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Greg Edds, Chairman Aaron Church, County Manager
Jim Greene, Vice-Chairman Sarah Pack, Clerk to the Board
Daniel Lancaster 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
July 21, 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
Daniel Lancaster, Commissioner
Craig Pierce, Commissioner
Judy Klusman, 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 lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Consider Additions to the Agenda
Chairman Edds asked for the following items to be added to the agenda:
• Request for Discretionary Funding – McCanless Road Interchange (Regular Item G)
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 approve the agenda as
amended.
Consider Approval of the Consent Agenda
On motion of Klusman, seconded by Lancaster, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the Consent
Agenda as presented, as follows:
A. Consider Approval of the Minutes - 06/16/25 Regular Meeting and 06/30/25 Special
Meeting
B. Budget Amendments, as follows:
4160- Information Transfer funds for salary and frindge from DSS $170,362
Systems & Tax Assesors to IT for restructure of
departments
4180- Register of Transfer funds to allocate revenues to correct $48,000
Equal Opportunity Employer

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Deeds account
5100- Health Appropriate funding from CCPN Bringing $36,762
Department Home Value Grant
4180- Register of Appropriate funds to ROD retirement account $20,000
Deeds
5100- Health Appropriate funds received from Insurance $100,000
Department company for Wellcare Health Equity Zone
grant
4125- Finance To recognize reserved funds from FY25 for $72,003
Enviromental management
4125- Finance To recognize reserved funds from FY25 for $1,922
Soil & water
4125- Finance Appropriate insurance funds received for $95,084
totaled EMS tahoe unit 2304- funds rcvd
FY25- purchase new in FY26
4125- Finance Appropriate funds to cover roll over contract $1,047,500
25437 for ambulance remounts
4500- Rowan Area Appropriate funds received from 5310- Rural $300,000
Transit State Enchanced Mbility of Seniors &
Individuals with disabilities Grant
4125- Finance Appropriate funds for RCSO evidence balance $416,419
from FY25
4125- Finance Appropriate funds to roll over contract 25325 $127,661
C. Agreement - Hold Harmless - City of Salisbury - ES
D. Change Order #5 -Holden Building Co. - RCC-Health Department
E. Sole-Source - Axon - FY26-30
F. Sole-Source - Idemia FY26-30
G. Approval of Revision #4 - Procurement Policy
H. Policy Exemption - Diversified Dental Staffing - FY26-30
I. Policy Exemption - Gay Welsh - Health Department - FY26-30
J. Schedule Legislative Hearing for August 4, 2025 RE: Z 05-25 Miller & Patterson Farms
AO Request
K. Sole Source - ESRI - FY26-30
L. Amendment #2 - Infiltrator Lease
M. 2025/26 Ambulance Franchise Agreements
N. Policy Exemption - Worksite Resources - Health Department - FY26-30
O. Early College/Animal Services MOU
P. Sole-Source - Schneider Geospatial - FY26-28
Q. SASO Agreement for BOSS Flight School
R. Change Order #4 - WSP USA INC - Groundwater Monitoring
S. Approve Purchase Cisco Meraki Software - Data Network Solutions
T. Blue Cross Blue Shield of America Agreement Renewal - FY26
U. Rowan County ADA Contracts – FY26
V. Approve FY26' GRANT AGREEMENT for FTA Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of
Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities Grant Program
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W. Water Rate Change
X. HDR Work Authorization 2025-02 - Rowan County Landfill - Title V & EPA Gas
Reporting
Y. HDR Work Authorization 2025-01 - Rowan County Landfill - General Services and
Planning Support
Z. Resolution-Allowing Retiring Captain David Earnhardt to purchase his service sidearm
AA. Sole Source - Kofile FY26-30
BB. Reclassification of Lieutenant Positions
CC. Request to Make Offer of Employment for Care Management Supervisor I, above the
Mid-Point of the Grade
DD. Sole Source - Rowan-Salisbury School System FY26
EE. Hangar Transfer and Lease Agreement
FF. TAX & VTS REFUNDS FOR APPROVAL
GG. School Resource Officer (SRO) RSSS - FY25-26
HH. Approve FY26’ GRANT AGREEMENT for FTA Section 5311 Community Transportation
Program Funds Covering Administrative & Capital
II. Sole Source - Tyler Technologies - Enterprise Assessment & Tax Maintenance Renewal
FY26-30
JJ. Additional Vehicle Purchase - Emergency Services
KK. Change Rescue Squad "Commissioner Seat" to "At Large" Seat
Public Comment Period
Chairman Edds opened the floor for Public Comment and closed it after no one wished to
speak.
ADW Master Plan - RCC
Craig Powers, Director of Engineering and Environmental Services, gave an updated on the
former JC Penney’s building at the Rowan Community Center. Rowan County has contracted
with ADW Architects to master plan relocating Tax Assessment, Tax Collections, Building
Inspections, Planning and the Register of Deeds Departments to the former JC Penny’s store at
the Rowan Community Center. The City of Salisbury has shown interest is moving their Land
Management Department to this area also to create a better permitting process for our citizens.
Mr. Powers said this request would ask ADW Architects to create a task order to include the
City of Salisbury’s Land Management Department for the study. The City of Salisbury would
have to approve this task, and the County would work on a MOU with them. Future negotiations
would include costs for construction, rental, etc. but can be worked out at a later date. Benefits
would include a single site that developers and contractors could come for permitting that would
include most of the construction occurring in Rowan County.
County Manager Aaron Church described the process moving forward if the Board is in
support of this request.
Commissioner Pierce asked for more than one rendering to be provided by ADW.
Chairman Edds explained the benefits of this project moving forward.
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On motion of Pierce, seconded by Klusman, the Board voted 5-0 to support including the
City of Salisbury’s Land Management Department as part of the Master Planning for the former
JC Penny’s department store at the RCC and direct County Engineering to work with ADW
Architects to develop a task order for this work.
Public Hearing – Road Naming: Pasture Place
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: Pasture Place
Location: 11000 block of NC 801 Hwy, Mt. Ulla (SR 801)
Property Owners: Matthew & Jessica Evans, Jonathan & Susan Evans, Robert Hodge,
Hodge Landholdings LLC
Reason for Change: drive has two (2) addressed structures with plans for at least one (1)
more structure sharing the same drive.
At 6:10 p.m. Chairman Edds opened the public hearing and closed it after no one wished to
speak.
On motion of Pierce, seconded by Klusman, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the road name
change for Pasture Place.
Consider Permit to Exceed PE 05-25: Dragon Boat Festival
Aaron Poplin, Planning Technician, said the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce is
requesting a Permit to Exceed for the eleventh annual Rowan Chamber Dragon Boat Festival on
July 26th, 2025, at the Shrine Club, 6480 Long Ferry Rd, on High Rock Lake. The Dragon boat
races are part of a day-long lakeside festival that will raise money for small business programs
here in Rowan County. The applicant expects the festival to attract around 5,000 people.
As provided in Section 14-12 (c) of the Rowan County Noise Ordinance, the following
criteria shall be considered in issuing or denying an application for a permit to exceed:
1. The timeliness of the application
Finding: Planning Staff received this application on June 9th well in advance for
consideration on July 21st.
2. The nature of the requested activity
Finding: This event is a lakeside festival with boat races, games, and food vendors.
3. Previous experience with the applicant.
Finding: This is the tenth annual Dragon Boat festival hosted by the Rowan County
Chamber of Commerce. The only issues in years past are an increase in vehicle traffic in
the area. In 2015 an additional parking area, with trolley shuttle, was added at the corner
of Long Ferry Rd and Hedrick Lambe Drive to alleviate parking issues.
4. The time of the event.
Finding: The event will begin on Saturday July 26th at 9:00am, and end at 5:00pm the
same day.
5. Other activities in the vicinity of the proposed event.
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Finding: None to knowledge.
6. Frequency of the event.
Finding: Annually.
7. Cultural or social benefits of the proposed event.
Finding: The applicant expects to attract an estimated 5,000 people in hopes of raising
money for Rowan County Chamber of Commerce small business programs.
8. The effect of the activity on any adjacent residential area.
Finding: see attached map of area properties.
9. Previous violations, if any, by the applicant.
Finding: None.
10. Adjoining property owners surrounding the location are notified by the Planning
Department or applicant at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to consideration by the
Board of Commissioners.
Finding: The Planning Department provided mailed notice to property owners within 100
feet of the event and posted a sign on July 9th regarding this application (12 days notice
before the BOC meeting and two weeks before the event).
Based on the above 10 standards, this application meets all necessary criteria for approval.
At 6:14 p.m. Chairman Edds opened the public hearing and closed it after everyone wishing
to speak had done so.
Daniel Matangira, Dragon Boat Committee Chair, said he has overseen the event for five
years now and thanked the Board for their continuing support.
On motion of Greene, seconded by Pierce, the Board voted 5-0 to approve PE 05-25.
Consider Permit to Exceed PE 04-25: Float the Goat
Shane Stewart, Assistant Planning Director, said Mikey Wetzel is requesting a permit to
exceed the noise ordinance standards for two (2) events featuring amplified sound played from a
floating stage (stripped pontoon boat) near “Goat Island” on High Rock Lake. The 7th annual
“Float the Goat” would feature a live band on Saturday, August 9, 2025 (August 10th rain delay)
and the second would feature a DJ playing recorded music on Saturday, August 16, 2025
(August 17th rain delay) both between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
As provided in Section 14-12 (c) of the Rowan County Noise Ordinance, the following
criteria shall be considered in issuing or denying an application for a permit to exceed:
1. The timeliness of the application.
Finding: Planning Staff received the application on June 15th for consideration at the
July 21st meeting. Adjoining property notices were mailed on June 30th .
2. The nature of the requested activity.
Finding: According to the applicant memo, both events are sponsored in part by Waters
Edge Dock and Grill with Float the Goat being an extension of the High Rock Lake
Association summer concert series. Float the Goat on the 9th would feature a full band
performing live music consisting of “popular radio songs, country and classic rock” from
a floating stage on the open waters of High Rock Lake. The event on the 16th would
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feature a DJ playing music alongside a hot dog vendor serving the guests from the
floating stage. Based on past events, the memo suggests Float the Goat would draw
approximately 100 boats and up to 500 attendees while the event on the 16th is expected
to be “a simpler event”.
3. Previous experience with the applicant.
Finding: Mr. Wetzel held similar live music events each year at the same location since
2019 with no known problems aside from a few initial noise and trash complaints. The
Sheriff’s Office expressed no concerns with the request based on event history. Staff
indicated they normally have at least one (1) boat present and typically more via NC
Wildlife’s request for assistance from “adjacent counties”. Mr. Wetzel indicated he will
be in contact with the Sheriff’s Office, Miller Ferry Fire, Rowan Rescue, NC Wildlife,
and Rowan County Environmental Health (food).
4. The time of the event.
Finding: The events will take place August 9th (10th rain) and 16th (17th rain) from
12:00 PM until 5:00 PM.
5. Other activities in the vicinity of the proposed event.
Finding: Staff received a permit to exceed request for a sheriff candidate meet and greet
at the Shrine Club at 6480 Long Ferry Road on August 16th proposing approximately
150 guests.
6. Frequency of the event.
Finding: Yearly request with a second event date this year.
7. Cultural or social benefits of the proposed event.
Finding: The applicant is anticipating 500 attendees around the island, which, according
to the applicant, is a common area of the lake where large numbers of boaters gather on
weekends.
8. The effect of the activity on any adjacent residential area.
Finding: No concerns were expressed by law enforcement officials. Staff have not
received negative feedback from the public over the last several events.
9. Previous violations, if any, by the applicant.
Finding: None to knowledge.
10. Adjoining property owners surrounding the location are notified by the Planning
Department or applicant at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to consideration by the
Board of Commissioners.
Finding: Staff mailed notice to owners of 121 parcels located along the shoreline nearest
the event on June 30th (see map).
This request meets all standards for approval.
Applicant Mikey Wetzel explained that these are separate requests and described new
aspects of the events.
At 6:22 p.m. Chairman Edds opened the public hearing and closed it after no one wished to
speak.
On motion of Pierce, seconded by Klusman, the Board voted 5-0 to approve PE 04-25.
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Financial Report
Finance Director Anna Bumgarner presented the financial reports. She compared annual
cumulative expenditures, with FY 2025 equaling $192,490,981 in June. Annual cumulative
revenue is at $208,061,153. The annual cumulative property tax was $115,894,204 in May. In
March, the annual cumulative sales tax was $33,055,009. She compared monthly sales taxes
from 2022 to 2025.
Board Appointments
On motion of Pierce, seconded by Greene, the Board voted 5-0 to make the following
appointments:
• Anjeana Thurston to the Business Community seat on the Airport Advisory Board
• Leighann Haglan to a County seat on the Cleveland Community Volunteer Fire
Department Board of Trustees
• Matthew Munsey to a County seat on the Cleveland Community Volunteer Fire
Department Board of Trustees
• Debra Currie to a County seat on the Enochville Volunteer Fire Department Fire
Commission
• Kevin Joines to a County seat on the Enochville Volunteer Fire Department Fire
Commission
• Ronald Jacobs to the ETJ seat on the Granite Quarry Zoning Board – ETJ
• Adrian Gantt to the Salisbury Fire Emergency Management seat on the Local
Emergency Planning Committee
• Stephen Carter to the Rowan HazMat Coordinator seat on the Local Emergency
Planning Committee
• Eric Brady to a County seat on the Union Volunteer Fire Department Fire
Commission
• Harold Rouzer to a County seat on the Union Volunteer Fire Department Fire
Commission
• Terry Kesler to a County seat on the Union Volunteer Fire Department Fire
Commission
On motion of Klusman, seconded by Greene, the Board voted 5-0 to appoint Jeanie Dixon to
the At Large seat on the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Board of Trustees.
**Agenda Addition** Request for Discretionary Funding – McCanless Road Interchange
Chairman Edds explained the request. There are discretionary grant funds available through
the Metropolitan Planning Organization. There is a 20% match required that could come from
any source. If the project doesn’t get funded, the planning dollars that have been spent could be
clawed back. This is currently estimated at $4,107,000.
This is the initial planning and design phase including:
• Plans/Drawings
• Specifications
• Environmental Studies
• Estimates
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Does not include phases like right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, or construction.
The Project does not currently have any funding allocated to it. According to NCDOT, the
MPO funding is considered Federal Funding and they could ask that the funds be repaid if the
Interchange is never built.
Chairman Edds explained the importance of this interchange, particularly for East Spencer
and Rowan County. More study will be required.
On motion of Edds, seconded by Klusman, the board voted 4-1 (pierce opposed) to support a
memorandum requesting discretionary funding for Preliminary Engineering on the proposed
new interchange at Correll St - McCanless Road and I-85.
Closed Session
On motion of Edds, seconded by Klusman, 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 June 2, 2025, as described by NCGS 143-318.10(e), pursuant to NCGS 143-
318.11(a)(3), to consult with an attorney, and pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(6), for
personnel.
Resume Open Session
At 8:11 p.m. Open Session resumed.
Chairman Edds explained the proposed changes to the County Manager’s contract of
employment, which included the following effective July 22, 2025:
• Removing “Moving Expenses” from Section 2
• Setting the rate of pay at $205,000 per year
• Removing eligibility for the Merit/Longevity program
• Retaining eligibility for cost-of-living increases and other adjustments approved by the
Board
• Adding Section 3: Retention Bonus
• Contract extension to July 22, 2030
On motion of Klusman, seconded by Pierce, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the Employment
Agreement between the County of Rowan and Michael A. Church as amended (Attachment A).
Adjournment
At 8:15 p.m., on motion of Pierce, seconded by Greene, the Board voted 5-0 to adjourn.
______________________________________
Sarah Pack, CMC, NCCCC
Clerk to the Board
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Attachment A
07/21/2025
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Attachment A
07/21/2025
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Attachment A
07/21/2025
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Attachment A
07/21/2025
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