Rutherfordton Council Unveils Mental Health Partnership, Considers Expanding Social District

Rutherfordton’s Town Council packed a wide-ranging agenda into its October 1 meeting, where members and residents heard new details on a federally funded mental health partnership, debated expanding the town’s alcohol-carry “Mint District,” and reviewed a major housing grant application.

Federal funds fuel new police-mental health partnership

The headline announcement came with the introduction of the Human Action Response Partnership (HARP), a crisis co-responder team pairing clinicians with police officers to handle mental health and substance use emergencies. The program, supported by a $3 million federal HRSA grant awarded to the United Way of Rutherford County in 2024, has been operating quietly since March but had not previously been discussed at a Rutherfordton council meeting. It has also been operating in Spindale and Forest City.

Police Chief Clint Ingle said collaboration between local police departments and United Way made the program possible. Dr. Sarah Horne of Preferred Choice Healthcare, who helped design HARP, emphasized that the initiative was developed locally. Since its launch, the team has responded to about 120 calls with an average 17-minute response time.

Mayor Jimmy Dancy praised the program as both a safety and "social justice" effort. While council members welcomed the progress, some raised questions about United Way’s lack of public communication. Executive Director Suzanne Porter, who also serves on the county Social Services Board, was not present.

“Mint District” expansion proposal draws jokes about “gerrymandering”

Council members also revisited the town’s social district, where patrons can carry alcoholic drinks between businesses. At the request of several businesses, staff presented an expansion map, but its unusual boundaries sparked comparisons to gerrymandering.

Town Manager Doug Barrick and Community Services Director Jordan Jones explained that the shapes reflected business geography and safety needs, not politics. Police reported no problems with the current district, which has been in effect since 2021. A public hearing on the expansion is scheduled for the November regular town council meeting.

Housing redevelopment and $5 million grant opportunity

Housing was another key focus. The council reviewed plans to apply for a $5 million Community Development Block Grant for neighborhood revitalization. Working with the Foothills Regional Commission, the town hopes to fund new multifamily and single-family housing units, along with sewer and sidewalk improvements.

Mayor Dancy urged patience, noting that projects often take years to complete. If awarded, construction could begin in 2027.

Other business

• Rutherfordton was awarded $291,000 from NCDOT for up to five electric vehicles, including police and fire units.

• The town approved its first Parks and Recreation Director position.

• Fire Chief Brandon Harrill issued a Fire Prevention Week proclamation focusing on lithium-ion battery safety.

  
  

What’s next

The council will hold a public hearing in November on the Mint District expansion and expects to file its housing grant application later this month. More updates on the HARP program are expected in the coming weeks.

The full 156-page agenda packet is available at bit.ly/rton10125.