FROM STAFF REPORTS

The N.C. General Assembly has appropriated a total of $82,309,549 to local governments and nonprofit organizations in Iredell County.

The biennium budget, which was approved on September 23, allocates a total of $3.9 million for the establishment and operation of a Public Defenders Office for District 32 (Iredell and Alexander counties).

Funding for the public defender position will begin October 1, 2023, with additional funding for 12 assistant public defenders and seven support staff available on January 1, 2024.

“Rep. Mills, Rep Setzer and Rep. McNeely and I worked closely together listening to our communities’ needs and presented unified funding requests from the NC state budget,” Sen. Vickie Sawyer said. “This level of investment from Raleigh to our county is a historic amount and represents our commitment to work together for all of Iredell.”

Public Projects

The major earmarks include:

♦ $15.5 million for completion of the airport terminal building and other capital improvements at the Statesville Regional Airport;

♦ $15 million for the development of an infrastructure project that will leverage existing improvements that are associated with previously approved residential development located in Iredell County;

♦ $14 million for water/sewer and infrastructure projects in the Town of Troutman;

♦ $5 million for Iredell County for capital improvements or equipment at the fairgrounds;

♦ $5 million for the Town of Mooresville for ongoing economic development;

♦ $3.6 million for the Town of Mooresville for funding for utility/waterline project at town industrial park;

♦ $3 million for th City of Statesville Water/Sewer to Dairy Plant & Business Park;

♦ $2 million for Iredell-Statesville Schools for athletic field improvements at South Iredell High School, North Iredell High School, and West Iredell High School; 

♦ $1.5 million for Mooresville Graded School District for capital improvements or equipment for athletic facilities;

♦ $1.5 million for the Town of Love Valley for a sewer system;

♦ $750,000 for Mount Mourne Volunteer Fire Department for capital improvements or equipment; and

♦ $500,000 to bring the minimum level of staffing to 4.0 FTE for Alamance Battleground, Aycock Birthplace, Vance Birthplace, House-in-the-Horseshoe, James K. Polk, Historic Stagville, and Fort Dobbs. 

♦ $250,000 for the Town of Harmony for capital improvements or equipment; and

♦ $200,000 for the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office for capital improvements or equipment

Nonprofits

The budget also earmarked more than $10 million for local nonprofits:

♦ $100,000 for Power Cross Ministries to support afterschool care and athletics programs for at-risk youth; 

♦ $2 million Fort Dobbs Alliance for capital improvements or equipment for the visitor center at Fort Dobbs;

♦ $2 million for Mooresville Area Christian Mission for capital costs and related equipment; and

♦ $6 million for Purple Heart Homes for veterans housing