GRAHAM -- The Alamance County Board of Commissioners is expecting a crowd tonight at the Alamance Historic Courthouse when they hear about two proposed education bonds adding up to nearly $190 million.
The presentations at the 7 p.m. Monday, March 19, meeting could start the process of getting the bonds on the Nov. 8 ballot, but there are a few more steps before the decision is in voters' hands, County Manager Bryan Hagood said.
Hagood told the commissioners that a "yes" vote Monday would give him and his financial director the nod to take the county's financial information to the N.C. Local Government Commission, which will judge whether the county is in strong enough financial condition to take on that much debt.
Alamance Community College President Algie Gatewood will start the proceedings. According to the resolution he is bringing before the commissioners, the college needs $39.6 million to expand its campus.
Points in ACC's pitch:
- ACC makes a $200 million annual impact on the county's economy for a return of $4.40 for every $1;
- 67 percent of jobs will require education beyond high school by 2020; and
- 48 percent of 18- to 64-year-old North Carolinians have that education.
ACC's plans:
- $10.4 million for a Public Safety Training Center;
- $9.1 million for a Natural & Life Sciences/Biotechnology Center of Excellence;
- $8.46 million for a parking deck; and
- $6.2 million for a new Student Services Learning and Development Center;
- $3.5 million to upgrade classrooms and expand technology on campus; and
- $2 million for expanded child-care facility and satellite locations.
ABSS
Alamance-Burlington School System Superintended Bill Harrison will break down some of the plans for the $150 million the school board is asking for, such as:
- $67 million for a seventh high school;
- $20.6 million for expansions and upgrades at Southern High School;
- $12.4 million at Western High School;
- $11.7 million at Eastern Alamance High School;
- $10.8 million at Cummings High School;
- $8.5 million at South Mebane Elementary School; and
- $7.6 million at Graham High School;
- $6.5 million at Pleasant Grove Elementary School; and
- $4.5 million at Williams High School.
Next steps
- March 26: A special meeting to discuss and announce the potential property tax impact of the bonds;
- April 16: A public hearing on bonds, and commissioners' vote on whether to approve the bond referendums.
Maintenance/capital plan
After the bond presentations, the commissioners will hear yet another presentation on all the buildings and maintenance the county is responsible for -- the school system, college, courthouses and county buildings.
Items that will come up:
- $5 million in deferred building maintenance and the $250,000 annual maintenance budget to take care of it;
- $15 million estimated cost of implementing a master plan for all county facilities -- once it is written; and
- Consideration of an additional quarter-cent sales tax the county could levy to cover some of these costs.
Landfill life
At this rate, 106 years, is how long it will take to fill up the Austin Quarter landfill. The commissioners will hear a presentation on that piece of good news.
Jordan Lake
The back and forth between the county and the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality leads to a recommendation for minor changes in the county's Watershed Development Ordinance.
