Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

March 22, 2007 issue


Commissioners Approve Additional High School Property Purchase

And Lots of Other Stuff

Story by Kathleen McFadden

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners addressed a full agenda at their regular meeting on March 20.

Revenue

County Manager Rocky Nelson told the board that county revenues for fiscal year 2006-07 are expected to exceed budget projections. If the current trend continues, Nelson said, the county will receive approximately $180,000 more in sales tax revenues than projected and approximately $1 million more in property taxes. Nelson attributed the increased revenue to the county’s healthy economy and growth, settlement of tax appeal cases and the tax department’s high collection rate.

Property Purchase

The board unanimously approved the purchase of additional property at the new Watauga high school site. The county will purchase approximately 2.6 acres of undeveloped land for $80,000 per acre. According to Nelson, the project architects proposed the additional land purchase for construction of the school’s tennis courts.

Property Sales

The commissioners declared the white farmhouse on the county-owned Brookshire Road property as surplus property, and it will be advertised for sale in an upset bid process. According to the engineer working on the soccer complex plans, the house must be demolished or moved to make way for a driveway, so whoever purchases the house will have to move it.

The county will also advertise homes at the high school site for sale in an upset bid process. Purchasers will have to move those houses as well.

One house that will remain at the site is the Edmisten house, a property the county has already purchased but will advertise for resale on an approximately half-acre lot. The family has until September to vacate the premises.

Contract Approval

The board approved a $23,000 contract with the high school architects to prepare a preliminary site plan for a proposed county recreation center on the high school property. Preparation of a site plan will permit grading and site work to be done at the same time as the high school work is done, a step the board said would save the county money. If the board decides in the future to proceed with plans for the recreation center, the county will issue an RFP to determine architectural interest in the project.

Soccer Complex

By consensus, the board agreed to move forward with the rough grading of the soccer complex land at the Brookshire Road property during the current fiscal year. The estimate for the work is $800,000. Nelson and Planning and Inspections Director Joe Furman recommended that the county negotiate a contract with the High Country Soccer Association that spells out control and scheduling of the fields and the responsibility for phase II improvements, such as lights and bleachers, before beginning the grading work, but the board consensus was to move forward without the contract. The grading contract will be awarded by sealed bid process. Nelson told the board that he hoped to have a proposal ready by the second meeting in May.

Tot Lot

Commenting on the increase in county revenue, Board Chair Jim Deal said that the first allocation he would like to make is to the county’s two tot lots. “I went out and looked at those recently,” Deal said, “and they scare me. I’m worried a child is going to get hurt.” Staff will bring proposals for replacing the playground equipment at the two locations to the board at their last meeting in April or first meeting in May. The board indicated their willingness to proceed with the project in the current fiscal year.

County Audit

The board approved a fee not to exceed $45,650 for the county’s 2007 audit. Brice Holder, CPA, PA will conduct the audit.

Half-Cent Sales Tax

Board Chair Jim Deal addressed criticism leveled at State Representative Cullie Tarleton for introducing a local option half-cent sales tax bill. Deal pointed out that one option the General Assembly is considering with regard to Medicaid is to remove Medicaid financial responsibility from the counties but to take away a half-cent in sales tax revenue. If adopted, the plan would cost Watauga County approximately $500,000. Deal explained that Tarleton had introduced the bill at the commissioners’ request to keep the county’s options open. Deal said the concern is that state actions could reduce the amount of money available for maintenance and capital improvements at the county’s schools—not the new high school—and the ability to exercise a local option tax, if needed, would replace funding the state might take away. Commenting on the work of Tarleton and State Senator Steve Goss, Deal said, “I think this is the most representation I have seen in the past many years in terms of being in touch with the people.”

Budget Work Sessions

The commissioners will hold two budget work sessions to discuss the manager’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2007-08: Wednesday, May 9, from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. and Thursday, May 10, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.