During Monday’s pre-agenda meeting, council passed resolution opposing state legislation to cap property taxes
BY DEBBIE PAGE
The deadline for submitting nominations for Troutman Citizen of the Year and Organization of the Year awards is 5 p.m. on Monday, April 20. Applications are available on the town’s website or in the Town Hall lobby.
The Citizen of the Year nominee must demonstrate commitment to preserving, maintaining or improving the quality of life for the Troutman residents. The nominee does not need to live in the town but must be a resident or business representative of the Troutman community. The nominee must not be employed by the Town of Troutman.
Link to the Citizen of the Year nomination form: https://www.troutmannc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1169/Citizen-of-the-Year-Nomination-Form-2026.
The Organization of the Year Award honors those who make a difference in the community. The award recognizes ongoing efforts of organizations working to improve the quality of life in Troutman. Nominees could be a business, church, civic group, or club who deserves recognition or any organization that is respected for their commitment, support, services, and activities that promote a positive influence on the community.
Link to the Organization of the Year nomination form: https://www.troutmannc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1171/Organization-of-the-Year-Nomination-Form-2026.
LOCAL TAX AUTHORITY RESOLUTION PASSES
During the council’s pre-agenda meeting, council members voted 4-0 to approve a resolution (Tonya Bartlett absent) to strongly oppose proposed state legislation that would impose limits on the growth of local property tax revenues, including levy limits and requirements for voter approval to exceed those limits.
Such limitations would significantly restrict the ability of local governments to maintain service levels, respond to growth, and plan responsibly for the future, particularly in communities experiencing continued population increases such as Troutman.
Council members passed the resolution because the town is committed to providing essential public services and maintaining a high quality of life for its residents, including police protection, parks and recreation, street maintenance, and community amenities.
Local governments in North Carolina rely primarily on property tax revenue to provide these essential services.
Unlike enterprise services funded through user fees (like the Water and Sewer Fund), general government services rely almost entirely on property tax revenue.
Public safety services, especially law enforcement, represent one of the most critical and resource-intensive responsibilities of local government, requiring consistent and predictable funding to ensure adequate staffing, training, and response capabilities.
The council members believe that imposing rigid caps on property tax revenue would force local governments into a reactive financial posture, resulting in delayed investments, reduced service levels, and increased long-term costs to residents.
Requiring a municipal vote to exceed revenue limits would introduce uncertainty and delay into the funding of essential services that must be maintained without interruption.
The council believes that since local elected officials are directly accountable to their residents, they are best positioned to make informed decisions regarding taxation and service levels based on community needs.
The resolution urges the N.C. General Assembly to reject any legislation that would undermine the ability of municipalities to fund essential services and urges state leaders to recognize that limiting property tax revenues will not reduce the need for services but will reduce the ability to provide them effectively.
The council called for the preservation of local control and accountability, allowing locally elected officials to make responsible fiscal decisions based on the needs of their communities.
The signed resolution will be sent to members of the N.C. General Assembly representing Iredell County, the leadership of the N.C. General Assembly, the N.C. Association of County Commissioners, and the N.C. League of Municipalities.
COUNCIL UPDATES
The council and staff discussed several updates at the agenda briefing:
♦ Police Chief Josh Watson reported that the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office is investigating reports of someone shooting pellet guns at cars on Perth Road in an area outside of town jurisdiction.
♦ Town Manager Justin Longino said that he will present information on restarting work on a proposed social district in Troutman in the next few months.
♦ Longino also reported that the Local Government Commission approved the loan package for the park lighting project. The loan will close on April 15. It will take Musco six to eight weeks to get the lighting infrastructure ready for installation, with work to begin soon after.
♦ The town manager also outlined plans for a Town Hall expansion, announcing that Fuller Architecture is creating a schematic package. Staff will meet with architects about current and future space and design needs. Longino will then issue a request for proposals for architectural drawings, with the goal of breaking ground on the Town Hall expansion in nine months.
♦ Longino also said solutions to slow traffic on Eastway Drive are being studied by Kimley-Horne, with options ready for council consideration next month.
♦ The town manager also announced the final spring leaf and limb pickup will be April 20.
♦ Town Planner Andrew Ventresca will investigate the town’s policy on murals and signage on business’s windows and present options to the council.
♦ Ventresca also said the Talley Street sidewalk project is finishing up utilities and environmental preparation work. He hopes construction of the project will get underway this summer.
♦ Parks and Recreation Director Emily Watson invited organizations, neighborhood groups, and businesses to become part of the Adopt A Street program (https://www.troutmannc.gov/199/Adopt-A-Street-Program).
UPCOMING EVENTS
Independence Parade
Applications to participate in the Town of Troutman’s 21st Annual Independence Day Parade celebrating America’s 250th birthday, are now open. The only Independence Day Parade in Iredell County welcomes churches, businesses, organizations, civic groups, and community members to join the celebration on Saturday, June 27, at 11 a.m.
The parade route will travel down Main Street / US Hwy 21 through downtown Troutman, beginning at the Iredell County Fairgrounds and ending at the American Legion Post (401 Main Street).
Parade applications must be received by Friday, June 19. There is no fee to participate, and the town encourages everyone to get involved as a participant or a spectator.
Online signups to be in the parade are at https://secure.rec1.com/NC/troutman-nc/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTQxNTQ4OTY=. Digital applications are also available on the town’s website at www.troutmannc.gov. Paper copies at Town Hall or the Parks and Recreation office.
For more information, contact Amber at award@troutmannc.gov.
Keep America Beautiful Earth Day Clean Up
Troutman Parks and Recreation invites the community to celebrate America 250 by giving back to the community on Earth Day (Thursday, April 22). The department invites volunteers to join an effort to make Troutman a little cleaner and healthier.
Volunteers should meet at Town Hall at 5:30 p.m. They will then fan out to assigned zones and work together to clean up areas throughout town. Safety vests, gloves, and trash bags will be provided for all participants.
At the end of the evening, all will gather back together to measure the amount of trash collected and see the impact made as a community.
Everyone is invited to participate. Please RSVP at https://secure.rec1.com/NC/troutman-nc/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTQxNjMyNTQ=.
Bike Safety Fair set for Saturday, May 9
The Kids Bike Safety Fair will be at Troutman Town Hall on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. This is a free event for children and families.
Stations will be set up to discuss minor bike repairs, meet a police officer to hear more about bike and road safety, and take a ride through mock safety town (bring kids’ bikes and helmets)
The event will also feature a bike safety art station.
Please sign up online to receive a free gift at the event. Register at https://secure.rec1.com/NC/troutman-nc/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTQyMDEzMTk=.
During this event, free car seat checks will be offered by a certified technician.
For more information, please contact Amber at award@troutmannc.gov or call 704-508-3012.
THURSDAY NIGHT AGENDA
On Thursday night, the council will consider:
♦ Adoption of the Town of Troutman Strategic Plan.
♦ An ordinance to Amend the Town Of Troutman FY 2025-2026 Budget Ordinance to create a Special Revenue Fund to collect and distribute all occupancy taxes received by the town for their designated purposes to fund tourism-related promotion, marketing, and infrastructure Development. The ordinance will move $70,00 in collected revenues to this fund.
♦ An ordinance to amend the Town Of Troutman FY 2025-2026 Budget to move $20,500 from fund balance to cover higher than expected fiscal year economic development costs for a tax grant incentive for CR Onsrud (maximum of $340,000 over five years according to a 2022 agreement).
♦ Amendment(s) for $50,000 in additional engineering costs to West Consultants for Capital Project Ordinances for the Shinn Creek Regional Sewer Pump Station and $50,000 for the Wastewater Transmission Project. Both will be funded from Water and Sewer fund revenues.
♦ A resolution authorizing the Town Manager to market and negotiate the sale of Keystone building, which has attracted much interest. The Liat building has also been shown to one potential buyer.
♦ A proclamation declaring April 2026 National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
♦ A proclamation declaring April 25 as Parental Alienation Awareness Day.
♦ A presentation of the ABC Store Quarterly Report.