6-7-21 BOC Budget Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chairman Smith stated that when the motion was made to accept the debt, the action set the ball rolling forward on the project. Carver stated there may be something related to mental health or things on the capital improvement plan that may be better to prioritize. He stated concerns related to being able to lower the tax rate once the County is moving forward with the borrowing. Commissioner Reives stated that he was not in support of the sports complex project because he didn't think it was the right timing and he had wanted to take a look at some of the County's needs as it relates to staffing and facilities but when the referendum passed the public decided they wanted a sports complex. The referendum gives the Board the opportunity to determine when is the best time to move forward. County Manager John Crumpton stated that staff was under the impression the priority was to secure the property and when the County is ready to borrow the $25 million, they will proceed at the appropriate time. The Library and Community College Buildings have already been prioritized ahead of the sports complex. At this time, the County is moving in a direction to secure the property. There is 7 years from the date of the referendum to borrow the money and there are some circumstances that it can be pushed out an additional three years. As the tax base increases, the County will continue to evaluate when to move forward with projects and look at reducing the tax rate. The tax rate is 8 cents above the average which is good considering the size of the tax base. A lot of projects the County does are pushed by the public. Dr. Crumpton stated that the community has represented an appetite to see things built and improved. Commissioner Carver stated that he would like to see a list of things in order of priority to invest capital funds in. Commissioner Reives asked Commissioner Carver to develop a list of priorities that are comparable to the sports complex verses asking staff to rethink the recommendations that have been presented. Dr. Crumpton stated that he can pull items from the CIP and show how they correspond with the Strategic Plan, however he felt it is up to the Board to develop priorities. Chairman Smith stated that one cent has been dedicated to future capital improvements in capital reserve. A property revaluation is also coming, which will impact property tax revenues. A penny and a half is about $20-$30 increase in the average person's tax bill that owns a home. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Motion to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 5:29 p.m. Mover: Arianna Lavallee For: 6 — Arianna Lavallee, Robert Reives, Cameron Sharpe, Kirk Smith, Bill Carver, Mark Lovick Absent: 1 - Dr. Andre Knecht Motion Result: Passed `22 31/(1( 'Kirk D. Smith, Chairman Lee County Board of Commissioners TEST: NORTH CAROLINA, LEE COUNTY .� 4`' Presented for registration on this 2D day .11.0/#.� �T�� of 111 20,_2Lat Vile, nifer Clerk to the Board !- 7 '' 49_IT . .l fi recorded in Book 37- Page c15.F ; H Pamela G. Britt, Register of Deeds