FROM STAFF REPORTS

Iredell County commissioners on Monday continued to delay moving forward on two major capital improvement projects.

While the board has set aside $22.4 million to pay for construction of a new Health Department and another $16 million for the first phase of a new fairgrounds complex, commissioners are hesitant to move forward on those projects until they have seen the bids for the new Weathers Creek High School.

Voters approved an $80 million bond referendum for the new high school in March of 2020, and commissioners have agreed to borrow an additional $40 million for the project, which is needed to relieve overcrowding at South Iredell and Lake Norman high schools.

Iredell-Statesville Schools officials did not finalize the bid package for Weathers Creek High School until Monday, and contractors have until April 30 to submit their bids.

I-SS officials are scheduled to present their recommendation to commissioners on May 14.

Recent estimates put the cost of the project at between $180 million and $200 million, but commissioners remain hopeful that the bids will come in lower.

That hope is tempered by their frustration with the school district’s lack of significant progress on the project. Construction of a Mooresville Graded School District middle school that was funded by the same bond referendum was completed last year, and the school opened last fall.

“What’s the hold up?” Commissioner Gene Houpe asked during Monday’s winter retreat meeting.

“What’s the hold up since 2020?” Commissioner Bert Connolly added.

Commissioners have not committed to spending more than $120 million for the school. It is unclear if they would use funds earmarked for the new Health Department for the school if the bids come in higher than $120 million.

Some $10 million of the $16 million earmarked for the new fairgrounds complex was awarded by the state for that purpose only and cannot be reappropriated for other projects. The state money, which represents a fraction of the estimated $60 million for the multi-phase fairgrounds project, must be spent by 2028, county officials said.

County Manager Beth Mull appeared to advocate for moving forward with the new Health Department with the funds set aside for that project. That facility will be next to the Department of Social Services. DSS needs additional space and will also work in the new building.

The county has saved $18.35 million for the new Health Department and has an additional $7.7 million in Med Max funds that can be used.

“The fear is the longer we wait — the more expensive it’s going to be,” Mull said.

The county currently has $99,012,203 in undesignated funds in its fund balance.

Jennings Park Update

Project Manager David Saleeby advised the board that work on the new Jennings Park is well under way, despite some delays caused by recent wet weather.

The $27.35 million park, which features four soccer fields, four baseball fields, pickleball courts, and other amenities, is scheduled for completion in February of 2025.

Grading and infrastructure work is nearing completion, Saleeby said. Drone photos show distinct areas for the playing fields and parking areas.

“We are well within our budget — that’s the main thing,” Saleeby said.

During Monday’s meeting, commissioners discussed adding blue light emergency boxes — like those seen on many college campuses — that would allow individuals to call 9-1-1 by pressing a button.

Saleeby estimated the cost at $10,000 to $15,000 for each location, plus the cost of running underground power to each one. There would also be a monthly cost for each box.

Saleeby asked commissioners to decide if they want to add those boxes within the next three weeks before work begins on the turf fields.