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485 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met in adjourned session on Monday, January 23, 1984, at 7:00 P.M. in the Superior Courtroom of the Cabarrus County Courthouse in Concord, North Carolina, to hear from the public on'how the County should repay the $1.697 million water bond. Present - Chairman: James W. Lentz Commissioners: Archie Y. Barnhardt Marcelle Milloway J. Harold Nash Kenneth F. Payne Chairman Lentz reviewed the location of the Water and Sewer District of Cabarrus County and the planned funding for the $11,060,000.00 Cabarrus County Water System. He then opened the meeting for public input on funding the $1.5 million "up-front" money to be provided by the County and repaying the $1.697 million general obligation bond. Mr. Jim Allison, a resident of the service district, stated user fees and revenue from the one-half cent (½¢) sales tax should be used to finance the County's share of the cost. Mrs. Carl Spry, a resident of the Kannapolis Sanitary District, stated the need for water and sewer in the county and supported a four cents (4¢) tax levy on property within the district. She stat.ed that the funds from the one-half cent (½¢) sales tax should be used on a more worthwhile project that would benefit more people in the county. A member of the Old South Homeowners Association asked if the Old South Subdivision was included within the district and was advised that it was within the district. Mr. Judge Honeycutt, a resident of the Kannapolis Sanitary District, supported a four cents (4¢) tax levy for the water and sewer district. He stated that the reduction in fire insurance rates for the district would offset the four cents (4¢) property tax. Mr. Marvin Shue, a resident of the Kannapolis Sanitary District, objected to the use of the sales tax money to repay the water bond. He stated the people in the Kannapolis Sanitary District were paying taxes for services in their district and should not have to pay for water lines to other areas of the county. Mrs. Nancy Sifford, who lives outside the district, questioned the procedure for determining cost efficiency of the proposed project and the average cost per home to obtain water. Mr. Tony Bonds, a resident of the service district, stated it was unfair to tax farmers and land owners within the water and sewer district when many of them would not receive water service. He supported user fees or revenue from the one-half cent (½¢) sales tax to finance the County's cost for the project. Also, Mr. Bonds stated that the availability of water within the Pitts Fire District would not reduce the fire insurance rates for homeowners. Mr. Max Moore, a resident of the Kannapolis Sanitary District, opposed the use of the sales tax on a partisan basis, stating it would benefit only people in certain areas of the county. He stated the only fair way to use the sales tax money would be to use it to provide a water supply for the entire county. Mr. Stuart Black of Midland stated the need for water and urged the Board to take necessary action to get water in the county. Mr. Lewis Suther, who owns property in the district, objected to a property tax levy for the district, stating the-County should not place another tax burden on persons who own farms. Mr. John Walker, a resident of Irish Potato Road, opposed any additional tax on real estate for water and sewer. Mr. Harold Wilkinson, a resident of the Poplar Tent community, opposed a property tax levy and supported the use of sales tax revenues to finance the County's share of the water project. Mr. G. E. Lentz, a resident of the district, stated the urgent need for water in the county. He objected to a four cents (4¢) property tax levy and stated the County should take user fees and sales tax revenue to pay for the water system. Mr. Aaron Bost, who resides outside the district, requested clarification on general obligation bonds. During discussion, it was noted that the general obligation bond would be for the district and not the entire county. Mr. Mike Harkey, who lives outside the district but owns a farm within the district, stated money from the one-half cent (½¢) sales tax should be used to repay the water bond.