By MICAH HENRY for The Taylorsville Times
Local high school students addressed the Alexander County Board of Commissioners during their meeting on Monday, January 6, 2025. The five students who appeared at the meeting are members of the Alexander Central High School Swim Team. By explaining benefits of a having a local swimming pool for the county, they urged Commissioners to evaluate construction of such a facility.
The youths gave various reasons for a pool, not only for use by the Swim Team, but for recreational use by the public.
ACHS Senior Griffin Duncan said, “It’s no secret we’ve got several lakes nearby, Lake Hickory being the nearest one. Because of that, swimmer safety is a very important issue. Lake Hickory is very turbid. For a lot of first-time swimmers, it can be a scary environment to learn how to swim, maybe make them uncomfortable — they can’t see the bottom. The best environment would be a clear pool, in a controlled environment with lifeguards,” Duncan stated.
Lucas Ritchie, senior at Alexander Early College, said a pool facility would benefit older residents who in other counties often enjoy water aerobics, an activity easier on the joints. “Communities with pools have more attraction, as our community grows,” he added. “It could help draw industry in and help people with families teach their children how to swim.”
Emery Miller, sophomore at AEC, mentioned other benefits of having a pool. “A community pool would encourage physical fitness among students, parents, and community members. It’s a full body workout that improves cardiovascular health and strengthens the cardiac muscle. North Carolina holds the ninth highest number of cardiovascular disease related deaths out of the fifty states. Cardiovascular disease is also the leading cause of death in North Carolina, according to the CDC,” she related.
Teammate Rakin Dagenhart said, “I think if we add a pool in Alexander County, it would bring a lot of economic benefit. A pool would encourage other things to be brought here: a rec center, aquatic center. People have to go to Wilkesboro or Hickory to go to a pool, because we don’t have one here. I think a pool would encourage that and honestly, encourage others to come here. People from other counties don’t have to experience that. We do.”
They were joined at the meeting by teammate Eli Fortner, Swim Team Head Coach Miriam Starnes, Athletic Director Nathan Robinson, and Superintendent Dr. Bill Griffin, among others attending that night.
In the Commissioners’ Agenda, the following items were discussed:
• Lisa Harrington, GIS Administrator, presented four new private road names to be considered in a public hearing: Grassy Creek Lane, Lelyn Woods Lane, Tippy Drive, and Tucker Mountain Drive. No one spoke in the hearing about the names. The list was unimously approved by commissioners.
• The board heard from Gary Herman, Public Information Officer, about issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for branding, website redesign, and creation of a mobile app.
“The right marketing firm will help us define and implement a comprehensive branding strategy with the goal of establishing a distinct, strong, and resilient brand for our county,” Herman said.
Branding could include a mission statement, color palette, county logo, and tagline, and design standards. A website redesign would improve user experience with modern design and visual appeal, online services, and more.
A mobile app would connect citizens with County information and services on their smart phones and allow access for push notifications for news, alerts, departmental information, and more.
Board Chairman Marty Pennell asked if residents would have input in the process. Herman replied that citizens and businesses will be able to attend public engagement work sessions during the process.
The commissioners’ consensus was to issue the RFP to determine the cost of these items and the scope of services needed, in preparation for the 2025-26 County budget. Based on the RFP response, staff will report back to the Board for further discussion.
• County Manager Todd Herms presented Budget Amendments #21 and 22 to the Board, which were unanimously approved. Amendment 21 brings an increase to the Information Technology budget for federal Homeland Security grant funds ($36,000), increases the Register of Deeds budget to use restricted funds ($3,200) from the Automation Enhancement and Preservation fund, and increases the Detention Center budget ($50,000) for estimated medical supplies and inmate medical bills for the remainder of the 2024-25 budget year, including a single invoice for over $39,000. Amendment 22 increases budgets for various departments ($78,941) allocation from the State for assistance due to Hurricane Helene, as well as increasing the Social Services budget ($3,000) for donations to the Angel Tree program. Commissioners unanimously approved these amendments.
• In the Consent Agenda, the Board approved the reappointment of Lee Ann Ferguson and Colleen Williams to three year terms on the Library Board of Trustees.
• Also in the Consent Agenda, the Board approved a Resolution To Approve The Bonding Of the Alexander County Register Of Deeds by Western Surety Company in the amount of $10,000 for a period of one year (December 1, 2024, to December 1, 2025). Bonding is required for the Register of Deeds by NCGS 161-4.
• The Board agreed to surplus a 2007 Ford Ranger pickup with 152,753 miles.
• Various Sheriff’s Office items will be surplused, including tactical vests, ballistic vests, finger comparator, fingerprint camera, Whelen light bar, interior parts for 2023 Dodge Chargers, a Canon EOS Rebel camera, and a Panasonic camcorder.
• The Commissioners agreed to update the County Holiday Bonus Policy and the Emergency Operations Plan.
The next Commission meeting will be held on Monday, Feb. 3, at 6:00 p.m. at the CVCC Alexander Center for Education, Room 103.