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Caldwell County commissioners adopt multiple policies, approve demolitions and accept county manager's resignation
Summary
Caldwell County commissioners on Monday approved a set of personnel, budget and property actions including a new OC‑spray policy for certain home‑visiting employees, a $2 per hour night shift differential for telecommunicators, an extension of a lease at 609 Harper Avenue and demolition orders for two properties.
Caldwell County commissioners on Monday approved several personnel, budget and property actions, adopted two personnel‑safety policies and authorized demolition proceedings for two properties after a closed session.
The board voted to adopt a draft policy allowing certain Department of Social Services employees who make home visits to carry department‑supplied oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray after training and registration with county administration; commissioners approved a $2‑per‑hour night shift differential for telecommunicators; and they extended a tenant’s lease at 609 Harper Avenue through June 30 while maintaining the current rate.
In other business the board approved demolition ordinances for two problem properties and accepted the resignation of County Manager Donald Duncan Jr., effective Feb. 28, 2025. The board appointed Assistant County Manager Wayne Grama as interim county manager effective March 1, 2025.
Nut graf: The actions together touch personnel safety, recruitment and retention of emergency communications staff, management continuity and neighborhood blight. Several items were routine consent‑agenda approvals, but the demolitions and the manager transition were framed as higher‑impact decisions and drew additional discussion.
Most significant votes and motions
- OC spray policy for home‑visiting staff: Commissioners approved a written policy that requires county training, use of approved OC spray devices supplied by the county and prompt notification to law enforcement after any use. The policy was presented as a staff safety and insurance‑reviewed measure so employees who cannot carry firearms may have a nonlethal option while doing home visits.
- Shift differential for telecommunicators: The board approved a $2‑per‑hour differential for night telecommunicators to improve retention and staffing at the 911 center. County staff said the annual cost if fully staffed at night would be about $44,000; extending the differential to all communications staff would cost roughly $85,000–$100,000 with benefits.
- Lease amendment for 609 Harper Avenue: Commissioners extended the tenant’s move‑out timeline through June 30; the county will continue the current rent rate and operate month‑to‑month if the tenant vacates earlier.
- Consent agenda items: The board approved a multi‑year hurricane recovery capital project fund and related budget amendments (manager reported a $2.5 million total figure moved to the new fund), applied for hazard‑mitigation funding for Wilson Creek sirens (estimated $181,000), authorized lottery fund use for school facilities work (about $281,000 available), recorded $27,000 in health‑department bad‑debt write‑offs, and approved seeking an ExxonMobil Good Neighbor grant to purchase tactical helmets for the sheriff’s office. The board also reappointed Terrence Swanson to the Council on Aging.
- Demolition ordinances: After a closed session and staff presentation, the board approved moving forward with demolition proceedings as presented for properties noted in the motion (motion language used property addresses as read into record). Staff estimated demolition and lot clearing costs for one property at about $14,000.
- Manager resignation and interim appointment: The commissioners accepted the resignation of County Manager Donald Duncan Jr., with his last official day identified as Feb. 28, 2025; they appointed Assistant County Manager Wayne Grama as interim county manager effective March 1, 2025. The board directed the outgoing manager and interim manager to coordinate outstanding county business and to keep commissioners apprised of operations.
Procedure and next steps
Several items (including two housing‑code matters) were discussed before the board entered closed session; the board said it may take additional action on other items after follow‑up reviews by the county attorney and staff. Staff identified grant and reimbursement timelines for hurricane recovery work and said some FEMA/mitigation projects can span multiple years.
Ending: The board adjourned after making the motions described and said remaining questions about implementation and budget timing will be addressed in upcoming staff reports and the next meeting.
