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Greg Edds, Chairman Aaron Church, County Manager
Jim Greene, Vice- Chairman Sarah Pack, Clerk to the Board
Mike Caskey John W. Dees, II, County Attorney
Judy Klusman
Craig Pierce
Rowan County Board of Commissioners
130 West Innes Street ∙ Salisbury, NC 28144
Telephone 704-216-8181 ∙ Fax 704-216-8195
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
ROWAN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
March 17, 2025 – 6:00 PM
J.NEWTON COHEN, SR. ROOM
J.NEWTON COHEN, SR. ROWAN COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
PRESENT:
Greg Edds, Chairman
Jim Greene, Vice-Chairman
Judy Klusman, Commissioner
Craig Pierce, Commissioner
Daniel Lancaster, Commissioner
County Manager Aaron Church, Clerk to the Board Sarah Pack, County Attorney Jay Dees,
and Finance Director Anna Bumgarner were also present.
Call to Order
Chairman Edds called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Chaplain Michael Taylor provided a
solemnizing prayer. Chairman Edds led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Consider Additions to the Agenda
Chairman Edds added a Change Order (Consent Item W) and a Closed Session to the agenda.
Consider Deletions From the Agenda
There were no deletions from the agenda.
Consider Approval of the Agenda
On motion of Pierce, seconded by Greene, the Board voted 5-0 to accept the changes to the
agenda.
On motion of Pierce, seconded by Klusman, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the agenda as
amended.
Consider Approval of the Consent Agenda
On motion of Pierce, seconded by Greene, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda
as amended, as follows:
A. Consider Approval of the Minutes - 3/3/25 Regular Meeting
B. Budget Amendments, as follows:
4125- Finance Transfer funds from appropriation account $6,615
back to salaries and travel for temp com.
Equal Opportunity Employer

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6400- Animal Services Transfer funds from donation account to pet $10,000
adoption voucher expense account to cover
FY25
4125- Finance Transfer funds to cover Workers comp $200,000
invoice for plan year 2023-2024
4125- Finance Transfer funds for GASB C25297 $19,698
4125- Finance Transfer funds for GASB C25226 $1,186
4125- Finance Transfer funds for GASB C25215 $759
4125- Finance Transfer funds for GASB C25293 $1,438
4125- Finance Transfer funds for GASB C24490 $27,336
4125- Finance Transfer funds for GASB C22349 $84,545
4125- Finance Transfer funds for GASB C25211 $19,454
4125- Finance Transfer funds to cover RCC renovations $116,000
phase VI -relocation of county offices
4125- Finance Transfer funds to cover RCC renovations $712,300
phase V -exterior site signs
4125- Finance Transfer funds to cover utilities for RCC for $113,000
FY25
4125- Finance Transfer funds to correct NPE $545,976
appropriation 2021 and partial 2022 NPE
C. Martin Starnes Audit Contract
D. RCC Renovations - Phase V - Concourse & Exterior Site Signage
E. RCC Renovations - Phase VI - Relocation of County Department to former JCPenny's
Project
F. Service Agreement - Tek84 - FY25-FY31
G. GRANTS: Request Approval to Apply for NC DMVA Grant Program for County
Veterans Offices
H. VTS AND TAX REFUNDS FOR APPROVAL
I. Request Approval to Apply for the North Carolina Amateur Sports – Youth Sports
Grants
J. Surplus Personal Property Tasers
K. Sale of Surplus Personal Property Modular Unit
L. Request Approval to Submit Second Year Documents for the NC Museum of Natural
Sciences Grant in the amount of $60,000 for the Rowan Wild Nature Center.
M. Authorize Satisfaction for HOME Deed of Trust
N. Request for Public Hearing - EDC 'Project Pixie'
O. Title Change Only for 2 Positions in Elections
P. Parks and Recreation/Nature Center/RCC Revised Career Development Plan
Q. NC Forest Service - Lease - FY25-FY28
R. Repair of Non-Drivable - Wrecked Vehicles - Revised
S. Engineering/Environmental Services/Facilities Revised Career Development Plan
T. Approval of Work Authorization for Design-Bidding for the Airfield Lighting
Rehabilitation - Talbert, Bright & Ellington, Inc.
U. Temporary Grant Funded LRC Case Manager Positions
V. Resolution Recognizing Line Worker Appreciation Day in Rowan County
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W. Change Order #3 – KMD Construction, LLC – New Corporate & Box Hangars
(**Agenda Addition**)
Public Comment
Chairman Edds opened the floor for public comment and closed it after everyone wishing to
speak had done so.
Grace Hemsley, Salisbury, said there is widespread youth disengagement in Rowan County
that needs to be addressed. She requested the Board invest in early intervention opportunities. She
referenced Opioid Settlement Funds via Strategy A-6 and creating a coalition-based evidence-
based model for addressing youth disengagement.
Mike Pope, 712 Safrit Road, Salisbury, suggested using $500,000 of opioid settlement funding
to create a youth action agency. He explained how funding could be used. This is about
sustainable, positive outcomes for youth. Early prevention is the key.
DaQuan Coleman, Spencer, proposed using $500,000 of opioid settlement funds to open a
youth action agency to reduce youth delinquency and mental health issues. He described potential
uses for the funds. He shared his opinion regarding investing in youth for the future. He suggested
the County provide an umbrella for organizations already established. Providing the right
environment is important to cultivate the dreams of youth.
Brandy Berg, Spencer, advocated for $500,000 in opioid settlement funds to be used to create
a youth action agency. She shared information about potential community partners. The
community needs to work together to solve issues for children.
Public Hearing – Road Name Change – Beckham Road
Pamela Ealey, Planning Technician, said the following road name changes have been
submitted to the Rowan County Planning Department:
1. Currently Known As: No name driveway
Proposed Name: Beckham Road
Location: 400 block of Mt. Hope Church Road (SR 1505)
Property Owners: George Beckham, Brian Beckham, Gail Baxley-Buchanan, Ann
Arthur
Reason for Change: drive has two (2) addressed structures with plans for at least two
(2)more structures sharing the same drive.
At 6:16 p.m. Chairman Edds opened the public hearing and closed it after no one wished to
speak.
On motion of Pierce, seconded by Greene, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the road name
change for Beckham Road as presented.
Public Hearing: Z 01-25: MBE Cylinder Heads
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Shane Stewart, Assistant Planning and Development Director, said on behalf of property owner
Matt Bieneman Properties LLC., The Bogle Firm is requesting rezoning of a 5.58 acre parcel,
identified as tax parcel 237-016 located at 1375 Deal Road, from Rural Agricultural (RA) to
Neighborhood Business (NB).
The request would – 1. Make the existing use conforming and 2. Allow for business expansion
consistent with NB district standards. As best staff can discern, it appears former property owner
John Roberts began operation of Robert’s Racing Engines in 1988 a building behind the existing
house. Zoning Permit #556 was issued on May 15, 2000 to replace a 4,000 sf “shop” that burned.
Current owner Matt Bieneman Properties LLC. purchased the land in 2011 and presumably
continued a similar manufacturing operation at that time under the name MBE Cylinder Heads. In
May of 2023, Planning Staff received an inquiry concerning a potential expansion of the business
and discussed steps necessary to obtain permits. Staff indicated the property would require a
rezoning and compliance with the built-upon limits of the Coddle Creek watershed.
MBE Cylinder Heads manufactures custom engine cylinder heads and intake manifolds for
both domestic and international customers in the racing industry. Operations include complete
computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacture of engine heads and manifolds using computer
numerical control (CNC) machines by a total of seven (7) employees (including administration
staff). According to the owner, the proposed expansion would provide a more appropriate space
for the designer, break room, and additional operation space for existing and proposed processing
equipment. Currently, all operations are performed out of an approximate 5,000 sf building
(approximately 1,000 sf added between 2006-2009) but would be distributed between the current
and proposed new building. No additional employees are planned as a result of the expansion.
According to the owner, the building nearest Deal Road is a brick dwelling, which is currently
vacant, and the structure located behind the business is used for miscellaneous storage unrelated
to MBE. A single-wide manufactured home depicted on the GIS map along the northern property
line was recently removed.
Mr. Stewart described the current and requested zoning districts. He compared RA and NB
zoning standards and explained why NB was a more appropriate designation. He described
surrounding properties and other zoning in the area, and the correlation to the West Area Land Use
Plan.
Aside from the applicant and property owner, no one else spoke during the courtesy hearing.
The Planning Board voted 9- 0 to recommend approval to Neighborhood Business (NB) based on
the following statement: “Z 01-25 is consistent with the West Rowan Area 3 Land Use Plan and
reasonable / appropriate based on the following:
• The request does not exceed the maximum square footage allowed in the Neighborhood
Business (NB) district. [Site plan example indicates proposed project will remain under the
maximum allowed 17,153 sf for the property].
• The requested property use is unchanged from the current use and has existed at this site
since 1988, and under the current ownership since 2011.
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• The request is below the watershed limit of 12% BUA. Final calculations show the
operation will maintain a BUA of 9.58% of total property acreage.
• There were no complaints/concerns from any of the surrounding property owners.”
After learning MBE’s proposed expansion would comply with SR standards in the NB district,
staff suggested consideration as NB – in keeping with the general land use plan recommendations.
If approved for NB, future building expansion exceeding the district limit of 17,153 sf would
require CBI designation. As stated previously, any rezoning decision should be not based on the
current use or any stated proposed expansion plan but rather all the allowed uses in the district.
Mr. Bieneman explained the impacts of expansion and what the new building would be used
for. Engines will not be built here.
Chairman Edds clarified what racing industry this business serves, and Mr. Bieneman
described the various types of racing his business serves.
Vice-Chairman Greene asked for clarification on employment numbers and Mr. Bieneman said
currently 7 people are employed and they need additional space for machines.
At 6:27 p.m. Chairman Edds opened the public hearing and closed it after everyone wishing to
speak had done so.
Architect Pete Bogle said the West Area Land Use Plan recommends NB zoning and this site
qualifies. There will be no significant addition of jobs, just added machines. Any additional
expansion would require additional rezoning. The zoning designation NB is appropriate to allow
the business to continue.
At 6:29 p.m. Chairman Edds closed the public hearing.
On motion of Pierce, seconded by Greene, the Board voted 5-0 that Z 01-25 is consistent with
the West Rowan Area 3 Land Use Plan and reasonable / appropriate based on the following:
• The request is subject to the maximum square footage allowed in the Neighborhood
Business (NB) district. [Site plan example indicates proposed project will remain under
the maximum allowed 17,153 sq.ft. for the property].
• The property use has existed at this site since 1988, and under the current ownership since
2011.
• The site is subject to the watershed limit of 12% BUA. Final calculations show the
operation will maintain a BUA of 9.58% of total property acreage.
• There were no complaints/concerns from any of the surrounding property owners.
On motion of Pierce, seconded by Greene, the Board voted 5-0 to approve Z 01-25.
Financial Reports
Finance Director Anna Bumgarner presented the financial reports. She compared annual
cumulative expenditures, with FY 2025 equaling $127,351,075 in February. Annual cumulative
revenue is at $164,197,732. The annual cumulative property tax was $107,755,599 in January. In
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November, the annual cumulative sales tax was $18,196,998. She compared monthly sales taxes
from 2022 to 2025.
Closed Session (**Agenda Addition**)
At 6:38 p.m. on motion of Edds, seconded by Pierce, the Board voted 5-0 to enter into closed
session pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(1) to consider approval of the minutes of the Closed
Session held on March 3, 2025, as described by NCGS 143-318.10(e), to NCGS 143-318-11(a)(3),
to consult with an attorney, and to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(6) for personnel.
Resume Open Session
At 7:03 p.m. Open Session resumed.
Adjournment
At 7:04 p.m. on motion of Pierce, seconded by Klusman, the Board voted 5-0 to adjourn.
______________________________________
Sarah Pack, NCCCC
Clerk to the Board
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