Iredell Co. residents to vote on property tax increase WSOC TV

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — People who live in Iredell County could see a significant property tax increase if a school bond referendum on the November ballot passes.

Supporters said the $131.5 million is needed while others are concerned its putting the county in more debt.

Mooresville resident Vicki Sawyer said a tax increase is needed to pay for additions and renovations for schools.

"The growth is here in southern Iredell County and we as a school system need to address that growth," Sawyer said.

The cost to pay for that growth is part of a $131.5 million school bond referendum that the county commissioner voted to place on the November ballot.

If approved it will raise property taxes for all Iredell County residents by nearly 9 percent, and not everyone is OK with that.

"There is still a tremendous amount of people and Iredell County who are unemployed and this will create a burden for them," said resident Bryan Shoemaker.

$79.5 million will pay for a new middle school, renovations and additional classrooms at several schools in the Iredell-Statesville School District. Those schools include North Iredell High School, Cool Springs Elementary, Statesville Middle School, South Iredell High school and Brawley Middle School. Another $12 million will pay for a new health and sciences building at Mitchell Community College.

The remaining $40 million will pay for a new gym, auditorium and renovations at Mooresville High School. Some of those renovations include HVAC repair, renovations to classrooms at two campuses, the demolition of the old auditorium and more. For a full breakdown of how the money will be used to renovate each school click here http://www.ourschoolsfirst.com/support-our-schools-first/

Now it's up to residents to decide if it's worth voting for.

"Anytime you take on debt there is a certain amount of risk involved,” said Shoemaker.

Its risks that one principal said are worth a child's education.

“We are providing a tremendous service to children and families in Iredell county however we are doing so in substandard facilities," said Boen Nutting, principal at Mt. Mourne School

If the school bond referendum passes, Mt. Morne School will move to Brawley Middle School which is a much bigger campus. The principal at Mt. Mourne said it will alleviate space allowing access to more than 200 students currently on a waiting list.

At Mooresville High School, officials showed cracks in the walls and damaged areas from years of water intrusion. Built in the 1950s, officials said there are too many health and safety issues to leave the auditorium and gym as is.

"It has been deemed structurally unsound. There is no Plan B if this doesn't pass. There is no money in the coffers to fix that," Sawyer said.

If approved the tax hike will go into effect next summer.

While most of money is going to repair several schools in Statesville some are upset $40 million is going to just one school in Mooresville.

Residents will get to voice their concerns at a public forum at the regularly scheduled commissioners meeting on Oct. 7.

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