Michael K Criscoe

The meeting commenced with an invocation and the pledge of allegiance, followed by the approval of the agenda. A key discussion point involved a presentation from Melanie St. Germaine of the Highland Community Center regarding the launch of the Highland Legacy Recreation League, a new youth sports initiative in partnership with Major League Soccer (MLSGO) aimed at making soccer fun, affordable, and accessible. The presentation also touched upon applying for the North Carolina Youth Sports Grant to support facility upgrades and equipment purchases. Following this, the consent agenda was approved, which included the approval of the December 16th regular session minutes, tax abatements, health department fee schedule amendments, and appointments to the Voluntary Agricultural District Board. During the public forum, a local sanitation business owner raised concerns about commercial entities improperly utilizing county convenience sites for dumping, noting the requirement for his business to use the landfill while others allegedly circumvented this rule. The Board acknowledged the fairness issue and committed to reviewing county regulations regarding commercial waste disposal at convenience sites.

The meeting included the approval of the agenda and the election of a new chairman and vice chair, with Jeffrey Pope selected as chairman and Chip Hley as vice chair. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the annual opioid update, which detailed ongoing initiatives funded by national opioid settlements, including recovery housing support, transportation, peer support, and Naloxone distribution. The peer support specialist reported on interactions with nearly 280 individuals, 880 total interactions, 22 support groups held in the jail, and 114 individuals linked to treatment and services. Efforts to reduce stigma through outreach events and first responder training were highlighted, noting a positive trend in community acceptance of harm reduction kits. Two specific success stories detailing recovery and vocational rehabilitation for an incarcerated individual and her father were shared. The ongoing need for funding to continue these opioid response efforts was emphasized.

The meeting included a presentation by Hope for the Homeless Montgomery, discussing the needs of homeless individuals in the county and requesting financial support in the 2026 budget. The discussion covered data on housing insecurities, challenges faced by homeless individuals, and the proposal for transitional supportive services. The commissioners explored potential funding sources, including opioid settlement funds, and discussed possible facilities for a resource area. They also considered the possibility of using the former West Montgomery High School for this purpose.

The Montgomery County Strategic Plan, developed through the Creating Outdoor Recreation Economies (CORE) program, aims to leverage the county's abundant outdoor recreation assets to drive economic growth and enhance quality of life. Key strategies include fostering the growth and expansion of outdoor recreation businesses by providing a supportive ecosystem and partnerships, and strengthening connections between the county's towns, natural, and cultural opportunities to attract workforce and businesses while benefiting local citizens. The plan's vision is to position Montgomery County as an ideal destination for outdoor recreation and authentic small-town experiences.

The meeting included discussions and decisions regarding the county's agenda, referred to as the "people's agenda." A presentation was given on the creating outdoor recreations economies program, highlighting the economic impact of outdoor recreation in North Carolina. The discussion covered data on tourism spending in Montgomery County, the demographics of visitors, and the county's assets. The SWOT analysis identified strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to outdoor recreation in the county. Strategies and actions were proposed to support new and existing businesses in the outdoor recreation field and to enhance connections to small-town living for both visitors and citizens.