HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly_13_2004_Briefing_MinutesIREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BRIEFING MINUTES
JULY 13, 2004
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in Briefing Session on
Tuesday, July 13, 2004, at 5:00 p.m., in the Iredell County Government Center (South
Wing Conference Room), 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Present were:
Chairman Steve D. Johnson
Vice Chairman Godfrey Williams
Doug Madison
Marvin Norman
Sara Haire Tice
Staff present: County Manager Joel Mashburn, Finance Director Susan
Blumenstein, Planning Supervisor Ron Smith, Fire Marshal Chuck Gallyon, Tax
Administrator Bill Doolittle, Health Director Donna Campbell, EMS Director Lee
Darnell, Emergency Management Director Tracy Jackson, Library Director Steve
Messick, Support Services Director Jim Vernon, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore.
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Johnson.
REQUEST FROM OFFICIALS WITH THE LAKE NORMAN
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT (LNVFD) FOR APPROVAL TO
PROCEED WITH THE FINANCING OF A NEW BUILDING: Joining the
commissioners to discuss a new building for the Lake Norman VFD were
Frank Phillips, Kevin Clark, and Howard Neel. Phillips said the VFD officials desired
to begin the project as soon as possible -- sometime between September to December.
He said the project would cost $2 million, and the initial plans were for the VFD to
temporarily pay any interest ($38,000 to $40,000) that would develop between now and
the new budget year. Phillips said at that time (July of 2005), the department would
request to be reimbursed. He said five different banks were approached about the
financing, and the best proposal came from SouthTrust with the following rates:
1) Term of five years with a fixed rate of 3.47% (no prepayment penalty)
2) Term of seven years with a fixed rate of 3.78% (no prepayment penalty)
Phillips then distributed a "cash flow forecast."
After reviewing the information, Commissioner Williams asked if there would
be enough money to service the debt.
Phillips said there wouldn't be much "wiggle room" with the five-year term, but
the lengthier term didn't provide that much of a "better comfort level." He said the
seven-year term would cost $100,000 more.
Chairman Johnson asked the VFD officials what they planned to do with the
money that would be received from the sale of the property currently in use for the fire
station.
Phillips said the money would be applied towards the debt, and the appraised
property value was $275,000.
Commissioner Williams said the seven-year plan might cost more, but the
potential financial delays to the other departments, for example Harmony, needed to be
considered.
Chairman Johnson suggested that the plan be shared with the Fire Tax Board.
He said that before the commissioners agreed to the debt, he wanted to make sure the
county -wide district would be left with enough money.
It was the consensus of the board to postpone the request until the August 3
meeting, and for the plan to be shared with the Fire Tax Board members at their July 19
meeting.
REQUEST FROM THE TOWN OF MOORESVILLE REGARDING
FUNDING FOR THE MOORESVILLE LIBRARY: Joining the county
commissioners were Town of Mooresville Mayor Al Jones and Commissioners Alice
Lee, Mitchell Mack, Danny Beaver, Franklin Campbell, Frank Owens, and Mitch
Abraham. The Mooresville officials asked for additional library funding, and some of
their comments were:
Mitchell Mack: Would like the southern end of the county to be treated more
equitably.
Danny Beaver: Asked how the library funding was computed and whether or not there
was a formula. He said past newspaper articles had quoted county
officials as stating they were not adequately informed about
the impending needs of the town library, especially in regards to
the renovation and expansion. Beaver said charrettes had been held to
notify the public and community. He said money was needed to
purchase new books and these needed to be on hand when the
improvements were finished in March of 2005.
Mitch Abraham: Stated the lines of communication between the town and county
needed to be improved. He said it would be "great" having a new
facility in Statesville and a newly expanded one in Mooresville.
Abraham said, "We need to work hand-in-hand."
Frank Owens: Said the library needed to be adequately stocked or the public would
be disappointed. He said, "I want what's coming to us,
but we're asking for anything you can give us."
Alice Lee: Appealed to the county commissioners to equitably fund the library.
Franklin Campbell: Stated the municipality's population was growing, and there was
no way the town could sufficiently operate the library with the funding
appropriated by the county.
Commissioner Tice mentioned the library study done several years ago. She
said it recommended that more library services be offered in the Mooresville area, and
the county had discussed the options of either partnering with the Town or constructing
a branch. Mrs. Tice said at that time it was felt that one larger facility, in conjunction
with the town, would be the best option.
Library Director Steve Messick said the study recommended expanding the
Statesville library with a branch facility in Mooresville of at least 18,000 sq. ft.
Abraham asked if this would have been a separate facility from Mooresville's
library.
Mashburn said yes; however, he didn't recall the study recommending for the
Statesville expansion and the Mooresville branch to occur at the same time. He said
there was no formula for the library funding, and it was simply based on the availability
of funds.
Commissioner Tice said she didn't recall a timeframe either, but the town was
never told to delay its project until the Statesville library was completed.
Mashburn said the county did not have enough money to fund a $1.2 million
Mooresville library. He said the library was funded at $691,290 for FY 04-05, and the
requested amount was $1,174,004.
Mayor Jones said 34,000 sq. feet was being added to the library, and new
employees, books ($110,000) , and wiring ($119,000) were needed. He mentioned that
the town funded one-third ($300,000) of the Mooresville Transfer Station's operating
expenses, and he asked if the county would allow $200,000 of the $300,000 to be used
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towards the library this year. Mayor Jones said that in regards to future funding, he felt
the economy was improving.
Commissioner Williams asked if the $200,000 waiver would be a one-time
arrangement.
Jones said yes.
Chairman Johnson said the Lowe's Company donation of $2 million had
accelerated the library's expansion.
Jones said the donation wasn't in a lump sum, but rather, it was $400,000 a year
for five years.
Johnson said the $691,290 funding for the Mooresville library was actually a
25% increase over the FY 03-04 level. He said that as far as being treated equitably,
that no sector in the county felt it was receiving a proper share of the county's budget.
Williams said March was several months away, and perhaps, as Mayor Jones
had indicated, the economy might improve.
Jones said the representatives needed to know something now so they could plan
for the library.
Mashburn suggested that the solid waste budget be reviewed to determine if the
$200,000 suggestion were feasible.
Williams said "verbal agreements" between the county and the municipalities
needed to be in writing.
Tice said Mooresville had built the library, and all the town officials were asking
was for the county to operate the facility.
It was the consensus of the county commissioners to direct the county manager,
the finance director and the library director to talk with the Mooresville mayor, finance
director and a town library representative to see if a feasible plan could be worked out.
The manager was requested to report back to the county commissioners with a
recommendation.
REQUEST FROM THE TOWN OF MOORESVILLE REGARDING
PARTICIPATION IN THE REGIONAL TRANSIT SERVICE (EXPRESS BUS —
83X): Mayor Jones said the Mooresville board on June 7 had agreed to fund the
Charlotte Area Transit Service (CATS) Express Bus for another year at a cost of
$100,272. He said the full cost was $200,544.00, but CATS paid half of the costs, or
$100,272. Jones requested that the county pay $50,136. He said the bus service could
be viewed as an aid in improving the area's air quality.
Chairman Johnson asked if the riders were charged.
Jones said the fare was $4 a day per rider. He acknowledged that the fares did
not pay the costs. Jones said the bus made stops at I-77 Exit 33, Exit 36, and Brawley
Commons.
fares.
Commissioner Williams asked if Mooresville had any say-so regarding the
Jones said they were looked at each year.
Commissioner Tice said it appeared that CATS was not trying to make the
service self-supporting.
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Jones said this was correct, or at least not at this time.
Mooresville Commissioner Mack said the fares probably needed to be increased,
but the service provided another solution to the air pollution problem.
Tice said she felt the riders could probably pay more, especially since their jobs
were in Charlotte.
It was the consensus of the county commissioners to delay any action on the
request at the present, but to encourage CATS to increase the fares.
PRESENTATION REGARDING A PRIVATE AMBULANCE
PROVIDER THAT IS OFFERING SPECIALIZED TRANSPORTS: Emergency
Medical Services Director Lee Darnell updated the board members on a private
ambulance provider in Lincoln County that desired to operate a 24-hour EMT basic
level service in Iredell County. Darnell said he would be evaluating the company (on-
site in Lincoln County) and the proposal, to determine if compliancy with the Iredell
County EMS Plan could be met. (No action was needed from the board members.)
INTRODUCTION OF ROBERT TATHAM, THE NEW ANIMAL
CONTROL SUPERVISOR: County Manager Mashburn then introduced
Robert Tatham, the new Animal Control Supervisor. Tatham began work on
July 12, 2004, and he replaced Sidney Weisner.
Other: Due to the lateness of the hour, the other department heads briefly
explained their requests.
Adjournment: Chairman Johnson adjourned the briefing session at 6:50 p.m.
Approved:
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Clerk to the Board