City Council Work Session – Draft Troop Reduction Study

Background: (from consultants memo) – The City of Fayetteville was awarded a grant from the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) to determine the prospective regional impact of troop reductions at Fort Bragg and to develop strategies to drive growth to offset military reductions.

The recommendations in this report align education, workforce development, and economic development with target industry sectors.

To view the full (200 page) report click below ↓

2017impactontroopreduction

To view the City of Fayetteville report click below ↓

2017Fayetteville Presentation 02 06 and 02 14 a (2)

Hot Button Conclusions:

  • Each 100 active duty military job in the region, support as many as 60 other jobs (including civilians at Fort Bragg)
  • Each active duty military job can support an average of as much as $90,000 in labor income – representing soldier income plus income for a soldier’s share of supported jobs
  • Scenarios show that a 3,000 troop reduction would result in the loss of between 3,630-5,000 full-time and part-time jobs, $450-$618 million in sales, $107-264 million in wages, and $5-$15 million in tax revenues
  • The study recommends the region increase its business recruitment efforts by collaborating at a higher level and focusing on the target sectors of logistics and warehousing, defense and security, advanced manufacturing and business services
  • Strategies could include grants and other funding to work with developers to increase the inventory of available quality of buildings and shovel-ready sites

 

1000 Troops Reduction
Region Employment Labor Income Output State and Local Taxes
Cumberland County -1,615.00 ($88,152,857) ($98,514,207) ($1,712,323)
Harnett County -2.2 ($56,379) ($214,959) ($3,151)
Hoke County -0.8 ($11,966) $58,918 ($699)
Total Impact -1,618,90 ($88,221,203) ($98,788,084) ($($1,716,173)

 

 

 

County Tax Revaluations Complete

(from Cumberland County government memo)

to view the entire document click here  http://County Tax Revaluation Shows Decrease

Revalution Call Center:  910-678-7800, February 1 – 28
8:oo a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Monday, Wednesday, Friday
8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Tuesday, Thursday

Email to File an Appeal:  revalappeals@co.cumberland.nc.us
Customer Service:  910-678-7507
County website:  www.co.cumberland.nc.us/tax

From:  Sally Shutt, Public Information Officer
910-437-1921
email:  sshutt@co.cumberland.nc.us

Tax officials estimate the taxable value for real property in Cumberland County has dropped approximately $560 million, or 2.9 percent from 2016.  The decrease means the county faces a potential loss of $4.1 million in tax revenue.

Overall, residential assessed values are down 4.9% percent and commercial assessments are up 4 percent.  Approximately 72 percent of the tax base comes from residential properties and 28 percent from commercial and industrial.

County Manager Amy Cannon – “We have some challenges and the best thing we can do is develop some options for the board to consider,” “That could include reducing our expenditures, which may lead to a reduction in county services.”

Another option is adjusting the tax rate.  Based on information today, the county would need to raise the tax rate approximately 2 cents to generate the same tax revenue as before the revaluation.

Other Municipalities:

Fayetteville – dropped $435 million (3.5 percent)

Hope Mills – dropped $2.5 million (.3 percent)

Spring Lake – dropped $6.2 million (1.5 percent)

Eastover – dropped $4.4 million (1.7 percent)

Stedman – dropped $183,284 (0.2)

Wade – INCREASED $445, 510 (1.4 percent)

Godwin – INCREASED $290,264 (4.5 percent)

Falcon – INCREASED $246,447 (1.9 percent)

Linden – dropped $101,606 (0.7)

 

NC REALTORS® 2017 Legislative Priorities

During the NC REALTORS state meetings in January, the NC REALTORS government affairs team presented the 2017 NC REALTORS® Legislative Priorities.  Keep in mind that as the General Assembly long session progresses and new bills are introduced, these priorities are subject to change.  The following is a brief snapshot.  To view the entire document please click below ↓

2017LegislativePriorities

Mortgage Interest and Property Tax Deductions
NC REALTORS® POSITION – Remove the cap on the allowed amount of both deductions on state taxes

Private Road Maintenance Agreements
NC REALTORS® POSITION – Improve the requirements on developers to ensure that roads can be brought up to NCDOT standards for acceptance into the state system.  Develop a statewide roads database which clearly lists the roads designation and the corresponding maintenance authority.

What Was Said: (NC University School of Government) – This legislation should pass for the good of the state.

Development Policy
NC REALTORS®  POSITION – Strengthen existing statutory prohibitions against using inclusionary zoning.  Examine the elimination of extraterritorial jurisdictions.  Continue the discussion from previous sessions of a constitutional amendment progibiting eminent domain actions for private purposes.

Insurance Reform
NC REALTORS® POSITION – Continue work on rate-making reform.  Additionally, it is necessary to examine opportunities to amend the communication processes with policy holders to ensure clarity in rate levels to lessen the need for detrimental actions like consent to rate letters.

Private Process Servers
NC REALTORS® POSITION – Amend the law to allow for private process servers to be an allowable form of service for summary ejectment proceedings.

School Calendar
NC REALTORS® POSITION – Protect the current law setting the school start and end dates.  Prevent additional and unnecessary volatility from local school boards setting district calendars.

Sales Tax on Real Estate Services
NC REALTORS® POSITION – Eliminate taxes on maintenance and repair services on rental property.  Prohibit sales tax on professional services.

Economic Development Funding
NC REALTORS® POSITION- Continue the relationship with EDPNC and increase funding options for economic development projects across North Carolina.

Workforce Housing Loan Program
NC REALTORS® POSITION – Increase funding for the WHLP and the Housing Finance Agency housing programs.

Historic Preservation Tax Credits
NC REALTORS® POSITION – Preserve and increase historic preservation by continuing the current tax credits and allowing for residential credits.

Beach Nourishment
NC REALTORS® POSITION – Provide a dedicated source of revenue for beach nourishment.

 

Fayetteville City Council discusses Gateway Overlay District

During the January Work Session of the Fayetteville City Council, the council discussed a proposed Gateway Corridor Overlay District.  Although no formal motion was made, the Council directed city staff to make adjustments and place the item back on the work session agenda for February.

Those in verbal disapproval of the district – Councilman Arp & Mayor Robertson

(from city presentation)

Highlights are below:

Direction of the proposed Overlay District:

  • regulate use type, if yes, which corridors?
  • regulate sign type
  • Amortize signs & buildings (eliminating or reducing a nonconformity over time)
  • building types (motels, used car lots, outdoor storage)

Recommended Corridors:

  • Eastern boulevard – currently Crown Coliseum Overlay in place
  • Cedar Creek Road – corridor is a “blank slate”
  • Grove Street – NCDOT project, gateway to downtown
  • Murchison Road – Major N-W entrance, future planning for Shaw Heights, catalyst site projects
  • Robeson-Bragg – Major N-S entrance, I-295 offers opportunity to transition, gateway to downtown
  • Raeford Road – NCDOT road widening will create an opportunity to redefine the corridor, major entrance into the City from the west
  • Hope Mills Road – future planning for roadway, opportunity to distinguish Fayetteville from Hope Mills
  • Ramsey Street – new development has occurred, corridor can can benefit from a coordinated approach

Not Recommended:

  • Outer Loop
  • Skibo-Pamalee-Country Club
  • MLK/HWY 87
  • East Mountain/Owen/All American

Fayetteville City Council – Park Bond Update

On January 3, 2017, Michael  Gibson (Fayetteville/Cumberland Parks & Recreation Director) gave an update on Phase 1 of the Parks Bond Issuance.

Senior Center West

  • Land located adjacent to Lake Rim along Raeford Road
  • Lease of Land request presented to N.C. Wildlife Board of Commissioners on December 8

Skateboard Park

  • Land Acquisition discussion scheduled for January 11, 2017
  • Proposed site is located on Russell Street and currently owned by A & R Railroad
  • Construction is scheduled to begin in FY18

Splash Pads – Construction Schedule

  • Kiwanis Recreation Center – FY17
  • Cliffdale Recreation Center – FY17
  • EE Miller Recreation Center – FY17
  • Massey Hill Recreation Center – FY17
  • Gilmore Therapeutic Center – FY18
  • Myers Recreation Center – FY18
  • Downtown Baseball Stadium – FY18