BY MIKE FUHRMAN
Angela Matthews said her accounting experience would be an asset to Iredell County taxpayers.
Brad Howard vowed to reduce property taxes.
William Compton called the fairgrounds “embarrassing,” and said he opposes mask mandates, vaccine requirements and the presence of biological males in girls’ bathrooms.
During Monday night’s Republican Party forum for candidates running for three seats on the Iredell County Board of Commissioners, those three challengers sought to distinguish themselves from the three Republican incumbents standing for re-election in 2024.
Commissioner Gene Houpe, the only incumbent who participated in the forum, defended the board’s work. He likened the county government to a $300 million business, and said the board is tasked with funding school construction as well the operations of 26 departments and 19 fire departments, he said. The board also helps fund operations of Iredell-Statesville Schools, Mooresville Graded Schools and Mitchell Community College.
“As I always say, before you judge our actions, ask us our options,” Houpe said.
Incumbents Melissa Neader and Scottie Brown — and challenger Richard Coleman — did not participate in the forum.
And they were criticized for it by two of the challengers.
“It’s frustrating to see the empty seats between us,” Compton said. “It’s unprofessional to me.”
Throughout the forum, the three challengers took aim at the current commissioners for the significant increase in property taxes that most Iredell homeowners experienced. A countywide property revaluation — required by state law — fueled the tax hike.
Commissioners partially mitigated the increase by reducing the tax rate to 50 cents per $100 valuation. Iredell’s tax rate is the lowest in the region and among the lowest in the state.
Howard, who lives in Mooresville, said he knows many people whose tax bills went up 45 to 55 percent. Commissioners must do a better job of balancing “needs versus wants,” he said.
“At the end of the day,” Howard told the crowd, “it’s your money — not the government’s.”
If elected, Matthews said she was committed to lowering taxes and managing growth. Two of the current commissioners, she said, actually saw their property tax bills go down while most homeowners saw sharp increases.
Matthews said she didn’t have a problem paying a little more. “What I do have a problem with is not everyone paying their fair share,” she said.
The candidates’ comments came in opening and closing statements and in response to questions by moderator Steve Johnson, a former county commissioner and current Statesville city councilman. The questions were randomly selected, with each candidate answering four questions.
When it came to knowledge of county operations, Houpe demonstrated a depth of understanding that the other candidates did not.
Now in his fourth term, the incumbent pushed back against criticism of commissioners for not significantly reducing the tax rate after property values jumped an average of 25 percent across the county.
Commissioners are responsible for paying for construction of a new high school — projected to cost up to $200 million — and a new middle school and elementary school will be needed in the near future.
While currently in the process of borrowing $40 million to help pay for the new high school, the board also committed to saving money for future school construction rather than cutting the tax rate further and then having to go back and borrow money to pay for new schools and other building needs.
Other major capital projects on the horizon for the county include a new courthouse, new headquarters for the sheriff’s office and a new health department.
“We’ve told a lot of people no over the years so we can do what’s necessary,” Houpe said.
In response to specific questions:
♦ Matthews said she would give Iredell’s current legislative delegation an “A” for their work in Raleigh.
♦ Houpe, whose wife is a principal in Iredell-Statesville Schools, said he supported school choice, state-funded vouchers and requiring traditional public schools and charters to follow the same rules and regulations.
♦ Howard praised the Sheriff’s Office (“I know the criminals are scared to come up from Mecklenburg”), but said EMS response times in the southern end of the county could be better. (“By the time an ambulance could get from Mooresville to my house, I’d be dead.”)
♦ Compton said he supports term limits.
Election Info
The primary election is March 5. Early voting starts on February 15. Republicans and unaffiliated voters who chose a GOP ballot can vote for up to three candidates for Iredell commissioner.
It is really a shame three of the candidates failed to show up.
I will not be voting for any of those three (Coleman, Neader, Brown).
We appreciate the Iredell Free News taking time to cover this forum. Members of the Iredell County GOP Executive Committee and all of the Republican Auxiliary Clubs of Iredell County worked together to host this event. We appreciate the candidates coming to share the vision for Iredell County’s future. Also thanks to the great crowd in attendance for being concerned about the future of the county.
The questions the candidates received were submitted by local citizens. We appreciate everyone’s help to make this such a success.
Mr. Compton is still railing about masks and vaccines and bathrooms? Thanks for self-identifying as someone who should NOT be in any position of leadership. Iredell County has real problems to solve. Let’s leave the re-hashing of irrelevant grievances to the members of the 101st Keyboard.
Odd that the other candidates didn’t show up. Just like the school board! I guess they didn’t want to look dumb and be unable to answer questions they didn’t have ahead of time 😂
I guess we have four candidates to pick from for three seats
Why would you consider a candidate who can not show up to tell the voters what their position and vision is for Iredell County?
Communication is so very important. We need a Trust Fund for Schools. Out of 323 Million dollar budget schools receive over 70 million from there local county Commission. Schools than receive from State and Federal and end up with 290 Million. Your Iredell County Commission and School Board have a total of over 600 Million to budget out. We need to cut the FAT out, and get correct things done!
Thank you for your VOTE!
William COMPTON.
Mr Compton
Do you have specific examples of where to cut spending?
Do you support horse racing and gambling at the new fairgrounds?
Thank you,
Han
If the high school is “projected to cost up to $200 Million”, why is the county commission funding $120 Million? They allowed residents to vote for the $80 Million bond but are withholding voter approval for the $40 Million. Some commissioner(s) say the taxpayers wouldn’t support it. Good reason to withhold approval from those having to pay for it. So the commission is now committed to paying for future schools instead of funding through debt? That’s a major change to what they’ve done in the past. How are they going to save that amount while also funding a new courthouse, sheriffs HQ and new Health Dept? Oh, and the $57 Million projected cost of the fairgrounds. I heard there might be a 5-year financial plan, anyone seen it? We definitely need it with all the future spending on the horizon. Funny how all these needs pop up when property tax revenue rose with the re-valuation. One last correction. Property taxes rose ONLY because the county increased their spending by $60 million. No increase and the rate would be .39 per $100.
If you are dumb enough to vote for Matthews, then you’ll have nothing but BS and drama.
Coleman was not there cause he took a baseball to the noggin. Not sure about Neader or Brown. I am sure they would have been there if at all possible. But then again maybe they didn’t want to have to explain why their taxes went down, when practically everyone else’s went up!