Residents press council over social-media posts; council approves multiple contracts, rezoning and funding actions

Residents crowded the council chamber Dec. 10 to press Indian Trail elected officials to address a string of social-media posts that have accused town staff and council members of corruption.

Dozens of public commenters—residents and past council officials—asked the council to end what they described as repeated online attacks on town employees and fellow trustees. “We need to reject the politics of drama and division,” said former council member Marcus McIntyre, calling on the council to “stand united and demand accountability, professionalism.” Several speakers described personal concern about staff morale and requested more respectful communications.

Council response and process: Councilmembers agreed to add an item to the agenda for feedback on social media and to extend an attorney-led investigation into recent complaints. On a 3–2 vote the council approved an additional three-month extension of the investigator’s timeline.

Votes and formal actions: During the workshop the council handled multiple formal items and contract awards. Key outcomes include:

- Motion to suspend town donation policy and donate $1,000 to Union County Crimestoppers: approved unanimously after two motions (suspend policy; then approve donation). Council recorded the donation and thanked the Crimestoppers representatives in the chamber.

- Zoning/land-use and development items: - ZT20240128 (transferring board of adjustment duties to a planning and zoning board / UDO text amendment): approved unanimously. - Development agreement for CZ2020-0095 (Oak Haven subdivision; 84 single-family lots): the council approved the development agreement 4–1. The agreement maintains many original conditions (no private sewer treatment, two entrances, buffer and brick/stone façade requirements) and limits maximum rental units to a stated percentage; the developer also agreed to 5-year vesting and updated engineering/driveway requirements.

- Condemnation/resolutions related to road/right-of-way acquisitions (multiple parcels tied to roadway projects): council approved the recommended resolutions in grouped motions; staff said the filings are intended to preserve schedule for state-funded road projects while negotiations or counter-appraisals continue.

- ARPA-funded stormwater improvements phase 2: council awarded the construction contract to Efficient Development LLC in the amount of $1,718,584.25 and approved corresponding CEI (construction engineering and inspection) services to Volker Inc. ($195,132.60); the council also approved the needed ARPA budget amendment. These motions passed unanimously.

- Park projects and recreation: staff requested direction for pickleball and tennis; council authorized staff to solicit pricing to repaint the existing lighted Chestnut Square courts for pickleball (estimate roughly $18,000) and to solicit bids for three new tennis courts at Crooked Creek Park with options for fence and lights. Council also asked staff to return with costs for lights and fencing and approved the solicitation step unanimously.

Investigations and governance: The council voted to extend an outside legal investigator’s work on alleged social-media misconduct and communications to staff. The extension passed 3–2; councilmembers clarified the town attorney and manager retained legal authority and that the extension was intended to allow the investigator to complete work and report back to council.

Public-safety and law enforcement report: Union County deputies reported 4,025 calls for service in November, 543 traffic stops and significant community outreach activities, including support for Crimestoppers fundraising.

What’s next: Staff will return on schedule with requested cost estimates for park improvements and the community-center study team will return in Q1 2025 with design scenarios. The council also scheduled continuing review of the investigator’s findings and indicated it will consider any recommended governance or code-of-conduct changes as a follow-up agenda item.