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RUTHERFORDTON, NC—A packed house and an overflow room set the scene for Monday night’s Rutherford County Commissioners meeting, where discussions ranged from public safety and law enforcement funding to animal control reform and transit expansion with a packed meeting agenda. Sheriff Aaron Ellenburg, despite being the county’s top law enforcement officer, had to stand for the entire meeting due to a lack of seating—perhaps a fitting metaphor for the ongoing debate over how the county funds public safety.
Public Safety: Calls for a County Police Force Resurface
A heated discussion emerged over Flock Safety automated license plate readers (ALPRs), with commissioners weighing their potential to aid crime-solving efforts while balancing privacy concerns. The conversation quickly expanded into a broader debate on law enforcement funding, with Commissioner Alan Toney stating that it may be time to revisit creating a county police force. In North Carolina, sheriffs are mandated to serve civil processes, manage the county detention centers, and to provide court security whereas police departments are not. The Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining the Sex Offender Registry and is the authority that issues gun and conceal and carry permits.
Toney’s remarks mirrored a proposal from Chairman Bryan King at the June 3, 2023 meeting, where he suggested a $40,000 study on the issue. At that time, then-Commissioner David Hunt made the motion, but it failed for lack of a second. The commissioners follow a combined method of holding their meetings: What’s mandated under state law, Robert’s Rules of Order, and their own procedures. Monday’s discussion revived the idea, but uncertainty looms—if the county claims it cannot existing mandates or jail upgrades, it’s unclear how a county police force would be financed. The county, under state law, is required to fund the sheriff’s office.
Don’t have nearly three hours to watch the whole meeting? Click here to catch up quickly with a 20-minute summary.
Editor’s note: I livestreamed the meeting on Facebook and it was available for immediate playback. The county’s livestream has a limited viewpoint with fixed cameras and their recording was not available for immediate playback until the next day. As a mostly deaf journalist who reads lips, I believe it is imperative to focus the camera directly on the speaker’s face for the most accuracy. It’s 2025, it’s wild to me that a county of 65,000 people can’t do that.
Transit Expansion Moves Forward
The Tri-City Express transit system received a green light for expansion, extending hours and adding stops at locations such as Dollar General and Oak Villa Apartments. Public testimony from a cancer survivor who relies on the bus system underscored its importance for residents without personal transportation. The fare-free service aims to improve access to jobs, healthcare, and essential services.
Animal Control Under Fire
Public outrage over the state of animal control services dominated the first half of the meeting, with residents accusing the county of failing to enforce existing laws. Speakers described horrific cases of neglected, abused, and abandoned animals, with multiple residents sharing firsthand accounts of starvation, disease, and mistreatment.
Advocates pushed for a fully funded, independent animal control department—separate from the health department—and urged commissioners to appoint leadership with expertise in animal welfare. Some suggested Karen Parker, director of Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue, as a potential leader.
Upon listening to the numerous public comments on Monday it appears that county leaders will terminate their contract with the health department, which is currently in charge of the Sheltered Paws and Resource Center. On Wednesday Rutherford County Manager Steve Garrison told the Daily Courier that Commissioners heard the message loud and clear, and directed county staff to “Evaluate the current and future management of animal control including engaging Heart of the Foothills to discuss the possibility of this organization contracting with the county to manage the animal control services, facility and operations.”
How exactly the Commissioners will move forward is unclear at this time, but they will likely discuss it at the March meeting. “Heart of the Foothills is well established in the community and region. They are equipped and experienced on the management and operations of centers required to comply with the various North Carolina General Statutes and Department of Agriculture regulations,” Garrison said.
Heart of the Foothills is a recognized nonprofit organization. “They have a large pool of volunteers and contract workers, they have a large number of rescue partnerships that they collaborate with, and they are committed to ensure that all Animal Control Officers are certified through the National Animal Care and Control Association. We look forward to engaging Director Parker to hammer out the terms and conditions of a working agreement and to establish an acceptable partnership as soon as possible.”
Disaster Relief and Air Quality Concerns
Commissioners also debated a Southern Disaster Recovery (SDR) NC disaster removal contract amendment related to ongoing cleanup efforts. However, residents in an area off Route 221 reported severe air quality concerns due to an SDR-operated burn site, describing falling ash, smoke exposure, and property damage. One resident testified that hospital records now document health impacts from the site. Calls for regulation, oversight, or outright closure of the burn operation are growing.
Task Force Proposal for School Resource Officers
A proposal to form a task force to address the funding shortfall for School Resource Officers (SROs) was introduced by Commissioner Hunter Haynes, though it remains unclear how the county plans to act on it. If the county claims it lacks funding to search for grants for critical services like SROs and jail improvements, it raises further questions about how it could support a new county police department. Jail issues have been going on for years, according to a review of previous meeting minutes.
“Its purpose would be to conduct a detailed assessment of the following: the funding required to place an SRO in every school; identification of available state and federal grants for SRO funding; and strategies for reallocating existing resources or implementing new funding to meet this need,” Haynes said.
The revenue shortfall should not affect the current school year, but there are concerns and questions about the 2025-2026 school year, Rutherford County Schools (RCS) Superintendent Dr. David Sutton said at the January Board of Education meeting. A grant from the NC Center for Safer Schools funds most of the SRO costs, but it will be less than it has in the past, according to a report. They’re also funded through policies developed by state statutes.
Commissioners agreed with Haynes that this is an important issue but seemed annoyed that it was added to the agenda without being “vetted,” Board Chairman Bryan King said. He suggested that it would be better to discuss it at a “goals setting” meeting on February 11. It was just announced yesterday by county staff that it will be a special meeting of the county commissioners. It was not listed previously on the budget calendar.
Looking Ahead: Budget Decisions Will Be Telling
With public safety, law enforcement funding, and essential services all vying for limited dollars, the county’s budget process will be closely watched. Sheriff Ellenburg—tasked under state law with specific law enforcement duties—continues to meet his obligations, but funding the Sheriff’s Office is the county’s responsibility.
As budget discussions unfold, I’ll be watching to see where the county places its priorities. Stay tuned.
Opinion & Analysis: Cops & Congress Commentary
Does Rutherford County Need New Leadership?
Monday’s Rutherford County Commissioners meeting was nothing short of wild. Tensions ran high, the room was packed beyond capacity, and Sheriff Ellenburg—our county’s top law enforcement official—was left standing the entire time due to inadequate space. But the real issue wasn’t just the crowd—it was the dysfunction on full display from county leadership.
Will Bryan King, Alan Toney, and Michael Benfield be primaried for the next election?
This meeting exposed what many in Rutherford County already know: Some of the commissioners are failing us. Bryan King, Alan Toney, and Michael Benfield have been in office for a long time, and on Monday they demonstrated exactly why they need to be replaced in my view. Here’s why:
Public Safety Confusion and Hypocrisy
Commissioner Toney suggested reviving the idea of a county police force, following up on Chairman King’s failed 2023 attempt to push for a $40,000 study. This is the same county government that claims it cannot afford to apply for grants to fund school resource officers or upgrade the jail. If they can’t fund those essentials, how do they plan to finance an entirely new police force?
There was no serious discussion about funding the Sheriff's Office, which already has a state-mandated duty to enforce the law. Sheriff Ellenburg is doing his job—it's the county that's failing to do theirs.
Failure to Address Animal Control Crisis
Residents gave emotional, fact-based testimonies about the rampant neglect and abuse of animals in Rutherford County.
Instead of committing to real reform, the commissioners largely ignored the urgency of the situation. Calls for an independent animal control department with competent leadership were brushed aside.
The same failures that made Rutherford County infamous in previous news stories last year are still happening. Yet, our commissioners are dragging their feet on solutions.
Ignoring Public Outcry on Disaster Relief and Air Quality
The SDR-operated burn site has residents breathing in toxic smoke, suffering from health issues, and watching their property get covered in falling ash.
Despite clear evidence of harm, the commissioners sidestepped calls for immediate action and failed to propose meaningful oversight or restrictions on these burn operations.
Newly Elected Commissioners Hunter Haynes and Donnie Haulk are offering a fresh perspective
Rutherford County Deserves Competent Leadership
Monday’s meeting proved that Bryan King, Alan Toney, and Michael Benfield are not up to the task of running this county in my view. We need leaders who prioritize funding law enforcement, protecting animals, and ensuring residents are safe, all while understanding state law. Fund existing programs and departments fully. Pay staff what they deserve.
The 2026 elections can’t come soon enough. It’s time for a change.
I’ll be watching—closely. Stay tuned for updates. Register to vote if you haven’t already.
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