HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_0727Commissioner Robertson asked Mayor Jones how Mooresville intended to pay
the costs.
Jones said a funding source had been identified; however, he couldn't divulge it.
Commissioner Johnson said that if the terminus turned out to be successful, it
would mean `roof tops," and this would mean new schools.
train.
Commissioner Robertson asked an estimate on how many people would ride the
Carol said he didn't know.
Robertson said 9,000 people who live in Iredell County also work in
Mecklenburg County. He said the estimated number of people who live in Iredell, but
work in Mecklenburg County and would ride the train might be about 2,500.
Carol said it was estimated that 500 to a 1,000 Iredell residents might ride the
train. He said CATS was building for a 30 -to -50 -year period, and rail was an
alternative means of transportation. Carol said he could actually envision people riding
a train from Williams Street to Mt. Mourne.
Robertson said Iredell County had two school systems that needed funding, and
his decision would be based upon:
1. highway funding (Would the state or federal government withhold highway
funds, if the county did not participate?)
2. tax increase (How much would be needed?)
Commissioner Williams asked the Mooresville officials if a special use tax had
been considered.
to use.
Mayor Jones said it had been "explored," but it wasn't what the Town intended
Williams asked Jones if the Town's funding source would cover the total cost.
Jones said one-half of the cost. The mayor said he had a problem with special
use taxes because individuals from other counties might ride the train for free.
Williams asked Jones when the funding source(s) might be shared.
Jones said the last figures indicated the source might provide $100,000 a year.
Ames Flynn, with Lowe's Companies, Inc., advocated for the rail project. He
said the Mooresville campus had 1,400 employees, and a site across the road had 120
workers. Flynn said that by 2010, it was expected 4,500 employees would be in
Mooresville, and this didn't include the Wilkesboro staff. Mr. Flynn said Lowes had
invested $80 million in the county, and this amount would probably double. He said the
vendor supplier community was also increasing. Flynn said parking at the campus was
a concern, and the company also had concerns about the congested roadways.
Paul Smith with Lake Norman Regional Medical Center, said more growth was
expected in the southern end. He said the hospital had 900 to 1,000 full-time, part-time
and p.r.n. employees as well as 120 volunteers. Smith said an employee poll had not
been taken to determine who might ride the train; however, it was feasible that people
would travel from one point in Mooresville to the hospital.
Commissioner Norman asked how many hospital employees were from
Mecklenburg County.
Smith said probably one half of them.