Cherryville City Council Starts 2026 with New Zoning Officer and Mayor Appointments

Posted Wednesday, January 14, 2026 9:54 am

By: Wise News Network Staff

Cherryville, NC (WNN)— The Cherryville City Council met on January 12 for their first official meeting of 2026. They approved changes in cemetery rules, appointed new committee members, and pushed forward a big recreation partnership that could bring in a lot of tourist revenue for the city. They have also added screens so those who attend the meetings and those who watch from home can have a visual idea of what is discussed.

Perfect Game Partnership Could Revamp Cherryville's Baseball Fields

Council members received updates on talks with Perfect Game, a national youth baseball organization. They plan to make Cherryville a key spot for tournaments along with Gaffney, South Carolina, and Charlotte. This partnership would bring about 35 to 40 weekend events each year to the city's ballparks.

Representatives from Perfect Game suggested putting fake grass on three fields at the Little League complex, covering both the infield and outfield areas. They'd do this for free if they could use the fields for weekend tournaments. The group works with around 19,000 teams across the country in the Southeast.

Some of the Little League Fields in Cherryville, NC. January 13th,2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

City Manager Brian Dalton explained that putting in turf would open up more chances for people to play sports beyond just baseball and softball. He mentioned that flag football and youth soccer could use the field when baseball isn't in season. Parks and Recreation Director Lance Hudson made it clear that local Dixie Youth and Little League teams would still get first pick for scheduling district and state tournaments.

The recreation committee met on January 13. They plan to finalize the details of the contract this fall.

City Appoints Full-Time Code Enforcement Officer

During the meeting, it was announced that Officer Wes Bennett is now Cherryville's new full-time code enforcement officer. This will change how the city will handle property upkeep violations, illegal trash dumping, and run-down buildings. Bennett will work 40 hours each week and will focus on code violations.

Bennett has started learning from the Hickory Police Department, as their code enforcement team is one of the biggest in the state. Bennett will record all of his checks using the city's computer system. In his first week, he has already reached about 20 property owners. The police department is also working on setting up an email address that citizens can use for complaints that will be sent directly to Bennett, Police Chief Brandon Hunsucker, and Major Dan Renn to keep up to date on issues in the city.

Cemetery Policies Updated

Council members approved two changes related to the cemetery. They voted to increase the fees for opening and closing graves by $25 for most types. The cost for cremation openings will now be $450, while adult graves will cost $725, and oversized graves will cost $825. Baby graves will remain priced at $400.

Gravestones at the Cherryville Cemetery. January 13th,2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

Council members also ruled that concrete vaults are now required for all traditional burials in the city cemetery. City officials mentioned that Cherryville was one of just two local cemeteries that did not need vaults. These vaults, which cost about $1,400, stop the ground from sinking over time. The new rule requires vaults to be made of concrete or other superior materials, rather than plastic or poly options.

Legislative Goals Set

City council members decided on three priorities to include in the city's 2026 legislative plans for the N.C. General Assembly. The plan proposes a 20% boost in Powell Bill funding, which currently gives Cherryville about $225,000 every year to maintain roads. The increase would raise that amount to somewhere between $240,000 and $250,000.

They also aim to secure $500,000 more in state aid to renovate city hall and add it to an $810,000 HUD grant already received. Together, the money would cover the costs to renovate the building, including upgrades to the second floor and improvements to the parking lot.

Cherryville may join municipalities that are exempt from the 10% land mass rule to annex land for economic growth. This adjustment would let the city annex industrial zones or big commercial areas over 350 acres without limits. Cities nearby, such as Gastonia, Belmont, Kings Mountain, Shelby, and Mount Holly, are already on this list.

City Manager Dalton mentioned that staff wants to include the annexation exemption when the General Assembly starts its short session in March.

Infrastructure Updates

Dalton also said that the engineering work to extend the water line on Highway 150, stretching from Mountain Street to Delview Road, is now complete. The line will follow the road's north side where the current sidewalk sits, so workers will need to take out the sidewalk and later replace it. The city aims to open the project for bids within a month after the N.C. Department of Transportation approves traffic control plans.

Paving on Academy Street, spanning about two miles between Mountain Street and Paul H Beam Street, was supposed to finish on January 13. The city still has around $100,000 left in this paving year's budget to use on other street projects.

Paving on Academy Street in front of First Presbyterian Church, Cherryville, NC. January 13th, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

Some current projects include setting up a 200-horsepower pump at the Ballard pump station within the next month. Crews will also replace the force main stretching from the pump station to Old Post Road. Both projects are expected to open for bidding soon.

Council Appointments

Mayor Stroupe shared that the mayor pro tem role will now follow a rotation system. Council Member Janice Hovis will assume this position in 2026, while Council Member Jill Puett has been named the immediate past Mayor Pro Tem. Every council member will take a turn as mayor pro tem during their four-year service period.

Cherryville City Council Members during the Council Meeting. January 12th,2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

The council named Lacy Bratton to the recreation board to act as the Dixie Youth Softball liaison. She joins Christopher Parish, who serves as the Little League liaison.

Cherryville NC City Council 2026 Appointments

City of Cherryville NC

Community Recognition

Stroupe talked about various holiday events in the community. These included the Wreaths Across America ceremony on December 13 at Cherryville Cemetery and another event on January 12 at the American Legion.

The American Legion Cherryville Post 100 Building. January 13th,2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

During the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #100 January ceremony, American Legion Auxiliary National President Pam Ray presented awards. Cherryville native and Junior member of the Auxiliary, Claire Harris, received a Good Deed Award for raising money to support children's hospitals. Major Renn's two sons were also recognized for helping former council member David Kiser after he fell in November.

The meeting was adjourned after an hour.