Boards & Commissions
Boards, Commissions, & Committees
There is a wide range of boards, commissions, and committees on which citizens of our area can serve. The participation of citizens in Town of Rutherfordton government takes many forms and is an integral part of the decision-making process used in improving Town services to residents.
Rutherfordton has various openings on various committees. Have you ever wanted to make a difference? Have you wondered, “Can the Town benefit from my experience and knowledge?” Do you want to have a voice in the Town’s growth and future? Do you want to be a part of the body that is responsible for making decisions regarding policy? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then it’s time to take that initial step forward and put your perspective, leadership, and knowledge to task by serving on one of the many committees we have to offer.
Board members and commissioners generally serve as unpaid volunteers, but the rewards can be gratifying: members meet other residents with similar interests, they learn about the Town, and they help shape the future of Rutherfordton. Being on a board or commission does require a significant personal commitment, however, so applicants should consider their ability to commit their time and personal energy before applying.
Get Involved
Whether you are interested in recreational activities, cultural events, technology issues or land-use practices, the Town of Rutherfordton has opportunities for you to volunteer to share your time and talents.
Things to know about volunteering for a board or commission:
- Most all volunteers must live within Rutherfordton's Corporate limits.
- Current Town of Rutherfordton employees are not eligible to volunteer.
- All citizens appointed to any board or commission are required to read and sign the Ethics and Conflicts of Interest Guidelines and encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Town Code of Ordinances in regards to the appointed board.
- Appointments are for two to three-year terms, except where unexpired terms are being filled.
In addition to boards and commissions the Town, at times, forms special committees and task forces to work for a finite time on specific, current issues. Appointments to these special groups are made as needed and terms of service vary.
Applying
If you are interested in serving on a Boards or Commission, please fill out the board application. Once an application is received, the Town will place your name on the resource list for the particular board. When vacancies occur, the Town Council will review the resource list and schedule interviews.
To find out more about a specific board or commission, see the summary below. Board and commission meetings are open to the public, so potential applicants are encouraged to sit in on monthly meetings. Meeting dates, times and locations vary and are available in the summary below or by contacting the Town Clerk.
Board & Committee Application
Download Board & Committee Application
Current Boards, Commissions, & Committee Summaries
ABC Board
The ABC Board's mission shall be to serve the citizens of Rutherfordton responsibly by controlling the sale of spirituous liquor and prompting a customer- friendly, modern and efficient store (GS 18B-700). The ABC Board's regularly scheduled meeting is the second Thursday of each month at 12:00pm. The ABC Board is comprised of three appointed seats serving two-year staggered terms.
Board of Adjustment
Board of Adjustment hears and decides appeals from any order, decision, requirement, or interpretation made by the administrator, applications for special use permits, variances, and special exceptions permits. Questions involving interpretations of the zoning map, including disputed district boundary lines and lot lines. Board of Adjustment meets as needed. Board of Adjustment is comprised of five regular members and two alternates, appointed by the council. Four regular members and one alternate, appointed by the council, shall reside within the town. One regular member and one alternate, appointed by the county board of commissioners, shall reside within the town's extraterritorial planning area.
Broad River Water Authority Board
Broad River Water Authority, a non-profit municipal corporation formed under the laws of the State of North Carolina. The Board sets policy and rates, adopts an annual budget and hires a General Manager to carry out policy, make recommendations and administer the daily activities of the water system’s operation. Broad River Water Authority regular scheduled meeting is the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm. The Town of Rutherfordton appoints two members to this board.
Historic Preservation Commission
The Historic Preservation Commission was established by the Rutherfordton Town Council to regulate historic landmarks and historic districts with the town limits. The Historic Preservation Commission's regularly scheduled meeting is the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm. The commission consists of five members appointed by the town council. Members of the commission shall serve terms of three years. Terms shall be staggered.
Friends of the Norris Library
Friends of the Norris Library have created the Norris Library Foundation as a 501(c)3 organization. The Foundation conducts various fundraisers to purchase books and make other improvements to the Library. Some of the recent improvements made to the library with funds raised by the Foundation are new lighting, a new circulation desk, new cabinetry for audio-visuals, and additional shelving. Norris Library Foundation regularly scheduled meeting is the third Thursday of each month at 12:00 pm.
Parks & Recreation Committee
Parks and Recreation Committee serves in an advisory capacity to the town council, the town manager, and the administration of the town’s park and recreation department. The board makes recommendations to the town council concerning rules, regulations, and policies governing the town’s recreational facilities and their use. Parks and Recreation Committee meets as needed. The committee shall be composed of a total of seven members. The members of the committee shall be as follows: five at-large members from the community selected and appointed by the town council, one representative from the Rutherfordton Little League approved and appointed by the town council, and one ex-officio member from the town council appointed by the mayor.
Planning & Zoning Board
Planning and Zoning Board makes comprehensive survey’s and studies existing conditions and probable future developments and prepares such physical, social and economic growth as will best promote the public health, safety, morals, convenience of the general welfare as well as efficiency and economy in the development of the Town. Planning and Zoning Board meets the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm as needed. Planning and Zoning commission consists of five members and two alternates.
Recreation Trust Fund
Recreation Trust Fund makes recommendations to the finance director and the town council concerning the investment of the trust funds, and the expenditure of trust income in the cooperation with the town parks and recreation commission. Recreation Trust Fund Committee meets once in July and then as needed. There is hereby created a special commission to be known as the "recreation trust fund commission." This commission shall consist of eight members. The eight members shall consist of the town manager and the chairman of the town parks and recreation commission during the term of their office for the town, and six members to be appointed by the governing body of the town for overlapping terms of three years. The initial appointments shall be as follows: two for a term of three years; two for a term of two years; and two for a term of one year. Two of the members shall be selected by the governing body from the following civic clubs: Kiwanis Club and Lions Club.
Rutherford Town Rising
Rutherford Town Rising is a 501c3 organization whose main purpose is to aid in the growth of our historic downtown district and its businesses. Through façade grants, we also strive to preserve and restore our historic architecture and maintain its unique charm and beauty. Our goals are to promote quality of life, sense of community, economic growth and historic preservation. Rutherford Town Rising meetings vary, so please call Town Hall if you're interested in joining. The Board is comprised of nine to seventeen members serving three-year staggered terms.