Caldwell Commissioner's Meeting 6/22/26

The Caldwell County Board of Commissioners held a meeting on June 22, 2026, which included a detailed presentation by Duke Energy on a planned $50 million grid improvement project across multiple substations in the county to enhance electrical reliability and support economic growth. The board also reviewed and discussed the proposed 2026-2027 county budget, highlighting a 2-cent property tax cut, stable fee schedules, and no general cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for most employees. However, after public testimony from county employees, particularly from the Department of Social Services (DSS), expressing concerns about understaffing and low pay compared to neighboring counties, the board unanimously approved a 5% COLA specifically for DSS employees, with an estimated cost of $300,000. The budget included various capital and operational expenditures, funding for school resource officers, community college improvements, and opioid fund allocations. Several consent agenda items were approved, including budget revisions, interlocal agreements, and appointments to advisory committees. The meeting concluded with the adoption of the amended budget ordinance and a move into closed session.