Originally from Spencer, Bringle moved to China Grove in 1975 to work in the textile industry after graduating from N.C. State University. And he’s lived in the community for 40 years.

Former China Grove mayor Don Bringle honored to be back on council

Don Bringle is originally from Spencer. He graduated from N.C. State University.

Former China Grove Mayor Don Bringle 'honored' to be back on ...

A graduate of North Rowan High School, Bringle worked in the textile industry for 27 years before accepting a job as director of facilities, parks and recreation with Rowan County — a role he’s worked in for 10 years. Bringle said that in his work with Parks and Recreation, he enjoys being able to “provide recreation for the citizens of the county.”

Don Bringle worked as the director of facilities, parks and recreation for Rowan County after working in the textile industry.

Don worked as the director of facilities, parks and recreation for Rowan County after working in the textile industry.

Bringle has also served on the China Grove Town Council for decades, including 12 years as the mayor, and said he anticipates continuing to serve the town for the foreseeable future.

Bringle retiring after 20 years steering county parks and rec

Don has served on the China Grove Town Council for decades, including 12 years as mayor.

2026 North Carolina General Election

He pondered future projects for the town. Bringle mentioned the possibility of a bond referendum for road repairs and building a fire station on the east side of railroad tracks. Ensuring a low tax rate is also important for China Grove residents, he said, and future opportunities for the town.

Bringle’s time as China Grove mayor ends during Tuesday meeting

Said maintaining a low tax rate is important for China Grove residents and the town's future opportunities.

- Said maintaining a low tax rate is important for China Grove residents and the town's future opportunities.

Economy

Bringle said the most significant accomplishment by town officials in his years as mayor was shifting from a town-owned water and sewer system to Salisbury-Rowan Utilities. The result is a more cost-effective solution for town government. It also saves money for taxpayers, Bringle said. He also touted the town’s current leadership and cited the importance that all top town officials live in China Grove’s municipal limits.

Said transferring the town water and sewer system to Salisbury-Rowan Utilities made service more cost-effective and saved taxpayers money.

- Said transferring the town water and sewer system to Salisbury-Rowan Utilities made service more cost-effective and saved taxpayers money.

Public Services

Mr. Bringle asked if the driveway beside the duplex on Main Street is an unapproved right-of-way. He stated he thought it was supposed to connect Main Street with Franklin Street at one time. Mrs. Barringer stated it did not showed up on GIS as an unopened public right-of-way or on the survey when the exception plat was done. Mayor Phillips opened the public hearing. Mayor Phillips closed the public hearing. Mr. Bringle made a motion to approve 2024-Z-01 for the purposed rezoning from Town Residential (R-T) and Mixed Residential (R-M) to Town Residential (R-T) zoning district as proposed and stated 2024-Z-01 is consistent with the adopted China Grove Land Use Plan Section 5.2 Residential Development Goal to preserve, enhance, and create satisfying living environments that create and maintain strong neighborhoods.” Mr. Starnes seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

China Grove Town Council Packet PDF (April 2, 2024)

Mr. Bringle made a motion to approve 2024-TA-03 of the proposed text amendments for Chapters 3, 7, 8, 12, and 16 of the UDO as proposed based upon the following statement of consistency and reasonableness with the adopted Land Use Plan to provide clarity of the UDO as well as encourage flexible development designs: The proposed text amendment 2024-TA-03 are consistent with China Grove’s adopted Land Use Plan Goal to Preserve, enhance, and create satisfying living environments that create and maintain strong neighborhoods. Mr. Heggins seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

China Grove Town Council Packet (PDF)

As a town council member, moved to approve rezoning to town residential zoning, citing the land-use plan goal of maintaining strong neighborhoods.

As a town council member, moved to approve development-code amendments intended to clarify regulations and encourage flexible development designs.

- As a town council member, moved to approve rezoning to town residential zoning, citing the land-use plan goal of maintaining strong neighborhoods.
- As a town council member, moved to approve development-code amendments intended to clarify regulations and encourage flexible development designs.

Housing & Urban Development

Mr. Gover stated the proposed Budget Amendment will increase the Public Works Capital Outlay line in the amount of $74,000 for the purchase of a F-450 Dump Truck through appropriation of Fund Balance. He stated proceeds in the amount of $80,760 were received in FY 23/24 from the sale of surplus vehicles and equipment. She stated the proposed Budget Amendment also includes funding for the donation application approved at the last Town Council meeting for Rowan County Crime Stoppers. Mr. Bringle made a motion to adopt the Budget Ordinance Amendment appropriating Fund Balance for the purpose of adjusting the Governing Body Donations to include a donation to the Rowan County Crimestoppers and adjust the Public Works Department Capital Outlay for the purchase of a F-450 Dump Truck. Mr. Starnes seconded the motion, which carried with a vote of 4-0, Mr. Heggins recused himself.

As a town council member, moved to adopt a budget amendment that included a donation to Rowan County Crime Stoppers.

- As a town council member, moved to adopt a budget amendment that included a donation to Rowan County Crime Stoppers.

Public Safety

Mr. Starnes made a motion to authorize the Town Manager to execute a contract with Carolina Siteworks to complete a Full Depth Reclamation project along Tatum Street and the first block of Park Street totaling $238,161.80. Mr. Bringle seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

As a town council member, seconded a $238,161.80 full-depth reclamation project on Tatum Street and the first block of Park Street.

- As a town council member, seconded a $238,161.80 full-depth reclamation project on Tatum Street and the first block of Park Street.

Transportation & Infrastructure

As of September 2, 2026, Don Bringle did not have a website or any information online.

Energy & the Environment

Don Bringle

As of September 2, 2026, Don Bringle’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Mauricio Mendez

Walter Ley

Arthur Lee Heggins

Diane Folk

Jason Higgins

Michael (Mike) Roper

Mike Upright

- Town council members serve as the governing body of the town, along with the mayor. 
- The town council members make policy decisions for the town, including creating ordinances, policies, and making agreements with other governments. 
- The town council can amend and revise town policies, as well as approve or reject the town budget. 
- The town council is also in charge of the appointment of advisory boards, commissions, task forces, committees, the town manager, and the town attorney. 
- Members of the town council are elected to staggered 4 year terms. 

Part of the governing body of your town. 