HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93009_2097 (2)JOINT MEETING
OF
CATAWBA, IREDELL & LINCOLN COUNTIES
On Thursday, March 11, 1999, 6:00 p.m., at Lineberger's Cattle Company Restaurant, in
Denver (Catawba County), North Carolina, the boards of commissioners for Catawba, Iredell,
and Lincoln County met for a joint meeting to discuss items of "common interest."
Members present included:
Catawba Countv Iredell County Lincoln County_
Robert E. Hibbitts, Chairman Sara K. Haire, Chairman lames A. Hallman, Chairman
Marie Huffinan, Vice Chair Steve Johnson, Vice Chair Terry Brotherton, Vice Chair
Kitty Barnes Alice Fortner John Gamble
Barbara Beatty Alice Stewart Beth Saine
Steve Ikerd David Wilson
Staff present included:
Catawba County
Iredell County
Lincoln County
J. Thomas Lundy, County Manager
Joel Mashburn, County Manager
Stan Kiser, County Manager
Steve D. Wyatt, Assistant Manager
Bill Pope, County Attorney
Kelly Atkins, Director of
David Hardin, Public Information Officer
Susan Blumenstein, Finance Director
Buildings & Land Dev.
Bary Edwards, Engineering Director
Jean Moore, Clerk to the Board
Amy Long, Clerk to the Board
Roy Crawford, Planning Director
Others present included: Several members of the public and media representatives.
CALL TO ORDER: Catawba Chairman Hibbitts
INVOCATION: Catawba Commissioner Huffman
Opening Remarks
Chairman Hibbitts said the three counties had much in common, and boundary lines were
less relevant now than in the past. He mentioned that all three counties were experiencing growth
along with demands for schools and services. Hibbitts said that on the county level about the only
revenue source was the property tax, and the Catawba officials were trying to find an alternative.
He mentioned that General Assembly members Cherie Bent' and Mitchell Setzer had introduced
House Bill 110, or the Catawba I% Local Sales Tax legislation. Hibbitts said that currently,
Catawba County received 75% of its local revenues through the property tax. The other 25% were
from sales taxes.
Chairman Haire said she agreed the counties had much in common and cited Lake Norman
and the marine commission as prime examples. She mentioned the need for more law enforcement
for the lake area. She also said that Iredell County was constructing more classrooms to meet school
growth.
Chairman Hallman expressed an interest in the sales tax. He said an alternative funding
source was needed in Lincoln County. Hallman said the additional money could be used for teacher
supplements and increases for county employees. He mentioned it might help in retaining staff who
were leaving for better paying jobs in surrounding counties.