RALEIGH – Ronda has voted to begin dissolving its charter after a state financial warning, while Rowland must submit a corrective-action plan to North Carolina regulators.
Ronda’s Sept. 8 vote is the first step in the dissolution process, according to the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer. Several steps remain before the charter can be rescinded. If the process is completed, the Wilkes County town will become part of the county’s unincorporated area.
The Local Government Commission approved formal notices and warnings for Ronda and Rowland on Sept. 1 after persistent financial-management and statutory-compliance concerns. Ronda has been on the commission’s Unit Assistance List since 2015. State officials cited repeated late audits, budget violations, problems with federal payroll-tax payments and continuing deficits in the town’s water and sewer fund.
Rowland has remained on the assistance list since 2020 after earlier appearances in 2015 and 2016. The Robeson County town’s cited problems include repeated late audits and budget violations, use of restricted grant money for current operations and persistent operating losses in its water and sewer fund.
Both towns initially received 30 days to provide corrective-action plans. After Ronda’s vote, the commission said its staff would work with town leaders, Wilkes County and other stakeholders on the transition. Rowland remains under the notice and must explain how it will correct the listed deficiencies.
State Treasurer Brad Briner chairs the commission, which is staffed by the Department of State Treasurer. The commission approves most debt issued by North Carolina local governments and public authorities and monitors the financial condition of more than 1,100 local government units.