Commissioners to look at new school central office proposal

By Karissa Minn

kminn@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — County commissioners will look at a new proposal Tuesday for a Rowan-Salisbury Schools central office.

The Rowan County Board of Commissioners will consider the school system’s request at 3 p.m. Tuesday on the second floor of the J. Newton Cohen Sr. Rowan County Administration Building.

The city of Salisbury agreed Dec. 20 to give the school system a $200,000 parcel in the 300 block of Main Street. Under the proposal, a 62,000-square-foot, three-story building would be constructed there for a consolidated school office.

Gene Miller, superintendent of operations at Rowan-Salisbury Schools, has said it would require millions of dollars to restore and stabilize the five current administration buildings.

According to a fact sheet provided to commissioners, the school system says the Long Street location is “structurally unsound” and the Ellis Street location is in need of repairs and renovations.

The school system wants to enter a lease-purchase agreement with private developer Bryan Barwick of Barwick & Associates in Charlotte. The developer would construct the building and then lease it to the system, and school officials have said no up-front payments would be required.

The project carries a total price tag of nearly $8.9 million, but the land donation and an anticipated $1.5 million in New Market Tax Credits brings the cost down to $7.15 million.

Miller told Salisbury City Council last week that the city and county both will receive about $135,000 in property tax revenue for several years while the developer owns the property.

The project also could be financed through the county, resulting in a lower interest rate but likely requiring payment up front. In that case, the county would have to bid out the project, said County Manager Gary Page on Thursday.

Also Tuesday, commissioners plan to:

• Hold a public hearing for the fiscal year 2013 Community Transportation Program, which is the principal source of funding for Rowan Transit System operations.

The county would request a $181,397 administration grant requiring a 15 percent county match, and an $87,048 capital equipment grant requiring a 10 percent county match.

• Hold a public hearing for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application.

In a memo to commissioners, RowanWorks Executive Director Robert Van Geons said if the county chooses to pursue CDBG funds for economic development, a second public hearing will be held to identify the grant for a specific project.

• Discuss replacement of the tax administrator’s position in July 2012, when the appointment term ends, according to Page.

Jerry Rowland, who currently holds the job, has said he plans to retire soon but hasn’t yet given the county a date.

• Hear a presentation of the draft East Rowan Land Use Study, which was created by the county planning board and staff to mirror the existing land use plan for western Rowan County.

• Consider approving the initiation of a $250,000 to $350,000 renovation plan for the Rowan County Smile Center Facility and application for grant funds to support it.

In a memo to Page, County Health Director Leonard Wood said up to $100,000 may be available from local philanthropic organizations. The health department is asking to use up to $100,000 in Medicaid Escrow funds for the project.

• Accept Community Services Block Grant documentation for an anti-poverty plan.

• Approve a revised crime insurance policy for Rowan County officials.

• Consider several board appointments.

Contact reporter Karissa Minn at 704-797-4222.

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