HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust_2_2005_Briefing_MinutesIREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BRIEFING MINUTES
AUGUST 2, 2005
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in Briefing Session on
Tuesday, August 2, 2005, at 5:00 p.m., in the Iredell County Government Center (South
Wing Conference Room) 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Present were:
Sara Haire Tice, Chairman
Vice Chairman Godfrey Williams
Steve D. Johnson
Ken Robertson
Marvin Norman
Staff present: County Manager Joel Mashburn, Deputy County Manager Susan
Blumenstein, Assistant County Manager Tracy Jackson, Tax Administrator Bill
Doolittle, Tax Collector Bill Furches, Communications Director David Martin, Planning
& Enforcement Director Lynn Niblock, Planning Supervisor Steve Warren, Solid Waste
Director David Lambert, Purchasing Agent Dean Lail, and Clerk to the Board Jean
Moore.
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Tice.
REQUEST FOR ACCEPTANCE OF THE ANNUAL TAX
SETTLEMENT: Tax Collector Bill Furches submitted the 2004 tax settlement and
reported that $1,842,971.90 remained outstanding. He said $58,379,374.51 had been
collected resulting in a 96.94% (all property) tax collection rate. Furches said his goal
was 97%; however, the 96.94 was the highest rate ever obtained in the county. He said
the board would have an additional $476,000 to budget. Furches said delinquent
collections had also improved, and the county received $307,000 more this year over
last year. He said many of the smaller delinquent accounts were for motor vehicles,
and that 392 out of 1,000 vehicle tax bills became delinquent.
Tax Administrator Bill Doolittle added that 50% of this year's taxes would be
collected next year.
Chairman Tice said several residents in the northern part of the county had
inquired about some type of pro rata taxation due to their properties being damaged by
the recent tornado. Mrs. Tice said the individuals were told that tax prorating could not
be done.
Furches said this was correct -- no type of pro rata taxation due to storm -related
damages to property.
REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF
HOUSE BILL 1779 — A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO CREATE A
COMBINED MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION RENEWAL AND PROPERTY
TAX COLLECTION SYSTEM. Tax Administrator Doolittle said House Bill 1779
would modify the collection system for motor vehicle taxes and registration fees. He
said the proposed system would begin on July 1, 2009, and it would require the
payment of vehicle registration fees and property taxes at the same time. Doolittle said
the purpose of the legislation was to improve the motor vehicle tax collection rate. He
said the state average for vehicle tax collections was around 86%, but Iredell County
had a better percentage rate. Mr. Doolittle said new software would be written for an
integrated computer system, and the cost would be paid out of increased delinquent fees
(increase from two to five percent). Doolittle requested approval of a resolution in
support of HB 1779, and for a copy to be sent to the county's Senatorial representatives
since the legislation had already passed in the House.
Tax Collector Furches said currently, a "4-1-4" system was used for the vehicle
taxes. He said the bills were due four months after tag renewal, and then, the owner had
one month to pay. Torches said four months later, if the tax had not been paid, a block
was placed on the car's tag.
UPDATE ON HARMONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AREA AND
WATER RUNOFF PROBLEMS: Commissioner Johnson said solutions were trying
to be found to assist residents near Harmony Elementary who were sustaining property
damage due to water runoff. He asked the county manager if it would be acceptable for
the Director of Support Services to review any proposals submitted for correction of the
runoff problems.
The county manager expressed no concerns about the support services director
reviewing the proposal(s).
UPDATE ON THE STATESVILLE AIRPORT'S FEDERAL FUNDING
REQUEST: Chairman Tice mentioned that Congressman Patrick McHenry had
visited the Mooresville area earlier in the day. Mrs. Tice said McHenry had been
reminded about the airport's request for federal funding assistance.
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Tice adjourned the meeting at 6:04 p.m.
Approved:
2
Clerk to the Board