• Talked about the county’s 911 backup plan. A backup facility for 911 will be located at the Universal center. In order to have no downtime, county officials recommended that there should be an agreement with Mitchell County so that the McDowell lines would transfer there temporarily until the backup location is activated at Universal. The commissioners approved this idea. Mitchell County would need to approve this request as well.

• Talked about seeking a grant for the third phase of the greenway. A related project that county officials have already discussed is a nature trail to be built in conjunction with the paved greenway. A dog park could be located there as well, said Commissioner Matthew Crawford. The county has applied for a grant under the Recreational Trails Program to construct the trail. The grant requires a match, which would be met with existing funds from the main project. No additional county money will be required.

• Held a first reading for appointments to the Adult Care/Nursing Home Advisory Board and the board of trustees for McDowell Technical Community College. No action was taking regarding these appointments.

• Discussed the condition of the Woodlawn Roadside Park on U.S. 221 North. The property is owned by the U.S. Forest Service and is maintained by the county under a long-term lease. County officials have met with the district ranger to discuss improvements and repairs at the park, with the main goal of getting the running water working again. The water line serving the restrooms has been broken for several months. The county will try to repair the well and make other cosmetic and safety improvements to the park as funding allows.