Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

The following is a staff-prepared summary of key discussion points and decisions from this meeting. For the complete official record, please refer to the approved minutes above.

Gaston County Tax Department — 2023 Property Revaluation Overview Gaston County Tax Director Cecil Jackson, along with members of his staff, presented the Board with an informational overview of the upcoming countywide property revaluation scheduled for 2023.

• Mr. Jackson introduced incoming Tax Director Chelsea Tarbush, Assistant Tax Director John Stevens, and Revaluation Coordinator Ryan Dobson, who will lead the revaluation process after Mr. Jackson's retirement in June.
• The county is required by state law to reassess properties every eight years, but Gaston County passed a resolution to conduct revaluations every four years to reduce large swings in assessed values between cycles.
• The purpose of a revaluation is to establish fair and equitable property values based on current market conditions as of January 1, 2023 — not to generate additional tax revenue. Tax rates are set separately by the Board of Commissioners and the County.
• As of April 2022, current assessed values are running at approximately 54% of actual market sale prices, reflecting the significant rise in property values seen across the region in recent years.
• Assessment notices will be mailed to all 110,000 Gaston County property owners in February 2023. Property owners will have 30 days to appeal their assessment by contacting the tax office in person, by phone, or online.
• The tax office plans to hold community outreach sessions in individual municipalities — including Ranlo — so residents can meet with assessors locally rather than traveling to Gastonia. Property owners who still disagree after an informal review may appeal to the Board of Equalization and Review, a five-member panel appointed by the County Commissioners.
• Tax bills are expected to be mailed in July or August 2023, with payment due by January 5, 2024 to avoid interest charges.
• Informational brochures about the revaluation process were distributed to Board members. Additional information is available on the Gaston County Tax Department website using the hashtag #WeValueGaston2023.

Garbage Rate Review — Residential vs. Non-Residential Fees The Board discussed the town's current garbage collection fee structure following a concern raised by a local pastor regarding rates charged to non-residential properties such as churches.

• The current residential rate is $12 per month for the first container and $9 per month for each additional container. The non-residential rate is $24 per month for the first container and $18 per month for each additional container.
• The town currently has only two rate categories — residential and non-residential — with no separate rate for churches or nonprofit organizations.
• Board members discussed the possibility of creating a reduced nonprofit or church rate. Staff noted that any changes to the fee schedule could be considered as part of the upcoming Fiscal Year 2023 fee schedule, which will come before the Board next month.
• The item was discussed but no formal action was taken at this meeting.

Summer Recreational Activities and Miltown Nights Events Staff provided an update on planning efforts for summer community events, including the Miltown Nights series and an end-of-summer festival.

• Staff reported that planning meetings have taken place between town staff and community volunteers to organize a kickoff event for Miltown Nights, tentatively scheduled for the last weekend in June.
• A contact with Heart to Heart (referred to as Mr. Kaiser) provided a quote for a band performance for one of the Miltown Nights events and the end-of-summer festival planned for September.
• Board members suggested incorporating activities for children, food trucks, and various vendors, as well as potentially hosting a back-to-school themed event in late August ahead of the school year start.
• The town is also seeking local business sponsors to help offset the cost of entertainment.
• A Brunch Bingo event for senior adults is scheduled at the lodge in the coming week, with outreach conducted to local senior centers.
• The Board discussed the possibility of recruiting a part-time recreation intern — ideally a college student studying recreation — to assist with planning and coordination. Staff indicated they would look into finding a suitable candidate.

Young Bulls Sports Organization — Request to Use Town Athletic Field The Board heard a presentation from Mr. Darius Lanley, team manager for the Young Bulls, a youth community development organization seeking to use the town's athletic field as a home practice and game location.

• The Young Bulls describe themselves as a community development organization focused on youth, using sports as a platform to also offer engineering apprenticeships (in partnership with local employer Chiron), carpentry classes, mechanic classes, and programs for young women including etiquette, cosmetology, and cooking classes.
• The organization is currently practicing on Lynwood Road and is welcoming all Gaston County youth. They are registered under the AAU organization.
• Mr. Lanley requested use of the town's football field three times per week from May through October, working around any previously scheduled town events.
• The organization confirmed it carries insurance coverage for participants.
• Board members raised questions about field scheduling conflicts, parking availability, and ensuring town events retain priority use of the field. Mr. Lanley indicated flexibility in scheduling and offered to coordinate around the town's calendar.
• A Board member noted that the town's current field policy operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and suggested that any formal arrangement would likely require a reservation or sponsorship agreement to guarantee the organization's scheduled use of the field.
• No formal vote was taken at this meeting; the matter was discussed and the Board appeared open to moving forward with further coordination.