[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",6206876,"mediaKeyId","3760149-c3c4dfba44d55e2665125d7ee7fcd5fb","parentId",3760149,"title","Commissioners direct staff to study county-owned sites for new animal shelter; College Drive site not recommended","audioSeconds",491,"startMs",3523000,"endMs",4014000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3760149-c3c4dfba44d55e2665125d7ee7fcd5fb&start=3523&end=4014","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3760149-c3c4dfba44d55e2665125d7ee7fcd5fb/thumbnail_3523000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6206876/McDowell-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-direct-staff-to-study-county-owned-sites-for-new-animal-shelter-College-Drive-site-not-recommended","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206876-2ed2c8aaa39c807b5cc2cd47c40902dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098174&Signature=AXdFZVDSsZronsE99I~aLe0DBK2-udk2I9ZdqJEGPhXWGAbpxudJBRmS1Uo9~M0n~E7BGs8DMjIIePhwpQ5DkHeTxxo~9lJPNVsGXLradeaQWtHzN0Z1tE9XjGNjiNQVU2KNVtao1Vj8RILZpbZwGlZQIA7faMxDAdR9xo7zzCiIwUlXmhlTzFgSsrxMx4IinlEXzRPmQd2DmLqSzV8PArToMN2BLRoCBlOk~cQkI~S4hqXf-GsN0L4UNHJwG8UKbzY1k13RcE1bKDZL1ZBsMnVDiw-NVzH~kuTHaRAs76bKnPwPr1ObnCXFIoCfPnaxh6wiYO3npMIdjy2I-y0fMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","McDowell County, NC","date","2025-06-11T08:48:03.277Z","article","McDowell County commissioners were briefed on site options and fundraising approaches for a proposed replacement animal shelter and directed staff to inspect county-owned property and return with a site recommendation.

Staff recommended against a privately suggested College Drive site because of steep topography, multiple rights-of-way on the parcel and a deed reverter that could return part of the land to the city if it is not used for education. Commissioners asked staff to concentrate planning on county-owned parcels, including the Spalding Road site, and to visit the Chute Branch property with the architect and staff.

William, county staff, reviewed the earlier discussion: the current shelter, built about 1980 on U.S. 226 South, has been under review for replacement for several years for reasons of size and to meet North Carolina Department of Agriculture inspection requirements. He said staff and the architect evaluated the College Drive parcel and found substantial constraints: topography requiring significant grading, a creek on the west side, interstate right-of-way to the north, railroad right-of-way to the east, and a deed condition because half the property is owned by McDowell Tech and was conveyed by the city with a reverter clause. \"So there's a lot of complicating factors,\" William said, and staff did not recommend that site.

Staff recommended continuing to focus on the previously discussed Spalding Road site, which staff said has buildable areas and fewer legal complications. Commissioners also discussed the county's ability to work with private donors or a friends group; staff noted the county could follow a model similar to Burke County, where a friends group and the animal-services director worked together on fundraising and donor outreach.

Commissioner Brown moved — and the board approved — a request that staff and the architect visit the Chute Branch site and bring a site identification back to the board by the next meeting.

What’s next: staff will arrange the site visit to Chute Branch with the architect and return to the board with findings and a recommendation on siting and next steps on fundraising/partnerships.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 2025 McDowell County Board of Commissioners Meeting (NC)","oneSentenceSummary","County staff advised commissioners that a suggested College Drive location for a new animal shelter presents legal and site constraints; the board asked staff to further evaluate county-owned options including Spalding Road and Chute Branch and to return with a recommendation.","taxTitle","McDowell County, North Carolina","taxId",52003,"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},6206881,"Lease terminated on downtown lot; commissioners authorize talks with city and neighbors to reallocate parking",1039,2481000,3520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3760149-c3c4dfba44d55e2665125d7ee7fcd5fb&start=2481&end=3520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3760149-c3c4dfba44d55e2665125d7ee7fcd5fb/thumbnail_2481000.jpg","/articles/6206881/McDowell-County/North-Carolina/Lease-terminated-on-downtown-lot-commissioners-authorize-talks-with-city-and-neighbors-to-reallocate-parking","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206881-cbc7ae7ab7e4e1171757feade0152215/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098174&Signature=hjDDxKjmTSVXfVyvrYd-y5SxLKl8N-X~MAis9WtMCcJkF9FgcmwNk2ZAey78zd7G1Pl~jSvTSvEQP~i89skVeth-jO2bSCL4RMrih5aNcZSY1bFyCLQt~ajCZ4YpXkZKzsQlYrEVXu5NsMuNd8ISa6O6zmFGajIXNEJ-k1btAsBJpmVlcyXDpSAKoutAR5mx46HGplxrZmfrILtOFttvNfV3vGbZlWfWiadfiW5hBOrciTFEq~XNjM1ksYqeKvh1IkJkj7ZwFnsPmWoB523M16XcKlLMednUi19Q3fls0dvXwnB8jNO8QtKWmo0tcOCeLnyKgVOR6HKDELly4wUtng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff told commissioners that a leased downtown parking lot used for Department of Social Services vehicle storage will be terminated and that the county needs an interim and longer-term plan for roughly 15 county vehicles.

The board authorized staff to start discussions with neighbors and city officials about reallocating parking and to pursue options that avoid immediate paving costs.

William, county staff, told commissioners the county has leased the Fourth Street lot for roughly 10–15 years at about $300 a month to park DSS vehicles and related fleet. \"We did receive notice from the, the property owner last week that they are gonna terminate that lease,\" William said; the owner offered two to three months' month-to-month occupancy while the county responds.

Staff outlined possible alternatives: use existing county-owned lots (South Garden), the jury parking lot, split vehicles among nearby lots (including some underused spaces at the Red Cross building) and negotiate with the city about converting the former EMS lot into parking. Staff noted that moving vehicles into other county lots could impact daily operations and that graveling the former EMS site is an option but would carry a cost.

Commissioners discussed priorities and agreed county employees' parking must be protected. They directed staff to contact the property owner and businesses currently using the county lot, talk with the city about a joint parking approach for the yellow parcel (former EMS/attorney’s-house site), and pursue short-term spreading of vehicles across available lots while avoiding immediate capital expense. The board amended the motion to make the outreach explicit and approved it by voice vote.

Clarifying figures supplied at the meeting: the county stated the leased lot had been leased for more than a decade at about $300 a month; the DSS fleet to be accommodated is about 15 vehicles; staff estimated the jury parking lot contains about 98 spaces, and noted that day-to-day informal use of the DSS lot includes roughly five residential users and about eight business-related vehicles.

What’s next: staff will notify affected users, work with the city on potential cost-sharing for a longer-term public parking solution, and return with recommendations if temporary measures are insufficient.","The county learned a long-term leased lot used for DSS vehicles will be terminated; commissioners approved staff outreach to the property owner, neighboring businesses and the city to find short- and long-term parking solutions for about 15 county vehicles.",{"_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},6206885,"Old Fort branch to reopen July 1; Marion library launches 30-program June summer schedule",699,152000,851000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3760149-c3c4dfba44d55e2665125d7ee7fcd5fb&start=152&end=851","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3760149-c3c4dfba44d55e2665125d7ee7fcd5fb/thumbnail_152000.jpg","/articles/6206885/McDowell-County/North-Carolina/Old-Fort-branch-to-reopen-July-1-Marion-library-launches-30-program-June-summer-schedule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206885-aec2a13a453d3f2ae872c77e64004eb1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098174&Signature=jaGhjo2D24WMawR8h0AI~hmHW8x3dopLoo4pvA~CogCTre-GpUlqHJNYQRc4QfVI2XgDmEwIbcyfW-DzDqVrIrMer4X08DWyPtZq9VVlWj44LmWabi8J39rrXSZxVfBbTFhQmDElPVXgNmj3-94~PA~LzI-j0dY38EDkqi0SQGvB-~SZ4Av-f2TON2Dy~c1xySFNPd-fG5DPb8MEEN3Wz8pjtWmL6TRAbmQALdrwl8Dy0ksaThMtdHabLvePmXVYADEGpU~0wldtLh3UJ0xcTe5t7S-Ucht6tgKCbNofakvldpJ6mmHc6yktuvRe0dICzR5OuRFffuIy9rhfeJL-Bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Library leaders updated McDowell County commissioners on branch reopening plans and a summer reading schedule that county staff said has drawn strong community participation.

The Old Fort Library is scheduled to reopen July 1 following cleanup and repairs; Marion branch staff also outlined a month of children's, teen and adult programs and ongoing partnerships with local schools.

\"I'm happy to share that after 9 months, we'll officially reopen the Old Fort Library on Tuesday, July 1,\" said Marin Brick Brinkley, who introduced the library update and credited restoration contractor Foothills Cleaning and Restoration and library partners for the work. Brinkley said the site may be ready for a soft reopening before the official date and that a community celebration will be planned later in the summer.

Julie McKinney, program and outreach librarian, described the library's summer offerings. \"Just in June, we have 30 programs, for the whole month, and that is something for all ages,\" McKinney said, and she estimated roughly \"around 150 people\" attended the kickoff magic-show registration event. McKinney also described outreach to McDowell County Public Schools and visits to elementary and middle schools, including special-education classes at the high school, and said library staff have concentrated on increasing teen programming.

McKinney highlighted additional history-room work and a community walk tied to the children's book The Dot; she explained the library obtained permission to reproduce a page of the book and plans a Main Street walk with 20 participating businesses over a 0.7-mile route so families can read and stroll together.

Commissioners did not take a formal vote on library matters; the update served as an informational report and staff invited commissioners to the planned reopening and summer events.

","Library staff told commissioners the Old Fort Library will reopen July 1 after nine months; the Marion branch reported about 30 programs in June and a heavy turnout at the summer-reading kickoff.",{"_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},6206890,"County recovery lead reports debris removed and hazard-mitigation applications underway after Hurricane Helene",402,860000,1262000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3760149-c3c4dfba44d55e2665125d7ee7fcd5fb&start=860&end=1262","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3760149-c3c4dfba44d55e2665125d7ee7fcd5fb/thumbnail_860000.jpg","/articles/6206890/McDowell-County/North-Carolina/County-recovery-lead-reports-debris-removed-and-hazard-mitigation-applications-underway-after-Hurricane-Helene","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206890-e61e32ffdca707c2d301ac5fc5ba33a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098174&Signature=EadjR-MEhOOkzPgm7BQeBT~TTtix~CFM0H-MugtXUl07ANFyOEXaceb7uH8HyMX5zdVp0uhZ7zZ14jUuXvzPKQ~ZzderauyZkHxdEyAaCWIBR3nlKXg7JYta~9zY1Np~DtfhAli8tDdH4UhqNpAAfxcMqXDAi2inG6HU-aX~ZeY5v5VaVREN2voSvmyojnnsVxq6pNb3QFbKOylmRDGSHOaevKNU6cZGRzW8xy7hWJqyZEWrfNATC5LL~dvQApVM6c6nirgHh7U2BmmXU~ccYRuJ8FXdhrtSPtAHqlkWPtikGfwPvPHUUEfJC~OF~P~7KQez3-HllNmWZhrDTn8tkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","McDowell County emergency management briefed commissioners on June recovery efforts stemming from Hurricane Helene, reporting large volumes of debris removed, ongoing personal-property damage-recovery work and multiple hazard-mitigation initiatives in progress.

The update described completed and ongoing federal, state and volunteer efforts and listed near-term priorities for debris, housing repairs and mitigation work.

Andrew Presley, standing in for William, told the board the Emergency Operations Center remains active and the county is focusing on three priorities: debris removal, housing repairs, and hazard mitigation. \"We collected a total of a 165,773 cubic yards of debris from, private and public roads in McDowell County,\" Presley said, and he reported waterway debris removal had exceeded \"over a million cubic yards of debris, effective today.\"

Presley summarized personal property damage-recovery (PPDR) activity: the PPDR intake had received more than 1,400 applications and the contractor JBW had been awarded work; about 400 applications were actively being processed and 15 crews were working in the county. He said FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are continuing to assess remaining applications and cleanup priorities and that the Army Corps reported being \"70% completed with all the debris missions here in McDowell\".

Volunteer organizations continue to operate under the county’s VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster). Presley said the VOAD had handled 502 requests, with 427 marked completed and a number of repairs and rebuilds pending. On hazard mitigation, he gave counts of applicants and projects that the county is pursuing: 35 citizens applied for acquisition/buyouts, 21 for elevation projects, and 17 generator projects planned for facilities used during the response; the county also identified 12 landslide sites for attention. A wildfire mitigation program was slated to kick off with interagency meetings that month.

Near-term priorities Presley listed for the next 30 days were continued waterway debris removal, PPDR cleanup and demolition of structures approved under PPDR, ongoing housing repairs, and finalizing generator lists in coordination with municipalities.

Commissioners asked about local debris stations and where materials would be moved; Presley said some local sites had been significantly worked and that officials would follow up with details. He also noted the county had conducted a regional hurricane/flash-flood exercise in May with 90 participants and 50 agencies and said after-action reviews were being incorporated into the emergency operations plan.

What’s next: FEMA, the Army Corps and the county will continue PPDR processing and waterway work; Presley said staff will follow up with commissioners on specific debris-site closure questions and on progress in hazard mitigation project listings.

","Emergency management officials updated commissioners on debris removal totals, personal-property applications and hazard mitigation steps; FEMA and Army Corps continue waterway cleanup and the county’s long-term programs are advancing.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":79,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6206896,"McDowell commissioners press for more funding as water project hits booster-station cost hurdle",944,1537000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3760149-c3c4dfba44d55e2665125d7ee7fcd5fb&start=1537&end=2481","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3760149-c3c4dfba44d55e2665125d7ee7fcd5fb/thumbnail_1537000.jpg","/articles/6206896/McDowell-County/North-Carolina/McDowell-commissioners-press-for-more-funding-as-water-project-hits-booster-station-cost-hurdle","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206896-2708486dad888866518ff4d2e0d5a6b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098174&Signature=gsv1UsxHMW5s333aJO38F9ntklM1sZbHD0jwIyvcjWLgMpt4t2xaLjljGJodPauxrrjE5SNkj6vpOvdJG7ywiPcLIee2sYadMZYpGfaSQKULy0jsjAlVcjnDR0uV98fXzsajsqDfAsrH3--Yp8CfnCzZlXPrpjbhwxAQRGSDBn1okoxtzWBj4zUFv7ewtN1Ysin8g2h3JduF8GbvYeeoQs8CUkRNlfnV2OZF6~NkSyWOzgTDd2kSaZlyFjAeuAmY5RX7hp3MYvP079kh4A6bvSrskJYLZR0Xaq9ouu4SVqvvLmObLTacEzc1t02zx3XPQlZr-AJDsDYbHkjyD3ThFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","McDowell County commissioners were told June 2025 that a multi-phase water extension intended to serve West Marion, Providence and West Marion Elementary is on hold after engineers determined a booster station will be required and pushed the project over available funding.

County staff described the scope and funding status and the board voted to ask state and federal legislators for additional money to complete the project.

Why it matters: the extension is intended to provide public water to a school, a fire substation and nearby residences and businesses; the county says those anchor commitments are tied to state and ARC funding and that failure to reach the school could cause partners to withdraw their contributions.

William, county staff, summarized progress on several projects the county has underway: the East End project (around Marion Lake Club), Phase 2a/2b nearing completion, and Phase 3 awaiting NCDOT encroachment approvals. He told the board the engineering team concluded that, because of elevation in the West Marion area (about 1,600 feet), any route to the school will require a booster station. \"So in order to have adequate pressures for residential users... we're gonna have a need for a booster station,\" William said. He added an overall estimate for the booster and related work \"could be $75,800,000\".

William walked commissioners through the county's committed funding: about $500,000 in Appalachian Regional Commission money, \"an appropriation of almost $4,000,000 from the General Assembly,\" and $500,000 the school system had committed — roughly $5 million in hand, which the staff said is short of the revised cost. He also said ARPA-funded portions must be completed and reimbursed by December 2026.

On financing options, staff said they submitted a brief letter of interest to the state revolving fund (SRF) to place McDowell on the list of impacted communities seeking SRF assistance. \"I submitted on our behalf a, essentially, a letter of interest,\" William said; he described that filing as a preliminary step ahead of formal SRF applications in July.

Commissioners underlined priorities and next steps: get public water to West Marion Elementary remains the board's top objective; completing the larger loop that would include Zion Hill, Sugar Hill and Marlow Road is desirable but contingent on securing more funding. Commissioner Wing asked the congressman's office representative to look for funding; Commissioner Wing later moved for staff to seek legislative assistance. The motion passed on a voice vote.

Discussion vs. decision: commissioners directed staff to pursue legislative outreach and federal/state funding programs (SRF and other sources); the board did not appropriate additional county funds at the meeting.

Timeline and constraints noted in the meeting: ARPA-funded work must be complete and reimbursed by December 2026; SRF applications open in July; engineer cautioned cost and permitting remain outstanding items.

What’s next: staff will provide more detailed cost breakdowns (county asked staff to return with the specific estimate to run water \"just to the school\" and the incremental cost to complete the full loop) and pursue SRF/federal contacts and legislative outreach that the board authorized.

","County staff told commissioners the East End/West Marion water extension faces a funding gap after engineers identified a needed booster station; commissioners voted to ask state and federal representatives for additional assistance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners direct staff to study county-owned sites for new animal shelter; College Drive site not recommended

Lease terminated on downtown lot; commissioners authorize talks with city and neighbors to reallocate parking

Old Fort branch to reopen July 1; Marion library launches 30-program June summer schedule

County recovery lead reports debris removed and hazard-mitigation applications underway after Hurricane Helene

McDowell commissioners press for more funding as water project hits booster-station cost hurdle