Council also hears quarterly report from ABC Board chair
BY DEBBIE PAGE
The Troutman Town Council unanimously adopted a resolution to accept a proposal from U.S. Bank to finance the purchase and installation of lighting at ESC Park at a cost of $2,069,000.
The installation process for the Musco lighting package, from manufacturing the custom fixtures to working on permitting to installation, takes anywhere from 12 to 14 weeks, weather permitting, after the contract is executed.
To move forward, the town must secure approval from the Local Government Commission before Town Manager Justin Longino can proceed in executing an installment financing agreement with U.S. Bank for the lighting project.
The town received three financing proposals, with the U.S. Bank proposal coming in at the lowest rate of 3.87 percent with an annual debt payment of $470,062 through fiscal year 2030.
ABC STORE QUARTERLY REPORT
Troutman ABC Board Chairman Layton Getsinger began his presentation of the store’s second quarter report by noting initially that liquor sales are generally flat in the state, especially in western North Carolina where communities are still recovering from Hurricane Helene.
However, the Troutman location continued to show modest growth in the second quarter with $1,045,633 in sales, resulting in a 1.7 percent increase (about $17,000) over last year.
Though these sales figures look robust, Getsinger noted that about one-third of the revenues went to state excise taxes ($230,347), about $19,000 to sales taxes, and 54 percent ($544,361) to the cost of the liquor sold.
The remaining gross profit of $254,123 was then reduced further by operating expenses ($104,922) and by state-required distributions to the town and its four designated entities ($29,350), 5 percent to law enforcement($5,987), and 7 percent to alcohol education (Drug-Alcohol Coalition of Iredell – $8,382).
The store was then left with a second quarter net profit of $105,482, which is 17 percent higher than 2025 second quarter profits ($90,449). The Troutman store ranks fourth in the state for profitability.
The store’s sales through the second quarter were $1,934,815, which is 58 percent of the projected 2025-2026 budget sales of $3,319,000.
Getsinger noted that “panic buying” before the recent ice and snow storms will help boost sales in the usually slower third quarter.
IREDELL AMERICA 250 RESOLUTION
The council recognized the efforts of Iredell County America 250 Committee members Parks and Recreation Director Emily Watson, Committee Chair Juli Moore, Parks and Recreation Events Coordinator Amber Ward, and Iredell Free News reporter Debbie Page, along with Parks and Recreation Maintenance Crew Leader Darin Yoder, Athletic Coordinator Shawn McCoy, and Maintenance Technician Fernando Aguirre.
Mayor Young signed an Iredell America 250 proclamation recognizing that 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776.
The semi-quincentennial milestone, known as America 250, provides an opportunity for communities across the nation to reflect on shared American history and the founding principles of liberty, justice, and opportunities that continue to shape the national character.
Young recognized the important role that small towns and local citizens have played and continue to play in shaping the character, values, and future of the nation.
He noted in the proclamation that the America 250 celebration will encourage civic engagement, education, volunteerism, and community pride while honoring the stories, cultures, and contributions that form the American experience.
Understanding that the America 250 celebration enhances public understanding of this shared past and strengthens community participation in historic remembrance, Mayor Young proclaimed the Town of Troutman and the Town Council will work collaboratively with Iredell County, local municipalities, local organizations, and members of the public to create community events as well as establish combined America 250 celebrations across Iredell County.
Iredell County Library Director and Iredell County America 250 NC Committee Chair Juli Moore said the Iredell County America 250 NC Committee was established by the county commissioners and has four subcommittees: marketing and tourism, literary (Iredell County Heritage Book), preservation of historical sites, and education (outreach and contests in MGSD and I-SS).
Moore noted that each municipality will have a large signature event, with Troutman’s being the Independence Parade and Mooresville’s the Veteran’s Day Parade, along with smaller community events throughout the year.
County students can participate in art contests, a book mark contest, and a flag design contest along with special lessons and activities.
Iredell County residents can keep up with Iredell County’s America 250 events at https://www.iredellnc250.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/IredellNC250.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business, the council unanimously:
♦ Changed the council meeting schedule for May and August council meetings to the second week of the month.
♦Set a public hearing date of March 12 for consideration of annexation of 4.31 acres at 125 State Park Road and the adjacent property located at the intersection of Perth and State Park Roads and for .61 acres at 414 Old Mountain Road.
♦Amended the Town of Troutman Fee Schedule for fiscal year 2026 that consolidates all fees charged by the town onto this one schedule for easy reference:
• Adding a note to water and sewer rates advising that the town charges for a minimum of 2,000 gallons of water used monthly to each resident.
• Adding the fee for notary services available at town hall.
• Adding solid waste fees to the schedule.
• Adding and itemizing fees charged by the passport office.
• Adding fees utilized by the Parks and Recreation department for vendor and food truck fees, athletic fees including youth, adult, and apparel, event program fees, and staffing fees for rentals and after-hours staffing.
♦ Adopted a Cash and Investment Policy that provides direction for cash management and investing, delegates authority, and sets policy to ensure that the administration of the town’s funds are done efficiently and effectively. The policy also sets for the objectives for cash and investment policy to ensure that all actions taken are focused on the security, liquidity, and positive yield of the town’s funds.
♦ Appointed Mayor Pro Tem George Harris as Non-Voting Ex-Officio Member to the Design Review Board.
♦ Appointed Tonya Bartlett as the council representative to the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee.
♦ Approved a resolution to accept Miracle Lane (between Dollar General and Bojangles at Exit 42) as a town-maintained street.
♦ Untabled a request to put stop signs on Barium Lane at the request of the Barium Season HOA and then approved the installation of the stop signs.