Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

Ranlo Board of Commissioners: Meeting Summary — October 8, 2026

• Opening and Agenda: Mayor Corey Creech called the meeting to order, followed by the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance [02:57]. Following roll call, the board adopted the meeting agenda [04:44]. Under old business, the board approved the minutes from the September 10, 2026, regular meeting [05:27].

• Public Comments: No members of the public signed up or came forward to speak during the attendee comment period [05:13].

• Presentations:

  • Gaston County Tax Office (2027 Reappraisal): Gaston County Tax Director Chelsea Farr presented details on the upcoming countywide real property reappraisal taking effect on January 1, 2027 [06:14]. Topics covered included the statutory 4-year reappraisal cycle, market sales ratios, online tools (Specialist, DevNet Wedge, GIS ortho imagery, and comparable sales search), the appeal process and timelines, as well as property tax relief programs such as Present-Use Value, Homestead Exemption, and the Disabled Veterans Program [10:10], [14:50], [20:40], [24:47].

  • Town Hall & Police Station Architectural Design: Kevin McDaid of Moseley Architects presented updated floor plans and realistic 3D exterior/interior renderings for the proposed new Town Hall and Police Department facility [39:23]. Highlights included the civic tower design with historical artifact displays, flexible board chambers/EOC with movable partitions and dais furniture, drive-thru payment window, secured police areas, site layout on Spencer Mountain Road with dedicated public/police parking, energy efficiency, and sustainability considerations as the project advances to state and local permitting [41:40], [45:16], [50:30].

• Committee Updates & Appointments:

  • Ranlo Experience Committee: Vice Chair Tammy Love announced the upcoming Senior Luncheon on November 21 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Church of God next door, calling for volunteer support and commissioner attendance [54:16]. Planning is also underway for the town Christmas Parade, with the committee operating within its current budget [55:17].

  • Ranlo Resource Network: The committee is sponsoring a half-day youth event on October 16 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Lodge covering fire safety, digital age body safety, and library programming [56:05].

  • Public Safety Committee / Police Foundation: Committee Chair Daryl Hayes reported on upcoming Faith & Blue weekend events (litter clean-up and Touch-a-Truck) [57:52]. Hayes also presented on forming an independent 501(c)(3) Ranlo Police Foundation to allow outside business sponsorships and fundraising for police training and equipment [01:02:27].

• Board Action & Motions:

  • Police Foundation Legal Fees Appropriation: Town Attorney Nick Tosco clarified that legal work to set up the 501(c)(3) would be handled under the town’s legal agreement at discounted municipal rates [01:00:16]. The board voted unanimously to approve a one-time appropriation of up to $6,000 for legal costs to formally establish the foundation [01:12:56].

  • New World Interlocal Agreement: Tabled until the next meeting pending final contract review comments [01:13:35].

  • Town Hall Part-Time Staffing Discussion: Commissioner Hill proposed exploring part-time front office staffing to improve phone responsiveness and prevent office closures during emergencies [01:14:19]. The board voted to table action to allow Town Manager Hansen to research job duties, costs, and free alternative programs like senior partnerships or fellowships [01:18:44].

  • Budget Amendment 2627.3: Approved an amendment recognizing $10,188.50 in unbudgeted revenue ($8,938.50 insurance reimbursement for police vehicle repairs and $1,250 from tow rotation fees) and reallocating it to maintenance/repair and community policing [01:19:31], [01:23:05].

  • Budget Amendment 2627.4: Formally appropriated $25,000 from the Utility Fund Balance to fund the universal Storz fire hydrant adapter retrofits approved the previous month [01:20:04], [01:23:23].

• Operational & Department Reports:

  • Financial Report: Town Manager Charlie Hansen presented the monthly budget report, noting the town is 25% through the fiscal year with 75% of operating funds remaining; elevated admin and recreation percentages reflect front-loaded town events and architectural design fees that will be balanced via amendment [01:23:43].

  • Police Department: The department responded to 849 incidents with 79 citations and 6 arrests in August, and 640 incidents with 42 citations and 2 arrests in September, noting minor reporting variations during the new software transition [01:26:25]. Prayers were also requested for Chief Jimmy Lunsford following a family bereavement [38:01].

  • Fire Department: Chief Lewis reported 44 total calls in September (including 18 EMS, 8 motor vehicle accidents, 2 hazmat, 1 structure fire, and 1 vehicle fire) and cautioned residents to prepare emergency supplies for an incoming tropical storm system [01:28:18].

  • Employee Commendations: Public Works Director CJ Harper commended employees Chris Wright, Zachary Robson, Leah, Carl Bird, and Terry Kut—along with fire department personnel—for their immediate medical response and compassionate assistance helping an ill vendor break down and store her booth during the Fall Festival [01:30:58].

  • Public Works & Waterline Updates: Phase 1 (Stage 2) of the Ranlo Avenue waterline project installed an additional 900 feet of water main, added 11 new service connections, and placed one new hydrant into service, with pressure testing starting Monday [01:34:25].

  • Traffic Calming Study (Wayland & Joshua): In response to a 60+ resident petition, Director Harper presented a traffic calming proposal recommending seven speed bumps across Wayland Avenue and the Joshua connector near the park at an estimated cost of $5,700 [01:35:15].

  • Website Launch Metrics: Commissioner Hill reported that following the September 14 launch of the town’s overhauled website, site traffic surged from fewer than 100 users to over 1,600 unique users in the first two weeks [01:46:22].