BC 2009 01 30 Board Retreat - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

January 30, 2009 (Board Retreat) Page 1216 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met in recessed session for a board retreat at Camp T. N. Spencer, Helms Hall, 3155 Foxford Road in Concord on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. Present: Chairman: H. Jay White, Sr. Vice Chairman: Grace M. Mynatt Commissioners: Robert W. Carruth Elizabeth F. Poole Coy C. Privette Also present were: John Day, County Manager; Pam Dubois, Deputy County Manager; Mike Downs, Deputy County Manager; Aimee Hawkins, Communications and Outreach; and Kay Honeycutt, Clerk to the Board. Note: David Baxter, General Manager for Channel 22 (Communications and Outreach) was also present for a short time. Call to Order Chairman White called the meeting to order at 3:39 p.m. Approval o£ the Agenda UPON MOTION of Commissioner Privette, seconded by Vice Chairman Mynatt and unanimously carried, the Board approved the agenda as presented. Report on Biannual Citizen Survey Dr. Nancy Burnap, with Marketwise Inc., presented the results of the Cabarrus County Services 2008 Citizen Opinion Survey - a biannual random telephone survey of approximately 402 citizens. The survey consisted of approximately 100 questions related to the provision of county services, growth, school construction, voting, etc. Dr. Burnap also responded to a variety of questions from the Board throughout the presentation. Survey conclusions were as follows: Bonds are a viable option for funding transportation improvements such as improving congested intersections and widening roads. o A majority (73~) of residents support a bond referendum for transportation improvements (51$ support strongly). o Support for transportation improvements is stronger in 2008 than in 2006. The County should pursue opportunities to purchase land to maintain rural areas. o A majority (68~) of residents support this option (50~ strongly support). • Although the majority of residents (62$) support a referendum for parks and recreation, there is not a strong context for success. o Only a third of the residents show strong support. o Almost a quarter oppose the bonds. • Restricting the extension of utilities and services to control new construction could become a controversial strategy. o Only half of Cabarrus residents support this strategy (only a third strongly support). o More than a quarter oppose this strategy. • There is strong support for the County to provide sidewalks, weaker support for bike lanes and greenways. o The majority of residents support bike lanes and greenways, but most do not believe they are very important. For this reason, they are not as high a priority as sidewalks. • Cabarrus residents are very satisfied with emergency services (fire, medical, law enforcement) and many other aspects of living in Cabarrus County. o The problem areas are the pace of growth, opportunities for decision making, open space preservation, and employment opportunities. Almost all residents are aware of library services, but only 56$ actually use them. • Convenience and quality of services do not appear to be primary barriers to using the library. o Most residents indicate there is a library branch located conveniently to them. o Most residents have a positive impression of the library.