HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93009_2062 (2)county commissioner and he knew counties had a hard time coping with unfunded mandates. He
mentioned, however, that if there was a recession, unfunded mandates would probably go to the
counties. (Representative Mitchell said this year would be "bad" for the legislature, but next year
"things would be all right.")
Comments from Phillips: Senator Phillips said he was against the proposed property transfer
tax. (Forrester added that he did not envision this tax being ratified.) Phillips said the area of
mental health had serious needs. He mentioned that some of the state's mental health hospitals were
in dire need of capital improvements. Phillips inquired about the nursing/adult care homes in the
county. He asked if many complaints were heard. The commissioners said that occasionally a
complaint was reported, but not often. Commissioner Fortner said she had attended some of the
nursingladult care home committee meetings. She mentioned there were concerns about the low
health care salaries and that many homes did not have enough staff to help the patients with basic
needs, e.g. eating.
Comments from Setzer: Representative Setzer presented Chairman Haire with a gift
(engraved gavel) for her continued work on behalf of Iredeil County.
Setzer said that if the lottery passed, he saw the proceeds going to the Smart Start program.
(Forrester had negative comments about the lottery issue. He said it might keep the schools open
two days per year, but nothing more. He also said the lottery would hurt the poor - - they would
buy lottery tickets instead of necessities, e.g., food. Forrester said the lottery system was a poor way
to raise money.)
Commissioner Johnson said he had read that a lottery did all right for the first few years.
After this, the novelty wore off, and a funding method had to be found to support the programs
initially supported by the lottery. In reference to the sales tax option, Johnson said he was against
it, and he felt citizens were already too heavily taxed.
Saturday, January 30. 1999
Library Discussion: Steve Messick, the library director, said the main library had
approximately 18,000 sq. ft. with 2,000 sq. ft. more in the Bookmobile Building. He said the
library was built to accommodate 100,000 volumes but there were 170,000. Messick said the
options for library expansion were:
1. Add on to the main library on Water Street
2. Construct a new building
3. Find an existing building and renovate
He said the former Lowes Building on East Front was about the right size if the third option
was chosen. The quoted price for the structure and 7.5 acres is $1.2 million. In reference to a branch
facility in Mooresville, Messick said he had researched three shopping center sites (Brawley
Commons, Mooresville Market Place, and the Marathea Center), and he felt the Hwy. 150
Mooresville Market Place area would be the most suitable.
Chairman Haire said she had talked to the Mooresville Town Manager and was told there
was room for expansion at the Mooresville library. She also mentioned it had recently been
renovated.
Commissioner Johnson said that if two libraries were established in Mooresville, there
would be needless duplication.
Messick said the county library already needed more staff. Commissioner Fortner said she
felt that if a new library were opened that circulation would continue to increase, and if this
happened, even more staff would be needed. Messick said this was true.
Messick said he had reservations about a public library being housed adjacent to a school.
He said he didn't know of any cost savings and there would be security concerns.