HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93009_1954I think that if we enter into long-term debt, or do anything that would raise the tax rate, it
should be done by a vote of the people of Iredell County. I don't think this board should indebt
future generations. I think we should leave that decision up to the people of Iredell County. After
all, these are the same good folks who elected all of us. I've been consistent on that point 1 think
that the single worst vote that a board of commissioners has cast in recent years was in 1990 on the
issue ofschool consolidation. I don't say that because that board voted to consolidate the schools;
that was an issue that good people could have different opinions about. It was a bad vote because
there were so many people opposed (over 10, 000 had signed petitions requesting a referendum) and
yet the board of commissioners imposed its will without the referendum that was requested. I have
voted twice to put general obligation bonds on the ballot. In 1993, I voted to put a bond on the ballot
that 1 was personally opposed to. But even though I was personally opposed, I thought the people
should have the right to vote, and I pledged to respect their decision. That one was voted down. 1
voted to put another bond on the ballot in 1996. ]didn't take a position on that one. I figured it
would pass, and it did. I understand the position of other commissioners. I respect their opinion,
I respect their reasons. But this is where I'm coming from.
1'11 just mention a couple of other things. This board has been accused of not planning well.
As far as zoning, land use, concerning that sort of thing, there is a limited amount a board of
commissioners can do. But there is some truth to the accusation. We have approved a lot of
residential growth. I think we should try to limit housing density. 1 have had a problem with impact
fees per se (that is, a tax on anew house) because people who have always lived here would have
to pay them; I think such fees would price some people out of a conventional house. But 1 think we
do need to somehow workout away to have anew development pay for itself, to pay far schools and
infrastructure, rather than relying on the ad valorem tax. That will take action by the General
Assembly. This board doesn't have the power to do it, but I think that it should be done.
1 think a decision that will have as much impact on the people as the proposal we are being
asked to decide should be made by a vote of the people. It's as simple as that. "
*rr�•
Commissioner Fortner said it was ironic that every time a "sticky" matter came up that a
referendum was proposed. She mentioned the commissioners were elected to be representatives of
the county residents. Fortner said she saw an article in the Statesville Record & Landmark that said,
"The board of commissioners puts off as long as possible and then does as little as possible"
Fortner said she thought the board was guilty of this statement. She said she would vote for the
school funding proposal since she knew it was the only way it would be passed, but that she hoped
the board could do better at another time.
Commissioner Stewart said she had been a commissioner for 14 years, and she didn't think
she had ever received "an immediate need" such as this. Stewart said she took her responsibilities
seriously and the only reason she was going to vote for the proposal was because she knew the needs
were serious. She said she was not happy in being in this position and only having two or three days
to consider spending "this kind of money." Stewart said she was the only commissioner on the
current board that had voted for a tax increase, and it was ten cents. She said she thought it would
end her political career, but that voting for the former tax increase was responsible behavior on her
part, as well as the other board members at that time. She said it was not an easy decision, and
something very serious would have to occur before she voted for another increase. Stewart said
she was disturbed about using money from the capital reserve and fund balance, but that in actuality,
the capital reserve money was there for critical needs. Stewart ended her remarks by saying, "The
belt is going to be tight as far as I am concerned for the rest of this budget year."
Commissioner Johnson said he was concerned about lowering the capital reserve fund. He
concurred with Stewart that for the rest of this budget year money would be scarce.
Commissioner Fortner asked about Phase II of the project. Chairman Haire said she felt the
new board of commissioners should make this decision. Haire said the commissioners' retreat in
January might be an appropriate time to review the matter.
Commissioner Johnson said the county assessor had given some preliminary figures on the
upcoming revaluation, but no one really knew the financial status for the county in the future.