Wilkes County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Wilkes County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
School Resource Officer Funding
A $480,000 state grant will pay for ten school resource officers in elementary and middle schools, with the county's $120,000 match covered by existing salaries. The sheriff's office now staffs 19 officers across 22 schools, getting close to one at every school.
H.R.1 Medicaid Changes
Federal changes mean many non-citizens lose Medicaid eligibility as of October 1, and starting January 2027 many adults 19-64 must work, attend school, or volunteer 80 hours a month to keep coverage. Wilkes has 5,142 residents on expanded Medicaid, and the county is getting about $540,000 in federal help with the extra paperwork.
Rescue services funding model
After losing the county Rescue Squad last year, eight volunteer fire departments have signed contracts to provide rescue services at $1,000 per out-of-district call through June 30, 2026. A more permanent arrangement still needs to be worked out.