An emergency called meeting in the town of Ronda, located in Wilkes County, transparently broke down the steep financial crisis town officials say they are in.
Mayor Pro-Tem Kevin Reece said after he went to sign off on checks earlier in the week, the problem became abundantly clear that the town of Ronda is in financial distress.
"At this point I don't even know that Ronda can afford to be a town, certainly at the way we're operating," said Mayor Pro-Tem Kevin Reece.
Reece said after several years of no financial reconciliation by a hired contractor, they are in need of help.
"We're in a really bad place, we are, I think the town is just busted," said Reece.
WXII tried to have cameras at the meeting, and some in attendance opposed, preferring to not have cameras in the room.
Reece also added he believes the town's failed water system has brought them to this point in addition to the town not having a large enough tax base.
"The failures of the water system has ate up nearly over 50% of our general fund," said Reece
Michael Boaz worked as a financial consultant for the town from Aug. of 2015 until he resigned in May of 2026. That's the same month a Surry County grand jury indicted him for embezzlement during his days as Pilot Mountain's town manager. This case has not yet gone to trial.
"He tendered his resignation earlier this year; he was handling all of our payroll, payroll taxes, all of our financial matters," said Reece.
WXII 12's Bethany Cates asked Reece if he believed there had been any misappropriation of funds, and he replied: "I do not think there's been any misappropriation of funds."
Reece said there were IRS late notices from 2024 that have been lying on a desk, and he said he didn't know if they had been paid or not.
"They were on the desk of our former financial consultant, and they're there to my knowledge right now," said Reece.
Now the town is just looking to get help and back on track.
"We welcome any help from the state auditor's office or the treasurer or anybody," said Reece. "I cannot tell you one time the county of Wilkes has gave the town of Ronda 50 cents; we've stood on our own, we've been proud to do that, but now we're broke," he added.
At the close of the emergency meeting, Reece made a motion to ask the county for funding assistance until they can get back on their feet.
