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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-02-2024 1 January 2, 2024 IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PRE-AGENDA SESSION January 2, 2024 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in pre-agenda session on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 4:00 PM, in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room located in the Iredell County Government Center 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC. Board Members Present Chair Melissa Neader Vice Chair Bert Connolly Scottie Brown Brad Stroud, Sr. Board Members Participating Remotely Gene Houpe Staff present: County Manager Beth Mull, Deputy County Manager Susan Robertson, County Attorney Lisa Valdez, Finance Director Deb Cheek, and Clerk to the Board Amy Anderson. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Neader called the meeting to order. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: There were no adjustments to the agenda. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Request from the Town of Love Valley for approval of Budget Amendment #24 for a cash flow advance to purchase a tract of land to be used for their sewer project. County Manager Beth Mull said the Town received state funds for their sewer project, however, the money went to NC Department of Environmental Quality, and the funds are dispersed as a reimbursement to the Town. Currently, the Town is working with NCDEQ on a way to receive without the reimbursement base. The Town is requesting Budget Amendment #24 in case NCDEQ still needs to reimburse the funds. If so, the budget amendment would allow the County to front the money and be reimbursed by NCDEQ. Mull noted the County has done something similar for the Town regarding for the road project. Mayor Tim Meadows said the property purchase is time-sensitive. Mayor Meadows expressed appreciation to the Board for hearing the request. This item was placed on consent. Request from Children's Homes of Iredell County for approval of a letter of support. Children’s Homes of Iredell County Executive Director Kevin Angell requested a letter of support to strengthen the application to the Duke Endowment. The Duke Endowment is a $5 million endowment that helps organizations with grant-making. The grant is a capacity-building grant 2 January 2, 2024 labeled Project Forge. The project is undertaking a significant effort to enhance the quality of care, stability, and outcomes for children and young adults involved in child welfare services, therapeutic foster care, and transitional living programs in North Carolina. Angell said a letter of support from the County would demonstrate credibility to the organization’s application and make it more competitive. Angell noted the letter does not obligate the County or the Department of Social Services to refer children to the organization. Chair Neader said Project Forge seems to have a number of programs that demonstrate the outcome of working with and educating families. Mull noted DSS Director Yvette Smith also supports the efforts of the organization as it brings additional resources to help the youth in the community. This item was placed on consent. Request from Animal Services for approval of Budget Amendment #25 to accept a PetSmart grant to build an offsite adoption program. Animal Services Director Kristian Hernandez requested approval of Budget Amendment #25 to accept a PetSmart grant for $15,000 to build an offsite adoption program. The grant would cover the cost of contracted services for one person three times a month. This person would set up and organize adoption events outside the shelter. The grant would also cover the cost of a new tent, table, transportation kennels, and a new vehicle wrap for the department’s van. This item was placed on consent. Consider a request to utilize the High-Density Option to allow an increase to the bus parking and a new fire access road on property owned by Iredell-Statesville Schools and render a decision concerning the request for the utilization of the High -Density Option for Lake Norman Elementary School. Planning & Development Director Matthew Todd said Iredell-Statesville Schools would like to request the High-Density Option to allow an increase to the bus parking and a new fire access road for Lake Norman Elementary School. Todd said the school system is limited on the amount of impervious with the Low-Density option and is requesting the High-Density Option. ISS could go up to 50% impervious but requested to go to 33% and that will determine the size of the best management practices on-site to handle the stormwater flow. Todd noted the school system meets the requirements for the proposed request. Chair Neader asked if the request would max the school system with impervious. Todd said they could go up more, but it would impact the stormwater features on the property. This item was placed on consent. Request from Planning & Development for approval of a resolution amending the Map Review Officer list. Planning & Development Director Matthew Todd requested approval of a resolution amending the Map Review Officer list. General Statute requires that Counties 3 January 2, 2024 appoint Review Officers to review each plat or map before it is recorded and certify that it meets the statutory requirements for mapping. This item was placed on consent. Request from the Finance Department for approval of an interlocal participation agreement and join as a participant in the purchasing cooperative, Buyboard. Contract and Grant Procurement Officer Kaitlyn Sparks requested approval of an interlocal participation agreement and to join as a participant in the purchasing cooperative, Buyboard. This would give the County more options to choose from, and ways to order and procure things. It will also give the ability to compare pricing with different cooperatives to get the most efficient, cost-effective products. Chair Neader said it may shorten the time to receive bids and prices. She asked if the purchasing cooperative would be available for all departments. Sparks said yes. Chair Neader said it looks like there is a number of counties and municipalities that are currently using Buyboard. Sparks said currently, 90 jurisdictions are actively using the Buyboard. Based on the staff’s due diligence, Buyboard is very credible and forward-thinking. Mull said this is an additional tool in the County’s toolkit in being conscious of cost and following purchasing guidelines. This item was placed on consent. Request from the Finance Department for approval of a resolution regarding the 2024 Limited Obligation Bonds, not to exceed $40 million, for the new high school and to call for a public hearing on January 16, 2024. Finance Director Deb Cheek requested approval of a resolution regarding the 2024 Limited Obligation Bonds, not to exceed $40 million, for the new high school. Cheek said staff is beginning the process of financing the new Weather’s Creek High School. The County will be issuing $80 million in General Obligation Bonds and up to $40 million in Limited Obligation Bonds. The $80 million was voted in by the taxpayers on ballot and the $40 million requires some additional steps. The resolution requested will begin the process for the Limited Obligation Bonds. Staff has had calls with the Local Government Commission, Bond Counsel, and Financial Managers. Cheek requested to call the public hearing on February 6, 2024 at 6pm. She noted the process requires two calendars and she is working with Tim Ivey to ensure the school system will meet the dates and have bids in hand no later than February 6, 2024. Cheek said if bids are not in hand on February 6, 2024, the calendars will need to be adjusted. Commissioner Brown asked if bids are in hand by February 6, when the bonds will be sold. 4 January 2, 2024 Cheek said the bonds will be sold on March 26, 2024, and a closing date of April 11, 2024. Commissioner Brown said that gives time to use the $80 million first. Cheek noted it is cost-effective to do both bonds at the same time. There is a $500,000 cost savings by doing both bonds together. Mull gave a brief background. In 2020, the voters approved a bond for $80 million. Because of inflation, the school system provided a new estimate of $200 million. The County has a statutory obligation to build schools. The County feels that the latest estimate is a high estimate and looked at what additional funds could be allocated with the $80 million to give a reasonable amount of money for the new high school. The County came up with a total of $120 million which means a $40 million gap. The current budget includes the County borrowing $40 million to put with the $80 million. Mull noted the County is not raising taxes to make the debt service payment. This is one of the reasons why the tax rate was not rolled back further than 50 cents. The County will be making the debt service payment with some of the reappraisal money. The current budget also includes setting $10 million per year for a new elementary school. Chair Neader asked for clarification on the date of the public hearing. Mull said the public hearing was originally scheduled for January 16, 2024 however the schools are not quite ready to send out for bid. Vice Chair Connolly said this situation has been like trying to catch a falling knife. The delay with the school system is costing $40 million not counting the interest on the $80 million. Commissioner Stroud echoed Vice Chair Connolly’s comments. The current Board took time to understand the previous board’s inactions to move forward. Stroud expressed that he is a taxpayer first and this has been a very hard pill to swallow. There are some things the Board must do. Stroud added that it would have been nice to lower the tax rate further but given what is coming down the pike. Cheek read the following resolution into the record. RESOLUTION MAKING CERTAIN FINDINGS AND DETERMINATIONS REGARDING THE ISSUANCE OF LIMITED OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE COUNTY OF IREDELL, NORTH CAROLINA, REQUESTING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION TO APPROVE THE FINANCING ARRANGEMENT AND CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING IN CONNECTION THEREWITH BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners (the “Board”) for the County of Iredell, North Carolina (the “County”) as follows: Section 1. The Board does hereby find and determine as follows: 5 January 2, 2024 (a) There exists in the County a need to construct and equip a new high school to be located in Troutman, North Carolina to be known as Weathers Creek High School, which will be leased to the Iredell-Statesville Board of Education for operation (the “Project”). (b) Pursuant to Section 160A-20 of the General Statutes of North Carolina (as amended, the “Act”), the County may finance the purchase of real or personal property by contracts that create a security interest in the property so acquired to secure repayment of the moneys advanced or made available for such purchase. (c) The County has developed a plan of finance under which the County will enter into a Trust Agreement, to be dated as of April 1, 2024 (the “Trust Agreement”), between the County and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (“the “Trust ee”), providing for the issuance by the County of Limited Obligation Bonds, Series 2024 (the “Bonds”) to provide funds to the County for the purpose of financing the costs of the Project. (d) The County has determined to enter into the Trust Agreement to provide for the issuance of the Bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $40,000,000 to provide funds, together with any other available funds, to (i) pay the costs of the Project and (ii) pay certain fees and expenses incurred with the sale and issuance of the Bonds. (e) In order to secure its obligations under the Trust Agreement, the County will execute and deliver a deed of trust (the “Deed of Trust”), granting a lien on all or a portion of the site of the Project, together with all improvements and fixtures located or to be located thereon. (f) It is in the best interest of the County to enter into the Trust Agreement and the Deed of Trust in that such plan of finance will result in providing financing for the Project in an efficient and cost effective manner. (g) Entering into the Trust Agreement is preferable to a general obligation bond and revenue bond issue in that (i) the County does not have sufficient constitutional authority to issue non-voted general obligation bonds pursuant to Article V, Section 4 of the North Carolina Constitution because the County has not retired a sufficient amount of debt in the preceding fiscal year to issue a sufficient amount of general obligation bonds for the Project without an election; (ii) the non-revenue producing nature of the Project and the nature of the financing does not allow for the issuance of revenue bonds to finance the Project; (iii) the cost of the Project exceeds the amount to be prudently provided from currently available appropriations and unappropriated fund balances; (iv) the financing of the Project in the manner proposed will allow for commencement of construction of the Project in a more timely and expedient manner than the issuing of voted general obligation bonds due to the time required for holding a referendum for the issuance of voted general obligation bonds pursuant to Article V, Section 4 of the North Carolina Constitution; and (v) the necessity of the Project dictates that the Project be financed by a method that assures that the Project will be constructed in an expedient manner. (h) Based upon information provided to the Board, the cost of the financing described above is reasonably comparable to the cost associated with other alternative means of financing and is acceptable to the Board. 6 January 2, 2024 (i) Bond counsel to the County will render an opinion to the effect that the proposed undertaking as described above is authorized by law and is a purpose for which public funds may be expended pursuant to the Constitution and laws of the State of North Carolina. (j) The debt management policies of the County have been carried out in strict compliance with law, and the County is not in default under any obligation for repayment of borrowed money. (k) Any tax increase anticipated to be necessary to pay principal of and interest on the Bonds will be reasonable. (l) In accordance with Section 160A-20(g) of the General Statutes of North Carolina, the County is required to hold a public hearing on the proposed Trust Agreement described above. In addition, in accordance with Section 153A-158.1 of the General States of North Carolina, the County is required to hold a public hearing relating to the proposed acquisition of all or a portion of the site of the Project by the County to be used for school purposes. Section 2. The Board hereby authorizes and approves the filing of an application with the Local Government Commission for approval of the Bonds and the Trust Agreement and requests the Local Government Commission to approve the Bonds and the Trust Agreement and the proposed financing in connection therewith. Section 3. The law firm of Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP is hereby appointed to serve, but solely at the pleasure of the Board, as bond counsel to the County in connection with the transactions described herein. Wells Fargo Bank, National Association will serve as the underwriter of the Bonds in connection with the transactions described herein. The law firm of McGuireWoods LLP will represent the underwriter, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association will serve as trustee under the Trust Agreement. First Tryon Advisors will serve as the financial advisor to the County. Section 4. The Board hereby fixes 6:00 p.m. on February 6, 2024 in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room at the Iredell County Government Center located at 200 S. Center Street in Statesville, North Carolina, as the hour, day and place for the public hearing on the proposed Trust Agreement and the proposed acquisition of all or a portion of the site of the Project by the County to be used for school purposes. Section 5. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage. This item was placed on consent including the new public hearing date of February 6, 2024 at 6pm. County Construction Projects Update. A copy of the update was provided in the agenda packet. This item is for informational purposes only. This item was placed on consent. Request from Clerk to the Board for approval of minutes from the meeting on December 19, 2023. There were no additions or corrections. 7 January 2, 2024 This item was placed on consent. COUNTY MANAGER’S REPORT County Manager Beth Mull gave an update on the following: • County offices will be closed Monday, January 15, 2024 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. • Annual Employee & Retiree Luncheon is Thursday, January 18 from 11am – 1:30pm at the Statesville Civic Center. At this time, Chair Neader moved to Closed Session including matters related to litigation against Iredell County by Plaintiffs GRANT LAWRENCE, CONSTANCE HOLDINGS, LLC; STARSAIL ADVENTURES, LLC, CAROLINA DESTINATIONS, LLC, AND AVANTSTAY SOUTHEAST. IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MINUTES January 2, 2024 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 6:00 PM, in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room of the Iredell County Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC. Board Members Present Chair Melissa Neader Vice Chair Bert Connolly Scottie Brown Brad Stroud, Sr. Board Members Participating Remotely Gene Houpe Staff present: County Manager Beth Mull, Deputy County Manager Susan Robertson, County Attorney Lisa Valdez, and Clerk to the Board Amy Anderson. CALL TO ORDER by Chair Neader. INVOCATION: by Commissioner Brown. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: led by Chair Neader. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: There were no adjustments to the agenda. MOTION by Commissioner Stroud to approve the agenda as presented. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 8 January 2, 2024 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & RECOGNITIONS (None) APPOINTMENT BEFORE THE BOARD Presentation from Leadership Statesville: Leadership Statesville Member Amber Weatherman presented the group’s 2023/2024 Project “Outdoor Oasis for the Foundry House.” Leadership Statesville is made up of 25 professionals in all types of industry including healthcare, education, government, and manufacturing. Weatherman said The Foundry House walks with residents to help them gain stability in sobriety before beginning stable employment. These men need a next step; a step into an environment that is affordable and supports their recovery. The Foundry House will provide that space to call home for 8 months to set each man up for lasting success. Through required daily 12-step meetings, Bible study, and required Celebrate Recovery, each resident will be introduced to pathways of healing and sobriety. Through job skills training and job placement through the community surrounding The Foundry House, each man will have the opportunity to gain meaningful, livable wage employment after the first 45-60 days in the house. Leadership Statesville Class would like to create an outdoor space for these men to go outside, relax, and have fun to make the house feel more like home. The additions will be phased in. The group has a goal of $25,000. The Fundraising team is reaching out to businesses and community leaders for in-kind and monetary donations. Weatherman encouraged the public to assist in helping accomplish the project. The Board thanked Weatherman for the presentation and will share the project with different organizations. PUBLIC HEARINGS Public hearing to consider a request from applicant Jeffry Marro, of Marro Logistics, LLC, to rezone approximately 4.67 acres along Salisbury Highway. Planning Director Matthew Todd outlined the following request. The property is currently zoned Residential Agricultural and the applicant is requesting to rezone to General Business. Planning staff supports the request because the property is in the 2045 Horizon Plan for future Employment Center/Industrial Flex designation and is in close proximity to existing commercial. The Planning Board voted unanimously to support the rezoning request. Todd noted the required setbacks regarding the property. Chair Neader opened the public hearing. Applicant Jeffry Marro, 116 Autumn Frost Avenue, said they are a small trucking company and bought the property in hopes of moving the business to the location. They currently rent a location in Statesville but have outgrown the location. The company hauls much of its freight near NGK Ceramics which makes being located on Highway 70 beneficial. Marro intends to follow all aspects of the zoning code. 9 January 2, 2024 Chair Neader asked about the type of trucks the company has. Marro said the company’s fleet consists of mainly box trucks and tractor-trailers. Marro plans to set up a metal building and house the business on the property. William Adhers, 3216 Salisbury Highway, said he lives across the street. He shared concerns over the creek being polluted and the rezoning being a straight request. No one else wished to speak. Chair Neader closed the public hearing. Commissioner Brown asked if the applicant would be required to submit a site plan. Todd said a site plan showing the site layout showing buildings, parking, buffers, and landscaping would be required. Commissioner Brown said the applicant would have to follow the Environmental Health requirements as well. Commissioner Stroud said he understands Adhers concerns. He said the Board hopes everyone can be good neighbors and communicate effectively concerns as the building moves forward. Chair Neader said the property is unique as it is situated in the triangle of new and old Highway 70. Commissioner Stroud said the property is a good location for the business because there are commercial uses in the area. MOTION by Commissioner Stroud to approve the zoning map amendment; making a finding that said approval is consistent with the adopted 2045 Horizon Plan, and is reasonable and in the public interest because: the property lies within the 2045 Horizon Plan Employment Center- Industrial/Flex/Office designation, it is in close proximity to various existing commercial & industrial zoning districts, and its location between Salisbury Hwy & US Hwy 70 is advantageous for commercial transport. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 10 January 2, 2024 Iredell County PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT PLANNING STAFF REPORT REZONING CASE # 2312-1 STAFF PROJECT CONTACT: Leslie M. Meadows EXPLANATION OF THE REQUEST This is a request to rezone a parcel of land between Salisbury Highway and US Hwy 70, approximately 4.67 acres, from Residential Agricultural (RA) to General Business (GB). This is a conventional request, with no additional agreed upon conditions presented at this time. OWNER/APPLICANT OWNER/APPLICANT: Jeffry Marro, Marro Logistics LLC PROPERTY INFORMATION ADDRESS/LOCATION: Accessed off Salisbury Highway. More specifically, PIN#: 4773923220.000 SURROUNDING LAND USE: Nearby to the north, east, and west of the site, are various existing commercially zoned properties; primarily Light Manufacturing (M-1) and General Business (GB) along the two highways. Lands directly adjoining to the east, and south across US Hwy 70, remain residential in nature. The RA property adjoining to the west, at the intersection, is actually owned by NCDOT. SIZE: The total acreage to be rezoned includes approximately 4.67 acres. EXISTING LAND USE: Currently vacant. Has been farmland, cut for hay, in the past. ZONING HISTORY: The property has been zoned Residential Agricultural (RA) since county-wide zoning was originally established in 1990. OTHER JURISDICTIONAL INFORMATION: This site is considered to be entirely within the County’s jurisdiction. The property lies near the Iredell/Rowan County line, and is far enough outside of the city limits of Statesville that it is not projected to be within their municipal Long-Range Urban Service Area at this time. Thus, no other municipality was informed of the request. 11 January 2, 2024 OTHER SITE CHARACTERISTICS: The property is not located within a regulated Watershed Area. Proposed new development will not be limited by built-upon area calculations. The property is not located in a flood hazard zone. UTILITIES: This site is currently served by well and septic only. IMPACTS ON LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND/OR FACILITES TRAFFIC: US Highway 70 is considered limited access in this area, so access to the site may only be allowed Salisbury Hwy. According to the current CRTPO Comprehensive Transportation Plan, Salisbury Highway is considered a minor thoroughfare, and US Hwy 70 is an existing boulevard; neither in need of improvements at this time. The closest and most recent NCDOT annual average daily traffic counts along Salisbury Highway is approximately 2,000 vehicles per day in 2021, and along this section of US Hwy 70 is approximately 10,000 vehicles per day in 2021. The Iredell County 2021 Transportation Master Plan does not include recommended improvements of either highway at this time. The speed limit along this section of Salisbury Highway is 45 mph, and is 55 mph along US Hwy 70. SCHOOLS: This is a commercial rezoning and should have no implications on local schools’ capacity. EMERGENCY SERVICES: This proposal has been reviewed by the Iredell County Fire Marshal’s Office and Iredell County EMS. Neither office addressed any concerns regarding the request. REQUIRED REVIEWS BY OTHER AGENCIES LOCAL: An official site plan must be submitted to the Planning & Development Department for review in order to redesign or further develop the property. Zoning requirements such as parking, landscaping, and buffering will be reviewed at such time. Erosion & sedimentation control standards will also be reviewed for compliance. STATE: Other than building code, there should be no formal state agency review at this time. FEDERAL: None at this time. STAFF AND BOARD COMMENTS STAFF COMMENTS: The applicant and landowner, Jeffry Marro, has purchased this property in hopes of establishing a home base for his growing trucking company, Marro Logistics, LLC. Marro Logistics, LLC is a licensed and NCDOT registered freight carrier running & hauling out of Statesville, NC. The property is situated between two significant roadways, already serving as a heavily traveled commercial corridor with considerable truck traffic on a daily basis. Thus, the property is no longer highly desirable for residential 12 January 2, 2024 use. The General Business zoning district allows for the type transfer-truck parking, washing, and automotive repair necessary for a successful trucking operation. However, it is noted this is straight/conventional request, with no additional agreed upon conditions at this time. All permitted GB uses would be allowed. This request is consistent with the recently adopted 2045 Horizon Plan, which now includes this area of Salisbury Highway within the Employment Center – Industrial/Flex/Office designation to its intersection with US Hwy 70, just east of this property. Employment Center – Industrial/Flex/Office areas are intended for development of industrial, flex space, and office uses including light manufacturing and assembly, research and development, warehousing, and building trade showrooms and offices. These lands are either currently served or are planned to be served in the future by public or private water or sanitary sewer systems. These areas should have access to planned arterial or collector streets to provide adequate infrastructure for transportation of goods to and from distribution centers. Development should provide adequate transitions to adjacent lower intensity uses, such as residential and commercial uses, in the form of vegetated buffers, landscaping, setbacks, and building heights. The Planning staff can support the proposed rezoning request based on the following: the property lies within the 2045 Horizon Plan Employment Center- Industrial/Flex/Office designation, it is in close proximity to various existing commercial & industrial zoning districts, and its location between Salisbury Hwy & US Hwy 70 is advantageous for commercial transport. SITE REVIEW COMMITTEE: Staff performed a site visit on November 17, 2023, to post property and take photo documentation. Staff was accompanied by Planning Board member Andy Webster. PLANNING BOARD ACTION: On December 6, 2023, the Planning Board held a public meeting to consider the rezoning request. The applicant was present for questioning. Several surrounding landowners were in attendance, three of which spoke in opposition. Primarily, their concerns included stormwater runoff, environmental contaminates, and increased truck traffic. The board voted unanimously, 8-0, to recommend approval of the rezoning request. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS • Request from the Town of Love Valley for approval of Budget Amendment #24 for a cash flow advance to purchase a tract of land to be used for their sewer project. • Request from Children's Homes of Iredell County for approval of a letter of support. • Request from Animal Services for approval of Budget Amendment #25 to accept a PetSmart grant to build an offsite adoption program. • Consider a request to utilize the High-Density Option to allow an increase to the bus parking and a new fire access road on property owned by Iredell-Statesville Schools and 13 January 2, 2024 render a decision concerning the request for the utilization of the High-Density Option for Lake Norman Elementary School. • Request from Planning & Development for approval of a resolution amending the Map Review Officer list. • Request from the Finance Department for approval of an interlocal participation agreement and join as a participant in the purchasing cooperative, Buyboard. • Request from the Finance Department for approval of a resolution regarding the 2024 Limited Obligation Bonds, not to exceed $40 million, for the new high school and to call for a public hearing on February 6, 2024. • County Construction Projects Update. • Request from Clerk to the Board for approval of minutes from the meeting on December 19, 2023. MOTION by Commissioner Brown to approve the consent agenda. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES OCCURRING ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS (None) APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS (None) UNFINISHED BUSINESS (None) PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (None) COMMISSIONER COMMENTS & UPDATES Commissioner Houpe expressed appreciation of county employees who worked during the holidays. He congratulated Lake Norman High School Band for being selected to play in the London New Year’s Day Parade. Commissioner Stroud said Commissioners are taxpayers first. The decision regarding the tax rate was partly based on the statutory requirement to build schools. The Board understands the new high school cannot be built for $80 million but believes it can be built for less than $200 million. Commissioner Brown said the Board strives to do the right thing. The schools is a huge piece of the pie however the County also has other needs including a new courthouse. The Board must consider all of its needs when making decisions. 14 January 2, 2024 Commissioner Stroud said the County has been compared to other counties who have a higher tax rate but provides less funding per pupil. The County provides funding for three education entities; Iredell-Statesville, Mooresville Graded, and Mitchell Community College. Commissioner Houpe said the Board makes good sound decisions with budget discipline. NEW BUSINESS (None) COUNTY MANAGER’S REPORT County Manager Beth Mull gave an update on the following: • County offices will be closed Monday, January 15, 2024, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. • Annual Employee & Retiree Luncheon is Thursday, January 18 from 11am – 1:30pm at the Statesville Civic Center. CLOSED SESSION The Board held a Closed Session before the 6pm meeting and there was one action item to report. MOTION by Commissioner Brown to call for a public hearing on January 16, 2024, at 6pm to consider an economic development incentive for Project Raven in the amount of $721,463 over a seven-year period based on the company’s $30 million investment in Iredell County. VOTING Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Commissioner Brown to adjourn at 6:58pm. The next regular meeting is Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 6pm in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC. VOTING Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 __________________________________ ___________________________________ Date Approved Amy B. Anderson, Clerk