THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 7, 1995 TAG: 9511070272
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
By a 5-1 margin, the Dare County Board of Commissioners on Monday approved a $990,000 general obligation bond issue to fund technology for Dare County Schools.
Commissioner Doug Langford was out of town and did not attend Monday's meeting.
Supporters say the bond issue will save the county money in the long term.
But Commissioner Shirley Hassell contended the bond issue will unfairly saddle future boards with the debt.
``If this passes, we will be obligating future boards through the year 2003,'' Hassell said during Monday's meeting. ``You're going to put this on the people. And you're still talking about a government complex, beach nourishment, and a new beach high school. How are you going to pay for all this?''
Board members who favored the bond issue said it would give Dare school children a needed boost.
``I go to Kitty Hawk School every day. And I go to the First Flight School about three times a week,'' said Commissioner Sammy Smith. ``These kids have got to have the tools they need to get a good education.''
In the School Board budget adopted over the summer, the commission approved $750,000 annually in each of the next four years for technology and capital improvements. Hassell said the school board should get that money and make its own decisions on spending it.
The bond issue approved Monday will allow county officials to pay off the already appropriated technology funds more quickly - and at a lower interest rate than if they bought the equipment through a lease-purchase plan.
``I think we should give them the $750,000 we budgeted and then leave them alone,'' Hassell said. ``Just don't cram it down our throat.''
Earlier this year, the commission passed a 3-cent increase in property taxes for all county residents. Hassell said that will mean more than $10 million for the school system if the tax base remains the same. She added that over $6.5 million will be spent on technology because of the bond issue.
``I'm afraid this is going to be a never-ending thing,'' Hassell said. ``I don't know how we're going to pay for these other things when they come up.''
Commissioner Geneva Perry, however, said all of the $750,000 appropriated was not solely for computers - but for roof repairs and other capital projects as well.
``To say that the school board is going to spend $10 million is misleading,'' Perry said.
In another education-related matter, the commission transferred the title for the property of the Dare campus of the College of the Albemarle from Dare County to the Elizabeth City-based two-year institution. That move will enable the College of the Albemarle to use $1.5 million for improvements to the facility that were approved in a 1993 bond referendum. The transfer passed by a 5-1 vote, with Hassell in opposition.
``I have a problem with an Elizabeth City Board taking our taxpayers' property. I'm opposed to the board giving our property away,'' she said.
In other business, board members approved the contract with Babe Ruth Baseball officials to host the 1996 World Series for boys 16 to 18. The commission and the league will sign the contract at a Nov. 15 ceremony in Manteo. The motion to approve the contract was unanimously adopted. Hassell abstained.
However, she did question Dare County Manager Terry Wheeler's discretionary spending practices. She offered a motion asking that the commission close Wheeler's discretionary account. It died for lack of a second.
In other action:
The board unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting the possession of concealed weapons on county property.
The board established a special revenue account for school technology funds. Finance officer David Clawson said the separation will allow easier tracking of expenditures in technology projects.
Passed resolutions needed for the extension of water service to Duck subdivisions.
The commission also heard an update from Dare County Social Services personnel on welfare reform proposals being discussed in Washington and in Raleigh. by CNB