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HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93009_0106 (2)IREDELL-STATESVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS - REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO COMMIT $1.5 MILLION IN CAPITAL FUNDS PRIOR TO JULY 1, 1993: Chairman Haire recognized Mrs. Paula Gwaltney, finance director for the Iredell-Statesville Schools System, who was present to discuss this request with the board. Mrs. Gwaltney says the primary reason they made the request for an early commitment was because they wanted to get started with the work while the children are out of school for the summer. They need to begin the bidding process right away in order for this plan to work, which she thinks will bring better bids because of bidding earlier. Mrs. Gwaltney said she thought they would be spending a minimal amount of the $1.5 million; however, they would need a letter of commitment from the County in order to proceed with the bidding process. Chairman Haire inquired if Mrs. Blumenstein could give additional information on this request. Mrs. Blumenstein said the board appropriated $3,023,013 for Iredell-Statesville Schools for Capital and also for debt service. This amount came from the apportionment of the sales taxes which is based on ADM and also the three cents tax added last budget year, which was apportioned on valuation. The debt service for 92-93 has been less than it was thought to be because they only have one payment which will be for interest only. There will be $364,945.28 that has already been appropriated to the schools, but not for a specific project. It was thought at one point that this amount would be for debt service. Mrs. Blumenstein recommended that the board consider appropriation of this amount for specific projects that are outlined for next year's budget at the next meeting of the board. This amount is already appropriated for the schools, but not for any specific project. Commissioner Madison inquired if this would cover the schools' needs, which is for contractors to do painting, repairs, and carpentry, etc., and for which they would need a commitment. Mrs. Gwaltney said she couldn't let all the contracts, but would like to get a good start on the work. Commissioner Madison inquired if the $364,945.28 would be adequate to cover the needs. Mrs. Gwaltney said it would cover the expenditures up until the budget time. Also, the $1.5 million is not in excess of the school system's normal appropriation in past years, she said. Mr. Mashburn asked her to reiterate her statement, that the $364,945.28 is adequate insofar as appropriation, but Mrs. Gwaltney is still asking for a commitment for more than that amount, because the contracts that they are considering signing for the summer months are greater than this $364,945.28 amount. These funds, by law, have to be committed before the school can sign contracts. Mrs. Gwaltney said she thought that was correct. She is asking for a letter of intent to fund at the level of prior years. She would like to commit as much as possible prior to July 1. The school system had approached the Annual Capital Improvements account last year as something they could rely on each year so they could plan on doing these projects during the summer months. Commissioner Stewart inquired about the school system's contingency fund balance at this time. Mrs. Gwaltney said they have budgeted all these funds, with the exception of contingencies on construction projects, which consist of no more than 58 per project. Commissioner Stewart inquired if she was basically discussing new money, to which Mrs. Gwaltney answered in the affirmative except for the $364,945.28 which is already budgeted. Commissioner Boone inquired how much money the school netted from the surplus sale property. Mrs. Gwaltney said it was about $7,000, an unaudited number, she said. MOTION from Commissioner Madison to appropriate at the next meeting the $364,000 in the current year's budget, and give the school system authorization to go ahead and spend this, and issue a letter of intent for $1.5 million that will be funded in Annual Capital Improvements for 93-94 budget. MAI' 1 F 1993 089