December 8, 2023 MB#56  Special Session-Retreat, December 8, 2023, 8:30a.m. Catawba County Board of Commissioners  The Catawba County Board of Commissioners met in a Special Session on Wednesday, December 8, 2023, at 8:30 a.m., at the Manufacturing Solutions Center II, 350 5lh Avenue SE, Conover, North Carolina. Present were Chair Randy Isenhower, Vice-Chair Austin Allran, and Commissioners Robert C. Abernethy, Jr., Also present were County Manager Mary Furtado, Assistant County Manager Justin Merritt, Assistant County Manager Paul Murray, County Attorney Jodi Stewart, and County Clerk Dale Stiles. Also present were Emergency Services Director Bryan Blanton; Communications and Marketing Director Amy McCauley, Social Services Director Karen Harrington; Public Health Director Jennifer McCracken; Economic Development Corporation President Scott Millar and Economic Development Manager Mick Berry. 1. Chair Randy Isenhower called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m., noting a quorum was present.  Barbara G. Beatty, and Cole Setzer.  2. Presentations:  a. County Manager Mary Furtado presented the Board with Catawba County's Strategic Plan overview to b. Economic Development Corporation President Scott Millar and Economic Development Manager Mick Berry presented the Board with Economic Development Updates to include: past trends, unemployment rate, job announcement trends, wages, future working age population expectations, market trend site 3. County Attorney Jodi Stewart requested the Board consider moving into Closed Session pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes 143-318.11(a) (3) to consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the public body, which privilege is hereby acknowledged; and (4) to discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by the public body, including agreement on a tentative list  include successes, process and community data overview; inventory and workforce infrastructure/future employer needs;  ofe economic development incentives that may be offered.  Attorney Stewart did not anticipate any action upon return to open session. a. County Manager Mary Furtado presented the Board with the following:  4. Presentations, continued:  . Healthy, Safe Community information to include demographics, economic wellbeing, and health and wellbeing that directly impact service area pressures in Emergency Services, Sheriff's Office, Social  Services and Public Health; and  ii. Catawba County's Strategic Plan next steps and what to expect moving forward.  No action was taken on any item. was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.  4. Adjournment. Upon a motion by Commissioner Barbara G. Beatty which unanimously carried, the meeting  )  senhower, Randy Catawba County, Board of Commissioners Cauisiks Dale R. Stiles County Clerk  Bet  Chair  676