Commissioners Notebook: October 2024

Published on October 18, 2024

Cabarrus County staff is working to create a second entrance to Frank Liske Park with a property switch proposal. 

Assistant County Manager Kelly Sifford provided an update to commissioners on the proposal at the October 7 Work Session.

County staff has been working with the State of North Carolina to obtain additional land from the Stonewall Jackson property to make a property swap with Rocky Ridge United Methodist Church.

The swap would allow the county to gain a second access to Frank Liske Park by way of the Stonewall Jackson property. Currently, the park has one access point that crosses railroad tracks.

In June 2023, the state of North Carolina transferred two properties, totaling 268 acres, to Cabarrus County as part of the disposition of the larger Jackson Training School property.

Part of the land will be used for a Public Safety Training Center proposed for development. The facility is a multi-jurisdictional training space that will assist local emergency medical services, fire departments and law enforcement in meeting federal, state and local training requirements.

Redevelopment efforts are also underway at the original Stonewall Jackson Training school site that contains the historic buildings. Plans are for the state to transfer a portion of the property to Cabarrus County. That transfer would include historic and environmental restrictions. The County would then market the property for restoration and redevelopment. 

Commissioners are expected to vote on the property switch at the Regular Meeting on Monday, October 21.

During the October Work Session, Commissioners also:

• Heard time-off recommendations from HR Director Lundee Covington and HR Strategy Manager Ashley Dobbins for several initiatives, including floating holidays, personal days and transferring sick leave from other NC local and state government employers. In January, the HR department surveyed 18 surrounding jurisdictions and found that Cabarrus County was lacking in several areas involving time-off benefits. HR initially presented the findings to commissioners during the February budget retreat, then began working on ways to stay competitive with other employers. The floating holiday would allow employees to choose a day to take off that is significant to them and their family (Juneteenth, Hanukkah, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, etc.). Personal leave would allow an employee to take time off for reasons other than illness or vacation (mental health, wellness or family concerns). For recruitment of experienced staff, the department proposed allowing unlimited sick accruals from other NC local and state government agencies to be added to an employee’s bank. If approved, the time off benefits are expected to be implemented in or after December 2024. Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the benefits at the Regular Meeting.

To read the full agenda, visit cabarruscounty.us/Government/Boards-and-Committees/Board-Meetings, click the October 7 Work Session tab and select Agenda under Related Information.

To watch the full September Work Session, visit youtube.com/cabarruscounty.

The Regular Meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. on Monday (October 21) at the Cabarrus County Government Center in downtown Concord.  

At the meeting, several proclamations are expected to be read, including Weatherization Day 2024, Operation Green Light, Veterans Day Proclamation.

Residents can watch commissioner meetings on the Cabarrus County livestream at cabarruscounty.us, on YouTube (@CabarrusCounty) and on CabCo TV (Spectrum Cable Channel 22). 

Stay updated on these and all County programs and projects by visiting cabarruscounty.us and following Cabarrus County at facebook.com/cabarruscounty and on Twitter and Instagram @CabarrusCounty.