Chadbourn NC – The Chadbourn Town Council convened on Monday, August 3, 2026, at 7:00 PM for a packed agenda featuring the swearing-in of a new Town Manager, major proposed changes to elected official accountability, and a serious look at utility billing practices.
New Leadership Takes the Helm
The meeting kicked off with the official swearing-in of David Wise as the new Town Manager. To formalize the transition, the council’s action agenda included removing former Town Manager Jason Robinson as a signatory on the Town’s bank accounts and credit cards, transferring those authorities to Wise.
Eager to connect with the public, Wise announced a “Community Fellowship Gathering” scheduled for Saturday, August 8, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Town Hall. The event is designed to give residents the opportunity to meet the Town’s Executive staff and discuss their needs, concerns, and aspirations for Chadbourn’s future.
Holding Elected Officials Accountable
A significant portion of the action agenda was dedicated to new policies governing the conduct and tenure of Chadbourn’s elected officials:
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Recall Elections: The council reviewed a proposed Town Charter Amendment that would create a formal procedure for recalling elected officials. If advanced, this mechanism would be subject to a referendum by Chadbourn voters.
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Code of Ethics: A new “Elected Officials Code of Ethics & Annual Training Policy” was presented. This resolution requires council members to undergo annual training on their roles and responsibilities, including a State-mandated two-hour webinar on ethics.
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Strict Attendance Rules: The council also considered a new attendance policy requiring members to attend at least 75% of regular and special meetings. Under the proposed rules, members are permitted only three excused absences per fiscal year, strictly limited to circumstances like illness, bereavement, birth/adoption, or military service.
Cracking Down on Utility Revenue Losses
Manager Wise brought forward a critical review of the Town’s water revenue collection process. According to a memorandum provided by Wise, the Town has suffered tens of thousands of dollars in lost revenue because previous administrations allowed residents to frequently dispute and receive adjustments on their utility bills.
Wise noted that this practice created an “expectation of ongoing discounted billing” rather than providing reasonable assistance. To remedy the financial drain, Wise presented several structured utility payment plan options—including hybrid and standard payment arrangements—to establish a fair, balanced, and fiscally responsible approach for all residents moving forward.
Community Programs and Other Business
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Bat Education Program: The administration introduced a youth educational initiative titled “Become A Superhero In Your Hometown Bat Cave!” The program aims to teach students about the environmental benefits of bats, dispel negative myths, and explain how bats act as a natural insecticide to control mosquito populations. The Town plans to partner with the North Carolina Bat Working Group to install 15 community bat houses around Chadbourn.
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Service Line Warranties: The council reviewed a marketing agreement with Utility Service Partners, Inc. (a HomeServe company) to offer residents optional exterior water, sewer, and in-home plumbing warranty plans. The program comes at no cost to the Town and would generate a 10% royalty on collected premiums to be used for infrastructure and community initiatives.
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Board Appointments: Martha O. Yates applied for reappointment to the West Columbus ABC Board and was recommended to retain her position as Chairperson.
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Zoning and Development: The agenda included the final approval of the Town’s updated Unified Development Ordinance and Zoning Map, drafted by Municipal Services, Inc.
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Upcoming Events: In addition to the upcoming National Night Out event on August 4, a “Community Clean Sweep” was announced for Saturday, September 12. The Town is also budgeting $31,700 for a Chadbourn Police “Shots Fired System” for the FY 26/27 budget.
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