CLEVELAND — In an effort to maintain competitiveness with surrounding municipalities and private sector professional opportunities, the Cleveland Board of Commissioners unanimously approved $5,000 raises for town employees on Thursday.

During a special-called meeting at town hall, the board of commissioners opened the meeting, before entering into closed session to discuss personnel matters. 

Upon the board’s return, a vote was held to pass the raise for the town clerk, finance office, maintenance director and one maintenance worker. 

The town’s plant operator received a $2,608 raise because they received a $2,392 raise last year, which brought it to a $5,000 increase when combined.

One other maintenance worker, who is still in a probationary period after being hired, did not receive the raise. 

The town employee raises followed similar increases at the police department last year. 

Mayor Pro Tem Travis Summitt said after the meeting that the move was made to stay competitive with other professional opportunities. 

Newest commissioner takes the oath of office

The town of Cleveland officially has a full commission for the first time in nearly a year. 

Wilson Holloway was sworn in at town hall during a special-called meeting on Thursday night to fill the seat vacated when former Commissioner Richard Taylor resigned late last year. 

The appointment came a little more than two months after Jeanette Rankin was elected to fill the seat vacated by former Commissioner Danny Gabriel, who died in April of 2023.

With his wife, Casey, by his side, Holloway took the oath of office, which was administered by Town Clerk Kelly Rodgers.

Holloway is a probation parole officer for the state. 

Originally from Woodleaf, he and his family recently moved to Cleveland.

“I’ve been around Cleveland basically my whole life,” Holloway said. “I went to West Rowan and graduated from there.”

After high school, Holloway attended East Carolina University, where he studied criminal justice. 

Holloway indicated that he sees a lot of promise in Cleveland and wants to be a part of its future success.

“I know that Cleveland is heading in the right direction,” Holloway said. “I have seen a lot of progress here the last few years, and I like the way it’s going. That is why my family and I moved to the middle of town. I just want to help any way I can and help it grow.”

Cleveland commissioners are assigned various agencies and departments around town to monitor and supervise. Holloway was tasked with overseeing the police and fire departments. 

“You might say I know a little bit about law enforcement,” Holloway said of his professional background. 

Attending the special-called meeting at Town Hall was Holloway’s wife, his two children, Rosalie and Weston, and his parents, Kent and Sara Holloway. 

Summitt nominated Holloway for the seat. After the meeting, he said a few things about Holloway appealed to him.

“He (represents) some younger blood that is very interested in helping the town out,” Summit said. “He started coming around about two or three years ago when he first moved to Cleveland, and I got to know him just through different people around town. He would come to events and seemed interested in things. 

“He would come to ask about how he could help, and I said, ‘Right here is one way.'”