Regional Land Use Advisory Commission – Quarterly Meeting

The quarterly meeting of RLUAC was held on August 20.

Background on RLUAC – The Regional Land Use Advisory Commission (RLUAC) is a non-profit 501(C)3 membership based organization located in the Sandhills of North Carolina consisting of twenty units of local government: eight counties and twelve municipalities.  The twenty year old organization was the first regional group established in the country to coordinate land use decisions between the military and the local governments.  Today, the primary mission of RLUAC is to balance the following three key objectives through facilitating regional planning and development reviews, communication and coordination: 1)Protect the Civilian Population from negative military impacts; 2)Protect the Long Leaf Pine Ecosystem from destruction;and 3) Protect the Military Training Mission from incompatible development

Roger Vickers (Fort Bragg’s Army Stationing and Installation Plan Manager) gave an update on Fort Bragg’s troop strength and upcoming changes.  Vickers passed out Fort Bragg population chart with a population plan.  The chart did not show the numbers if the 440th were deactivated.  Vickers stated, “Fort Bragg has faired pretty well but has not been talked about is sequestration.  Starting in October, Fort Bragg will be drawing down further if we are still under sequestration.  You need to contact your representatives.”

To view the data please click the link below ↓

fortbraggpopulationdatachart

Debra Ensminger (Moore County Planning Director)  gave an update on current development plans in Moore County.  One of the biggest projects Moore County is working on is the Pine Forest project.

Details:

  • 1,652-acre Planned Unit Development (PUD)
  • development sretches from West End to Pinewild and from NC Highway 211 to NC Highway 73
  • Westin Hotel on property – 300 rooms with a conference center
  • 590 single-family homes
  • 18 hole golf course
  • potable water averaging 500 gallons per day
  • will estable their own wastewater treatment plant

Other Moore County information:

  • Solar farms – 2 currently on the ground with 3 under construction (700 installed in NC)
  • single family dwelling permits from 2001-15 = 266
  • New waterline – Highway 73 (currently 2 million gallons used per day and eventually 3 million per day)

NC Budget Update from the North Carolina Association of REALTORS®

 

PROGRESS REPORT: BUDGET

August 21, 2015

In this week’s progress report, we are focusing on the ongoing budget debate in the legislature.

On Tuesday, legislative leaders and Governor McCrory announced an agreement on the budget spending target. The $21.735 billion spending target represents a compromise between the chambers given their earlier differences.  The chart below shows the different budget amounts from the House, Senate and Governor’s budgets as well as their final compromise.

Governor House Senate Compromise
$21.52 $22.2 $21.47 $21.735

Note: Numbers presented are in billions ($)

This compromise is $415 million less than the House originally proposed and $265 million more than the Senate’s proposal. If agreed upon, this budget will represent a 3.1 percent increase in spending from last fiscal year.

There is still much work ahead. Budget conferees have less than ten days to reach an agreement on how this sum should be spent. The current continuing resolution expires on August 31.

NCAR Government Affairs staff continue to promote our priorities. The chart below illustrates these priorities and their status.

Issue Status
Mortgage Interest and Property Tax Deductions

Current law caps the combined deductions at $20,000. Current law also allows an unlimited deduction for charitable giving.

 Senate leaders want to lower the personal income tax rate, increase the standard deduction to $18,500, and add other Schedule A deductions under the $20,000 cap. Capping deductions erodes the benefits of the MID and PTD for homeowners. The House budget does not make changes to tax deductions. This proposal may still be on the table in budget talks but could also find its way into another bill. NCAR strongly advocates for increasing the cap as well as indexing it for future cost-of-living adjustments and increases in mortgage interest rates. 
Historic Preservation Tax Credit

This tax credit expired in 2014.

 The House budget supports reinstating the tax credit, but the Senate budget does not. NCAR supports reinstatement of the program, which will likely remain part of budget discussions.
Sales Tax Reapportionment

Current law distributes 80% of sales tax revenue to the counties where the sale occurred and 20% on a per capita basis.

 The Senate originally proposed flipping the formula to 80% per capita and 20% point of sale. Senators amended HB 117 to change the formula to a 50/50 split (see this chart for more information). On Thursday, the House voted 111-2 to reject the Senate’s proposal.
Leaking Petroleum Underground Storage Tank (UST) Cleanup Funds

Last year’s budget appropriated recurring and non-recurring funds for these programs.

 The Senate budget pays for clearing the backlog of current claims, but pays for only the program for commercial properties going forward. The House version continues the program and clears the backlog. As an appropriation item, this issue remains part of the budget negotiations.
Workforce Housing Loan Program

Last year’s budget funded this program at $10 million.

The House wants to increase funding to $20 million. The Senate would maintain current funding of $10 million. As an appropriation item, the WHLP remains part of the budget negotiations.
Sales Tax on Services Current law places a sales tax on a narrow group of services. The Senate proposed adding advertising, veterinary and non-medical pet care, and personal property repair and installation services to the sales tax base. Much like the MID and PTD proposal, this issue could remain part of the budget talks for show up in another bill.
Film Incentive Grant Program

Last year’s budget contained $10 million for this grant program.

 The House voted to increase funding to $40 million, and the Senate supported maintaining the program at $10 million. As an appropriation item, this issue remains part of the budget negotiations.

 

 

Hope Mills Mayoral Candidate Jackie Warner (Incumbent)

Other candidates filed:  Keith Bowen, Mike Mitchell

What endorsements have you received to date? 

1. I have never solicited endorsements in any of my campaigns; however, I have received numerous endorsements in the past from private, political’ and corporate sources.

If offered, would you accept contributions from political action committees affiliated with the real estate industry?  (RPAC, Buildpac etc.) 

2. I would be honored to be endorsed by the real estate industry. (My family furniture business of 36 years goes “hand-in-glove” with real estate efforts with home furniture for new houses.) The real estate industry brings quality and much needed jobs for our communities as well as country.

 How do you envision your city’s quality of life in the next 10 years?

3. Even with the growth that has impacted Hope Mills and surrounding communities, we still possess our small town identity and neighborhoods.  We must begin, now more than ever before, organized plans for future expansion in order to prevent a “mish-mash”, unorganized growth pattern that fails to complement the image and theme of our Hope Mills.

What ideas do you have to make it easier to open and maintain a new business in your municipality? 

4. Our Town management must invite, accommodate and assist wholesome new business opportunities with the elimination of “red tape” as much as possible.  Our town manager must be “business and building” friendly.  New business means new jobs; new jobs ensures stability in our overall economic future.

 What are the key issues/challenges in your city?

5. Restoration of our long-awaited return of Hope Mills Lake

    Future completion of our Historical Museum 

    Facilities study to prioritize our infrastructure development

    Solutions for traffic congestion

 How do you plan to solve them once in office?

6. The projects listed above are being completed in the next two years–the traffic        congestion problems are being addressed through DOT and our participation        in FAMPO. 

 What new ideas/concepts can you bring to the office you are seeking?

7. My involvement in the development of the Southwest Cumberland Land-use Plan along with my interest in protecting our historical buildings has given me an opportunity to help shape the future of Hope Mills.  I am accustomed to working with a team (my education and administrative background) so I want to work with our board, our staff and our community to develop a comprehensive plan for the growth of Hope Mills.  Our small town atmosphere with the cultural and recreational opportunities needed for our growing population is a goal for now.