Centralina Regional Council Names New Directors to Regional Planning and Aging Programs
Veteran staff members step into key roles serving Centralina’s nine‑county region.
Veteran staff members step into key roles serving Centralina’s nine‑county region.
ARPA reporting season is here. Local governments receiving State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds must submit required reports to the U.S. Treasury by April 30, 2026. Review key reminders and reporting requirements.
As budgeting season approaches, Centralina Regional Council hosted an economic briefing exploring national and regional trends that can inform local government budget planning.
Presentations addressed federal cost shifts affecting local governments, potential structural approaches to property tax reform, and nonprofit hospital property tax exemptions. The committee’s work remains exploratory, and no legislation was introduced.
Many seniors face barriers to accessing nutritious food, which can impact physical strength, cognitive health and overall well‑being. By ensuring dependable access to healthy foods and providing opportunities for shared meals and community connection, Centralina is helping older adults thrive.
Executive Director Geraldine Gardner traveled to Washington, DC to participate in the annual National Conference of Regions hosted where she participated in discussions that provided critical insights into the legislative calendar and the evolving priorities of the administration.
Centralina Regional Council recognizes Director of Regional Planning Jason Wager as he retires following 28 years of service to the organization and the region. His last day with Centralina is March 31, 2026.
Centralina Regional Council recognizes Linda Miller, aging director, as she retires after 30 years of dedicated service advocating for older adults and their families across the region. Her last day is March 31, 2026.
Presentations addressed federal cost shifts affecting local governments, potential structural approaches to property tax reform, and nonprofit hospital property tax exemptions. The committee’s work remains exploratory, and no legislation was introduced.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) permanently extends and significantly reforms the Opportunity Zone (OZ) program. For local governments, these changes offer a long-term tool to attract private capital for housing, infrastructure, and economic development, but with narrowed eligibility, heightened accountability requirements, and new strategic considerations.
Federal funds are commonly passed through state agencies in North Carolina before being awarded to local governments, which can make the original funding source less obvious. Before proceeding with a procurement, local governments should verify whether an award originates from a federal source. This determination affects compliance obligations, including procurement standards, reporting, and audit requirements.
When a construction or repair contract over $300,000 involves a building, the procurement and contract are subject to additional requirements under N.C.G.S. 143-128. Therefore, this question must be answered to determine whether the additional statutory requirements apply to this procurement scenario.
The micro-purchase threshold is a federal procurement threshold under which competitive procurement is not required. The default micro-purchase threshold is $15,000, but local governments may increase the micro-purchase threshold up to $50,000. An explanation of increasing the micro-purchase threshold and a template for the required annual self-certification is available here.