HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_0574 (2)Commissioner Johnson said he was still unclear on how much money was
needed for Statesville High.
Dr. Cash said the consultant (Cost Construction Control) presented a more than
thorough amount. He said the I -SS estimate was $16.5 million.
Chairman Tice asked if the school board planned on renovating Statesville High.
Dr. Holliday said a land purchase in the vicinity was being reviewed. He said
the Facilities Task Force had made a recommendation to retain parts of the school and
to tear down other parts.
Dr. Cash said the architects had presented ideas on ways to preserve the fagade
of Statesville High,
Dr. Holliday said the Phase I and II costs for SHS were in the upper 20s.
Tice asked if property would be purchased or condemned in the high school
area.
Holliday said 90% of the property owners would probably agree to sell, but the
system could not purchase any land without approval.
Tice asked if property was being purchased to replace N.B. Mills.
Holliday said yes, and the cost was approximately $1.5 million. In reference to
Statesville High, Dr. Holliday said he had given information to the county manager in
regards to Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB). Dr. Holliday said the system
wanted to apply for S2 million in the QZAB program, and the money would be interest
free. He said the process was similar to COPS, and the money would be used for the
Statesville High project.
Dr. Cash referred to the mediation settlement agreement, and he said the
document didn't give an option to fund the system $35 million and then stop.
Commissioner Johnson said no one was saying that any part of Phase I should
be eliminated. He said the county just didn't have all of the money now.
Dr. Holliday said the school system was willing to help find the money.
Johnson said the county citizens had said they didn't want a tax increase. He
said that he couldn't vote on a tax increase just to give the school system everything it
wanted. Johnson said he would talk about a bond.
Dr. Cash said that in order for a General Obligation (G.O.) Bond to be approved,
a united commitment from both boards would need to be shown. He said the system
was open to any "mode" of financing to get the projects done. Cash said that if a G.O.
bond was presented to the voters, then the commissioners would need to be supportive
of it.
Johnson said he would have to be truthful when the public asked about the
impact of a G.O. Bond.
Commissioner Williams said he didn't know if the school system had a $60 or
$80 million proposal. He asked the school officials if they were saying they didn't want
the $35 million if the GO bond failed.
Dr. Holliday said he thought the commissioners should look at other options.