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Outstanding County Program <br /> <br />Awards winners highlighted <br /> <br />Caba,Tus. County <br />'Managing Growth hto the 21st <br />Century~Understanding the <br />Hte~n,i~es for Handing G~owtlr' <br /> <br /> Cabarms County leaders were con- <br />eemed about the county's extremely fast <br />growth rate. By their own calculations, <br />the county could face 60,000 new re,il <br />dents within the next 15 year~ *.oo <br />many residents for the existing schools, <br />roads, sewer systems, and other utilities. <br />Officials were concerned that the added <br />residents would erode the peaceful and <br />beautiful lands of the county. <br /> Deciding their best option was to <br />start educating citizens about the porch- <br />rial problems before they became real- <br />ity. county leaders created "Managing <br />Growth into the 21st Century." <br /> The program attacks the issue from <br />many different fronts. The county's <br />planning division began running a series <br />of articles in the local papers explaining <br />some of the issues, including impact <br />fees and permit allocation systems. The <br />articles were also complied by the plan- <br />ning division and distributed to elected <br />officials, board members, chamber or <br />commerce members, special interest <br />groups and citizens. <br /> A county-sponsored workshop fo- <br />cused on advanced growth manage- <br />ment. providing both basic and detailed <br />information. During the opening ses- <br />sion, growth management altematives <br />were explained. <br /> This program did not require any <br />additional funding since existing county <br />employees completed all of the work. <br />Currently, the county is in the process <br />of hiring a fiscal impact specialist who <br />will develop a growth financing plan. <br />Non-county groups also involved in the <br />program included the Homebuilders <br /> <br />As.socintion, the County Association of <br />Realtors and the Council for Quality <br />Growth. <br /> Although the county has not yet de- <br />termined how to control ~owth and p~- <br />serve the county's infrastructu~, ~- <br />ms County is on its way to finding <br />answers with help from citizens. As the <br />state population increases, many coun- <br />ties will find themselves faced with simi- <br />lar dilemmas. ''Managing Growth into <br />the 21st Century" can serve as a guide <br />for yea~ to come. <br /> For more information on this pro- <br />gram, contact Gerald Newton, planning <br />and development area manager, 704- <br />788-8141. <br /> <br />County Lines <br />Special Edition <br /> <br /> <br />