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Board of Commissioners — Regular Meeting

Wake County · Board of Commissioners
Monday, June 15, 2026 at 2:00 pm · Wake County Justice Center

Regular meeting Fire and EMSGrants and outside fundingHealth and human servicesIntergovernmental agreementsPublic facilitiesBudget and appropriationsComprehensive planPolice and public safetySchools and educationBonds and debtContracts and procurementEnvironment and sustainabilityFarmland and open spaceParks and recreationRoads and transportationSolid waste and recyclingStormwater and floodingZoning text amendment

Agenda document Minutes Meeting page Watch Meeting recap

What was decided

  1. Approved 2.Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting (Budget Presentation) of May 4, 2026 and the Budget Work Sessions of May 11, 2026, and May 21, 2026 accepted · Pass · Commissioner Thomas moved, seconded by Commissioner Evans, to the Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting (Budget Presentation) of May 4, 2026 and the Bud…
  2. Approved 20.Approve the Acquisition of a New Property at 1321 and 1405 Athens Drive for a Future Library in Southwest Raleigh accepted · Pass · Commissioner Waters moved, seconded by Vice-Chair Jackson, that the Board of Commissioners authorizes the County Manager to execute a contract to acquire 1321 an…
  3. Approved 21.Public Hearing to Consider Renaming a Portion of Ligon Mill Road approved · Pass · That the Board of Commissioners hold a public hearing and adopt the attached ordinance to rename permanently a portion of Ligon Mill Road (SR 2044) as Old Ligon…
  4. Approved 22.Public Hearing on Proposed Ordinance Amendment OA-01-26 to Amend the Unified Development Ordinance to Reflect the Reorganization of Wake County Development Services accepted · Pass · Commissioner Thomas moved, seconded by Commissioner Stallings, That the Board of Commissioners: 1. Holds a public hearing and adopts the draft statement finding…
  5. Approved 23.Approval of Schematic Design for Crowder County Park Expansion - Phase I accepted · Pass · Commissioner Evans moved, seconded by Vice-Chair Jackson, that the Board of Commissioners approves the Schematic Design for the Crowder County Park Expansion - P…
  6. Approved 24.Approval of the Wake County Farmland Preservation Plan accepted · Pass · Commissioner Thomas moved, seconded by Vice-Chair Jackson, that the Board of Commissioners approves the Wake County Farmland Preservation Plan as the County's lo…
  7. Approved Closed Session approved · Pass · Commissioner Thomas moved, seconded by Commissioner Stallings to go into Closed Session. Returning from close session: Commissioner Stallings read the following…

Another 16 items passed on the consent agenda, which is a single motion covering routine business. See the list.

Read from the agenda's recorded outcomes. Where the board published minutes, those are the record — this is a pointer to them.

What's on this agenda

Wake County commissioners consider buying two Athens Drive parcels in Raleigh for a new Southwest Raleigh library, choosing between that site and an alternative on Tryon Road. They hold public hearings on renaming a stretch of Ligon Mill Road to Old Ligon Mill Road and on Ordinance Amendment OA-01-26, which would reorganize Wake County Development Services within the Unified Development Ordinance. The board also considers the schematic design for Crowder County Park Expansion Phase I and the Wake County Farmland Preservation Plan.

A 15-item consent agenda includes construction contracts for the North Regional Library roof and the South Wilmington Street Center kitchen, a $202,766 U.S. Department of Justice grant, and the proposed bond referenda for schools and Wake Technical Community College for the November 2026 ballot. The board also meets in closed session on the County Manager's and Interim County Attorney's compensation.

Summarized from the published agenda. Read the agenda itself before acting on it.

Meeting recap

What happened, drawn from the records published after the meeting. Minutes

Wake County commissioners voted 5-1 to buy two Athens Drive parcels in Raleigh for a new Southwest Raleigh library. The site, called Well Fed Garden, sits inside the existing neighborhood; the board passed over an alternative 12 miles away on Tryon Road. Commissioner Susan Evans cast the lone no vote. She said the site is too small to expand and would force a two-story building wedged between houses, and that Commissioner Vickie Adamson, excused from the meeting, had asked to be recorded against it for the same reasons. Eight residents, including a third-grader and an Athens Drive homeowner, spoke for keeping the library in the neighborhood during general public comment. A 15-item consent agenda passed 6-0. It included a $574,703 roof contract for the North Regional Library, a $202,766 U.S. Department of Justice grant, and the proposed bond referenda for schools and Wake Technical Community College for the November 2026 ballot.

Two public hearings drew little debate. Renaming a stretch of Ligon Mill Road to Old Ligon Mill Road, effective July 15, passed 6-0 with no speakers. Ordinance Amendment OA-01-26, reorganizing Wake County Development Services within the Unified Development Ordinance, passed on two motions recorded as a single 6-0 vote, after a District 5 resident spoke in support, citing stormwater problems on his own property. Commissioners approved the schematic design for Crowder County Park Expansion Phase I 6-0, after questions about bus parking and a planned pedestrian bridge over Dutchmans Branch. They adopted the Wake County Farmland Preservation Plan 6-0; Soil and Water Conservation Director Teresa Furr said it qualifies the county for a reduced local match on state conservation-easement funding. Wake County has lost 36,000 acres of farmland enrolled in the state's Present-Use Value program since 2015, a 30% decline, and could lose 32,000 to 57,000 more acres by 2040. In closed session, the board voted 6-0 to set County Manager David Ellis's salary at $479,655 and Interim County Attorney Roger Askew's salary at $305,000 plus an $800 monthly travel allowance, both effective July 1.

How the votes went

Approval of the agenda: 6-0, Adamson excused. Approval of the May 4, May 11 and May 21 minutes: 6-0. Consent Agenda (15 items): 6-0. Athens Drive library site acquisition: 5-1, Evans opposed, Adamson excused. Ligon Mill Road renaming, public hearing: 6-0. Ordinance Amendment OA-01-26 (UDO reorganization), public hearing: adopted on two motions -- the statement of consistency and the resolution adopting the amendment -- recorded together as one 6-0 vote. Crowder County Park Expansion Phase I schematic design: 6-0. Wake County Farmland Preservation Plan: 6-0. Closed-session motion setting the County Manager's and Interim County Attorney's salaries: 6-0. Commissioner Adamson was excused from every vote; every other vote was unanimous among the six members present.

From the published minutes.

Who spoke

12 members of the public spoke.

  1. A student thanked the board for keeping the Athens Drive library in the neighborhood.
  2. A representative of Friends of Wake Soil and Water Conservation District described the group's work protecting farmland and natural resources.
  3. A resident thanked the board for keeping the library in the community.
  4. A resident thanked the board for listening to the neighborhood about the Athens Drive site.
  5. A resident who has lived in Wake County for 20 years said he is grateful for the Athens Drive library.
  6. A Southeast Raleigh resident thanked the board and staff for keeping the library in the community.
  7. A former Morrisville town council member thanked the board and the county manager for the county's greenway work.
  8. A resident thanked the board for its preliminary vote to keep the Athens Drive library in its current neighborhood.
  9. A resident said the Athens Drive site benefits students who take evening classes at Wake Technical Community College.
  10. An Athens Drive resident thanked the board for keeping the library in the community.
  11. A representative of the Triangle Land Conservancy thanked the board for supporting farmland conservation and voiced support for the Farmland Preservation Plan.
  12. A District 5 resident spoke in favor of the Unified Development Ordinance amendment, citing stormwater problems on his own property.

During general public comment, 11 residents spoke, most asking the board to keep the planned Southwest Raleigh library within the existing neighborhood rather than the alternative Tryon Road site. One of them, a Triangle Land Conservancy representative, also spoke in support of the farmland preservation plan later on the agenda. A twelfth speaker addressed the board during the Ordinance Amendment OA-01-26 public hearing, in support of the amendment. No one spoke at the Ligon Mill Road renaming hearing.

Read from the records the government published after the meeting. Members of the public are private residents and are not named or indexed.

Speaking at this meeting

Public comment runs 5:30 to 6 p.m. at the first regular meeting of the month and 2:30 to 3 p.m. at the second. Speakers get three minutes. Written comments can be submitted online between 9 a.m. and noon on the day of a regular meeting.

Wake County's own rules for public comment — check them before you rely on anything here.

Jump to an item (36 on this agenda)
  1. Meeting Called to Order: Chair Don Mial
  2. Pledge of Allegiance
  3. Invocation: Commissioner Shinica Thomas
  4. Items of Business
  5. 1.Approval of Agenda
  6. 2.Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting (Budget Presentation)…
  7. 3.Retiree Recognition
  8. Consent Agenda
  9. 4.Accept and Appropriate National Environmental Health Association (NEH…
  10. 5.Accept and Appropriate $202,766 from the U.S. Department of Justice
  11. 6.Multi-Year Contract for Public School Recycling Collection
  12. 7.Award Construction Contract for the North Regional Library Roof Repla…
  13. 8.Award Construction Contract for the South Wilmington Street Center Ki…
  14. 9.FY2027 County Funding Plan for the Home and Community Care Block Grant
  15. 10.Lease Agreement for Cary Equipment at Wake RTP Tower
  16. 11.Conveyance of an Easement to Wake Electric Membership Corporation at…
  17. 12.Approval of First Amendment to Memorandum of Understanding with Town…
  18. 13.Proposed General Obligation Bond Referenda for Schools and Wake Tech…
  19. 14.Approval of the 24th Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement between Wa…
  20. 15.Designation of Responsible Corporate Officer for EPA Renewable Fuel S…
  21. 16.Approval of a Multi-Year Contract for EMS System Medical Director Ser…
  22. 17.FY 2026 End of Year Budget Revisions
  23. 18.Proclamation(s) for June 15, 2026
  24. General Public Comments
  25. 19.General Public Comments
  26. Regular Agenda
  27. 20.Approve the Acquisition of a New Property at 1321 and 1405 Athens Dri…
  28. 21.Public Hearing to Consider Renaming a Portion of Ligon Mill Road
  29. 22.Public Hearing on Proposed Ordinance Amendment OA-01-26 to Amend the…
  30. 23.Approval of Schematic Design for Crowder County Park Expansion - Phas…
  31. 24.Approval of the Wake County Farmland Preservation Plan
  32. Other Business
  33. 25.Reports from Advisory and Regional Boards
  34. 26.Other Reports from Commissioners
  35. Closed Session
  36. Adjourn

Agenda items (36)

Consent agenda · 16Procedural · 8Discussion item · 3Public hearing · 2Staff or committee report · 2Minutes approval · 1Presentation · 1Other · 1Contract or award · 1Closed session · 1
  1. Meeting Called to Order: Chair Don Mial
    Procedural
  2. Pledge of Allegiance
    Procedural
  3. Invocation: Commissioner Shinica Thomas
    Procedural
  4. Items of Business
    Procedural Fire and EMS
  5. 1. Approval of Agenda
    Procedural
    accepted · Pass · Commissioner Stallings moved, seconded by Commissioner Thomas, to the Approval of Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote:
  6. 2. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting (Budget Presentation) of May 4, 2026 and the Budget Work Sessions of May 11, 2026, and May 21, 2026
    Minutes approval Budget and appropriationsFire and EMS
    accepted · Pass · Commissioner Thomas moved, seconded by Commissioner Evans, to the Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting (Budget Presentation) of May 4, 2026 and the Budget Work Sessions of May 11, 2026, and May 21, 2026. The motion carried by the following vote:
  7. 3. Retiree Recognition
    Presentation Health and human services
    Manager David Ellis recognized Jeff Scott (Community Services), who retired June 1, and four employees retiring July 1: Tim Maloney and Drew Cade (Community Services), Franklin Williams (Information Technology), Sally Deans (Register of Deeds), and Lynn Bailey (Public Health).
  1. General Public Comments
    Procedural
  2. 19. General Public Comments
    Procedural
  3. Regular Agenda
    Other
  4. 20. Approve the Acquisition of a New Property at 1321 and 1405 Athens Drive for a Future Library in Southwest Raleigh
    Contract or award Public facilities
    Commissioners voted 5-1 to authorize the county manager to execute a contract buying 1321 and 1405 Athens Drive for a new Southwest Raleigh library, choosing the Well Fed Garden site over an alternative 12 miles away on Tryon Road. Commissioner Evans dissented, saying the site is too small for a library that will need a second story and sits close to nearby homes.
    accepted · Pass · Commissioner Waters moved, seconded by Vice-Chair Jackson, that the Board of Commissioners authorizes the County Manager to execute a contract to acquire 1321 and 1405 Athens Drive, Raleigh, NC, for a new Community Library facility, along with any other documentation necessary to acquire the property, subject to the terms and conditions acceptable to the County Attorney. The motion carried by the …
    • 1405 Athens Dr · Gordon, J Arthur Trustee Gordon, Anne E Trustee · 1.1 acres · assessed $367,221
    • 1321 Athens Dr · 1321 Athens Drive LLC · 1.5 acres · assessed $471,514
  5. 21. Public Hearing to Consider Renaming a Portion of Ligon Mill Road
    Public hearing Roads and transportation
    Public hearing on permanently renaming a portion of Ligon Mill Road (SR 2044) to Old Ligon Mill Road, effective July 15, 2026.
    approved · Pass · That the Board of Commissioners hold a public hearing and adopt the attached ordinance to rename permanently a portion of Ligon Mill Road (SR 2044) as Old Ligon Mill Road, effective July 15, 2026. The motion carried with the following vote:
  6. 22. Public Hearing on Proposed Ordinance Amendment OA-01-26 to Amend the Unified Development Ordinance to Reflect the Reorganization of Wake County Development Services
    Public hearing Comprehensive planStormwater and floodingZoning text amendment
    Commissioners held a public hearing on Ordinance Amendment OA-01-26, reorganizing Wake County Development Services within the Unified Development Ordinance, then adopted a statement finding it consistent with the county's comprehensive plan and adopted the amendment itself, both on one recorded vote. A District 5 resident spoke in favor, citing stormwater problems on his own property.
    accepted · Pass · Commissioner Thomas moved, seconded by Commissioner Stallings, That the Board of Commissioners: 1. Holds a public hearing and adopts the draft statement finding that Ordinance Amendment OA-01-26 is consistent with the Wake County Comprehensive Plan and Wake County Unified Development Ordinance and is reasonable and in the public interest; and adopts the attached resolution; And by a separate motio…
  7. 23. Approval of Schematic Design for Crowder County Park Expansion - Phase I
    Discussion item Parks and recreation
    Commissioners approved the schematic design for Crowder County Park Expansion Phase I, which adds a park center and a signalized pedestrian crossing and, for the first time, connects the park with a bridge over Dutchmans Branch. Staff said the design sets aside 19 bus parking spaces, with room for more in a second phase funded later.
    accepted · Pass · Commissioner Evans moved, seconded by Vice-Chair Jackson, that the Board of Commissioners approves the Schematic Design for the Crowder County Park Expansion - Phase I Project. The motion carried by the following vote:
  8. 24. Approval of the Wake County Farmland Preservation Plan
    Discussion item Farmland and open space
    Adopts the Wake County Farmland Preservation Plan as the county's long-term strategy for protecting farmland and supporting agriculture.
    accepted · Pass · Commissioner Thomas moved, seconded by Vice-Chair Jackson, that the Board of Commissioners approves the Wake County Farmland Preservation Plan as the County's long-term strategy for protecting farmland, supporting agriculture, and guiding farmland preservation efforts. The motion carried by the following vote:
  9. Other Business
    Discussion item
  10. 25. Reports from Advisory and Regional Boards
    Staff or committee report
  11. 26. Other Reports from Commissioners
    Staff or committee report
  12. Closed Session
    Closed session
    In closed session, commissioners set County Manager David Ellis's annual salary at $479,655, with retirement health benefits, and Interim County Attorney Roger Askew's at $305,000 plus an $800 monthly travel allowance, both effective July 1, 2026.
    approved · Pass · Commissioner Thomas moved, seconded by Commissioner Stallings to go into Closed Session. Returning from close session: Commissioner Stallings read the following motion, seconded by Commissioner Thomas: I move that the County Manager be given an annual salary of $479,655 and he be allowed to qualify for retirement health benefits under the Wake County Health plan; and, The Interim County Attorney r…
  13. Adjourn
    Procedural

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