INTER-NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
Making Better Neighborhoods
Minutes of Meeting of February 27, 2001
MEMBERS PRESENT
John Dagenhart Trinity Park
Cheryl Sweeney Northgate Park
Carrie Mowry Colony Park
Mike Ruffin County of Durham
Erick Larson TLNA/City Council
Harold Chestnut PAC 4
Partricia Knaudt Lassiter Street
Harry Hutson Woodlake
Beth Acierno Woodlake
Karen Hassall Northgate Park
Fred Mowry Colony Park
Johnea D. Kelly Duke Park
Pat Carstensen Cross Country
Harry Dawley Trinity Park
Lynwood D. Best City of Durham
Mo Fried Placid Valley
George Carter Forest Hills
Hildegard S. Ryaks Forest Hills
Shela Wilson New Hope Advisory Committee
Jennifer Albright TLNA
John Compton Duke Park
Mike Shiflett Watts Hospital Hillandale
Mike Shiflett called the meeting to order at 7:13PM.
The treasurer noted that our current bank balance is $460.73. Upcoming expenses include the Armory deposit for $175.00. Dues notices will be going out in March.
Mike Ruffin, Durham County Manager provided our program. Mr. Ruffin comes from Rocky Mount, NC. He has served in Person and Cabarrus counties and also in the Atlanta area. He listed his major areas of experience as: Growth Management, Planning Director, Budget, Personnel and Finance.
INC Meeting February 2001 2.
His presentation concentrated on the current revaluation process. He noted that there were very few appeals generated from the first mailing and that the second mailing would take place on or about March 16. Overall evaluation increases averaged 49%. Most homes could be expected to receive a 25 to 35% increase. He assured the members that the present tax rate will drop and mentioned that a new rate of in a ball park of $.73 per $100 valuation or lower. He said that we should expect some tax increase because Medicaid would cause an increase of $.013. The county Budget is funded only .39 on the dollar by property taxes.
Elderly citizens can receive a state exemption if the re-evaluation would price them out of their home.
County Taxes are allocated between Public Education, Courts and Health. He felt reasonably confident that by the end of June the County would have found a way to save the required 3.2 million in spending cuts.
Details on the November Bond issue: Taxes are usually increased to cover Bonds (however the City has not done so for the 1996 Bonds, just yet). There will be $50.7 million for Education Capital Improvement Programs, two branches of the library, Senior Citizens Centers, NC Museum of Life & Science, Durham Tech improvements and possibly Parks and Open Space considerations. A planned Human Services Center is scheduled for 2004 with installment financing.
Street Impact Fees - Infrastructure Needs = 27 M spent
226M more needed now
+ 344M need additional by 2007!!!
Adult Entertainment Business - A suggestion was made to send investigative reps. _
Carrie Mowry asked for all newsletter articles to be forwarded to her ASAP.
Chris Bishop spoke about IAF and extended an open invitation. He pointed out that IAF's main priorities are citizenship, stewardship, self empowerment and providing a framework for leadership development. Next delegates meeting is May 3rd.
Harry Dawley will represent INC at the Ward District Meetings scheduled to begin on Feb. 28th.
City Council - Sunset Street closing issue was postponed. Rezoning request for Oak Grove/ Ganyard Farms passed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55PM.