FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Statesville City Council on Monday unanimously agreed to use $5 million from the fund balance and borrow $2 million to cover a large chunk of the cost of construction of the new Fire Station 1.

Site work has begun on the 26,000-square-foot facility near the intersection of Wilson W. Lee Boulevard and Charlotte Avenue. The total cost of the project, including IT work and furnishings, is estimated at $14.8 million.

The remaining $7.8 million is being paid for with $7.1 million in ARPA funds and a previous allocation by council of about $600,000.

Prior to Monday’s vote, City Manager Ron Smith advised council that the $2 million loan for the fire station likely would be bundled with a loan for the new city garage and warehouse. City officials expect to receive bids on the garage/warehouse project in early May.

Council could also use money from the fund balance to cover some of the costs of the garage/warehouse project.

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business:

♦ The Council approved a resolution supporting naming the new Interstate 77/Interstate 40 interchange in honor of Judge Robert A. Collier Jr.

NCDOT officials support honoring Collier with this recognition. The judge served on the NCDOT Board as the District 12 representative for nine years.

“He was a tremendous champion for Statesville and Iredell County for transportation improvements,” Mayor Costi Kutteh said.

♦ Mayor Kutteh read a proclamation honoring Rutledge & Bigham Funeral Home for 100 years of service to the community.

Founded by Chas Rutledge and Garson G. Bigham, Rutledge & Bigham opened on June 22, 1922, at 109 Garfield Street.

Rutledge & Bigham CEO Bernardeane Moton thanked the mayor and council for the recognition — and the community for its long-standing support of the funeral home.

“We hope to be here another 100 years comforting those who mourn,” Moton said.