Cherryville City Council Meeting Highlights Key Achievements, 2024 Financial Audit, No Public Input

10:37 AM EST |December 16, 2024|Lauren Ramsey|Government, News Articles

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By: Lauren Ramsey – Wise News Network

Cherryville, NC (WNN) – The City of Cherryville held its regular city council meeting on Monday, December 9, 2024. Mayor H.L. Beam called the meeting to order, and it began with an invocation led by Council Member Jon Abernethy. He expressed gratitude for the town’s close-knit community and prayed for safety and blessings during the Christmas season. Following this, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The agenda was then amended to include a presentation recognizing local high school athletes.

A man and woman sitting behind a counter, the man is wearing a blue shirt and speaking into a microphone and the woman is wearing a black shirt and glasses. — Mayor H.L. Beam opening the December Cherryville City Council Meeting. Dec. 9th. 2024 by Lauren Ramsey (WNN)

Agenda Amended to Recognize High School Power Players

The council unanimously approved a motion to amend the agenda, adding a presentation to honor the Piedmont Lithium Power Players from Cherryville High School. These athletes received recognition for their contributions to their sports.

Two women, one wearing a black dress and the other wearing black jeans and a blue shirt. — Emily Winter and Emily Allen. Dec. 9th. 2024 by Lauren Ramsey (WNN)

High School Athletes Honored for Excellence

Emily Winters from Piedmont Lithium introduced coaches who recognized athletes for their achievements. Volleyball player Emily Allen, football player Enijahe Whitworth, wrestler Kaleb Pendleton, and tennis player Morgan Ray received special recognition. These athletes were praised for their leadership, sportsmanship, and academic excellence.

Mayor’s Comments Highlight Community Successes

Mayor H.L.Beam celebrated the success of Whoville, an annual holiday event, thanking the volunteers, merchants, and citizens who made it memorable. He also commended Sid Stroupe and his team for planting 82 cherry trees as part of Cherryville’s beautification program. A generous donation from John and Judy Talbert made the project possible, further enhancing the city’s scenic appeal.

Seven newly planted cherry tree in a strip of dying grass. — Seven new cherry trees outside of Cherryville NC City Hall. December 12th, 2024 by Mason Beam (WNN)

The mayor recently announced some exciting news about the development of Main Street. First, the owner of Manantial Mexican Grill, located next to Food Lion, is set to open a second location in the former Butter Me Up building. Additionally, this new restaurant, which will have a Chipotle-style concept, will provide a fresh dining option for downtown Cherryville. Consequently, it is expected to contribute to the area’s economic growth.

Mayor Beam announced the completion of road repairs on Pink Street and Hampton Drive, addressing resident concerns. He also updated the community on the upcoming Larry and Carolyn Summer Recreation Complex, which will provide new recreational opportunities.

Audit Results Show Strong Financial Health

A woman speaking at a podium wearing a red shirt. — Sheila Thornton presenting the 2024 audit to the Cherryville City Council. Dec. 9th. 2024 by Lauren Ramsey (WNN)

Sheila Thornton from Butler and Stowe presented the fiscal year 2024 audit results, highlighting the city’s solid financial standing. Thornton reported a $683,343 increase in the general fund and $642,881 in combined income for electric, water, and sewer enterprise funds. The unassigned fund balance increased by 7%, now representing 38.4% of the total general fund expenditures—a significant rise from previous years. Thornton emphasized that the audit revealed no material instances of noncompliance.

No “Citizens To Be Heard” on Agenda

Additionally, there was no agenda item for public input, usually named “Citizens to be Heard.” NC Statute § 160A‑81.1. States: “Public comment period during regular meetings. The council shall provide at least one period for public comment per month at a regular meeting of the council”. When asked about the left-off agenda item which was never address during the meeting, City Manager Brian Dalton stated “I think citizens to be heard was probably an oversight not being on the agenda”.

Council Reschedules February Meeting and Cancels Work Session

The council approved a motion to reschedule the February meeting from the second Monday to the first Monday due to scheduling conflicts. Members also voted to cancel the December 31 work session, citing no pressing matters requiring immediate attention.

Link to the 2024 City of Cherryville Financial Audit may be found here: https://wisenewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-City-of-Cherryville-Audit.pdf

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