“I know you (the school board) want it settled; our people want it settled.” The amount is too great for the county to bear during the rough economic times, said the commissioner. Fussell then made mention of two ways the county could get the award — either send out a supplemental tax to residents, or dig in the county’ general fund balance.
While it is possible to dig, noted Fussell, if the county were to dip below the state required allotment of eight percent of the county’s budget, the state would take over the county. Fussell referred to this dilemma as a “sword hanging over” commissioners head.
“(I) would love to respectfully propose that we put this lawsuit behind us,” said the commissioner to the school board. “Would you accept this?”
Speaking for the school board, both vice chairman Reginald Kenan, and chairwoman Emily Manning responded. “I am sure we need to go back and discuss this as a board,” commented Kenan. Manning added that was also her opinion — that the proposal be discussed by the school board at a later time.
“A million,” said Manning, “wouldn’t do much for construction.” Schools are in need of repair and maintenance. The needs total around $22 million, said school board member, Chuck Farrior.
Money is not only needed for repairs commented Kenan, but to pay teachers, and put more technology in classrooms. Cutting the jury award from $4.7 million to $1 million would not just hurt the buildings but would hurt other current expense needs schools have.
School board member Hubert Bowden said, “The issue is how serious are we about education? If we are real serious, then we would increase taxes ... So we need to ask ourselves and our people in our districts. Perhaps increase taxes.”
Voicing her concern with the supplemental tax, commissioner Zettie Williams reminded the boards of the tough economic times, adding a tax would make it hard for citizens to adjust. Furthering her sentiment for the people, Board of Commissioners chairman Cary Turner added that of the 52,000 residents in Duplin, only 13,000 pay county taxes. An increase in taxes would only hurt the same group, he said.
“It wouldn’t be fair.”
Farrior proposed a possible solution. “To boil it down. I think the best way I see to coming out of this hole is we need to get every penny out of that stimulus package.” After that, Farrior said, he would prefer to address projects that could be paid for in cash, not debt.
Commissioners briefly reviewed the debt of the county, pulling from memory loans that were made in the early 1990s. Loans typically last 20 years, commissioners said, implying that it would be a few more years until Duplin could take out another loan. According to documents provided by the county, as of Dec. 31, 2008, the county had a debt burden of $69, 212,798.
Realizing the boards were getting off topic, school board member Willie Gillespie commented that it was his understanding that the meeting was for commissioners to better grasp the needs in education. “You (commissioners) are to figure out a way to fund those needs. I would just echo what Mr. Bowden said. In that, it depends on how important education is to you. Education should be the top priority regardless of the economic situation. Education has to be named the top priority, or our situation gets worse ... I think that is what we need to focus on.”
The school board met last night to discuss facility needs and the $1 million proposal. For more information look in future editions of The Sampson Independent.
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