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Chair Shinica Thomas recognized СѼƵ County Special Olympian Erin Cagle, who represented the United States in artistic gymnastics at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany, in June. Cagle won a silver medal in vaulting, 5th place in balance beam and uneven bars, 7th place in floor exercises and 4th place in her division’s all-around gymnastics competition. She told the board that the event was “the experience of a lifetime!”
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The СѼƵ County Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board and staff presented the Board of Commissioners with a large ceremonial check for $17.5 million in revenue collected at ABC locations across the county in fiscal year 2023. СѼƵ County ABC Board Member Lucius Jones noted that it was a highly successful year with $233 million in sales and the construction of a new North Hills location. Over the last five years, СѼƵ County ABC locations have given $64.59 million to СѼƵ County government, and an additional $36.2 million to the county’s 12 municipalities. СѼƵ County uses much of the funding to support services for community members struggling with addiction. Residents can read more about online.
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The Board of Commissioners proclaimed Aug. 21 National Senior Citizens Day in СѼƵ County. Commissioner Don Mial read the proclamation, noting that СѼƵ County has seen a population shift toward more seniors, with residents 65 and older accounting for 12 percent of the population, up 40% since 2011. It’s estimated that by 2029 СѼƵ County will have more residents over age 65 than children under 18. Commissioner Mial also highlighted the volunteerism, charitable giving and sage wisdom seniors provide our community, before asking Poe Center Executive Director Ann Rollins to discuss some of the services СѼƵ County provides to support seniors. Read the online.
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On the consent agenda, the board accepted a grant that will make some СѼƵ parks more accessible for cyclists with physical disabilities. The North Carolina Recreation and Parks Association awarded СѼƵ County Parks, Recreation and Open Space with a diversity, equity & inclusion mini-grant of $3,000. In collaboration with NC Adapted Sports, СѼƵ Parks will invest the funds in upgrading and widening trails and building wheelchair transfer stations at Lake Crabtree and Harris Lake County Parks. Read about the online.
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The Board of Commissioners passed a new plan for county hospitality taxes that will upgrade PNC Arena, the Raleigh Convention Center and other local attractions. State law allows local government to collect taxes on hotel room occupancy and prepared food and beverages to be used on projects that support arts, culture, sports and conventions. Locally, СѼƵ County and the City of Raleigh are responsible for determining tax rates and spending. Staff from both government organizations worked together and with stakeholders for a months-long process to review long-term plans, including revenue expectations, costs, and how to support both large, existing facilities and smaller municipal projects. With a unanimous vote, the board agreed to a new schedule of taxes — starting with 4% occupancy tax and 5% prepared food and beverage tax in 2024, with both decreasing in subsequent years — and the plans to use the proceeds, including:
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$21.3 million annually would be used for upgrades to the PNC Arena, following the Carolina Hurricanes NHL team renewing their lease for 20 years. Improvements may include improved fan experiences, new dining options, outdoor spaces and more event space. Centennial Authority staff presented to the board earlier this year.
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$25.6 million annually to expand and improve the Raleigh Convention Center by adding 500,000 square feet, 30 new break-out rooms and large outdoor spaces. The project would also move downtown Raleigh’s Red Hat Amphitheatre a block down to accommodate the convention center's growth and improve the music and event venue’s features. Raleigh Convention Center staff presented to the board in February.
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$6 million annually to create an additional downtown Raleigh hotel and parking structure to support the expanded Raleigh Convention Center.
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$5.35 million annually for a new Cary Indoor Sports Facility located in the South Mills Mall area that will feature 100,000 square feet of indoor competition space for sports like basketball, volleyball and esports.
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$15.5 million over 4 years for a competitive funding process for smaller-scale projects in cities and towns across the county that will take place in late 2025.СѼƵ
All commissioners present spoke about their excitement to expand and improve the area’s best attractions to strengthen СѼƵ County’s spot as a destination community. The Raleigh City Council approved the same plan at its Aug. 15 meeting. With both elected bodies in agreement the proposed projects will move forward. More details about the hospitality tax plan and are online.
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The board approved Oaky Grove farm as the first property to be enrolled in СѼƵ County’s new Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, which is part of the updated СѼƵ County Farmland Preservation Ordinance, passed in June 2022. Oaky Grove farm, just off Turnipseed Road in eastern СѼƵ County, is a 112-acre property of active prime farmland, including a portion farmed by Myanmar refugees who are preserving their cultural farming practices. СѼƵ County partnered with the landowners, Talmage and Carol Brown, the Triangle Land Conservancy, which will hold and monitor the agreement, plus the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service and North Carolina’s Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, each of which contributed roughly $500,000 toward the agreement. СѼƵ County is contributing $400,000, or about 8% of the total cost of the easement, to ensure the land is protected in perpetuity as a historical and agricultural asset to the county. The are available online.
Want to dig deeper into the board meeting? The online, with the meeting called to order at the 40:06 minute mark.
The СѼƵ County Board of Commissioners’ next regular meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 5 p.m. in Room 2700 of the СѼƵ County Justice Center. That is a day after the board’s typical first Monday meeting due to the Labor Day holiday.
