Steve Carter (R)

Steve Carter

• Biography

  After growing up in Georgia, I met my bride on a blind date in High Point, NC. We've been married now for 56 years, have two married children and 6 grandchildren.

  After graduation from ECU, I started what became a 35 year career in banking. After retiring I did some management and financial consulting and organized and lead the nonpartisan political action group, Alamance Conservative. After 13 years that lead to me running for County Commissioner in 2018.

• What motivated you to run for Alamance County Board of Commissioners?

  There were several issues, one was adding to the conservative leadership on the Alamance County Board of Commissioners. Another, was trying to bring the relationship between the BOC and the ABSS Board closer together to improve the service to our citizens.

• What is your vision for the future of Alamance County, and how will your actions on the Board of Commissioners support that vision?

  I would like to see us work toward developing infrastructure and planning for the future growth of the county. Alamance County is the 15th largest and 13th fastest growing county in NC. By 2035, just 9 years off, we are projected to grow from our present level, about 185,000 to 205,000, another 20 thousand citizens. Plus, by 2050, just 24 years from now, the population is projected to grow to 235,000, another 30 thousand. We must do better planning and preparation.

• What are the three most significant needs for Alamance County that require the immediate attention of the Board of Commissioners?

  1. Our schools must show significant improvement.

  2. We must plan for the county's growth.

  3. We must meet the service needs of a rapidly growing population.

• How would you approach issues of taxation, budget prioritization, and resource allocation?

  Right now, we have the 26th lowest tax rate in NC, of its 100 counties. From my perspective it's important to keep the needs of all of our citizens in perspective. Tax increases hurt those in the lower income group, especially retirees on a fixed income. At the same time, we are required to provide a variety of services to our growing population. This includes providing operating facilities, such as our courts, jail, sheriff's office, schools, health and human services, etc..

  Right now, we are operating with our staff on top of each other. We were given a new judge and 5 public defenders assigned to the county. Because of this addition, the county was required to provide space for them, which added a new building and reorganization of our courthouse.

  As you can see growth brings challenges. Acquiring and keeping employees to take care of our citizen's needs is utmost in our minds. It is a balancing act to try to keep our tax rate low and manage our growth.

• How should the Board of Commissioners be approaching land development planning and preparing for future growth and development in Alamance County?

  We are presently taking a look at what planning looks like in the county. There is a state statute that regulates down zoning and presently limits it to one time. That would include both modifications to our Uniform Development Ordinance, our Heavy Industrial Development Ordinance, and any attempt to apply zoning to the rural parts of the county.

  We are going to have to review our present ordinances and make them more enforceable, so they can protect our citizens from problems. We will also need to consider what, if any action we will take on zoning. We are constantly getting input from both those opposed to zoning, as well as those who support it.

• What is required for an effective relationship between the ABSS Board of Education and Alamance County Commissioners, and how will you work toward that as an elected official? 

  My original goal as a candidate was to work toward improving that relationship in 2018. We have to try and find a point of agreement on what Alamance County and its citizens can afford and what ABSS needs to achieve "World Class Education" for our children.

• How do you plan to work with other local governments, state agencies, and community organizations to achieve the county’s goals?

  In order to meet the needs of our citizens we are constantly working with other governmental units from our General Assembly delegates to NCDOT, as well as our local municipal government entities. Many times, when a citizen has a problem, we're their first contact. It is important for us to maintain connections with all available resources.

• How do you plan to engage constituent voices in the decisions of the Board of Commissioners? 

  From the personal perspective, we have published cell phone numbers (allowing for text messages) and email addresses, and we have public comment periods in all of our meetings.

  In addition, all commissioners serve on a variety of local and regional boards, commissions, and committees. Then too, we get opportunities to visit with a large variety of local clubs and service organizations, as well as other public opportunities to interact.

  I personally serve on 5 boards in a variety of leadership roles, as well a number of their committees.

• Please share a specific leadership experience that illustrates how you will be effective as a leader for Alamance County.

  There are needs that arise on a daily basis. Some are quick and easy to solve. Others are more complicated and require more time.

  As a banker, I've led in a number of markets across the southeast and have carried that spirit of leadership into serving as a commissioner. The first opportunity was in helping the Rescue Squad update their Heavy Rescue truck, in 2019. As a candidate I also supported and promoted the need, and opportunity, for the Behavioral Health Center and helped that project progress without a direct cost to our citizens. In addition, I was a leader in promoting the ACC Public Safety Training Center as a candidate and commissioner, as well as a Trustee of ACC.

  I could name other examples, but that's probably enough. We are always working on solutions for our citizens needs.