[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6291901,"mediaKeyId","2528695-53f967444fb0ff5a2acd42632d43f906","parentId",2528695,"title","Planning staff proposes a recreation-focused zoning district to highlight county parks and recreation assets","audioSeconds",796,"startMs",11323000,"endMs",12119000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2528695-53f967444fb0ff5a2acd42632d43f906&start=11323&end=12119","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2528695-53f967444fb0ff5a2acd42632d43f906/thumbnail_11323000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6291901/Davidson-County/North-Carolina/Planning-staff-proposes-a-recreation-focused-zoning-district-to-highlight-county-parks-and-recreation-assets","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291901-9a5e3737b4254763ff1d56d8bd67f73a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138332&Signature=FK2Q4-d-nQT4AQ91Z20DcIimEqYOQfZ7z3b69fDo05nUL8Q0SIgpho4N50WpT00BKABL9z~dRgfynQ9LccTzHi5fLWM97C9BQ9JKuYkPhsNQDSKvtUeGOkmuxpqCfc2FxEcKQI5I4zgF0pf5Ox77WR-qm1b6mE5tq~ORGVyt9qKgwc6gr~NisK2MOWvKWl3alsNbJ4tov9ORMcnriBCDCskvxW-1uM6BWGkjqgp2iQXpnBcrNlD2RSi2SntT2P~k~c3090fBIuaF1HYXAoNZujyn9udDcyM8M~mAC4NtKVDnZG5v1s0FZaS2QnZrkTyhM7Va-JanujCjWtNWO5RS9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Davidson County, NC","date","2025-03-06T16:27:00Z","article","Planning Director Lee described a proposed zoning approach to create a recreation-focused district that would make it easier for residents and prospective employers to see county park assets on planning maps and for staff to apply consistent use and permitting criteria. Lee noted other North Carolina counties use a range of approaches: some counties have a broad \"institutional and public\" district for civic uses; others (Stanly County cited) use a rural recreation district to highlight a specific park or trail.

Lee said the proposed district would be parcel-specific (not a broad overlay) and could include uses such as event space, hospitality or accessory commercial uses if the board elects. The director said the district could help with industrial recruitment by signaling available recreational amenities and would not automatically block compatible private development; commissioners asked clarifying questions about parcel selection and allowed uses.

Why it matters: a new, clear zoning category for significant parks and recreation facilities can simplify permitting for park-supporting development, clarify community expectations, and become a visible economic-development signal. The board directed staff to draft an application and return with details for a future agenda.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Davidson County Commissioners Meeting March 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Planning staff proposed creating a parcel-specific recreation or \"community recreation\" zoning district to group and advertise county-owned parks and recreational assets for economic-development and land-use clarity.","taxTitle","Davidson County, North Carolina","taxId",13707,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6291906,"Commissioners consider phased local supplement increase for teachers; school leaders prefer two- or three-year phase-in",684,9208000,9892000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2528695-53f967444fb0ff5a2acd42632d43f906&start=9208&end=9892","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2528695-53f967444fb0ff5a2acd42632d43f906/thumbnail_9208000.jpg","/articles/6291906/Davidson-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-consider-phased-local-supplement-increase-for-teachers-school-leaders-prefer-two-or-three-year-phase-in","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291906-a0e8b56f3abe6493b69c3116644b4f1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138332&Signature=fgr4cRKlnikayeEqGqVZP0-qwBevyLgopqyeys-yU3uHsdtx9GShNPjsH5zZ9hbbPNDu36l4H3qaYPTgYxMuSBgEz2GfkB~AiJ1qTFHGzeJjfAEYb0NiudQ6bNk~XfWIwpTQmNX0pRkQ3jxSo91YTrqJmBv1B9FTTZwSsxKMqqatZKk0e4Gc1DuMmebYz1OBH8bjlmR82L5ZD0vo4X804kYFNtGwUTTy3SW3Ck5dn4z4bZESNZI-bUgUmBOrPD0fMSmxYx6B3lWFJ7zVghX-qqin4~Q8G2lyCX-LtcQzF7M9G-uFBOToPtszYylF4aWmuSoBPRhVDsT32AkoO51NLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board heard a proposal to increase the county's local supplement for certified teachers during the March 6 budget retreat. County staff presented three options: a one-year increase to 8%, a two-year phase-in (7% then 8%), and a three-year phase-in. The manager noted the county\ts share of the total certified-pay package currently runs about 34% of school certified personnel costs.

Staff summarized funding implications: moving immediately to 8% would require a larger one-time county outlay (staff presented roughly $1.7\tmillion as the county portion to reach 8% in year one), while a two- or three-year phase-in would smooth the county cost and require the school district to use some fund-balance dollars to \"get over the hill\" in early years. Davidson County Schools' leadership provided a fund-balance snapshot showing about $10.3\tmillion at the start of FY2025 and roughly $8.8\tmillion after recent capital spending; district leaders said they favored a two- or three-year approach to limit one-time strain on their reserves.

Manager Casey said the county could include additional local supplement dollars in this budget cycle but urged a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to document the county and school commitments, including contingency language if the state enacts a large, systemwide teacher-pay increase that would materially change local obligations. Casey specifically called out a proposed state bill (House Bill 192, discussed in the meeting) as a potential budget buster because a large state raise would drive up the local supplement percentage required to keep parity and could require broader county funding adjustments.

School leaders and commissioners discussed implementation mechanics. Staff emphasized that supplements are calculated as a percentage of certified salary lines and therefore grow if the state provides a large COLA. Commissioners asked whether the schools could use their fund balance to accelerate the supplement, and school representatives confirmed the district could contribute in the near term but preferred a phased approach.

Why it matters: local supplements affect recruitment and retention of teachers, and changes have multi-year fiscal implications for both the county and the school district. A board decision on supplement policy would need a formal MOU and may require earmarked one-time funding to smooth the transition.

No final decision was made; commissioners indicated willingness to pursue a phased increase and asked staff and the school system to draft an MOU spelling out the county contribution and contingencies tied to state changes.","County staff presented options to raise the county\tlocal supplement for certified teachers toward an 8% target. Commissioners discussed one-year, two-year and three-year phase-ins; school officials signaled preference for a two- or three-year approach and said their fund balance could partially bridge the first-year cost.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6291911,"Commissioners divided over $65 million Sportsplex; board schedules public discussion, could set project ordinance next week",331,7234000,7565000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2528695-53f967444fb0ff5a2acd42632d43f906&start=7234&end=7565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2528695-53f967444fb0ff5a2acd42632d43f906/thumbnail_7234000.jpg","/articles/6291911/Davidson-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-divided-over-65-million-Sportsplex-board-schedules-public-discussion-could-set-project-ordinance-next-week","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291911-0880463edab2ea4f048d92891eebcf61/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138332&Signature=mDf29TWzUYGMMELZ2APEtmcJzj4Xa0GDk~V504MJlimFSznwWHI5Ew3o62JcMuHUeTQ4G5OucXITRyoNVPa8lmjujmq7P2OUMubbvY6GusCFxYAvyKDwOn7FuiDDRGfO6rK64DQGZ2yfhC8ox1bk3WrSw6I7vsGTEcM52arpfjia8wU4t-WOlQIqF07onFdTge-26NmSBHEggy5JbeB~7LK0yBn3u7JVTN3zdfEQuGe8sbkp14Oo3QOrOytsBz7~wIt7PifEnB3gatlNKrXdUSa3e-1tTzVCO~JGpcV87EicWR3mnYxjBrx6du7Z~wWzsmSKmGe7ybSUWtdtWOIjKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Davidson County Parks & Recreation Director Thomas and consultant materials presented a master plan for a proposed $65\tmillion Sportsplex during the March 6 budget retreat. The plan includes indoor courts (52,000\tsquare feet, four gyms), an indoor aquatic center with eight lap lanes, roughly 10 multipurpose fields and eight baseball/softball fields, pickleball and tennis courts, an RV park and associated support amenities. Staff presented a three-phase schedule that would start design/site work in 2025 and complete major elements by 2027 or 2028 if the board approves an aggressive timeline.

Proponents argued the facility would generate net revenue and substantial economic impact from tournament visitors. Commissioner Hill cited a consultant estimate of about $70\tmillion in annual economic impact from comparable facilities and noted secondary effects such as new lodging investments. Several commissioners said the complex could improve quality of life and keep local youth sports in-county.

Opponents raised concerns about funding the project entirely with county cash and the tradeoffs that would require. Commissioner Elliott and others said $65\tmillion in cash would reduce amounts available for other prioritized school and infrastructure projects and called attention to existing service shortfalls such as transit for seniors. Commissioner Fred (name used in discussion) questioned the planning depth and private-sector participation; he noted an earlier bond effort had lacked private investment and recommended broader site and financing exploration.

Thomas and consultant materials provided a preliminary operations estimate showing about $2\tmillion in annual revenue, $1\tmillion in operating costs (excluding contracted lifeguards), and staffing of 32 FTEs (four full time, remainder part time). Staff said concession and aquatic operations drive most revenue and that the facility was expected to be near break-even in typical operational scenarios. Parks staff said some operating roles could be filled by local high-school students and contract labor.

The board did not vote on a project ordinance at the retreat. Commissioners asked for a public hearing and directed staff to schedule a dedicated meeting for public comment; a county official said the board will hold a public session Monday night to take input and could set a project ordinance at that meeting if the board elects to proceed. Several commissioners expressed strong support for the Sportsplex concept; others sought more analysis of opportunity costs and alternatives.

Why it matters: a cash-funded $65\tmillion sports complex would be one of the county\t's largest discretionary infrastructure investments and has implications for cash reserves and other capital priorities. The board signaled willingness to hear public comment and to move forward in the near term if it chooses to appropriate funds.","County parks staff outlined a $65 million multi-sport complex. Supporters pointed to economic impact and year-round programming; critics pressed that the cash-funded plan would reduce funds for immediate needs and existing services. Board agreed to a public session Monday and to consider a project ordinance pending public input.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6291916,"Davidson County outlines $235 million five-year capital plan; $150M in county cash proposed for priority projects",405,4439000,4844000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2528695-53f967444fb0ff5a2acd42632d43f906&start=4439&end=4844","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2528695-53f967444fb0ff5a2acd42632d43f906/thumbnail_4439000.jpg","/articles/6291916/Davidson-County/North-Carolina/Davidson-County-outlines-235-million-five-year-capital-plan-150M-in-county-cash-proposed-for-priority-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291916-7b0d20df8b0f1609398534df2b6f84b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138332&Signature=M7A67rjhYqqp3jbgKnDgPrxGrsIzlnP4AD64H7LdC9LItd1-SD3A7TBCxScvkUS0LP4Q~Q5LcEe03-Re54-6iKaCkOLhiwz4ZTwS3x~E1N3gPkZOYXv1z4uQeJTAUInNhHLq4u~32xUFBmPCxHspQQGKIMlRdOR316MwhgpQU2VxDoaz99PFBdLXYJv9WO5ShTQ~yqUEUi~X303fnzV3cwTgtV~ddy~GRsutwwU4d7wkiPCJlUdGUwofRERVHMIeiludp-iTH3t9ro2u1vTj-nyRyKFpjnKtc4hBiyfglAVopHmECGRe2924LXP1IW4P5nSjECKoPPmdUlXfOHio5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Manager Casey presented a five-year capital improvement plan on March 6 that totals roughly $235\tmillion in proposed spending across county projects, school renovations and enterprise projects such as landfill and airport improvements. Casey told commissioners staff's current cash projection would cover about $150\tmillion of that work; the rest would require debt issuance or external grant awards.

Key line items included:

- Sportsplex (proposed): $65\tmillion (all-cash in the current plan)
- Detention-center expansion (preliminary estimate): $67.5\tmillion (anticipated mix of cash and debt)
- Possible school renovations (priority pool): $33.5\tmillion (split between county cash and sales-tax-derived education proceeds)
- Airport and landfill projects: state grant-driven items shown as pass-through (money-in, money-out)

Casey described a near-term cash flow requirement: staff expects to transfer roughly $22.8\tmillion from current-year over-collections into the capital reserve in 2025 and anticipates repeating similar transfers in 2026 and 2027 to maintain the plan without larger borrowing.

Commissioners and staff discussed options to blend \"pay-go\" cash and debt sales. Casey noted that debt that falls off the county\tschedule in later years would create additional capacity (he estimated roughly $5.5\tmillion of annual capacity could support a $55\tmillion bond sale in the future). He also noted the county had already used cash to pay for several large school projects and that \"you could borrow that much and send the bars right back to the highest one,\" referring to the debt-service chart.

School renovation funding was presented as a \"possible\" pool of $33.5\tmillion to be divided among the county schools, the college and municipal partners; Casey proposed the facilities committee or a similar joint committee with school representatives to prioritize projects and develop an allocation plan.

Why it matters: the capital plan sets the county's multi-year infrastructure priorities and determines whether projects are funded by cash, debt, or grants. Large projects such as a detention-center bond sale or comprehensive sports complex would have multi-year budget, debt-service and operating implications.

The manager urged commissioners to weigh choices now because some funding transfers are already in progress; if the board wants to proceed with large cash items it will need to appropriate project ordinances and schedule subsequent contract and bid approvals. Commissioners asked for additional public engagement on the biggest projects and discussed phasing scenarios and possible borrowing to smooth cash requirements.","Manager presented a five-year capital improvement plan that lists $235 million in projects including a $65 million sports complex, a $67.5 million detention-center option, school renovations and airport/landfill grants; staff says $150 million of county cash will be required to fully fund the plan absent additional borrowing or outside grants.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6291921,"Davidson County manager presents conservative FY2026 revenue plan, highlights slowing sales-tax growth and steady property collections",2364,1116000,3480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2528695-53f967444fb0ff5a2acd42632d43f906&start=1116&end=3480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2528695-53f967444fb0ff5a2acd42632d43f906/thumbnail_1116000.jpg","/articles/6291921/Davidson-County/North-Carolina/Davidson-County-manager-presents-conservative-FY2026-revenue-plan-highlights-slowing-sales-tax-growth-and-steady-property-collections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291921-97f88e8a2b76b582bd24d01732cce36f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138332&Signature=cOQQKqxs2AK7nFpeD7alwp0AT1yMX9QjxUb3Bsm1kk8GucNaq8gEyUHGdRr97gJcq3sVjXWkxzgpmp8de~M5GqG6KCYG27ECHKNH3Cx1GyrwJoJzACMCUJC3xWJEMV23497oKbtYBoYtZNAR4-mEu6YIwrHgVpaEjoPPwJ~1jJdP~c2zHjt--FeJZW-3ziQReouG66q5mfVuC2UxmanZxcBBaRtw~~2kXSek7A4oR9Hkd8gGWzVCOCb-IkLCfscXe35e~TDwc5cAO-1gffEVGJC3wFxNDqEoEWW~7UXh56DPdMFBPygZ6TR0TU18xzlPe~melStH8TMIkppp1h9A2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Manager Casey opened the county\t\tbudget briefing on March 6 by telling the Board of Commissioners that staff is building a conservative FY2026 general-fund budget centered on steady property-tax receipts, slower sales-tax growth and careful use of fund balance. Casey said property valuations have roughly doubled over 20 years and remain the most predictable revenue source, while sales-tax growth has slowed from double-digit gains to roughly 1.5\tto\t2% recently. \"We're not growing at the double-digit rate sales tax wise that we were just a few years ago,\" Casey said.

The county manager walked commissioners through a set of dashboards staff uses to monitor revenue and salary risk in near-real time. He described the dashboards as a tool to spot trends early and to prompt corrective action if collections or payrolls drift off plan. The presentation highlighted a roughly $16\tmillion property-tax \"slack\" in the current year that the county has moved into capital reserves by design and an estimated additional $5.5\tmillion of long-term debt capacity that would appear as debt service falls off the schedule.

County Treasurer Tim and tax staff were credited for improving collection rates; Casey cited a 3.9% year-over-year growth in property tax collections and noted that most property taxes are collected by October each year. He also flagged a modest slowdown in sales-tax receipts entering the current fiscal year: the county recorded an 11% jump from 2022 to 2023 but only about 3% from 2023 to 2024, and staff observed a half-point dip in a recent month when comparing December-to-December figures.

Casey recommended a conservative approach: budget revenues low and budget operating expenses more aggressively to preserve flexibility if federal or state funding changes (he specifically noted potential uncertainty in Medicaid-related intergovernmental revenues). He proposed a target fund balance at or above 50% of the general fund and said his budget attempts to return the county toward the mid-50s percentage by next year. \"I don't want to watch it go down,\" Casey said of the county's fund balance policy.

On the expense side, salary and benefits remain the largest drivers of the general fund. Casey noted a current general-fund vacancy rate of about 9.5% (roughly 80\tvacant positions) and estimated vacancy-related savings near $1.4\tmillion year to date; he cautioned that if large departments fill vacancies quickly those savings will shrink and the payroll line will climb toward budget. He also described a $2.2\tmillion vacancy cushion built into the FY2026 base personnel assumptions to reflect historically expected hiring patterns.

Casey told the board that interest income has been an important but variable revenue source: investment earnings rose in recent years when rates were higher and can fall quickly if the Federal Reserve cuts rates. He proposed a conservative $2.6\tmillion interest estimate for next year rather than assuming elevated yields persist.

Why it matters: the county is preparing a baseline budget that aims to protect core services while setting aside growth for long-term capital projects. The manager emphasized early detection of collection and payroll trends to avoid midyear cuts.

Casey closed by urging commissioners to prioritize three financial goals as staff finalizes the budget: hold the tax rate at or below the current rate, maintain fund balance near 50% of the general fund, and continue to support pay increases and major capital priorities in a measured way. The board asked clarifying questions and directed staff to continue the budget process and public review schedule.","County staff presented a conservative general-fund budget framework that relies on steady property-tax collections, slower sales-tax growth and cautious use of fund balance while preserving reserves and continuing a multi-year dashboard monitoring practice.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning staff proposes a recreation-focused zoning district to highlight county parks and recreation assets

Commissioners consider phased local supplement increase for teachers; school leaders prefer two- or three-year phase-in

Commissioners divided over $65 million Sportsplex; board schedules public discussion, could set project ordinance next week

Davidson County outlines $235 million five-year capital plan; $150M in county cash proposed for priority projects

Davidson County manager presents conservative FY2026 revenue plan, highlights slowing sales-tax growth and steady property collections