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Catawba County sets Nov. 3 public hearing to expand five fire districts after county-line shift
Summary
Following the June 2025 boundary change with Lincoln County, the Board ordered staff to prepare required reports and set a Nov. 3 public hearing to expand five fire service districts to include territory newly in Catawba County; changes won't take effect until the next fiscal year.
The Catawba County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 6 directed staff to prepare the statutorily required reports and scheduled a Nov. 3, 2025 public hearing on extending five fire service districts to include territory added to Catawba County by Session Law 2025-30.
Background and process Session Law 2025-30, effective June 30, 2025, altered the Catawba–Lincoln county boundary along the 2020 Census line. The resulting boundary shift placed some parcels previously in Lincoln County into Catawba County. Staff advised the Board that five of the county's 14 fire service districts require boundary adjustments to encompass the expanded jurisdiction.
The Board adopted Resolution 2025-34 directing staff to prepare a report required under N.C. Gen. Stat. 153A-303. The report must include maps showing present and proposed district boundaries, demonstrate that annexation standards are met, and outline a plan for extending services. County staff plans to mail required notices to affected property owners and make the report available for inspection at least two weeks before the Nov. 3 public hearing.
Timing and effects Staff emphasized any boundary changes would not affect the current fiscal year tax status because the county-line change occurred after Jan. 1; changes would be implemented at the start of the following fiscal year to allow Tax Office notifications and service transition planning.
Maps provided Maps in the meeting packet illustrated proposed additions for Bandys, Cooksville, Propst, Sherrills Ford and Maiden fire districts to help residents and commissioners visualize the territory to be annexed.
Next steps Staff will finalize the statutorily required report, mail notices to affected property owners and present the matter at the Nov. 3 public hearing for Board consideration.