The following is a summary of the Board of Commissioners Special Meeting held on February 26, 2026. The full agenda, minutes, and video recording are available on the meeting record page.
February 2026 Special Board Meeting Recap
The February 2026 Special Meeting of the Town of Ranlo Board of Commissioners focused heavily on community involvement, establishing several vital citizen committees, and discussing future infrastructure projects.
Well Wishes for Commissioner Moore The meeting opened with a special prayer and words of support for Commissioner Doug Moore. Commissioner Moore, who also serves as a firefighter, was injured when a house collapsed during a fire in a nearby jurisdiction. The board expressed immense gratitude that he and his fellow firefighter were rescued and are recovering safely at home.
New Public Safety & Cadet Mentorship Program The Board expressed unanimous support for the creation of a new committee to assist the Ranlo Police Department. A major goal of this new group will be to establish a cadet mentorship program for young adults (ages 19 and up) to prepare them for the police academy, utilizing state grant funding to help cover the costs of their education and training.
Citizen Committee Appointments The Board officially appointed several residents to lead three newly established community boards:
- Planning Board: Tasked with assisting town officials on land use, zoning requests, and shaping the town’s future development. The board appointed Diana Palmer and Mark Williams to 3-year terms, Jessica Holtz to a 2-year term, and Daryl Hayes and Bea Williams to 1-year terms.
- Ranlo Experience Committee: Focused on planning special town events and enhancing the community’s quality of life. Appointees included Drew Horine, Zion McKenzie, Amber Spicer, Jerica Robertson, Wade Morton, and honorary member Matthew.
- Ranlo Resource Network Committee: Dedicated to connecting residents with essential resources like healthcare information, mentoring, rent assistance, and supportive social services. Appointees included Mariano “Mario” Menistas, Marquita McCormick, Karen Creach, Shardina Stephanie, and Aisha Wilson Ellison.
Future of the Water Plant Property The Board discussed the future of a 20-acre town-owned property on the river near Spencer Mountain. Rather than immediately selling the land to a developer, the board explored visionary ideas like creating a “Ranlo Outpost”—a recreational hub that could feature a greenway, visitor center, kayak rentals, and an amphitheater. The board tabled the discussion to allow the newly formed Planning Board to further explore the best, most feasible uses for this unique natural resource.
Sidewalk & Carolina Thread Trail Expansions Town Manager Charlie Hansen shared updates on an upcoming project to connect Ranlo to the Carolina Thread Trail. The town has already secured over $722,000 in state grant money for sidewalk rehabilitation on Spencer Mountain Road leading up to the lodge. The board directed the Town Manager to pursue additional federal and state grants to fund the remaining sidewalk needed to officially link the town to the Thread Trail.