Commissioners Notebook: December 2025

Cabarrus County Commissioners will hold their monthly Regular Meeting Monday, December 15 at the Cabarrus County Government Center in downtown Concord.  

A vote and swearing-in are planned for Ian Patrick, who was recommended by the Cabarrus Republican Party Executive Committee to fill the board seat of Lynn Shue, who died in November. 

Patrick, an architect, previously served on the Harrisburg Town Council from 2019 to 2023. In March 2024, the Council reappointed him to a vacant seat upon the recommendation of Mayor Jennifer Teague. 

The board’s Organizational Meeting will follow with the election of chair and vice-chair.  

Commissioners will also vote on a variety of items discussed at the December 1 Work Session.  

During that meeting, the board:  

• Heard an update from Cabarrus County Schools Chief Financial Officer Phillip Penn on the school system’s mid-year financial position. According to Interim County Manager Kelly Sifford, the conversation helps provide transparency as the County and school system plan for upcoming fiscal year budgets. “We thought the mid-year time was a good time to have this conversation to make sure everyone was on the same page about what challenges we have coming with the budgets,” Sifford said. Penn told Commissioners that some key budget factors include the system’s reliance on State budget decisions, continued growth in EC student population, higher costs for routine maintenance items, approved utility rate increases and more. Budget talks will ramp up in February, when commissioners hold their annual budget retreat.   

• Heard about revisions to the Farmland Preservation Ordinance from County Attorney Doug Hall, Cooperative Extension Director Tracy LeCompte and Extension Agent Sarah Newman. The orridinance covers Voluntary Agricultural District and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District programs. Both designations help protect from urban development and other non-farm use. Currently, more than 150 properties spanning more than 5,000 acres are protected through the program. To learn more about Voluntary Agricultural Districts, visit https://cabarrus.ces.ncsu.edu/  

• Heard a request from Active Living and Parks (ALP) Director Byron Haigler on changes to the department’s Fee and Charges Policy for the new year. Changes include a requirement for full-day rentals for Camp T.N. Spencer indoor facilities and a two-night minimum rental for all cabins and tent sites year-around. Rental fees for the indoor facilities will adjust accordingly. ALP increased the cost for personal fitness training from $35 to $40 and added an option for a day of/drop-in pass at the same rate to allow opportunities for waitlisted participants. The update also includes a $50 setup fee for events at the Frank Liske Park Barn. The ALP Commission reviewed and approved the proposed changes at their November 20 meeting. 

Other items on the Regular Meeting agenda include:  

• A proclamation for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 

• Recognition of the Budget Department for receiving the Government Finance Officers Association’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award 

The Regular Meeting is scheduled for Monday (December 15) at 6 p.m. at the Cabarrus County Government Center in downtown Concord.  

Residents can livestream commissioner meetings from the homepage at cabarruscounty.us or YouTube (@CabarrusCounty). Meetings also air on CabCo TV (Spectrum Cable Channel 22).  

To read the full Work Session agenda, visit cabarruscounty.us/Government/Boards-and-Committees/Board-Meetings, click the December 1 Work Session tab and select “Agenda” under “Related Information.” Watch the full December Work Session at youtube.com/cabarruscounty.  

Stay updated on these and all County programs and projects by visiting cabarruscounty.us/CabGo.