HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93009_2056 (2)WINTER PLANNING SESSION
JANUARY 29-30,1999
MINUTES
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners held a planning session on Friday, January 29,
1999, and Saturday, January 30, 1999 (half-day) at the Statesville Women's Club, 515 West End
Avenue, Statesville, NC.
Members present included: Chairman Sara K. Haire
Vice Chairman Steve D. Johnson
Tommy E. Bowles
Alice T. Fortner
Alice M. Stewart
Staff present included: County Manager Joel Mashburn, County Finance Director Susan
Blumenstein, Support Services Director Jim Vernon, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore.
Media representatives attending were: Jim Wrinn, Charlotte Observer/Iredell Neighbor;
Ginger Guy, Statesville Record & Landmark; and Maggie Shoobridge of the Iredell Citizen.
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Haire
INVOCATION: Commissioner Bowles
ECONOMIC INDICATORS: John Hall and Bill Leach, of First Citizens Bank, spoke to
the group and gave an optimistic economic report. Hall said the gross national product was up 5.6%
during the fourth quarter. It was up 3.9% for the entire year. An economic growth mode has been
occurring for the past 92 months. Hall said much of the growth was due to consumer confidence
and spending. The United States is importing more but exporting less. Hall said he thought home
mortage rates might decrease by .5% in the next three to six months, but interest rates would not be
lowered again. Finally, Hall said that bankers were naturally worried about a possible recession, but
this was a continual worry and nothing new.
Commissioner Bowles asked how the typical Iredell County family might fare if a slowdown
occurred. Hall said bankruptcy cases continued to increase, but he didn't see the Iredell County
region being anymore vulnerable than any other area.
The county manager asked what type of manufacturing might suffer if a slowdown did
occur. Hall said the textile industry was a good example. He said the labor being used in America
was for more high tech or computerized jobs, and the foreign labor market was less technical. Hall
continued by saying the North Carolina average wage was increasing faster than in many parts of
the country. He predicted this would continue because of the low labor market. In addition, he said
he saw mergers in the automobile market. This is because of the over capacity to build.
Commissioner Johnson asked how the currency valuation in other countries would affect
America. Hall said he had concerns about Brazil, and he was primarily concerned with
manufacturing.
REQUEST FROM SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR PERMISSION TO APPLY FOR
GOVERNOR'S CRIME COMMISSION FUNDS: Harold Miller, the Lake Patrol Supervisor,
said that with increased construction around the lake area the crime rate was increasing. In
addition, more boating infractions were occurring. Miller requested permission to pre -apply for
grant funds in the amount of $129,902.28 from the Governor's Crime Commission. A 25% match
of $43,300.76 will be required. Miller said he had developed a project entitled, "Operation Dock
Watch," and the funds would be used for:
•2 additional lake officers plus benefits and anticipated overtime $59,713.59
-Supplies (fuel for vehicles/boat, brochures for the project &
stationery) 23,300.00