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434 <br /> <br /> The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met in recessed <br />regular session in the Multi-Purpose Room at the Cabarrus County Senior Center, <br />331 Corban Avenue, SE, Concord, North Carolina on Thursday, December 4, 1997, at <br />6:30 P.M. <br /> <br />Present <br /> <br />Chairman: Sue B. Casper <br />Vice-Chairman: Carolyn B. Carpenter <br />Commissioners: Jeffrey L. Barnhart <br /> Kenneth Mills <br /> Dr. Franklin C. Niblock, Jr. <br /> <br /> Also present were Mr. Frank W. Clifton, Jr., County Manager; Mr. Fletcher <br />L. Hartsell, Jr., County Attorney; and Mrs. Frankie F. Bonds, Clerk to the Board. <br /> <br /> Chairman Casper called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. <br /> <br /> Chairman Casper stated the purpose of the meeting was to hold a public <br />hearing on the following items: <br /> <br />(1) <br /> <br />(2) <br /> <br />(3) <br /> <br />Local referendum regarding an increase in the property tax <br />homestead exemption for senior citizens and disabled <br />individuals. <br />Local referendum regarding an additional one cent local sales <br />tax applied to retail sales (except food) in Cabarrus County <br />for a period of five years to fund school construction and <br />renovation costs. <br />Local referendum regarding a local property transfer tax on <br />one percent applied to real estate sales in Cabarrus County <br />for a period of five years to fund school construction and <br />renovation. <br /> <br /> Chairman Casper welcomed those present and opened the floor for brief <br />introductory comments from Board members. There were general comments regarding <br />the proposed referenda and the desire to receive public input on the issues. <br /> <br /> Mr. Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr., County Attorney, reviewed the proposed <br />Advisory Homestead Exemption Referendum Resolution. He pointed out the <br />referendum would be "advisory" in nature as a Constitutional provision makes the <br />current exemption consistent throughout the State. However, legislation is now <br />pending to allow each County to raise the exemption if they choose to do so. <br />Further, Mr. Hartsell advised that the word "registrars" had been changed to <br />"chief judges" in each of the draft documents. Also, he pointed out there were <br />blanks in each document to be filled in relative to the date of the referendum <br />and time periods for certain election activities. <br /> <br /> Chairman Casper opened the public hearing on the proposed advisory <br />homestead exemption referendum and asked if anyone wished to speak regarding the <br />placement of this issue on the ballot. <br /> <br /> In response to questions from the audience, Mr. Hartsell explained that the <br />proposed advisory referendum resolution provides for an increase in the homestead <br />exemption from $20,000.00 to $25,000.00. He briefly reviewed the qualifications <br />for the exemption, including an annual income of $15,000.00 or less. <br /> <br /> Mr. A1 Dowd of Palaside Drive, Concord, supported a greater increase in the <br />homestead exemption amount. <br /> <br /> Mr. Sherrill Laney of Miller Road, Kannapolis, supported the placement of <br />the homestead exemption issue on the ballot. <br /> <br /> Ms. Marilyn Barnhardt of 5800 Wabash Lane, Concord, stated in her opinion <br />the homestead exemption should be increased to $50,000.00. <br /> <br /> Mr. Clarence Walters of Hilton Lake Road, Kannapolis, stated in his opinion <br />the exemption should be raised to at least $35,000.00. <br /> <br /> Mr. James Mann of 4500 Old Salisbury/Concord Road complained that the <br />income qualifications for the homestead exemption are too stringent. <br /> <br /> Mr. Jeff Havistat of Old Airport Road, Concord, speaking on behalf of his <br />77-year-old mother, supported an increase in the homestead exemption. <br /> <br /> <br />