HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-1-2019
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October 1, 2019
IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PRE-AGENDA MINUTES
October 1, 2019
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in pre-agenda session on Tuesday,
October 1, 2019 at 5:00 PM, in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room located in the Iredell County
Government Center 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Board Members Present
Chairman James Mallory
Vice Chairman Tommy Bowles
Gene Houpe
Marvin Norman
Ken Robertson
Staff present: County Manager Beth Jones, County Attorney Lisa Valdez, Deputy County
Manager Susan Robertson, Assistant County Manager Joe Pierce, Finance Director Debra Cheek,
and Clerk to the Board Amy Anderson.
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman James Mallory called the meeting to order.
ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA:
Add under New Business:
ETJ Appointment
Airport Update
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Request from Planning & Development to consider calling for a public hearing on
October 15, 2019 in regard to text amendments to the Land Development Code: Planning
Director Matthew Todd said the text amendments related to Chapter 3, landfill, land clearing, and
inert debris, were first brought to the Board in July. At that meeting, the Board identified different
items of discussion for staff to take back to the Planning Board for consideration. Those items
included the issue of attainment, the proposed setback from streams, differentiating temporary and
permanent projects, and the mechanism for defining adversely impacted by dust. Todd said staff
and Planning Board thought anything can effect air quality and that is why the St ate requires an
air permit for air burners. The change does have an impact but the scale is very small and staff
does not feel it will be an issue. Todd explained that the current 100 feet setback from streams
mirrors the setback for rock quarries and going above that may not be the best route. Todd
explained that an inspection process was added to the amendment and sites would be inspected
yearly. Any erosion control issues found during the inspection will be addressed. Todd explained
that a subdivision being developed and the processing is done on site it is considered more of a
temporary project and will have different requirements. If a business wants to set up a location to
receieve materials from other sites it will be considered more of a permanent type that requires a
Special Use Permit through the Board of Adjustment. Todd said staff spent some time on how to
get away from subjectivity when attempting to define adversely impacted, but was unable to. Staff
then looked into how other jurisdictions handled dust and decided to place the responsibility on
the applicant to provide a dust management plan that would be a part of the review process through
the Board of Adjustment. The applicant will be required to explain how the dust will be handled
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October 1, 2019
and when the first set of standards does not take care of the problem. Todd requested approval for
a public hearing on October 15, 2019.
Commissioner Robertson said if rules are written for every conceivable situation, just this
one part of the code can become confusing. Robertson is okay with some degrees of freedom so
as long as the County abides by “let common sense prevail” and allow that to be something that
guides staff, which includes keeping a good handle on who is hired to make these interpretations
and understanding what the intent is. The intent is not to smother but rather help to make sure that
everyone is a good neighbor. Robertson is sympathetic to the issue of dust. There is no promise
that there will not be dust, but there is a difference between that and paying no consideration at all.
Robertson said the text amendment is well written and as comprehensive as it safely can be.
Robertson supports the text amendment as written.
Vice Chairman Bowles asked if the text amendment only effects R67 Source Reduction
Facility.
Todd said R67 and R54, which is essentially a stump dump.
Vice Chairman Bowles said that is the burning of brush and debris, and the dumping of
stumps which is consistent with the LCID permit.
Todd said yes.
Vice Chairman Bowles asked if the Air Curtain Burner is state approved.
Todd said the applicant will need an Air Permit from the State, which is a federal permit
handled by the State.
Vice Chairman Bowles said this is a chance to incinerate debris onsite.
Todd said the operator of the burner must be licensed through the State and remain on site
when the burner is running.
Chairman Mallory thanked Planning staff and Planning Board for their work on the text
amendment.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from the Finance Department for approval of a 3-year agreement with N.C.
Department of Agricultural to provide space for the Forestry Service housed in the County
Agricultural Center: Purchasing Agent and Contracts Manager Dean Lail explained that the
Forestry Service has been a fixture in the Agricultural Center for years. Leases are done every
three years, as there is no renewal included. The current lease is for the three years with no
automatic renewal options. Lail said a 1.25% increase per year is included to keep the space up to
current pricing for utilities, janitorial, and general upkeep. The State agreed with the increase.
Chairman Mallory asked about the space that is leased.
Lail said it is 500 square feet that includes a large office and a separate small area.
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October 1, 2019
Commissioner Robertson said it makes sense for the service to be located in that building.
Vice Chairman Bowles said the Forestry Service is not the only state agency located in the
building.
Lail said there are several state agencies currently being housed in the building.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from the Finance Department for approval of a resolution to sell County-
owned property located at 4600 Harmony Highway and authorization of process: Purchasing
Agent and Contracts Manager Dean Lail said the County acquired the property earlier this year.
The previous owner had the property up fitted and had a septic tank put in for a single-wide mobile
home, however the property is zoned for a minimum of a double-wide or larger. Lail requested
approval to advertise the property to generate an initial bid. If a reasonable offer is made, the offer
is brought to the Board for approval. If approved at that point, the upset bid process starts. Lail
requested authority to work with a local realtor, if an initial offer is not made.
This item was placed on consent.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE BY NEGOTIATED OFFER AND
UPSET BID
WHEREAS, the County of Iredell owns the following parcel of land located in Iredell County a nd more
particularly described as being all of:
2.08 Acres more or less located at 4600 Harmony Hwy., Eagle Mills Township, Harmony NC 28634. Deed
Book 2619 and Page 1374 - 1376. Subject to all restrictive covenants and easements of record. Parcel
Identification Number: 4873-92-28574;
WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute §160A-269 permits the County to sell real property by
negotiated offer, advertisement and upset bid;
THEREFORE, THE IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HEREBY RESOLVES THAT:
1. The Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the sale of the following tracts of land by negotiated offer,
advertisement and upset bid:
4600 Harmony Hwy
Harmony, NC 28634
Iredell County, NC
(Described in greater detail above)
2. The Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes staff to:
a) Advertise and market the property locally to secure an initial acceptable bid offer.
b) If unsuccessful, negotiate and secure the services of a real estate brokerage firm to establish market
value, advertise and list the property to generate a first acceptable, or initial, bid offer. All real estate
commissions and fees will be paid out of the proceeds from the sale of the property at closing.
3. At such time as an initial acceptable bid offer is received, it shall be reported to the Board of Commissioners
at the earliest regularly scheduled meeting, at which time the Board shall declare its intent to accept or reject
the offer. At such time as the Board declares its intent to accept the offer, it shall become the initial bid and
the bidder shall be required to post a deposit of five percent (5%) of its bid with the County Purchasing &
Contracts Manager.
4. At this time, the County will initiate an upset bid process as per NC General Statute 160A -269 until no
additional bids are received. All bids shall be delivered to the office of the County Purchasing & Contracts
Manager, Iredell County Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC 28677.
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October 1, 2019
5. Each qualifying upset bid shall have increased the bid to be upset by no less than ten p ercent (10%) of the
first $1,000 and five percent (5%) of the remainder and shall deliver with their bid a bid deposit of no less
than five percent (5%) of the total amount of their bid.
6. At such time as no additional bids are received, the final qualifying high bid shall be reported to the Board
of Commissioners at the earliest possible regularly scheduled meeting after receipt of the final bid and the
Board of Commissioners shall, within thirty days after such report, either accept or reject the final bid . If the
bid is rejected, the Board of Commissioners will advise staff of additional steps it determines necessary and
staff will notify bidder of the decision. If the bid is accepted, award shall be made and the sale shall be
authorized for close.
7. Beginning on the day following the Board’s acceptance of the bid, the buyer shall have forty -five days in
which to close the sale of the property, after such time buyer’s bid deposit shall be forfeited.
8. The property shall be sold as-is in its current condition and the County gives no warranty with respect to title
or usability of the property.
9. No sale may be completed until the Board has approved and accepted the high bid.
10. Iredell County reserves the right to withdraw any listed property from sale at any time a nd to accept or reject
any or all bids.
Request from the Finance Department for approval of a resolution authorizing the
sale of property acquired by tax foreclosure and approval of recommended disposal method:
Dean Lail said the property is located at 174 Bentbook Road, Statesville and acquired by the
County through tax foreclosure earlier this year. Lail said the property has a few issues. If the
resolution is approved, the property will be listed on Gov Deals for 14 or more days to try to obtain
the best offer. If there is an initial offer, the offer comes to the Board for approval, the Board also
has the option to reject the offer. If approved, steps are taken to sell. The buyer must pay the entire
purchase price of the property immediately on Gov Deals. If the Board rejects the offer, staff will
look into other avenues.
This item was placed on consent.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC AUCTION OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE
WHEREAS, the County of Iredell owns the following parcel of land more particularly described as being all
of:
174 Bentbrook Rd., Lot 43 of Wayside Estates Subdivision, Statesville, NC, 28677, Deed Book 2632 and
Pages 9-10. Subject to all restrictive easements and covenants. Parcel Identification Number: 4763-52-9972;
and
WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute §160A-270 permits the County to sell real property at public
auction upon approval of the County Board of Commissioners and after publication of a notice announcing the auction;
THEREFORE, THE IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HEREBY
RESOLVES THAT:
11. The Iredell County Board of Commissioners authorizes the sale at public auction on GovDeals Online
Surplus Auction site of the parcel of land located at 174 Bentbrook Rd., Statesville NC, 28677.
12. The auction will commence on or after November 4, 2019 at the GovDeals online surplus auction site,
www.govdeals.com/ , and cease no less than fourteen days thereafter.
13. The terms of the sale are:
a. That the property is sold in its current condition, as is, and the County gives no warranty with
respect to usability of the property; and
b. The buyer must pay amount of bid in full at time of auction close as per requirements set forth
on the GovDeals bid site. This amount will be held in escrow by GovDeals until either the
Board of Commissioners rejects the buyer’s bid or, if the Board of Commissioners accepts the
high bid, the closing of the sale.
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October 1, 2019
14. After close of the auction, the high bid for each parcel shall be reported t o the County Board of
Commissioners. The Board will accept or reject the bid within 30 days after the bid is reported to it during a
regularly scheduled meeting. No sale may be completed until the Board has approved and accepted the high
bid which, once accepted by The Board, becomes final and no funds shall be refunded.
15. Iredell County reserves the right to withdraw any listed property from the auction at any time before the
auction sale of that property.
Request from Clerk to the Board for approval of min utes from the meeting on
September 17, 2019: This item was placed on consent.
ANNOUNCEMENTS OF VACANCIES ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
Recreation Advisory Board – 1 appointment
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
(None)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
(None)
NEW BUSINESS
County Manager Beth Jones explained that at the September 17, 2019 meeting, the Board
appointed Alan Sulek as an ETJ representative for the Mooresville Planning Board. Typically, if
there is a seated member willing to serve again, the Board refers to the seated member as a
reappointment because of the institutional knowledge the member has. Staff was not aware that
the seated member was interested in serving again and there was an appointment made of a new
member. Jones asked if the Board would like to discuss and consider rescinding the appointment
made on September 17 and reappoint the seated member, who has been serving for approximately
20 years.
Commissioner Robertson said the seated member plans to serve one more term.
Vice Chairman Bowles feels this was a procedural oversight and it would behoove the
County to revisit the policies and procedures for nominating and appointing ETJ members in all
jurisdictions.
Jones said staff is going to check with other counties to see what their policies are regarding
ETJ appointments and how it works with the municipalities.
Commissioner Robertson said it is typically indicated if the existing member is or is not
interested in serving again.
Chairman Mallory asked if the vacancy needs to be re-announced if the appointment is
rescinded.
Jones said not since the vacancy had previously been announced and did have an applicant.
It was a matter of failing to realize that the seated member was willing to serve again.
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October 1, 2019
COUNTY MANANGERS REPORT
County Manager Beth Jones gave an update on the following:
Fall Retreat is scheduled for November 8, 2019 at the Public Library.
Commissioner Robertson will contact staff regarding a possible conflict with the date.
Chairman Mallory said the Board has received feedback from public and contracting
community regarding the new permitting software recently implemented at the Building
Standards Center.
Jones explained that Building Standards Director Lynn Niblock put together information
regarding the new system and it is on the dais available for the Board. The decision to go with the
new software was multifaceted in the fact that the prior system was created as a financial piece of
software. Although, it had a building inspections component, but it did not have all of the
functionalities that software created specifically for permitting would have. With that in mind,
staff looked at several different software and decided to go with the current one because of the
functionality and the fact that a lot of the clientele wish to do more electronically rather than come
into the office. In trying to ensure functionality for customers and staff regarding inspectors in the
field being able to upload attachments to permits a lot of different pieces went into the decision
making process. Jones said the transition to the new software has not been smooth. There were
some problems when the software went live. Staff was given the impression that things would
convert over seamlessly. To help remedy the issue with conversion, the old system was brought
back as the old permits were in the old system, and the new permits would be in the new. Both
systems are currently being used which can be tedious and cumbersome. Some of the issues are
for the contractors or public who have multiple permits and are having to toggle between both
systems. Staff is doing the same. The software company is working to resolve the issues. Jones
said the software provides additional functionalities, but there is a learning curve for staff as well
as the public. Jones said everyone is working together through the process. Staff has created
detailed instructions for using the new software and is looking into hosting hands on training for
the public. There have been some complaints but they are generic and staff is unable to problem
solve if the issue is not specified.
Chairman Mallory said input is given from citizens but it is difficult to respond when it comes
in an unmarked envelope and signed anonymous. The Board takes a serious effort to address
individual concerns.
Vice Chairman Bowles asked if the old permits will be integrated with the new once the kinks
are worked out.
Jones said yes, the software was purchased with the understanding that it would have that
specific functionality and the vendor will be held accountable.
Chairman Mallory said the worst case is to have two systems operating and when the old
permits are disposed of, all the permits would be in the new system.
Jones added that plans can be physically brought in. The software is not eliminating that option,
but it is being sensitive to the fact that the County is 40 miles and development is going around all
over. The department is trying to be more user friendly and give public the option of doing more
electronically.
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October 1, 2019
Vice Chairman Bowles asked about the capability of the inspectors being able to download
work for the day and to avoid driving from one end of the County to the other.
Jones said the old software did not allow staff to sort inspections, therefore inspectors were
manually sorting through the work load every morning. The current software sorts the permits
automatically allowing more time for the actual inspection. Jones said the intent of the software is
to be more productive and efficient.
Vice Chairman Bowles said it will take time to get there.
Jones said staff has been amazing through the learning curve.
The Board entered into Closed Session at 5:36PM.
IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MINUTES
October 1, 2019
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, October
1, 2019 at 7:00 PM, in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room of the Iredell County Government
Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Board Members Present
Chairman James Mallory
Vice Chairman Tommy Bowles
Gene Houpe
Marvin Norman
Ken Robertson
Staff present: County Manager Beth Jones, County Attorney Lisa Valdez, Deputy County
Manager Susan Robertson, Assistant County Manager Joe Pierce, Finance Director Debra Cheek,
and Clerk to the Board Amy Anderson.
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Mallory.
INVOCATION: Chairman Mallory asked everyone to bow their heads for a moment of
silence or reflection.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Lance Corporal/Young Marine Thomas Sapp.
ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA
Add under New Business:
ETJ Appointment
Update on the Airport
MOTION by Commissioner Norman to approve the agenda as adjusted.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS
(None)
APPOINTMENTS BEFORE THE BOARD
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October 1, 2019
Request from Jon Henderson with Mecklenburg County Young Marines to adopt a
proclamation recognizing October 23 – 31, 2019 as Red Ribbon Week: Lance Corporal
Sapp/Young Marine Thomas Sapp was present to receive the proclamation in honor of Red Ribbon
Week.
MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to approve the proclamation as presented.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
Chairman Mallory presented the following proclamation to Lance Corporal Sapp.
PROCLAMATION by the
IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RED RIBBON WEEK
OCTOBER 23-31, 2019
Whereas, communities across America have been plagued by the numerous problems associated with illicit
drug use and those that traffic in them; and
Whereas, there is hope in winning the war on drugs, and that hope lies in education and drug demand
reduction, coupled with the hard work and determination of organizations such as the Mecklenburg County Young
Marines of the Marine Corps League to foster a healthy, drug-free lifestyle; and
Whereas, Mr. Thomas Sapp of Mooresville, is a member of the Mecklenburg County Young Marines; and
Whereas, governments and community leaders know that citizen support is one of the most effective tools
in the effort to reduce the use of illicit drugs in our communities; and
Whereas, the red ribbon has been chosen as a symbol Commemorating the work of Enriqué “Kiki”
Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent who was murdered in the line of duty, and represents
the belief that one person can make a difference; and
Whereas, the Red Ribbon Campaign was established by Congress in 1988 to encourage a drug -free lifestyle
and involvement in drug prevention and reduction efforts; and
Whereas, October 23-31 has been designated National Red Ribbon Week, which encourages Americans to
wear a red ribbon to show their support for a drug-free environment;
Now, Therefore Be It Proclaimed, we, the Iredell County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim
October 23-31 as RED RIBBON WEEK in Iredell County, and urge all citizens to join in this special observance.
Adopted this 1st day of October, 2019.
Request from Patti West, Executive Director of Diakonos Inc./Fifth Street Ministries
to adopt a proclamation recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month:
Diakonos Inc./Fifth Street Ministries Executive Director Patti West was present to receive the
proclamation. Chairman Mallory explained that West has worked for nearly 30 years helping to
minister to people with a wide range of needs and as time has gone on more women have been in
the domestic violence protection programs that are available through Fifth Street Ministries.
Mallory expressed appreciation to West for her dedication to serving those are not able to protect
themselves.
MOTION by Vice Chairman Bowles to approve the proclamation as presented.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
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October 1, 2019
Chairman Mallory presented the following proclamation to West.
2019
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
County of Iredell
State of North Carolina
A Proclamation
Each year during the month of October, we acknowledge domestic violence as an ongoing issue and recommit
ourselves to reducing domestic violence within our community. Despite the significant progress we have made in
addressing domestic violence, statistics available from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence estimate
that four women die as a result of domestic violence each day. Furthermore, the statistics show that one in four women
and one in thirteen men, nationally, will experience domestic violence during their lifetime and a domestic or dating
violence incident takes place every 24 minutes in the U.S. These statistics are sobering, particularly when considering
the reality that domestic violence is generally one of the most under-reported crimes.
The long term effects of domestic violence are staggering and exposure puts individuals in danger of long -term
physical, psychological and emotional harm. The trauma experienced by individuals related to domestic violence
typically causes an adverse ripple effect on the emotional and psychological state of a survivor. Panic attacks, post -
traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, depression and anxiety are often ignited by domestic violence and/or other
forms of related abuse. Children who experience domestic violence, for example, are at greater risk for failure in
school, emotional disorders, substance use and are statistically more likely to perpetuate the cycle of violence in later
life.
It is often assumed that domestic violence only occurs in lower-income, minority or rural communities. The truth is
that domestic violence can happen to anyone and anywhere , regardless of who they are, what they do for a living or
where they live.
Let us formally recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month as a public health issue right here in our own
community, and to commit ourselves once again to continue working on issues related to addressing Domestic
Violence.
THEREFORE, I, James Mallory, Chairperson of the Iredell Board of Commissioners, pledge the supp ort of our
governing body to continue educating, connecting and inspiring our community to end domestic violence in Iredell
County, North Carolina. October 2019 is therefore proclaimed as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. All citizens
are encouraged to join in working together each day throughout the year to end domestic violence in our community.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public Hearing to consider the adoption of the 2021 Public Transportation Program
Resolution: ICATS Director Brad Johnson requested the Board to consider the FTA transportation
grants for public transportation. The request is for five grants totaling $1.57 million. The grants is
a combination of operating, administrative, and capital. The capital grant is for $557,000 to replace
three vehicles, one service vehicle, and a driving training simulator. The administrative grant is
for $253,005 to fund a portion of five salaries. There are three operating grants totaling $768,584
that covers 50% of the cost of the fixed route services. Johnson said that staff is also applying for
a Traveler’s Aid grant that covers transportation for disadvantage individuals, victims of domestic
violence, and stranded travelers in need of transportation assistance. A Rural State Operating
Assistance grant will also be applied for. That grant is expected to be released within the next few
weeks with a very short turnaround time. Johnson said the local match for the grants is $477,243
and will come from revenue generated by ICATS and the State Road Allotment Funds, Johnson
explained it is a requirement for the Board to adopt a resolution authorizing him as the
Transportation Director to apply for the grants on behalf of Iredell County.
Chairman Mallory said ICATS is well run and efficient. The bulk of the funds come from
outside the County to provide this service.
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October 1, 2019
Johnson said there is a community connection route that goes from Mitchell Community
College Statesville campus to the Mooresville campus. There is a demand response service that
covers the entire county that totals 140,000 trips per year.
Chairman Mallory opened the public hearing.
No one wished to speak.
Chairman Mallory closed the public hearing.
MOTION by Commissioner Norman to adopt the 2021 Public Transportation Program
Resolution.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
Public hearing for a potential General Obligation (G.O.) Bond Referendum :
Chairman Mallory said, “This is to discuss the potential for issuing a General Obligation Bond in
the amount of $125 million plus the cost of the issuance of the bonds. In order to build two new
schools; a middle school in Mooresville Graded School District, a new high school in the south
central eastern quadrant of Iredell County, and the construction of an instructional driving pad for
Mitchell Community College. We have decided to have this public hearing not because it is
required. There is actually a requirement to have a public hearing when the resolution is actually
adopted and subsequently in early December. We wanted to start this process of by getting as much
community feedback and the opportunity to share with the general public the rationale and why
we are considering this move at this time. A few weeks ago, we received a report from the Schools
Facilities Task Force, which is a group that has worked for the better part of a year and a half to
evaluate the needs of Iredell-Statesville Schools, Mooresville Graded Schools, and Mitchell
Community College, to determine over the next 10 years what kind of capital needs they are
forecasting. They came back and presented at our winter retreat in February. They updated that
report in a presentation in August and it was obvious to us that if we did the phase 1 piece that was
the first three years that we were going to have to be able to have a bond issuance to be able to
take care of the two major projects that were requested which is the Mooresville Graded School
District middle school and a the south Iredell high school. We looked at this at a purely capacity
perspective. The last bond issued in Iredell County was 4 ½ years ago and it was for roughly $150
million. It covered a whole range of different projects, most of which were replacing older
buildings with newer schools, adding some capacity where we needed, in particularly to
elementary and middle schools, and renovating capacity at Mooresville Graded High School.
Those projects covered the entire county. That bond required us to service that $150 million with
about a four and one quarter cent increase in the property tax rate. The projects that were approved
and because the projects were implemented in a phased approach, and because we were able to get
a lower interest rate on our bonds because we have AAA bond rating with one of the bond rating
agencies and the highest AA in the others, we were able to save dollars in that process. At the end,
we had about $21 million of funds that had been collected but not spent. Our initial discussions
we had with the Schools Facilities Task Force was after their presentation to say what can we do
for phase 1 with that $21 million and allocate that out to the schools systems so that they can start
in on those projects as far as it will take them. In fact, it enabled them to be able to deal with
virtually all of the projects they needed to do other than the middle school for Mooresville Graded
and the high school for Iredell-Statesville Schools. We have already addressed some of those issues
but one of the concerns is if a bond is requested but does not pass, we want to make sure that $21
million was actually allocated based on the right priority. It could change how we look at how
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October 1, 2019
those funds ought to be executed. We feel with an aggressive timeline we will know earlier as
opposed to later that whether those decisions are in fact correct. We will be disbursing those funds
as the school systems execute the projects. Today, we want to take advantage of the opportunity
for everyone here to hear the information that was developed by the task force and how the three
school entities and their boards, which by way at our request, reviewed what was left on the table
and have all by board action requested that we place this matter on the ballot for approval to be
able to issue a bond to build these two schools. This is a capacity only bond. It is creating seats.
That is the sole focus. As a result, the focus has to be where the demand is. The placement of these
schools in the southern area of the county is where the demand is and that is also where the majority
of the growth is. That growth is essential to our Iredell County’s maintaining a low tax rate because
if we attract industry and industry attract people, those dollars that industry puts in overcompensate
for the cost of residential development. That has enabled us to maintain about a 13th lowest tax
rate in the State of NC. The lowest tax rate of any of our nine contiguous counties that touch us.
We touch more counties than any other in the State of NC. It is also the lower than any county in
the metro Charlotte region. We have been very focused on maintaining a low tax rate. We are
essentially a nickel lower than Catawba County, our closest competitor. That has always been at
the forefront of our consideration. What we have been briefed on to give you some perspective, as
I mentioned to fund that $150 4 ½ years ago we had to increase taxes by four and one quarter cents.
Because we have had success growing economy and business, and getting low interest rates what
our financial staff has been able to put together is the fact that in order for us to achieve about $130
million roughly bond, it will result in an increase of property taxes of one penny. The difference
is three and one quarter cents to borrow in rough terms pretty much the same amount of dollars
and that is a result of growing the economy so that we can keep our tax rate low. That is a big
shout out to our school systems because economic development and education are joined at the
hip. Workforce development is the long pole in the tent when it comes to businesses choosing to
locate in Iredell County.”
Chairman Mallory explained that there will be a series of presentations to give more detail
and perspective of the three school systems involved. Commissioner Robertson will also make a
presentation from a county commissioner’s perspective.
Iredell-Statesville School’s Superintendent Brady Johnson said, “We appreciate the
opportunity to be here tonight and speak on behalf of our school system. I’d like to begin my
remarks by simply saying the work that you have embarked in over the last few weeks is a true
profile of courage. We do appreciate looking down the road long term and taking seriously the
long-term needs of the kids in this community, in all three school systems as well as the economic
prosperity and the growth of our county. When I was here a few months ago one of the statements
that was made by Chairman Mallory that really hit me hard was that Iredell County is on track to
double in population in the next 20-25 years. Just let that sink in. In 20-25 years our community is
going to double in population. The map in front of you is showing some of the developments that
are already in process in the southern end of our county. It shows the entire county, but most of
that development is taking place in the southern end of the County. We have two projects, South
Iredell High School which is over 50 years old and Lake Norman High School, which is 20 years
old. Both of those schools currently today are out of capacity. When you look at that map and you
see all these developments coming the question for us is where are we going to place those children
in this 20 year period that is coming down the pipe when our population is going to double. You
know for school systems basically we have a couple of options to address rapid growth like you’re
seeing in the southern end of the County. We could, of course, come to you folks and ask to build
schools. That is one option. Another option we have is to move children around. We could put
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children on buses and we can ship them to other parts of the County where there is empty seat
base. That comes at a price too. It comes in additional ride times, it comes in the cost of purchasing
buses, hiring additional drivers, so ever ything is related. It is kind of like a bowl of jelly, if you
punch it over here, it is going to jiggle over there. That option comes with consequence and impact
that I quite frankly don’t know that the parents in this county and community are willing to
consider. Another option we have is mobile units. I invite you to come down and take a walking
tour. We will be glad to walk you around Lake Norman High School and South Iredell High School
and you will see that there are already mobile units there. As I think about those mobile units, that
is a temporary solution, an expensive temporar y solution to a problem like we are facing. I don’t
think anybody…when you’re dealing with tax payer money wants to throw good money after bad
ideas. There are times that you have to use mobile units, but there are times when it is time to talk
about brick and mortar. I think we are at that stage. We have been using mobile units on those
campuses for a number of years now and with the projected growth that we are seeing, I don’t
think we can afford to put mobiles on those pieces of property. I’d also like to say tonight that the
work we are talking about did not originate with us. It did not originate with any of the school
leaders. The projects that were identified came from the Facilities Task Force. There are many of
those task force members here tonight. Those are all citizens, these are our neighbors who
volunteered their time to come in. They spent a lot of their time in a two-year pouring through
documents and making these recommendations. These decisions were not made lightly. I do want
to thank them for the energy and time that they have put into helping us identify the most critical
needs in our school system. The final point that I would like to ask you to consider here tonight
is…let’s talk about if we get an opportunity to put this idea before the citizens and the bond is not
successful then what. What’s our other options? For our school system it is going to be this. We
are going to have to cypher money away from our reoccurring capital budget on an annual basis
to buy those trailer and buy those buses to scatter these children all over the County and that is not
a wise use of taxpayer money. I thank you for bringing this debate forward and I would say I hope
it doesn’t end here tonight. A question this big really needs to go outside these wall s. It really
needs to be put before the citizens, the hard working taxpayers in this community who can decide
if they want to invest in the public schools or not. I thank you for the opportunity.”
Mooresville Graded School District Superintendent Dr. Stephen Mauney said, “I would
like to say thank you for holding this meeting to hear input about a potential bond referendum for
our county schools. As the superintendent of a public school system, I feel the weight of my
responsibility is to provide our children of our community with a sound education while keeping
them safe and meeting their needs. One of the greatest responsibilities is partnering with our
families to ensure that this happens. What we are doing in Mooresville Graded and I am confident
in saying the same in ISS and for Mitchell, is we take this responsibility very seriously and that is
why I am here tonight. Currently, Mooresville Middle School has an enrollment of 1,040 students.
Its population has increased by about 350 students in less than 10 years. The halls, cafeteria,
classrooms are very crowded. We are using every classroom for instructional purposes. As a public
school district, we are charged with the care of county’s children however, we have to rely on the
support and goodwill of others to carry out that charge. We do not have the power ourselves to
stop the growth within our districts nor the power to single handily build new facilities when that
growth creates overcrowding in our schools. It is during times like these that we must rel y on you,
our Commissioners, to provide the opportunity to fund our facility needs. I am here tonight to
request that you place a bond a referendum on the March 2020 ballot. Members of our school
board are here tonight and they have unanimously supported this ask with a formal resolution that
they passed last month. I understand that decisions like this are not easy ones to make especially
with the needs of Iredell-Statesville Schools, Mitchell Community College, and Mooresville
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Graded all included in the same bond, but in order to keep that bond amount at a minimum, I know
that the three education entities in conjunction with the Facilities Task Force, which Mr. Johnson
mentioned, have worked very hard and focused our needs just on the most significant ones. And,
to this point I can say that in Mooresville Graded that we are looking at some options to privately
finance some of the renovations on two of our projects, two of our three elementary schools that
have significant needs and the purpose of that is to remove them from the overall bond package
and therefore reduce the amount of the total bond. We all have needs, but we also have to be
realistic in what our county will support and what our people will vote for. Like I said, I know
these decisions are tough ones, they effect all of us, myself included as a citizen of Iredell County,
but the decision becomes much easier when we keep our children at the forefront of our why. I
want to thank you again for the consideration of the referendum and I respectfully request on behalf
of the Mooresville Graded School District, that you place the bond on the March 2020 ballot.”
Mitchell Community College President Dr. Tim Brewer said, “Good evening
Commissioners and community members. On behalf of the Board of Trustees at Mitchell
Community College, our faculty and staff, and most importantly our students, we are grateful for
the opportunity to stand before you this evening and share with you our request in related to this
bond discussion. Many of you all know that Mitchell Community College for a numbers has led
this county in training for law enforcement through our BLET program, our fire safety training
program, and our paramedic program. Much like our public school partners have already indicated
and we are all aware of, we are also experiencing great growth in this training area because of the
population growth and the need for these services, our programs have reached its maximum
capacity for where we are currently located. Most of these programs are housed in the D. Matt
Thompson building, in the basement of a building that will soon be 100 years old. Our need also
includes more specifically the need for driving facilities. Each one of the programs that I mentioned
to you need to have space for training for drivin g. Our BLET program currently does its tactical
driving on the back parking lot of the main building here in Statesville. The pursuit training
currently is being done at the Statesville Airport. And, for good reasons because of the growth that
the Statesville Airport we are not able to access that facility as much as we need to. These programs
serve everyone in this county, each our communities and each of our municipalities. and many of
the law enforcement agencies throughout the County, the Sheriff’s Office, Mooresville and
Statesville receive their training from Mitchell Community College. Therefore, on behalf of our
board, our students, we are grateful for the opportunity to share this information with you, but also
encourage you and ask you to include this in your discussion about a bond.”
Commissioner Robertson said, “I spent 12 years on this board before and I’ve come back
to fill the term of Jeff McNeely who went onto Raleigh to fill Rena Turner’s vacancy. When I got
on the Board we started talking about school funding. I realized we really can’t talk about how to
spend money today unless we really know what the future is going to look like a little bit better. A
high school is the 800-pound gorilla in the room. If we can’t address and fix this, almost all of our
other discussions have to change and that is why our Board decided to get out in front of this
instead of talking about how to appropriate that amount of money that General Mallory talked
about before. We said we really have to deal with this high school issue first. True confessions.
We are all Republicans on this board and we are all conservatives. I was the leader in the
Republican Party and Tommy Bowles was a Commissioner when the GO Bond came up for a vote
to build Lake Norman High School. When you are a conservative and somebody says they have a
good idea to do anything, it doesn’t matter what it is, if it requires your taxes to go up, you
automatically have resistance to the idea. And, I did too. Tommy did too. I was the leader in the
Republican Party at the time. We didn’t oppose it but we didn’t support it. I would say Tommy as
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a Commissioner, fell in that grouping. That GO bond failed. Just because something is needed, if
good men and women sit back and do nothing, it can fail again. Imagine what this county would
be like if the largest high school in the County today did not exist. It passed, because the
Chairwoman was Mrs. Sara Haire Tice, she and the Board that Tommy was on, voted to borrow
the money without the consent of the tax payers during a revaluation year which required a tax
increase in a reval year. They built the high school. The iron lady was not Margaret Thatcher in
England. It was Sara Haire Tice in Iredell County. Coming from that perspective from resistance
to spending big money and doing something that will require a tax increase. The three gentleman
that just spoke talked a lot about option A which is the bond. I want to address the question s “Do
we really need it? and “What does it look like if we don’t have it?” I have an option for that.”
Commissioner Robertson went through the following powerpoint presentation.
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Commissioner Robertson closed up his presentation by saying, “I don’t understand why
when you go to a store and you want to buy a bag of cookies, you want the most cookies you can
get for a fixed set of money. We want the most value. We want the most stuff our dollar will buy
us. Why is it we do that with everything except education? Why do we want to get by? Why do
high school kids go to high school and don’t take any of the advanced cour ses when they are
offered? My son went to the US Military Academy at West Point. It is a hard scho ol to get into.
He went to the public school system. Everything you need to go a prestigious university is available
in our public school system. You just have to reach for the golden ring. Vision controls behavior.
Our parents need to put that vision into their kids to make them to aspire to want a life that involves
education so that they want to go to school and they want to learn. This whole debate about
education cannot simply be bricks and mortar, and how much money we are going to spend. And,
what the tax rate is going to be and how much time somebody is going to spend on a school bus. I
think this is a great time for our community to take a really hard look in the mirror and say “What
is it that we are trying to do here?” I think everybody has to ste p up to the plate, Commissioners,
tax payers, teachers, administrators, students, and parents. That is where we stand.”
At this time, Chairman Mallory opened the public hearing.
Chairman Mallory said the Board wants everyone to have an opportunity to share what is
on their heart and the concerns they have so that the Commissioners, educators, Boards of
Education can take the comments to heart and see how to square to circle so everyone can move
forward together as a county towards the same commonly shared goal. Which is to have the very
best educational system for our children so they can have jobs in this county.
Lynne Taylor, an educational researcher spoke against the bond. Taylor offered to sit down
with anyone to share some things that want to be done locally have been driven by powers beyond
local. Taylor shared that because she is against the bond does not mean she is in the wrong political
party and it doesn’t mean she doesn’t believe that schools should be built, it means everyone should
take a look on how money is being spent that is already in the cougher. Taylor said the government
is supposed to be a representation of we the people. If the government is being run like a business
then it is being done wrong. Taylor is opposed to a property tax increase for school construction,
between federal, state, and local taxation her property taxes are at an all-time high, yet her
household income has not risen to support the increase. Taylor said between increases taxes and
connect NC bond that was passed several years, future generations are saddled with what was
supposed to be for roads and infrastructure but in turn was used for educational construction.
Taylor said Mitchell Community College was included in a $350 million portion from the connect
bond. Taylor suggested an audit to see how money is being spent to justify why a bond is needed
so soon after another, which is differed taxation that is going to be saddled on her children and
grandchildren. Taylor said future generations should be taught to live within their means not to
borrow against a future that no one is guaranteed. Taylor explained that more mo ney will not
restore quality academic education, but will expand the overreaches of government and private
groups who groom students to be cogs in a wheel.
Jennifer Christian, Chairperson of the Schools Facilities Task Force and parent spoke in
favor of the potential bond. Christian gave a brief background on the task force. The task force’s
recommendations were the culmination of school and building site visits throughout the County,
reviewing capacity data, schools, housing start data, population growth projections, and existing
and deferred maintenance. Deferred maintenance can be very expensive and contributes to a
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child’s education experience. Christian said there was unanimous approval of the
recommendations in the form of a 10-year plan that included three phases. Recently, the County
found itself in a very fortunate position, as mentioned earlier with the bond reserve fund from the
2014 Bond that will allow completion of many of the phase 1 critical projects. Christian said lots
of the projects will be completed that are located in various parts of the County, not just the
southern end. Christian outlined following projects that will be completed:
West Iredell High School: State of the art new vocational shops, renovated and repurposed
old shop areas
Statesville High School: New CTE shops to support the Career Tech Program and physical
education upgrades
Lakeshore Elementary School: 4 – 6 additional classrooms
Christian said as a combination of bond reserve funds and private funding the following
projects will be completed for Mooresville Graded:
Renovate and upgrade South Elementary and Parkview Elementary, including a gym at
upgrading electrical and plumbing at each school. The project will also include increasing parking
at South Elementary and expand the cafeteria at Parkview Elementary.
Mitchell Community College: Make steps to acquire land to renovate the career science
building.
Christian said all those projects were identified as critical phase 1 projects. Christian
explained that there are three phases not included in the bond reserve.
Todd Russo, Harmony Elementary School Principal, spoke in favor of the bond. Russo has
an extensive background with the school system. The bond is for the growth in the southern end
of the County because it benefits the County as a whole, but the community needs to what it looks
like for the rest of the County. It is more than just a vote for a high school and unused funds would
allow other needs to be addressed. Russo understands that growth takes priority. If the bond does
not pass all the projects keep getting pushed back, including Harmony Elementary. Russo
advocated for his school and shared that the fourth and fifth grade classrooms are 150 square feet
smaller than the K-3 classrooms, but still have 28 students in each class. There is furniture in the
school that cannot be moved. The bathrooms are 60 square feet. A typical school bathroom is
approximately 220 square feet. Some classes must walk through other classrooms to get to their
classrooms. Russo, a member of the west Iredell community, said the community wants better for
the children. It is not just a building, it is what the children deserve.
Aruna Saminathan, a student at Lake Norman High School, spoke in favor of the potential
bond. Saminathan said Lake Norman High School is beyond capacity. She explained there are 50
kids in each of the three blocks of AP Psychology and 35 in AP Calculus. Saminathan asked if
teachers are able to pay attention to each individual student’s needs and how large a class can get
before ones learning is affected.
Bill Balatow, a parent and realtor, spoke in favor of the potential bond. Balatow shared his
support for the areas public school systems. Balatow said the growth is from the bottom up. The
County has $21 billion worth of tax base and $15 million is located below exit 45. Balatow shared
the importance of commercial growth in order to keep taxes low. Businesses will locate here when
they see financial support by the County and community for the schools. Balatow explained that
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Lowe’s moved from North Wilkesboro to Mooresville because Wilkes County turned down a
school bond.
Shannon Viera, President CEO of Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce and parent,
spoke in favor of the potential bond. Viera is a fairly new resident of the community and has a
fresh perspective of what is happening in the education front. Viera plans to be a long time active
member in keeping the success of the public school systems. Viera said it is important to be
actively thinking through and planning ahead. Veira said education is the number one topic for the
Chamber. The Chamber has a very strong Education Workforce Development Committee. Viera
said that the Chamber supported the two previous education bonds and feels strongly they will
support this one. Viera said the growth is starting to move slightly north. Troutman has approved
2,000 housing permits and asked where those kids are going to go to school. Great schools increase
property values, decrease crime, and encourages families to stay and be engaged. Families are
attached to their schools and want to be proud. Viera went on to add that great schools encourage
business development in commercial and retail. Schools is the number one thing that a new
company coming to the area looks at.
Jeff Smith, Piedmont Healthcare CEO, spoke in favor of the potential bond. Smith said the
area loses talent because the schools are so crowded. The job of the County is to grow the area and
make it prosperous. Smith said the bond should be big enough to finish the projects needed.
Rob Woodruff, parent of children in Iredell-Statesville Schools, spoke in favor of the
potential bond. Woodruff said the schools are not going to receive much help from the State. Iredell
County is in an interesting position because it does not have the tax base that Mecklenburg or
Wake Counties, but there is challenge of growth. Woodruff shared that the bond needs to pass in
order keep up with the growth. The availability of other funds from the capital infrastructure
funding from the State that can go within other needs in the County are very much needed.
Ayana Robinson, Principal at Mooresville Middle School, spoke in favor of the bond.
Robinson said Mooresville Middle School serves only 7th and 8th grade and has about 1040
students enrolled, with nine new students enrolled yesterday. Every room in the building is used
to serve students. Currently, there is no space to be used as a flex space. The number of bus stops
and riders are increasing daily in Mooresville. Robinson explained Mooresville has needed a new
middle school for years. The teachers have been created in ways to utilize current space, some co-
teachers use the hallway to conduct small group instruction. Three years ago, the maintenance
department worked to increase the dining area of the cafeteria. Robinson said there is something
very unique about dining with 500 7th or 8th graders at a time. It is well known that overcrowding
is not in the best education interest of the student but they handle the situation as well as possible
because they are all great kids. Robinson asked the board to place the bond referendum on the
March 2020 ballot.
Commissioner Robertson said, “Just for the record that middle school was on the previous
bond, but when we were trying to get the bond total figure down…this has to be a pill small enough
to swallow. Mooresville Graded District removed this middle school off the previous bond to help
the chances of that previous bond passing and it did. The one thing we promised was that project
would absolutely be on the next bond. They’ve done their part. I did not mention your school,
didn’t talk about Mitchell College, there is a lot I didn’t talk about to focus on one issue. There is
a lot of people who are going to be impacted by this and if you don’t think you are going to be
impacted by the growth down south when we redraw lines, believe me, West, North, and
Statesville Senior High will be busting at the seams. Everyone is going to feel the pain when these
lines get redrawn, if the bond doesn’t pass.”
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Commissioner Houpe said, “Both systems did reduce projects off their list.”
Commissioner Robertson said, “Absolutely.”
Commissioner Houpe said, “To make it more palatable to be fair. Both of them cooperated
with the Commissioners. I was on the Board in 2014. Both of them did that.”
Craig Maus shared his concern over the bond. Maus said there have been many valid points
made tonight, but it is unfair to potentially position someone who have reservations as being anti-
children. Maus said his taxes have doubled in 10 years. Things like this start-off well intended and
designed for children but then the money is funneled here and there. Maus asked if the
demographics are not there to afford the cost and how the retired population is going to afford the
increase.
Commissioner Houpe said, “I appreciate your comment. I want to tell you the difference
we are trying to do. A voter approved referendum is for specific projects, they are statutorily
restricted, the funding for projects that have been identified by citizens of the community, not just
by school districts. There are annual audits that verify where that money is spent, every dime. That
is why we in this county don’t have misuse and abuse. Because we trust our voters and we tell our
voters the facts about what we need and why need it and how we are going to use their money. I
didn’t want you to leave the podium thinking that it is like some other bureaucratic cowl that is
going to be trickled here and trickled there. This capital funding, approved by our voters, are for
specific projects and limited to those projects.”
Commissioner Robertson said, “I think considering we have the lowest tax rate in the
region, not just by a little, but by far, says that we’re tight w ith a dollar. When we were dealing
with a lot more school construction in 2005, I told them I would make a deal. I will not appropriate
any more money to school construction if we stop issuing building permits. They are related. There
are some people who say they don’t want our county to grow. I understand that, but if we allow
people to move here we are obligated to provide a building. We have nothing to do with what any
teacher says in that building. We are obligated for there to be space in that building for students.
As far as I am concerned, if we don’t want to build the buildings for more kids coming in we have
to stop issuing building permits, which incidentally we can’t win that case in court. I supported a
moratorium in order to deal with this situation of overcrowding in schools and we cannot win that
case in court.”
Commissioner Houpe said, “We respect your position. I don’t want you to leave the
podium thinking that was a potential possibly because that is why we like voter referendums.”
Maus said, “I respect that but the second part is how are you going to address the
demographics with respect to your citizens and in the cases of affordability, with all due respect to
Mr. Robertson, yes Iredell may be the lowest but nonetheless Mooresville, we get hit twice down
there. We have the city and county tax. My taxes have doubled since I’ve been here, December
will be 20 years. I am not adverse to these. It comes down to reality that you could conceivably
driving your base out of here. It could have a boomerang effect. I have seen it before. You can see
it in the major cities elsewhere. This is a real concern. All I am asking is that you take this into
consideration in how you’re going to deal with the demographics as it relates to the citizens.”
Commissioner Houpe said, “And, we do. That is why we strive with our economic
development people and our educational entities to have balanced growth. Our industrial,
commercial growth, and workforce development is what keeps the property taxes for residential
down and so you want to move from up north to down here to live. We want a quality of life,
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education, recreation, and all of those be the reason you to stay here. We do value and respect your
opinion, but we want you to understand we take all those things into factor. We trust you and we
want you to know the facts. I didn’t want you to leave the podium thinking we would allow or
these ladies and gentleman who are elected also would misspend your money. I know it happens
in politics. That is why voter approved referendum is our choice of this board and has been,
because it is approved by the people that pay it. We are entrusted to account for it and is audited
annually. I just wanted you to know that.”
Robert Murphy said, “I love it, been down here for about three years. This year we
reassessed taxes and my taxes went up approximately 10% and my elementary school’s end of
year grades went down approximately 20%. It is terrible. I have a lot of problems. The
superintendent, I am sure is happy to tell you what is going on at our school. Toxic
environment…I’ve complained to the school board as to many other people. The grades are now
showing. The exodus of teachers has been horrible. We speak and I hope you folks will listen
tonight because we haven’t been heard, and that is the problem. We are not being heard as parents
and citizens. Just to drop back, you should reconsider the bond. It is not the only issue there is.
What if you put a $10,000 fee on every new housing unit being built on their permit. With th e
10,000 units being built, you would have $100 million.
Commissioner Robertson said, “You would lose in court, that has already been
established.”
Murphy said, “Think outside the box, this shouldn’t be the only issue that you have is to
refloat something. My argument though is the elementary schools are failing. It is a big problem.
I have a son still in the elementary schools. My daughter is in the middle school. I am a big believer
in public education. I went to public schools up through high school. When I finished high school
I went to a private Catholic college because I am a man of faith. I don’t have faith in the
administration of these schools. I’m questionable on the Board. The woman who spoke up earlier
said ‘What about an audit, she could find money in the audit.’ We should be auditing the schools.
There should be transparency in the schools. Our voices should not be ignored.
Commissioner Robertson said, “They are audited every year.”
Murphy said, “This woman claimed that they can find money through audit. I don’t have
faith in what is going on. I don’t feel that there is transparency. I think when you put $120 million
bond out, I could be wrong but I recall hearing at one of the meetings that the engineering and
architectures are no bid contracts. So, $10 million is going directly into the pockets of people
without public input and without a bid process, if that is the case. I hope it’s not. If it is, I have an
issue with that. I think that this money should be looked at and if there is a failing in the elementary
schools as I feel there are, I think you’re mistaken on what is going on with the growth. People
will continue to come down here from up north, but they will come down to retire. Not to raise
families. I came to raise a family. Again, I recommend it to anybody because this is a fantastic
place to live. Really, for the most part I am very happy, but these are where I have the issues. If
the families don’t come down, the problem now is you’re going to build high schools built on
today’s issue with the numbers of students. Which by the way, I graduated with a class of 485
students. Big schools aren’t so bad, but they do indeed need a good education. It is not the size that
matters. If you’re not getting the right people in and people aren’t raising families here you are
going to have a (sic). What’s going to happen is you’re building high schools built on the needs of
today and then in five years when the elementary school people come and people are going to
charter schools. And, companies aren’t coming here because they can’t attract people to come
down because they don’t have the schools to support it there is going to be lull. You’ll have spent
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a lot of money on empty buildings with bad contracts and money that nobody seems to know where
it went. That is what we call the Hillary Clinton effect. I am not happy that you have a bond without
the proper recognition from the people who live here. Our taxes are going up. Again, I understand
taxes go up, they do. It’s growing like a madhouse. There’s infrastructure needs. There are school
needs. There is a lot going on. This is a big nut and you’re putting a lot on us. And, I don’t think
it is being thought out. The school administration has to be examined. I don’t have faith in the
administration. I can’t have faith in the bond. And, I have to say that I would not vote for it. I
would not support it. I would not recommend anyone to support it until we can have transparency
in the school administration. I thank you for the time and wish you the best.”
Commissioner Houpe said, “I respect your opinion. As an elected official, we take pride
and the school system’s boards take pride. There are annual audits. There is oversight and
accountability. We are the checks and balances that the voters in this county, 180,000 people vote
to put us there. I am sorry you disagree with that, which I respect your opinion. But, I am telling
you that administrations are audited by outside firms and the school boards oversee that are elected
by you. Please run for your office if you’re interested. We want good people that are concerned
for the right reasons. I just don’t want you to leave the podium thinking that there are people
elected in this county…dishonesty, that is why we voter approved referendums and expendit ures.
Our job is to tell you the facts. You can meet with any of their finance people any day you want
to. I will set that up, or our people. The money is going where we tell you it is going. It is not being
put in somebody’s pocket. The contractors and bids, the gentlemen who run these school districts,
they are not going to jail for any contractor. I can assure. I want you to understand if you have
concerns I want to turn your no to a yes by the time it is time to vote. Because I want get you in
front of the people and let you see that the Is are dotted and checks are crossed. That is what I am
offering. I can get you the facts and figures you asked for.”
Murphy said, “I appreciate that. I think the Board members that are here will tell you I am
a respectful person. I speak at the meetings and listen at most of the meetings.
Commissioner Houpe said, “Please take the time to look at the facts. I will go with you.”
Murphy said, “I am from New York. I don’t always agree with the numbers. I don’t always
agree with the charts. It doesn’t make them real, but I am not saying I’m crying fraud. I am just
telling you there is doubt. I don’t mean that in a bad way. I don’t doubt the honesty of this board
or the other board, but I do have problems with the administration of the Iredell School System. I
don’t feel that the parents are being heard. I think we are being ignored for personal reasons. They
are not putting the students first. The fact that my elementary school, Woodland Heights
Elementary went from an A+ school to barely a B school in two schools is horrible. Lake Norman
Elementary does not appear to be much better. Without those strong schools…I came here for the
schools. That is why we come down here. The other gentleman had it right. It is so expensive up
north. Believe me, I had this argument with Phil Murphy and he was looking at me like you guys.
We come down to escape the taxes, but we also have high demands. I understand it is a delicate
balance but please consider it.
Chris Schoobridge, realtor and member of the Schools Facility Task Force, spoke in favor
of the bond because of the strong correlation between schools and quality development.
Ernest Spevak, parent, spoke in favor of the bond and said good education and higher
property values is a reinforcing cycle. Spevak said education is a responsibility not a business.
Spevak explained that his child was a student at Langtree Charter for two years. The kindergarten
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year was great, however after having a bad first grade experience Spevak enrolled his son into
Coddle Creek Elementary where the school and staff are amazing.
Martin Page, Chairman of the Iredell-Statesville Board of Education, said, “Thank you for
looking forward. The day we opened Lake Norman High School it was overcrowded. The second
year we put mobile units in. Thank you guys for seeing the need and seeing the future. Mooresville
is the same way. They know we have to put these kids somewhere. Thank you for being willing to
put this to the voters. Because I agree, the voters need to make this decision. We appreciate what
you have done for the school systems in Iredell County.”
Commissioner Robertson said, “I know a lot of people are going to have opinions. I would
just say that folks who do not support the bond or don’t want to pay taxes, I hear you. I understand.
But, when you tell that to me, I want you to include one piece of information that continues to be
missing. Where am I going to put all of these kids? Don’t tell me you just don’t want to pay taxes
because I understand. I don’t want to pay them either. I am looking for people who can bring
alternatives to the table about where I am going to put all these kids. Sometimes it is tough being
a public servant.”
Commissioner Norman said, “Folks, we did this in 2014 and made the decision to put the
schools bonds on the ballot so you would have the decision to vote for it or vote against it. Again,
you’re at the table and the time is coming in March. You can vote for it or vote against it. We are
not taking that away from you. If you want it, you see how things have to be paid for.”
Vice Chairman Bowles said, “This is the first step on a long journey. This is a public input
meeting tonight and we have a lot of decisions to make. We have a lot of data to digest to try to
figure out what is the right thing to do.”
Commissioner Houpe said, “I serve with the Chairman now on our Education Task Force.
We get the pleasure of working with the school systems, administrations, and teachers on behalf
of the public. I thank all of you that come and those that may be watching. I want to encourage, as
a challenge, to reach out individuals that today be a no and lets get them the information they need.
Once they get some information they need, you may can show them the value of the investment.
We respect and this board takes seriously all tax payers’ views in the County. That is why we fight
every day, all day, very hard to have balanced growth in the County. I do want to say to those in
the school system, whichever way you are. Don’t allow people to devalue you. Don’t allow people
to make you a line item on a spreadsheet. You are to some kids the only parent they have. You are
training our workforces. I’ve been in law enforcement almost 32 years in some capacity and
unfortunately as in law enforcement, teachers are tasked with being mental health counselors,
teachers, parents. You are the lifeline to our communities. It is our responsibility as the gentleman
said, to provide the facilities and the safe environments for you to teach, for the kids to go to
schools. I want to talk to the citizens. The schools are a value and are in investment because of
economic development, because hopefully you can get the information you need. We want people
to move here, retire here, and enjoy our communities. We do respect your opinions. I respect and
appreciate everyone taking everybody’s points of view and respecting those. Not disrespecting
others like shown on a national scale every day. As taxpayers, our board and other elected boards,
I can speak on behalf of our board. We have been good stewards of your tax dollars. We just
repurposed through the school systems saved revenues from the last bond to address specific
projects that are capital needs that would make this potential project less going to the voters. One
of the reasons these projects would require one cent increase is because we are taking advantage
of existing debt that is rolling off our books. We are repurposing those funds to lessen the impact
and in some cases, some people think a burden. But, I want to use the word impact because it is an
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investment. The jobs, workforce development, and disposal income that our citizens have that can
reinvest in businesses in our county. We failed a quarter-cent sales tax last year that would have
been the fairest tax in our opinions. Because everybody pays that not just property owners in the
County. We didn’t do a good enough job to get the information out to the public. Over 50% of that
revenue was paid by people traveling up and down our two interstates. If that would have passed
last year we would potentially be here today without asking for a property tax increase. We have
debt rolling off our books that we are repurposing. As the Chairman said earlier, the last bo nd
required a 4.25 cent increase on our tax rate. This one is a penny, if approved. We are reinvesting
your tax dollars and trying to hold a hard line. We understand some people are on fixed incomes,
but we want you to also understand it is our responsibility as you have kids and grandkids in the
school system. It is a cycle of life. People took care of you when you were that age and we have
to continue to reinvest in the same thing. I encourage you to get the facts. Reach out to the school
systems. Put a face at the end of a handshake. Get the details you need. These are your friends and
neighbors, these are your Iredell County Citizens that have the same impact and responsibility as
you do. We value you. Please don’t take my comments to either one of you t hat I commented to,
I didn’t want you to leave the podium with misinformation. Because maybe you came from areas
where that was what happened, but we take pride in trusting our people. Government for, by, and
of the people. We want you to make the decision and tell us what you want us to do. We want to
make sure that the annual audits through the elected school boards and systems do make you trust
those investments. I encourage all of you moving forward, as Vice Chairman Bowles said, it is the
first step in a long process. I think if you will take the time to look at the investment, what it brings
to the County, even to people who are not directly involved in schools. Whether parents, teachers,
and grandkids,it still benefits you. Thank you for coming and thank you all for respecting one
another. We do take your opinions to heart.”
Chairman Mallory said, “I would like to wind up with a couple of observations about some
specifics. This is phase one of a 10-year Capital Improvement Plan that was recommended by the
Facilities Task Force. With this bond, we will be able to take care of phase one completely.
Mooresville Graded School District, all of their requirements that were identified were in phase
one. As Mr. Russo, Harmony Principal, said they have some needs and other schools have needs.
They are not addressed in this particular bond, but they are addressed in phases two and three of
this 10-year plan. They are out there and have been identified. But, if this bond is not successful
that does not eliminate the need that has been identified as a priority of creating capacity in the
middle school in Mooresville and a high school for south central Iredell. There are three Army
veterans here. One of things you do when you’re on a range or teaching soldiers to engage the
enemy is you engage the closest target first. When the 25 meter target pops up, that is what you
shoot for. When the 200 meter target pops up, if it pops up the same time as the 25 meter, you
engage the 25 meter first. If you miss the first time you engage the target, you engage the 25 meter
again, because that is your close end threat. That is what we have had to do, engage what our
crying needs are. Frankly, if you look at having to prioritize, the priority is Mooresville Graded
School District middle school. They are over capacity. They have rejiggered their class alignments
to go from an intermediate school instead of three schools (elementary, middle, and school), they
have an intermediate thrown in there. They are constantly adjusting to try to even out the peaks
and valleys of school attendance. But, you get to the point of there is no more give in the rubber
band. The what if question that Commissioner Robertson posed was if the bond doesn’t pass that
does not eliminate that as our first priority. That comes where our dollars have to go. But, it will
not go right away because that is $35 million and we don’t have $35 million. We will have to do
it the old fashion way and save up, but by the time you save up cost of building goes up.”
Commissioner Robertson said, “And, those kids would have graduated high school.”
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Chairman Mallory said, “The Iredell County Commission is by statute. Our only job
technically, responsibility is to build schools for our county. It is the schools boards that are
charged with running the schools, developing the curriculum, recruiting teachers, and all of those
things. We give additional dollars to schools to support operational expenses, but our sole
statutorily responsibility is to provide the building in which our students are educated. That is what
we are trying to fulfill here. One of the things my friends north of the Mason Dixon are a lot of
good hockey fans. If you are a good hockey player you don’t skate to where to puck is, you skate
to where the puck is going to be. That is what we are trying to do. To anticipate requirements, not
just where we have overcrowding now, but where we saw all of the development that was centered
from Troutman south and to the corner of the County. There was a hole there. That is sort of where
the school is going to go. When we double the population that is where it is going to be. That is
where people are going to be moving, east of I-77 and south of I-40. We are trying to anticipate
those requirements. Unfortunately, we don’t build roads, fortunately for us. But, the State does
that. Well it has $1 billion worth of funds chasing $8 billion worth of projects. They only build
roads where you have horrible congestions. A lot of times people ask, “Why didn’t they about
building a road here when you didn’t have to pay a ton for the right of way?” Because the money
wasn’t there and they couldn’t do it. We are trying to be ahead of that power curve. One of the
observations I will say and if we have to address Mooresville Graded and a high school that is just
going to push out those phase two and three projects much longer. There is a vested interest no
matter where you live in this county to support this need because it is going to have an impact
down the road on all the projects that we look at. The whole mega unit deal. The one thing people
forget is it’s not just a mega unit. You can add a bunch of mega units, but you have a building that
has a core support function for food service, physical education, and bathrooms. Those are core
support functions. Those functions aren’t added on when you do mega units. You have to then
crowd all of those people into a dining facility that was built for half the students. You end up
having to mess up everyone’s schedule and have terrible kinds of choices to make in your operating
capacity. We are trying to avoid that. Some of the issues that have been raised about if we are just
throwing money down in some type of money pit and have don’t have accountability.”
Chairman Mallory said, “The John Locke Foundation, a conservative think tank, has
consistently said that Iredell-Statesville Schools and Mooresville Graded School District punch
way above their weight class in terms of providing the best bang for the buck. In terms of the
product that is produced for the dollars that went in to do that, you get the best return on the
investment. This kind of engagement is important. It is important to share concerns that everybody
has so that we can get facts out. I used to think everybody is entitled to their own opinions but they
are not entitled to their own facts. We live in a day and age where facts are conflated with opinions.
People get opinions from one source and it has all their facts. We need to make sure that we are
transparent, we lay this stuff out so everyone can at least start with the same base of understanding
of what the facts are and then opinions can naturally diverge from there. But, let’s start with the
right common set of facts and challenges. You can look at something as glass half empty or full.
It is good to have the problem of people wanting to move to Iredell County. If they don’t have
school aged kids, we don’t have to worry about schools, but we have to invest in EMS, because
they have to respond to an elderly population, and the need for ambulances go up. It costs $500,000
to put an ambulance on the road, by the time you buy the vehicle and get it crewed 24 hours per
day. No matter what, you’re going to spend money on something and we have to deliver those
services. When you talk about educating your kids or your grandchildren it is an emotional subject.
I can’t think of anything that gets people more attuned to what is going on than when you are
talking about educating their family. Because they represent the future. It is not just about
buildings. It is what goes on inside the buildings and that is what our school boards are tasked to
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October 1, 2019
do. But, we have asked our school boards to take a hard look at how we prepare the students that
are not going to go a four year universit y. We talk about higher levels of bureaucracy and the
government; this is where there is a divergence of opinion between liberals and conservatives. I
believe local control means local not in Raleigh and it certainly does not mean Washington, DC.
The guidance from NC Public Instruction was to shoot for having two out three kids graduate high
school to go to a four year university. That is horse hockey. That is just not going to happen. You
are going to have one out of three go to a four-year university and our school systems prepare
people very well to meet that goal. When they get professional degrees, they don’t necessarily
come back to Iredell County because before there wasn’t a large enough population that was
working here to afford the services of accountants, lawyers, buying houses, and enjoy downtown
dining. You have to have disposal income to do that. There is 50% of our student body that we
need in this Country to make and fix stuff. Today, advanced manufacturing is nothing like the
manufacturing of yesteryear. It requires hands on and minds on. It requires somebody that comes
to have computer knowledge and the ability to operate complex machinery. That is a different form
of education than just the Rs. We have to meet that need. We have to be able to provide those kids
a vision for the exciting possibilities they have where they can be doing things they want to do and
do them right here in Iredell County. That is how we are able to attract so many businesses.
Because we have a workforce that can meet their needs, but that is not a given.”
Chairman Mallory said, “We have a tremendous amount of school choice within our school
systems. That is a pain in the you know what to manage, but it provides kids choices and that is
what parents are looking for. But, they need to know what is out there locally and attract those
good jobs because if they can get out making $45-50,000 per year in high school, they can buy a
high house and live right down the road from you. They don’t have to buy a 14x70 single-wide
and stick it in your backyard. That is the difference. We want them to live in Iredell County. If
they are earning that kind of money they will attract professionals that have gone off to school to
want to come back and provide services in the service based economy, which is growing. We need
to continue to have this dialogue about what the actual deliverables should be. The Career and
Technical Education is a huge part of that. I think you will hear a lot of discussion about that and
why we need to meet the needs of business and how you get that done. I thank you all for coming
this evening. I really thank you for the respectful way that people shared their opinions and
heartfelt beliefs. We can agree to disagree agreeably at the end of the day. I hope we can find some
common ground relative to what the facts and problems are that we need to solve, and the
opportunities that we need to take advantage of.”
Chairman Mallory closed the public hearing.
At this time, the Board took a 10-minute recess.
Upon the return of recess, there was a MOTION by Commissioner Houpe instruct staff to
proceed with the bond referendum calendar prepared by the bond counsel that is attached to the
motion to begin the process for a March 3, 2020 bond referendum to be adopted formally at the
next meeting, October 15, 2019.
Vice Chairman Bowles said the motion is to set the calendar for the bond.
Chairman Mallory said there will be another public hearing in December for a final
decision whether to have a referendum for the bond on the primary ballot.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
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October 1, 2019
COUNTY OF IREDELL, NORTH CAROLINA
BOND REFERENDUM CALENDAR
March 3, 2020
Date
Event
By: October 1, 2019
Initial decision to pursue general obligation bond
referendum made; basic needs and plan (such as
amount of bonds and purposes (schools, community
college, others) to be completed; Board of Education
adopts a resolution requesting Board of
Commissioners to pursue a bond referendum for
school purposes.
October 15, 2019
Regular Meeting
Board of Commissioners adopts preliminary findings
resolution and authorizes publication of notice of
intent to file an application with the LGC.
October 18, 2019 Publication of notice of intent to file an application
with the LGC; County submits notice to Joint
Legislative Oversight Committee on Local
Government (this filing is not required for schools,
but is required if there are other purposes).
October 29, 2019 File application with the LGC.
November 19, 2019
Regular Meeting
Introduction of bond orders by the Board of
Commissioners; file Sworn Statement of Debt and
Statement of Estimated Interest with Clerk.
November 22, 2019 Publication of bond orders as introduced and notice of
public hearing.
December 3, 2019
Regular Meeting
Board of Commissioners conducts public hearing
regarding bond orders, adopts bond orders; adopts
resolution calling for referendum.
By: December 6, 2019 Deliver certified copy of resolution calling for
referendum to Board of Elections.
December 6, 2019
Publication of final bond orders as adopted and first
notice of referendum.
December 13, 2019 Publish second notice of referendum.
January 7, 2020 LGC approval of bond orders.
January 13, 2020 Absentee ballots available.
February 7, 2020 Last day to apply for registration for voting in
referendum.
March 3, 2020 Referendum.
March 13, 2020 Canvassing of referendum returns by Board of
Elections.
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October 1, 2019
April 7, 2020
Regular Meeting
Declaration of results of referendum by the Board of
Commissioners.
April 10, 2020 Publication of statement of results of referendum.
****
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
County Manager Beth Jones summarized the items that were placed on the consent agenda as
follows:
Request from Planning & Development to consider calling for a public hearing on
October 15, 2019 in regard to text amendments to the Land Development Code.
Request from the Finance Department for approval of a 3-year agreement with N.C.
Department of Agriculture to provide space for the Forestry Service housed in the
County Agricultural Center.
Request from the Finance Department for approval of a resolution to sell County-
owned property located at 4600 Harmony Highway and authorization of process.
Request from the Finance Department for approval of a resolution authorizing the
sale of property acquired by tax foreclosure and approval of recommended disposal
method.
Request from Clerk to the Board for approval of the minutes from the meeting on
September 17, 2019.
MOTION by Commissioner Norman to approve the consent agenda.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES OCCURING ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
Recreation Advisory Board - 1 appointment
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARD AND COMMISSIONS
(None)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
(None)
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
(None)
NEW BUSINESS
30
October 1, 2019
County Manager Beth Jones said at the last meeting, the Board appointed a new ETJ
member to the Mooresville Planning Board. Traditionally, the policy is if there is a seated member
that is willing to serve, that member is reappointed to keep the institutional knowledge on the
board. Jones explained that staff was unaware and failed to ask the seated member if he was willing
to serve again. There was essentially an error and someone new was appointed to the board. The
seated member is interested and willing to serve again. Jones asked the Board’s desire regarding
the reappointment of the seated member. There was an advertisement of the vacancy. An
application for the seated member is available. Jones said the Board has an option to rescind the
former appointment and reappoint the seated member.
Commissioner Robertson said the seated member is interested in serving one more term.
Vice Chairman Bowles explained he took the lead in trying to research the N.C. General
Statutes and feels that it is a procedural issue. The Board out punted their coverage.
MOTION by Vice Chairman Bowles to rescind the vote where Alan Sulek, 105 Walnut
Hill Court, Mooresville, was appointed.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
Commissioner Robertson explained that the rescindment has nothing to do Sulek’s
qualifications.
Vice Chairman Bowles said this is strictly a procedural error. The Board should have
watched a little closer.
Commissioner Houpe said the policy of the Board has been to reappoint good standing
members who wish to continue serving, unless there are term limits.
Vice Chairman Bowles said that has been the Board’s long-term practice.
MOTION by Vice Chairman Bowles to reappoint John Robertson, 3158 Charlotte
Highway, Mooresville, to a new term on the Mooresville Planning Board in the ETJ position.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
Airport Update: Commissioner Houpe gave an update on the ribbon cutting celebrating the
airport’s new taxiway and thanked the work of the Airport Commission and the Economic
Development Team. Houpe expressed appreciation to the federal, state, and local elected for
continued support. The economic impacts of the grants for the airport have been phenomenal.
Chairman Mallory said the Airport Commission works very closely with the City of
Statesville Council. Statesville owns the base operation at the airport. The City and County are
joined at the hip in matching local funds to get the 90% grants that typically flow from the NCDOT
or FAA to be able to provide much needed capabilities and improvements to the airport. The airport
is a significant economic driver for the County. Statesville Airport is not in the Charlotte control
zone therefore while in some other local airports people can be sitting on the runway waiting to
take off because they have not gotten the clearance from Statesville. In Statesville, they are able
to get on the runway and go because the airport in controlled out of Atlanta. Which is a significant
savings in time and aggravation for general aviation and new carriers flying out of the airport.
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October 1, 2019
COUNTY MANAGER’S REPORT
County Manager Beth Jones gave an update on the following:
Fall Retreat is scheduled for November 8, 2019 at the Public Library. Staff is fine tuning
the time and will check with the Board before setting the time. The location was chosen
so the Board is able to check on the progress of the lower level. Staff is hopeful the lower
level will reopen by the end of the year.
Jones said the Board has received calls and concerns regarding Development Service’s new
software. Development Services Lynn Niblock provided a written update for the Board. Jones said
there have been some issues and most came from converting the data from the old system to the
new. Staff did not expect those problems and is working diligently with the provider to fix the
issues. There seems to be a communication issue with pulling over the older permits into the new
system. There are no problems with acquiring new permits in the new system. The problem is
occurring with the old permits. To mitigate some of the problems, staff brought back the old
software therefore, staff is having to run both systems. Some of the concerns are for the contractors
who have multiple permits and having to toggle between both systems. Staff is doing the same.
Jones said there have been some anonymous complaints but they have not been specific. Staff
want to address the issues by following up and helping ones who are having challenges, but not
having any contact information proves that to be difficult. Staff has developed step by step
directions of obtaining a permit and using the permit. Staff has also discussed the possibility of
hands on training. Jones apologized for any inconvenience the transition may have created. Change
is difficult, but staff feels that the new software will give a lot of functionality that the previous
software did not give. It gives more online capabilities for contractors. The new software also
allows inspectors to hit the ground running each morning instead of manually sorting the daily
workload.
Chairman Mallory encouraged customers to let staff know with specificity what the problem
is. A general complaint about the system does not give enough information for staff to fix the issue.
CLOSED SESSION
Chairman Mallory said a Closed Session relating to Attorney Client G.S. 143-318.11 (a)
(3) and Economic Development G.S. 143-318.11 (a) (4) was held immediately following the pre-
agenda meeting and there are no action items to report.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Commissioner Norman to adjourn at 10:15PM. The next regular meeting
will be October 15, 2019, 5:00 PM, in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Government Center,
200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
__________________________________ ___________________________________
Date Approved Amy B. Anderson, Clerk