Local Government • Ronda

Ronda Commissioners Vote to Dissolve Town After Financial Crisis

The Ronda Board of Commissioners voted 3-1 Tuesday to begin the process of dissolving the Wilkes County town’s charter following months of worsening financial problems.

RONDA, N.C. — The Ronda Board of Commissioners voted 3-1 Tuesday, Sept. 8, to move forward with dissolving the town’s municipal charter, marking a major turning point in the financial crisis facing the Wilkes County community.

Commissioner Bobby Munsey cast the lone vote against dissolution, according to reporting following the meeting.

The action follows weeks of warnings from state officials that Ronda’s financial condition had deteriorated to the point that the town might not have enough money to continue operating.

Financial Problems Led to the Vote

Ronda’s financial difficulties have included declining cash reserves and mounting costs associated with the town’s water system.

In August, Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Reece said the town had about $40,000 in available funds while losing approximately $25,000 per month.

State lawmakers later urged the town to act quickly. In an Aug. 24 letter, Sen. Eddie Settle and Reps. Blair Eddins and Dan Kiger said Ronda’s financial condition had deteriorated to the point that the municipality was “no longer viable.”

The lawmakers warned that exhausting the town’s available cash could threaten essential services including water, wastewater, payroll and emergency response.

Town Initially Sought a Public Vote

Ronda commissioners had previously sought to let town residents decide the municipality’s future at the ballot box.

On Aug. 11, the board unanimously approved a resolution asking state officials to take the steps necessary to place the question of dissolving Ronda’s charter before voters.

State officials later advised town leaders that the earliest such a referendum could occur was November 2027, according to published reports. Officials warned that Ronda was unlikely to have enough money to continue operating until then.

That financial timeline pushed the town toward the voluntary dissolution process rather than waiting for a referendum.

What Happens to Ronda’s Property?

The Sept. 8 vote begins the dissolution process. It does not mean the town immediately ceases to exist.

Reece told WFDD that one of the next steps will be determining which town-owned assets could be sold to satisfy liabilities and which assets might be retained for community use.

One possibility involves Ronda Town Hall. Reece said residents have expressed interest in keeping the building as a community center, potentially under a nonprofit organization with its own board and bylaws.

Questions also remain about responsibility for maintaining the town cemetery. Reece said possibilities being explored include Wilkes County or three local churches taking responsibility for it.

Years of Financial Pressure

Ronda was incorporated in 1907 and once benefited from industry and the Southern Railway route between North Wilkesboro and Greensboro.

The town now has fewer than 400 residents. Recent reporting has cited an aging population, a shrinking tax base and increasing utility costs among the pressures facing the municipality.

Water-system expenses have been a central issue throughout the town’s financial crisis. Town officials have said the system serves customers beyond Ronda’s municipal boundaries, adding to the financial burden of maintaining the infrastructure.

From Financial Warning to Dissolution Vote

Ronda Does Not Disappear Immediately

The commissioners’ vote is an important step toward dissolution, but additional work remains before Ronda would cease operating as an incorporated municipality.

Town officials must address outstanding liabilities, municipal property and the future of services and assets currently controlled by the town.

The Wilkesboros will continue following the dissolution process and what it means for Ronda residents, property owners and customers of town services.

More From The Wilkesboros