Gaston County Board of Commissioners October 13, 2026

The Gaston County Board of Commissioners held a work session on October 13, 2026. The main procurement-related item was a staff update on 33 capital projects, with more than $100 million in work underway; approximately $23 million in local property-tax funding is leveraging about $100 million in total work, with much of the balance supported by enterprise, federal, or state funds. Projects discussed included ARPA-funded water and sewer extensions, landfill improvements, sidewalks and trails, park upgrades, courthouse and health department renovations, and Gaston College HVAC work. Staff described a planned rebid for design services for the South Pointe public-safety boathouse after negotiations did not produce an acceptable price. The conceptual estimates for the Public Safety Campus and jail expansion were approximately $200 million and $222 million, respectively; these were estimates, not contract awards. Staff said it would return with a resolution seeking board direction on several projects, and a construction award for the Poston Park dam wing-wall repair was scheduled for a future meeting. No procurement votes or contract awards were made during this work session.

The superintendent also reported on school performance and bond-funded facility improvements, including school replacements, safety upgrades, and a Belmont Central Elementary addition, and thanked county commissioners and voters for supporting school bond proceeds. The board heard public comments about school funding, property assessments, homelessness, and ethics, then discussed an ethics investigation involving a commissioner; no action was taken. The meeting also included commendations and proclamations, including recognition of the county museum and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.