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City of Marion
March 17, 2026 Minutes
Regular Meeting
The City Council for the City of Marion met in Regular Session on Tuesday evening, March 17, 2026
at 6:00 P.M. at the Marion Community Building, located at 191 North Main Street in Marion.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Little, Mayor Pro Tern Ann Harkey, and
Council Members Billy Martin, Don Ramsey, Juanita Doggett, and Zach Wallace.
OTHERS PRESENT: Woody Ayers, City Manager; Crystal Young, Finance Director; Brant
Sikes, Public Works Director; Allen Lawrence, Police Chief; Kathleen Nolan, Human
Resources Director; Vance McNees, Interim Planning & Development Director; Corey
Presnell. Fire Chief; Jason Cochran. IT Director; Hunter Clark, Funding Coordinator; Mike
Conley. Reporter, McDowell News; Hunter Clark, Funding Coordinator.
GUESTS PRESENT: Marlon Brinkley, McDowell Co Library; JW Kelly, McDowell Tech.
1. Consent Agenda
Mr. Ayers presented the consent agenda, explaining that it consisted of routine, non-
controversial items that could be approved by one motion. The consent agenda included:
• Approval of 02-17-26 Regular Meeting Minutes
• Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment #4
• Approval of Agreement with Extra Duty Solutions for Administration of Off-Duty
Police Assignments
• Approval of Grant Funds Account Application
• Approval of Resolution to Declare Surplus Property and Authorization to Auction
Property

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Motion: Council Member Doggett moved to approve the consent agenda. Council
Member Ramsey seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
2. Public Comment Period
Mayor Little asked City Clerk Katelyn Stinson if anyone had signed up for public comment.
Ms. Stinson confirmed that Marlon Brinkley from the public library had signed up to speak.
Mr. Brinkley provided updates on library programs, emphasizing that all programs are free
and open to the public without requiring a library card, though Mr. Brinkley noted it would
be a missed opportunity not to have one. Mr. Brinkley announced upcoming events including
watercolor workshops for elementary-aged children on Wednesday at 4 PM and for teens on
Thursday at the same time. Mr. Brinkley also mentioned the History Club meeting on Friday
at 3:30 PM, which would be the second part of a series covering the northern portion of the
county, including communities like North Cove, Ashford, Little Switzerland, and Turkey
Cove.
Mr. Brinkley highlighted the pre-tax preparation assistance available every Monday through
April 13th from 2:00 to 5:30 PM at the Marion Library, and on Wednesdays at the Old Fort
Library during the same hours. Mr. Brinkley explained that the service is free and requires
photo ID, with both parties present if filing jointly.
Mr. Brinkley announced plans for a new podcast book club starting in April due to the
overwhelming success of their current book club, which has nearly outgrown their meeting
space.
Mayor Little inquired about library card types, and Mr. Brinkley explained that there is one
library card that provides access to the NC Cardinal System, allowing patrons to use their
Marion library card at libraries across over three-quarters of North Carolina, including
Rutherford County and Buncombe County.
3. Selection of Audit Firm for 2025-2026 Audit
City Manager Ayers called upon Finance Director Crystal Young to present the audit firm
selection recommendation.
Ms. Young reported that Sharon Gillespie, P.A. has performed the City's annual audit for the
past two years at a cost of $32,125. Ms. Young stated that following completion of the most
recent audit, Ms. Gillespie informed staff that she would no longer perform audits for single­
audit clients.
Ms. Young stated that staff issued requests for proposals in January and received responses
by February 27, 2026. Ms. Young reported proposals were received from Cindy Randolph,
CPA, PLLC; Martin, Starnes & Associates; and Shelia Gahagan, CPA, with pricing provided
for a three-year period.
Ms. Young stated that she and Assistant Finance Director Jim Isaacs met with Cindy
Randolph and expressed confidence in her ability to perform the City’s audit. Ms. Young
noted that Ms. Randolph has a strong record of timely submissions to the Local Government
Commission and received a passing peer review in 2024. Ms. Young further stated that

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references from other local governments, including Lenoir, Watauga County, and the Town
of Ruth, were all positive.
Ms. Young recommended that the City contract with Cindy Randolph. CPA, PLLC of West
Jefferson to perform the City of Marion’s financial audit. Ms. Young noted that Sharon
Gillespie, P.A. will continue to perform the audit for the Marion ABC Board.
Motion: Council Member Harkey moved to approve the selection of Cindy Randolph to
perform the City of Marion’s financial audit, seconded by Council Member Doggett.
Motion passed unanimously.
4. Clinchfiekl Lift Station Access Bridge Grant Project
Funding Coordinator Hunter Clark came forward to ask Council to accept a recently awarded
grant in the amount of $1,436,000 from North Carolina Emergency Management, and to
approve the corresponding Budget Ordinance Amendment. Mr. Clark explained that this
grant is for the Clinchfield Lift Station Access Bridge Project that is located off of Forsyth
Street. Public Works Director Brant Sikes noted that the site was. in previous years, the
Clinchfield Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Motion: Council Member Doggett moved to approve both the acceptance of the
presented grant, and the corresponding Budget Ordinance Amendment as presented.
Council Member Harkey seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Consideration of Road Closure Ordinance for Annual Events
Ms. Stinson presented the annual road closure ordinance, explaining that it had been a long
time since council had seen this document. Ms. Stinson noted that she had provided physical
copies and explained that this ordinance is prepared annually. Ms. Stinson highlighted two
changes: the New Year's Eve celebration closure time was reduced to span from 5 PM to 10
PM due to the event being shortened, and a new section 12 was added for a Fourth Friday
concert series that will close Court Street between 6 and 9 PM on four different days.
Ms. Stinson explained that she would return later in the year, typically around July or August,
with an amendment to add dates for the high school homecoming parade once those dates are
determined.
Council Member Doggett raised concerns about last year's homecoming parade, explaining
that the post office area had been closed off, creating a dangerous situation where vehicles
entering and exiting were on the same route, nearly causing head-on collisions. Council
Member Doggett stated that she called Public Works Director Brant Sikes directly, who then
called the police department to address the safety issue. Council Member Doggett requested
that when working with parade organizers, they ensure the closure doesn't extend that far
down.
Ms. Stinson confirmed that events usually end by Killough’s and stated that she would look
into the documentation to ensure accuracy.
Motion: Council Member Ramsey moved to approve the road closure ordinance for
annual events. Council Member Martin seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

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6. Scheduling of Planning Session
Mr. Ayers stated that the planning session would be scheduled within the next three weeks or
so, which Mr. Ayers believed fit within their posted schedule.
7. City Manager’s Report
Mr. Ayers provided a comprehensive report highlighting several key items. Mr. Ayers noted
that budget discussions are underway and will deepen on April 6th, with updates provided as
necessary prior to that date.
Mr. Ayers reported that Governor Stein had visited McDowell Tech Community College the
previous day to kick off his rural listening tour, with representatives from Polk. Rutherford.
Cleveland. Burke, and McDowell counties in attendance. Mr. Ayers gave kudos to Dr. Kelly
for bringing up the importance of water and wastewater issues on the city's behalf.
Mr. Ayers provided retail sales figures for McDowell County in January, noting a 3 percent
decrease compared to the same time last year for the county, while the state saw a 6.5 percent
increase. However, Mr. Ayers noted that retail sales had ticked back up significantly from
November and December of the previous year, trending in a positive direction.
Mr. Ayers highlighted work by the public works street crew in the parking lot at West
Henderson Street and Depot, where they were finishing clearing and graveling to create 4 or
5 additional parking spaces.
Mr. Ayers reported on recent high-profile visitors, including HUD Secretary Turner and
Congressman Chuck Edwards, who visited the Givens property last week. Mr. Ayers stated
that construction is expected to begin by the end of the fourth quarter, with completion
anticipated by the end of 2028.
Mr. Ayers mentioned the presentation by the Secretary of DEQ and Matt Calabria from Grow
NC at the dam site, expressing hope for continued collaboration and progress on the complex
dam-related projects.
Mr. Ayers reminded council to mark their calendars for March 26th from 4 to 6 PM at the
community building for the Drexel redevelopment kickoff event, where city staff will present
the community involvement plan, share the anticipated timeline, provide site condition
updates, and inform residents how to remain involved. Mr. Ayers gave recognition to
Planning Director Vance McNees and his staff for their hard work on this exciting project.
Mr. Ayers reported on the Mayor's Task Force on homelessness issues, which held its kickoff
meeting on January 23rd and completed its third meeting on March 9th. Mr. Ayers noted that
the task force is scheduled to visit community sites at their next meeting in April.
Mr. Ayers unfortunately reported that the city was not awarded the SAFER grant for needed
fire department staffing this year. Mr. Ayers explained that city staff is working with the fire
department to look at options, which will be presented during the budget process.
Mr. Ayers highlighted the completion of the gym program at the end of last month, which
graduated 8 participants in another successful class. Mr. Ayers noted the broad spectrum of
entrepreneurs, from restaurants to real estate to cleaning services, and mentioned that Mr.
Ayers, Council Member Doggett, and Vance were able to attend the project presentations.
Mr. Ayers stated that the next class would likely start in the fall.

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Mr. Ayers reported good project progress on the Clinchfield sewer repair project, noting they
are ahead of schedule but adding that it makes Brett nervous when Mr. Ayers says such
things.
Mr. Ayers concluded by highlighting numerous grant applications that are in progress or
awaiting responses, mentioning CDBG and EDR as significant upcoming opportunities, with
hopes of bringing more good news soon.
Adjournment
Mayor Little expressed appreciation for everyone's dedication, noting that work never stops
and that the city staff thrives under pressure. Mayor Little thanked all city staff and
department representatives for their daily efforts.
Mayor Little shared reflections from the recent National League of Cities annual meeting,
where nearly 4,000 municipalities were represented. Mayor Little noted hearing many tales of
infighting among governing boards and with staff in other cities, expressing bewilderment at
such behavior. Mayor Little stated that Marion has a respectful, honorable, exciting, and
cooperative relationship among the governing board, departments, and employees, extending
even to the county. Mayor Little noted that when Mayor Little tells others about this positive
working relationship, people look at Mayor Little as if Mayor Little is making it up.
Mayor Little concluded by stating that Marion and McDowell County have something special
that stands out.
Motion: Council Member Ramsey moved to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Council
Member Martin. Motion passed unanimously.
Stephen R. Little
Mayor
o
ATTEST:
Katelyn R. Stinson
Assistant to Manager/City Clerk