilities and facilities and moving the position to a higher pay grade with a new starting salary of $101,000.",{"_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},6212524,"Nash County selects Withers Ravenel to update Unified Development Ordinance, $124,000 project",1480,7270000,8750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3684134-9ded60688eb623bde5f1914c9e2b4af1&start=7270&end=8750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3684134-9ded60688eb623bde5f1914c9e2b4af1/thumbnail_7270000.jpg","/articles/6212524/Nash-County/North-Carolina/Nash-County-selects-Withers-Ravenel-to-update-Unified-Development-Ordinance-124000-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212524-d482206e3a5c57c908755c5f5cf7355a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178448&Signature=dStP6SR~lCXFnjSyxBGPpHVuaThh4HLL~JhWNtOZJ7iW9X~XDdjdCMkH4jOaMq9Us3dTeU1LXJcF9KmI9FSVHjqkEgT0iz5MOVawRojHbLQloTTlX7RjtgSpQ894VGwmE-C-3eCGsxNVNfW2lcGV62lbI6EC7S1qj880ARh5TIdtFWsDCGN2NnfWW~~kuCOIJI3f~choBfKMdsXkKVhhwUzOGtZK27Vn582vJCTemBf4phRzHGBKZKRxExOUXV5Uso6NafazZ9aMxDYrpmnNA3NTrOyk9UEuVzL7bggCdqt1XtV9adfAAigW3iRyHVaMVhoORbLNa3r5Tsw7sdZJlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nash County has selected Withers Ravenel to lead a planned update to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), county planning staff told commissioners on June 2. The work will align local land‑use regulations with the county’s 2022 comprehensive land use plan and the state enabling legislation under North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 160D.

Senior planner Aaron Chalker briefed the board on the procurement. Staff solicited proposals from three planning consultants and recommended Withers Ravenel based on approach, prior experience, references, timeline, and cost. Chalker said Withers Ravenel also committed to tracking possible changes in state enabling legislation during the project and to drafting alternative ordinance language if needed. The county attorney reviewed the attached agreement and staff requested authorization for the county manager to execute the contract.

The total anticipated project cost in the approved agreement is $124,000. Staff said the project should begin later in June with a kickoff meeting and is expected to conclude with adoption of the revised UDO in about 13 months. Chalker said the process will include a steering committee, draft public review materials and public meetings; the board will have multiple opportunities to review draft language before adoption.

Commissioners approved the contract and authorized the county manager to sign the agreement.","After receiving three proposals, Nash County staff recommended and the commissioners approved retaining Withers Ravenel to update the county's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The project is expected to take about 13 months and will track state legislative changes; the contract amount is $124,000.",{"_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},6212529,"Nash County tables selection of firm for lead service line inventory after commissioners seek contract details",1039,9117000,10156000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3684134-9ded60688eb623bde5f1914c9e2b4af1&start=9117&end=10156","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3684134-9ded60688eb623bde5f1914c9e2b4af1/thumbnail_9117000.jpg","/articles/6212529/Nash-County/North-Carolina/Nash-County-tables-selection-of-firm-for-lead-service-line-inventory-after-commissioners-seek-contract-details","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212529-061d39a07f86756a3d16a64ca7dee483/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178448&Signature=Nu7hHuDnbipoWVIYkOYlMeFzBwDBqhgNZ7vBKkVg4WIjTHt26PmJQI-lXDCo40oDmrlGTJ8iPaw8w6RhWB6qWAZud3JLbO3kA-JEXaW6MzItPwg48jF6Ub~lZCGk7~QTrS4~lMbLaeBOVYpYubrpsGcWjqVrAmZtoJrIARQgJLAUomgzAGFgRRcSslwGhrq8oGAVJ2eyDkPj-7Rstxqdmad2~krq4mzyTr4pw9uu0oIjFpdmTIoBVm7IrMTHuAc~Y8DjZNYpOgKKUICfvragcuBYXPt6KC3KHnkHsHsmUrb-a5n74eoTM0PYF2Xj8J-SVqC-nbCWbYWIbBT~33YBtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nash County staff told commissioners on June 2 that the county had applied for and received state LSLR (lead service line replacement) inventory funds for three water districts and recommended MacGay Associates for the engineering and surveying agreement to complete the required inventory work.

Government relations director Emily Moore said the county had received five proposals and selected the firm judged to have the best combination of qualifications, experience and capacity to perform in‑office research, field survey excavation, database updates and GIS work. Moore said the awarded state grant budgets for the three districts vary; for example, Central Nash had a $1,000,000 award while the other two districts had smaller awards. County staff said the total not‑to‑exceed amount that the county asked the state to fund for inventory work across the three districts was approximately $2.28 million and that work must be complete by December under the grant timeline.

Commissioners raised questions on the scope and price. Commissioner Davis said he understood the county’s award covered inventory only but said he wanted to see the competing proposals and the contract detail before approving a multi‑million dollar agreement. Commissioner Howell likewise asked to review the contract language and details, saying any multi‑million‑dollar expenditure required careful review. Moore and staff said the RFQ materials and a proposed agreement were in the board packet, and that the contract language and budget detail would be provided; the county manager confirmed staff could supply the full documents prior to the board’s next meeting.

The board voted to table the item to the June 16 meeting by motion of Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Howell. Staff said they will return with the complete contract, unit cost assumptions (potholing and field sample counts by service), and comparable project costs from other North Carolina utilities so the board can review prices before authorizing award.","County staff recommended MacGay Associates for the lead service line replacement (LSLR) engineering and survey inventory; several commissioners asked for contract detail and cost breakdown. The board voted to table the award until June 16 to allow staff to produce the full contract, unit estimates and clarifications.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Nash County manager presents FY2026 balanced budget; school classified staff press commissioners for pay help

Nash County commissioners deny Wildlife Road conditional rezoning after public outcry over water, traffic and density

County renames assistant utilities post, raises pay grade and sets starting salary after closed session

Nash County selects Withers Ravenel to update Unified Development Ordinance, $124,000 project

Nash County tables selection of firm for lead service line inventory after commissioners seek contract details