HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93009_2071MOTION by Commissioner Johnson to grant permission for the sheriff's department to
apply for Governor's Crime Commission funds to be used for mobile data terminals and to allow
the local match of $28,187.94 to be obtained from seized drug money.
VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0.
REQUEST FROM SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION OFFICE FOR
APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR THE NORTH CAROLINA BEAVER MANAGEMENT
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Jim Summers, of the Soil & Water Conservation Office, asked for
funding to become a part of the USDA Wildlife Beaver Assistance Program. There would be an
annual cost of $4,000. Summers said the program first started in the eastern part of the state. The
program worked in this area, however, some of the beavers have now migrated into the Piedmont
section of the state. Summers said the animals bred well, and they basically did not have many
natural enemies. Another reason the animals are thriving is because of the lack of fur trading. He
said that currently, trappers charged around $50 per trapped beaver. If the county agreed to join the
program, the cost would be reduced to $6.25 per hour. Should a trapper spend more than 40 hours
on one property; however„ the rate increased to $15 per hr. Mr. Summers said his office had seen
a marked increase in the number of private property owners calling for information on beaver
control.
Summers said his office first became aware of the program when work was being done on
the Third Creek Watershed flood control structures. He said that in the past few years, the Iredell
Soil & Water District Board had spent $32,089 trying to assess beaver damage. The money was
used to hire divers and rent equipment. Around 35 beavers were trapped last year in four of the
watersheds.
Commissioner Johnson asked if Rowan County had contributed any money in the upkeep
of the flood control structures. Mashburn said no money had been received.
Stewart said she understood the $4,000 just entitled private property owners and
governmental agencies to the service. She asked who paid for beaver eradication at the watersheds.
Summers said that once the $4,000 was paid, that governmental agencies did not have to pay;
however, private land owners would pay $6.25 per hour up to 40 hrs. Anything over 40 hrs. would
be $15 per hour.
The county manager said the $4,000 would be in addition to the yearly appropriation to the
Soil & Water Program.
Commissioner Bowles asked what happened to the trapped beavers. Summers said Wildlife
agency regulations prohibited the transporting of live beavers. They are killed after being trapped.
MOTION by Commissioner Johnson to participate in the Beaver Management Assistance
Program and to approve Budget Amendment #28 in the amount of $4,000 to be derived from the
contingency fund.
VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0.
REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A RECOMMENDATION CONCERNING THE
DISTRIBUTION OF PROCEEDS FROM THE LEASING OF THE PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 1010 SALISBURY HIGHWAY (FORMERLY BASSETT FURNI'T'URE
PLANT): Mashburn said he had met with Jeff McKay, of the Greater Statesville Development
Corporation (GSDC) and the county attorney, and a recommendation had been developed about
the proper method of handling the lease proceeds. Their recommendation was for:
• Iredell County to escrow the $25,000 (deposit), plus six months rent ($2,750 per month
or $16,500) for a total of $41,500 to be escrowed before any of the proceeds are distributed to the
GSDC.