[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6170909,"mediaKeyId","5395300-7608b4f0914a00cd9c82a2e65fc89eef","parentId",5395300,"title","Board approves consent agenda items, appoints volunteers and authorizes opioid settlement; schedules economic incentive public hearing","audioSeconds",576,"startMs",6862000,"endMs",7438000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5395300-7608b4f0914a00cd9c82a2e65fc89eef&start=6862&end=7438","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5395300-7608b4f0914a00cd9c82a2e65fc89eef/thumbnail_6862000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6170909/Iredell-County/North-Carolina/Board-approves-consent-agenda-items-appoints-volunteers-and-authorizes-opioid-settlement-schedules-economic-incentive-public-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170909-671b14007ee3d81e34833a61aa410bff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136801&Signature=nvluU6atDbdy9Xgl3EFPN-SMo9AXsgn199RmyaE70YKd5Vs7K~lmHYWwBHd77tIWf6uJUcxxFjZRgvcYzx1V~JN6CaIy6RYT5UK9tDB1WUBVLpv4v4J1j4xhrNV8F4oYnHHtIdnNJZJuxXgjHh1qcTxIg7S9dPUYMb6Z2j4O~aAk~mDLWUcrbE68ER~ZkCCRSUog1Hr6ableLONEsinWJW8q-yUlwGPD6-SOwHOVTO27qp~fLTAI8dar09NgYMgx6ZMpW48t0oR8aOIIpTOzJPnKYa2t9hLL9g98hJuQUcpcX2EymuY1cf5CuO3FwBo2N3x~kGsV~20zHDCwN8Lr4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Iredell County, NC","date","2025-07-15T18:44:31Z","article","At its July 15 meeting the Iredell County Board of Commissioners approved a series of administrative and consent items reviewed earlier at a pre‑agenda meeting, reappointed multiple volunteers to boards and commissions, authorized participation in an opioid settlement with Sandoz Inc., and called a public hearing on Aug. 5 for a proposed economic development incentive.

The consent/pre‑agenda package approved by the board included routine departmental requests: a statewide mutual aid agreement for Emergency Management; a three‑year agreement for a virtual emergency operations center platform (VIASEE); EMS modifications to physical‑ability testing and a pending Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant application; library acceptance of an LSTA scholarship grant ($1,775); declaring a retired police canine surplus for private sale; a three‑year contract for debt‑management software; PSAP funding agreement allocations for Statesville and Mooresville police; a Human Resources reclassification of a vacant part‑time EMT to a logistics technician; renewal of a lease with the NC Department of Public Safety, Division of Juvenile Justice; tax releases and refunds for June 2025; and minutes and construction updates. The board approved these items on a single voice vote (motion by Commissioner Brown).

Appointments: Commissioners reappointed members who volunteered to continue service on several local boards, including two appeals/grievance committee members, three planning‑board members (Lisa Meyer, Doug Holland and Jerry Centoni), five Juvenile Crime Prevention Council appointees and one Farmland Preservation Board appointment (Ken Robertson). The board recorded the appointments by voice vote.

Opioid settlement: In a closed‑session action earlier the board approved a settlement with Sandoz Inc. to resolve pending opioid‑related litigation and authorized the county manager and finance director to execute required participation documentation. The board voted to approve the settlement in open session after the closed‑session discussion; the motion was recorded as passed.

Economic incentive public hearing: The board also authorized (by motion from Vice Chair Nieder) a public hearing to consider a proposed economic development incentive for \"Project ACE,\" described in the motion as a potential maximum incentive of $313,643 over five years tied to an anticipated $25,000,000 investment; the public hearing was scheduled for Aug. 5, 2025 at 6 p.m.

Other closed‑session items were noted with no action taken: personnel matters and property acquisition were discussed in closed session earlier in the day under applicable North Carolina statutes (including N.C. Gen. Stat. 143‑318.11(a)(5) for property acquisition and (a)(6) for personnel).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS - Jul 15 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Iredell County Board of Commissioners approved routine consent agenda items, reappointed several board members, authorized an opioid settlement with Sandoz Inc., and set a public hearing on Aug. 5, 2025 for an economic incentive for Project ACE.","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},6170919,"Iredell County health department presents 2024 State of the County Health report; board accepts presentation",369,246000,615000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5395300-7608b4f0914a00cd9c82a2e65fc89eef&start=246&end=615","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5395300-7608b4f0914a00cd9c82a2e65fc89eef/thumbnail_246000.jpg","/articles/6170919/Iredell-County/North-Carolina/Iredell-County-health-department-presents-2024-State-of-the-County-Health-report-board-accepts-presentation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170919-02d1a631a6f52ef8c5ac2126a4b78cd7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136801&Signature=BxyM~M13-gi7yr-vTuAWdWowgHUAaortkVbuuOG7GBEQ-9RdM84ASCiZ1EvRhw4YtouWPuAhm4zX39-E2Ajk7r4GGd7OsoLoy6bAnkBsK8WjEQ7jDKk7vK-5dMdqBPrKyvjZpQrgNsXu4qLBTXhXEN6XnHEyWkUONYQhk28JcQUXWO2FPFLSea8VJ46O9lSmP5KbV2hYhiyQkwueJquX3izYCGAzSjr8pUKWNFhgdWFEUZxNyjHJmITat5DPGK~auQwM6CTi7QQgA00ojL8g8mq~DiQxB2d8H-vhsfBTSVlxNeRDlMatOZGtrzrtKGuIo-mWcEf7bnejJaWFxL~S0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Iredell County Health Department on July 15 presented its 2024 State of the County Health report to the Iredell County Board of Commissioners and the board voted to accept the presentation.

The department’s Health Promotion Coordinator, Danica Savage, told commissioners the report summarizes a four‑year community health assessment, a community health improvement plan and a progress report. Savage said the county’s three priorities for 2023–2026 are mental health, chronic disease prevention and substance‑misuse prevention.

Savage outlined programs tied to those priorities: evidence‑based teen behavioral health and first‑aid training for high school students; a “Mindful Mondays” partnership with the county recreation center for youth mental‑health engagement; a Be Well outreach partnership with United Way; Healthy for Life classes (in collaboration with the American Heart Association); a diabetes education program with Iredell Health/ Iredell Memorial; and a mobile health unit offering screenings, including blood pressure checks.

Savage also described substance‑misuse efforts, including Quitline NC referrals, a law‑enforcement drug‑take‑back that collected about 17 pounds of prescriptions last year, and distribution of safety devices through a lockbox program (\"about 383 lockboxes and 525 pouches,\" Savage said). On emergency‑health trends, the report noted that early 2024 saw a spike in flu and respiratory visits (1,030 emergency‑department visits recorded for influenza in February 2024) and that roughly 30% of emergency‑department overdose visits in 2024 were overdose‑related, driven by opioid overdoses and contaminated supplies.

Commissioner Howe moved to accept the presentation; the board voted in favor and the presentation was accepted.

The health department said there were no significant changes in overall morbidity and mortality between 2023 and early 2024, and that the department will continue partnering with local organizations to address the three priority areas. Savage closed the presentation with an introduction to a youth‑focused mascot and materials (“Globey”) designed to help children identify and discuss emotions.

The board took no regulatory or budget actions on the presentation itself; acceptance was recorded as the formal outcome.","The Iredell County Health Department on July 15 presented its 2024 State of the County Health report and commissioners voted to accept the presentation.",{"_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},6170914,"Commissioners deny conditional rezoning for 40‑acre Mahler Family/ICAST community solar project after extended public hearing",5417,867000,6284000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5395300-7608b4f0914a00cd9c82a2e65fc89eef&start=867&end=6284","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5395300-7608b4f0914a00cd9c82a2e65fc89eef/thumbnail_867000.jpg","/articles/6170914/Iredell-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-deny-conditional-rezoning-for-40acre-Mahler-FamilyICAST-community-solar-project-after-extended-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170914-aedd35b8643bd01c372363d64d376494/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136801&Signature=E~V1B2ODFFPsymryEQQ4wGSdRquNip2uOGg0IY0PPSidFwAQ0Ky-q5gNoNmHVxGQAXes3hBeoN9YwR01jM4SbPzCS8lcdvhuk8Od7JmuJApe8NoFSUiIgEniDAOHciM0kX5tWgylsvHSM~MLb2-MrxrSS2bjVojF6J6pqA7lHkxaQJVZpXAZMnXquoqVCH5VVjKeY6KlkIrvEUpm8A-Ix6nGuwbL4aRpiMfUwzojKVOVIkDANGFI5a8Z7uYFTMbOp9jRKPD16Qh5A-GsULkP7e0H9F9l-4rEg3rZzRVhFEfr-~tapLjXQe1DI6s-8v0eT8tnKyaHVXTXjWGpRDQqpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Iredell County Board of Commissioners on July 15 denied a conditional rezoning application to allow a 5‑megawatt community solar facility on about 40 acres of the Mahler family property along Wilkesboro Highway. The denial followed an extended public hearing in which neighbors, environmental groups, industry representatives and the applicant presented competing testimony.

County Planning and Zoning staffer Jake Lohman introduced the request as a conditional rezoning from Residential Agricultural (RA) to a Residential Agricultural Conditional District that would add a solar energy facility as an allowed use on approximately 40 acres (a portion of a larger 192‑acre parent parcel). Lohman said the applicant revised an earlier 192‑acre proposal to limit the facility to 40 acres, and that staff supported the request as consistent with the county’s land‑use rules for rural areas and with the 2045 Horizon Plan’s allowance for utility uses in certain tiers. He said the planning board recommended approval in a split 5–4 vote.

Finance for Impact representative Monica Paichi described the Mahler Family Solar Project as a 5‑megawatt facility designed to serve Energy United members and asserted community benefits including long‑term Iocal tax revenue, construction jobs and an “agrivoltaics” plan to introduce sheep grazing and beehives under and around panels. Paichi said the project would occupy “20 to 30 acres of the 192 acre Mauler property” and claimed the installation would serve roughly 650–700 homes over a 20‑year offtake commitment.

Opponents raised concerns about site suitability, water and flood risks, wildlife and habitat disruption, toxic materials, fire risk, electromagnetic fields and property values. Speakers who objected included long‑time New Hope community residents and local subject‑matter commenters: Randy Cass described steep slopes to Rocky Creek and cautioned about runoff; Donna Galena and others cited studies and claim panels contain hazardous materials; well driller Jason Wood warned about contamination reaching Rocky Creek; and multiple residents described potential effects on wildlife, noise and neighborhood character. One speaker, Isaac Bickford, presented financial analysis arguing the project’s developer lacked reliable federal funding and questioned the developer’s balance sheet and ability to finance construction and decommissioning. Other opponents cited decommissioning cost estimates and liability concerns.

Supporters included representatives from the Southern Environmental Law Center (Hannah Klaus and Nick Jimenez), a state‑level conservative clean‑energy group and some nearby residents who told the board they supported landowner rights and the plan’s agrivoltaic components. Environmental lawyers cited state regulatory oversight, a nearby panel‑recycling facility in Salisbury and Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) processes that address decommissioning and disposal.

Commissioner discussion noted the competing public‑interest claims: property‑owner rights, preservation of rural character in the county’s Agricultural and Rural Conservation Tier 1, floodplain and topographic concerns, and the role of federal and state incentives in project finance. Planning staff said proposed setbacks, a 500‑foot separation where applicable from adjacent homes and required stream buffers (100 feet) were part of the conditional plan; Lohman added the proposed array area was roughly 200 feet above the flood plain and top‑of‑bank for Rocky Creek — about a 50‑foot elevation change from the array to the creek on the conceptual plan.

After deliberation, a motion to deny the amendment carried. The board recorded the motion to deny the rezoning map amendment as \"not reasonable nor in the public interest\" and inconsistent with the 2045 Horizon Plan (agricultural and rural conservation tier). The motion passed on a vote reported as 5 in favor, 0 opposed, 2 absent. Commissioner Howe moved the denial.

The planning board’s split recommendation (5–4) and the large turnout — dozens of public commenters representing both support and opposition — were noted by commissioners as evidence of community interest. The denial means the applicant may pursue other lawful options but, as of this meeting, the county did not enact the conditional rezoning requested.","The Iredell County Board of Commissioners denied a conditional rezoning request to allow a 5‑megawatt community solar facility on roughly 40 acres of the Mahler family property along Wilkesboro Highway following an extensive public hearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves consent agenda items, appoints volunteers and authorizes opioid settlement; schedules economic incentive public hearing

Iredell County health department presents 2024 State of the County Health report; board accepts presentation

Commissioners deny conditional rezoning for 40‑acre Mahler Family/ICAST community solar project after extended public hearing