Lee Senior High Renovations Stripped From Resolution

At the eleventh hour, the commissioner's stripped references to capital projects for the renovation of Lee Senior High Renovations from a resolution expressing the "intent" of the commission for the use of the 1/4 cent sales tax revenue should voters approve it in the May referendum. The renovations had been included in a draft of the resolution to the commissioners furnished before the meeting.

The action was taken in a Finance Committee Meeting at the initiation of its chairman, Commissioner Robert Rieves. His rational was that the Commissioners should not be committing to any one specific project since they had not, in fact, reached agreement on a specific solution for Lee Senior High needs. When the change was question by Commissioner John Quiggle, a former school board member, in the full commissioner's meeting, he got a similar curt answer from Rieves.

Most of the impetus at public comment sessions for the sales tax increase has come from individuals and groups concerned specifically about the Lee Senior renovations. The lack of specifics is certain to be a let down to them.

The change, however, is not likely to take a lot of steam out of support for the sales tax referendum by the advocates for Lee Senior renovations. The commissioners have made it clear without the additional referendum there is little or no chance for any significant renovations. It just appears that the commissioners are far from convinced that there is a solution that they are ready to approve.

The resolution also took out references to a new general classroom building at Central Carolina Community College.

The resolution still appears to make it clear that the proceeds will go to capital projects--not tax reduction. Under board of commission policy, the schools would still have to obtain voter approval of bond referendums before finalization of any capital projects, a fact that Commission Chair Bob Brown made clear to those present at the commissioner's meeting. The board's policy was adopted at its first meeting in December, 2006 and applies to public school financing projects. It does not, however, apply to CCCC or capital projects for purposes other than the public schools.