Watauga revenue could outpace estimate
By Scott Nicholson
nicholson@wataugademocrat.com

The county got good financial news during Tuesday’s regular meeting of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners.

Sales tax and property tax revenues could be higher than anticipated in the current fiscal year, based on projections from the county finance office. The county could get $180,000 more than estimated in sales tax revenue, and up to $1 million more in property tax collections.

The numbers were projected based on the fiscal year tax collections through the end of January.

County manager Rocky Nelson said the revenue growth was due to the “extremely healthy economy in the county,”and property tax collections were up because of increased collection efforts, fewer appealed tax valuations and higher-than-projected development.

The commissioners discussed using the extra funds for renovations and new equipment for two playgrounds, as well as grading and land preparation for the Brookshire soccer complex.

The board also discussed uncertainties of state budget maneuvers that could affect local budgets. Commission chairman Jim Deal said the playgrounds had been neglected and he was concerned about the safety of the equipment. He said with spring coming, the parks would see more use. Up to five different companies are expected to make proposals on the replacements, which will likely cost over $200,000 for both playgrounds.

The commissioners also discussed a proposal to buy another 2.6 acres of property near the high school site to allow room for tennis courts as well as additional parking for a proposed recreation center to meet the Town of Boone’s ordinance requirements.

The property is located on Delmar Street and is owned by the Ray Dell Greene family.

The land will cost a little over $200,000 and will expand the total site size to nearly 94 acres.

The land purchase is contingent upon title review and document research by the county attorney.

A contract for architect design for rough grading for a proposed recreation center will cost $23,000.

Planning director Joe Furman presented information on the planned widening of King Street.

The right-of-way acquisition is scheduled to begin in 2008, with construction in 2010.

The commissioners discussed sending a letter to the North Carolina Department of Transportation asking the first phase of the project be completed by the time the new high school is open in August 2010.

School and county leaders told officials at last week’s public information session on the widening that much of the school’s traffic would be coming through the western end of the county and over the route scheduled for improvements.

Written comments are accepted by the state through April 13, and the commissioners will ask the state to tackle the project early and to work on the eastern portion of the project, near New Market Center, first.
“Anybody who drives on (US) 421 is impacted by how narrow the lanes are,” Deal said, adding accidents and congestion also affected the entire community.

The commissioners will ask the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, Town of Boone and Appalachian State University to urge the state to quickly tackle the project.

The commissioners approved a number of road names as proposed by road residents and subdivision developers.

“These roads were named without any disputes during the process, and there are none that I’m aware of,” Furman said.

Furman also presented information on the preparation of county land on Brookshire Road. The construction costs for Phase I of the project will cost an estimated $800,000.

County staff recommended a contract be drawn up with the High Country Soccer Association to determine control of scheduling at the planned soccer complex, which will contain at least two full-length fields with artificial turf coverings.

Phase II of the project will cost about $1 million and include concrete bleachers and lighting, though the fields could be usable in the interim. The county has a working partnership with the soccer association in which the association would raise money for the field turf, with the county supplying land preparation.

An engineer on the project recommended an existing house on the property be removed and the county has been approached bya private party about relocating it.

The commissioners declared the house as surplus property that will be sold through an upset-bid process.
Jasmine Shoshanna, representing the Zero Waste Task Force, asked the county to expand its scope to look at a broader range of environmental issues. She talked about energy efficiency, clean air, clean water and healthy soil. Shoshanna cited other local government plans to improve the environment and reduce waste.

“My request is to please do more about taking care of nature,” she said, urging strong action to protect resources and rural character.

Commission chairman Jim Deal said waste-reduction efforts should be coordinated between Boone, Blowing Rock, Appalachian State University and the county.

“It doesn’t have anything to do with political parties,” Deal said. “It’s about people caring about the place where they live.”

He also mentioned plans for “green” building techniques for the new high school, including the exploration of greenhouses or hydroponics, as well as water recapturing and window design that takes advantage of natural light.

The commissioners are also planning battery-collection bins for each site, as well as a proposed recycling officer who would review the county’s recycling operations and seek to make them more efficient.

The board tentatively scheduled May 14 as the date for a joint meeting with Boone officials. The commissioners have budget work sessions scheduled for May 9 and May 10.