Rowan County Commissioners on Monday voted to create a part-time, pretrial services coordinator position following a closed session that lasted just over an hour.

The position will be created at a time when the current, full-time coordinator Buddy Poplin is preparing to retire. After the meeting, County Manager Aaron Church said the full-time position would not immediately be filled.

Simply put, Church said the part-time position would work to reduce the jail population and “help get people out of jail.”

Church said the position wouldn’t fall under a particular department and, rather, would report directly to the county manager and commissioners.

Personnel matters was one of three items scheduled for Monday’s called meeting, which consisted almost entirely of a closed session. A vote to approve the agenda and vote on the part-time position comprised the only open portion of the meeting. The meeting convened at 2:30 p.m. and adjourned at about 4 p.m.

The two other items on the agenda were an economic development matter at the Rowan County Airport and discussing a construction contract — confirmed to be invoices received from LaFave Construction over canceled contracts at the former Salisbury Mall.

Board of Commissioners’ Chairman Greg Edds said he expected a contract between county government and the undisclosed company to be ready for discussion during the closed session. It was not.

Edds said county officials could make an official announcement about the airport-related matter later this week.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246