BY DONNA SWICEGOOD

A motion to write a policy to dedicate funds from the sale of some city-owned properties for affordable housing assistance was approved Monday by a divided Statesville City Council.

Mayor Costi Kutteh broke the 4-4 tie, voting in favor of the proposal.

Councilwomen Kim Wasson and Lisa Pearson proposed the idea of placing the monies from the sale of city-owned properties into a special fund to help residents with down payments or repairs for those who qualify.

The discussion Monday night was to write a policy for the proposal and address the issue as needed when property is sold.

Council members Doris Allison and David Jones joined Pearson and Wasson in supporting the motion to write a policy. Council members C.O. Johnson, Steve Johnson, Amy Lawton and Joe Hudson voted against the proposal.

Hudson said he believes the idea is a good one, but he added that city property belongs to all taxpayers and the sale of those properties should not be used for a select few citizens. Hudson said he’s not sure government should be involved in this issue.

“We don’t have enough money to pay our bills,” C.O. Johnson said.

The funds will go into the general fund, and he worried that money will eventually run out and the city will have to continue to fund the proposal.

Steve Johnson said the city has a limited number of assets. There are a number of federal and state programs that assist with housing, he said. Using taxpayer money to fIx up housing is a poor return on investment for taxpayers, he added.

Wasson said she understands the budget concerns, but argued that the city already gave $190,000 to the United Way of Iredell to fund its housing assistance program.

“We’re not asking for a whole lot of money,” she said. “Please don’t make it bigger than what it is.”

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business:

♦ Council approved a plan to add parking to the Statesville Civic Center.

Recreation and Parks Director Richard Griggs said the Civic Center frequently hosts events drawing 300 to 400 people and the number one complaint from attendees is the lack of parking.

“We only have a little bit, just a little bit north of 100 spaces,” he said.

City Engineer Matt Hubert said the city staff could begin the process of looking at plans for adding parking at the Civic Center. Cost estimates range upwards of $1.4 million for 150 spaces.

Council authorized the staff to begin the planning process to address adding parking spaces.

♦ City Manager Ron Smith provided an update on the sinkhole that has closed the intersection of Tradd and Front streets to thru-traffic.

“It’s going to be a while,” he said. “It’s a traffic nightmare, and we’re trying to do the best we can with that.”

It has been about three weeks since the intersection closed to repair the sinkhole.

Smith said he would present a timetable and cost estimate as soon as it is available.

“It’s just a substantial project,” he said.