WATAUGA — The Watauga County Board of Commissioners recently proclaimed April 26 through May 2 as National Apprenticeship Week, followed by May 3 through May 9 as National Small Business Week. These proclamations were unanimously approved, underscoring the county's recognition of their significance.
National Apprenticeship Week highlights the importance of registered apprenticeships within the workforce, acknowledging their role in providing valuable paid work experience, mentorship opportunities, and nationally recognized credentials to participants. Commissioner Emily Greene emphasized the crucial part educators, school counselors, and educational institutions play in raising awareness and facilitating registration for apprenticeship opportunities among students and parents. These institutions also serve as vital training providers, program sponsors, and intermediaries in the apprenticeship ecosystem.
During the same meeting, commissioners addressed several key operational and financial matters. Craig Hughes presented contracts for transportation services managed by the Project on Aging and Social Services Department. Hughes noted that these contracts coordinate approximately 19,000 trips annually, with the majority of funding sourced from the NCDOT Rural Operating Assistance Program grant, Medicaid through the Department of Social Services, and county contributions.
Hughes also requested a $25,000 increase in the AppalCart allocation for the 2027 fiscal year, representing a 3% adjustment. He encouraged the commissioners to consider this increase during their upcoming budget meeting, noting that the rate for these services would remain constant at $2 per direct mile. The commissioners unanimously approved the presented contracts and agreed to further discuss the requested increase at their next budget session.
Tax Administrator Tyler Rash presented the monthly collections report, indicating that the county’s current collection rate is ahead of the previous year’s figures. Total collections for county funds, fire districts, and towns amounted to $1,406,198 for the month. Additionally, the release total for the month was reported as $9,496.62. The commissioners approved this release report.
Following the collections update, Rash presented the 2025 report of unpaid property taxes. North Carolina state law mandates that counties publish the names of individuals who have not paid their property taxes between March 1 and June 30 each year. Staff recommended a single publication for this advertisement. The commissioners approved this required statutory action.
In other business, Valle Crucis School requested a change order to decrease its contract sum by $320,129.71. This order accounts for multiple project adjustments and addresses incomplete data from tab reports, which had caused complications. The project engineer’s request specified that the contractor would be responsible for any additional charges that might arise. The commissioners approved this change order.
Further approvals included an out-of-state travel request for a Department of Social Services employee to attend a professional conference scheduled for May 2026. Commissioners also approved an audit contract with C. Randolph CPA PLLC for the fiscal year 2025-2026 audit, with costs not to exceed $52,000.
