BY DEBBIE PAGE
Troutman interim town manager and finance director Justin Mundy, who joined the town’s administrative team in September of 2021, is leaving to become Alexander County manager beginning on December 1. Mundy has been serving as interim town manager during Ron Wyatt’s extended medical leave.
Mundy oversaw financial operations, managed budgets, and directed day-to-day activities. He also led efforts to modernize Troutman’s accounting systems and software and worked to improve customer experience and communication in the administrative and utilities areas.
During Thursday’s town council meeting, Mayor Teross Young presented Mundy with a certificate of appreciation for his service and a Troutman logo paddle.
Troutman Police Department recognized
Troutman Police Chief Josh Watson and his department have been recognized by the N.C. League of Municipalities (NCLM) Risk Management agency for completing the law enforcement risk review.
NCLM Public Safety Risk Consultant Chet Effler said the review looked at 40 high-risk areas to ensure the agency used best practices and met agency standards in law enforcement. These areas include police pursuit, use of force, training, and policy and equipment reviews.
The TPD is one of only 100 law enforcement agencies that has completed the process. Effler praised the department for its openness, transparency, and willingness to participate.
“The agency has shown a dedication to the community by adhering to the best practices and enhancing professional policing,” said Effler.
ABC Store Quarterly Report
ABC Store Evelyn Walls gave the ABC Board’s first quarter financial report for ABC Board Chair Layton Getsinger. The Troutman store continues to increase sales even though most stores in the state are reporting flat or declining sales.
The store reported a 5.1 percent increase in sales over the first quarter of last year, with a 9.9 percent increase in July, a 1 percent decline in August, and a 6.6 percent increase in September.
First quarter sales were $889,182 compared to last year’s $845,856, an increase of $43,326. First quarter profit was $66,194.
Quarterly distributions to the town were $12,507, with the Parks and Recreation Department, ESC Park fund, and Troutman Friends of the Library each receiving $3,126.75, and the four Troutman I-SS schools receiving $781.69 each.
The Drug-Alcohol Coalition of Iredell received $5,241 in alcohol education funds, and the law enforcement distribution to the Troutman Police Department was $3,743.
Walls said the store has $642,855 in working capital, the maximum allowed by state law.
In the 2025-2026 fiscal budget, Getsinger projects the store will reach $3,319,000 in sales for the year, slightly less than the $3,539,274 in sales the store achieved in 2024-25.
Other Business
The council tabled consideration of the rezoning of 19.5 acres in the Rocky Creek (Norman Creek) development on Byers Road from mixed use conditional zoning to suburban residential to allow for development of five larger homes on estate size lots (reduced to .25 lots per acre).
The smallest lot would be 3 acres. This decrease in homes will also reduce impacts on community services and traffic. The homes would have septic systems, but developers will request connection to town water.
Council member Nicholas Jaroszynski suggested the council table the rezoning case until the council and land use committee had more time to consider the change.
The council also tabled acceptance of all roads in Phases 2, 3, and 4 of Falls Cove Lake Norman for Town of Troutman maintenance until some complaints about manhole covers being flush with the roads are investigated.
The council approved:
♦ The Town of Troutman Water Infrastructure Asset Management Plan.
♦ The final report for the Water Asset Inventory And Assessment Project completed with a NCDEQ state grant.
♦ An engineering services agreement amendment for the 2022 Wastewater Capacity Improvements Project.
♦ An annexation hearing request for 1.35 acres at 407 State Park Road.
♦ A text amendment to allow a 30-day period and size requirements for temporary signs for nonprofit events. The amendment does not apply to flyers in storefronts or business windows.
♦ Selection of Kimley-Horn engineering firm for the Wastewater Master Plan and for the review of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
♦ Annexation of 1.24 acres located at 491 and 495 Perry Road.