Lake Lure Town Council Work Session and Action Meeting Summary - April 22, 2026

Thank you to those who joined us for the Lake Lure Town Council Work Session and Action Meeting on April 22, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. 

• The meeting was held at The Landings at 920 Buffalo Creek Road, Lake Lure, NC 28746. 

• The public was invited to attend the meeting. 

• The following is a summary of meeting for those who could not attend.  Note that these are not formal minutes which will be included in the following month's Town Council Meeting packet. 

• For additional information, you may download the meeting packet.

 I. Call to Order

Mayor Carol Pritchett called the meeting to order and thanked everyone for their attendance. 

II. Agenda Adoption

The agenda was approved as posted.

III. Review and Consider Amendment 6 to Sewer Replacement Project Design-Build Contract

Town Manager Olivia Stewman explained this amendment is being presented to ensure the Town fully expends approximately $2 million in remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds associated with SRP-W-ARP-0077 prior to the December 31, 2026 deadline.

• The proposed work focuses on elements that can be completed while the lake remains at full pond and includes: installation of the Backshore Forcemain (BFM) pipe along the dry side of the dam (as shown on Sheet C101), civil site preparation at five future electrical/pump station locations (Sheets C402–C406), and fabrication of above-water platform structures for nine pump stations (Sheet D101). The platforms will be assembled and stored until installation can occur during a future lake drawdown.
• In the opinion of the Design-Build team, this approach allows the Town to advance critical project components now, maintain project momentum, and ensure compliance with ARPA funding deadlines while aligning the scope with the finalized available funding. 

Town Council approved the amendment.

IV. Consider Bid Award for Boys Camp Bridge Replacement Project

The Town received three bids from reputable contractors for the Boys Camp Bridge Replacement Project.

• The apparent low bidder is NHM Constructors, Inc. at $1,200,000.
• The other bids received were Blythe Construction, Inc. at $1,234,998 and Morgan Corporation at $1,298,187.
• LaBella Associates is currently completing its review of the bid submissions and will provide a formal recommendation prior to the Council meeting.
• Based on initial review, it appears the low bidder meets all required criteria, and LaBella is expected to recommend awarding the project to NHM Constructors, Inc. pending final verification.

Town Council approved the award for this bid proposal.

V. Resolution No. 26-04-22 Supporting National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Application

This resolution expresses the Town of Lake Lure’s support for a grant application to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program, to be submitted by Audubon North Carolina for projects in Rutherford County.

• The proposed initiative focuses on habitat restoration, tree planting, pollinator habitat, and community based environmental education.
• Approval of this resolution designates the Town as a project partner and authorizes staff collaboration.
• It also acknowledges the program’s non-federal match requirement, which the Town intends to support through eligible in-kind contributions, such as staff time or services, consistent with grant guidelines and within the Town’s adopted budget.

Town Council approved the resolution.

VI. Hager Strategic Solutions Updates

Mike Hagar provided the following updates: 

• The property tax committee approved two key measures affecting local taxation, excluding hospital-related proposals, signaling a focus on levy limits and affordable housing exemptions.
• A property tax levy limit amendment will appear on the November 2026 ballot, allowing the general assembly to set future property tax rules starting with the 2027 session. The levy limit acts as a cap over several years but does not set specific tax rates immediately.
• A special exemption for natural disasters was requested with a proposed 20-year window to accommodate recovery spending, though final terms are uncertain.
• This legislative process may evolve as bills and will move through the House and Senate before full enactment.
• The ongoing legislative session has started, with budget details emerging in the coming weeks, affecting available discretionary funds ("member money") for local projects.
• A NC House committee has approved a proposed constitutional amendment to restrict local government property tax increases. If passed by the full legislature, voters will decide on this "levy limit"—likely capping revenue growth based on inflation and population—in November 2026.
• Exceptions for voter-approved increases are expected.

VII. Town Manager/Project Updates

Town Manager, Olivia Stewman provided the following updates:

• Budget:
  • The current budget is nearly finalized pending salary data, with a special meeting planned for early May to review all details collectively.
  • An annual spending freeze will begin May 10.
  • Department heads will no longer have spending card access from May 10 except for emergencies authorized by senior management.
  • Emergency purchases require dual approval from designated managers to control expenses tightly during this freeze.
  • This process aims to ensure fiscal discipline during the final budget phase and is a recurring annual practice.
• Shoreline Debris Removal through the SMART Program:  
  • Contractors have removed over 4,500 cubic yards of debris from the lake and are completing sediment removal in Morse Park.
  • Grading and seeding work will commence soon to restore affected areas.
• Boat Deliveries: Contractor boat activity remains limited, helping maintain safety and order during restoration.
• Lake Enforcement:
  • The lake enforcement strategy focuses on daytime and evening patrols supplemented by reserve officers. 
  • Enforcement will be increased during summer activity. 
  • Primary officers conduct patrols in two-hour shifts during peak daytime and evening hours.
  • Reserve officers are deployed on weekends to ensure full-time lake coverage while primary officers respond to other calls.
  • Collaboration with North Carolina Wildlife officials is planned to enhance patrol frequency and enforcement presence.
  • Distinguishing between contractors and private boaters is difficult, complicating enforcement of lake rules, especially in no-wake zones.
  • Enforcement teams are adapting to these challenges by identifying regular contractors and managing traffic flow efficiently.
  • The visible police presence during the lake’s soft opening phase has been a key message for safety and compliance.
  • Officials plan to continue enforcing no-towing and other restrictions even after lifting some no-wake rules, prioritizing gradual reopening and safety.
• Construction:
  • Marina and lake infrastructure projects are progressing ahead of schedule, with multiple components targeted for completion by Memorial Weekend.
• Debris Boom:
  • Anchors for dam booms are installed. 
  • Permanent replacements are being quoted with a temporary boom in use.
• Cell Tower:
  • AT&T aims to have a new cell tower operational by April 30, improving service in Morse Park.
  • T-Mobile is expected to follow soon.
  • Verizon’s installation status remains pending.
  • A ribbon-cutting event is set for May 22, 2026 at 11:00 at the Cell Tower Site.
• Lake Gauges: 
  • Installation of IP-based lake level gauges will start soon.
  • These will enabling real-time data access on the website.
• Extended Waterline:
  • Discussions continue with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on extending the Charlotte Drive waterline to the Lake Ridge area, pending funding and easement agreements.
• Wastewater Treatment Plant:
  • A revised wastewater treatment plant design reduces excavation and relocates the plant above the floodplain, balancing operational needs and environmental concerns.
  • The plant will sit halfway up the slope on the Hunt property, above the floodplain.
  • This location required rock blasting, but minimizing disturbance.
  • The design preserves most of the Hunt property for other uses and maintains gravity feed from the dam area.
  • Maintenance will rely on cranes due to limited vehicle access around tanks, necessitating upfront equipment planning.
  • Access to the plant site involves a road cut near a tight corner, suitable for box trucks but not semis, emphasizing the need for careful logistics planning.
  • Effluent discharge will utilize existing river outflow paths, and new infrastructure for chemical storage is under evaluation to optimize site layout.
  • The old treatment plant site will be filled and repurposed for parking and equipment staging.
  • The new plant location reduces flood risks and localizes odors with retaining walls, improving community impact.
  • Approval to proceed with this design will enable focused geotechnical work and detailed planning, aiming to maintain full plant capacity without cost increases from excessive excavation.
• Police Recruitment: 
  • To address nationwide police recruitment challenges, a cadet program will be introduced to sponsor trainees during their law enforcement training, improving local hiring outcomes.
  • The program pays cadets roughly reserve officer wages during six months of basic law enforcement training without full-time benefits except retirement contributions.
  • Cadets become full-time employees only after completing training, reducing upfront hiring risks and costs.
  • Labor laws require monitoring to avoid excessive hours that would trigger broader benefit obligations.
  • Sheriff departments attract many cadets due to flexible hiring rules, limiting police department access to trained candidates.
  • The cadet program aims to secure promising recruits early, preventing loss to other agencies.
  • Pre-employment contracts and thorough background checks will help ensure candidate quality and retention.
  • Outreach includes contact with local educational institutions like Isothermal Community College, where some officers also teach, to build a recruitment pipeline.
  • The program offers a pathway for local youth interested in law enforcement careers, addressing age restrictions that limit high school outreach.
  • Initial candidates are under consideration with plans to review progress before full program rollout, supported by existing budget allocations.

VIII. Public Comment

There were no public comments. 

IX. Closed Session

Town Council entered into a Closed Session in accordance with G.S. 143-318.11(a) (5) for the Purpose of Discussing Property Acquisition.

X. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned following the Closed Session.