FAQs
We've gathered answers to the most common questions to help you better understand the key topics around our community. Whether you're curious about how incorporation might impact taxes, local services, or growth, or simply looking to get involved, this section is designed to provide clear and concise information. Explore the FAQs to stay informed and find out how our decisions today shape the future of Bethlehem.
General Questions:
Incorporation gives a community legal status as a municipality, allowing it to govern itself and provide services like police, fire protection, and zoning control.
Some believe it will allow local control over zoning and development as the area grows, rather than relying on county-level decisions.
A new property tax (minimum $.05 on $100) will be added to fund municipal services, in addition to existing county taxes.
At least four services, including options like police protection, fire services, zoning, trash collection, and street lighting, must be provided.
Contrary to the rumors and old by-laws, yes! We've spoken to our representatives and confirmed that if the petition reaches the required signatures, it will either be rejected by the house or senate or put up for a referendum vote at the midterm (2026). The pro-incorporation could choose to host a referendum earlier at their expense.
The short answer is no. This is used as a scare tactic quite a bit from the other side. We have personally reached out to officials in Hickory and they have no interest in incorporating Bethlehem. Additionally, in order for Hickory to annex Bethlehem, there would be a referendum. Hickory will not come claim Bethlehem without a consensus vote.
The short answer is YES, as seen in the town of Midway NC formed in 2006 from Davidson County. This town offers a $.05/$100 tax rate and is 1 of only 2 towns with this tax rate formed after 2001. In 2001, NC changed the laws for new incorporated town to provide 4 of 8 required services. This town has since restricted poultry and small animals for any property not considered a "bona fide farm" or "micro farm" (meaning > 2 acres). This town has also restricted any abandoned, nuisance, and junked vehicles from property with the primary basis being if the vehicle is tagged with a current NC license plate. In 2010, the town attempted to restrict the discharge of firearms inside the town limits but was unsuccessful in implementing the ordinance. Restricting the discharge of firearms (Shooting guns) inside the town limits is a common restriction as seen in the city of Hickory and Valdese NC just to name a few local towns.
Financial and Service Questions:
This depends on how services like zoning and infrastructure are managed, but higher taxes will be a factor.
Taxes will fund town services like fire and rescue, street lighting, police, zoning/planning, and administrative costs.
The cost is to be determined. It's best to look a neighboring towns who have incorporated. No one at our population has attempted to incorporate 23 square miles and this is part of the reason their movement is quite alarming.
It’s uncertain if services will improve, as county services are already established and incorporation adds new management layers. Not to mention, the married couple who has elected themselves as interim "town managers" attempting to incorporate have no prior accolades of running a town.
Zoning and Development Questions:
The primary reason is to gain control over local zoning laws to manage development and set housing setbacks.
No. Investors will still develop high-density housing regardless if it is 5ft, 10ft, or 15ft setbacks as we have already seen over the years in Bethlehem through all historical zoning rules in place.
Changes to zoning laws may reduce housing density, which could limit future housing capacity by up to an underwhelming 15%. This will not affect the Bowman Ct. housing development.