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May 29, 2003 Page 142 in FY 2005. He advised that the growth in the district's tax base would generate an additional $42,000.00 in revenue this year and would not be sufficient to fund fire department needs. Commissioner Carruth asked that Commissioner Privette amend his motion to include direction that the Interim County Manager and County Attorney proceed with drafting an agreement for the Board's consideration on June 16. Commissioner Privette accepted the requested amendment. Commissioner Carpenter asked that the motion be amended to include the Board's "intent" to grant the requested increase in the Harrisburg Fire District tax while working on the agreement to establish a municipal fire department. Commissioner Privette declined the requested amendment. Mr. Carl Parmer, Harrisburg Town Administrator, reported that the Town's plans to take responsibility for a municipal fire department depends on keeping the department solvent while the municipal department is established. He expressed concerns about the possible need to cut the number of paid firefighters and referenced a letter from Mayor Hagler that included the following concerning the establishment of the municipal fire department: While we are seriously interested in the consolidation, we are not as excited about having to revive a severely crippled operation. We will consider it an act of good faith and encouragement by the Commissioners if they will pass the recommended 3-cent increase, thus keeping the department whole while we proceed with the consolidation plans. The county re- valuation next year will provide necessary increase in funding for the fiscal 2004-2005 year, and little or no increase may be necessary in the following year. Additionally, since the tax base of the district is approximately 50% in the incorporated limits of Harrisburg and 50% in the un- incorporated area surrounding Harrisburg, we will depend heavily on your assurance of matching the fire taxes in the un- incorporated portion to the needs defined by our council for the entire fire district. UPON MOTION of Commissioner Privette, seconded by Chairman Freeman with Commissioners Privette and Carruth, Chairman Freeman and Vice Chairman Suggs voting for and Commissioner Carpenter voting against, the Board postponed consideration of the Harrisburg fire tax issue until the Board meeting on June 16, 2003, with the Interim County Manager and County Attorney to draft a proposed agreement concerning the establishment of the municipal fire department for the Board's consideration at that meeting. Budget Review - Economic Development Corporation Chairman Freeman introduced discussion of economic development in Cabarrus County. He expressed appreciation for the work by the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and stated the need to produce jobs, specifically technology and technology transfer jobs, and wealth for the citizens of Cabarrus County. Chairman Freeman proposed an Economic Development Summit to be held for local officials and to include a question and answer period with a panel of representatives from the Research Triangle Park, Department of Commerce, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, etc. Mr. Mike Nash, Chairman of the Cabarrus EDC Board of Directors, commended the proposal for the Economic Development Summit. He stated one of EDC's initiatives is to develop public/private partnerships and outlined work by EDC to get private funding sources in place to create supplemental marketing efforts. Mr. Maurice Ewing, EDC President, reviewed economic development efforts by EDC. He listed such targeted industries as homeland security, pharmaceuticals, automotive, aviation, telecommunications, information technology and finance. There was lengthy discussion by the Board regarding economic development, the role of EDC and current economic conditions, including the uncertainty of 4,000 jobs at Pillowtex. The Board also addressed issues relative to the importance of economic development, efforts by EDC to secure private funding, concerns by local companies that County funding will be reduced as private funding is secured and the possibility of a multi-year contract with EDC.