HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-19-2023
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September 19, 2023
IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PRE-AGENDA SESSION
September 19, 2023
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in pre-agenda session on Tuesday,
September 19, 2023 at 4:00 PM, in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room located in the Iredell
County Government Center 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Board Members Present
Chair Melissa Neader
Vice Chair Bert Connolly
Scottie Brown
Gene Houpe
Brad Stroud, Sr.
Staff present: County Manager Beth Mull, Deputy County Manager Susan Robertson,
County Attorney Lisa Valdez, Assistant Finance Director Caroline Taylor, and Clerk to the Board
Amy Anderson.
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Neader called the meeting to order.
ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: There were no adjustments.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Request from Shepherds Volunteer Fire Department to approve budget amendment
#7 to withdraw $288,917 from the Shepherds Fire Tax District Fund Balance to purchase
materials and equipment to construct a training facility at the station. Fire Services Director
Kent Greene requested approval of Budget Amendment #7 to withdraw $288,917 from the
Shepherds Fire Tax District Fund Balance to purchase materials and equipment to construct a
training facility at the station. Greene noted the Board approved this request in January 2023 but
no action was taken but needs board approval again since a new fiscal year has started.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from Planning & Development to consider calling for a public hearing on
October 3, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in regard to a text amendment to the Land Development Code.
County Manager Beth Mull said the public hearing was originally scheduled for tonight however
there was an issue with getting the legal notice out. Mull requested approval to call for the public
hearing at 6pm on October 3, 2023. Mull noted that staff made every attempt to notify any
concerned party about the change of date. The Board agreed by consensus to allow anyone present
for this matter at the 6pm meeting to speak during Public Comment Period.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from ICATS for approval to call for a Public Hearing on October 3, 2023, at
6 p.m. regarding Transportation Grants for Fiscal Year 2025. ICATS Director Brad Johnson
requested approval to call for a public hearing on October 3, 2023 at 6pm for transportation grants
through the NC DOT and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for FY25. Johnson noted staff is
learning the different requirements within the FTA and may need an additional public hearing in
the future.
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September 19, 2023
This item was placed on consent.
Request from Solid Waste for approval to grant easements for the Entrance
Improvement Project to Energy United. Solid Waste Director Teddy Boller requested approval
of an easement with Energy United. The easement is 40 foot for the proposed pole relocation.
Approval of the easement will allow the construction of the new entrance.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from the Department of Social Services for approval of Budget Amendment #8 to
receive and expend $78,700.95 in one-time supplemental Low-Income Household Water
Assistance Program (LIHWAP) funds for use in making vendor payments on behalf of
eligible Iredell County residents previously authorized for assistance with water and
wastewater services. Susan Mills requested approval to accept $78,700.95 so that the department
can continue to assist the 873 families in the County.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from Iredell-Statesville Schools for approval of Budget Amendment #9 to
utilize Repair & Renovation lottery funds for gym renovations at Harmony Elementary
School. Tim Ivey requested approval of Budget Amendment #9 to utilize repair and renovation
lottery funds for gym renovations at Harmony Elementary School. There are two projects at the
school. One is a project that was discussed last year regarding the enclosures of the fourth and fifth
grade wing, adding a bathroom, and some ADA compliance. As a byproduct of that, the school
system found that the trusses in the gym floor are rotten because of moisture issues. The moisture
issues have been remedied. Ivey said the school system would like to use renovation lottery funds,
grant funds in conjunction with capital money to complete the project. Ivey requested approval to
use $633,000 of lottery funds. The Board of Education approved the request on September 11,
2023.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from the Finance Department for approval of Budget Amendment #10 to
allocate additional capital money to Iredell Statesville Schools and Mooresville Graded
Schools based on the actual sales taxes received in FY 22-23. Assistant Finance Director
Caroline Taylor said each year the County allocates School Capital to Iredell -Statesville Schools
and Mooresville Graded Schools based on statutory requirements. During the budget process staff
estimates what the sales tax will be and splits that between the two public school systems based
on their ADM and then at the end of the year once all of sales tax for the year has been received
staff does a true up based on actual collections. Iredell-Statesville will receive $2,275,627 of
collected sales tax and Mooresville Graded Schools $630,715. Taylor noted the request also
includes two easement payments received for both school systems.
Vice Chair Connolly asked about the current sales tax.
Taylor said the last payment received was down some however the County is still in good
shape.
This item was placed on consent.
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September 19, 2023
Request from the Finance Department for consideration of offer for and adoption of
resolution to sell the Bluefield Road Property. Purchasing Officer Antonia Stines requested
consideration of an offer and adoption of resolution to sell the Bluefield Road property. Stines said
an initial offer in the amount of $1,400,000 was received from Weller Life Communications.
Commissioner Houpe would like to see a higher offer.
Commissioner Brown said this would start the upset bid process.
County Attorney Lisa Valdez said the last upset bids went 10 rounds.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from Tax Administration for approval of the August 2023 Refunds and
Releases. This item was placed on consent.
Request from Clerk to the Board for approval of the minutes from the meeting on
September 5, 2023. This item was placed on consent.
At this time the Board entered into Closed Session.
IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MINUTES
September 19, 2023
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, September
19, 2023 at 6:00 PM, in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room of the Iredell County Government
Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Board Members Present
Chair Melissa Neader
Vice Chair Bert Connolly
Scottie Brown
Gene Houpe
Brad Stroud, Sr.
Staff present: County Manager Beth Mull, Deputy County Manager Susan Robertson,
County Attorney Lisa Valdez, and Clerk to the Board Amy Anderson.
CALL TO ORDER by Chair Neader.
INVOCATION: by Commissioner Stroud.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Chair Neader.
ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: There were no adjustments.
MOTION by Commissioner Stroud to approve the agenda as presented.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & RECOGNITIONS
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September 19, 2023
Recognition of Miss North Carolina Taylor Loyd. The Board recognized Miss North
Carolina Taylor Loyd. Loyd was named Miss North Carolina in June when she competed as
Miss Statesville. She is a seventh generation in the County. Loyd touched on her nonprofit
Healing Hearts through Arts. Loyd will compete in Miss America later on this year. Chair
Neader presented Loyd with a Iredell County lapel pin and certificate.
Recognition of the Iredell County Cooperative Extension Staff. The Board recognized
Nancy Keith and all the Cooperative Extension staff for their dedication and hard work
throughout the year, specifically during the recent Agricultural Fair.
APPOINTMENT BEFORE THE BOARD
(None)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
(None)
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Request from Shepherds Volunteer Fire Department to approve budget amendment #7 to
withdraw $288,917 from the Shepherds Fire Tax District Fund Balance to purchase
materials and equipment to construct a training facility at the station.
Request from Planning & Development to consider calling for a public hearing on October
3, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in regard to a text amendment to the Land Development Code.
Request from ICATS for approval to call for a Public Hearing on October 3, 2023, at 6
p.m. regarding Transportation Grants for Fiscal Year 2025.
Request from Solid Waste for approval to grant easements for the Entrance Improvement
Project to Energy United.
Request from the Department of Social Services for approval of Budget Amendment #8 to
receive and expend $78,700.95 in one-time supplemental Low-Income Household Water
Assistance Program (LIHWAP) funds for use in making vendor payments on behalf of
eligible Iredell County residents previously authorized for assistance with water and
wastewater services.
Request from Iredell-Statesville Schools for approval of Budget Amendment #9 to utilize
Repair & Renovation lottery funds for gym renovations at Harmony Elementary School.
Request from the Finance Department for approval of Budget Amendment #10 to allocate
additional capital money to Iredell Statesville Schools and Mooresville Graded Schools
based on the actual sales taxes received in FY 22-23.
Request from the Finance Department for consideration of offer for and adoption of
resolution to sell the Bluefield Road Property.
Request from Tax Administration for approval of the August 2023 Refunds and Releases.
Request from Clerk to the Board for approval of the minutes from the meeting on
September 5, 2023.
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September 19, 2023
MOTION by Commissioner Stroud to approve the consent agenda.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES OCCURRING ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
Lake Norman Marine Commission – 1 announcement
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
ICARE Board of Directors - 2 appointments
Sherry Ashley and Beth Kendall have volunteered to serve for the first time.
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council - 1 appointment
Mark Reddick has volunteered to serve for the first time. According to JCPC's bi-laws, qualified
persons must fulfill certain positions on the council. Although council prefers the Board's
approval, it is not required.
MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to appoint the applicants as listed.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
(None)
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Glenn Sullivan, 162 Rushing Water Lane, asked the Board to allow comments be submitted
electronically for Public Comment Period to allow more participation from the County.
Michael Moorefield, 401 Fifth Creek Road, spoke about election integrity and the need for paper
ballots and hand counting.
Terry Gentle, 316 Walton Drive, thanked Chair Neader and Vice Chair Connolly for attending a
meeting the other night. Gentle said the Board is to represent all of the County citizens. He said
none of the citizens attending the meeting supports Jennings Park. Gentle noted the Board
represents all citizens of the County. Gentle would like to see more emphasis put into the will of
the people instead of what someone else is patronizing or padding, or soliciting.
Later in the meeting, Gentle noted he did not intend to say the word padding as he meant to say
“lobbying.”
Tom Snyder, Sundance Circle, spoke about a Freedom of Information Act that was recently
received regarding members of the Iredell-Statesville Board of Education. Snyder said one
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September 19, 2023
school board member asked what steps to take for the school board to get taxing authority.
Snyder asked the Board to deny the request if it comes before them.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS & UPDATES
Commissioner Houpe said the County is responsible for funding 26 county departments,
19 volunteer fire departments and rescues, and the schools. Houpe also covered the topic of
incentives. Incentives are necessary because Iredell is a top county in the State for economic
growth. There are 98 other counties that would love to have the same problems as this county.
Commissioner Brown said last year the County had the 18th lowest property tax rate, this
year the County is 21st. There are some counties who took a huge leap and they already understand
it was a mistake because it is not sustainable.
Commissioner Stroud said cannot undo growth or decisions made by previous boards. The
current board has taken a hard stance on granting additional Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ)
requests. The number one public high school in the nation is in Guilford County. It was a school
built with no athletics. The students are still able to participate in sports with the other county
schools. Stroud suggested thinking outside the box, prepare, and do the best available for the
citizens of Iredell County. People are passionate over different things. Stroud also noted election
integrity. Stroud said there may have some complaints between candidates but he is unware of any
regarding the election itself. The Board of Elections does an excellent job with dignity and honor.
Vice Chair Connolly said economic incentives are very important. The County competes
with 99 other counties and 49 other states. The County pays $2,233 per pupil to the school system
(amount does not reflect capital). If a property owner has two kids and are paying $4466 in property
taxes it covers just those two kids. It takes money to run things. The County has to have good
schools to attract companies and that goes back to incentives. Connolly took offense to the speaker
referring to “padding”. Connolly takes the job of commissioner very serious. There are hundreds
and hundreds of people who support Jennings Park. They want to make it available for current and
future generations. The Board strives to make Iredell County a place for people to come.
Chair Neader thanked everyone for their comments.
NEW BUSINESS
(None)
COUNTY MANAGER’S REPORT
County Manager Beth Mull gave an update on the following:
Two county employees have been named to the Statesville Chamber of
Commerce “Future Five”. Brad Johnson (ICATS) and Kelly Goodwin (Library).
Animal Services has seen an increase in animal intake. Anyone interested in a pet
should visit Animal Services.
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September 19, 2023
CLOSED SESSION
The Board held a Closed Session prior to the regular meeting and there is one action item
to report.
MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to amend the contract for DENSO Manufacturing to reflect
their existing employment of 424 employees. At the time of the public hearing in June 2022,
DENSO provided verification to the County and EDC that the employment was 424. They have
created 126 of the 137 jobs.
VOTING Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Commissioner Stroud to adjourn at 7:18pm. The next regular meeting is
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 6pm in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Government Center, 200
South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
VOTING Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
__________________________________ ___________________________________
Date Approved Amy B. Anderson, Clerk