This Regular Public Meeting of the Bailey Town Board of Commissioners was held at Bailey Town Hall on July 28, 2026, at 6:30 PM.

The following Board members were present: Mayor Owen H. Strickland II, Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Walter Wells, and Commissioners Richard Wilson, Dillon Bissette, Ervin Powell, and David Evans.

Also present: Town Administrator/Clerk/CFO Joel Killion, Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcer Shawn Lucas, and Town Attorney Nick Berry.

Mayor Strickland reopened the Regular Public Meeting of the Bailey Town Board of Commissioners that had been recessed on July 20, 2026, and called the meeting back to order.

Then, before proceeding with the Board’s meeting, he read a personal statement (see Addendum). [Note: Before the meeting, copies of the Mayor’s “Statement to the Town of Bailey” were placed by him on the public chairs in the Council Chambers and beside the Agendas at the Council Chambers entrance without the Board of Commissioners’ knowledge or consent.] Afterwards, the Mayor opened the floor for the Commissioners to speak for their meeting.

Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells referred the Board to the report prepared by Commissioners Bissette and Wilson and Town Attorney Berry, as directed and approved by the Board on July 20, 2026, at the Mayor’s request. He noted that the Mayor’s personal statement incorrectly stated that the Board directed “two (2) Town Commissioners to review the documents and then provide a report to the Board.” Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells clarified that the Board voted to appoint Commissioners Bissette and Wilson to work with the Town Attorney to review the Mayor’s report and request, analyze the checks co-signed by Commissioner Wells, and compile the information into a report for the Board. He then invited Commissioner Bissette to present the report.

Commissioner Bissette stated that he, Commissioner Wilson, and Town Attorney Berry prepared the report as directed by the Board of Commissioners. He then asked the Town Attorney to present the report to the Board and the public.

Town Attorney Berry read the report (See Addendum).

Commissioner Evans, referencing the spreadsheet included with the report that showed all thirteen (13) checks co-signed by Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells, asked the Town Attorney who the first check was written to and who co-signed it.

Town Attorney Berry said the first check was written on November 6, 2025, co-signed by Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells, and paid to Mayor Strickland for his annual stipend.

Commissioner Evans asked if this oversight should have been caught back in November.

Town Attorney Berry said he would leave that to the discretion of the Board.

With no further questions for the Town Attorney, Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells moved to approve the report as presented. Commissioner Wilson seconded the motion, and it carried.

Vote: Mayor Strickland: N/A; Commissioner Wells: Aye; Commissioner Wilson: Aye; Commissioner Evans: Aye; Commissioner Powell: Aye; Commissioner Bissette: Aye. [Note: Mayor Strickland called for a show-of-hands vote, and all Commissioners raised their hands.]

When the Mayor noted that there was nothing further to discuss on the Agenda, Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells made a motion to go into closed session to review a personnel matter. Commissioner Bissette seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Vote: Mayor Strickland: N/A; Commissioner Wells: Aye; Commissioner Bissette: Aye; Commissioner Evans: Aye; Commissioner Powell: Aye; Commissioner Wilson: Aye.

After closed session, Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells made a motion to end the closed session. Commissioner Bissette seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Vote: Mayor Strickland: N/A; Commissioner Wells: Aye; Commissioner Bissette: Aye; Commissioner Evans: Aye; Commissioner Powell: Aye; Commissioner Wilson: Aye.

Then, Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells made a motion to move into open session. Commissioner Bissette seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Vote: Mayor Strickland: N/A; Commissioner Wells: Aye; Commissioner Bissette: Aye; Commissioner Evans: Aye; Commissioner Powell: Aye; Commissioner Wilson: Aye.

Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells stated that the Board had received a grievance from a Town employee alleging a violation of the Town’s Personnel Policy. He said the Board’s role was to hold a hearing, consult with the employee, and allow the employee to present the grievance, which had been done. Following that hearing, he made a motion for the Board to discuss the grievance. Commissioner Bissette seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Vote: Mayor Strickland: N/A; Commissioner Wells: Aye; Commissioner Bissette: Aye; Commissioner Evans: Aye; Commissioner Powell: Aye; Commissioner Wilson: Aye.

Commissioner Bissette then said that before the Board has the discussion, he asked Town Administrator Killion if he had anything to add or discuss.

Town Administrator Killion read the letter he had presented to the Board on Monday, July 20, 2026, along with additional information. The letter and additional information are included in the Addendum.

Afterwards, Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells asked the Board if there was any more discussion.

Commissioner Bissette asked Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells to begin the discussion and share any thoughts he may have.

Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells addressed the Mayor’s statement made at the beginning of the meeting, in which the Mayor suggested the grievance was an act of retribution. Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells stated that Town Administrator Killion first contacted him about the Mayor’s misconduct on May 20, 2025. Since then, the Town Administrator had raised several additional concerns with him but, as noted in his letter, was not prepared to bring those matters before the Board; therefore, Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells did not bring them to the Board either. He stated that the situation had developed over an extended period and that the grievance was not related to, or made in response to, the Mayor’s July 18, 2026 email to the Board regarding the check-signing dispute. He said the claim that the grievance was retaliatory was incorrect.

Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells added that, following the Board’s meeting with Town Administrator Killion regarding his grievance, the Board needed to discuss and recommend appropriate action. He reminded the Board that the grievance concerned violations of the Town’s Personnel Policy. He emphasized that the central issue was whether the Town of Bailey’s established personnel policies and grievance procedures had been followed consistently and respected by all parties. He added that the Board had directed employee-related concerns to be handled through the proper process and that it was the Board’s responsibility to determine whether those procedures were followed and whether any policy violations occurred. He further stated that the Board must protect employees from unfair treatment or unnecessary interference, uphold the Town’s organizational structure, and ensure personnel matters are handled fairly, professionally, and in accordance with the Town’s adopted policies and procedures.

Commissioner Bissette stated that the Board’s main concern was ensuring that the Town follows its Personnel Policy. He added that Town staff must be able to complete Board-directed tasks without interference.

Commissioner Evans asked whether the Board was requesting that the Mayor follow the Town of Bailey’s Personnel Policy as written and approved, refrain from harassment or undue aggressiveness, and comply with the roles, responsibilities, and limitations placed on him by the Town Charter.

After the Board affirmed Commissioner Evans’ inquiry, Commissioner Evans moved to request that the Mayor comply with the roles, responsibilities, and limitations set forth in the Town Charter and Ordinances; not exceed those actions without Board approval; follow the Town of Bailey’s Personnel Policy as written; and refrain from undue harassment or aggressiveness. The motion also stated that employees who use the Personnel Policy’s grievance procedure “shall be free from discrimination, coercion, restraint or reprisal.” Commissioner Bissette seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Vote: Mayor Strickland: N/A; Commissioner Evans: Aye; Commissioner Bissette: Aye; Commissioner Wells: Aye; Commissioner Powell: Aye; Commissioner Wilson: Aye. [Note: Mayor Strickland called for a show-of-hands vote, and all Commissioners raised their hands.]

Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells stated that he had no further actions to take and invited the Commissioners to share any additional comments.

Mayor Strickland asked if the Mayor Pro Tempore wished to begin.

Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells started by saying that he and the Mayor have had disagreements, but he has always tried to address concerns directly. He said that when he disagreed with the Mayor using the title of Mayor in connection with Nash County Republican Party matters, he brought that concern directly to the Mayor rather than taking it to anyone else.

Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells said the Mayor had not previously raised with him the concerns discussed that evening. He explained that, from the Board’s perspective, the Board requested an investigation and report regarding the check-signing issue. He said that immediately after the Mayor confronted Town Administrator Killion, the Town Administrator, who was upset by the confrontation, informed him of what had occurred. Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells advised the Town Administrator to contact the Town Attorney, the Local Government Commission, the Auditor, and the North Carolina League of Municipalities for guidance. He stated that the Town Administrator did so immediately, and the guidance received was to have the Board formally designate the co-signer as soon as possible if one had not already been designated. The matter was addressed at the next Board meeting, and the same individual who had previously co-signed the checks was then formally designated by the Board. Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells stated that none of the checks were in question as to their purpose. He explained that the first check he co-signed was in November 2025, when the Town Administrator asked him to co-sign a $1,400 check payable to the Mayor for the Mayor’s annual stipend because the Town Administrator was hesitant to have the Mayor co-sign a check made payable to himself. He noted that the Mayor received, endorsed, and deposited that check without raising any concern at that time. Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells further stated that he did not sign checks for fourteen months, as the Mayor had stated, and that the remaining checks were signed on only a few occasions when he was already at Town Hall. He said the last checks were signed on June 30, the final day of the fiscal year, to ensure necessary payments were completed before fiscal year-end, including a payment to The Country Doctor Museum Foundation. Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells stated that, when asked to sign a check, he confirms that the funds are budgeted, charged to the proper GL account, and approved by the Board when required. He said he believed proper checks and balances were followed, and that the Board later chose to designate the Mayor Pro Tempore as a check signer going forward. He stated that, in his opinion, the issue appeared to be an honest mistake rather than intentional wrongdoing, and that the Mayor had escalated the matter unnecessarily. He also expressed concern that the Mayor had contacted outside agencies without first bringing the matter to the Board. Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells said he believed the Mayor’s comments about changing the Town’s form of government were related to seeking more power and control for himself. He stated that any updates to the Town’s General Ordinances should be handled comprehensively by qualified professionals. He also noted that changing to a manager-council form of government would likely require paying a manager’s salary and could increase costs to taxpayers.

Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells stated that he personally witnessed some of the incidents described by the Town Administrator and believed the Town Administrator’s account was accurate. He recalled that, after the Board meeting concerning the data center moratorium, he heard a verbal outburst outside while speaking with the Mayor’s aunt. He stated that he turned and saw the Mayor speaking angrily and using profanity toward Commissioner Evans while complaining that information had been kept from him. Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells said he escorted Commissioner Evans away from the situation and later told the Mayor that he would no longer engage with him in that manner in public because such conduct could escalate if directed at the wrong person.

Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells also described another incident after a separate meeting attended by his daughter and granddaughter. He stated that, as they were leaving, his daughter mentioned that his granddaughter was in college and may take government classes. He said he heard the Mayor respond that she would not learn anything from “this bunch of idiots,” which Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells said reflected the Mayor’s attitude toward the Board. He stated that the Mayor’s comments, outbursts, and handling of certain matters have made it difficult for the Board and Town employees to work with him. Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells said he regretted making these comments publicly but felt compelled to respond because of the personal attacks and the way the matter had been presented by the Mayor that evening. He apologized to the Town, the Board, Town Administrator Killion, Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcer Lucas, Mrs. Hayman, and Mrs. Sizemore. He acknowledged that some concerns had gone unaddressed for too long because the individuals involved did not want the matters brought forward, and he apologized for not addressing them sooner. He stated that if he witnessed or became aware of similar behavior in the future, he would bring it back to the Board promptly rather than allowing it to continue unresolved.

Mayor Strickland asked Commissioner Wilson if he had anything to say.

Commissioner Wilson said he believed it was time to pull the curtain down on this. He said that Town Administrator Killion, Ms. Hayman and Mrs. Sizemore are the face of the Town and if the Town lost any of them, the Town would be in big trouble. He added that the Mayor was the right fit for the position but said that he can’t whip the ones who are doing the rowing. He finished by telling the Mayor to get us some money, adding that he likes the politics and to rub elbows with the politicians.

Mayor Strickland asked Commissioner Bissette if he had anything to say.

Commissioner Bissette told Mayor Pro Tempore/Commissioner Wells that he hit the nail on the head, that he had nothing more to add, and let him know that he agreed with everything he said.

Mayor Strickland asked Commissioner Powell if he had anything to say.

Commissioner Powell reminded the Board that "The Mission of the Town of Bailey is to provide Consistent Public Service with Competent, Professional Leadership for the Citizens of the Town of Bailey and the Surrounding Region to Improve the Lives of our Neighbors." He added that he felt that the Board sometimes lost focus on why they were there.

Mayor Strickland asked Commissioner Evans if he had anything to say.

Commissioner Evans agreed with Commissioner Powell’s statement and said it was good and to the point.

Commissioner Wells made a motion to adjourn the meeting, and Commissioner Bissette seconded. Motion carried.

Vote: Mayor Strickland: N/A; Commissioner Wells: Aye; Commissioner Bissette: Aye; Commissioner Evans: Aye; Commissioner Powell: Aye; Commissioner Wilson: Aye.

Meeting Adjourned.