Ronda Commissioners Request Referendum on Town Dissolution

The Ronda Board of Commissioners voted on August 12, 2026, to request that the North Carolina General Assembly place a referendum on the ballot for residents to decide if the town should be dissolved. The municipality is facing a severe financial crisis caused by a small tax base and a failing water system that has consumed more than 50% of the general fund.

Mayor Pro-Tem Kevin Reece described the town as busted, stating that Ronda may no longer be able to afford to operate as a municipality. If the town is dissolved, it would become an unincorporated area of Wilkes County. To avoid this outcome, commissioners noted the town would need to reduce payroll costs by cutting office hours and eliminating services like trash pickup.

The financial instability follows the May 2026 resignation of financial consultant Michael Boaz, who was indicted by a Surry County grand jury for embezzlement related to a previous role. Commissioner Chris Nelson advocated for citizen feedback, emphasizing that the final decision should rest with the community.