FROM STAFF REPORTS
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday will consider a request from the Finance Department to begin the process of borrowing up to $40 million to help pay for construction of Weathers Creek High School.
Voters approved a bond referendum in March of 2020 to provide $80 million for the Iredell-Statesville Schools project, along with additional funds for a new Mooresville Graded School District middle school and a new public safety center for Mitchell Community College.
The new MGSD middle school opened in August. Meanwhile, I-SS has not put its new high school out for bid. The estimated cost of the construction has increased dramatically since the referendum. The I-SS Board of Education asked for up to $200 million for the project in April, but commissioners have committed to spending only $120 million at this point.
During Tuesday’s meeting, county commissioners are scheduled to vote on a resolution authorizing the sale of Limited Obligation Bonds to finance $40 million. These bonds do not require voter approval.
If commissioners approve the resolution, a public hearing on the matter would be scheduled for February 6.
According to I-SS, the school is expected to open in August of 2025 with 1,600 students. It will be built at 246 Overcash Road in Troutman. It is needed to alleviate overcrowding at Lake Norman and South Iredell high schools.
Some commissioners have been critical of I-SS for the lack of progress on the new school in the nearly four years since voters approved the bond referendum. Those delays, commissioners said, will cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars in principal and interest charges.
Commissioners have said they do not believe voters would approve second referendum for the project.
The board will meet Tuesday in the Iredell County Government Center in Statesville. The pre-agenda meeting begins at 4 p.m. followed by the regular meeting at 6 p.m.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business:
♦ Commissioners will consider a request from the Town of Love Valley for a cash advance of $215,000 to purchase 14.7 acres for a new sewer system. The town will reimburse the county from the $2.5 million allocation from the State of North Carolina.
♦ The board will consider a request from Animal Services to accept a $15,000 grant from PetSmart to build an offsite adoption program. The grant would cover the cost of contracted services for one person three times a month. This person would set up and organize adoption events outside the shelter. The grant would also cover the cost of a new tent, table, transportation kennels and a new vehicle wrap for the van. This grant does not have a match requirement.
Meeting Agenda
Review the entire meeting agenda HERE.
What is all the new property taxes being used for? My taxes doubled with the reassessment. I pay school taxes because I live in Mooresville. Maybe county residents that do not live in MGSD should pay school taxes to the ISS district to help fund new schools.
Everyone has had large tax increases — 60% for me. Why don’t developers pay? I guess the homes they are building are not on the tax roll yet? Also what about a new park approved for $26 million that most of us will never use (Jennings Park). $26 million would go a long way for the new high school.
When property values were revalued without a corresponding adjustment to the mill rate, the Commissioners stated that the extra $92 million raised would prevent us from having to borrow money for a new school… Why then are we bonding for a new school? What has become of this grand plan to not have to borrow money? Where has the extra $92 million been allocated?
“Commissioners have said they do not believe voters would approve second referendum for the project”. So the taxpayers don’t matter? Why would they vote to spend an additional $40 million if voters would have rejected it? I always thought the commissioners represented the voters. Guess not….