BC 2001 11 05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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226 Construction budget estimates for closing in the open area of the Events Center and installation of upgraded box/suite seating should be available for the November 19th meeting. Utility Fee Proposal Mr. Jonathan Marshall, Planning Services Director, reviewed the proposal discussed by the Board on October 22n~ to establish a utility connection fee to help offset the costs of utility lines and provide a revenue source for future extensions. He discussed the varying utility fees charged by the different municipalities plus the capital recovery fee charged by the Water and Sewer Authority (WSACC). Mr. Marshall suggested the possibility of establishing a single fee to be paid to the County and then distributed to the appropriate municipality or WSACC depending upon the location of the property. In addition, he reported on the following issues: (1) Concerns by Mr. Brian Hiatt, Concord City Manager, regarding the County's proposed utility fee and the payment of fees for lines already in existence; and (2) Work by the Water and Sewer Authority to develop a Community Well and Wastewater Treatment Plant Policy whereby private systems would be turned over to a local municipality or WSACC (depending on the location of the system) to own and ~perate. There was lengthy discussion regarding the proposed utility connection fee, including the following: (1) the County's share of the cost for extending water lines to new school sites and the benefit to property owners in those areas; (2) payment of the utility fee at ~losing rather than at issuance of the building permit; (3) payment of the utility line extensions by those persons directly benefiting from the extension rather than by all taxpayers; and (4) private utility systems. After discussion, there was general agreement that staff would continue to work with the utility providers, including the City of Concord and WSACC, on various utility issues associated with the proposed fee and bring back a plan for consideration by the Board. Compensation Study Mr. Don Cummings, Human Resources Director, distributed preliminary information provided by the consultant concerning the 2001 Compensation Study for County employees. He estimated it would cost approximately $220,000.00 of the budgeted $440,000.00 to implement the recommended changes in January 2002. There was discussion regarding current economic conditions, the number of persons now seeking jobs, the fairness of giving pay increases in January for some positions and the current Board policy to conduct classification and compensation studies every two years. Additional information regarding the compensation study will be provided to the Board as it becomes available. Unified Development Ordinance Mr. Marshall presented a brief update on changes that the local municipalities have made to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) since its adoption. There was brief discussion regarding the UDO enforcement procedures by the City of Concord, plans to update existing Area Plans and the impact of the water supply situation on development. Annexation Issues Mr. Marshall briefly reviewed annexations by municipalities across county lines. Annexation agreements currently exist between Concord and Charlotte, Harrisburg and Charlotte, and Harrisburg and Concord. Staff members are currently working on proposed agreements between Concord and Mt. Pleasant and Concord and Midland. There was brief discussion regarding existing legislation that prohibits a municipality located primarily in one county from owning property (i.e., road and/or utility rights-of-way) in another county without permission of the Board of County Commissioners.