HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_1528IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BRIEFING MINUTES
MAY 15, 2007
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in Briefing Session on Tuesday,
May 15, 2007, at 5:00 P.M., in the Iredell County Government Center (South Wing Conference
Room), 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Board Members Present
Chairman Marvin Norman
Vice Chairman Sara Haire Tice
Steve Johnson
Ken Robertson
Godfrey Williams
Staff present: County Manager Joel Mashburn, Deputy County Manager Susan
Blumenstein, Tax Administrator Bill Doolittle, Assistant County Manager Tracy Jackson, and
Clerk to the Board Jean Moore.
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Norman.
DISCUSSION/REQUEST FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TROUTMAN
VFD FOR A VOTED -IN -TAX DISTRICT FOR THE B & F FIRE DISTRICT: Troutman
VFD representatives Keith Troutman and Allen Church said 35% of the "resident freeholders" in
the fire service district had signed a petition for a B & F fire tax district. When asked what the
tax rate would be, if approved, Mr. Troutman said five cents. He said this would generate
$560,000.00, but older figures had been used to compute this. Troutman said the $560,000
excluded the municipality; however, the Town board adopted a five -cent -tax rate on May 10.
Commissioner Williams asked if the department would receive the Town's five cents if it
remained in the county -wide system.
Troutman said yes, and that last year the county appropriated $212,000 to the fire
department while the Town gave $33,500.
Commissioner Robertson said that if the request were approved, the county -wide fire
service would take a $200,000 hit.
Commissioner Johnson said additional information was needed; especially what impact the
request would have on the other departments in the county -wide service district.
Commissioner Williams said now, or during a revaluation year, was an opportune time to
accommodate the request. He asked Mrs. Blumenstein the options.
Deputy County Manager Blumenstein said it would take at least 60 days to prepare the
board of elections resolution. She said the tax bills would have to be delayed about two weeks to
accommodate the request, if done in 2007.
Commissioner Williams said the fire tax board had not discussed the VFD's request;
however, everyone knew the department was working towards a taxing district. He said trucks
were needed all over the county, and Troutman was due for a new one next year, plus the VFD's
building needed renovations. He said the county -wide district would not have to assist with
these costs if Troutman had its own district.
Troutman said a search was being conducted for property near the Fern Hill Road to situate
a metal -building -type station. He said a rough cost estimate was $800,000 to $850,000.
Williams said the property and building would also come out of the county -wide system
fund if Troutman remained.
Commissioner Johnson said, "You can't let the process drive you. We have to drive it."
He said a business plan was needed.