Commissioners to consider noise permit for rodeos

Published 12:00 am Sunday, April 17, 2016

In what’s scheduled to be a relatively light meeting, Rowan County Commissioners on Monday are scheduled to consider a issuing a noise permit for two rodeos.

Commissioners will meet Monday at 6 p.m. in the Rowan County Administration Building — 130 West Innes Street. The rodeos, which scheduled for May 7 and July 3 at 1025 Barringer Road and open to the public, could exceed the county’s amplified noise ordinance. As a result, commissioners are scheduled to consider approving a permit to exceed the noise ordinance.

The rodeos would be 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on May 7 and July 3. In a staff report about the event, county staff say the number of anticipated employees with be 200 to 300. It will include pony rides, refreshments, live music and inflatable games.

The staff report states the Rowan County Sheriff’s Department has previously received complaints about loud music coming from the property where the rodeo is scheduled to occur.

If commissioners decide to approve a permit for the rodeos, they’ll have to specify a duration for amplified noise to exceed the county’s ordinance.

In other business:

• Commissioners will approve a resolution that states the county will incur $34 million in debt to pay for capital improvement projects in the Rowan-Salisbury School System, including a new elementary school.

The $34 million is part of a mediation agreement approved to by commissioners and school board members in 2014. As part of the agreement, commissioners agreed to provide funding for a new school that will consolidate Cleveland and Woodleaf elementary schools.

In a memo to county commissioners, Finance Director and Assistant County Manager Leslie Heidrick says the county will soon begin incurring expenditures for capital improvements.

The resolution appears on commissioners’ consent agenda, used for items with unanimous agreement.

• Commissioners will approve a resolution supporting funding improvements to Royal Giants Park in East Spencer.

The resolution asks commissioners to provide $47,000 to help support revitalizing the park. It appears on the consent agenda.

• Commissioners will consider scheduling a public hearing for May 2 to gather input on a loan to build a new hangar at the Rowan County Airport.

The new airport hangar is estimated to cost about $2 million, which commissioners will pay for with a loan. The hangar will be tied for the largest at the Rowan County Airport at about 15,000 square feet.

The public hearing will occur during commissioners’ regularly scheduled 3 p.m. meeting on May 2.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.