HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_0728Mooresville Manager Jamie Justice said the town would provide the due
diligence since there were some unanswered questions. He asked, however, that
Iredell's commissioners consider the Phase II funding.
Commissioner Robertson said he understood Mooresville was proposing to
engineer the rail all the way to Williams Street.
Jones said yes. He said the town could "backtrack" later, if necessary.
Commissioner Johnson asked the Mooresville officials if they could
independently finance the rail project should the county decide it could not participate
in the construction.
Commissioner Williams said this was why he had asked about Mooresville's
funding plan. He mentioned that Mecklenburg had a half -cent transportation sales tax.
Mr. Williams said rail might be a popular idea in one end of the county but not in
another.
Commissioner Norman said the legislative representatives needed to be
contacted.
Commissioner Williams suggested that a couple of the county commissioners
meet with the Mooresville officials and do an independent rail study.
Commissioner Johnson said he would serve.
Commissioner Robertson again voiced concerns about the project's cost.
Mr. Robertson said he would be against providing funds unless the federal government
withheld highway funding or the nonattainment issue was held against the county.
532 Animal Control: County Manager Mashburn said one new position was
recommended for this department.
Commissioner Williams said he noticed that a neighboring county was
abolishing the practice of animal disposal by gas and was instead using injectable drugs.
Animal Control Supervisor Robb Tatham said a cost analysis was done a couple
of years ago which showed the injectable drug method would take more employee time,
plus it was emotionally more difficult for the staff. Tatham said a new law was pending
that would require each animal being gassed to be in a separate carrier. (No changes
from the county manager's recommendations in this budget.)
536 ECOM: Communications Director David Martin said the Olin tower was
being used, but a direct pathway was difficult to find. Martin said a tower on James
Farm Road was costing $266 a month, and a path analysis would be conducted. He said
the Cool Springs tower was overloaded. (No changes from the county manager's
recommendations in this budget.)
542 EMS: The county manager said three new ambulances were recommended
for EMS along with two quick response vehicles. (The QRVs will be located at the
Lake Norman and Trinity VFDs.) Mashburn said two of the ambulances would be
replacements, and the other one would be for expansion. He said the new vehicles
would require 13 new employees.
Commissioner Williams said the First Responder costs had traditionally been in
the VFD's budget, but the Fire Tax District Board wanted them listed in the EMS
budget. He said some firemen were reluctant to ask EMS for supply replacements.
Williams said the fire departments preferred to operate within their own budgets.