Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in High Point public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues
Quadrant Street setback variance (VR-26-04)
A property owner is asking the Board to waive 25 feet of the required street setback in a Highway Business district so a commercial project at 4275 and 4285 Quadrant Street can be built closer to the street. The hearing decides whether the dimensional rules bend for this site.
Kersey Valley Landfill PFAS Grant Application
The city is finally spending part of its PFAS class-action settlement — $200,000 for expanded weekly water testing ahead of a 2029 compliance deadline, with officials saying their treatment options may be cheaper than other cities face.
Water and Wastewater Plant Equipment Upgrades
New water meters from Badger Meter, meter lids from Core & Main, tank recoating at the Ward plant and a clarifier rebuild at the Eastside plant were all on the consent agenda — routine but essential water system upkeep.
300 Oak Street Workforce Development Facility
The city is turning a former industrial building into a training hub for trades, manufacturing and tech careers. This vote covers only design and pre-construction; construction pricing around $3 million comes in January.
Upper Boulding Branch Sewer Rehabilitation
Bond-funded sewer repairs in the Upper Boulding Branch basin plus proactive cleaning of lines under North Main Street before NCDOT resurfaces the road — aiming to avoid cutting new pavement later.
Emergency Radio System Upgrade
Two public safety tech items: a $669,371 radio system upgrade and a seven-year, $409,678 ballistic identification subscription. Both affect how quickly and accurately police can respond and solve cases.
Economic Development Discussions
The Council is going behind closed doors to talk about an economic development matter. The details are confidential under state law, but this kind of session often signals a potential business recruitment or incentive deal in the works. Any public announcement or vote would come later.
Market District Infrastructure Improvements
A change order with Breece Enterprises would bring the Market District infrastructure contract to just over $10 million. This work underpins the downtown Market District redevelopment.
Affordable Housing and Property Acquisition on Vail Avenue
The city would accept donated parcels at 1310 Tipton Street and 512 Carr Street.
Washington Street Property Conveyance to D-UP, Inc.
The city would accept donated parcels at 1310 Tipton Street and 512 Carr Street.
Street and Sidewalk Bond Orders and Triangle Lake Road Project
Nine years after voters approved the bond, the city is hiring a firm to buy properties and relocate residents for the road widening, targeted for completion in February 2028.
Shops on Washington Street Funding
A $200,000 public subsidy to fix up two privately owned buildings on Washington Street sparked questions about whether city government should bankroll private, for-profit tenants. The committee sent it to full council rather than voting.
Paratransit and Microtransit Scheduling Software
Paratransit and microtransit riders get a modern cloud-based booking and tracking system replacing an aging in-house server setup, with a rider app planned for spring 2027.
Police radio and ballistics technology investments
A $669K radio upgrade keeps police, fire and utility crews connected as Motorola phases out old technology, and a seven-year ballistics system renewal sustains 24-hour evidence turnaround that has helped multi-city gun violence operations.
Furniture Market Transportation Services
An NCDOT agreement would provide funding assistance for transportation services during the semiannual High Point Furniture Market.
Dash In Food Store Commercial Rezoning
A developer is seeking to rezone roughly 3 acres at a challenging intersection to allow for a new commercial use, requiring careful review of access and traffic patterns.
Liberty Academy Charter School Expansion
Liberty Academy is looking to update its property zoning to include high school grades, though total enrollment would remain capped at 799 students. The discussion focuses on traffic mitigation and how the school fits into the surrounding neighborhood.
Energy Financing Program
High Point is teaming up with Greensboro and Guilford County to launch a new financing program that helps local property owners pay for energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades. It's an easy way to fund green building improvements that cut utility bills.
Property Tax Limits
State tax cuts are pinching local budgets, and a new amendment might cap how much your property taxes can go up. Whether you own a home or rent in High Point, this could change how the city pays for everyday services.
Facility Relocation
High Point's Roy B. Culler, Jr. Senior Center is relocating right next to the Oakview Recreation Center. Because of the move, the facility will be completely closed from October 19 through November 6.
Meeting Schedule
Want to know when your local leaders are meeting? Check out the latest High Point City Council schedule so you can stay informed or share your thoughts at the next gathering.
ElectriCities Customer Service Survey Results and Utility Improvements
The city is purchasing $1.66 million in new digital electric meters from Border States to support new homes and replace aging equipment as part of its ongoing meter upgrade project.
Water and Sewer Rate Structure Overhaul
High Point is adjusting its water and sewer budget by $1.32 million to cover unexpected expenses from last summer's flood repairs and high incinerator hauling costs, covered by insurance and investment earnings.
Proposed Large-Scale Manufacturing Development Concerns
A resident raised concerns regarding a proposed 12-story manufacturing building near residential neighborhoods, citing potential drops in property values and traffic impacts.
Foster Care Resource and Support Needs
A representative from the Family Room foster care resource center highlighted the critical shortage of licensed foster homes and resources for children entering care.
Municipal Personnel Policy and Holiday Revisions
The city council held a closed-door meeting to discuss municipal personnel matters, which is permitted under state law to protect employee privacy.
Recycling Facility AI Technology Trial
The city is investing $79,000 in a three-year trial of an AI scanner at the Material Recovery Facility to track missed recyclable materials and guide future equipment upgrades. The mobile scanner will help staff evaluate recovery performance without cutting existing jobs.
Replacement Transit Vehicle Procurement
High Point is teaming up with Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Burlington, and PART to let riders use a single transit card across all regional bus systems.
Firefighter Staffing and Separation Allowance
Firefighters and supporters urged the city council to fund a special separation allowance to improve recruitment and retention and provide retirement healthcare support.
First Baptist Church Property and Downtown Revitalization
City leaders are exploring ways to redesign South Main Street to make it safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and students while encouraging new housing and business investment. The 1.5-mile stretch currently features wide, high-speed lanes that divide neighborhoods, but upcoming state repaving projects offer a chance to reallocate street space.
CDBG-CV Fund Reallocation for Public Services
The city is shifting over $450,000 in unused COVID-19 relief funds toward rent assistance and local food pantries to help low-income residents before the funds expire at the end of September.
Bicentennial Greenway Interlocal Agreement
High Point, Greensboro, and Guilford County are teaming up for the first time to jointly maintain, repair, and brand the 18-mile Bicentennial Greenway, addressing long-standing maintenance backlogs and accessibility issues.
Wastewater Incinerator Downtime & Biosolids Disposal Costs
Emergency hauling costs rose due to an incinerator shutdown, highlighting ongoing sludge management needs.
High Point Police Department H.O.P.E. Team Rollout
The police department is launching a 5-year, $1.54 million drone program with Axon Enterprises to speed up emergency response times and support fire and rescue operations.
Electric Operations Center Construction
The committee advanced the Electrical Operations Center project with a $5.16 million concrete and structural steel amendment, alongside substantial investments in primary wire and supplemental labor contracts.
Fire Department Fleet and Apparatus Replacements
The committee approved major apparatus purchases totaling over $4 million to replace aging fire trucks, tankers, and aerial towers that have exceeded standard mileage and pump hours.
2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)
The city reviewed its annual report card on federal grants, showing support for home repairs, homebuyer assistance, and affordable housing construction across High Point.
Blighted Property Demolitions
Code enforcement is actively addressing minimum housing violations, public nuisances, and blighted properties through targeted inspections, owner rehabilitations, and demolitions.
Center for Active Adults Furniture Procurement
The city is purchasing $176,000 in furniture for the new Center for Active Adults, which opens in November. Officials highlighted that three of the manufacturing suppliers are based right in High Point.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Action Plan Update
The city is partnering with NCDOT on a $130,000 plan to update High Point's 10-year-old pedestrian blueprint and add comprehensive bike network mapping.
Deep River Blueway Trail Grant Application
High Point is applying for a $100,000 state grant to help launch its first water trail (blueway) along the Deep River. The city will provide a 25% match to kick off the waterway project.
Downtown Social District Boundary Expansion
Downtown's social district is expanding to include Smitty and Pearl's, giving visitors more space to enjoy outdoor dining and beverage strolls starting September 1.
Low-Income Homeowner Tax Assistance Program
High Point is looking to boost its down payment assistance from $7,500 to $20,000 to help residents keep up with rising home prices. The plan also adds a $5,000 bonus for buyers fixing up homes in specific historic or lower-income neighborhoods.
Urban Deer Management and Wildlife Nuisance
A resident requested that the city consider relaxing firearm ordinances to allow regulated bow hunting for overpopulated deer on private property.
FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) Update
The city needs to adopt FEMA's updated flood insurance rate maps to stay in the National Flood Insurance Program. The maps determine flood zones used for insurance and development rules.
Marywood Drive Address Changes
Residents of Marywood Drive voiced frustration over mandatory address changes triggered by new development, citing high administrative costs and postal delivery concerns.
Downtown Hotel Development at North Elm Street
The city is selling municipal property at 305 and 315 North Elm Street to Terra Investments LLC for $1 million to clear the way for a new select-service hotel next to Truist Point stadium.
Splashworks expansion at Picker Cotton Mill
A rezoning at 1690 W. English Road lets Splashworks expand inside the old Picker Cotton Mill, turning it into a year-round destination with commercial and residential uses. Supporters say it boosts revitalization of High Point's southwest area and its creative community.
Employee Compensation and Classification Study Phase 2
The city reviewed the final results of a major study examining employee pay, market competitiveness, and salary compression across more than 1,000 positions. The findings led to a recommended hybrid parity model and a 2.5% market adjustment funded in the budget to help High Point retain talented staff.
Project Crocodile Economic Incentive
The city approved a $75,000 building upfit grant to help Project Launch transform 1321 Long Street into a venture creation hub and office space, aiming to generate 40 jobs over five years.