Rowan commissioners face key decisions Monday

By Jessie Burchette

news @salisburypost.com

County commissioners are set to tackle issues ranging from a contract for the baseball stadium to a central administrative office for the Rowan-Salisbury School System.

After several short sessions, the Rowan County Board of Commissioners faces several major issues at its Monday session.

One of the first items is a report from Planning Director Ed Muire on the proposed land-use plan for west Rowan.

Muire will provide a brief review of the plan and recommendations by the Planning Board.

Commissioners will decide when to schedule a public hearing and vote on the plan. That could come at the Oct. 20 meeting.

In other business on the agenda:

- County Manager Gary Page will update the board regarding the financial status of the county amidst national economic distress. Page told members of the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce Friday that he would recommend a 90-day hiring freeze on all jobs except sheriff's deputies and emergency medical technicians.

- Page, Chairman Arnold Chamberlain and Commissioner Jim Sides will report on discussions with the school system on a central office.

Commissioners will be asked to approve hiring an architect to do a feasibility study to evaluate school staff needs. Commissioners are considering buying the former Winn-Dixie building on Jake Alexander Boulevard and renovating it to combine all school administrative offices. The option favored by the school board includes building a two-story addition to provide additional space.

The feasibility study is projected to cost $15,000 to $30,000 and expected to be ready by November.

- Review a proposed policy that would require all agencies receiving money from the county to comply with the open meetings, public records and conflict of interest agencies.

- Consider a request from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College for $200,000 to add a 12-inch water line to the campus for the new classroom building. Initial plans for a 6-inch line do not provide adequate water flow or pressure.

-Commissioner Sides, Tina Hall and County Attorney Jay Dees will update the board on negotiations with Smith Family Baseball for leasing Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium.

The Rowan County Board of Commissioners meets at 4 p.m. Monday in the Cohen Administration Building, 130 W. Innes St.