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Votes at a glance: Needham and Gordon rezonings, Project 7 incentive, sheriff pay raises and other actions
Summary
The Union County Board of Commissioners approved a set of routine and substantive items including two rezonings, an economic incentive for Project 7, sheriffs office pay increases, and a board appointment; several public hearings were held without immediate action.
At its July 14, 2025 meeting, the Union County Board of Commissioners took formal action on multiple agenda items. This summary lists each formal action taken at the meeting.
Needham rezoning (RZ-006, agenda item 25-409) - Action: Moved from the public hearing to the business agenda and approved. The order revises the official zoning map to eliminate split zoning on the owners parcel (approximately 1 acre) so the house can be sold separately from the remaining farm acreage. - Staff: Bjorn Hansen, Senior Planner, presented the item; applicant Carl Needham spoke in support; buyer Amanda Nelson spoke in favor of expedited action. - Motion: Commissioner John Helms moved to adopt the order approving the rezoning and the consistency and reasonable statement. Motion passed.
Gordon conditional rezoning (2020/25 CZ-002; agenda 25-402) - Action: After staff presentation and a brief discussion, the board adopted the ordinance approving the revision to the official zoning map to allow light-industrial use to support an automotive repair operation on a portion of the parcel south of Waxhaw. - Staff: Bjorn Hansen presented; the Planning Board had recommended denial 4–3; the board approved the rezoning after discussion. - Motion: Commissioner Gary Balcom moved for adoption; motion passed.
Project 7 economic development incentive (agenda 25-425) - Action: Board authorized staff to negotiate and execute a step 4 economic development incentive grant agreement not to exceed $4,860,000 over seven years to retain an existing Union County employer expanding with a proposed $200 million investment and 70 new jobs. - Motion: Commissioner John Elms moved approval; motion passed. Final agreement and timing subject to negotiation and pending state incentives.
Sheriffs Office pay adjustments (agenda 25-440) - Action: Board approved a compensation package for the Sheriffs Office that raises starting deputy and detention officer pay (previous planed midpoint adjustments shifted to December), including a raise that brings entry deputy/detention pay from $57,612 to $61,068 (county managers presentation). Deputies and detention officers will receive a 6% increase, lieutenants/sergeants/corporals 4%, and captains and civilian chiefs 3%. Funding will be reallocated from previously budgeted cadet positions and by folding the January COLA into the December adjustments; the board asked staff to return with options to expedite funding if available. - Motion: Commissioner John Helms moved approval; motion passed.
Short water-line extension program (agenda 25-381, presentation and direction) - Action: After a staff update and public comment from multiple residents with dry/low-producing wells, the board approved construction for Phase A of the FY22 short water-line projects and deferred Phase B pending easement acquisition and funding resolution; staff was directed to return in August with a plan for remaining projects. - Motion: Commissioner Gary Balcom moved approval for Phase A construction; motion passed.
Other business - Appointment: The board reappointed Earl Ford Jr. to the Consolidated Human Services Board (consumer-of-human-services seat), as nominated by the consolidated board. - Administrative: The board approved the consent agenda as amended earlier and moved a Needham rezoning public hearing item to the business agenda before voting on it.
No votes were taken tonight on the 4 Rivers or TKC Land rezonings; those items were the subject of public hearings and staff presentations and will remain on future agendas as required.
Full motions, votes and follow-up directions recorded in the meeting minutes and individual agenda materials.
