City of Hickory, NC - Government

06/12/2026

06/12/2026

⚠️ WATER MAIN BREAK ⚠️
There is a water main break in NW Hickory near 30th Ave NW and 5th St Pl NW. Water service is currently interrupted in this and surrounding areas. City of Hickory Public Utilities is aware of this issue, and crews are working to repair the water main break as quickly as possible.

Please be advised that when water service is restored, customers may experience air in the lines or discolored water. If this should happen, please run cold water (preferably through an outside spigot) until the water clears.

06/11/2026

Come downtown for the Lavender Festival at the Hickory Farmers Market this Saturday, June 13, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The City of Hickory is proud to sponsor this event and live local music weekly at the market. All things lavender will be available from vendors – everything to lavender scented goods to fresh cut lavender bundles. Be sure to stop by the City of Hickory community booth while you're there to catch up on the latest City information. You definitely don't want to miss this once a year event.

06/11/2026

Recent rain has offered some short‑term relief, but not enough to lift the City of Hickory or the Catawba‑Wateree River Basin out of mandatory water restrictions. Hickory remains in Stage 2 of the Low Inflow Protocol (LIP), which requires all customers to follow specific water‑use limits.

--Why We Are Still in Stage 2--
Drought stage is determined by three key factors:
1. Reservoir levels
2. How much water is flowing into those reservoirs
3. Current drought designations from the U.S. Drought Monitor

Despite recent rainfall, inflow to the reservoirs remains low, and regional drought conditions have not improved enough for restrictions to be eased. All three triggers must be in Stage 1 before the region can be moved officially back down into Stage 1 and water restrictions lifted.

--Updated Irrigation Restrictions--
To reduce confusion, irrigation guidelines have been simplified. Under Stage 2, the following rules now apply:

• Customers may irrigate no more than two days per week.
• Irrigation is prohibited on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
• Exceptions remain for newly planted grass, sod, and turfgrass.

--Additional Stage 2 Requirements--
• No residential vehicle washing.
• Reduce overall water use; schedule discretionary use during early morning or late evening.
• Do not operate ornamental fountains or water features that do not support animal life.
• Do not fill residential swimming pools.
• Do not top off pools on prohibited irrigation days.

--Prohibited Activities & Penalties--
The following are not allowed during Stage 2:
• Irrigation on prohibited days
• Operating ornamental water features without animal life
• Filling residential pools
• Topping off pools outside allowed irrigation days

Violations may result in surcharges:
• First violation: $100 (≤1.5” meter) or $200 (≥2” meter)
• Second violation: $200 (≤1.5” meter) or $400 (≥2” meter)
• Third violation: $300 (≤1.5” meter) or $600 (≥2” meter)

More than five violations may result in loss of irrigation water service.

--Areas Covered by Stage 2 Restrictions--
These rules apply to all customers served by the City of Hickory water system, including:
• City of Hickory customers
• Cities of Conover and Claremont
• Towns of Brookford, Catawba, Long View, and Maiden
• Portions of Alexander and Catawba counties
• Icard Township Water Corporation

--A Regional, Cooperative Effort--
The Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (CW‑DMAG), formed in 2006, brings together public water suppliers, industrial users, state and federal agencies, and Duke Energy to make coordinated decisions that protect the region’s shared water resources.

The City of Hickory works closely with these partners under the Low Inflow Protocol to ensure responsible, basin-wide water management during drought.

--More Information--
To learn more about drought conditions, Stage 2 restrictions, and water saving tips, visit www.hickorync.gov/drought. For additional water-saving resources, visit the Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group at www.catawbawatereewmg.org. Customers not served by the City of Hickory water system should contact their local water provider for guidance.

06/10/2026

Make a difference where it matters most—right here at home. Join the City of Hickory team and serve your neighbors while helping shape a stronger, more vibrant community.

In addition to competitive salary, the City of Hickory provides a generous benefit package valued at over $15,000 annually.

Employee Benefits:
• NC Local Government Retirement System (City Contributes 14.35% Per Employee)
• City-Provided Life Insurance (1.5x Salary, Up to $125,000)
• 401K (City Matches Up to 5% Contribution)
• Competitive-Rate Voluntary Benefits (Additional Life Insurance, Dependent Life, Short-Term Disability, Accident and Critical Illness)
• Competitive Health Insurance Options for Employees and Family
• Low-Cost Dental and Vision Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program – Five Free Visits
• On-Site Wellness Clinic & Pharmacy
• Free Membership to Highland Fitness Center
• Paid Holidays (11 days per year)
• Paid Sick Leave (12 days per year)
• Paid Vacation (10-22 days per year, depending on years of service)
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Individual Development Classes & Training
• Leadership and Professional Development Opportunities

Ready to craft your career with the City of Hickory? Learn more at www.hickorync.gov/employment and apply today.

06/10/2026

Can't remember when or what to recycle? Check out the interactive map, recycling tips, and recycling schedules online at: www.hickorync.gov/residential-recycling

06/09/2026

🚧 12TH AVE NW CLOSURE FOR SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION 🚧Beginning on Monday, June 15, 12th Ave NW (Geitner Rd) will be closed between 6th St NW and Old Lenoir Rd NW for sidewalk construction. The road will be closed daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and a detour route will be in place.

Weather permitting, the project is expected to take approximately one week to complete. Please remember to slow down and use caution in the area to help ensure the safety of construction crews.

06/08/2026

Due to ongoing drought conditions and mandatory water use restrictions, the splash pad at Kiwanis Park remains closed. Any updates will be shared to our page. For more information about current drought restrictions, visit https://www.hickorync.gov/drought.

06/08/2026

The City of Hickory's Sails Original Music Series, presented by Protection Products, Inc., welcomes back Dulci this week. The performance starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 12, at Union Square in downtown Hickory.

Dulci Ellenberger is an American singer, songwriter, and recording artist that brings an ageless, classic style to pop music with high energy, smooth vocals, and warm melodies. This big-sound-band creates a rich soundscape that spans a broad range of genres from old-school soul to modern-day pop. Expect lots of vocal harmonies (Alyse Baca, Melissa Hyman) decorated with sparkling horn and synth lines (Charlie Humphrey), grooving bass and vocals (Kevin Williams), and electric guitar licks (Ryan Furstenberg) held together with intricate rhythms (Ross Montsinger) that will keep your head bopping. Dulci's upbeat original tunes combine her Appalachian roots in storytelling with impeccable musicality, while the diverse selection of covers highlight divas through the decades like Aretha, Amy Winehouse, and Robyn. This all-star cast of band members has been collaborating for over a decade, bringing a comfort and ease to their presence that makes the audience feel right at home.

Sails Music Coordinator Bob Sinclair says, “She’s a classy, charming songbird! She owns the stage and fills it with her oh-so-fine original pop-styled songs. The band will bring it, too!”

Started in 2012, the City of Hickory’s Sails Original Music Series showcases well-crafted, live music by bringing original music artists to The Sails on the Square. Original music is defined as music that is written or composed by the artist who performs it.

The Sails Original Music Series, a Bob Sinclair Music production, offers excellent musical entertainment from national and international touring acts with the help of numerous sponsors. Thanks to presenting sponsor Protection Products, Inc. and additional supporting sponsors Larry’s Music & Sound, Pfahlert Creative Labs, Olde Hickory Brewery, and Crowne Plaza for contributing to the series.

In addition to the seating available at Union Square, audience members are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. A variety of bars and restaurants are close by and offer food and beverage choices.

ABC permitted businesses within the Hickory Downtown Social District will sell beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages in specially marked cups that may be consumed on Union Square, sidewalks, and other public areas within the designated boundaries of the social district. No outside alcohol may be brought into the social district. To review additional restrictions and a detailed map of the social district’s coverage area, visit www.hickorync.gov/downtown-social-district.

For more information about the Sails Original Music Series and upcoming bands, please visit www.hickorync.gov/SailsMusic and follow the Sails Original Music Series page, www.facebook.com/SailsMusic.