Commissioners Begin Marathon Session Today
By David Nivens, High Point Enterprise, N.C.
Jan. 18–GUILFORD COUNTY — Commissioners will start a marathon session at 3 p.m. today in Greensboro to hear reports from several committees and to hold a public hearing on a proposed state youth development center at Sandy Camp Road.
An architect working with a jail study committee has proposed a $104.8 million, five-story jail annex for downtown Greensboro. The committee of commissioners, courts and law enforcement offi cials will meet at 3 p.m. to consider funding options.
Traditionally, county officials ask voters in a bond referendum to finance construction with general obligation bonds to be repaid with tax collections.
Alternatives include certificates ofparticipation (COPs), which are more like a mortgage contract, and a sales tax hike.
If the jail plan is approved by the 11 member board of commissioners, construction could start in 2008 so the annex could open in 2011.
Other issues the board will consider today include: — Grants: A committee working on a revised grants policy will meet at 4 p.m. to fi nish proposal details. Commissioners give nearly $ 3 million a year in grants to community groups, ranging from museums to the High Point Pop Warner League. Commissioners have never approved a policy and county leaders have complained that the policies they use are confusing. Many grants are funded through county departments.
?YDC: Sandy Camp Road residents want commissioners to kill a special use permit request for a proposed 32-bed state youth development center for juvenile offenders on the grounds of a former minimum security prison. Residents have filed petitions and contacted public offi cials to stop a project they think they will make their neighborhood more dangerous. The board will discuss this issue at its 6:30 p.m. meeting in the Old Courthouse.
?Projects: Also at the 6:30 p.m. meeting, the board will consider $12.9 million in bond fi nancing for several projects, including $5.4 million for a new Department of Social Services building in High Point. County officials have three sites under consideration for a new building, including county-owned land at Evergreens Senior Healthcare Systems at Greensboro Road. — Schools: The Guilford County Board of Education has asked commissioners to approve an $ 8 million financing plan to pay for design costs and site preparation at the demolished Eastern Guilford High School near Mc Leansville. Most of the proceeds will come from fire insurance settlements. School officials are considering a temporary “pod” village at the site
dnivens@hpe.com|888-3626
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Copyright (c) 2007, High Point Enterprise, N.C.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.
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