SALISBURY — From subdivision street standards to things local government can do to prevent recidivism, county commissioners today will have their annual planning retreat.

The retreat starts at 9 a.m. in the commissioners meeting room, on the second floor of the Rowan County Administration Building, and is open to the public.

The retreat’s schedule is as follows:

• 9 a.m.: Welcome and introduction of facilitator

• 9:10 a.m.: Update on Better Jobs for Better Lives Program

The program was started with a $100,000 investment by commissioners to take Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s retraining program on the road.

County Commissioners Chairman Greg Edds said commissioners will receive information about people the program is serving and how the program is going.

• 9:40 a.m.: STA 02-19, subdivision street standards

For several months, commissioners have considered adopting changes to the county’s subdivision ordinance to support emergency vehicles, which could increase their size in new developments. Edds said he’s expecting staff from the N.C. Department of Transportation to be at today’s planning retreat to answer questions about whether crews can accept maintenance of the larger roads.

• 10:40 a.m.: Break

• 11 a.m.: Economic development presentation

Edds said representatives of the Rowan County Economic Development Commission will attend and discuss the previous year. There will also be discussion about an initiative called Forward Rowan, a new strategy for economic development in the county.

• 11:30 a.m.: Long term goal for water system

County government operates a water line that serves economic development sites and people who live in the Dukeville community. The conversation today will focus on what’s next for the system, including whether there’s any expansion of the line, Edds said.

• Noon: Lunch

• 12:30 p.m.: Education and second chance training

Edds said he wants to have a generation conversation about how the county can do its part toward reducing recidivism, when a convicted criminal reoffends and ends up back in jail.

• 1 p.m.: Policy for naming county buildings and rooms

• 1:30 p.m. Funding for Smart Start

Commissioner Judy Klusman requested that this item be put on the agenda for the retreat.

Smart Start Rowan is a local nonprofit that provides educational services to children in the county, including pre-K.

• 2 p.m.: Break

• 2:15 p.m.: Priorities for 2020-21

Contact editor Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4248.