Rutherford County Commissioners Tackle DSS Caseload, Fire Districts, Grant Requirements

Rutherford County commissioners dealt with a wide range of issues at their August meeting, from growing demands on social services to changes that could affect fire protection and homeowners' insurance.

Several items were routine approvals, but the meeting also raised questions about how the county is managing taxpayer-funded programs and responding to changing needs.

DSS reports more guardianship cases and growing demand for adult services

Rutherford County Department of Social Services Director Tiffany Dodd told commissioners that adult services are becoming a larger part of the department's workload.

DSS helps protect vulnerable adults who may need assistance because of age, disability or other circumstances.

The county currently has 65 guardianship cases. Guardianship is a legal arrangement in which a court determines that a person needs someone else to make certain decisions or manage their affairs.

Dodd said the county is seeing more guardianship cases involving younger adults. She said DSS handled nearly 11 guardianship hearings in a two-week period, with guardianships established in those cases.

The county also has 30 in-home cases, up from 16 last year.

Those cases involve people who have not necessarily been declared legally incompetent but still need a DSS worker to check on them, help connect them with services and make sure their needs are being met.

Dodd said adult services and children's services are her biggest concerns.

Foster care remains a challenge

Commissioners also asked about the number of children in foster care and the county's ability to recruit foster families.

Dodd said the county recently had eight prospective foster parents complete training.

That does not mean eight new foster homes are immediately available. Applicants must complete additional requirements, including home inspections and state reviews. Dodd said the process may take up to 10 weeks.

County officials said they are continuing to recruit foster families.

Some residents may be avoiding benefits because of confusion over federal changes

Dodd also told commissioners that applications for some economic assistance programs have declined during a period when residents are required to renew their benefits.

She said some residents are concerned about changes associated with the federal legislation under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), commonly referred to as H.R. 1, and may believe they will no longer qualify.

Dodd said some of that appears to be driven by fear rather than a determination that an individual is actually ineligible.

DSS plans to conduct an education campaign. Failing to renew benefits can have consequences for households that remain eligible. The county's challenge will be making sure residents understand what has actually changed and what has not. 

As of August 11, WCAB News did not find any education campaigns explaining the changes, in writing, on the county's website. The law was signed by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025.

County adopts another policy to close out a grant

Commissioners also approved an internal controls policy connected to a wastewater regionalization study involving Rutherford County and Spindale.

The study was funded through American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, money, along with funding from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality.

ARPA was the federal COVID-19 relief program that sent money to state and local governments for eligible projects.

The wastewater study examined regionalization — essentially whether communities could work together or potentially combine wastewater services to improve efficiency and infrastructure.

Deputy County Manager Danny Searcy said the county was completing the grant closeout process.

That's when an administrative problem surfaced.

Searcy told commissioners the county had previously adopted an internal-controls policy based on a template supplied by grant administrators. During the closeout process, officials determined the county had been given the wrong policy and needed to adopt another one.

Searcy described the meeting action as a formality and said the county had already completed the project and received the consultant's report.

An internal controls policy establishes procedures intended to make sure grant money is spent only on eligible purposes, properly documented and protected from misuse.

Commissioners approved the replacement policy.

Fire district changes could affect insurance costs

Commissioners also approved changes to fire insurance and service district boundaries.

Fire Marshal Frankie Hamrick explained that the changes are partly the result of stricter mapping requirements used when determining ISO ratings.

ISO ratings are used in evaluating the level of fire protection available in an area. Those ratings can be one factor insurers consider when setting homeowners' insurance premiums.

Hamrick said some properties in the Cherry Mountain area are divided between different fire-service districts.

The county can no longer simply treat an entire parcel as being inside the better-rated district when the property actually crosses a district boundary.

Another significant portion of the changes involves the Shingle Hollow Fire Department's planned substation.

Hamrick said moving certain properties into a five-mile fire district could give those residents a better insurance rating.

The changes were approved unanimously.

Data centers become a topic during public comment

A resident, Grayson Porter, used the public comment period to criticize data center development.

Porter raised concerns about water use, electricity consumption, noise, environmental effects and property values.

She also made several claims about health effects, contamination and alleged intentional harm that were not substantiated by evidence presented to commissioners.

Chairman Bryan King said Rutherford County already has two data centers.

The discussion highlighted an issue county officials could face as development continues: how much infrastructure data centers use, who pays for that infrastructure and what regulations apply to future projects.

Animal adoption fees cut for August

Commissioners approved changes giving county animal-control officials greater flexibility to reduce adoption fees.

The immediate request involved a 50% reduction in adoption and related fees during August as part of the Clear the Shelters campaign.

Officials said lower fees can help animals find homes faster, reduce kennel overcrowding and lower operating and disease-control costs.

Commissioners also discussed whether the reduced fees could create additional costs for taxpayers.

Officials said the effort involves Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue and that nonprofit partners could help cover certain costs.

The board approved the amended policy, which also gives county officials more flexibility to authorize future fee reductions without returning to commissioners for every individual promotion.

County appoints community college trustee

Commissioners appointed former Social Services Board Member David Herndon to fill a vacancy on the Isothermal Community College Board of Trustees.

The appointment was approved without opposition.

Transit board vacancies will be advertised, officials said. Two vacancies exist on the county's Transit Advisory Board following a retirement and a resignation. Commissioners voted to advertise the openings and accept applications before making appointments at a future meeting.

County promotes trails and honors veterans

Commissioners approved proclamations recognizing Great Trail State Day and Great Trail State Month. Tourism Development Authority Director Don Cason said Rutherford County has the potential for approximately 150 miles of trails, including hiking, biking and paddle trails.

The county is working to promote Rutherford County as an outdoor recreation destination. Cason also serves as the county Economic Development Director and leads the Raise the Rock Action Plan, known as the Chimney Rock Task Force. He also sits on the Chimney Rock Planning Board.

Commissioners also approved a resolution recognizing Agent Orange Awareness Day, honoring Vietnam veterans and recognizing the long-term effects of Agent Orange exposure on veterans, their families and caregivers.

County officials said they plan to illuminate the courthouse in orange as part of the observance.

The county also announced plans for the traveling Wall That Heals exhibit at Isothermal Community College in November.