BC 2007 03 12 Wk. Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 12, 2007 (Work Session) Page 292 John Day, County Manager, pointed out the School Board forgot to include this amount in their original request. Ms. Dubois reported approximately $9.1 million is needed to complete the project; there will not be enough capital reserve funds to upfront the costs; discussions with the County's bond counsel and underwriter are underway concerning the next COPS (Certificates of Participation) issue; construction bids for the project will be opened in November and COPS debt cannot be issued without a construction contract. UPON MOTION by Commissioner Privette, seconded by Commissioner White and unanimously carried, the Board agreed to place the request by Cabarrus County Schools for $125,000.00 for engineering fees for the new Northwest area high school on the March 26, 2007 Agenda as a New Business item. Commissioner Mynatt requested information on how the budget for the high school was formulated which led to a general discussion on school construction costs. Mr. Day reported a representative from the School Board would be present at the meeting to address these issues. and Brent Weisner, Tax Administrator, reported Union Lodge (U.L.) #618 has requested a refund of its 2005 and 2006 property taxes due to a deed error made by the closing attorney for the new lodge building. He explained in January of 2005 a deed was recorded to sell the old lodge to a private individual, but because the legal description on the deed was inaccurate, the new lodge was actually sold to an individual. When the Tax Department reviewed the deed, he said an application for exemption was denied and a discovery bill was issued on the new lodge. At that point in time, he said the issue was discussed with the taxpayer and the closing attorney. He said in 2006, the deed still had not been corrected, an application for exemption was not filed; therefore, a tax bill was issued. He said now the taxpayers claim an error was made, contend the property should be exempt for both years and plan to ask the Board for a refund at the March 26, 2007 meeting. He further explained that after discussing this issue with the County Attorney and faculty at the School of Government, he could not refund this money. Mr. Weisner responded to a variety of questions from the Board. Richard M. Koch, County Attorney, reviewed N. C. General Statute 105.381, reported none of the provisions of this statue addresses this particular situation and said the total tax refund equates to approximately $6,700.00. There was further discussion on the request and Mr. Weisner and Mr. Koch responded to additional questions from the Board. UPON MOTION by Vice Chairman Juba, seconded by Commissioner Mynatt and unanimously carried, the Board voted to place the refund and release request submitted by William L. Mills, III, representing Union Lodge #618 on the March 26, 2007 Agenda as a New Business item. Request for Additional Land for School Bus Garage John Day, County Manager, reported Cabarrus County Schools (CCS) needs additional land to accommodate a new school bus garage that is budgeted over a two-year period. He pointed out that CCSalso maintains and services the buses for Kannapolis City Schools and the current school bus garage is located on Union Cemetery Road. Utilizing a map, Jonathan Marshall, Commerce Director, identified the additional property CCS wants to use for the new school bus garage. He said the request would extend the bus garage area to the back of the smaller buildings on the former fairground site and would reduce the area the County is currently marketing. He said the County would continue to own all the property above the proposed right-of-way to behind the Walgreens, fronting on Cabarrus Avenue and share a storm water detention system. He further reported a Traffic Impact Analysis has been completed on the entire piece of property. Mr. Marshal responded to a variety of questions from the Board and the County Attorney.