NEWTON — The Catawba County Board of Commissioners met Aug. 3, 2026, at 7 p.m. and adjourned at 8:02 p.m., according to the county recap published Aug. 4.
The board approved minutes from the July 20 regular meeting and closed session.
Chair Randy Isenhower recommended Commissioner Setzer as voting delegate for the 2026 NCACC Annual Conference on Aug. 22. The board approved. Isenhower also recommended Tyler Mace to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council as the member under age 18 for a first term expiring June 30, 2028, and reappointments to the Home and Community Block Grant Advisory Board: Mark Bumgarner, second term; Gail Henson, fourth term; and Alice Layne, 10th term, all expiring June 30, 2029. Commissioner Barbara Beatty recommended reappointment of Tracey Trimble to the Sister Cities Board for a fourth term expiring July 31, 2030.
The Library System received a NACo Achievement Award for “Cracking the Code: Decodable Books for Beginning Readers,” described as more than 700 decodable books aligned with the Science of Reading. It also received a NACo Achievement Award for Digital Navigators, launched in November 2024 as a mobile outreach program for digital literacy, including seniors, veterans, low-income residents, and Spanish-speaking communities. Library Director Siobhan Loendorf presented the 2026-2031 Library Strategic Plan. The board voted to approve the plan.
Jamie Todd, Opioid SUG program coordinator, and Jason Powell, REACH crew chief, presented a Healthy & Safe Community opioid update.
After a public hearing, the board approved submittal of the Federal 5310 Enhanced Mobility grant for seniors and people with disabilities in rural and urban areas, a resolution authorizing the submittal, and the required 5310 Title VI Program Plan for FY26-27.
On consent, commissioners accepted and appropriated $10,075 to the Catawba County Library from a federal IMLS Library Services Technology Act EZ Grant.
Under the manager’s report, the board acknowledged receipt and review of Department of Public Instruction-required Facility Needs Surveys for each school system. The recap states that action does not endorse or commit to fund the proposed projects. Budget transfers listed a Sheriff’s Office donation to purchase a K-9 and insurance payouts to replace and upfit a vehicle. Dollar amounts for those transfers are not stated in the recap.
Under the attorney’s report, the recap states: “Microsoft will forego Economic Investment Incentives in Economic Development Agreement.” No dollar figure or separate vote tally is listed.
The recap does not list individual commissioner votes on other items.
Official release from Catawba County Government, Aug. 4, 2026. https://www.catawbacountync.gov/news/boc-recap-8-3-26/
