BY KARISSA MILLER

The Iredell Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution Tuesday night authorizing the sale and issuance of school bonds series 2021 to help fund construction of a new middle school for the Mooresville Graded School District.

The resolution provides for the sale and issuance of general obligation school bonds not to exceed $35 million.

The $35 million represents MGSD’s share of the $126 million school bond referendum approved by voters in March 2020. The referendum also included $80.5 million for Iredell-Statesville Schools and $10.5 million for Mitchell Community College.

County Manager Beth Mull explained that the county cannot sell the school bonds until the school system has bids in hands and is ready to move forward with the project.

OTHER BUSINESS

Also, during the meeting, the board:

♦ Approved a request from the Sherriff’s Office to use $41,000 in Federal Equity Sharing Funds (FES) and $15,000 in Commissary Funds to purchase handheld thermal imaging units and to purchase mobile unit classroom supplies.

♦ Approved a request from the Sheriff’s Office for approval of Budget Amendment of $15,261 to accept the 2021 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for purchasing a deployable camera system. According to Sheriff Darren Campbell, the type of system allows law enforcement to place cameras where crime continues to happen or is likely to occur. This allows law enforcement to be proactive rather than reactive, he added.

♦ Approved a request from Troutman Fire Department for approval to withdraw $187,000 from their fund balance and the county funding $151,806 to pay for renovations at Station 3, pay off remaining portion of new tanker, and add full-time staffing at Station 3.

♦ Approved a request from Cool Springs Volunteer Fire Department to allocate $15,956.25 as received from the N.C. Department of Transportation for paving of the apron in front of fire station.

♦ Approved a request from the Iredell County Library to participate in a Digital Literacy Initiative with the State Library of North Carolina. The library will receive approximately $52,000 in funding to hire a part-time temporary Digital Navigator, purchase needed supplies and implement the program. It will run through June 30, 2022.

♦ Approved a request from Tax Administration for approval of a resolution permitting electronic listing of business personal property. The listing application will be available on the county website for the 2022 listing period. Listings must be received during the listing period January 1 through January 31, unless an extension request has been approved that extends the period to April 15.

Next Meeting

The next board meeting is schedule for November 16 at the Iredell County Government Center, 200 S. Center Street, Statesville.