HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_0487 (2)rate was at 95.81% and the actual rate was 96.17%, or $207,513 more than what was
budgeted. He said the point he was trying to make was that had it not been for the
increased collection rate and more than $56 million in added valuation (net discoveries
during the year), the ad valorem taxes would have fallen significantly under the
budgeted amounts. McLelland said this pointed out the need to be somewhat
conservative in revenue projections.
Chairman Johnson said historically, there had been an increase in ad valorem
taxes, but as was stated by the staff at the Winter Planning Session, the personal
property taxes relating to equipment and capital equipment were down.
County Manager Mashburn said it was not so much a situation of over
estimating revenues based on historical data, as it was due to the county losing tax base
by businesses closing and not buying equipment.
Johnson said this would substantiate the county's point of view, especially in
regards to past disagreements with the Iredell-Statesville Schools, that the tax revenues
would be lower than expected.
Commissioner Madison said it would be prudent for future boards to take a
conservative approach on revenue projections due to periodic fluctuations.
Presentation Regarding the Regional Comprehensive Economic
Development Strategy (CEDS) & the "No Boundaries" Strategy by Ms. Laura
Mundell, the Economic Program Administrator for the Centralina Council of
Governments: Mundell said that in April of this year, a group started meeting with
the goal of formulating a "unified regional agenda." She said the strengths of the nine -
county region were reviewed, and a Regional CEDS Committee was established.
Mrs. Mundell said Angelos Angelou, of Angelou Economics, had been hired as
a consultant, and some of his key findings were:
• Entrepreneurial efforts were emerging but not focused
• Workforce skills needed to be addressed
• University research/development were not leveraged
• Collaboration needed to be multi -sectoral
• Recreation and tourism were not coordinated
• Relative decline of 24 to 44 year olds
Mundell said Angelou's recommendations were:
• Incorporate advanced manufacturing in any business that can use it
• Expand research and development (growth comes in new ideas)
• Improve workforce preparedness
• Encourage entrepreneurialship
• Promote the region's tourism assets
• Enhance the region's distribution network
• Create a Regional Grants Team to implement the recommendations
Ms. Mundell requested that the board members endorse the recommendations
and authorize CEDS to establish an economic development commission (nonprofit) to
run an economic development district. She said members of economic development
districts were allowed to decrease their local grant matches for federal funding by 10%.
Bill Thunberg, a member of the CEDS Committee, encouraged the
commissioners to approve the requests. He said an economic development district
would assist in obtaining federal funds.
OTIO by Commissioner Tice to approve the "No Boundaries" resolution
that includes the formation of an economic development commission.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.