FROM STAFF REPORTS
Iredell County commissioners on Tuesday approved a $912,352 economic development incentive for a German engineering company.
Dehn Inc., which selected Mooresville for its new U.S. headquarters over more than 65 other sites, plans to invest $38.5 million in its new facility by the end of 2030 and create between 120 and 238 new jobs with an average salary of $84,000.
Craig Goodson, director of economic development for the Iredell County Economic Development Corp., requested the incentive.
The incentive will be paid over seven years in the form of a partial property tax refund once Dehn has fulfilled the requirements of its economic development incentive agreement with the county.
The Mooresville Town Board of Commissioners approved a similar incentive on Monday evening.
Commissioners approve agreement to borrow $40 million for new I-SS school
The board voted unanimously to enter into a trust agreement to borrow $40 million to help pay for construction of the new Weathers Creek High School in Troutman.
Voters approved an $80 million bond referendum for the new school in March of 2020, but cost estimates have skyrocketed since then.
In the commissioner comments part of the meeting, Vice Chairman Bert Connolly expressed his dissatisfaction with the way the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education has handled the project.
The Mooresville Graded School District received funding for a new middle school as a result of the same referendum. MGSD’s Selma Burke Middle School opened in August.
Meanwhile, I-SS has not broken ground on its new high school and waited nearly four years to put the project out for bid. Those delays, Connolly said, will end up costing Iredell County taxpayers millions of dollars.
The new school is estimated to cost up to $200 million, which Connolly said would make it the most expensive county government-funded capital project in history.
“That’s the biggest fubar that’s ever struck this county,” the vice chairman said. “Some of the previous school board and some of the present school board — that’s on them.”
Board approves rezoning request
Commissioners unanimously approved a request by Bart Abernathy to rezone six parcels of land off Mt. Ulla Highway to M-1 (light industrial). The 33.25-acre site is used as an active source reduction facility.
The rezoning was recommended by staff and the planning board.
Board tables request to increase summer camp fees
Rather than increase summer camp fees, commissioners directed staff to find an alternative funding source for the increased revenue. Staff will investigate whether there is sufficient funding available from lapsed salaries, other unspent department funds and the fund balance and report back to the board.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business:
♦ Commissioners appointed Eddie Richardson Jr. and Todd Goodin to the Harmony VFD Relief Fund Board of Trustees.
♦ The board approved a request to publish a list of unpaid taxes on March 20 and March 21.
♦ The board accepted a $3,500 grant from Walmart for recreation programming.
♦ Commissioners approved requests for the Parks & Recreation Department to apply for grants from Duke Health ($15,000), Lowe’s ($25,000) and AARP ($40,000).
♦ The board appointed Nakayla Griffin to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council and Priscilla Holmes to the Recreation Advisory Board.
NEXT MEETING
The board will hold its annual winter retreat on February 14.