Last Updated on June 4, 2026 4:32 pm
The Boone Town Council meets Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. with a resolution on federal forest protection, a skate park construction contract, and a discussion of the town-owned Bolick Farm among the highlights on a full agenda.
The council will vote on a resolution supporting the federal Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a 25-year-old policy that has protected nearly 45 million acres of national forest land from road construction and development. More than 150,000 acres of the Nantahala-Pisgah National Forest within Watauga County fall under the rule's protection, and the Nantahala-Pisgah's more than one million acres represents the largest expanse of public land in the Southern Blue Ridge. The resolution comes as the U.S. Forest Service proposes to rescind the rule. The council's resolution acknowledges the rule's importance to the region's water quality, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation economy, and encourages citizens and government officials to make their voices heard in support of its continued application.
On the consent agenda, the council will consider a $134,000 contract with Artisan Concrete Services to construct Phase 2 of the Boone Greenway Skate Park. The project is funded through $95,000 in town budget allocation and $39,000 in privately raised donations. Design plans were prepared by Pillar Design Studios. Artisan, which specializes in hand-mixed, hand-applied concrete skate park construction, will provide all labor and materials.
Also on the consent agenda is adoption of a Water and Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvements Plan — a formal planning and budgeting tool for future infrastructure projects that will also qualify the town for additional points on grant applications.
Significant budget amendments are on the agenda related to two major infrastructure projects. The Hunting Hills Bridge Replacement Project would receive $800,000 from Powell Bill funds, plus $863,000 for water line relocation and $223,000 for sewer line relocation. The Howard Street project would receive $1.3 million in interim financing for water line work.
Interim Town Manager Dale Presnell is requesting a discussion on the future of the Bolick Farm, a town-owned property that was among five sites toured by council members during their May 15 special meeting. The agenda item is listed for discussion and action.
The council will hold a public hearing on the town's proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget. The hearing allows citizens to comment before the budget is adopted.
Planning and Inspections staff will present a proposed Good Neighbor Story Badge for council consideration, part of the town's CivicBrand rollout.
The council will consider a renewal of the annual agreement between the town and the Downtown Boone Development Association, which outlines the terms of the partnership.
Board appointments are on the agenda for the ABC Board, Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Commission, Planning Commission, and Sustainability Committee. Mayor Pro-Tem Carter is also requesting that remaining Tourism Development Authority board terms be amended to expire June 30, establishing a consistent term expiration schedule across the board.
Closed session is scheduled to cover attorney-client privilege matters and personnel matters, which may include discussion related to the ongoing town manager search.
The Boone Town Council meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at Town Council Chambers, 1500 Blowing Rock Road. The meeting begins at 9:00 a.m.
