Cleveland County Government

06/23/2026

🔷 Your County, Your Impact | FY 2026–2027 Budget 🔷

Cleveland County's newly adopted $207.8 million budget, effective July 1, 2026, is built around one goal: delivering quality services to every resident in our community.

The county property tax rate holds steady at 40.5¢ per $100 of valuation, with a combined total rate of 61.5¢ when including public school and fire taxes. That means continued investment in the schools, safety, and services your family counts on.

This budget brings 10 new positions to better serve you and includes a 2% cost-of-living adjustment for county employees starting January 1, 2027, because a strong community starts with a strong team.

Your investment. Your community. Your impact.

📌 Learn more at: bit.ly/cleveland-county-budget

06/22/2026

What a beautiful weekend at the Polkville Rodeo! Incredible turnout and an amazing crowd, we couldn't be prouder.

A huge thank you to our Cleveland County EMS, Cleveland County Emergency Management, and Cleveland County Sheriff's Office teams for keeping everyone safe and making it all possible. Honored to serve alongside the best. 🤝

06/22/2026

Congratulations to the City of Kings Mountain on this incredible PBS North Carolina feature! 🎉

We love seeing our community's rich history in the spotlight. The Kings Mountain Historical Museum does amazing work bringing the full story of the Battle of Kings Mountain to life. So proud of this city!

06/20/2026

Make sure to stop by Burns High School TODAY for the rabies clinic, now until 12pm! 🐾

🐾 **Rabies Vaccination Clinic Tomorrow!** 🐾

Dahlia has to know if you’re gonna come out and take advantage of this great opportunity!! Comment and like if you’re gonna be there tomorrow!

Cleveland County Animal Services is excited to host a Rabies Vaccination Clinic tomorrow at **Burns High School in Shelby, NC** from **8:00 AM to 12:00 PM**!

We're proud to partner with **Clifford's Army Rescue**, who will be providing **FREE microchips** for pets during the event while supplies last.

📍 Location: Burns High School, Shelby, NC
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

⚠️ Important Reminders:
🐕 All dogs must be on a leash.
🐈 All cats must be securely contained in a crate or carrier.
🚗 Please remain in your vehicle upon arrival and wait until directed by staff.

Protect your pets with a rabies vaccination and take advantage of this great opportunity to get them microchipped at no cost. We look forward to seeing you and your furry family members tomorrow!

06/19/2026

Here are the key highlights from the June 16, 2026 Cleveland County Board of Commissioners meeting:

✅ Consent Agenda Approved: The Board of Commissioners approved the consent agenda, which included various budget amendments and reports.

✅ Governor's Award: Linda Szymanski from Cleveland County Animal Services received the NC Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for her dedication to the animals in our community. She was honored by the Board of Commissioners and received her award.

✅ Special Presentations: Interim Emergency Management Director Josh Queen announced Cleveland County as the receipient of the Duke Energy Foundation Award, valued at $25,000. The grant will go towards more weather sirens in Upper Cleveland County.

✅ Charters of Freedom: Jeff Morse with Foundation Foward gave a presentation regarding an installation featuring the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the United States Constitution.

📅 Next meeting: Tuesday, July 14 at 6 PM
🔗 Learn more at clevelandcounty.com

06/19/2026

Happy 80th Anniversary, Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge! 🎉

For eight decades, three generations of the Bridges family have kept the pits fired and the tradition alive right here in Shelby. Those pork shoulders are still cooked slow, all night long — the same way they always have been. That dedication to craft and consistency is a testament to everything that makes our community special.

And here's a fun piece of local history: Red Bridges was the very first restaurant ever to serve a Sundrop! ☀️

Congratulations to the Bridges family on 80 years of serving Shelby. We look forward to many more.

06/18/2026

We'd like to congratulate Linda Szymanski from Cleveland County Animal Services, who was honored with the North Carolina Governor's Volunteer Service Award at the June 16th Board of Commissioners meeting! 👏

This award is only given to those who go above and beyond, demonstrating outstanding commitment and an exceptional impact on their community. For years, Linda has poured her heart into caring for animals, showing up again and again with compassion, patience, and dedication that hasn't gone unnoticed.

Linda makes our community better one animal at a time. If you see her at the shelter, let her know how much her dedication means to you! 🐾

06/18/2026

🔷 ICYMI: Last week, Cleveland County celebrated the ribbon cutting on its new 911 Communications & Emergency Operations Center in Shelby.

The state-of-the-art facility features updated telecommunicator stations, training and meeting space, and an Emergency Operations Activation Center — built to strengthen emergency response for our residents and first responders.

The $7.8 million project was funded more than 75% by state and federal grants. A smart investment for our community.

06/18/2026

⏰ LAST CALL | Drive-Thru Rabies Clinic — THIS Saturday, June 20th!

Cleveland County Animal Services is hosting a free Drive-Thru Rabies Clinic this weekend, and we don't want you to miss it. With 19 confirmed rabies cases in our county, protecting your pets means protecting our whole community.

📍 Burns High School | 307 E Stagecoach Trail, Lawndale
🕗 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

✅ FREE rabies vaccinations for Cleveland County residents
🐾 Required by NC law for cats, dogs & ferrets 4 months of age and older
💉 BONUS: FREE microchips courtesy of Clifford's Army Rescue Extravaganza — while supplies last!

Please arrive with dogs on a leash and cats secured in a carrier. We look forward to seeing you there!

06/17/2026

Save the Date! 📅 We’re proud to support the NC Liver Mush Festival, presented by Visit Cleveland County, on Saturday, October 17th.

🎉 Mark your calendars, y'all — the 2026 NC Liver Mush Festival is just 4 months away! 🐷✨

This beloved community tradition keeps getting better — three stages of live music, a pet festival packed with furry friends, delicious local bites, and so much in store. Best of all? It's FREE to the public, made possible by our incredible sponsors. 🙏❤️

Big announcements are coming soon, so stay close! Follow us on Facebook, join us on our new Instagram , and visit nclivermushfestival.com to stay in the know.

The countdown is ON, see you in October! 🎊