Angie Boitnotte

The board discussed several items including updates on COVID-19 and the Pritzker Children's Initiative, reviewed tax collection reports and refunds, accepted a grant for the Senior's Health Insurance Information Program, and addressed emergency services matters such as tower engineering and due diligence. Additionally, the meeting covered bid awards for community recreation center facilities, a proposed opening plan for the center, administrative matters regarding property demolition, and concluded with a closed session to discuss attorney/client matters and land acquisition.

The board conducted a retreat to review county goals and objectives, covering topics such as tourism development, the Middlefork Greenway, and the fiscal year budget including revenues, expenditures, and debt service. Additional discussions included IT website updates, property reappraisal, tax software conversion, planning and inspection matters, health updates, emergency service matters, and a review of the current Capital Improvement Plan encompassing school facilities, the library, and emergency communications. The retreat also included updates from the Chamber Foundation, community college leadership, and the school board, concluding with the establishment of budget work sessions and setting directives for the upcoming fiscal year.

The board meeting included a presentation of the fiscal year 2025 audit and the commitment of funds to support the transition of ambulance services. Approvals were granted for the use of the Human Services Center lot for market events, the appointment of a lead agency and advisory committee for community block grants, and multiple purchases for the 911 Center and ambulance equipment. Additionally, the board addressed 2025 carry-forward purchase orders, approved a site survey contract for a school facility project, and finalized a field lease with a local sports association. The board also convened in a closed session to discuss legal, property, and personnel matters.

The Board discussed public comments regarding electoral maps and local development projects, including septic system placement. Key actions included approving a budget amendment for the 2022 WRDG grant for Boone Gorge Park and authorizing the generator replacement for Medic Base 3. Planning and inspection topics included discussions on the Valle Crucis Planning Area annexation and ordinance changes, which were tabled, and scheduling a public hearing for the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The Board also reviewed the monthly tax collections report and refunds/releases, approved an amendment to the fiscal year 2025 audit contract, and provided temporary authorization for ambulance transport services by Appalachian Regional Healthcare System while scheduling a future public hearing for a franchise agreement. Additionally, a letter of support was authorized for a Cooperative Extension project, and adjustments were made to the meeting calendar for January.

The regular meeting included two public hearings: one concerning the Watauga County Comprehensive Land Use Plan update, which involved input gathered by the High Country Council of Governments, and another regarding the Ambulance Franchise Agreement with Appalachian Regional Healthcare System; no action was taken on the franchise agreement during the hearing. In Project on Aging matters, the Board accepted two grants: a $3,379 MIPPA Grant and a $4,538 SHIIP Grant. For Parks and Recreation, authorization was granted to apply for a $988,000 PARTF Grant for the Old Cove Creek Park Project, and a resolution was presented honoring retiring Director Keron Poteat. The Board approved submitting an application for the $268,437 North Carolina Helene Recovery Recycling Infrastructure (HRRI) Grant. Tax matters involved the presentation of the December 2025 Monthly Collections Report and the acceptance of the December 2025 Refunds and Releases Report. Administrative matters included approving Change Order Request #3 for Howard Knob Park, awarding a furniture bid for the EMS Facility to PBI for $315,146.26, approving a contingent lease renewal with State Employees' Credit Union for an ATM, and setting the proposed dates for the Annual Pre-Budget Retreat (February 26th and 27th) and Budget Work Sessions (May 7th and 8th). The meeting concluded with a Closed Session to discuss attorney-client privileged matters and real property acquisition.