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February 4, 2008 (Work Session) Page 711 <br />Mr. Day presented the following information: <br />Former Bethel School <br />Background <br />Ownership of the former Bethel School was transferred to the <br />Board of Commissioners by the Cabarrus County Board of Education <br />in 2007. In 2009 a real estate appraisal commissioned by the <br />school system valued the former Bethel School site and buildings <br />at $1,698,900. Since then, architectural, programming and <br />engineering studies have been performed. These studies indicate <br />several possible uses of some of the buildings on the former <br />Bethel School campus, with an estimated renovation cost of <br />$3,581,140 to $3,981,690. <br />The programming study focused mostly on possible governmental <br />uses of the property by the county and the town of Midland, <br />despite the absence of plansfor satellite county services in <br />that area of the county and the very low demand there. It is <br />certainly true that county satellite offices in Midland would be <br />convenient for residents of that area, however, the relatively <br />sparse population makes it difficult to justify the expense. <br />It should be noted that the programming study included a branch <br />library, and while there are currently no definitive plans for a <br />Midland branch, it has been the practice of the board to equip, <br />staff and operate library branches that are funded and <br />constructed by towns. <br />There is sentiment among some residents of southern Cabarrus <br />County to raise money to renovate the buildings for government <br />and community use. <br />Recommendation <br />Given the considerations above and the escalating fiscal demands <br />placed on the county by continual school enrollment increases, <br />the following recommendations are offered: <br />A. Sell the site and use the proceeds for school capital <br />needs. <br />OR <br />B. Lease the site to the town of Midland with the following <br />conditions: <br />1. $1 per year. <br />2. Term of 10 to 20 years with additional renewal <br />options. <br />3. Annual fund raising benchmarks of $1 million per <br />year. If the benchmarks are not achieved, then <br />the site is offered for sale with proceeds used <br />for school capital needs. <br />9. The town must secure the buildings and repair the <br />roofs within 8 months. Renovations must begin <br />within 18 months. Failure to meet these <br />requirements will resultin the site being offered <br />for sale with proceeds used for school capital <br />needs. <br />5. The county will provide a seed grant of $250,000. <br />Chairman White. and County Manager Day responded to a variety of <br />questions on the proposal and a general discussion ensued. Issues addressed <br />included the following: the origination of the seed money; fund raising <br />efforts; possible lease terms; the purpose of the fundraising benchmarks; <br />keeping the property from deteriorating further; performance standards; <br />turning the property over to a nonprofit group; the need for County services <br />in Midland; there are no plans in the budget for the County to provide <br />services in the southern part of the county in next five years; ownership <br />options; etc. <br />After Midland unanimously voted to table its consideration of the <br />proposal to its meeting on February 12, 2008, there was a brief discussion on <br />the formation of a committee. In light of Midland's motion to table, <br />Chairman White was in favor of waiting for a response from Midland. <br />Adjournment <br />