Lincoln County commissioners approve routine grants, refunds and appointments

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 10 approved a slate of routine items, including renewing the county’s role as fiscal agent for Family Connections, granting an interest-free loan to the regional library for technology, and approving two tax refunds related to an assessor error.

Family Connections coordinator Ms. Davis asked the board to continue the county’s service as fiscal agent for fiscal year 2027; the board authorized the chairman and county clerk to sign necessary documents. "We are requesting that the county remain the fiscal agent for Family Connection for fiscal year 27," Ms. Davis said during her presentation.

The board approved an interest-free loan of $21,768.63 to the Eastern Regional Library System so the system can front costs for a reimbursable Lib Tech grant. Director Ham told the board the loan would be fully reimbursed by the end of the fiscal year. "We are coming to ask for, helping us to fund the Lib Tech grant in the amount of $21,768.63," Ham said. The motion, made and seconded on the floor, passed by voice vote; the clerk will fund the loan from the general fund and be repaid on or before June 30, 2026.

Tax Commissioner Willis briefed the board on two error-and-release refunds tied to a business personal property return that included boats, which are exempt from taxation. Willis said the refunds are for Soap Creek Marina and Resort LLC: $1,897.08 for tax year 2023 and $1,711.09 for tax year 2024. The board approved separate motions to refund each amount, with funds coming from the general fund and final disbursement handled through the tax commissioner’s office.

Other actions included authorization for the county clerk to send a notice of nonrenewal for the fiscal-year-2027 hotel-motel tax distribution contract to the Lincolnton Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce; adoption of a resolution declaring specified county vehicles and equipment surplus and authorizing sale via GovDeals.com; issuance of a 2026 Class C on-premises alcohol license to American Legion Post 194 (commander listed as Stacy Eric Kennelly in the application); and several board appointments and reappointments including Shannon Zellers to the Board of Tax Assessors and Russell Spratlin to the Planning Commission.

During public comment, Melvin Harris urged the board to reroute a main water line near Elinan Road to avoid repeated highway cuts and settlement problems where he said crews repeatedly dig to access the line. Harris said the area has about 27 houses and asked the county to consider his suggested connection point to reduce future road repairs.

Finance staff reported completion of the county audit and provided cash-balance figures for major funds as of Jan. 2026; among figures presented were a general fund balance of $3,963,489 and total cash and cash equivalents across accounts of $8,354,376. No votes were taken on budget items at the meeting.

The meeting concluded after several board appointments and routine approvals; the board adjourned at approximately 6:31 p.m.

The board recorded motions and voice votes for the items listed above; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the public transcript.