AG 2002 04 15 (Regular) - Laserfiche WebLink

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12. Economic Development Incentives- Cabarrus Economic Development, InF. The county's Economic Development Incentive program continues previous incentive payment commitments in FY03. Current incentives to eligible participants totalS5,752,450 in FY03. Each project is on a different incentive schedule with the longest term being 5 years. Elsewhere within the budget specific payments and industrial clients are identified. cabarrus Economic Development, Inc., the countywide economic development organization is going through a transition. A consultant's study suggested the organization needed private sector involvement in more significant and relevant manner. The county's record keeping activities for the organization will end June 30th, 2002. The, organization will be given two years to obtain a 50-50 level of private-public funding support, The effort is intended to strengthen ties between the EDC and the business community. 13. Park Construction and Recreational Programming The county has continued to invest heavily in development of added park facilities. As opportunities come forward the effort will continue. The FY03 budget provides limited financial support in this process. Again, state and local economic issues impact our ability to invest in these important quality of life issues at this time. A study completed recently (the Livable Comm~unity Blueprint) suggests major investments be made in new facilities, park land acquisition and open space dedication. New revenue sources must be identified if the proposals within the LCB are to fully implement. It does serve as an excellent guide for future investments. The county continues to partner with other local governments and community groups to create additional recreational opportunities. 14. Local Transportation Services Roads - The County established funding in FY02 for support of local road improvements. Two projects are moving forward. A project to extend Concord Mills Boulevard toward the Highland Creek development in NW Cabarrus County will improve local access to the new Cox Mill Elementary School. Major improvements are being made to a section of Old Airport Road in SE Concord in conjunction with the EXPO project. However, no new funding for road improvements is included in the FY03 budget. Transportation Services - Major reorganization of the county's van service program was completed in FY02. Efficiencies have been obtained but costs continue to be an over riding factor in expansion of the program. It is a highly subsidized program that limits service options to qualifying individuals based upon state and federal guidelines. The City of Concord is expected to implement a fixed-route bus system in FY03. The county van service will work with the city's bus system to avoid duplication and attempt to maximize effectiveness. 15. Consolidation of Governmental Services There are opportunities to enhance the delivery of local governmental services and increase efficiencies. Some efforts have been implemented in the past and more can be done. Outside of unifying the county's two school systems there still exists several situations that could be pursued to enhance cost-benefit ratios associated with public service delivery. At the city and county staff level have included discussions related to recreation, tax collection, planning and zoning, permitting and others. WSACC recently had extensive dialogue regarding the potential to further consolidate water and sewer utility service management. Those discussions did not produce results but did help to identify the obstacles to be overcome. A multitude of issues must be addressed when dealing with the various entities involved in merging/consolidating public service delivery. The solutions may not be easily achieved but the goal should remain the same. Generally, the public is not concerned about which entity delivers a service as much as they are about service quality and cost. Local governments need to commit to seeking the most viable and comprehensive approaches to public service delivery, even if it means either sharing or giving up 'turf'. Third party involvement (i.e,, Chamber of Commerce, Envision Cabarrus, or a qualified citizen task force group) may be a means of sorting 'turf' issues from the real obstacles to more efficient and effective service delivery. Budgetary impacts and evolving changes in local government financial resources may be the driving forces to this issue in the future.