Last Updated on October 5, 2026 4:54 pm
BOONE — The Watauga County Board of Commissioners meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, in the Commissioners' Board Room at the Watauga County Administration Building.
The agenda includes the proposed schedule of values for the 2027 countywide property reappraisal, an update on Watauga County Public Library interior improvements, employee medical and dental insurance renewals, the appointment of a county finance director and a recommendation to cancel the board's November meeting.
Public comment is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. and is limited to a maximum of one hour, with time adjusted based on the number of speakers.
2027 COUNTYWIDE REAPPRAISAL
Tax Administrator Tyler Rash will present the proposed 2027 General Reappraisal Schedule of Values, Standards and Rules, along with the 2027 Reappraisal Summary and Use Value Manual.
North Carolina requires counties to reappraise real property at least every eight years. The process resets all real property tax values to current market value, and this cycle carries an effective date of Jan. 1, 2027. According to the summary presentation prepared by Joshua Kleene of Vincent Valuations LLC, there are currently more than 49,000 parcels of real property in Watauga County.
Under state law, the proposed schedules, standards and rules must be available for public inspection and considered at a public hearing before adoption. Staff proposes this timeline:
— Oct. 14, 2026: Publish the public hearing notice
— Oct. 20, 2026: Hold the public hearing
— Nov. 17, 2026: Board adopts the final schedule of values
— After adoption: Publish notice of adoption once a week for four successive weeks
The presentation lists March 2027 as the month change-of-value notices are mailed to property owners, with the appeals window opening then. Billing calculated on the new values begins in summer 2027.
Rash's memo states the proposed schedule of values, standards and rules will be available in the tax office for public inspection, and proposes publishing the required notices in the Watauga Democrat.
Board action is requested to schedule the public hearing for Oct. 20 and authorize publication of the notices.
LIBRARY INTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS
Architect John Arnaud will present an update on interior improvements at the Watauga County Public Library at 140 Queen St., including review drawings and architectural site plan information. Board action is requested to move forward with the renovation design as presented.
SANITATION EQUIPMENT REPAIR
Operations Services Director Chris Marriott will ask the board to increase the repair authorization on a 2019 Peterbilt front-load garbage truck from $9,516.50 to $21,666.50.
According to Marriott's memo, the truck was taken to TLG Peterbilt in Glade Spring, Virginia, after operators reported it was not functioning properly. An initial estimate of $9,516.50 covered knuckle assemblies, kingpin replacement and new brakes. After work began, the shop found more extensive damage and determined the truck needs a full axle replacement, raising the cost to $21,666.50.
The truck services the county's container sites and other county properties. Funding is available in the fiscal year 2026-27 vehicle maintenance and repair budget.
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
County Manager Deron Geouque will present a dozen items:
Emergency Services Facility change orders. Greene Construction has submitted Change Order Request 28, a credit of $3,395.15 for removing a graphics package from the project, and Change Order Request 29, an additional $2,761.08 to change out a door at the county's request. The net is a deductive balance.
Out-of-state travel. Department of Social Services staff request approval for travel to Charlotte and West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 29-30 to transport a child in DSS custody back to North Carolina. Because of the timing, the trip occurred before a board meeting and was approved by the county manager. Expenses are covered by the DSS budget.
Fire Tower Road easement. A utility easement and owner's agreement with Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, doing business as Blue Ridge Energy, for underground and overhead electrical facilities serving the Emergency Services radio building on Fire Tower Road.
Dispatch software renewal. A $22,500 annual renewal of the IAED Priority Dispatch software license, used for call processing of fire, EMS and law enforcement calls. The renewal covers all three disciplines and is funded entirely through 911 surcharge funds.
Ambulance surplus. A request to declare a 2021 Chevrolet 3500 ambulance, currently a reserve unit, surplus. With two new ambulances added, the vehicle is ready to be decommissioned.
Innovation Drive parcels. NCDOT has provided contingent offers to purchase Parcels 3 and 4 tied to right-of-way for intersection improvements at U.S. 421 and Landfill Road, including improvements to Innovation Drive. Right-of-way agreements, a highway right-of-way deed and a drainage easement are included, contingent on county attorney approval.
Employee insurance. United HealthCare's initial medical renewal came in at an 8.6% increase; negotiations and additional claims analysis brought it to 5.0% with no changes to the plan structure. The plan was bid, with proposals from BlueCross BlueShield and United HealthCare, while Aetna and Cigna declined to bid. Dental renews at a 9.0% increase with no benefit changes. Staff recommends United HealthCare's fully insured medical plan with performance funding, with the county funding $1,000 into each eligible employee's HSA account, plus the United HealthCare dental plan for the 2027 plan year. Vision coverage through Community Eye Care is rate-locked until Dec. 31, 2029, and life insurance through MetLife is rate-locked until Dec. 31, 2028.
Sheriff's Office retirement award. A request that retiring Deputy Steven “Patrick” Anderson be awarded his assigned duty weapon and badge, with the board setting the price of the side arm at $1. Anderson served from Oct. 8, 2001, through Sept. 30, 2026, more than 24 years. State law allows a governing body to award a retiring officer the service side arm at a price it sets.
Wildcat tower lease. An updated memorandum of lease and lease agreement for the Wildcat Communications Tower Site with Blue Ridge Buffalo Partners, LLC, for a 10-year term at a consideration of $1, with the property reverting to the county at expiration. If the county receives revenue from renting the tower, the lessor receives 40% of it during the term. The county would add the property to its insurance policy and pay property taxes on it. The manager's comments describe the site as critical to the county's emergency communications system, and say approval would let the county relocate the existing Wildcat tower because the current property is being developed as a homesite.
Finance director. Staff requests the board appoint Misty Watson as county finance director, effective Oct. 6. State law requires the county to appoint a finance director.
Boards and commissions. The county received a volunteer application from Marcos Miralles of Boone for the Watauga County Planning Board. Miralles lives in New River Township and is director of hospitality with Blue Ridge Mountain Club. This is a first reading, so no action is required.
Announcements. The county manager recommends canceling the regularly scheduled Nov. 3 board meeting.
COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS AND CLOSED SESSION
Commissioners' comments are scheduled for 6 p.m. The agenda lists a closed session at 6:10 p.m. for attorney-client matters under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.11(a)(3), with adjournment at 6:15 p.m.
The board will also consider minutes of its Sept. 15 regular meeting and closed session.
The full agenda and packet are posted on the county's website.
