Matthews board approves local funding to move forward with two housing acquisitions, appoints Malia James as town manager

The Matthews Board of Commissioners on Dec. 8 voted unanimously to authorize local funding to complete the town’s purchase of two parcels intended for affordable housing and to move forward on a separate property acquisition to improve access to a town‑owned tract.

The board acted after staff said the town has a $1,000,000 HUD community project grant for the two‑parcel acquisition but that the federal approval process has been delayed. Assistant town manager and town manager–nominee Malia James told the board the town completed an extended environmental review with no defects but that HUD review could take “up to another 6 months” and that the town retains the ability to submit other projects and may still be reimbursed by HUD if the grant is ultimately approved.

“We have completed the environmental review, and that has come back with no defects,” James said. “We still have access to those funds.”

Commissioner Ken McCool moved to appropriate funds for the purchases, citing $962,593 available in the town’s affordable‑housing fund balance and an additional $61,107 from the general fund balance as the source of the local contribution; the motion passed unanimously. During discussion staff confirmed the affordable‑housing fund balance is $962,593 and said the environmental study cost approximately $449,000.

The board also approved purchase of 12600 Idleau (Ottawa) Road, a property staff said would provide better ingress and egress to the town’s Board Dam property. Staff described that transaction as including a life‑estate addendum that would allow the current occupant to remain on the property; the mayor and staff said the negotiated price is $600,000 and the board authorized up to $610,000 (to cover attorney fees and taxes) from the tourism fund balance. Commissioner McCool moved the purchase authorization and the vote was unanimous.

Separately, the board voted to dissolve two advisory bodies — the Historic Preservation Committee and the Economic Development Advisory Committee — both of which staff said have been on ad hoc status in recent years because of limited activity. The motion to dissolve the committees also passed unanimously.

Personnel actions at the meeting included formal approval of the town‑manager contract and the appointment of Malia James as town manager, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Commissioner McCool moved to approve the contract; the motion passed unanimously. The board also approved a consulting contract to retain interim manager Kurt Walton (Walton & Hall) for transition support (approximately 20 hours per week for about six months).

What the board voted on (at a glance) • Authorization to use local funds in part to complete acquisition of two parcels intended for affordable housing (transcript identifies $962,593 from the affordable‑housing fund balance and $61,107 from the general fund balance); motion passed unanimously. • Authorization to purchase 12600 Idleau (Ottawa) Road for up to $610,000 from the tourism fund balance; motion passed unanimously. • Dissolution of the Historic Preservation Committee and the Economic Development Advisory Committee; motion passed unanimously. • Approval of the town‑manager contract and appointment of Malia James effective Jan. 1, 2026; motion passed unanimously. • Consulting contract with Walton & Hall to support the transition; motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters The town’s choice to use local affordable‑housing dollars while HUD’s review remains pending lets Matthews move forward on acquisitions that town leaders say are ready (environmental review complete). Staff told the board HUD reimbursement may still be possible, but that HUD’s internal review timeline is uncertain; the board’s action therefore accelerates local control of property intended for housing projects.

Next steps Staff said they will proceed with closing on the locally funded purchases and continue to work with HUD on potential reimbursement. The board recessed into closed session at the end of the evening to consult with the town attorney per North Carolina statute.