By Andie Foley
andie.foley@salisburypost.com

The Rowan County Board of Commissioners’ first meeting of the new year will be delayed one day.

Under normal circumstances, the board meets the first and third Monday of every month at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively. Commissioners will instead meet Tuesday, Jan. 2, at 3 p.m. to allow commissioners and residents time to enjoy New Year’s Day.

Most of Tuesday’s action items fall under the consent agenda, and include:

• The board could approve November tax refunds and October vehicle tax system refunds.
• The board may approve a grant application being made by the Rowan County Health Department’s Smile Center.

The Health Department is seeking $19,999.47 from Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children: The Foundation of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry through their Access to Care grant. The department plans to use this funding to replace old and worn dental equipment and provide education and resources to children enrolled in the Care Coordination for Children social work program.

• The board could schedule a public hearing for amendments to the zoning ordinance for Jan. 16.

Amendments to the zoning ordinance were sought in November following a request to rezone tax parcel Z 09-17. The request to rezone to commercial, business and industrial with a conditional district was tabled as commissioners feared setting a precedent of spot zoning in the area of High Rock Lake.

The county planning board has since met and is proposing amendments to allow manufacturing household cooking equipment in the neighborhood business district. The planning board also proposed an update to the subdivision ordinance, allowing the acceptance of paper copy plats (black lines on white paper), electronic plats and plats on mylar.

• The board could schedule a public hearing for “Project Wheel” for Jan. 16.

The Rowan Economic Development Commission is seeking additional incentive request for ‘Project Wheel.’ The project will lead to the expansion of a to-be-named Rowan County employer, creating an additional 94 new jobs and an approximate investment of $11 million dollars in new construction and equipment.

To remain competitive as the company seeks a location for expansion, the EDC is proposing that the county utilize economic development funds to provide an additional $100,000 grant to the company, structured as a loan but forgiven if specific job creation and investment measures are met.

In other business for Tuesday’s meeting:

• The board could approve budget amendments for the Dan Nicholas Wildlife and Nature Center.

These amendments reflect a grant the park received from the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in the amount of $41,322.97 for two years.

• The board will consider board appointments for four local boards.

These boards include the Nursing Home Advisory Committee, the Board of Public Health, the Jury Commission, and the Parks and Recreation Commission.