This is for someone I talked to yesterday; but I think that it applies to most people reading this blog: even though the details of an amoral, horny, old has-been politician who - if more people in this county had a brain in their head - shouldn’t have been elected in the 21st century is more interesting than what I’ve been writing in this series - this is more important to you and your family.
So, eat your vegetables and read part one and part two.
On Monday, I’ll be somewhere else; but the Growth Summit among all of the elected officials in Cabarrus County has gotten very little coverage in the press. Maybe it’s because their options are limited. For Part 3, here’s what your local officials can do to address growth in Cabarrus County.
- Moratorium on new development - While this is the simplest solution, it’s also the least effective. Moratoria can only be in effect for a limited amount of time as to not encroach on land owner’s basic property rights.
- Adopt the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Countywide - It won’t limit growth tremendously ; but it will limit the long term costs associated with growth and it will give an easier mechanism to define the characters and parameters of new growth.
- General Obligation (GO) Bonds - In 2004, I proudly served on a campaign to finance $98 million in school construction. It only filled in the gaps left by the former leadership of the Board of Commissioners under Robert Freeman, Arne Fennel, Richard Suggs, and Coy Privette (AKA Cabarrus Taxpayers’ Association [CTA]-backed leadership) who were more concerned with the people who built houses than those of us who live in them. GO bonds have to be approved by voters and it’s considered an agreement for higher property tax rates.
- Certificates of Participation (COPS) - These are basically loans against the school property - much like a mortgage. They are more expensive than GO bonds; but don’t require voter approval. When the board was under CTA control - this was the instrument of choice as the effects were delayed. We’re paying for these now - it’s what I call the Cabarrus Youth Tax.
- Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) - This is the byzantine system that the current Board of Commissioners has set up. Basically, residential developers enter into Consent Agreements with the County to offset the expense of building schools and infrastructure usually by offering land and/or some per-lot money (about $8K per lot, currently). Keep in mind, if the County were to reject a requested Consent Agreement - the developer could sue the County and the entire APFO could come into question. Something to think about when Coy Privette votes “No” on these things all of the time; but takes copious amounts of money from developers into his PAC (Cabarrus Taxpayers’ Association): if two other commissioners followed his lead - the County could lose its most effective tool at controlling growth.
- Land Transfer Tax - Yes, the infamous “home tax” option passed by the General Assembly this year. Before your blood pressure goes up consider the final alternative.
- Higher Property Taxes - Long ago, a certain fella with a website who was poor at arithmetic suggested this to fund school development. Let’s do the math. The school construction needs are $460 million over the next 5 years or so. That’s about $100 million per year - the County brings in about $170 million per year from the taxpayers. Yeah, that’s doubling your taxes. Option 6 isn’t looking so evil now is it?
The job for our elected officials is simple; but not easy. Determine the true needs and cost, make a plan, and follow it - now.
Construction never gets cheaper. While you’d have to look far and wide to find a bigger supporter of our current Board of Commissioner leadership - I’m getting tired of the discussion and navel-gazing.
Build now!
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3 responses so far ↓
1 LiberalNC // Sep 6, 2007 at 1:27 pm
I agree that there are bigger problems than that sad old men on the County Commission, the whole growth issue sure is one of the biggest.
However, as you correctly stated He (and his past “cohorts”) are responsible for some of the growth problems we face these days. Yet another reason to Get Coy off before he does even more damage.
I plan on following the “growth summit” next week.
2 LiberalNC // Sep 6, 2007 at 1:29 pm
I just realized that “getting Coy off” sounds weird in the current circumstances
I meant getting him off the County Commission of course.
3 Justin Thibault // Sep 6, 2007 at 4:34 pm
LiberalNC - Well, I think some prevailing economic factors in the Southeast and in the Charlotte area. Governments don’t create growth - that is a product of market. It’s how the growth is managed that makes a big difference. The previous majority on the BOC merely pushed the problem off in the more-expensive future.
I’m calling on the current majority to face the facts and position us better for the continued growth.
As for this being a reason for Coy to resign - I disagree with you. I don’t think that his policies should be a motivation for him to resign. It’s important - as frustrating as it may be - to have many voices within government dialog. Otherwise, every partisan difference would devolve into calls for resignations and parliamentary moves to oust minority voices.
The reason for Coy to resign is not partisan; but a matter of honor. That’s why you see the most vocal calls for his resignation coming from within his own party. A republic cannot function without its officials meeting certain standards of behavior; and Coy has failed to meet those standards.
My sole reason for joining with my fellow Board members in demanding his resignation is that his behavior is inconsistent with the fundamental values of this community and the Party.