HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_0679"It was felt by the staff, at that time, that the main objection voiced by the
Hoffners was that school age children had been going to Rowan County Schools and
who would now be going to Iredell County schools. After discussion with Dr. Steve
Lane, Iredell-Statesville School System, it was determined that the school systems had
state authorization to work out arrangements to permit students to attend school out -of -
district, if the Hoffners choose to go that route. There appeared to be a willingness on
the part of Iredell-Statesville to release the students to Rowan and for Rowan to accept.
"On March 14, Jean Moore, Iredell County Clerk to the Board, received an
email from Mr. Lonnie Hoffner, stating that the school matter was not their only
concern, but they wanted to combine the home place back with the Rowan part of the
property.
"The first question to be answered is can this be done. The answer is probably
yes, if both counties agree. There are procedures established by the General Assembly
on how this is to be accomplished. One method is the method the county followed back
in the early 90s. The two boards met to determine certain points along what was
believed to be the county line. Then by resolution signed by both boards, they
requested a resurvey of the county line and it was completed by the North Carolina
Office of State Planning, Office of the Governor. After the resurvey, the line was
approved by the Iredell County Board of Commissioners on February 6, 1996. It was
approved by the Rowan Board of Commissioners on April 1, 1996, and was certified by
Gary Thomas of the Office of State Planning on June 29, 2000, and was recorded at the
North Carolina Secretary of State on July 24, 2000. All of the above was done in
accordance with North Carolina Statutes.
"It was anticipated in the very beginning that there would be instances where
properties may change from one county to the other when tax maps were properly
aligned with the county line survey.
"If this were the only property affected, then maybe it would not be so bad to
change it back, but it is not. Several properties have already been converted. Some
previous Iredell residents are now residents of Davie County and/or Rowan County.
What is bringing this to the forefront is the need for property to be taxed by the
jurisdiction in which it lays. The assessors have been adjusting their tax records to be in
accordance with the new survey. This is still to be accomplished with our neighbors to
the north — that is Wilkes and Yadkin — and Alexander to the west.
"In reviewing the new tax map, it appears that some of the Hoffner property has
always been in Iredell County, and to the best of my knowledge, there was no question
about this. It was just after the tax maps were correctly aligned with the county line that
it became a concern for the family.
"I don't want to appear insensitive because I am not. I probably would feel the
same way if I were in that circumstance. But decisions of this magnitude must be made
on the basis of what is the best for the county now and into the future. For many reasons
it is important for us to know as exact as possible where the county line is — not where
we wish it to be. Knowing where it is insures that we are providing Iredell County
services to the proper recipients. Knowing where the line is insures that future land
transactions will be filed in the proper courthouse. Knowing where it is will insure that
persons vote in the correct jurisdictions. There are many reasons why we need to have a
static county line; therefore, I recommend to you that you deny the request to release the
Hoffner property back to Rowan County."
OTIO by Commissioner Williams to deny the Hoffner family's request to
release the property back to the Rowan County.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
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