Public hearing scheduled on Watauga High School funding

By Scott Nicholson

nicholson@wataugademocrat.com

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners will hold a hearing for comment on a resolution that would allow the county to borrow $7 million to purchase property for a new high school.

The public hearing will be held Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. The resolution, according to a memo from finance director Doris Isaacs, would be part of the approval process required by the Local Government Commission, which oversees local government borrowing. Isaacs said approval would be sought for the “temporary financing to acquire, analyze, and prepare the land and pay for a portion of the architectural and construction cost management fees associated with the development and construction of a new high school.”

The draft resolution says the county wishes to repay the money through an installment contract, and that no tax increase would be necessary to pay back the money. The draft resolution reads, “The proposed contract is preferable to a bond issue for the same purpose because of the issuance cost and time would be greater than the installment purchase contract issuance cost and time. Anticipated interest rates are attractive for the proposed repayment term and would be competitive with general obligation bond rates.”

Isaacs said she would begin submitting requests for proposals to financial institutions and would make an application to the LGC by Oct. 10. The resolution also says the county has been budgeting reserves for the project, is not in default on any of its bond obligations, and that estimated debt service would not be greater than the amounts the county has already been reserving. The public hearing must be held before the commissioners vote on the resolution and, if adopted, sent to the LGC as part of the application.

The school board and commissioners announced in July a plan to build a new high school on 75 acres in Perkinsville. A number of parcels would have to be put together to make the necessary space, which could also house a community center or recreation center. Total cost for the land, grading and construction is estimated at $66 million.

Boone Area Chamber of Commerce president Dan Meyer presented a resolution of support for a new high school, saying the facility would contribute to the economic development and citizenship development of the region.

The resolution also expressed support for building relationships between the high school, university and community college.

The commissioners received estimates for construction of a courthouse parking lot, as well as demolition of the former county jail. County maintenance director Robert Marsh said about $400,000 had been budgeted for the project. “We’ve uncovered a lot of problems that need to be corrected,” Marsh said of the Queen Street property.

County manager Rocky Nelson said the county had met with the Town of Boone to trade the space for 33 parking spaces so it could be converted to a park. The town proposed giving 16 spaces to the county for courthouse parking if the county would reduce the size of the parking lot and expanding preserved green space. Nelson said the project would provide spaces required due to expanded offices in the new county administration building. The county would still end up with the planned 33 spaces under the proposal.

Architect Bill Dixon said preserving the green space would probably mean that land would never be developed. Dixon presented two proposals, acknowledging the one-half acre site was bordered by busy streets that would add to the cost because of public safety. Dixon said $389,000 was realistic for the cost. He said he expected each space to cost between $10,000 and $12,000, with construction to be done by spring. The commissioners approved a fee of $19,500 for Dixon’s architectural services in the demolition of the former jail.

Marty Wilson gave an update on the “Tot Lot” renovation, a project spearheaded by the Boone Service League. Wilson presented a proposed layout for the playground as supported by the community, and said several companies had visited the site in Boone. She said the current playground is a safety hazard, and asked the commissioners to join with the community in improving playgrounds. “We want safety and we want a playground,” she said, adding the county might face liability issues over the old equipment.

Wilson said the proposed playground would cost $200,000, with the equipment costing $142,000. She said the equipment would be suitable for up to age 12 and the group would continue to raise funds. Wilson asked the commissioners to consider a full partnership and increase its funding for local parks. “Band-aids aren’t getting us anywhere, and as a community we’re trying to do our part,” Wilson said.

Wilson said she had gotten some significant commitments from local businesses. Commission chairman Jim Deal said the county had made a commitment for the current year and might consider it in future years and asked for phases of the plan.

Russell Harper presented a biodiesel fuel project, and said a cooperative has a tank available and begin pumping fuel to members of the cooperative. Russell said eventually the group would like to add two tanks at the county solid waste transfer site. Commissioner Keith Honeycutt said a small lot might be available behind the former maintenance building.

County manager Rocky Nelson said about eight acres had been identified for alternative energy projects, and said a number of groups were seeking grants. Nelson said after construction of a new animal control facility, the former facility would be cleared and free up another acre, along with an additional parking area. A task force studying the issue is expected to make a recommendation on use of available land on the site.

Harper presented information on biomass, including wood chips and wood scraps that could be used for energy to drive the pump system and lower the price of biodiesel fuel. Nelson said an existing pile of wood scraps was ground and sold as mulch, and said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources would have to approve any activity at the former landfill.

During the public comment period, Deborah Greene said 1,700 people had signed a petition seeking a bond referendum for funding of a new high school. She also said resolutions such as that adopted by the chamber of commerce were “a dime a dozen” and that not everyone agreed on what direction to take for the high school but the commissioners should be held accountable and the issue put before a vote.