IFN Staff

Angela Wokatsch Matthews has filed to run for a seat on the Iredell County Board of Commissioners. 

“Iredell County Is my home. I was born in Statesville, grew up here, and have operated my businesses here,” Matthews, a Republican, said in her campaign announcement. “My focus as Iredell County commissioner will be lowering property taxes, ending cluster home annexations, and conserving our resources.”

Matthews touted her 27 years of experience as a certified public accountant, explaining that she would use her accounting and financial expertise to “better manage” the county’s $343 million budget.

“Hardworking families in our community are facing unprecedented financial strain due to inflation and the rising costs of living,” she said. “The 2023 countywide property tax increase only added to the unsustainable burden many of our residents are facing. The house you live in should be a source of security, not a bottomless ATM for the local government.”

Matthews said her platform would focus on providing “real, targeted property tax relief” to ensure seniors and those living on a fixed income can stay in their homes and young families are not priced out of the dream of home ownership.

“By implementing responsible tax limits and eliminating wasteful spending, we can keep property tax burdens in check without sacrificing the vital services that make our community great, such as public safety and our schools,” she said. “Lowering the tax burden will stimulate economic growth and make our county a more attractive place for companies to relocate and invest. With that commercial growth comes better paying jobs and additional resources we can use to run the day-to-day operations of Iredell County.

Matthews attended Catawba College in Salisbury and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting. She owns a CPA firm located in downtown Statesville and provides individual and business accounting services.

Her community service includes serving treasurer for the Boys & Girls Club for seven years. She has provided accounting assistance & services to several other local nonprofits, including Yokefellow Ministries, Iredell Christian Ministries, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Pregnancy Resource Center and Foundation of Hope Ministries. She also volunteered her time to serve as the auditor for the Miss Statesville Pageant for many years.

“Iredell County needs strong leadership — commissioners who bring real world knowledge and education to the table,” she said. “I am not a politician. I am a small business owner and a taxpayer. I care about my community and the future of all our residents. It is time for us to make decisions that are in the best interests of the 200,000 plus residents here in the county. We must follow through and honor the wishes of the voters, lower taxes.”

In 2024, as a result of the state-mandated property revaluation, Iredell County experienced the largest property tax increase in its history, she said.

“Our county is scheduled for another property tax revaluation in 2027. Let us make sure history does not repeat itself,” Matthews said. “I believe that governments should only tax to raise money for its constitutional functions and should spend that money wisely. I am opposed to big government and to tax increases.”