ADJUSTMENTS OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was adjusted by the following addition:

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1 IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MINUTES SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Tuesday, September 21, 2010, at 7:00 P.M., in the Iredell County Government Center (Commissioners Meeting Room), 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC. Board Members Present Chairman Marvin Norman Vice Chairman Steve Johnson Scott Keadle Frank Mitchell Ken Robertson Staff present: County Manager Joel Mashburn, Deputy County Manager Tracy Jackson, Assistant County Manager Ron Smith, Tax Collector Bill Furches, Assistant Tax Assessor (Real Property) Steve Ervin, Property Sales Analyst and Data Coordinator Chip Parks, Property Tax Appraiser Kathy Hoover, Solid Waste Director David Lambert, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore. CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Norman INVOCATION by Commissioner Johnson (Note: The McClamrock family was remembered in the prayer. Comfort was asked for the relatives of PFC James Fleet McClamrock, who died in Iraq on September 7, 2010, while serving in the U.S. Army. McClamrock, 22 years old, graduated from South Iredell High School. Commissioner Johnson said McClamrock died a noble death in service to others and the preservation of liberty.) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ADJUSTMENTS OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was adjusted by the following addition: Request from the Elections Department for Approval of Budget Amendment #9 to recognize a Help America Vote Act grant and to appropriate $23,675 for part-time Salaries/FICA associated with the November 2010 Election One Stop Voting Sites. APPOINTMENT BEFORE THE BOARD Request from Mr. Darrell Pegram for a Letter of Support Pertaining to the Proposed Stallion Track Club, a new Indoor and Outdoor Arena and Learning Center, to be located off of the Oxford School Road in Catawba County, NC: Mr. Pegram said the non-profit Stallion Track Club was established in He said that due to the club, over 300 youth had attended college, and some of the students were from Iredell County. Pegram said the new facility would include a multi-cultural learning center, a 10,000 seat indoor track arena, and a 30,000 seat outdoor track stadium. Pegram said (1) the indoor facility would be the largest in the US, (2) 1,000 to 1,500 employees would be hired, (3) a groundbreaking would occur in October of this year, and (4) a completion date had been set for He said the Rural Development agency had awarded a grant for the new facility, and a letter of support from Iredell County was requested. Commissioner Mitchell asked if funds were in place for the facility. Pegram said yes. He said no money was being requested due to the USDA-Rural Development grant, plus other grants that would be forthcoming, for example, the Jobs Act from the Governor s Office. Pegram said the club would pay well, insurance would be provided for the employees, and the facility would operate seven days a week. Commissioner Mitchell asked the location on Oxford School Road.

2 Pegram said there were 321 acres about three miles off Interstate 40 between Shurtape and Highway 70. MOTION by Commissioner Mitchell to go on record in support of the project and to send the letter as requested. PUBLIC HEARING Chairman Norman declared the meeting to be in a public hearing. Consideration of the Market and Present Use Schedules of Values Relating to the 2011 Tax Reappraisal: Assistant Tax Assessor (Real Property) Steve Ervin presented a presentation about the proposed 2011 revaluation, and some of the information is as follows: G.S requires general revaluation of real property at least every eight years G.S (a)(3) allows a local Board of County Commissioners to conduct revaluations more frequently Iredell County has conducted revaluations effective in 1984, 1992, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007 and now, 2011 More frequent revaluations greatly reduce shifts within the tax base and inequity of like properties The primary purpose of a revaluation is to equalize the tax base Between real, personal and public service property Within classes of real property Real property is reappraised every 4 years Personal property, motor vehicles and public service properties are reappraised annually Over time, shifts in value between real estate classes occurs North Carolina requires the use of the same tax rate for all types of property With real property values frozen the tax burden typically shifts toward personal property between revaluations Iredell County Tax Assessors will reappraise approximately 93,000 parcels Appraisal records are stratified into 586 appraisal neighborhoods Each appraisal neighborhood has it s own unique market characteristics Normally most neighborhoods appreciate in value over time; however, in today s market some are increasing, some are not changing, and some neighborhoods are decreasing in value Schedule of Values, Standards & Rules Required by G.S The schedules must be reviewed and approved by the BOC before the Tax Assessor may complete the 2011 revaluation It must be sufficiently detailed to enable those making appraisals to adhere to the schedules in appraising real property Numerous valuation tables and ranges are essentially driven by CAMA system Valuation standards to insure uniformity and equity Rules to insure uniformity and equity Notable Items: Many tables are set in ranges to allow flexibility One size does not necessarily fit all Present Use Schedule follows the recommendations of the Use-Value Advisory Committee How are the Schedules of Values used? The Schedules of Values are adopted for each revaluation and do not change until the next revaluation The Tax Office will use the adopted schedules to value all properties from 2011 through 2014 even if the market conditions change What is Market Value? Market Value is defined under G.S as the price estimated in terms of money at which the property would change hands between a willing and financially able buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or sell and both having reasonable 2

3 knowledge of all the uses to which the property is adapted and for which it is capable of being used. How is Market Value Determined? Market value is determined by analyzing sales in the market place These sales are verified by deeds, sales questionnaires, multiple listing services and contracts with the seller/buyer The Schedules of Values are applied and adjustments are made for each individual neighborhood Who Will Conduct the 2011 Revaluation? Employees of the Iredell County Tax Department, who are North Carolina Department of Revenue Certified Real Property Appraisers, will conduct the reappraisal Seven staff appraisers are NC Appraisal Board certified A consultant has been contracted with to assist with the appraising of the Commercial and Industrial Properties What happens after taxpayers receive their notice? If the taxpayer feels his property is in line with other comparable properties then no further action is necessary If the new assessed value is above or below market value, the taxpayer has the right to appeal Reasons for Appeal VALID INVALID Value exceeds or is below Market Value Taxes are too high Inequitable Assessment with comparable properties Inability to pay Errors on the Tax Card Services too low Amount or percent of change in value What if a taxpayer disagrees with the revaluation value? The taxpayer must fill out the appeal form located at the bottom of the notice and return it to the Tax Office A staff appraiser will review the tax record and the information provided by the taxpayer A new notice will be mailed to the taxpayer Timetable September 7, 2010: Submitted schedules to Board September 8: Advertised public hearing September 21: Public hearing held October 5: Adoption of the final Schedules October 6: Publish 1st Notice of adoption October 13: Publish 2nd Notice of adoption October 20: Publish 3rd notice of adoption October 27: Publish 4th notice of adoption Timetable Anticipate mailing of notices in mid February 2011 Informal appeal work begins Board of Equalization and Review will begin hearing appeals in April Commissioner Johnson said he understood the cap rate value used now on present use value was unchanged in the new schedule. Ervin said it was the same rate. No one else chose to speak, and Chairman Norman adjourned the hearing. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Request from the Tax Department for Approval of the August Refunds and Releases: County Manager Mashburn said everything was in order for approval of the refunds and releases as presented. MOTION by Commissioner Johnson to approve the August tax refunds and releases. 3

4 Releases for the Month of August 2010 Monthly Total Breakdown of Releases: $63, County $34, Solid Waste Fees $ E. Alex. Co. Fire #1 $ Shepherd's Fire #2 $ Mt. Mourne Fire #3 $ All County Fire #4 $1, B&F Fire #5 $ Statesville City $7, Statesville Downtown $86.95 Mooresville Town $17, Mooresville Downtown $3.36 Mooresville School $1, Love Valley $0.00 Harmony $0.00 Troutman $43.89 Davidson $0.00 Refunds for the month of August 2010 Monthly Total Breakdown of Refunds: $6, County $2, Solid Waste Fees $40.50 E. Alex. Co. Fire #1 $0.00 Shepherd's Fire #2 $0.00 Mt. Mourne Fire #3 $3.34 All County Fire #4 $ B&F Fire #5 $2.40 Statesville City $90.18 Statesville Downtown $0.00 Mooresville Town $3, Mooresville Downtown $0.00 Mooresville School $ Love Valley $0.00 Harmony $0.00 Troutman $0.00 Davidson $0.00 Request from the Solid Waste Department for Permission to Apply for a $150,000 GRADE Grant to be Used for the Lease/Purchasing of a New Compactor: Solid Waste Director David Lambert requested permission to apply for a grant that would be administered by Mecklenburg County s Air Quality Department and funded through the federal government. He said the grant totaling up to $150,000 would be used to purchase a new compactor. MOTION by Commissioner Keadle to approve the request. Request from the Planning Department for Approval of a Lake Norman Regional Bicycle Plan Task Force Memorandum of Understanding & the Designation of a County Representative to Participate on the Task Force: Assistant County Manager Ron Smith said the board adopted the Lake Norman Bike Route Plan in April of this year. He said the NC Department of Transportation subsequently adopted the plan which included implementation strategies. Smith said a person would need to be designated to serve on a task force that would meet twice a year to guide and develop the bike route. He said a memorandum of understanding formalizing the plan s implementation also needed approval. Smith said no money was needed at this time. Commissioner Keadle noted that #7 under Obligations read as follows: This MOU does not obligate the Parties to future financial commitment to implement the plan or participate in the Task Force. He said, however, #2 under Inducements to Other Parties read as follows: Each Party understands that its commitment to its respective component of the Plan has induced other parties to make like commitments for its respective segments of the Plan insofar as that Party has jurisdiction over land use and transportation planning within its Plan segment. 4

5 Based on this understanding, each Party commits its best efforts to implement its respective segment of the Plan, within the limits of its authority. Keadle said the board previously had a discussion on whether or not to fund the plan, and he did not want mixed signals to be given. He said the last part (#7) made it clear that no funding was being committed by the county. Smith said there were no commitments at this time. He said money would be appropriated through the NCDOT for the construction of any road improvements. Smith said the funding for this type of construction would be derived from a separate fund -- not the traditional funding source for typical road improvements. MOTION by Commissioner Robertson to approve the memorandum of understanding and the designation of a county staff person to serve on the task force. (Smith will be allowed to use his discretion in the designation of the staff person.) Request for Approval of an Office Space Lease for the United States Department of Agriculture/Rural Development at the Agricultural Resource Center: County Manager Mashburn said previously a Rural Development staff person occupied an office at the Agricultural Resource Center, but the individual had to leave when the agency reorganized. He said a new area director had now been appointed, and this person once again desired to have a staff person based in Iredell County. Mashburn said that due to the lengthy process in obtaining a new lease (funds would have to come out of the federal government s next fiscal year budget which begins in October) that a temporary arrangement had been suggested. Mashburn then requested approval of a 90 day temporary lease which would allow the Rural Development staff person to occupy the vacant office. He said a formal lease agreement would be presented to the board at a future date for approval. MOTION by Commissioner Johnson to approve the temporary lease arrangement. Request for Approval of a Resolution Recognizing October 2010 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month: MOTION by Commissioner Keadle to adopt the following resolution. RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 2010 AS NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH WHEREAS, Congress in 1945 designated the first week in October as National Disability Employment Awareness Week; and WHEREAS, Congress in 1988 amended its earlier designation and declared the entire month of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month; and WHEREAS, United States Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis has announced that this year s theme will be Talent Has No Boundaries: Workforce Diversity INCLUDES Workers with Disabilities ; and WHEREAS, Americans with disabilities provide many needed talents and abilities to our nation s labor pool; and WHEREAS, Americans with disabilities are an integral and vital component of our nation s workforce; and WHEREAS, Americans with disabilities should be recognized for their job readiness and the many contributions they provide to our community and country. 5

6 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Iredell County Board of Commissioners calls upon all people in Iredell County to observe October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Iredell County Board of Commissioners extends appreciation to all Americans with disabilities for their invaluable services and skills that are being provided to the workplaces in Iredell County and across the nation. * * * * * Request for Approval of the September 7, 2010 Minutes: MOTION by Commissioner Keadle to approve the minutes as presented. Request from the Elections Department for Approval of Budget Amendment #9 to recognize a Help America Vote Act Grant and to Appropriate $23,675 for part-time Salaries/FICA (One Stop Voting Sites for the November 2010 Election): Assistant County Manager Tracy Jackson said Elections Director Becky Galliher was requesting permission to accept a grant from the North Carolina Board of Elections totaling $23,675. He said the money would be used for the staffing costs associated with three one stop voting locations. Commissioner Mitchell asked who selected the voting sites. Jackson said they were usually predetermined and spread throughout the county. He said the board of elections selected them. MOTION by Commissioner Keadle to approve Budget Amendment #9 to receive the $23,675. ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES OCCURRING ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS Nursing Home Advisory Committee (1 announcement) APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS Iredell Advocacy Academy for Substance Abuse Awareness & Recovery (1 appointment): Commissoner Robertson nominated Angela Carter. MOTION by Chairman Norman to appoint Angela Carter. Personnel Advisory Committee (3 appointments): Commissioner Keadle nominated Tina Robertson and Jeff Stutts. 6

7 MOTION by Chairman Norman to appoint Robertson and Stutts. Recreation Advisory Committee (1 appointment): Commissioner Keadle nominated Bill Freshwater. MOTION by Chairman Norman to appoint Freshwater. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Chairman Norman offered the public a chance to speak, but no one accepted. COUNTY MANAGER S REPORT: County Manager Mashburn said the slab for the new animal services building had been poured, and progress was being made. CLOSED SESSION: MOTION by Chairman Norman to enter into closed session pursuant to G.S (a) (6) - Personnel. (RETURN TO OPEN SESSION AT 8:05 P.M.) ADJOURNMENT: MOTION by Commissioner Robertson to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 P.M. (Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 5, 2010, at 7:00 P.M., in the Iredell County Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC ) Approval: Clerk to the Board 7