Last Updated on June 1, 2026 1:14 pm
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners meets Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. with the fiscal year 2027 budget adoption topping the agenda, along with a series of emergency services purchases for the county's new 911 facility and medic bases.
The board is scheduled to adopt the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget Ordinance, which must be in place by June 30 under state law. The General Fund totals $87.43 million, with the county's property tax rate holding steady at $0.318 per $100 of valuation based on a total taxable base of $15.02 billion. The school system receives $18.49 million from the county; Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute receives $1.3 million.
Several budget adjustments were made during May work sessions. The assistant fire marshal position was removed — saving approximately $90,000 in salary and benefits — while funding for a part-time fire inspector was restored at $8,345. Funding for Watauga Opportunities was restored at $33,000, and the Watauga Rescue Squad received an increase of $50,000. Contract management services were added at $82,509.
Emergency Services Director Will Holt will bring four items related to the new Emergency Services Facility on Hodges Gap Road. The board will consider a $52,657 Bi-Directional Amplifier system from Mobile Communications America, required under NFPA and Fire Prevention Code standards for emergency responder communications inside the building. Priority Dispatch software licenses covering Fire, EMS, and Law Enforcement call processing will come before the board at $26,821, funded entirely by 911 surcharge funds. A CAD and mapping license supporting a sixth dispatch position at the new facility is on the agenda at $23,750, also funded by 911 surcharge funds.
A change order of $6,860 for the facility's communications tower construction is also on the agenda. The change is necessary after ground-penetrating radar identified that underground utilities were not in the locations initially provided by 811 utility locators. The contractor will use vacuum excavation rather than traditional digging to protect the utilities. Funding for the change order comes from the Priority 1 grant.
The board will also consider furniture purchases for two medic bases from PBI, Inc. of Asheville. Medic Base 2 at 133 Longvue Drive in Boone would receive $29,554 in furnishings including beds, recliners, desks, window shades, and chairs. Medic Base 3 at 567 US Highway 321 North in Vilas would receive $17,620 in furnishings.
Chairman Braxton Eggers will present a resolution commemorating America's 250th Anniversary throughout 2026. Representatives from the Department of Social Services, Project on Aging, and High Country Area Agency on Aging will present a proclamation declaring June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. In North Carolina, 36,242 reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable and older adults were made to county DSS offices in state fiscal year 2025.
Under miscellaneous administrative matters, the board will note a vacancy on the Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission after member Pat Brown relocated outside the historic district, which requires residency for commission membership. Staff will seek applicants.
The board is also expected to cancel its July 7 meeting due to the Independence Day holiday, leaving July 21 as the only scheduled meeting for that month.
Closed session is scheduled to address real property acquisition, personnel matters, and attorney-client privilege matters.
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Commissioners' Board Room at the Watauga County Administration Building, 814 W. King Street, Boone. Agenda packets are available through the county website.
