LinkedIn

Facebook

Melissa is from Surry County. She holds an associate's degree in business administration and management from Surry Community College and a second associate's degree in business and corporate communication from Davidson College. She also holds a bachelor's degree in human services from Davidson College and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Phoenix. She is married to her husband, with whom she has 3 children and 4 grandchildren. She previously served as a church youth leader and Sunday school teacher.

Melissa works as an executive director of the United Fund of Surry. She previously worked as a senior director of development at Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care and a senior manager at the American Cancer Society. 

Melissa W. Hiatt's campaign for Surry County Commissioner is her first run for public office. 

As of June 14, 2024, Melissa W. Hiatt’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Supports upholding financial responsibility and transparency.

Wants to foster economic growth, saying it "is the only way to maintain the services we have and grow...without increasing property taxes."

- Supports upholding financial responsibility and transparency.
- Wants to foster economic growth, saying it "is the only way to maintain the services we have and grow...without increasing property taxes."

Economy

Candidate website

Believes education is fundamental and should be free of indoctrination and bias. Supports educating children and citizens on government processes and fiscal transparency.

Supports an education system "without indoctrination and...bias."

- Supports an education system "without indoctrination and...bias."

Education

Supports providing training and equipment to law enforcement, EMS, and first responders to ensure public safety. Plans to collaborate with volunteer and county employee responders to reduce costs and enhance service coverage.

Wants to ensure law enforcement, emergency medical technicians, and first responders receive training and are provided adequate equipment.

Supports volunteer first responder and county employee responder involvement to minimize safety costs.

- Supports citizen safety. 
- Wants to ensure law enforcement, emergency medical technicians, and first responders receive training and are provided adequate equipment.
- Supports volunteer first responder and county employee responder involvement to minimize safety costs.

Public Safety

Believes strengthening economic development is essential to attract talent and maintain services without increasing property taxes. Said, "Surry County is lacking in all levels of housing making it difficult to attract talent for existing industry."

Believes a lack of housing options makes recruiting job talent more challenging. 

- Believes a lack of housing options makes recruiting job talent more challenging. 

Housing & Urban Development

Transportation & Infrastructure

Melissa W. Hiatt

Melissa W. Hiatt is a native of Surry County, having grown up in the Franklin community, and currently resides in the Shelton town Community with her husband. They are close to their three children and four grandchildren. Specific details about where she attended school or the church she attends were not provided.

Melissa W. Hiatt is the Executive Director of the United Fund of Surry. Her career includes roles as Philanthropy, Marketing & Volunteer Director, a Regional Director of Development overseeing 18 counties in North Carolina, and the Executive Director for a local Child Abuse Prevention Center. She holds a Masters in Public Administration with a minor in Nonprofit Management and Communications, as well as a BA in Human Services and Paralegal Science.

As of July 8, 2024, Melissa W. Hiatt’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes property tax is the largest revenue generator and emphasizes the importance of "fiscal responsibility and transparency."

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners can create, change, or abolish offices, positions, departments that are not required by law. 
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms, with no term limits. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.