Chairman· 2024-12-02–2028-12-04 (current term: elected Nov 2024; sworn in by Judge Duncan at the Dec 2 2024 board meeting per Dec 2 2024 minutes; N.C.G.S. § 153A-26 which has county commissioners take the oath and assume office on the first Monday in December after the general election, statute text read at ncleg.gov; end = first Monday in December 2028 when the successor is seated; first-office day before this term not sourced)
Hardin C. Kennedy III
Wilkes County
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 20
- Total speaking time
- 4:29:41
- Avg per meeting
- 13:29
- Segments
- 5844
Want every word Kennedy has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Kennedy said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
municipal dissolution
The big money question is whether dissolving town government saves residents on taxes or just moves costs to the county—and taxpayers could feel it either way.
Project Kingfisher Economic Investment Agreement
Unknown until the public hearing — incentives would be laid out in the Economic Investment Agreement.
Property Tax Releases and Refunds
$46,089.72 in taxes released, drawn against fund balance for prior years.
Assistant County Manager Hiring
Employment contracts for both positions will come before the board October 20.
District K Tourism Development Authority Audit
Occupancy tax revenue of about $1.065 million budgeted for FY2026; 14% of budget on professional services versus a 25% state average.
National Recovery Month recognition
Rescue services funding model
$1,000 per out-of-district rescue call, with 66 calls so far this fiscal year.
Foster Care Capacity Crisis
Foster care spending is at about 45% of budget with seven months elapsed; IV-E funds reimburse 82% of foster care dollars.
Countywide RV Park/Camping Ordinance
Property Reappraisal Cycle Change to 3 Years
A $1.29 million budget amendment funds the software and appraisal work for the 2028 reval.
H.R.1 Medicaid Changes
The county gets $539,981 in federal administrative funding, cutting its expected cost increase roughly in half to about $250,000.
Operation Green Light for Veterans
No cost to the county.
County Manager Honored with Regional Award
Wilkes Community College Heavy Equipment Program Land Use
No cost to the county or the college.
School Resource Officer Funding
$480,000 in state money with no new local spending required.
Sworn Officer Bonus Grant
$163,898 in state funds, no local match.
Health Department Fee Schedule and Sliding Fee
The fee schedule determines what residents pay out of pocket for county health services.
Board Membership and Officer Leadership
New Health Department Building
Facility costs for the new building were not detailed in the available agenda.
Property tax authority challenge and constitutional compliance notice
No immediate fiscal effect — the challenge is a protest, not a legal filing against the county's budget.
Decisions during term (204)
Recorded while III was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Approval of Minutes – October 6, 2026
Resolution Supporting Operation Green Light for Veterans
2026 Center for Safer Schools Grant – $480,000
Tax Releases and Refunds – $79,071.36
Agreement for Use of Real Property – Wilkes Community College
Vaya Partners CCAB Appointment – Hal Wilson
Employment Agreement – Zachary Levitt, Assistant County Manager
Budget Amendment No. 11 – Law Enforcement Bonus Grant
Closed Session – Attorney-Client Privilege
Adjournment
Approval of Minutes – Board Meeting held on October 6, 2026
Approval of September 15, 2026 Minutes
Budget Amendments No. 8 and No. 9
Austin Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Contract
Broadway Fire Department Rescue Contract
Champion Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Contract
McGrady Volunteer Fire and Rescue Contract
Millers Creek Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Contract
Mulberry-Fairplains Fire & Rescue Contract
Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Contract
Voting record (6)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
approve the Utility Construction Agreement between the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Wilkes County, and Broadway Water Association Inc. in the amount of $1,059,316.44 as presented at to
approve the Utility Construction Agreement between the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Wilkes County, and the Town of North Wilkesboro, in the amount of $2,839,983.29 as presented at toni
Utility Construction Agreement – NCDOT, Wilkes County, and Town of North Wilkesboro
Opposed to county taxpayers funding municipal utility upgrades; not opposed to the project itself, only its funding.
Utility Construction Agreement – NCDOT, Wilkes County, and Broadway Water Association, Inc.
Opposed to county taxpayers funding municipal utility upgrades.
leave the new building currently under construction located on Executive Drive, Wilkesboro, NC as the County Office Building
Retain new Executive Drive building as County Office Building (decline DSS repurposing)
Favored repurposing as an investment in DSS, children and seniors with state reimbursement offsetting cost.