Scarlett Overbay-Inman

♦ Age: 52
♦ Family: Married with two daughters
♦ Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
♦ Professional Experience: I have worked in the Corporate world in Human Resources for over 30 years. Currently employed by Leonard Truck Outfitters as the HRIS Analyst and Benefits Coordinator
♦ Volunteer/community service: Member of the National Charity League, Lake Norman Chapter, Member of the Mooresville Christmas Parade Committee, Member of the Miss North Carolina Executive Committee, and Forever A Niner Volunteer Committee Member

Q&A

IFN: Why are you running for office? What will your top three priorities be if you are elected in November? Is reducing the tax rate an option?

OVERBAY-INMAN: I am running for Commissioner At -Large because I believe in responsible growth, transparent leadership, and maintaining the small-town values that make Mooresville such a special place to live. As our community continues to grow, it’s essential that our decisions reflect both the needs of our current residents and the vision for our future. I want to be a voice that listens, communicates openly, and works collaboratively to ensure Mooresville remains a place where families, businesses, and neighborhoods thrive. My goal is to bring a balanced perspective to the Board — one that emphasizes ficals responsibility, infrastructure planning, and a community connection – while ensuring residents feel heard and represented in every decision made at Town Hall.

My priorities are: (1) Responsible Growth & Infrastructure Planning: Growth is inevitable, but it must be managed responsibly. My priority is to ensure our infrastructure — roads, utilities, schools, and public safety — keeps pace with development. I will advocate for strategic planning that protects our quality of life while preparing for future needs. (2) Transparency & Communication: Residents deserve to know how and why decisions are being made. I will push for more accessible communication from town leadership — through open forums, regular updates, and stronger collaboration between citizens and commissioners. Trust is built through transparency. (3) Community Investment & Quality of LIfe: Supporting public safety, parks, small businesses, and local amenities are key to keeping Mooresville a great place to live. I want to ensure our growth enhances our community — not just expands it — by preserving our charm, safety, and sense of belonging.

Reducing the tax rate is always worth exploring, but it must be done responsibly. My approach would be to first ensure that essential services — such as police, fire, public works, and infrastructure — are fully funded. From there, I would look for efficiencies and opportunities to reduce spending without compromising the quality of life or public safety. If growth brings in new revenue, those funds should first stabilize our infrastructure and debt before considering reductions. However, I firmly believe taxpayers deserve accountability, and every dollar spent should serve a clear purpose for the benefit of Mooresville residents.

IFN: If you are an incumbent, what do you consider to be the major accomplishments of the town board and mayor during your current term in office? If you are a challenger, what is your assessment of the work the mayor and town board have done during the past two years?

OVERBAY-INMAN: Over the past two years, the mayor and town board have worked hard to manage Mooresville’s incredible growth, and I appreciate their efforts to expand public services, support our first responders, and plan for infrastructure needs. Growth management is no easy task, and their commitment to keeping Mooresville moving forward deserves recognition. That said, I believe we still have opportunities to improve how we communicate and connect with residents. Many citizens feel decisions are made without their full understanding or input, and that’s an area where I want to focus as Commissioner At-Large. I want to bring a renewed emphasis on transparency, listening sessions, and community engagement, so residents feel they have a true voice in shaping our town’s future. In short, the foundation is strong but, now is the time to build on that progress with fresh energy, broader input, and a commitment to balanced, responsible growth that benefits everyone.

IFN: One of the town board candidates has raised concerns about transparency in the operations of the town government. What is your assessment of the current mayor and board’s commitment to conducting the public’s business in public? What are your ideas for improving the town’s performance in this area?

OVERBAY-INMAN: Transparency is one of the most important responsibilities of public service. While the current mayor and board have made efforts to communicate with residents, I believe there is room for improvement in how information is shared and discussed publicly. Over the past year, several situations have led residents to question whether all town matters are being handled as openly as they should be. Those concerns deserve to be acknowledged — not dismissed. Public trust is built through consistent honesty, open dialogue, and accountability. When residents feel uncertain or out of the loop, it weakens confidence in leadership. As Commissioner At-Large, I want to help rebuild that trust by ensuring the public’s business is truly conducted in public — with clear communication, transparency in decision making, and opportunities for community input before major votes take place. If elected, I would work to make information easier for residents to access and understand by improving how the town shares updates about projects, budgets, and board actions. I would also support regular community meetings and listening sessions so residents can ask questions directly and stay informed on important issues. Mooresville is a strong and proud community. We deserve leadership that listens, informs, and communicates openly so residents feel included and confident in the decisions shaping our town’s future.

IFN: The town has lost several dedicated, long-time employees during the past two years. What is your assessment of the work culture in town hall, the police department and other departments? What role do the mayor and town board play in making sure town employees, including department heads, feel valued and empowered to do their best work?

OVERBAY-INMAN: Town employees are the backbone of Mooresville’s government, and their dedication ensures that our community runs smoothly every day. While I cannot speak to the internal dynamics of every department, the loss of several long-time employees over the past two years highlights opportunities to strengthen support, communication, and recognition for staff. The mayor and town board play a critical role in shaping the culture and work environment of all departments. Leadership that sets clear expectations, provides support, and recognizes employee contributions creates a workforce that feels valued and empowered. This includes offering professional development opportunities, fostering open communication, and celebrating successes. If elected, I would advocate for regular engagement with staff and department heads to hear their ideas and concerns, ensure that achievements are recognized, and support policies that enable employees to perform at their best. By fostering a culture of respect, communication, and professional growth, we can improve retention, boost morale, and ensure that Mooresville’s employees continue to provide excellent service to our community.

IFN: It appears the traffic situation in Mooresville will get worse before it gets better due to current road projects and additional development. What responsibility do the town board and mayor bear for the current traffic congestion? What can the next mayor and town board do to make things better?

OVERBAY-INMAN: There’s no denying that traffic is one of Mooresville’s biggest challenges. Our community has grown rapidly, and while growth brings opportunity, it has also created strain on our roads and infrastructure. The reality is that growth has often outpaced planning. The mayor and town board share responsibility for ensuring that development decisions are made with the necessary infrastructure in place to support them. While some major roads fall under state control through NCDOT, local leadership still has an important role in advocating for timely improvements, ensuring that new developments include thorough traffic impact studies, and communicating openly with residents about road projects and delays. If elected, I will prioritize responsible growth and transparent communication. This means requiring better coordination between development approvals and infrastructure capacity, working more closely with NCDOT to accelerate road projects, and keeping residents informed through consistent updates on progress and plans. Mooresville deserves a proactive approach to planning, one that looks ahead, addresses congestion with realistic solutions, and ensures our infrastructure keeps pace with the growth shaping our town’s future.

IFN: Why are you the best candidate in your race?

OVERBAY-INMAN: I believe I am the best candidate for the Commissioner At-Large seat because I bring a balanced perspective, a collaborative mindset, and a strong commitment to transparency and responsible growth. My focus is on listening to residents, understanding their concerns, and making informed, thoughtful decisions that serve the best interests of our entire community. Mooresville is growing quickly, and we need leaders who will plan responsibly, prioritize infrastructure, and communicate openly with citizens about how and why decisions are made. As Commissioner At-Large, I will work to strengthen trust between the community and local government, ensure that growth is managed responsibly, and help move Mooresville forward with integrity, collaboration, and transparency.