When vehicles break down, lights burn out, or public spaces need care, there’s a team quietly making sure everything runs smoothly. With 34 full- and part-time employees, the Alexander County Public Works & Facilities Department — including Public Works Administration; Buildings, Grounds & Maintenance; Garage; and Solid Waste — works behind the scenes to keep county operations seamless for residents and employees alike.
“These employees do work most people never see, yet their impact is felt throughout our community,” said Marty Pennell, Chairman of the Alexander County Board of Commissioners. “They keep our county operating safely and efficiently, and they do it with professionalism and pride.”
Public Works & Facilities Director Josh Mitchell is pictured at the construction site of the new Bethlehem water tank.
Public Works Administration: Leading the charge
At the helm is Director Josh Mitchell, Assistant Director Michael Bare, and Administrative Assistant Cheryl Ziegler. Together, they manage all four divisions and ensure the department works hand-in-hand with other departments. Mitchell also serves as the county liaison with the City of Hickory and the Town of Taylorsville, which provide water and sewer service in Alexander County.
“You’re only as good as the people you work with,” Mitchell said. “Without our dedicated staff, we could never function this well. We’re like family.”
Ziegler keeps the department running smoothly, handling everything from billing and utility tracking to purchasing office supplies for county employees. Bare’s role focuses on the garage and solid waste facility.
Mitchell also coordinates major county projects, which currently include the EMS Station #1 addition, ARPA water line project, Bowman Court sewer project, Bethlehem water tank, Three Forks Church Road water project, Bethlehem booster station, and upcoming renovations for EMS Station #2 in Bethlehem.
“I’m excited about these projects because they’re concrete examples of how our county continues to move forward,” Chairman Pennell added. “We appreciate the hard work of Josh and his excellent team.”
Buildings, Grounds, & Maintenance: Pride in every property
Frank Stafford making a repair at the Alexander County Detention Center.
The seven full-time employees of Buildings, Grounds, & Maintenance handle everything from minor repairs to major renovations, keeping more than 25 county facilities in top shape — including parks, libraries, EMS bases, Social Services, Health Department, Senior Center, Board of Elections, Courthouse, CVCC Alexander Complex, Animal Shelter, Emergency Services, Law Enforcement Center, and more.
The crews complete around 150 work orders each month and mow 100 acres weekly, with a dedication to quality work while serving the community.
“These employees are hard workers, most times working behind the scenes,” Mitchell said. “They have a good attitude and work ethic. I’m so grateful for our team.”
Chairman Pennell agrees. “I’ve seen these crews go above and beyond countless times. From parks to libraries to EMS bases, their work touches everyone in our county.”
Jack Bumgarner, Frankie Hass, and Jeremy Hefner pose for a photo on their mowers at the CVCC Alexander Complex.
Garage: Keeping the fleet rolling
The Garage staff, which includes two full-time mechanics along with Michael Bare, maintain a fleet of 150+ vehicles, including ambulances, sheriff’s vehicles, Taylorsville Police cars, tractors, lawnmowers, generators, and more. They handle everything from oil changes to full engine swaps, as the county now performs nearly all mechanic work in-house, saving time and taxpayer dollars.
Ryan Hudler is pictured working on an Alexander County EMS ambulance.
“Our garage team is the reason so many of our departments can respond quickly and efficiently,” Mitchell said. “We have made great strides in fleet maintenance over the years.”
“They’re literally keeping our community moving,” Pennell added. “Every emergency vehicle, every truck, every lawnmower… it all depends on their expertise.”
Solid Waste: Serving the community daily
The Solid Waste division manages the main facility and six convenience sites, where residents can dispose of trash and recyclables. Approximately 2,700 residents visit these sites each month, totaling 147,000 visits for the 2024–2025 fiscal year. There are 16 part-time employees at the convenience sites.
Michael Bare and RD Story pose with the newest garbage truck.
The solid waste facility, which has three full-time and three part-time employees, handles around 25,000 tons of garbage annually, which is transferred to a facility in Caldwell County. The landfill also processes 6,000 tons of construction and demolition debris each year. The facility includes areas for recycling, metal, pallets, brush, compost, and more.
Sharon Watson is one of the friendly faces you’ll see at the Solid Waste Facility.
“With that many interactions, we have very few complaints and many positive stories, which is just another testament to our amazing employees,” Mitchell said.
“Managing waste is never glamorous, but these employees do it with a smile,” Pennell said. “They’re professional and courteous, and do a great job.”
Dedication you can count on
Whether it’s mowing at a park, fixing a vehicle, or keeping trash moving safely and efficiently, the Public Works & Facilities Department works tirelessly behind the scenes to serve Alexander County.
“You can’t overstate the value of this department and these employees,” Pennell said. “They are top notch and work so well together. We truly appreciate their hard work and dedication.”
Each employee of the Public Works & Facilities Department plays an important role in Alexander County. Their work is often invisible to the public, but its impact is felt every day.