BY DEBBIE PAGE

The Troutman Town Council on Thursday approved a resolution to pursue a financing agreement with the Local Government Commission (LGC) to fund the acquisition of the Keystone Powdered Metal Company facility off Old Murdock Road.

The town has signed a purchase agreement for the property and is currently in the due diligence process. The building and its grounds cover approximately 50 acres adjacent to ESC Park, according to Mayor Teross Young.

DEVELOPMENT MORATORIUM

The proposed 24-month residential development moratorium is in process and will be further discussed at a planned September 24 special meeting to be announced.

STRATEGIC PLAN

Town Planner Andrew Ventresca told the council that the process to update the town’s 2018 Strategic Master Plan is underway. Requests for quotes went out this week for consultants to oversee the process, with a review of possible candidates likely occurring in October.

After selection of a consultant in late fall, Ventresca expects the actual strategic planning process to begin in January, take much of 2026, with the assembling of committees, constructing and conducting surveys, having public feedback meetings, and drafting the plan.

LIBRARY STRATEGIC PLAN PRESENTATION

Iredell County Library Director Juli Moore presented the Iredell County Library’s 2026-2030 Strategic Plan that develops a comprehensive approach to move library programs, resources, and services forward to better serve the community.

Moore shared some statistics about the Troutman library gathered in the physical year ending June 20, 2025. The branch, located at 215 West Church Street, hosted 37,167 visitors who checked out 64,527 items. Technology items were borrowed 502 times.

Patrons used the internet connections 1,766 times at the branch, which was open to the public for 2,808 hours during this period. The staff also answered 19,763 research questions to assist those who visited the library.

Moore noted that the previous 2021-2025 Strategic Plan resulted in many notable accomplishments, including adding a mobile library, adding two full-time positions, eliminating overdue fines, adding the Local History Room, and updating the interior of the Statesville and Harmony branches.

While constructing the new five-year strategic plan, the library staff worked to evaluate programs and gather data by hosting community discussions through a community survey, multiple focus groups, and one-on-one conversations at the service desk and then drafted the plan after receiving extensive community feedback.

The resulting report summarized recurring themes, needs, and thoughts expressed by county residents through the collected data.

User feedback indicated that the library offers great customer service, a collection that reflects the community, and a welcoming physical space and atmosphere that offers many interesting library programs and access to information.

The data also showed that library users were unhappy with the library system’s advertising and communication efforts. Some find it difficult to visit the library in person, and others felt the library needs to increase its visibility within the community.

Transportation issues and lack of library services in certain areas of the county are significant obstacles for underserved populations.

Some felt there was a shortage of space in their library branch, especially at the Troutman location, where 95% of the patrons surveyed mentioned additional space needs in their responses.

The data found that users want the county library system to maintain its current quality of services while introducing new ideas and offering more flexible program schedules. There is also a strong demand for a larger collection in both print and digital formats.

The strategic plan focuses on five goals, including collection development to maintain and expand library offerings, to create greater diversity in the collections, and to encourage use of library materials.

The second goal focuses on outreach and impact. Service gaps will be addressed by making the mobile library a prominent and accessible resource in the community. The staff will also restructure library outreach, leverage community connections to create more awareness of library programs and services, and promote literacy outside of the library through outreach efforts.

A third goal of the plan focuses on marketing and communication to ensure that county residents are well-informed about library resources and have current and relevant information at their fingertips.

This process will include creating an up-to-date marketing and communications plan, updating the library website, increased use of email and social media, using new advertising methods, and encouraging bilingual growth.

The fourth goal focuses on improving spaces and access to create an inviting interesting, and accessible library that fosters enriching experiences and community engagement.

The first objective under this goal is to expand the Troutman library branch by coordinating with the Town of Troutman to add a meeting room as well as more storage and office space.

This goal will also work on improving directional signage within libraries, expanding hours and programs, offering interactive and educational exhibits, and expanding in-house features to include beverage stations with coffee and tea and cultivating a more inviting space for teens.

The fifth goal focuses on refining programs and services to reach patrons of all ages and backgrounds, regardless of access to the physical location of the library.

Under this goal, staff will evaluate library programs, work to improve adult programs, improve teen programs, and sustain and empower the community through encouraging seniors and Spanish speaking residents to become confident in basic skills like technology and ESL classes.

The staff will also work on hosting educational programs on important topics such as healthcare, parenting, finance, wellness and nutrition, and transitioning into the workforce.

SEPTEMBER IS PROCLAIMED LIBRARY CARD SIGNUP MONTH IN TROUTMAN

Mayor Young proclaimed September as “Library Card Sign-Up Month” because “libraries are foundational to education, imagination, and opportunity, offering everything from early literacy programs to digital tools that support lifelong learning and personal growth, and welcome all people, serving as inclusive and accessible community hubs that connect individuals across cultures, generations, and experiences.”

Mayor Young noted that noted libraries curate collections and design programs that reflect the diversity of the populations they serve, ensure equitable access to information, technology, and culture for all, and help individuals navigate life’s challenges by providing trusted information, digital access, job search support, and connections to essential services.

Because a library card opens doors to endless possibilities, from books and technology to lifelong learning and imagination, Mayor Young urged citizens to apply for a library card and patronize the local J. Hoyt Hayes Memorial Troutman Library.

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

Associate Town Planner Alexa Drumm was honored as the Employee of the Month for August.

Ventresca said that Drumm, who has worked for the town for one year, has taken on many duties that are not part of her job description, including creating a more attractive and user-friendly monthly newsletter, maintaining the town’s new website that launched on August 28, and adding interactive maps to the website to provide the community with more information.

Ventresca said that Drumm always has a smile on her face, is respectful to all, and very deserving of this honor. “I am ecstatic that she is part of my department,” he said.

OTHER BUSINESS

Council also:

♦ Approved the Town of Troutman Schedule of Fees amendments, with significant increases in water and sewer availability fees for new residential and commercial construction.

♦ Approved the engineering contract for Water Capacity Improvements – Phase 1 but tabled Water Capacity Improvements – Phase 2 (reduced), Water System Rehabilitation – Phase 1, and the Murdock Road Water Extension for further study.

♦ Rezoned 24.906 acres at the Iredell County Fairgrounds from heavy industrial to light industrial to allow a farmer’s market.

♦ Rezoned 0.99 acres located at 334 South Main Street from suburban residential to local commercial.

♦ Approved the Shinn Farms regional pump station reimbursement agreement so work can proceed, with the town reimbursing the developer for the construction when it takes over the pump station operation.

♦ Appointed Antonio Robinson to the Board of Adjustment as an inside alternate, Jane Babela as a Planning and Zoning Board inside voting member, and reappointed Sally Williams to the Design Review Board as an inside voting member.

♦ Set an October 9 hearing date to consider annexation of 20.675 located at Hwy 21 South of Flower House Loop.

♦ Approved the facade for the Norman Creek neighborhood amenity.