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HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93008_0949 (2)504 Mr.♦Southers said he was opposed to the civic center. He suggested private enterprise put in a civic center if they wanted one. Mr. Carl Tolbert Statesvil.le, NC Mr. Tolbert is a grain farmer in the southern end of the county, he said. He said he was against any increase in property tax. He is in favor of sales taxes. Chairman Hedrick explained the methods proposed for the referendum for the proposed civic center. He said the issue before the county board of commissioners is whether or not to place the civic center project on the ballot. He said a referendum at the time of General Election would only cost the amount of the paper ballots and fern extra hours for tabulation of votes. Mr. L. W. Lambert Harmony, NC Mr. Lambert suggested that the board wait until the General Election for the civic center to be put on the ballot. He said people would not come out to vote except at a General Election. Mrs. Alice Stewart County Commissioner Mrs. Stewart said she was not in support of the civic center. She said she cannot see spending $12 to $15 thousand for a separate election. She prefers a ballot at General Election and asked that all turn out to vote. Chairman Hedrick County Commissioner Chairman Hedrick said the county manager had given figures of $12 to $15 thousand as cost for holding a separate election. Mr. Max James Harmony, NC Mr. James said he thought the people of Iredell County should have an opportunity to vote on the issue. He thought it should be done as economically as possible. Unidentified Woman Asked if it would be out of order for the county commissioners to tell what their preferences are regarding the civic center, to which Chairman Hedrick replied that he did not think that would be appropriate. Mr. William A. Mills County Commissioner Mr. Mills said he thought the civic center would be a fine addition to Iredell County. He said he had a lot of problems with supporting it and paying off the principal with ad valorem property taxes. He said he would not mind a small amount of property tax being used, but he was not in favor of a large amount being used for paying off the principal or paying operating costs. He thinks the civic center authority must come up with a more definite plan on how to fund the construction and how to fund the operation. Mrs. Jessie Crosswhite County Commissioners She thinks the civic center would be an asset for any community, but not at the expense of the things that should have priority, such as water and sewer and adequate school facilities. She mentioned an alternative of implementing the hotel/motel tax and put these funds aside and save until there is enough accumulated to build a civic center. Mr. J. P. Van Hoy Union Grove, NC Mr. Van Hoy said he had talked to a lot of people in the north end of the county, and he doesn't find a great deal of opposition to a civic center, per se. bit everubody that he talks to is against ad valorem taxes to pay for it. He said the rural people in North Iredell, in his opinion, would not support a civic center to be paid for with ad valorem taxes. Mr. Wayne Deal County Manager Mr. Deal said based on the occupancy rate of the motels, 1288 motel rooms, 50% occupancy would bring $211,000; 65% occupancy would bring in $275,000. No one else spoke regarding the proposed civic center project. MOTION from Chairman Hedrick to adjourn the public hearing back to the regular meeting. VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0. REPORT FROM FIRE MARSHAL REGARDING THE COUNTY LINE AND HARMONY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS BOUNDARIES: Chuck Gallyon, fire marshal, gave a report on his findings regarding the boundaries between the two captioned fire departments. He said the boundaries were changed and moved and agreed upon by both fire chiefs. Mr. Koontz, County Line Volunteer Fire Department, said he was satisfied with the boundaries. Mr. Richard Hix, Harmony Volunteer Fire Department, said he was also satisfied.