HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_0358 (2)Smith said he didn't know why the buffer was there. He said he thought it was a self-
imposed buffer -- it was not something the county required.
MOTION by Commissioner Johnson to deny the Race Track USA, Inc., request and to
stipulate that any subsequent requests for a 50% or greater than a 24% built upon high density
application (WSIV-CA Watershed) would require a detailed site plan prior to submission to the
board of commissioners,
VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0.
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE COUNTY MANAGER ON POSSIBLE
IREDELL COUNTY BUDGET REDUCTIONS DUE TO NORTH CAROLINA'S
BUDGET DEFICIT AND APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT #s 36 & 37: County
Manager Mashburn said that on February 8, 2001, Governor Easley declared a state of emergency
and took several actions to balance North Carolina's budget. Easley took this action due to an
estimated shortfall in state revenues of over $700 million. Mashburn said the Governor indicated
the April 30 installment of the inventory tax reimbursement to Iredell County, for $850,570.,A ould
be held in escrow as a way to balance the state's budget. Mr. Mashburn said, typically, when the
state escrowed funds of this type, the counties never recovered the money. Mashburn said that in
order for Iredell County to balance its budget without the $850,570, the following recommendations
were offered.
1. Freeze all capital outlay/equipment purchases =
$362,000
2. Reduce all departmental budgets by .5% _
$263,000
3. Other itemized expenditure reductions identified
by the finance director=
22-5 000
$850,000
Finance Director Blumenstein explained the two budget amendments necessary to recognize
the $850,000 reduction. She said the reduction was spread between the county's general fund
(Budget Amendment #36 for $788,665) and the county's fire service districts (Budget Amendment
#37 for $61,335).
Blumenstein said no fire departments would suffer a funding reduction. She said that in the
county wide fire service district, the way the difference had been allocated was to recognize
additional investment earnings. Blumenstein said there were funds set aside to reduce the debt
service and none of this money had been spent. Due to this, she said the county would be able to
accrue additional investment earnings. Mrs. Blumenstein said a reduction in the truck fund was
needed to offset the difference. Blumenstein said that if ad valorem taxes came in at a greater rate
than was budgeted, the truck fund would not be affected. She emphasized that no fire department
would see a cut.
Commissioner Williams said he was concerned about the counties having to balance the
state's budget. He encouraged everyone to let the Governor and the legislators know that Iredell
County expected the money to be returned in a timely manner.
Commissioner Johnson said he understood there was some talk in the General Assembly
about the state increasing the sales tax. Johnson said this information was received from a
conversation with North Carolina House Representative Frank Mitchell.
The commissioners thanked Mashburn and Blumenstein for their work in balancing the
county's budget.
MOTION by Commissioner Williams, with reservations, to approve the budget reduction
recommendations that were necessitated by the state's budget deficit.
VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0.