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July 21, 2003 <br /> <br />D AFT <br /> <br />Page 190 <br /> <br /> Mr. Brian Hiatt, Concord City Manager, stated the Concord City <br />Council's endorsement of an increase in the occupancy tax with the idea that <br />a portion of those funds would go to pay the City's share of the debt service <br />for the convention center to be built on city-owned property by John Q. <br />Hammons. <br /> <br /> Mr. Chris Bramblett, operator of Christopher's Jewelers in downtown <br />Concord, spoke in support of a convention center in Cabarrus County. <br /> <br /> Ms. Sharon Campbell, Marketing Director for Concord Mills Mall, stated <br />that Concord Mills and the Mills Corporation strongly support the proposed <br />convention center. She urged the Board to move forward with plans for a <br />convention center and to increase the occupancy tax rate. <br /> <br /> Reverend Jim Gann, pastor at First Assembly Church, spoke in support of <br />the proposed convention center and the increase in the occupancy tax. He <br />stated the need for facilities that could host meetings of the faith-based <br />co~,unity. <br /> <br /> Mr. Harold Smith of Kannapolis opposed an increase in the occupancy tax <br />and the use of occupancy tax revenue to fund a portion of the convention <br />center. He cited concerns about the Board's use of reserve funds to balance <br />the budget, funding of the Arena and Events Center and the proposed 25-year <br />commitment to use occupancy tax revenue for a convention center. He stated in <br />his opinion the County cannot afford a convention center at this time. <br /> <br /> Mr. John Clark supported the increase in the occupancy tax and the use <br />of the occupancy tax revenue to help pay for the proposed convention center. <br />He cited the jobs that have been lost in the textile industry and the new <br />jobs that would be created at the convent/on center and adjacent hotel. <br /> <br /> Mr. Sam Salloum, who owns 12 acres of property adjacent to the <br />convention center site, supported the increase in the occupancy tax and <br />construction of a convention center. He cited such benefits as an increase <br />in the tax value of his property and othe~ adjacent property, new jobs and <br />increased tax revenue. <br /> <br /> Ms. Ann Sternal, Executive Director of the Convention and Visitor's <br />Bureau (CVB), outlined the CVB's support of the increase in the occupancy <br />tax. She highlighted such issues as the competitiveness of the County's <br />occupancy tax rate with other communities, the use of a portion of the <br />occupancy tax revenue for the Arena and Events Center and the establishment <br />of a grant program to help bring events to Cabarrus County. <br /> <br /> Dr. George Llles, former Mayor of the City of Concord, reviewed past <br />efforts to bring a convention center to Cabarrus County and the involvement <br />of John Q. Hammons in the pro3ect. He supported the use of the occupancy tax <br />revenue for the convention center and stated the need to do everything <br />possible to increase the economy of Cabarrus County. <br /> <br /> Mr. Mike Mahaney, Kannapolis City Manager, spoke in support of the <br />increase of the occupancy tax to construct a convention center on Speedway <br />Boulevard and other projects. He cited a decline in manufacturing jobs and <br />commented on the new job opportunities and expanded tax base the proposed <br />facility would bring to Cabarrus County. <br /> <br /> Mr. Bruce Hoff, t~xpayer, stated in his opinion the convention center <br />would bring additional tax base and diversity to the community. However, he <br />stated the Board should take the time to make sure the right decision is <br />made. <br /> <br /> Mr. Robert Morrison, resident of McDonough, Georgia and owner of <br />property in Cabarrus County, questioned Concord's ownership of the water in <br />Cabarrus County. He complained he is unable to get public water service to <br />his property located outside the City limits and therefore cannot develop and <br />sell the property. He also questioned the amount of water that will be used <br />by the proposed hotel and convention center. <br /> <br /> Mr. Richard Flows supported the occupancy tax lncrease and the proposed <br />convention center. He stated in his opinion the convention center is an <br />excellent opportunity for Cabarr~/s County and would serve as a catalyst in <br />generating more room nights and increasing the occupancy tax revenue. <br /> <br /> Mr. Jay Howard, Chairman of the Tourism Authority Board of Directors, <br />spoke in support of the increase in the occupancy tax and the plan to earmark <br /> <br /> <br />