Commissioners Notebook: June 2025
Published on June 13, 2025
A furry, four-legged friend is joining Cabarrus County’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team.
At the June 3 Work Session, Assistant County Manager Dr. Aalece Pugh and EMS Deputy Chief Kara Clarke introduced Bingo, a 9-month-old Aussiedoodle poised to help EMS workers who may be struggling with the heaviness of their job.
Bingo will train as a therapy dog to help employees who experience secondary trauma related to opioid overdose calls.
Bingo’s training will be funded using opioid settlement dollars. Through 2038, Cabarrus County is slated to receive nearly $23 million dollars from lawsuits connected to the national opioid settlement.
Clarke emphasized the lasting impact of overdose-related trauma on EMS responders. In 2017, the department recorded its highest number of opioid-related fatalities, with 17 deaths in just three months.
“We’ve also had co-workers who’ve experienced opioid overdose within their families and friends,” Clarke told commissioners. “Everybody experiences that secondary trauma. Unfortunately, first responders see it very prevalent with the job we do.”
Commissioners unanimously approved using settlement funds for Bingo’s training.
Those funds are already being used for a variety of initiatives, including the planned introduction of the Collaborative Opioid Recovery and Education (CORE) group, which is made up of multiple organizations around the county.
A free community event is planned for August 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Cabarrus County’s Department of Social Services Milestone location (4855 Milestone Ave, Kannapolis).
The event aims to educate the public on services and programs funded with opioid settlement funds. The event will feature free food, entertainment and opportunities to connect with the local leaders and organizations driving this life-changing work.
Also, during the Work Session:
- The board heard from Cooperative Extension Director Tracy LeCompte and Livestock and Field Crops Agent Sarah Newman on a grant award. The Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) Awareness Grant provides $4500 to purchase signs for VAD members to display on their property. Property owners who meet certain agriculture criteria can be designated as part of the VAD per Cabarrus County Ordinance. No County match is required for the grant. Commissioners suspended the rules and unanimously voted on the agenda item at the Work Session.
Commissioners will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday (June 16) at the Cabarrus County Government Center in downtown Concord. Approval of the FY26 recommended budget is on the agenda.
Residents can watch commissioner meetings on the Cabarrus County livestream at cabarruscounty.us, on YouTube (@CabarrusCounty) and 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 June 2 Work Session tab and select ‘Agenda’ under ‘Related Information.’ Watch the full June Work Session at youtube.com/cabarruscounty.
Stay updated on these and all County programs and projects by visiting cabarruscounty.us/CabGo.