On the agenda: Hendersonville Minutes — ALPR (Sep 16)

September 16, 2026

MINUTES
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF HENDERSON

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2026

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners met for a regularly scheduled meeting at 9:30
a.m. in the Commissioners' Meeting Room of the Historic Courthouse on Main Street,
Hendersonville.
Present were: Chairman William Lapsley, Vice-Chair J. Michael Edney, Commissioner Jay
Egolf, County Manager John Mitchell, Financial Services Director Samantha Reynolds, County
Attorney Russ Burrell, and Clerk to the Board Denisa Lauffer.
Absent was: Commissioner Rebecca McCall and Commissioner Sheila Franklin
Also present were: Budget Manager Sonya Flynn, Director of Public Health David Jenkins, A/V
Technician Oscar Guererra, Director of Human Resources Karen Ensley, Internal Auditor Natalie
Pinto, Grants Administrator Emily Schwartz, Construction Projects Coordinator Ronnie Kilby,
Parks and Recreation Director Bruce Gilliam, Parks Maintenance Supervisor Jason Kilgore, Tax
Assessor Kevin Hensley, Social Media Coordinator Tiffany Lucey, and Finance Director Randal
Cox. Deputy Kayla Brezilac provided security.
CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME
Commissioner Lapsley called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance.
INVOCATION
John Mitchell provided the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairman Lapsley led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
PUBLIC COMMENT (Comments are the views and opinions of the speaker)
1. Ronald Sobin spoke regarding delayed response times in the Hickory Nut Gorge. He
expressed concern that response times may increase due to ongoing road construction in
the community. He requested that the Board not relocate EMS equipment to Walmart or
another location.
2. Aaron Black spoke in opposition to the use of ALPR cameras in Henderson County. He
also addressed concerns regarding the rule of law.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT OF AGENDA
Vice-Chair Edney added to Closed Session Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 143-318.11 (a)(3) and (a)(5).
Chairman Lapsley moved to approve the agenda with the addition of Closed Sessions (a)3 and (a)5.
All voted in favor, and the motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA

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Chairman Lapsley moved to add to the Consent Agenda as Item F - Vendor Change Order –
Henderson County Sports Complex at Berkeley Park. All voted in favor, and the motion carried.
Tax Collector’s Report
The following report from the office of the Tax Collector was provided for the Board’s information.

Chronic Nuisance Property – 108 Appalachian Ave
The Code Enforcement and Zoning Department has cited a parcel of property three times within
the past year for violation of the nuisance ordinance, Chapter 52 of the Henderson County Code.
The property is shown on the GIS (geographical information system) as PIN 9569862880, with
owner shown as “Wallace Allen King”. Copies of each notice of violation was provided.
Under N.C.G.S. §153A-140.2,
A county may notify a chronic violator of the county's public nuisance ordinance that, if
the violator's property is found to be in violation of the ordinance, the county shall,
without further notice in the calendar year in which notice is given, take action to remedy
the violation, and the expense of the action shall become a lien upon the property and
shall be collected as unpaid taxes. The notice shall be sent by certified mail. A chronic
violator is a person who owns property whereupon, in the previous calendar year, the
county gave notice of violation at least three times under any provision of the public
nuisance ordinance.
This matter would, in the worst case, come back before the Board before a contractor was hired
to clear up the property under the authority noted, above.
Motion: I move that the Board give the owner(s) of the property the notice provided for under
N.C.G.S. §153A-140.2.
2026.098 Resolution Appointing Plat Review Officers
N.C. Gen. Stat. §47-30.2 requires that all plat review officers be appointed by a resolution recorded
in the Register of Deeds office. Plat review officers ensure that all plats to be recorded comply
with the plat requirements set out in the General Statutes.
On September 17, 1997, this Board first adopted a plat review officer resolution, and it has been
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revised several times since its adoption. This resolution also sets out certain other procedures that
all plat review officers must follow.
Because of staff changes, staff requested that the Board update the list of appointed plat review
officers. A proposed resolution was provided for the Board’s consideration. This proposed
resolution restates all county employees currently appointed as plat review officers, with any
former county employees removed, and new employees from the Planning Department and/or
Land Records included.
Motion: I move that the Board adopt the resolution updating plat review officers for Henderson
County.
2026.099 Tax Release – W. Gilliam
A request was received for the release of ad valorem taxes for certain real property.
From the public record, the taxpayer owned two parcels with a structure on January 1, 2025. On
February 3, 2025, the North Carolina Department of Transportation filed a condemnation action
taking one of the parcels and the entire structure. No notice was given to your tax office of the
taking, and the 2026 ad valorem property tax bill included both parcels and the structure as
property to be taxed.
The taxpayer is seeking release of the portion of his tax bill covering the structure and one of the
parcels.
Motion: I move the Board grant the release of the portion of the tax bill for the subject property
resulting from the taxation of the structure and the portion of the real property taken by the North
Carolina Department of Transportation.
2026.100 Grant Project Resolutions - North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Henderson County is pursuing grant funding for the Etowah Sewer System Wastewater Repair and
Upgrades Project and the Clear Creek Sewer System. The North Carolina Department of
Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) Division of Water Infrastructure requires a resolution to be
submitted with applications for funding. Staff intends to submit applications for the Clean Water
State Revolving Fund and the State Wastewater and Drinking Water Reserve Fund. Henderson
County is eligible for both principal forgiveness and grant funding with these programs.
The Grants Administrator will present more information to the Board before any contracts are
executed. The Grants Administrator intends to submit these applications before the September 30,
2026, deadline.
Motion: I move that the Board adopt the grant project resolutions required for the Clean Water
State Revolving Fund and the State Wastewater and Drinking Water Reserve Fund to fund the
Etowah Sewer System and Clear Creek Sewer System construction projects.
Vendor Change Order – Henderson County Sports Complex at Berkeley Park (Add-on)
The Board was requested to approve change orders provided by Musco Sports Lighting and Newco
Electric for the Henderson County Sports Complex at Berkeley Park. The Musco change order
reflected a helicopter and labor for one (1) day to erect twenty-eight (28) Musco Sports Lighting
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Poles on the project site; the total cost of the proposal was $138,000. The Newco Electric change
order reflected the cost to run electrical wire to electric service at the three new buildings on site;
the wire will be run through existing conduit pathways established by Newco Electric; the total
cost of the proposal was $67,111. The total for both proposals was $205.111.
Motion: I move the Board approve the change proposals issued by Musco Sports Lighting and
Newco Electric for the Henderson County Sports Complex at Berkeley Park in the amount of
$205,111.
Vice-Chair Edney moved to approve the consent agenda with the addition of Item F. All voted in
favor, and the motion carried.
DISCUSSION
Henderson County Food Finder
Kris Merritt, Senior Program Officer from the Community Foundation of Henderson County,
presented information regarding the Henderson County Food Finder to the Board.

Several maps were shared depicting the different filters that can be applied to find resources using
the program.

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Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina C-PACE Program
Kristin Bunn with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina will present on the
Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure (C-PACE) Program.

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Construction Projects Update
Ronnie Kilby provided the Board with an update on construction projects around Henderson
County.
This monthly report reviews the scope and status of assigned construction management
responsibilities and includes specific updates on County-funded construction activities.
BRCC Facilities Building
• RYSE Construction is reviewing CD Documents
• Clark-Nexsen Architects issued 100% CD documents September 2
• WGLA Engineering has completed the design of the required utilities extension. RFP has
been published, and bids will be opened October 13.
Henderson County Public Schools MRTS Projects
HCPS Various Paving Improvements Project
• Tarheel Paving is the contractor for the project
• All work is now complete.
• The following schools were included in the project: Hendersonville, Fletcher, Clear Creek,
Apple Valley, Hillandale Elementary, Glenn Marlow, and Flat Rock Middle
HCPS HVAC Controls Project
• Johnson Controls (JCI) has completed work at Rugby Middle School, North Henderson
High, Apple Valley Middle, and Hendersonville Middle.
• JCI is currently working on Sugarloaf Elementary and Flat Rock Middle
• HVAC Controls at the end-of-life will be replaced at the following campuses: Apple
Valley, Flat Rock Middle, Hendersonville Middle, North Henderson High School, West
Henderson High School, and Rugby Middle
• All work was scheduled to be completed by November 18, 2026
Upcoming HCPS MRTS Projects
• Atkinson HVAC Replacement Phase II: Bids opened July 2; JCI was the awarded
contractor
• Boiler Replacement Project for Sugarloaf Elementary & Dana Elementary: Bids were
opened July 22; Boiler Masters Inc. was the awarded contractor
• Chiller Replacement Project for Clear Creek Elementary, Hendersonville Middle, and
North Henderson High School: Bids were opened July 1; JCI was the awarded contractor
Henderson County Capital Projects
Spartanburg Highway Medical Office Building
• Construction began in January 2026
• Brick veneer is going in place; interior framing and mechanical work is ongoing
• Vannoy Construction is scheduled to have this project completed by May 12, 2027

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Mills River Medical Office Building
• May 2026 – 100% CD documents received
• June 2026 – Bids were opened for the project
• September 8, 2026 - GMP was presented to the Board of Commissioners
Henderson County JCAR Project

Detention Center
• All pre-cast walls and cells have been set
• Security Contractor is installing doors and sliders in new inmate housing areas
• Slabs for the male housing expansion, the new sally port, and the administrative wing will
be completed soon
• Project is scheduled to be completed in early 2028
Courthouse Project
• Underground infrastructure in progress
• Foundations are scheduled to begin September 14
• Project is scheduled to be complete in October 2028
South Grove St. Parking Lot
• WGLA Engineering is under contract to design expanded parking at the corner of 1sr Ave
E and South Grove Street
• Buildings on the parcel will be demolished
• The lot will yield 41 spaces when complete
• Project is scheduled for completion in Fall 2026
Youngblood Parking Lot
• Henderson County has leased the lot on the corner of North Pine St and 4th Ave East
• Project is scheduled for completion in Fall 2026
Henderson County Sports Complex at Berkeley Park
• Asphalt paving of parking lots is underway
• Concrete work is ongoing
• Work on the tennis courts is underway
• Athletic Light bases and all conduit are installed; light poles are scheduled for delivery
September 21
• Project is scheduled for completion – October 2026
Restroom Facilities at the Sports Complex
• RYSE Construction began construction on the three restroom buildings on June 3
• Interior painting and finishing work are ongoing
• The project is scheduled for completion by October 2026
Berkeley Park Baseball Field
• Michael Graves Architects was the selected contractor
• Programming will be underway once a contract has been established
• RFQ is published for CMR for this project; the committee will review submissions on
September 26
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Henderson County Athletics and Activities Center
• Facility is the primary emergency shelter for the county
• Project will provide ADA upgrades to the restrooms, shower facilities, and primary
accessible entrance
• Project completion date TBD pending contract establishment
Henderson County Public Schools Bus Garage
• LS3P has issued 100% DD Documents
• Edifice Construction is reviewing the DD Documents
• Project is currently scheduled for completion in Summer 2028
Solid Waste Funding Plan
Marcus Jones presented the Board with information to support the need for a long-range funding
plan for the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund.

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NOMINATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
1. EMS Peer Review Committee – 1 vac.
Chairman Lapsley moved to nominate Jill Philpot for appointment to Seat #9. All voted in
favor, and the motion carried.
2. Environmental Advisory Committee – 2 vacs., and Appointment of Chair
No nominations were made, and this item was carried to the next meeting.
Environmental Advisory Committee – Appointment of Chair
Commissioner Egolf moved to nominate Environmental Advisory Committee member Tommy
Oakman as Chairman of the Committee. All voted in favor, and the motion carried.
3. Henderson County Board of Equalization and Review– 1 vac.
Chairman Lapsley moved to move existing BOER member Rick Livingston from Seat #8 to
Seat #2. All voted in favor, and the motion carried.
Chairman Lapsley moved to nominate Cindy Greer for appointment to Seat #8. All voted in
favor, and the motion carried.
4. Hendersonville City Zoning Board of Adjustment – 1 vac.
No nominations were made, and this item was carried to the next meeting.

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5. Juvenile Crime Prevention Council – 2 vacs.
No nominations were made, and this item was carried to the next meeting.
6. Nursing/Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee – 11 vacs.
No nominations were made, and this item was carried to the next meeting.
COMMISSIONER UPDATES:
The Board provided no updates.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY REPORT
Mr. Mitchell advised the Board that members of the General Assembly were scheduled to return
to session in mid-September. He stated that the General Assembly was expected to consider
technical corrections bills, likely in November.
Mr. Mitchell also noted that a continuing resolution had been passed to fund the federal
government through December 11, after which further action by the federal government would be
determined.
COUNTY MANAGER’S REPORT
Mr. Mitchell reported that the Berkeley Park ribbon-cutting ceremony was scheduled for
November 2. He also noted that September 25 marked the second anniversary of Hurricane Helene.
Mr. Mitchell thanked the Fire Marshal for organizing the September 11 Remembrance Ceremony.
Vice-Chair Edney made the motion to go into Closed Session pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143318.11(a)(3),(a)(4), and (a)(5). All voted in favor, and the motion carried.
ADJOURN

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Denisa A. Lauffer, Clerk to the Board

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William G. Lapsley, Chairman

Approved: