HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril_17_2007_Briefing_MinutesIREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BRIEFING MINUTES
APRIL 17, 2007
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in Briefing Session on Tuesday,
April 17, 2007, at 5:00 P.M., in the Iredell County Government Center (South Wing Conference
Room), 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Chairman Marvin Norman
Vice Chairman Sara Haire Tice
Steve Johnson
Ken Robertson
Godfrey Williams
STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Joel Mashburn, Deputy County Manager Susan
Blumenstein, Acting Planning Director Steve Warren, Solid Waste Director David Lambert,
Planner William Allison, Planner Rick Hurley, Assistant County Manager Tracy Jackson, Fire
Marshal Lloyd Ramsey, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore.
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Norman
PRESENTATION/REQUEST FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SHEPHERDS
VFD REGARDING THE FY 07-08 BUDGET: Town of Mooresville Fire Chief Wes Greene,
Shepherds VFD Chief Kelly Robinson, along with Shepherds VFD firemen Jamie Barrier and
Tim Connolly requested permission to proceed with the joint operations agreement between the
VFD and Mooresville. Robinson said the department had not anticipated the 2007 revaluation
figures to be as high as they were, and a one and one-half cent increase would be sufficient to
pay the Town's $200,000 a year annual payment.
The firemen said Shepherds was due to be evaluated by the Insurance Services Office this
year, and it was hoped that a six rating would be achieved for the district's residential areas.
Robinson said the department was ready for the inspection, and documentation and records were
readily available.
Commissioner Tice asked if the department currently had a five -cent -tax rate.
Robinson said yes, on the $100 valuation. He said one cent brought in 5123,800.
Commissioner Johnson asked if any changes had occurred in the joint operations
agreement since the proposal was first discussed with the board (March 6, 2007).
Connolly said nothing had changed, the agreement was just "fine tuned."
The firemen said they would be requesting the one and one-half cent increase in the FY
07-08 budget. They said a decision from the commissioners was needed now, however,
regarding the Mooresville agreement.
Consensus from the board of commissioners to allow the Shepherd's VFD to proceed
with the joint operations agreement with Mooresville.
Request for Review/Consideration of Information Pertaining to the Status of
Insurance Services Organization (ISO) Inspections of Volunteer Fire Departments in
Iredell County: Assistant County Manager Tracy Jackson said that as requested by the board
at the Winter Planning Session, information had been obtained about the VFDs and insurance
ratings. He said the departments most prepared for a Fire Rating Inspection were:
Ebenezer VFD
South Iredell VFD
Trinity VFD &
Troutrran Fre & Resale.
Jackson said the departments with the highest priority to prepare for an inspection were:
(*These departments are due for an OSFMfire rating inspection in FY200712008.)
Commissioner Williams asked how likely it was that the five departments to be inspected
in 07-08 would achieve a lower insurance rating.
Fire Marshal Lloyd Ramsey said that if the departments had the paperwork and
documentation in order, they stood a good chance.
Commissioner Williams voiced concerns about the Fire Chief Council's understanding
about future tax increases. He said there seemed to be a difference of opinion between the
commissioners and the council regarding the proposed performance funding formula.
Ramsey said the Fire Chief Council was assuming that a penny increase would occur
upfront and any department achieving a lower rate would be given an additional one fourth of a
penny. He said A.C. Daniels (OSFM) had indicated that all departments, initially, would be
given a 9S rating which basically meant the VFD had a truck and building. Ramsey said to
lower the 9S, a request had to be made.
County Manager Mashburn said it appeared a clarification was needed as to the
expectations of the board of commissioners and the Fire Chief's Council. Mashburn said it was
his understanding that if a penny increase were approved, it would be set aside as an incentive to
achieve better insurance ratings, and if four departments improved in a year's time, then the one
cent would be available next year. He said the one cent, however, was not being added each
year -- it was the same penny.
Mashburn said one specific FY 07-08 budget session would be used to clarify and discuss
the Fire Chief Council's request.
(Due to this material being for informational purposes, it was deleted from the agenda.)
REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION/DIRECTION REGARDING THE CHARLOTTE
AREA TRANSIT SYSTEM'S (CATS) INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT (PROPOSED) FOR
COMMUTER RAIL SERVICE TO MOUNT MOURNE: County Manager Mashburn said
a letter had been received from Ron Tober, the CEO for the Charlotte Area Transit System,
advising of a proposed agreement between Charlotte, Mooresville and Iredell County for
commuter rail extension to the Mount Mourne area. He said board direction was needed for a
response to Mr. Taber. Mashburn reminded everyone that on June 21, 2005, Commissioners
Johnson and Robertson were delegated to meet with the Mooresville officials about the light rail
project.
Chairman Norman asked Johnson and Robertson if they were willing to serve again on a
study committee.
Commissioner Johnson said he was not interested and suggested that a vote be taken
regarding the project.
Commissioner Robertson voiced concerns about the cost estimates. He said that if the
county agreed to the project, it would have to pay the operating costs, capital costs, and the cost
for the transit building.
Commissioner Tice asked if Tax Increment Financing could be used for the project. She
mentioned that Davidson had property in Iredell County, and the municipality could continue to
annex into the county. Tice also mentioned that Lowes was the largest corporate employer in the
county, and the company had relocated here for better opportunities. She said the companies
needed to be considered when making a decision on the rail project, especially if some might
choose to relocate for more improved transportation systems.
2
Commissioner Williams asked if the county would have to pay the operating costs, if
public/private funds were used.
Mashburn said a public/private partnership could probably be used, and the growth that
developed out of the rail project would affect the county.
CONSENSUS of the board to send a letter to CATS advising that the county was not
interested in participating in the commuter rail extension project.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF A COUNTY ASSEMBLY DAY TO BE HELD IN
RALEIGH ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2007, SPONSORED BY THE NORTH
CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS: County Manager
Mashburn said that if anyone desired to attend this function, to please inform the staff. (Due to
this item being for informational purposes, it was deleted from the agenda.)
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Norman adjourned the briefing session at approximately
6:15 p.m.
Approved:
3
Clerk to the Board