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March 20, 2006 - Regular Meeting Page 542 Commissioner Privette withdrew his motion. There was discussion regarding the request for the purchase of two new school buses. Issues addressed included the length of time it takes to receive a bus once it has been ordered and the number of school buses to be included in next year's budget. UPON MOTION of Commissioner Carpenter, seconded by vice Chairman Juba and unanimously carried, the Board approved the purchase of two new school buses at a total cost of $131,000.00 for Cabarrus County Schools and authorized the appropriate budget amendment allocating funds from Fund Balance Appropriated to Cabarrus County Schools Capital Outlay. (G-6) Cabarrus County and Kannapo1is City Schools School Bond Projects General Obligation Due to increased costs of construction, the Cabarrus County and Kannapolis City schools requested an additional $10,820,302.00 to complete school construction projects included in the 2004 bond referendum as follows: Odell - $871,839.00; Furr - $2,616,114.00; Boger - $2,597,143.00; Northwest Cabarrus High School - $305,000.00 (ball fields); Hickory Ridge High School - $3,812,206.00; A. L. Brown Auditorium $300,000.00; and Shady Brook Elementary $450,000.00,00. Also, the County Schools had included an additional request of $1,149,722.00 for projects outside the $98 million bond issue. John Day, County Manager, recommended supplemental funding be provided for all the requested items related to the bond referendum projects, including the $300,814.00 to enlarge and improve new gyms already approved by the Board, with-the following exceptions: 1. The tennis courts ($307,120.00) and stadium field house ($822,602.00) for Hickory Ridge High School. Similar facilities have not been constructed for Robinson High School. I suggest the discussion of the facilities for these two schools within the framework of the larger issue of school athletic facilities in general. 2. The $500,000.00 (Hickory Ridge High School) estimated by Cabarrus County Schools for "claim from original land owner pending legal action". If the courts should require additional payment, the County can provide the money as needed at that time. 3. The ball fields, track, lights and bleachers for Northwest Cabarrus High School - $305,000.00. These projects were not a part of the 2004 school bond projects. Funding for these items should be considered during the regular annual budget process and discussed within the larger context mentioned in Item No.1. Mr. Day stated the County could borrow the money or use the "pay as we go" option. He recommended the "pay as we go" method and said sufficient funding was available from a variety of sources, including the following: interest earned on General Obligation Bond proceeds, money collected from the advancement of adequacy and funds set aside for debt service for the school bond projects and the Sheriff's Office and Detention Center. These projects have been delayed, reducing the amount of money actually needed for the debt payments. Finally, Mr. Day advised that a commitment for these funds would enable the Board of Education to award the construction contracts for the new schools. Liz Poole, County School Board Chair, expressed support for the County Manager's recommendation. She stated a Trane pre-pay discount ($132,000.00) was expected for the three elementary schools. Also, she pointed out the balance of $1,997,000.00 for the A. T. Allen School renovations was previously transferred to the Hickory Ridge High School project. Chairman recommendation. Carruth made a motion to approve the County Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion. Manager's Commissioner Privette questioned Sam Masters, Director of Construction for Cabarrus County Schools, regarding the $84.00 per square foot cost for school construction in Lincoln County as compared to the school construction costs in Cabarrus County. Mr. Masters commented on the need for additional information in order to make a fair and accurate comparison of the Lincoln County price. This information would include a space utilization analysis and whether the cost of land and athletic facilities was included in the school construction cost.