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private developers might assist in the cost. A tank would
eventually have to be built and the Town would assume these costs.
Commissioner Johnson asked if the developers in the area had
been contacted. McLean said the more people involved complicated
the matter. He said he felt a deal should be made with the County
before private developers were approached.
Mayor Knox said the Town had spent its capital reserve. A
moratorium might be issued if assistance is not given. Knox said
the area was basically growing broomstraw now, but with water sewer
the area could blossom into a real boost for the economy.
McLean said the hospital was willing to contribute $400,000.
This would leave a balance of $986,000 that needs to be funded.
Private developers were again mentioned. McLean said his engineers
thought the best way to provide service to the hospital would be to
extend and 8" line to the site and build an elevated 400,000 gallon
water storage tank adjacent to the hospital property. The Town
would own it. With a regional facility, McLean said the Town
didn't feel a tank would immediately be needed, but it would need
to be built in five years. This would cost about $2.2 million.
Commissioner Johnson voiced concerns about not having an
existing policy with well-defined boundaries. As far as a grant,
Johnson said he was trying to look for any precedents. This was
necessary to maintain some budgetary discipline. Johnson said he
couldn't find any precedent for giving an existing industry a
"rebate of taxes." A distinction should be made between precedent
and justification.
Commissioner Fortner said she was on the County staff when the
Crawford Road line was built. The City of Statesville, Iredell
County, and the Klear Knit Corporation participated in this
project. There was no industry located in the area at the time,
but it was opened for industrial development. ASMO later came to
the site. Fortner said she thought this was precedent for opening
territory for future industrial development. Fortner also
mentioned the I-77/Hwy. 150 project as another example.
Commissioner Stewart said she remembered that Klear Knit was
in trouble because the company had to pump and haul. Sewer
capacity was lacking.
Commissioner Boone said the I-77/Hwy. 150 project was done
with Senate Bill 2 money (grant from the State and wasn't
restricted to this specific project -- not general tax revenue
money). Fortner mentioned that Senate Bill 2 money also benefitted
North Iredell High School. Fortner said that in actuality any
state or federal money is actually "our tax money," and it's good
to bring some of it back to Iredell County. Boone agreed that
grant money was actually tax money and that it was good to remind
the public of this fact.
Commissioner Johnson asked the Town officials if a price tag
could be given on the regional rater sewer facility.
McLean responded the Torn had a balance of $986,000. "The
County could choose any portion of this amount to be a good
investment."
McLean said that when the project is bid about $2 million will
be needed upfront to pay for the cost of the infrastructure. The
Town will probably need the money in about six months.
MOTION by Commissioner Fortner to table the matter until the
March 18, 1997 meeting.
VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0.